Bundaberg Regional Council’s Washpool Creek Naturalisation Project has been awarded $2 million in funding to further transform the area into a thriving, natural waterway.
Provided through the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust, the funding is part of the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program that is improving the ecological health of waterways for the benefit of both nature and people.
Stages 1 and 2 of the project were completed last year between Ford Street and Hargreaves Street, and feature a naturalised creek corridor along with a large open area and nature play elements.
The parkland can be accessed by a pathway which twists through the full length of the corridor starting at Ford Street and across Hargreaves Street before reaching a new playground at Lathouras Court.
Stage 3 will soon be underway thanks to the funding and will feature the continuation of the creek and pathway through to Baldwin Swamp.
Stage 3 of the project includes:
- Removing 650 metres of concrete and replacing it with 11,500 square metres of vegetation
- Balancing the creek’s stormwater and drainage functions to deliver significant water quality and ecological benefits
- Water quality improvements that will provide downstream benefits to Baldwin Swamp, the Burnett River, and the Great Barrier Reef.
- Public open space will also be improved
Council’s Roads and Infrastructure (urban) portfolio spokesperson Cr Larine Statham-Blair said Stage 3 would mark a significant milestone in the project’s vision for Washpool Creek.
“The positive impact of this project goes beyond the creek’s health and natural beauty,” she said.
“We’re building a more resilient, functional waterway that is becoming a space for the community to visit and enjoy.
“The funding for Washpool Creek is great news for the region.”
Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP said restoring rivers and waterways like Washpool Creek was part of a $200 million investment.
“Nearly half of all nationally listed threatened animals and a quarter of our threatened plants are in urban areas, home to 96 per cent of Australia’s population,” she said.
“And with so many native plants and animals reliant on our rivers, creeks, wetlands, and estuaries, protecting and restoring the health of our waterways is essential.
“This critical funding is good news for native wildlife and the community – improving the quality of the urban spaces that we all share and love.”
Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Senator for Queensland, Anthony Chisholm said this project was another example of the Albanese Government’s commitment to ensuring communities across regional Queensland remained a great place to live.
“We’re proud to have supported Council’s efforts to not only protect the local environment, but to also create new open space that will improve the liveability of this region and support the wellbeing of the local community.”
Construction of Stage 3 of the Washpool Creek Naturalisation Project is expected to begin in mid 2026, with design review and preconstruction planning to occur this year.
Find out more here.
That’s good news
The photos are very old, and I look at the area every day and all I see is a catchment area for rubbish, stagnant water, (yes, stagnant all the time rain or not) and Mossies. I really wish the tax-payers dollar could be spent on something better than an ongoing, intensive maintenance project, for ever……. $200,000,000 is too much to spend on something with such an ongoing cost, for, ever. Now when it rains, any rain event will deposit the rubbish from at least as far away as Across the waves, slowing it down and will cause a back up of flood waters . Yes I am an expert, as I have lived here for 64 years, ask me, ask me anything about this area and I can tell you.