South East QueenslandNatural Assets Investment Prospectus

Biodiversity... Waterways... Ecotourism... Scenic Amenity... Recreation...

Tourism Q

ueensland

Great Sandy NP

BunyaMountains NP Tarong NP

Conondale NP

CrowsNest NP

D’AguilarRange NP

Main Range NP

Maryland NPCaptainsCreek NP

Yabbra NP

Tooloom NPToonumbar NP

Border Ranges NP

Lamington NPMt Clunie NP

Mt Barney NP

Main Range NP

Mebbin NP

Mt Warning NP

Southern Moreton Bay Islands NP

Blue Lake NP

Moreton Island NP

Bribie Island NP

Noosa NP

Nightcap NP

Mooba NP

RichmondRange NP

LakeCressbrook

SomersetDam

LakeWivenhoe

LakeSamsonvale

LakeMoogerah

LakeCootharaba

Lake Weyba

BRISBANEBRISBANE

Crows Nest

Toowoomba

Springbrook

Murwillumbah

Tweed HeadsCoolangatta

Burleigh Heads

Cleveland

Wynnum

Sandgate

Redcli�e MoretonIsland

North Stradbroke

Island

Bribie Island

Caloundra

Southport

Mudgeeraba

BeaudesertBoonah

Warrill View

Gatton

Ipswich

Esk

Kilcoy

Caboolture

Maleny

Maroochydore

Noosa Heads

Cape Moreton

Tewantin

Eumundi

Nambour

Strathpine

Nerang

Beenleigh

Warwick

Crows Nest

Toowoomba

Springbrook

Murwillumbah

Tweed HeadsCoolangatta

Burleigh Heads

Cleveland

Wynnum

Sandgate

Redcli�e MoretonIsland

North Stradbroke

Island

Bribie Island

Caloundra

Southport

Mudgeeraba

BeaudesertBoonah

Warrill View

Gatton

Ipswich

Esk

Kilcoy

Caboolture

Maleny

Maroochydore

Noosa Heads

Cape Moreton

Tewantin

Eumundi

Nambour

Strathpine

Nerang

Beenleigh

WarwickCunningham Highway

New England Highway

D’Aguilar Highway

Warrego Highway

SEQ Strategic Regional Corridors

Key areasfor investment

Outside SEQConnecting Corridor

LEGEND

1

11

2

10

123

4

5

6

6

7

8

9

Foreword by Council of Mayors (SEQ) Chairman

South East Queensland (SEQ) is a beautiful part of Queensland as well as being the economic gateway to the State.

As leaders of the Councils of SEQ, the Mayors are keen to maintain the liveability of the region and ensure those who live, work and visit here have access to world

class outdoor experiences. The natural assets of the region, the bushland corridors and waterways, are valuable to the community, providing the basis for our clean air and water, biodiversity and productive soils. All levels of government, in partnership with the community, can work together to maintain and improve our region’s natural assets.

The priority investment areas and associated projects identified in this prospectus give a clear picture of where Councils would like to direct future investments in collaboration with neighbouring Councils, the Queensland Government and the Australian Government. Other investing partners are welcomed.

Council of Mayors (SEQ) provides a point of contact for the regional natural assets investment prospectus and I invite you to contact myself and the Council of Mayors (SEQ) Secretariat to discuss proposals.

Cr Graham QuirkChairman, Council of Mayors (SEQ)

