Saltwater Creek Master Plan (completed)

In 2022, Council engaged JDA Co. to work with the community and key stakeholders to identify a future vision and associated actions for this waterway.

Where is Saltwater Creek?

Saltwater Creek is situated through the centre of Bundaberg City on the southern side of the Burnett River (between the Bundaberg Airport and Bundaberg Creek). It has a catchment area that is approximately 10.5km2 in size and is approximately 6km in length along the main flow path.

History of Saltwater Creek – A Snapshot

The Saltwater Creek catchment has seen significant change since European settlement. Substantial watershed areas have been cleared up to (and often including) riparian corridors in efforts to maximise yield. Furthermore, since the mid to late 20th Century, urban development has seen many sections of Saltwater Creek ‘upgraded’ from a natural creek to a concrete channel in efforts to maximise conveyance and developable land.

Why did Council do this Master Plan?

Council completed a condition assessment of the concrete channels along the entire length of Saltwater Creek. The outcomes from this assessment indicated that most of Saltwater Creek’s concrete channels were showing signs of moderate to significant deterioration and major replacement is likely required within the next 10 to 20 years.

Numerous homes adjacent to the creek are also subject to flooding during localised storm events.

The need to address flood risk and replace deteriorating concrete channels presented Council and the community with an opportunity. As part of our asset renewal planning, we need to determine whether we replace the concrete channels like-for-like or do something different for the future?

To align with Council’s strategic intent, Saltwater Creek is considered more than just a concrete channel asset. Urban creeks can offer significant value-added benefits to the community moving forward. Council wanted to see this potential realised by proactively planning for a healthy waterway, increased social and environmental benefit, flood risk reduction, and improved sustainability and resilience over time.

In developing the Master Plan, Council sought community input to help us understand the key values, constraints, and opportunities for the Saltwater Creek corridor.

Your ideas and local knowledge were vitally important in shaping the outcomes of the Master Plan, including a list of recommended actions moving forward.

How to find out more

If you have any queries in relation to the Saltwater Creek Master Plan, please contact the Project Team on 1300 883 699 or email engineering@bundaberg.qld.gov.au.



In 2022, Council engaged JDA Co. to work with the community and key stakeholders to identify a future vision and associated actions for this waterway.

Where is Saltwater Creek?

Saltwater Creek is situated through the centre of Bundaberg City on the southern side of the Burnett River (between the Bundaberg Airport and Bundaberg Creek). It has a catchment area that is approximately 10.5km2 in size and is approximately 6km in length along the main flow path.

History of Saltwater Creek – A Snapshot

The Saltwater Creek catchment has seen significant change since European settlement. Substantial watershed areas have been cleared up to (and often including) riparian corridors in efforts to maximise yield. Furthermore, since the mid to late 20th Century, urban development has seen many sections of Saltwater Creek ‘upgraded’ from a natural creek to a concrete channel in efforts to maximise conveyance and developable land.

Why did Council do this Master Plan?

Council completed a condition assessment of the concrete channels along the entire length of Saltwater Creek. The outcomes from this assessment indicated that most of Saltwater Creek’s concrete channels were showing signs of moderate to significant deterioration and major replacement is likely required within the next 10 to 20 years.

Numerous homes adjacent to the creek are also subject to flooding during localised storm events.

The need to address flood risk and replace deteriorating concrete channels presented Council and the community with an opportunity. As part of our asset renewal planning, we need to determine whether we replace the concrete channels like-for-like or do something different for the future?

To align with Council’s strategic intent, Saltwater Creek is considered more than just a concrete channel asset. Urban creeks can offer significant value-added benefits to the community moving forward. Council wanted to see this potential realised by proactively planning for a healthy waterway, increased social and environmental benefit, flood risk reduction, and improved sustainability and resilience over time.

In developing the Master Plan, Council sought community input to help us understand the key values, constraints, and opportunities for the Saltwater Creek corridor.

Your ideas and local knowledge were vitally important in shaping the outcomes of the Master Plan, including a list of recommended actions moving forward.

