Report Card 2025 Launch - video of launch
Report Card 2025 Launched https://reportcard.hlw.org.au/
If you missed the online launch at 2 pm on 4 December, here is a short video of the introductory speeches and the summary of the 2025 results
Report Card 2025 Launch [04/12/2025] - Results summary at 17:26
- 0:00 Opening Address - Julie McLellan, CEO, Healthy Land & Water
- 4:17 Ministerial Launch - Hon Andrew Powell, Minister for the Environment & Tourism and Minister for Science & Innovation, Queensland Government
- 10:24 Lord Mayor's Representative - Cr Tracy Davis, Brisbane City Councillor for the McDowall Ward and the Civic Cabinet Chair for Environment, Parks and Sustainability
- 17:26 Report Card 2025 Results - Prof Fran Sheldon, Independent Science Chair behind the report card, and Head of School of the School of Environment and Science with Griffith University
The six key Report Card 2025 stories on launch day
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Report Card 2025 – 25 Years of Science, Stories & South East Queensland’s waterways |
Critical ecological assets – losing our green guardians |
Sediment pollution – muddy waters, clear solutions |
A good year for freshwater stream health – nature’s comeback story |
Urban estuaries – under pressure, overdue for action |
Algal blooms – the science behind the green |
| 25 years, 18 catchments, 1 big question: How healthy are our waterways? | Riparian zones & wetlands: why losing vegetation means losing waterway health | Floods, erosion & the battle against sediment in Moreton Bay | Rain, flow & fish: Why 2025 is a win for freshwater streams | Brisbane, Pine & Caboolture: The estuaries feeling the nutrient squeeze | Warming waters & nitrogen: Why algae is making headlines in 2025 |
Report Card 2025 – 25 Years of Science, Stories & South East Queensland’s waterways
25 years, 18 catchments, 1 big question: How healthy are our waterways?
Across 18 catchments and five bay zones, scientists have tracked everything from algal blooms to fish populations, sediment loads to social benefits. The verdict? Our waterways range from very poor to very good – and while some areas are thriving, others need urgent attention.
From the pristine reaches of Noosa to the bustling estuaries of Brisbane, down to the Gold Coast and reaching out across the food bowl of the Lockyer Valley to the bottom of the Toowoomba ranges, the results on the environmental health of South East Queensland are out.
Key findings in Report Card 2025 just released include:
- A general trend of decline in catchment and bay zone condition since 2021.
- High pollutant loads from recent floods, impacting water quality.
- Freshwater stream health performing well, but estuarine water quality declining.
- Strong community connection: 87% of residents feel deeply connected to their local waterways and 76% report high personal benefits.
“Think of it as a massive health check for nature,” says Healthy Land & Water, Julie McLellan.
“Yes, the results and trends are a shot across the bow, but it is important to keep in mind that South East Queensland is in a better position than most. We are in the enviable position of having key long-term data on our catchments which has been actively used to guide decision-making for decades.
“The incredible partnership that has made this a reality for SEQ is the reason our region is in as good shape as it is now, but our long-term results are also delivering clear warning signs that more needs to be done. With climate change, population growth, and land-use pressures mounting, the next 25 years will be critical.”
Healthy Land & Water’s 2025 Report Card marks a milestone: 25 years of monitoring, measuring, and championing South East Queensland’s rivers, creeks, bays, and beaches.
This year’s results reveal a region under pressure, but also brimming with resilience and community spirit.
- As one of the world’s first environmental report cards, this initiative has become a trusted benchmark for waterway health, guiding policy, investment, and community action.
- Our friends in SA, currently grappling with algal blooms, would give their eye teeth for this kind of long-term, rigorous data to inform decision-making.
- SEQ has trusted data in spades to guide action needed – this year’s release not only celebrates the legacy of the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program, it also highlights emerging risks – including rising nutrient levels and the increasing threat of algal blooms, such as Lyngbya, once again here in South East Queensland. This was one of the issues driving the development of the Report Card 25 years ago.
- This year we are showcasing a host of stories about what’s worked – check out the array of stewardship stories from across the region.
- We are also introducing an AI avatar to help make the information accessible and useful for everyone. This simple, fun digital guide is designed to allow anyone - whether a farmer, business owner, or curious resident - to ask questions about environmental health and get instant, relevant answers.
Additional quotes:
Julie McLellan, CEO of Healthy Land & Water
“After 25 years, the science is clear: healthy waterways mean a healthy community. The next chapter is up to all of us,” says Healthy Land & Water CEO, Julie McLellan, who has been part of the program since its inception.
“Waterway health is everyone’s business – from scientists to swimmers, farmers to fishers.
“The Report Card is a call to action: protect, restore, and celebrate our region’s natural assets.”
Dr Andrew O’Neill, Chief sustainability and science officer with Healthy Land & Water
“This Report Card is more than numbers – it’s a story of people, place, and the pulse of our region,” says Dr Andrew O’Neill. “We’re not just counting fish – we’re counting on people to care.
“While decision-makers have been using the long-term data to guide policy and planning for decades, it’s often hard for locals to find what they need,” he says. “Our new AI avatar might just be the key to making the information more accessible, relevant, and useful for everyone.”
