Coast river health slumps in south, Moreton Bay dire

The health of two Coast catchments has worsened while a dire warning has also been sounded about the future of Moreton Bay by experts.

LOVING IT: Mountain Creek pair Brooke Bennetts, 22, and Zak Nevin-Fendley, 21, enjoying a perfect day on the Maroochy River. Picture: Patrick Woods

THE health of two Coast catchments has worsened while a dire warning has also been sounded about the future of Moreton Bay by experts.

The annual report card published by Healthy Land and Water revealed the overall health of the Mooloolah (C+) and Pumicestone (B+) catchments had fallen this year compared to 2017.

While the region's two southern catchments had deteriorated, down from a B- (Mooloolah) and A- (Pumicestone) in 2017, Noosa and Maroochy catchments had maintained the same health grading as last year.

Moreton Bay was graded D+.

Alexandra Headland lifesaver and successful paddler James Porter trained on the Maroochy or Mooloolah rivers at least once a week.

He thought both rivers appeared "pretty healthy” particularly after the recent rain.

Alexandra Headland lifesaver James Porter trains regularly in local rivers. Picture: Warren Lynam

He said he'd noticed how much busier the Maroochy River had become in recent years as more people took to the water.

"There's lots of boats and jet skis,” Mr Porter said.

Mountain Creek pair Brooke Bennetts and Zak Nevin-Fendley were enjoying an afternoon on the Maroochy River on Tuesday.

Mr Nevin-Fendley said he hadn't been down to Chambers Island, on the Maroochy River, "in ages”.

"We just had a swim,” he said. "It's nice and clear,” Ms Bennetts said.