The Sunshine Coast features many natural waterways and wetlands, as well as man-made channels, canals and lakes.

Our region has catchments of five major waterways: the Maroochy and Mooloolah Rivers, the upper Mary and Stanley Rivers and the Pumicestone Passage. They support a wide range of habitats, including:

• estuaries and freshwater pools and riffles, and
• wallum, paperbark and sedge wetlands.

Waterways and wetlands provide homes for our aquatic animals, for example, fish, crustaceans, shellfish, water birds, frogs, turtles and aquatic mammals. Our habitats provide for 8 plants and 23 animals that are rare and threatened aquatic species.

They also support streamside - riparian areas. Riparian areas are important as they filter pollutants. Their vegetation also helps to reduce erosion and give shade for water-based habitats.

Waterways and wetlands are great for swimming, boating and fishing. Residents and visitors can also enjoy walking or cycling on foreshores.

Council's role