Lower Burdekin Water

19/07/2026

🐟 Why do fishways matter in the Lower Burdekin?

Fishways play a vital role in helping native fish move freely through our waterways, reconnecting habitats and supporting healthy fish populations across the region. From barramundi and mangrove jack to many other native species, fish passage is essential for feeding, breeding and survival.

We're proud to manage 22 fishways throughout the Lower Burdekin and to work alongside OzFish and NQ Dry Tropics to monitor their effectiveness. Recent monitoring has shown that fishways are restoring critical migration pathways, supporting diverse fish communities, and helping fish of all sizes move through our waterways. 🐠🌿

Read the full OzFish article to learn more about the important role fishways play in our region: 👇

North Queensland’s Lower Burdekin region contains the largest irrigation area on the east coast of Australia, and is considered one of the most productive

17/07/2026

⚠️ Be on the lookout for Itch Grass
This invasive w**d is a serious threat to the Burdekin and our local sugar cane industry 🚜🌾. Early identification is key to stopping its spread and protecting our region.
Check out Burdekin Shire Council's post below for information on how to identify Itch Grass and who to contact if you spot it 📞

🚨 𝗜𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁 – 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗸𝗶𝗻 🚨

Itch Grass is a locally declared pest and a serious threat to the Burdekin, particularly our sugar cane industry.

This aggressive w**d can grow up to 4 metres tall and is identifiable by its hairy stems, which can irritate skin, and spear‑like flower heads that break into individual seeds. Once established, Itch Grass is difficult to control, with each plant producing more than 2,000 seeds that can survive in the soil for up to seven years.

Early identification and action are key to preventing its spread.

📞 For help with identification or control, contact:
• Burdekin Productivity Services on 4783 1101
• Council’s Pest Management team on 4783 9800

Working together helps protect our land and local industries.

17/07/2026

💧 Lower Burdekin Water’s Strategic Plan sets our direction for delivering sustainable water resources, supporting a healthy aquifer and waterways, and providing reliable services for our stakeholders and environment. 🌿
Guided by our values of Partnership, Integrity, Progressiveness, Excellence and Safety, we’re focused on a sustainable water future. 🤝✨

17/07/2026

Lower Burdekin Water is proud to be part of the Working Wetlands in the Burdekin Delta project, alongside NQ Dry Tropics and other project partners. 💧🌿

10/06/2026

Come work with us! 💧 Lower Burdekin Water is seeking a Water Officer to help support reliable water delivery across our region. 🌱 Apply now!

24/04/2026

🐟 We’re excited to be joining NQ Dry Tropics for World Fish Migration Day!
👋 Come and say hello and learn more about how we’re working with partners to help keep our waterways healthy 💧🌿
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 It’s a free, family-friendly event with plenty happening for all ages.
✅ RSVP your interest here: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0NQZ90

Celebrate World Fish Migration Day with NQ Dry Tropics at a FREE, family-friendly community event!

Come along for a fun and interactive morning with plenty to see and do, from tagging and releasing barramundi fingerlings to hands-on water quality sampling and live demos.

What’s on:
🎁 Lucky door prizes from local Burdekin businesses
🐟 Barramundi fingerling tag and release
🌿 Aquatic w**d control demonstrations
💧 Water quality sampling
🌭 Sausage sizzle + coffee van

☕ Get in early, the first 50 coffees are FREE!

Bring the family, meet the team, and learn how we’re working together to keep our waterways healthy.

RSVP your interest today: https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0NQZ90

05/03/2026

📣 LBW Ratepayer Director Nominations Now Open!
Lower Burdekin Water is calling for nominations for one (1) LBW Ratepayer Director to join our Board of Directors.
🗳 Nomination deadline: 5:00pm, Friday 20 March 2026
The LBW Call for Director Nominations and Director Nomination Form and Expertise Criteria Response Sheet are available on our website:
🌐 www.lowerburdekinwater.com.au/documents/

23/02/2026

𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 || 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗗𝗠𝗚 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱

The Burdekin Local Disaster Management Group has moved to LEAN FORWARD, with agencies continuing to closely monitor conditions and prepare for potential escalation should river levels continue to rise.

Based on current river levels, dam releases and forecast conditions, flood impacts are increasingly likely in several low lying areas across the region.

Residents of Rita Island may experience water over the Anabranch Bridge, leading to access restrictions or isolation, water may begin to encroach onto the deck at Groper Creek, and low lying roads leading into Groper Creek are likely to be impacted by floodwaters.

Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said the Burdekin LDMG is continuing to closely monitor river levels and weather conditions across the catchment.

“The minor flood warning remains current, and further rainfall is forecast over the coming days,” Mayor Dalle Cort said.

“We are urging residents to remain alert, monitor conditions closely, and be prepared should conditions change.

“For those living in Rita Island and Groper Creek, you may be isolated for an extended period of time. Ensure you have essential supplies to last for 5 days, including food, drinking water, medications and pet food.

“Please avoid driving through floodwater, obey road closures, and rely on official warnings and updates."

The Burdekin LDMG is continuing to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as they become available.

04/02/2026

After flooding, our waterways can face an invisible threat 🐟💧
Low oxygen levels can lead to sudden fish kills as mud and organic debris breaks down in slow-moving water. This informative post from NQ Dry Tropics explains why this happens and what conditions can make it worse following flood events.

📣 Learn more below and thanks to NQ Dry Tropics for sharing this information.

Did you know that after floodwaters subside, oxygen levels in waterways can drop, causing sudden fish kills?

This most often happens in the early morning, when dissolved oxygen is naturally at its lowest.

During the day, submerged aquatic plants release oxygen into the water. But at night, those same plants - along with fish and other aquatic life - use oxygen instead. On still, hot, windless mornings, levels can fall even further.

After flooding, waterways are often left full of mud and organic debris. As this material breaks down and water flow slows, oxygen levels can drop quickly, leaving fish gasping for air.

Sometimes help is far away. If landholders see fish struggling, small pumps can be used to spray water into the creek. This mimics wind or rain, breaks the surface tension, and helps put oxygen back into the water, providing a short-term refuge for fish.