Maroochy River, Sunshine Coast

The Maroochy River is located in the Sunshine Coast, Southeast of Queensland and North of Brisbane. It is surrounded by the Buderim Mountain, Blackall Range, Mount Ninderry and Mount Coolum.

It is a most significant river not only because it is home to Queensland’s rich plant and animal life and is a beautiful place to visit, but also because of the danger of flooding it brings to the surrounding human settlements.
It is ecologically significant as 66 percent of the mangrove forests in Southeast Queensland are located along the Maroochy River.

Its mangroves and salt marshes, up to the rainforests, are home to

no less than 120 bird species and migratory birds from the North. Birdwatchers may chance upon the rare Eastern Curlew together

with Bartailed Godwits and Whimbrels during their annual visit.
Its mangroves are also the nursery of three-fourths of fish, crabs, prawns and other marine species in the area. The Protected Fisheries Habitat Reserve 20 kilometres from its mouth upstream to Dunethin Rock are where reptiles, Whip-tail wallabies and kangaroos can be found.

There are plenty of accommodations that cater to individuals and groups, from holiday apartments to resort cabins. There are also tent sites with

power supply. If visitors want a rest from cruising, swimming, jet skiing, sailing, and fishing, they can opt to dine and shop in nearby areas like the

Sunshine Plaza and the arts and craft shops in Flaxton, Mapleton and Montville.

The danger of flooding in its 630 square kilometre catchment continues to exist and increase as population also increases. The earliest recording of

its flooding is in 1893, followed by other major ones in 1951, 1974 and 1992. These floodings affected hundreds of homes and low-lying roads.

To limit possible destruction to life and property, the Bureau of Meteorology and the Maroochy Shire Council operate an alert system since 1994.

The flood reporting system takes into account every millimetre of rainfall and 50-millimetre river height change, which are measured from field stations. Findings are regularly reported to the Nambour Council Office’s base station computer through VHF radio. The Flood Warning Centre of the Bureau of Meteorology tabulates the data and produces hydrologic models to predict river height.

Warnings and bulletins are issued by the Bureau and Shire Council to radio stations and agencies involved in flood response when there is a possibility

of water levels going beyond the set moderate level. People can also keep track through the Queensland Flood Warning Centre Website.