Logan’s elusive platypus have left us with little more than five sets of droppings as proof they’re still around.
The samples come as a result of eDNA testing across 16 sites along the Albert River this year.
There were three similar positive samples detected in 2018, but neither set of results have netted a positive sighting of the creatures which were once seen regularly in Logan.
MyCity Logan recently reported a section of Windaroo Creek which, due to stormwater runoff, had become all but void of wildlife since 2013. Resident Des Grevell said he had seen platypus in the creek.
A Logan City Council statement says the latest samples are proof that platypus are living in Logan’s waterways.
The sampling results have been confirmed by members of council’s Platypus Watch program, who say they’ve sighted the platypus in the Albert River.
Logan City Council is attempting to rehabilitate and revegetate riversides as part of a 50-year plan for the Logan and Albert Rivers.
In the latest Healthy Land and Water report card, released last week, the Albert catchment raised from a B- to a B, however the Logan catchment remains at a rather average C+, albeit up from a D in 2015.
The report says waterways are struggling to keep up with population growth.
A number of waterways in southeast Queensland have received poor or very poor health ratings.
The report sparked calls for a coordinated approach to improve the quality of the region’s rivers and creeks, and more funding was clearly necessary.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner argued the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay needed to be cleaned up prior to the 2032 Olympics.
“Ultimately what happens upstream has a big impact on downstream communities and the overall health of the bay. That’s why it’s important we work together to manage and improve the health of the waterways which we all share.”
Logan deputy mayor Jon Raven said council took a holistic approach tovimproving river health.
“Our programs and community-focussed initiatives help improve every aspect of our waterways, from the revegetation of our riverbanks, to reducing sediment run-off and pollution,” Cr Raven said.
“We do this work because the community expects their Council to make a meaningful difference to the health of Logan’s waterways, which helps Moreton Bay too.”