How to find out more

If you have any queries in relation to the Saltwater Creek Master Plan, please contact the Project Team on 1300 883 699 or email engineering@bundaberg.qld.gov.au.



  • Saltwater Creek master plan community workshop

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    Residents are invited to attend a community workshop to have their say on the draft Saltwater Creek master plan.

    The draft Saltwater Creek master plan has been developed using information gathered from technical investigations and feedback from the community.

    The master plan is shaped to provide the community with accessible green space, cultural resources and recreational amenities, while delivering multiple operational functions including flood resilience, stormwater management, urban cooling, habitat creation and protection, and safe routes along to walk or cycle.

    Saltwater Creek is about 6km long on its main flow path and stretches from Bundaberg Regional Airport, through residential areas to the CBD and into the Burnett River under the historic Saltwater Creek bridge.

    Council has completed a condition assessment of the concrete channels along the entire length of Saltwater Creek.

    The outcomes from the assessment indicate that most of Saltwater Creek’s concrete channels show signs of moderate to significant deterioration and major replacement is likely required within the next 10 to 20 years.

    Council Roads and Drainage portfolio spokesperson Cr Bill Trevor said the Saltwater Creek catchment had seen significant changes through history and the long-term planning project would be beneficial to the wider community.

    “This Master Plan will help meet the needs and aspirations, from the functional and operational through to ecological and aspirational.

    “The outcomes will be driven by the priorities of the local community, Bundaberg Regional Council and civic stakeholders.”

    Cr Trevor said the Master Plan was guided by six over-arching principles, which included resilient development, connection to Country, healthy habitat, slow flow with an active, safe and connected space.

    An open community consultation session will be held at 5:30 pm on Thursday 16 November at the Bundaberg Multiplex, 1 Civic Avenue. Reservations are mandatory via emailing engineering@bundaberg.qld.gov.au by Wednesday 15 November.

    Additional sessions will be conducted by invitation only for residents of adjacent and nearby properties and First Nations representatives.

    An online survey will be open until Friday 8 December for public feedback on the Draft Master Plan.

    Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

    Residents are invited to attend a community workshop to have their say on the draft Saltwater Creek master plan.

    The draft Saltwater Creek master plan has been developed using information gathered from technical investigations and feedback from the community.

    The master plan is shaped to provide the community with accessible green space, cultural resources and recreational amenities, while delivering multiple operational functions including flood resilience, stormwater management, urban cooling, habitat creation and protection, and safe routes along to walk or cycle.

    Saltwater Creek is about 6km long on its main flow path and stretches from Bundaberg Regional Airport, through residential areas to the CBD and into the Burnett River under the historic Saltwater Creek bridge.

    Council has completed a condition assessment of the concrete channels along the entire length of Saltwater Creek.

    The outcomes from the assessment indicate that most of Saltwater Creek’s concrete channels show signs of moderate to significant deterioration and major replacement is likely required within the next 10 to 20 years.

    Council Roads and Drainage portfolio spokesperson Cr Bill Trevor said the Saltwater Creek catchment had seen significant changes through history and the long-term planning project would be beneficial to the wider community.

    “This Master Plan will help meet the needs and aspirations, from the functional and operational through to ecological and aspirational.

    “The outcomes will be driven by the priorities of the local community, Bundaberg Regional Council and civic stakeholders.”

    Cr Trevor said the Master Plan was guided by six over-arching principles, which included resilient development, connection to Country, healthy habitat, slow flow with an active, safe and connected space.

    An open community consultation session will be held at 5:30 pm on Thursday 16 November at the Bundaberg Multiplex, 1 Civic Avenue. Reservations are mandatory via emailing engineering@bundaberg.qld.gov.au by Wednesday 15 November.

    Additional sessions will be conducted by invitation only for residents of adjacent and nearby properties and First Nations representatives.

    An online survey will be open until Friday 8 December for public feedback on the Draft Master Plan.

    Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

  • Saltwater Creek master plan consultation underway

    supporting image

    An open community workshop on the Saltwater Creek master plan will be held on Wednesday 4 May 2022

    Bundaberg Regional Council is kickstarting a long-term planning project for a major CBD waterway with community consultation on the Saltwater Creek Master Plan now underway.