Where to go:
- Find all the results and your catchment’s story at https://reportcard.hlw.org.au/
Critical ecological assets – losing our green guardians
Riparian zones & wetlands: why losing vegetation means losing waterway health
A worrying trend is emerging in South East Queensland (SEQ), but our region is better placed than most across the world to identify and target action, thanks to the long-running environmental health monitoring for South East Queensland.
Riparian zones – the green corridors along rivers and streams – are vital for biodiversity, water quality, and flood resilience.
The 2025 Report Card just released by Healthy Land & Water shows a worrying trend.
“Between 2018 and 2023, South East Queensland lost 3,767 hectares of riparian woody vegetation, including 387 hectares of remnant native forest,” says Prof Fran Sheldon of Griffith University’s Australian Rivers Institute and active Chair of the independent science panel behind the SEQ Report Card.
“Riparian zones are nature’s kidneys,” Dr Sheldon explains.
“When we lose them, we lose our ability to keep waterways clean and healthy.
“Wetlands and green corridors are our frontline defence. Protecting them is protecting ourselves.”
Healthy Land & Water’s science and sustainability lead, Dr Andrew O’Neill says urban development, infrastructure projects, agriculture, and even tourism are amongst the things driving the losses.
“The link between riparian vegetation and water quality is clear: continued decline poses critical risks, not only to the health of our ecosystems but our ability to be resilient to the impacts of climate change – from both floods and droughts,” says Dr O’Neill.
“Freshwater wetlands are also disappearing, with impacts felt across catchments from Maroochy to Logan.
“Restoration and protection efforts are more important than ever. It’s also more than that. It is not just about investing in restoration efforts, we need to plan better to begin with.
“Fortunately, here in SEQ, armed with 25 years of monitoring data from across our region, we know what needs to be done and where to do it. We are coming up with new ways to attract the increased investment and action needed - by aligning our array of genuine green projects with companies who are committed to achieving ESG and sustainability wins for the region they operate in.”
Where to go:
- Find your catchment’s story at https://reportcard.hlw.org.au/
Sediment pollution – muddy waters, clear solutions
Floods, erosion & the battle against sediment in Moreton Bay
Floods and heavy rainfall have delivered record amounts of sediment to South East Queensland’s waterways, with Moreton Bay, Pumicestone Passage, and Noosa feeling the impact.
Floods and heavy rainfall have delivered record amounts of sediment to South East Queensland’s waterways, with Moreton Bay, Pumicestone Passage, and Noosa feeling the impact.
The 2025 Report Card released today highlights catchment-derived sediment as a persistent threat, smothering habitats and reducing water quality.
“Sediment is the silent saboteur,” says Julie McLellan, CEO of the body charged with monitoring and reporting environmental condition in South East Queensland.
“It sneaks in during storms and sticks around, making life tough for fish, seagrass, and everyone who loves the water.”
Key sources include streambank erosion, gully erosion, and urban runoff, she says.
She explains that the 2022 floods expanded the area of mud in Moreton Bay, which has been a partial recovery in 2024.
The solution?
“Long-term catchment rehabilitation, smarter land management, and community action”, says Ms McLellan.
“It is pleasing to see that local groups are leading the way in sediment control and habitat restoration.”
Science and sustainability lead for Healthy Land & Water, Dr Andrew O’Neill adds that “Restoring catchments isn’t just science – it’s teamwork.
“Every tree planted, every erosion barrier built, is a win for the Bay.
Where to go:
- Find your catchment’s story at https://reportcard.hlw.org.au/
A good year for freshwater stream health – nature’s comeback story
Rain, flow & fish: Why 2025 is a win for freshwater streams
Despite the challenges, 2025 has been a good year for freshwater stream health in South East Queensland.
The South East Queensland Report Card released this week show high rainfall and flow have boosted habitat connectivity and ecosystem scores, with macroinvertebrates and water quality in good condition.
“Sometimes nature just needs a bit of rain and room to breathe,” says Julie McLellan, CEO of the body charged with monitoring and reporting environmental condition in South East Queensland.
“But we can’t rely on luck – we need to keep restoring riparian zones and removing barriers for fish.”
While fish indicators are average, barriers continue to impact native communities.
“A significant concern is the rise of exotic fish such as Tilapia and Pearl Cyclid – these pest species overrun our native species,” says Dr Andrew O'Neill from Healthy Land & Water
“Conservation and restoration are key to maintaining momentum.
Science and sustainability lead for the body charged with the extensive environmental monitoring and reporting initiative for SEQ – Dr O’Neill says that proactive action is key.
"Catchments like Noosa, Maroochy, and Stanley have seen significant improvements, thanks to local action and favourable conditions,” he says.
“Healthy streams mean healthy communities.
“When we are able to scale up, our local actions can add up to significant regional wins,” he says.
Where to go:
- Find your catchment’s story at https://reportcard.hlw.org.au/
Urban estuaries – under pressure, overdue for action
Brisbane, Pine & Caboolture: The estuaries feeling the nutrient squeeze
Urban estuaries have seen significant improvements in water quality over the past 25 years, thanks to investments in wastewater treatment. But the 2025 Report Card released today reveals that the environment is not keeping up with the pressures on it and nitrogen concentrations are rising, especially in the Brisbane, Pine, and Caboolture estuaries.
