Natural Environment & Sustainability

River Improvement Trusts play an important role in managing North Queensland’s rivers.

The Cassowary Coast River Improvement Trust is a statutory authority established under the River Improvement Trust Act 1940, with responsibility for the entire Cassowary Coast Regional Council area.

The Act provides the Trust with powers to raise funds, enter and occupy land, enter into contracts and carry out works, as well as direction on managing river systems, tributaries and catchments.

The Trust’s primary role is to plan, deliver and maintain stream improvement works that protect and improve rivers and streams across the trust area. This includes managing the impacts of rivers on surrounding land and identifying areas where inappropriate land use may affect river processes.

The Trust's main responsibilities are:

• working to repair flood damage to the bed and banks of waterways
• planning, implementing and maintaining flood mitigation works
• regulating activities which have the potential to worsen flooding or cause riverbank erosion
• working with landholders and community groups in strategic planning to achieve stable catchments and river systems
• managing and protecting riparian and riverine vegetation
• securing funding for projects to protect and enhance the region's rivers and streams.

The Trust can be contacted via the Innisfail office of the Cassowary Coast Regional Council, 70 Rankin Street, via mail (Cassowary Coast River Improvement Trust, PO Box 887, Innisfail Qld 4860), by phone 1300 763 903 and by email enquiries@cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au

• Click here to view the 2019/2020 Annual Report(PDF, 28MB)
• Click here to view the 2018/2019 Annual Report.
• Click here to view the 2017/2018 Annual Report.

From rainforest creeks to coastal floodplains, wetlands and waterways shape life on the Cassowary Coast. They filter water, reduce flooding, support fisheries and provide habitat for birds, turtles and other wildlife. These systems are also deeply connected to culture, recreation and the health of the Great Barrier Reef.

Council works with Traditional Owners, community groups, scientists and government agencies to protect, restore and better understand these important landscapes.

Our local wetlands

Warrina Lakes

Warrina Lakes is one of the region’s most accessible wetland systems, valued for both its environmental and community benefits. The lakes provide habitat for waterbirds and aquatic life while offering walking paths, open space and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.

Council continues to balance park improvements with the protection of wetland values. As part of the Warrina Lakes Master Plan, Council is also exploring the inclusion of a constructed wetland to help improve water quality, support biodiversity and demonstrate nature-based approaches to water management within the park.

 Learn more about the Warrina Lakes Master Plan and proposed wetland improvements:
https://yoursay.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/warrina-lakes/warrina-lakes-master-plan

Eubenangee Wetlands

Eubenangee wetlands are among the most significant freshwater wetlands in the Wet Tropics, recognised for both their ecological and cultural importance. Seasonally flooded and rich in biodiversity, they support large numbers of waterbirds and form part of an important wildlife movement corridor between coastal and inland habitats. The area also holds strong cultural significance for Traditional Owners, who have long maintained connections to the wetlands and surrounding Country.

Waterways and Catchment Health

Rivers, creeks and streams are vital to the Cassowary Coast. They connect rainforest to reef, transport water through our landscapes and support native plants and animals along their banks and channels. Healthy waterways are essential for water quality, fisheries, biodiversity and the long-term health of the Great Barrier Reef.

Why waterways matter

When waterways are degraded, sediment, nutrients and pollutants can be carried downstream into estuaries and coastal waters. Excess sediment reduces water clarity, smothers habitat and places pressure on seagrass, coral and aquatic life. Managing erosion and runoff at the source is one of the most effective ways to protect downstream environments.

Erosion control and riparian zones

Vegetated riverbanks, known as riparian zones, play a critical role in waterway health. Native vegetation stabilises banks, reduces erosion, filters sediment and nutrients, shades waterways and provides habitat and movement corridors for wildlife. Council undertakes and supports erosion control, bank stabilisation and riparian restoration projects across the region to protect waterways and reduce sediment runoff during heavy rainfall and flood events.

Water quality and habitat

Healthy waterways support fish, turtles, invertebrates and aquatic plants, while also providing food and shelter for birds and mammals. Improving water quality helps protect these species and maintains the ecological connections between freshwater, estuarine and marine systems.

Tracking waterway health

The Wet Tropics Waterways Report Card provides an independent assessment of river and estuary condition across the region. It draws on long-term monitoring data to track water quality, ecosystem condition and catchment pressures, helping guide future management and restoration efforts.

