Resilient Rivers eDNA Monitoring Program Launches in South-East Queensland

14 November 2025

• eDNA program monitoring species across South-East Queensland.

• Sampling 200+ sites to build a regional biodiversity baseline.

• Results shared via an interactive map connecting communities with their waterways.

A new $1.2 million program is launching in South-East Queensland to monitor native freshwater species.

Led by Resilient Rivers SEQ, and delivered by Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland, EnviroDNA is proudly working on this project funded as part of the SEQ City Deal.

The SEQ City Deal aims to improve the accessibility, prosperity and liveability of the region, which is home to more than four million residents.

Resilient Rivers SEQ is one of 29 commitments being delivered under the SEQ City Deal and will invest $40 million over four years with $10 million each from the Australian Government, Queensland Government, Council of Mayors (SEQ) and Seqwater.

The eDNA project aims to monitor and protect native species, from platypus and rakali to turtles, frogs, and the endangered Mary River cod.

Over 200 sites will be sampled to gather comprehensive data across the region, establishing baseline biodiversity data that can be used for useful prediction modelling.

Empowering citizen science

Spanning over two years with multi-year sampling, eDNA will enable citizen science to unlock insights that supports native species and waterway health. 

Under the Resilient Rivers SEQ program, this model builds transparent and effective decision making for the investment of on-ground actions that achieve real outcomes in the region.

Samples will be collected with the help of citizen science and community. EnviroDNA will process the samples and develop an interactive data map that connects community with their local waterways.

This platform will be publicly accessible, allowing users to explore sites online and see what species their have revealed.

eDNA driving real on-ground action

Projects of this scale showcase the power of eDNA to uncover biodiversity across entire landscapes—quickly and efficiently, in ways that traditional survey methods simply can’t match.

A key focus of this monitoring program is mapping the distribution of priority species —such as platypus, lungfish, rakali, and Mary River cod—throughout the South-East Queensland region.

Identifying the distribution of these species across the region provides vital insights to guide on-ground management — informing revegetation priorities and water flow improvements that enhance habitat health.

Sampling for this project is underway, and we look forward to sharing updates and outcomes as it progresses.

Learn more

The SEQ City Deal aims to improve the accessibility, prosperity and liveability of the region, which is home to more than four million residents.

Resilient Rivers SEQ is one of 29 commitments being delivered under the SEQ City Deal and will invest $40 million over four years with $10 million each from the Australian Government, Queensland Government, Council of Mayors (SEQ) and Seqwater.

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