NICA’s volunteer-based water monitoring program collects water quality data in the Noosa River Catchment of Southeast Queensland. This currently includes 27 water samples and 5 nutrient samples. Data is analysed to help identify potential pollution sources as well as monitor environmental health and ecosystem sustainability.
A report has been compiled for the 2024 annual year, which has noted increases in water temperatures, decreases in dissolved oxygen and decreases in turbidity in the Noosa Catchment in 2024. The river and tributary systems are highly influenced by natural weather events and rainfall and the site locations are often influenced by urban and industrial run off. This contributed to excess nutrients also observed in 2024.
To maintain and promote healthy waterways, natural bushland catchments should be retained or extended as they support filtration. As the population of the Noosa area increases, water sensitive urban design practices should also be prioritised in new development to reduce runoff loads.