 Explore the Wet Tropics Waterways Report Card:
https://wettropicswaterways.org.au/home/wet-tropics-report-card/

How you can help

Everyone has a role to play in protecting waterways. You can help by:

• Keeping soil, garden waste and chemicals out of drains and creeks

• Maintaining or planting native vegetation along waterways on your property

• Reporting erosion, pollution or illegal dumping to Council

• Learning about your local catchment and supporting community monitoring programs

Caring for waterways upstream helps protect ecosystems, communities and the Reef downstream.

Learn more and get involved

• Queensland WetlandInfo
  Interactive maps and information on wetlands across the Cassowary Coast
  https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au

• Wet Tropics Waterways
  Catchment health, monitoring and report cards
  https://wettropicswaterways.org.au

• Council projects and partnerships
  Learn more about local wetland restoration, erosion control and waterway projects by contacting Council’s Natural Environment and Sustainability team. 

Join us for Science in the Pub, a free monthly event where experts and enthusiasts from all backgrounds come together to share ideas, discoveries and good conversation in a relaxed setting.
Interested in joining? Sign up to our mailing list, we only share updates about upcoming Science in the Pub events.

Email enquiries@cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au for more information

Council’s Natural Environment and Sustainability team leads programs that build awareness and practical understanding of local environmental issues across the Cassowary Coast. Through school visits, community workshops and collaborative projects, the team delivers hands-on learning experiences that encourage sustainable behaviours and connection with nature.

Council also works with community groups and partner organisations to create educational resources such as interpretive signage, wildlife awareness campaigns and habitat restoration guides, helping residents learn about and protect our region’s unique ecosystems.

Want to find out more?
Contact Council today and ask to speak with a member of the Natural Environment and Sustainability team for details on upcoming workshops, school talks or partnership opportunities.

The Natural Environment and Sustainability team works hand-in-hand with the community to deliver practical projects that make sustainable living part of everyday life. From reducing waste to restoring habitats, these initiatives encourage Council staff and residents to take simple, meaningful actions that protect the Cassowary Coast’s environment for future generations.

Some of the ongoing programs include:

• EcoBatt – battery recycling stations across the Cassowary Coast, keeping hazardous waste out of landfill. 
  
  Bins can be found in each local library ( X 4), Council administration buildings ( X 2) and Stoters Hill Transfer Station ( X 1)

(Image sourced wastemanagementreview)

• Cash for Containers – public recycling baskets that make it easy for everyone to return bottles and cans responsibly.

Coming soon to a location near you!

• Solar benches – combining public seating with renewable energy charging points in key community spaces.
  
  Locations: Tully Gumboot, Warrina Lakes

(Image sourced ecorenewableenergy)

• Beach clean-ups – local events bringing people together to remove marine debris and care for our coastline.
  
  

• Tree planting and land restoration – community projects that restore native vegetation, improve biodiversity and stabilise our landscapes.

Together, these actions reflect our community’s shared commitment to sustainability and caring for the beautiful places we call home.

Want to get involved?
Keep an eye on Council’s social media for upcoming events and initiatives, or contact Council’s Natural Environment and Sustainability team for more details on how to participate.

Fire has long been used by Traditional Owners to care for Country. Cultural burning and planned fire help reduce fuel loads, support species regeneration and lower the risk of large, damaging wildfires. Through collaboration and shared responsibility, fire management helps protect communities, ecosystems and the unique natural and cultural values of the Cassowary Coast.

FNQROC is a collaborative body formed in 1992 to bring together councils across Far North Queensland and promote shared planning, resource-sharing and regional advocacy.

As a member council, Cassowary Coast Regional Council participates in FNQROC initiatives on climate resilience, natural assets management, procurement efficiency and regional infrastructure-planning. Through FNQROC, the Council contributes to and benefits from region-wide strategies that support our local environment, economy and communities.

The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) is the peak body representing councils across the state, providing advocacy, training and coordinated support on major local government priorities. Through LGAQ, councils share knowledge and work together on state-wide issues such as climate resilience, environmental management and sustainable development.

Cassowary Coast Regional Council engages with LGAQ to access best-practice guidance, contribute to policy discussions, and participate in programs that strengthen our approach to climate change, biosecurity, natural asset protection and long-term environmental planning.

Cassowary Coast Regional Council is proud to be an early participant in Aetium, Australia’s innovative platform that empowers landholders, businesses and community groups to register solar systems, electric vehicles and forest-based conservation projects, and earn certified carbon credits for the CO₂ reductions they achieve.

By registering local solar and bushland reserve projects with Aetium, Council is advancing our commitment to renewable energy and protecting existing forest growth from future clearing or development, making sure our region’s natural environment remains intact and resilient.