Davidson Street creek restoration
Inspiring example of community, government, and industry working together to protect and restore urban waterways.
Davidson Street Creek restoration, a best practice environmental management approach that assists practitioners and the government in delivering enduring and cost-effective outdoor spaces that engage the community.The Davidson Street Creek restoration was a best practice environmental management approach that assists practitioners and the government to deliver enduring and cost-effective outdoor spaces that engage the community.
It is an inspiring example of community, government, and industry working together to protect and restore urban waterways.
Living Waterways is a best practice environmental management approach that assists practitioners and the government to deliver enduring and cost-effective outdoor spaces that engage the community.
The Living Waterways approach has been developed to support the implementation of water-sensitive urban design by encouraging and incentivising design solutions that incorporate the natural, historical, social, economic, and cultural values of a site.
The approach aligns traditional stormwater principles with place-making benefits. It directly links to the Queensland Government’s Stormwater Quality Design Objectives (SMDOs) and is a recognised alternative pathway to ‘business as usual’ water-sensitive urban design (WSUD).
Community insight was key to informing a bespoke, naturally integrated site that included a student-led and designed interpretation trail, a viewing platform overlooking the creek, nest boxes and native beehives to support local plants and wildlife, and a dry creek bed installed to provide an example of historical ecological components of the site.
The project treated site runoff via a soakage basin to protect and enhance waterway values. Over 3,500 species of the original regional ecosystem (littoral vine forest) were restored on the site, significantly boosting local biodiversity.
Applying the Living Waterways approach to restore a section of creek at Davidson Street in Newmarket.
What we did
Including local residents in the design of the restoration project.
In 2018, Healthy Land & Water launched a project to restore a section of creek that flows through Corbie Street Park, at the end of Davidson Street in Newmarket. The project was designed to enhance the natural elements of Enoggera Creek to improve water quality, habitat values, and community access.
A series of community co-design events were held across the life of the project to allow local residents to share what the site meant to them and put forward ideas on how to improve it.
- Waterway restoration works co-designed with the local community.
- Improved public access to the creek and helped restore local native ecosystems.
- Passive irrigation components (e.g. raingardens) added to treat stormwater runoff.
- Habitat features added including habitat boxes and native beehives.
Measuring success
Using intel gathered from these events, Healthy Land & Water devised a master plan for the restoration. It included:
- Habitat boxes and native beehives to encourage the return of urban wildlife.
- Revegetation of native species.
- An interpretation trail co-developed with local Year 5/6 students from St Ambrose Primary School.
- A creek viewing area.
- Shade and rest areas to improve accessibility for local retirement village residents.
- Nature play elements to provide opportunities for kids to interact with nature.
Including local residents in the design of the restoration project was an important step in helping to build strong ties between the creek and the community.
The local St Ambrose Primary School continues to be involved in the project, using the site as an outdoor classroom for students. A new habitat group was also established at the site, with residents continuing to contribute their time and effort to ensure the project is maintained. This group has successfully extended the restoration of the site to include an additional 200 m of restoration works.
Why this project is important
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When communities feel connected to their local waterways, they are more likely to take an active role in protecting them. Co-designed urban development projects not only ensure strong and enduring environmental outcomes, they also forge social links and networks within a community. Acknowledging the inherent value that communities hold to drive and lead their own needs ensures that investments into waterway restoration and urban design projects are fit for purpose and align with the values of the local community. The community was heavily involved in the planning process and their ongoing involvement in the project helped to deliver strong multi-benefit water-sensitive urban design outcomes. |
Project snapshot
| Project name: | Davidson Street Creek restoration |
| Project manager: | Rachael Nasplezes, Healthy Land & Water |
| Catchment: | Mid Brisbane |
| Timing: | 2017 – 2019 (Completed) |
| Budget: | $170,000 |
| Partnerships: |
This project is supported by Healthy Land & Water, through funding from the Australian Government. Project partners include Brisbane City Council and Save Our Waterways Now. |
| Related Articles: |
What's next
There is huge potential to build on the successful work.
Project collaborators
This project is supported by Healthy Land & Water, through funding from the Australian Government. Project partners include Brisbane City Council and Save Our Waterways Now.
