$1.9 million conservation program to protect Platypus in Brisbane

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Brisbane, January 13
The first stage of a significant conservation effort aimed at rehabilitating the habitat of one of Australia’s most elusive animals, the platypus, is set to begin in Brisbane. The project, named ‘Repairing urban creek habitat for Platypus in Brisbane’s Bullockhead Creek’, has secured almost $1.9 million in funding from the Australian Government to restore critical habitat for the platypus. This initiative, which will focus on a well-known platypus haven, will involve crucial steps such as habitat repair, weed removal, and the revegetation of the creek with native plant species. Work is expected to start in early 2025.
The project is funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program. It forms part of the broader Boost Platypus by 2032 plan, a long-term strategy aimed at conserving platypus populations across Brisbane. Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner committed to this vision, which also includes the Platyplanting and Platypools initiatives, ahead of the March 2024 election. He emphasized, “Brisbane is Australia’s most biodiverse capital city, and our incredible plant and animal populations are part of what makes our lifestyle so fantastic. By investing in these important programs, we can protect one of Australia’s most elusive creatures and grow their population in our waterways for years to come.”
Platypus populations are rapidly declining, and recent surveys have recorded just 35 confirmed sightings of platypus in Brisbane’s waterways this year. As part of the ongoing Platypartnerships research project, the University of New South Wales and the University of Queensland are collaborating with the Schrinner Council to track platypus movements and assess waterway health. Furthermore, 100 sites across Brisbane have been sampled for platypus DNA, which will aid future conservation efforts.
The Boost Platypus by 2032 plan also explores several other initiatives, including Platysigns (signage to raise awareness about platypus in creeks), Platyplatforms (platforms for observing platypus without disturbing their habitat), and the Platycam trial (a live feed of platypus hotspots). Specific areas targeted for conservation efforts include Bullockhead Creek, Albany Creek, Cabbage Tree Creek, and several others.
Tracy Davis, Chair for Environment, Parks and Sustainability, expressed the Council’s commitment, saying, “The Schrinner Council has a strong track record in protecting koalas by preserving bushland, building world-first Koala crossings, and undertaking important research, and we want to give our platypus population the same treatment. As we work with different levels of government to deliver these important outcomes, we can continue this vital work to protect and preserve platypus populations now and into the future.”
Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, also commented on the significance of the project, stating, “We want to leave nature better off for our kids and grandkids – and that’s why we’re restoring rivers and waterways in our suburbs with a $200 million investment. Nearly half of all nationally listed threatened animals and a quarter of our threatened plants are in urban areas, home to 96 per cent of Australia’s population. This critical funding is good news for native wildlife and the community – improving the quality of the urban spaces that we all share and love.”