ALBERT RIVER VISION: INTRODUCTION
OUR RIVER The Albert River catchment
The Albert River marks the
covers an area of 786km²
border between the City of
making it the largest
Logan and the City of Gold
tributary of the Logan River.
Coast with the larger portion
The Albert River starts its journey from the World Heritage Rainforest of Lamington National Park with the mid-stream flowing through rural areas including cropping, cattle grazing and turf farming and lower stream through the urban areas of Windaroo and Mt Warren Park, before entering the Logan River at Eagleby (11.2 km upstream from its mouth).
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of it lying within the Scenic Rim regional council.
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The City of Logan plays an important role in the greater landscape of the Albert River catchment. With extended stretches of natural, leafy river banks, the Albert River is also considered to be one of the City’s best kept secrets. The development of the Albert River Vision will inspire those within and beyond its boundaries to view the river as an asset and a source of pride.
Albert River, Wolffdene
Islander people, including Traditional Custodians of the Yagara and Yugambeh language groups as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from across Australia.
Stradbroke Island breaks in two; massive tidal changes to Moreton Bay and the Logan and Albert rivers
1842 Timber cutting begins throughout the Logan and Albert catchments
The Big Drought saw the loss of many stock and shutting down of dairies in the Luscombe and Beenleigh districts
Surveyor Robert Dixon published a map of the Logan–Albert area
A tick plague hits the Albert River areas affecting stock
Sugar production commences in the Albert River catchment
1981
1947
1903
1901–1902
1898
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1842 May 1827 Captain Patrick Logan explored the Albert River
Traditional Custodians living in the Albert River catchment area
1870
A SNAPSHOT IN TIME
1826
ALBERT RIVER VISION: PAST
PAST
The City of Logan is home to many Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Major flooding on 26 January and sand extraction begins
Logan declared a city
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S.S. Walrus, a floating sugar mill and distillery, ran aground on the banks of the Albert River
Queensland Local Government reform*
1887 Francis Gooding’s Rum distillery established in Eagleby beside the sugar mill
2013
2008
2011
The first Luscombe Bridge was built by a Mr. Webber
Logan Waterways Summit – major community consultation process
Major flood resulting in many freshly ploughed farms being ruined. The top soil was all washed away and nut grass spread all along the banks and low lands.
2017
1876
1884
1884
Albert River, Wolffdene
Major flooding (26 January)
Major flooding (March 31)
* Logan Council amalgamates with parts of Beaudesert Shire and Gold Coast City Council
ALBERT RIVER VISION: PRESENT 6 Albert River, Wolffdene
The City of Logan is a bustling, young, modern city, home to more than 300 000 people from more than 215 cultures. With the City going through rapid urban expansion and population growth, renewed interest and opportunities are occurring along the river.
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PRESENT As the City grows, the river
national parks and the
will continue to play an
Wongawallen and Cedar
important role in providing
Creek conservation areas.
ecological and hydrological
Urbanisation increases along
functions such as flood
the river from Windaroo to
mitigation and water quality
Eagleby with picturesque
improvement whilst servicing
riverside golf courses at
the City’s business, industry,
Windaroo and Mount Warren
aquaculture, recreation and
Park and highly valued areas
tourism sectors.
of native habitat.
As the river slowly journeys through the City of Logan, not only does the landscape change, so do the people that live along and use the River. Flowing through large areas of fertile farmland and the peaceful rural residential townships of Canungra, Tamborine and Cedar Creek, the Albert River catchment also contains a number of protected areas such as Lamington and Tamborine
AS THE RIVER JOURNEYS ITS WAY THROUGH GRAZING PROPERTIES, BUSHLAND ACREAGE, TO LEAFY SUBURBAN BLOCKS, WHERE DO WE SEE OUR RIVER BEYOND 2017?
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ALBERT RIVER VISION: PRESENT
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LEGEND Parks with river views 1 Eagleby Wetlands 2 Mt Warren Oval Park River-based attractions 1 Cable Ski Logan 2 Beenleigh Historical Village & Museum 3 Beenleigh Artisan Distillers 4 Mt Warren Park Golf Club 5 Windaroo Golf Course 6 Luscombe Weir Parks with boat ramps/pontoons 1 Albert River Park 2 Alexander Watt Park 3 Alberta Park Parks 1 Plunkett Conservation Park River Crossings 1 M1–Eagleby/Stapylton 2 Carter Park, Bannockburn 3 Stanmore Bridge 4 Beaudesert Beenleigh Road, Wolfdene 5 Chardon Bridge 6 Tamborine Road, Tamborine Major centres 1 Beenleigh 2 Logan Village 3 Jimboomba 4 Mt Warren Park 5 Mundoolun 6 Yarrabilba
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Priority development areas 1 Yarrabilba
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M1 M2
TINGALPA CREEK CATCHMENT
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M2
M2
M1
M1
1 1 Mt Lin d es ay Hwy
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LOGAN RIVER CATCHMENT
er
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iv n
1 3 4
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2
Loga
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rt
Ri
es ay Hw y
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d Lin Mt
Alb
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ALBERT RIVER VISION: PRESENT
WHAT THE COMMUNITY HAS TOLD US SO FAR So far, Council has reviewed what the community has said about Logan’s waterways, historic information and Council plans, strategies and policies. The development of the Logan River Vision in 2016–2017 supported these community
BE HEALTHY AND CLEAN
sentiments and further indicated a clear, single vision for the many opportunities the Logan River presents into the future. There is a keen desire across the community to see a similar vision articulated for the Albert River. Developing a clear, single vision for the many
HAVE GOOD ACCESS AND CONNECTION
opportunities the river presents is needed into the future to protect and enhance this asset.
