What’s happening?
More than 35,000 young mangrove plants have been propagated or salvaged and replanted across 9.8 hectares at Stockland Shoreline in Redland Bay.
The project, delivered by Stockland in partnership with Redland City Council, has turned degraded and weed‑infested land near the Southern Redland Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant into a living mangrove wetland. Plants were sourced from stormwater drains and construction sites, grown in a nursery, and then replanted by crews and ecological specialists over 18 months.
Why it matters
This is one of the first large‑scale projects of its kind in Australia. It shows how natural systems can be used to manage water quality, store carbon, restore habitat, and build long‑term climate resilience. Stockland Senior Development Manager Phil Mann said, “What’s unique about this project is how we’ve salvaged vegetation that would typically be cleared into a living, functioning ecosystem – one that improves water quality, stores carbon, restores habitat, and delivers long‑term environmental value for the Redlands.”
Local impact
The wetland filters tidal water from the Logan River, removing nutrients and sediments every tide. It also creates habitat for fish, prawns, and wading birds while protecting the shoreline from erosion and storm surge. “We’re already seeing the return of habitat and wildlife – it’s working,” Mr Mann said. Mayor Jos Mitchell added, “This wetland sets a new benchmark for how we manage water while enhancing the natural environment in growing communities.”
By the numbers
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More than 35,000 mangrove plants have been propagated or salvaged and replanted.
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The wetland spans 9.8 hectares beside the Southern Redland Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant.
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The project involved dozens of planting crews and ecological specialists over 18 months.
Zoom in
Water Technology designed the wetland using state‑of‑the‑art hydraulic and water quality modelling to prove it could deliver measurable benefits. Director and State Manager for Queensland Tony McAlister said, “Unlike traditional infrastructure, this system works with natural tidal flows and mangrove communities to remove nutrients and sediments, while also providing habitat and shoreline protection.” The project also involved cultural monitoring with the Traditional Owners, the Danggan Balun (Five Rivers people).
Zoom out
The Shoreline project forms part of a four‑year Australian Research Council Linkage Grant led by Griffith University with input from Stockland, Water Technology, Redland City Council, and the Queensland Government. It has been peer reviewed by experts from CSIRO and the University of Queensland. The findings will help compare the wetland’s performance to traditional grey infrastructure.
What to look for next?
National Tree Day on Sunday 27 July gives the community another reason to connect with nature and celebrate projects like this one.
Work at Shoreline will continue as the Southern Redland Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant is on track for completion by the end of 2025, and researchers will keep tracking how this wetland protects the Logan River and supports local biodiversity.