Great Sandy NP

BunyaMountains NP Tarong NP

Conondale NP

CrowsNest NP

D’AguilarRange NP

Main Range NP

Maryland NPCaptainsCreek NP

Yabbra NP

Tooloom NPToonumbar NP

Border Ranges NP

Lamington NPMt Clunie NP

Mt Barney NP

Main Range NP

Mebbin NP

Mt Warning NP

Southern Moreton Bay Islands NP

Blue Lake NP

Moreton Island NP

Bribie Island NP

Noosa NP

Nightcap NP

Mooba NP

RichmondRange NP

LakeCressbrook

SomersetDam

LakeWivenhoe

LakeSamsonvale

LakeMoogerah

LakeCootharaba

Lake Weyba

BRISBANEBRISBANE

Crows Nest

Toowoomba

Springbrook

Murwillumbah

Tweed HeadsCoolangatta

Burleigh Heads

Cleveland

Wynnum

Sandgate

Redcli�e MoretonIsland

North Stradbroke

Island

Bribie Island

Caloundra

Southport

Mudgeeraba

BeaudesertBoonah

Warrill View

Gatton

Ipswich

Esk

Kilcoy

Caboolture

Maleny

Maroochydore

Noosa Heads

Cape Moreton

Tewantin

Eumundi

Nambour

Strathpine

Nerang

Beenleigh

Warwick

Crows Nest

Toowoomba

Springbrook

Murwillumbah

Tweed HeadsCoolangatta

Burleigh Heads

Cleveland

Wynnum

Sandgate

Redcli�e MoretonIsland

North Stradbroke

Island

Bribie Island

Caloundra

Southport

Mudgeeraba

BeaudesertBoonah

Warrill View

Gatton

Ipswich

Esk

Kilcoy

Caboolture

Maleny

Maroochydore

Noosa Heads

Cape Moreton

Tewantin

Eumundi

Nambour

Strathpine

Nerang

Beenleigh

WarwickCunningham Highway

New England Highway

D’Aguilar Highway

Warrego Highway

SEQ Strategic Regional Corridors

Key areasfor investment

Outside SEQConnecting Corridor

LEGEND

1

11

2

10

123

4

5

6

6

7

8

9

Priority investment areas

The priority investment areas are key points in national, state and regionally significant wildlife corridors and the headwaters or riparian zones of priority SEQ waterway catchments which drain to the internationally significant Moreton Bay. The priority investment areas are:

1. Pumicestone Passage Riparian Restoration

2. Southern Russell Island Conservation Park

3. Karawatha Flinders – Border Ranges Restoration Link

4. Logan River Recovery – Koala Coast Restoration Link

5. Pine Rivers Koala Coast to Rural Restoration Link

6. Bremer River Recovery – Black Snake Creek Restoration

7. Great Eastern Range: Integrated Second Range Crossing

8. Brisbane Valley Koala and Recreation Precinct

9. Somerset Dam Eco Trails

10. Brisbane – Gold Coast Interurban Break Enhancement

11. Noosa Riparian Restoration

12. Gondwana – Border Ranges Restoration.

The works required at different sites include vegetation restoration, strategic land acquisition, establishment of ecotourism and recreational facilities, construction of wildlife crossings, waterway restoration and infrastructure projects. Community and landholder engagement are key parts of all work in priority investment areas.

Projects that are “ready to go” are detailed in the accompanying fact sheets.

Why invest in SEQ?

SEQ is home to one in seven Australians. Brisbane, the capital of Queensland is located in the region along with major population areas of the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Caboolture, Redlands, and Redcliffe. Contrasting the high population areas are the hinterland and farming valleys of Scenic Rim, Lockyer Valley, Toowoomba and Somerset. Lockyer Valley is one of the most productive agricultural regions in Australia.

The region’s natural assets provide significant values, including biodiversity, ecotourism, scenic amenity, and recreation.

Moreton Bay features internationally recognised wetlands and unique sand islands, amongst the largest in the world. Significant natural assets of the region include white sandy beaches, sub-tropical rainforests of the World Heritage Border Ranges, open woodlands of scribbly gums, and the eastern edge of the brigalow belt. SEQ is the one place in Australia that international visitors can see the iconic species the koala in its natural environment, within 30 minutes of arriving at the airport.

SEQ Councils collectively invest at least $90 million annually towards natural asset protection and management in the region. Partnering with the Council of Mayors (SEQ) will provide a secure return on investment.

SEQ Councils are keen to enhance the economic development of the region. Our natural assets provide a sound basis for activities that deliver economic and social outcomes well into the future.

With local government best placed to know and meet the needs of the SEQ community, your investment provides a tangible and measurable social, economic and environmental outcome.

Partnering with SEQ Councils on our priority projects provides a great way to test new models of collaboration and prepare case studies to provide rationale for other projects in Australia or internationally.

Our relationship with the Queensland Government ensures a coordinated state- regional approach.

Our track record includes the SEQ Regional Trails Network, Queensland Moto Park, SEQ Land for Wildlife, and SEQ National Reserve System Partnership.

The Council of Mayors (SEQ) is Australia’s largest regional Local Government advocacy organisation, representing the South East Queensland (SEQ) region which is home to one in seven Australians, generates one fifth of the nation’s economic growth and remains a powerhouse of Australia’s future.

Five of Australia’s six largest Councils are located in SEQ, and the Council of Mayors (SEQ) offers governments and stakeholders a unique opportunity to build effective partnerships across one of Australia’s fastest growing regions.

The membership of the Council of Mayors (SEQ) includes ten Councils of SEQ: Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan and Redland City Councils and Lockyer Valley, Moreton Bay, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba Regional Councils.

With a projected population growth of 4.4 million by 2031, SEQ faces the challenge of planning for, and

delivering, the infrastructure and services needed to improve productivity and reduce the cost of living pressure, while maintaining the liveability of the region.

With this in mind, the Council of Mayors (SEQ) speaks with one united voice, aiming to:

n Advocate for a better planned and resourced region;

n Influence other levels of government to support a growing and sustainable region; and

n Collaborate for leading practice in service delivery for the region.

Contact us: (07) 3040 3460 www.seqmayors.qld.gov.au info@seqmayors.qld.gov.au