PROTECT BUSHLAND AND WILDLIFE 10
BE SAFE AND INVITING
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BE CELEBRATED WITH MUSIC, ART, CULTURE AND FOOD
BE PLANNED AND HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
HIGHLIGHT ITS NATURAL AND COMMERCIAL VALUES
HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO INTERACT WITH IT
ALLOW FOR EDUCATION ABOUT THE RIVER
HIGHLIGHT RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES AND ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES
AFFORDABLE SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES
TELL A STORY OF ITS HISTORY
ALBERT RIVER VISION: PRESENT
Residents place a high degree of importance on the water quality of the Logan and Albert rivers. The community has told us they would like to see improvements in the health of these two rivers. This sentiment was made clear in developing the Logan River Vision in 2016–2017 as the community repeated the high value they place on having healthy and accessible rivers.
12 Albert River, Eagleby
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KEY FACTS • The Albert River marks the border between the City of Logan, City of Gold Coast and Scenic Rim Regional Council. • 54km of its 163 km long journey passes through the City of Logan before joining up with the Logan River around Eagleby. • Major tributaries include Canungra, Cedar, Cainbable, Kerry and Duck creeks. • The total Catchment area of the Albert River is 786 km2, with approximately 125km2 lying within Logan City’s boundaries. • Collins, Clutha, Windaroo, Flagstone and Dunn creeks are the largest of the 15 creeks in Logan City that flow into the Albert River. • Albert River was named after Prince Albert (1819–61), the consort of Queen Victoria by surveyor Robert Dixon. He published the first accurate map of Logan–Albert in 1842. • The indigenous people of the Albert catchment spoke the Yugumbeh language. • Agriculture is the primary land use activity within the catchment consisting of beef, pork, dairy and a variety of field crops. • The Logan/Albert catchment has the highest density of aquaculture farms of any catchment in Australia. • Important animals of the catchment include the Richmond birdwing butterfly; powerful owl; glossy black cockatoo; black necked stork; grey goshawk; and the koala. • Important vegetation of the catchment include swamp tea tree; native jute; Plunkett mallee; macadamia nut and the Bahrs Scrub croton.
ALBERT RIVER VISION: PRESENT
The Albert River is used for
Enjoying nature
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e.g. birdwatching, 1
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Walking,
conservation,
cycling or
photography
running
and camping
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Picnics
Swimming
and
ive
r
barbecues t er Alb
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R
Kayaking
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Fishing
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Based on the key findings of the 2016 Healthy Land and Water Report Card: • The recreational value of the Albert River is estimated at $572 per visitor, per year • 72% of the streambank has vegetation • 31% of the streambank has never been cleared • 3,871 tonnes of sediment (mud) was generated from all types of land use within the catchment Based on the 2016 Healthy Land and Water Report Card, the overall condition for the Albert River was identified as fair. Pollutant loads significantly improved from high to very low. Riparian condition remains poor. Estuarine water quality remained poor, declining slightly due to increased concentrations of chlorophyll.
ga Lo
r i ve R n
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ALBERT RIVER VISION: FUTURE
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FUTURE Modern life changes fast – what might be cutting edge planning technology now may well be redundant inside a decade. In parallel, a changing climate and the impacts of changes to the environment brought on by a warming planet may affect the way the river is used in future years. How we choose to use the river is only limited by our imagination and willingness to try new ideas. We want to hear from you: what do you want the river to be like in 2067?
Some ideas could include: • A healthy river which supports our economy, people and nature • A ecologically sustainable development along the river • Floating activities, food markets, concerts, skate parks, aquarium, shark cage • Hop on and off tourism hover crafts • Iconic river crossings • New river access for all abilities and water crafts
ALBERT RIVER VISION: FUTURE
NEXT STEPS Council is committed to
To have your say or
developing a community
see others’ great
vision for the Albert River
ideas please visit
through a program of
www.rivervision.com.au.
engagement, to understand the value of the river, its history, and what our community sees as its future. During consultation, community views will be collected to develop a draft Albert River Vision. Once complete, Council will present the final Vision and a Vision Implementation Plan back to the community.
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Albert River, Bannockburn