THE chairman of Ipswich City Council’s Environment and Sustainability Committee has warned about complacency following signs of platypus holding on in the Ipswich region.
As reported previously in Local Ipswich News, a significant increase in water samples testing positive for platypus DNA has shown the elusive species is maintaining its presence in Ipswich urban creeks.
Environment Committee Chairman Jim Madden said while it was encouraging to see an increase in positive eDNA results after several years of low detection rates, there were many pressures on urban creeks that impacted species such as platypus, including erosion and sediment, pollutants, and degraded banks and vegetation.
“The results indicate that Ipswich’s platypus population is fragmented and our urban creeks require ongoing protection and restoration to ensure this species’ survival,” Cr Madden said.
The 10th annual environmental DNA survey was conducted in June and focused on five urban creeks where platypus had been detected historically.
Forty water samples were taken across Bundamba, Six Mile, Woogaroo, Opossum and Sandy creeks, with 12 samples returning positive results and another five showing the possible presence of platypus.
Cr Madden said Council continued to take action to address the impacts on platypus habitat but it was
important for the whole community to care for our urban creeks.
“One great example is the Bundamba Creek Bushcare Group who hold monthly working bees at Fail Park,” Cr Madden said.
“Another site on Bundamba Creek at Rotary Park, where we recently hosted a National Tree Day planting, required a significant rubbish removal before the event.
“Crews cleaned up a 100m stretch of the creek and filled a 10 cubic metre skip with rubbish, including 17 car tyres.
“These urban creeks are the lifeblood for many species, including platypus, and we need to work together to ensure they are healthy and resilient.”
