Platypus have long been a part of south-east Queensland's waterways, but recent testing has shown their numbers are dropping. Experts say a series of devastating floods and an expanding urban footprint could be to blame. Ipswich City Council has been working to restore local waterways to improve water health and restore the platypus population.
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00:00This is becoming an increasingly rare sight. Platypus used to call much of South East Queensland's
00:08waterways home. But urban expansion, land clearing and the 2022 floods have eroded much
00:15of their habitat around the Brisbane River catchment.
00:18We've got sediment that is shallowing out refuge pools. It's just this ongoing impact
00:23and flow on effect.
00:25Now a desperate but methodical push is underway to plant new vegetation and shore up the environment.
00:32Projects like this that can try and stop the erosion and keep all of the mud on the banks
00:37is what we're trying to achieve.
00:39Council workers hope it'll encourage the mammal back to the area.
00:43We are still detecting those small local populations in here, but it has become less frequent over
00:48the last few years.
00:50The Ipswich City Council and the Federal Government are jointly funding the $4 million project
00:55to restore the Brisbane and Bremer River catchment banks. With so much heavy rain already
01:01this season, they're hopeful it'll make a difference and reduce sediment.
01:06It's really important when we have all the developments that are happening here in Ipswich
01:09as well to make sure that we do protect our platypus environment.
01:13Because we're seeing more frequency and severity of these extreme weather events, that's the
01:18real concern that these animals aren't being able to adapt fast enough.
01:22Researchers say there could be consequences for the platypus if more isn't done.
01:27I have no doubt platypus are on the trajectory of declining and becoming a threatened species.