Efforts to restore the Keith Boden Wetlands are gaining momentum, with sediment sampling now underway as part of the rehabilitation project.
Read: Community Calls for Action as Wavell Heights Wetlands Decline
Cr Adam Allan shared an update on January 30, confirming that the city’s teams and contractors were on-site conducting crucial sediment sampling activities.
“The results of the sediment sampling will inform removal and disposal processes and costings,” Cr Allan stated. This marks a key step forward in the ongoing efforts to rejuvenate the wetlands, which have suffered from excessive sediment accumulation.
Community advocacy played a significant role in pushing for urgent action. Last year, residents voiced concerns over the deteriorating state of the wetlands, with one local, Abbey Beck, launching a Change.org petition just two months ago. Since then, the petition has garnered over 700 signatures.
“As members of this community, it is our responsibility to restore this vital ecosystem. We must urge our local authorities to take immediate action to clean up and regenerate our local wetlands before it’s too late. This is not just about preserving nature—it’s about safeguarding our children’s future and teaching them to respect and take care of their environment,” Ms Beck wrote.
“Various species – such as eels, tortoises, and a wide array of wetland birds – that once thrived are now struggling to survive, some even nearing extinction in our area. This is not just a loss of biodiversity, but it also signifies the undermining of a delicate balance that sustains life and nature,” she said.
Originally constructed in 1998, the Keith Boden Wetlands were designed to filter pollutants from stormwater before it flowed into Kedron Brook and Moreton Bay. However, over time, the area has struggled under the weight of excessive sediment accumulation. Despite recent rains, exposed mudbanks and decaying sediment have worsened, impacting water quality and local biodiversity.
Read: Engineering Meets Nature: Wavell Heights’ Essential Stormwater Channel
Residents have expressed hope that the latest developments signal real progress. With sediment sampling now in motion, the community is eager to see the next steps unfold in the long-awaited restoration of this important ecosystem.
Published 7-February-2025