Water regime of the catchment (e.g. rivers, groundwater, surface flow)
The Queensland Government Water Information Monitoring Portal provides stream height and stream flow values from monitoring stations throughout Queensland, historic stream flow data from river and stream monitoring stations, groundwater levels from monitoring bores and water monitoring network site lists
Local council web sites often provide flood mapping, some provide additional water flow information
Please note that mapping does not always show enough information when it comes to flooding. It is highly recommended to check the site during dry times and in flood, or speak to people that have, before any rehabilitation works are attempted.
Many areas have catchment or other styles of management plans in place and often provide very useful information
Google search, local council, State government library search
Great Barrier Reef specific information sources
There are many resources designed specifically for the Great Barrier Reef. Consider the downstream impacts of the rehabilitation activity and if the Great Barrier Reef is included as a downstream receiving environment.
Depending on the size of the project these may be hand drawn, undertaken by field or drawn survey or drone survey. Some approval processes may require these to be drawn up by an engineer.
Wetland system
Wetlands in Queensland have been classified into wetland systems (lacustrine, palustrine, riverine, estuarine, marine and subterranean)
Queensland wetland systems Is the wetland a palustrine (marsh or swamp), lacustrine (lakes and dams), riverine (rivers or deep-water habitats in a channel), estuarine (brackish waters at the marine– freshwater interface) or marine (Saltwater up to 6 m in depth) system?
Wetland type
Wetlands in Queensland have been classified into discrete wetland habitat types on a state scale.
Due to the scale of the majority of geomorphic mapping a site/s visit will be necessary to determine any geomorphic features in the site e.g. sandstone or basalt wall
Basic soils tests can also be found online and carried out by hand
Vegetation may also give clues to the soil type and the water regime, and more information may be found using the Regional Ecosystem database and / or online searches.
Some local councils or Landcare groups also provide this information.
Water source (groundwater, surface water, rainfall and artificial), catchment area of the wetland
The Queensland Government Water Information Monitoring Portal provides stream height and stream flow values from monitoring stations throughout Queensland, historic stream flow data from river and stream monitoring stations, groundwater levels from monitoring bores and water monitoring network site lists
Local council web sites often provide flood mapping, some provide additional water flow information
Please note that mapping does not always show enough information when it comes to flooding. It is highly recommended to check the site during dry times and in flood, or speak to people that have, before any rehabilitation works are attempted.
Vegetation zones and structure, animal populations and distribution, special features including rare/endangered species
WildNet contains information on more than 21,000 species including plants, fungi, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater and cartilaginous fishes and select invertebrate groups.
WetlandSummary provides area based (e.g. sub-catchments) species lists and links to more detailed species profiles and information
WetlandMaps provides localised flora and fauna species lists and Regional Ecosystem mapping information including zones
Most local councils and catchment groups also provide species lists and information. Some links to those are provided here
Natural Resource Management Groups, catchment and Landcare groups, local native nurseries and organisations such as Greening Australia and Men of the Trees.
Let your neighbours know your plans, you may be legally obligated to let them know. But even if you aren't they might be a power house of information and or help.
You know where they live!
Wetland management tools and guides
There are a number of wetland management tools and guides available online that can be used as examples or give direct advice
Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2022) Information sources for aquatic ecosystem rehabilitation planning, WetlandInfo website, accessed 20 December 2024. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/management/rehabilitation/rehab-process/step-1/table.html
— Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation