A landmark $1.2 million environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring program is being launched across more than 200 locations in South East Queensland, marking a major milestone for the region’s conservation and biodiversity efforts.
The first-of-its-kind initiative will use cutting-edge eDNA testing to gather data on native aquatic species, including platypus, rakali, freshwater turtles, lungfish, frogs, and the endangered Mary River cod. The program will begin at sites across Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich and Moreton Bay, and for the first time, include testing in the Noosa and Sunshine Coast regions.
Led by Resilient Rivers SEQ and delivered by Wildlife Queensland, the data collected will provide an invaluable snapshot of aquatic life across South East Queensland. The information will help guide future conservation projects, from restoring habitats to improving waterway management.
The initiative forms part of the SEQ City Deal, a $40 million partnership between the Australian Government, Queensland Government and the Council of Mayors (SEQ), aimed at enhancing the region’s liveability, sustainability and prosperity. Each partner, including Seqwater, is contributing $10 million to the Resilient Rivers SEQ program which oversees coordinated catchment management for the health of waterways feeding into the internationally significant Moreton Bay.
As part of the two-year program, community workshops, citizen science projects and an interactive online biodiversity map will be developed to connect residents with their local environments. The initiative will also build on Wildlife Queensland’s decade-long PlatyCount campaign, which has already surveyed more than 300 sites across the region.
Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie said the project represents a major step forward for local conservation. “The first-time use of eDNA testing in our shire will give us a better insight into local biodiversity,” he said. “The more we learn about the native species living in our catchments, the better equipped we are to restore and protect their habitat long term.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, chair of the Council of Mayors (SEQ), said protecting native wildlife is crucial to maintaining the region’s unique lifestyle and natural beauty. “Brisbane’s incredible native plants and wildlife are a big part of what makes our city Australia’s lifestyle capital,” he said. “This is South East Queensland’s first coordinated eDNA monitoring program and an important step in safeguarding native species, including the iconic platypus. By investing in conservation today, we’re making sure the platypus remains a cherished part of Brisbane’s backyard for decades to come.”
Queensland’s Minister for the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Andrew Powell, said the program showcases how modern science can protect Queensland’s natural treasures. “This is a perfect example of using cutting-edge science to protect Queensland’s incredible environment,” he said. “Healthy rivers create healthy ecosystems, and this initiative will help ensure the region’s wildlife and waterways continue to flourish.”
Wildlife Queensland Platypus Officer Dr Tamielle Brunt said eDNA is transforming the way scientists monitor aquatic species. “eDNA is revolutionising how we monitor aquatic life,” she said. “By analysing water samples for traces of DNA, we can detect hundreds of species and gain a comprehensive picture of life beneath the surface.”
Monitoring will begin this month across 16,000 kilometres of rivers and streams, stretching from Noosa in the north, through Brisbane and the Logan and Albert Rivers in the south, and west to the Great Dividing Range.
For residents and nature lovers, the program represents not only a scientific breakthrough but also a call to action to help protect the region’s precious waterways and the wildlife that depend on them.
To learn more or get involved, visit Resilient Rivers SEQ or Wildlife Queensland.