“Estuaries are the tripwire for ecological collapse,” says Healthy Land & Water’s science and sustainability lead, Dr Andrew O’Neill. “When nutrients go up, so does the risk of algal blooms and ecosystem decline.”
He says managing nutrient inputs from agricultural and urban areas including stormwater and development sites, is critical.
“The community can play a role by reducing chemical use, covering exposed soil, and supporting water-sensitive urban design,” says Dr O’Neill.
“It is heartening to see local councils and residents working together to tackle nutrient pollution and restore estuarine health.
“We’ve come a long way, but the job isn’t done. Urban innovation and community action are the next frontier,” he says.
Where to go:
- Find your catchment’s story at https://reportcard.hlw.org.au/
Algal blooms – the science behind the green
Warming waters & nitrogen: Why algae is making headlines in 2025
The public are taking a greater than ever interest in the environment following the national coverage about South Australia’s unexpected algal bloom crisis, making the release of this year’s South East Queensland Report Card appeal to a much broader audience.
SEQ is in the fortunate position of having 25 years of monitoring and reporting data which has been actively used by the region’s decision makers, making our region the envy of many other areas across the globe struggling with algal bloom and escalating environmental pressures.
One of the questions being asked is could algal bloom happen here in South East Queensland?
According to Julie McLellan, CEO of Healthy Land & Water, the body charged with monitoring and reporting environmental health for South East Queensland, this was one of the issues that drove concern by a huge number of people and bodies and resulted in bring together the partnership to drive development of the Report Card for our region 25 years ago.
She says much has been done ever since on the back of this data which has helped SEQ keep the threat at bay – but points to the growing pressures on the region, including development as people flock to the area, and the more frequent and intense climatic events which means ever more needs to be done to protect and build resilience into our environs to withstand these growing pressures.
The science in this year’s Report Card shows the emergence of some indicators over recent years, that if current conditions persist, could be problematic.
Healthy Land & Water has a science committee set up to guide the region’s Report Card, and one of the members on it is also on an advisory board for the South Australian algal bloom crisis.
Prof Michelle Burford says that it hinges on how conditions play out, and if current conditions persist, we could be once again heading towards rising risk of bloom, driven by warming temperatures, low turbidity and increased nutrient loads.
The 2025 Report Card reveals unusually high phosphorus and nitrogen levels in many estuaries and bay zones, setting the stage for potential blooms that threaten aquatic life and public health.
“Algae might look harmless, but it’s a sign that our waterways are out of balance,” explains Prof Burford. “It’s like nature waving a green flag – and not the good kind.”
“Algal blooms can degrade ecosystems, devastate marine life and disrupt communities, as seen in recent events in South Australia and California which have led to economic disruption and social distress.
In SEQ, sources of excess nitrogen include agriculture, urban development and stormwater, and treated wastewater can all contribute.
Catchments like Pumicestone Passage and Noosa estuarine lakes are under particular pressure. Community involvement and targeted management can help turn the tide.
The message?
“Timely action is needed to understand and reduce nutrient pollution,” says science and sustainability lead for Healthy Land & Water, Dr Andrew O’Neill.
“We need to get curious, not complacent. Every backyard, every farm, every development, every street can help reduce nutrient pollution.”
Where to go:
- Find your catchment’s story at https://reportcard.hlw.org.au/
Report Card 2025 launch summary
Bloomin' heck: 25 Years of impact: from knowledge to action
Be amongst the first to know the Report Card 2025 environmental condition scores for South East Queensland. It is also the 25th anniversary of the program for SEQ!
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2025 Report Card release25 years of results for South East Queensland |
Signals & stewardship
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AI avatarsA simple, fun way to
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Official launch of the region’s 2025 Report Card – a landmark achievement marking 25 years of continuous environmental monitoring and reporting across South East Queensland. As one of the world’s first environmental report cards, this initiative has become a trusted benchmark for waterway health, guiding policy, investment, and community action. Our friends in SA, currently grappling with algal blooms, would give their eye teeth for this kind of long-term, rigorous data to inform decision-making. |
This year’s release not only celebrates the legacy of the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program, it also highlights emerging risks – including rising nutrient levels and the increasing threat of algal blooms, such as Lyngbya, once again here in South East Queensland. This was one of the issues driving the development of the Report Card 25 years ago. This year we are showcasing a host of stories about what’s worked – check out the array of stewardship stories from across the region. |
While decision-makers have been using the long-term data to guide policy and planning for the last two decades, it’s often hard for local businesses, farmers, and community members to delve into and find what they need easily. The enormous volume of data collected over the past 25 years is overwhelming. So, we asked: How can we make this easier for everyone? These AI avatars might just be the key to making the information more accessible, relevant, and useful for everyone. |
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Event: |
Report Card 2025 release: Bloomin' heck: 25 Years of impact from knowledge to action |
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Date: |
4 December 2025: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm |
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View online - click here to watch the launch on YouTube |
