Moving forward: Designs submitted for state development application approval
We've officially submitted the detailed designs for state development application approval. This is a crucial step forward in our riverine restoration of the Brook.
While we await feedback on our application, we thought we’d reach out and share some further information with you.
Priority areas
Based on comprehensive geomorphological and ecological assessments from the project's earlier stages, three priority areas along Kedron Brook were identified for proposed restoration works.
Multiple criteria were taken into account to select those areas, some of which are listed below:
- Potential for environmental recovery outcomes.
- Sites of major erosion sustained during the 2022 flood events.
- Flood modelling, water energy and channel dynamics.
- Existing soil and vegetation composition.
- Historic alignments and geomorphic trajectory of the creek into the future.
- Construction feasibility, including site access and approval requirements.
- Ancillary benefits for Kedron Brook.
- Contract constraints (budget, schedule).
Our holistic approach ensures that any proposed solutions will provide benefit to the Brook's overall resilience and environmental health.
It's important to note that all works are confined to the channel and immediately adjacent riparian areas, minimising disruption to surrounding properties. Healthy Land & Water has been working closely with all impacted residents.
You can see the areas on the map below. The colour gradient (from red to green) is a rough indication of the intensity of works.
Benefits for the whole reach
While work will be conducted at specific locations, the benefits will extend throughout the entire Brook reach. The proposed works are designed to improve resilience both upstream and downstream of the designated sites. In addition, the implemented solutions will enhance ecological connectivity throughout the waterway, preserve and strengthen biodiversity values across the system, and create a more stable and sustainable Brook for the long term.
Nature-based solutions approach
The detailed designs developed by Bligh Tanner during Stage 2 feature nature-based solutions that work with the landscape rather than against it, ensuring a nature-connected result.
Nature-based approaches may include strategically placed native timber piles, logs with root balls and revegetation to stabilise creekbanks, redirect and slow down water flows. These methods reduce erosion and trap sediments to improve water quality while creating wildlife habitats and enhancing biodiversity values.
Understanding nature-based solutions
Our solutions utilise natural processes and ecological principles to address the challenges facing Kedron Brook. While these approaches offer multiple benefits, they also represent a different philosophy than traditional "hard engineering" solutions. Nature-based solutions adapt and evolve over time, working with natural processes rather than attempting to completely control them.
See some examples of similar works recently completed by Healthy Land & Water, where vegetation will grow to be the hero:
Bank stabilisation project with pile fields, root ball and log, revegetation. Note: This bank used to be vertical.
Bank stabilisation project with pile fields and revegetation. Note: This bank used to be vertical.
Bank stabilisation project with natural rocks on the creek bed and revegetation.
Next Steps
As we await state approvals, our team will:
1. Continue engaging with residents whose properties adjoin the priority work sites.
2. Ecological field assessment and development of species management plan.
3. Construction planning for approved designs, including tendering civil and revegetation contractors.
4. Share additional educational resources about riverine recovery.
5. Engaging and keeping the community informed about project progress.
Resources for residents
Don’t forget to check out the set of resources that are freely available to all residents here: https://hlw.org.au/get-involved/kedron-brook-resources.
Our aim is to help you understand more about environmental recovery and offer practical information and knowledge. Stay tuned! We will send out more resources/communications as we go.
If you are a resident of the Brook and could use some extra help, feel free to reach out to Bushtekniq, your local bush regeneration group or the Kedron Brook Catchment Network, both are dedicated to improving Kedron Brook’s environment. Check out their websites for more information (https://bushtekniq.org/ and http://www.kedronbrook.org.au/about/about-kbcn/).
Feel free to reach out
If you have any questions, please feel free to use the "contact us" form on our website or get in touch directly via the project email address at
We will keep using the project email address to keep in touch with residents and locals who want to stay involved and updated on the project. Keep an eye on the Kedron Brook project website for regular updates and details of any future events and activities. You can access the website here: https://hlw.org.au/kedron-brook
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in the Kedron Brook Riverine Recovery project. We appreciate you!
The Healthy Land & Water project team.
– Hannah, Alberta, Samille, Chelsea, Lachie & Natalie
*Each stage is dependent on the previous stage. Should the project progress beyond Stage 3, all stages of the project are expected to be delivered by 30 June 2026.
This project is supported by Healthy Land & Water, with assistance provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