    Saltwater Creek is about 6km long on its main flow path and stretches from Bundaberg Regional Airport, through residential areas to the CBD and into the Burnett River under the historic Saltwater Creek bridge.

    The Saltwater Creek catchment has seen significant change through historic clearing and ‘upgrades’ from a natural creek to a concrete channel in efforts to maximise conveyance and developable land.

    Council Roads and Drainage portfolio spokesperson Cr Bill Trevor said that was no longer the modern thinking for urban waterways.

    “A recently completed condition assessment of the concrete channels along the length of Saltwater Creek indicated that major replacements will likely be necessary within the next 10 to 20 years,” Cr Trevor said.

    “For such a significant drainage corridor that type of replacement also means significant financial investment.

    “That’s why we’re keen to undertake the master planning process now and create a shovel-ready project when the appropriate time comes.”

    Like the recent Belle Eden and Washpool Creek projects, Cr Trevor said Council was hopeful that the waterway could not only be improved but be transformed into an asset that provides multiple community benefits.

    “There are historic flooding issues along this drainage corridor during localised storm events which residents would be all too aware of.

    “During the master plan process we hope to not only create a solution that would boost Saltwater Creek’s flood resilience, but value add to the area.

    “If we can achieve improved drainage and create a healthy waterway that would have social and environmental benefits, then it’s a win-win for the community.”

    In developing the Saltwater Creek master plan, Council is seeking input to help understand the key values, constraints, and opportunities for the Saltwater Creek corridor.

    Council has engaged JDA Co to work with the community and key stakeholders to identify a future vision and associated actions for this waterway.

    How to have your say on the Saltwater Creek master plan:

    Open Community Workshop

    • Where: Bundaberg Civic Centre, 190 Bourbong Street
    • When: Wednesday 4 May 2022
    • Time: 5 pm to 7 pm
    • RSVP: Reservations are mandatory to support planning. Please email your RSVP by 5 pm on Monday 2 May 2022 to engineering@bundaberg.qld.gov.au.

    Survey submission

    To make a submission, complete the survey online or request a paper copy from any Council service centre or by calling 1300 883 699.

    The survey will be open until Friday 13 May 2022 at 5 pm.

    Stay informed

    To receive notifications on the progress of the Saltwater Creek master plan, sign up on the project page.


    For more information on the Saltwater Creek master plan, contact the project team on 1300 883 699 or email engineering@bundaberg.qld.gov.au.


    You can read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

    An open community workshop on the Saltwater Creek master plan will be held on Wednesday 4 May 2022

    Bundaberg Regional Council is kickstarting a long-term planning project for a major CBD waterway with community consultation on the Saltwater Creek Master Plan now underway.

    Saltwater Creek is about 6km long on its main flow path and stretches from Bundaberg Regional Airport, through residential areas to the CBD and into the Burnett River under the historic Saltwater Creek bridge.

    The Saltwater Creek catchment has seen significant change through historic clearing and ‘upgrades’ from a natural creek to a concrete channel in efforts to maximise conveyance and developable land.

    Council Roads and Drainage portfolio spokesperson Cr Bill Trevor said that was no longer the modern thinking for urban waterways.

    “A recently completed condition assessment of the concrete channels along the length of Saltwater Creek indicated that major replacements will likely be necessary within the next 10 to 20 years,” Cr Trevor said.

    “For such a significant drainage corridor that type of replacement also means significant financial investment.

    “That’s why we’re keen to undertake the master planning process now and create a shovel-ready project when the appropriate time comes.”

    Like the recent Belle Eden and Washpool Creek projects, Cr Trevor said Council was hopeful that the waterway could not only be improved but be transformed into an asset that provides multiple community benefits.

    “There are historic flooding issues along this drainage corridor during localised storm events which residents would be all too aware of.

    “During the master plan process we hope to not only create a solution that would boost Saltwater Creek’s flood resilience, but value add to the area.

    “If we can achieve improved drainage and create a healthy waterway that would have social and environmental benefits, then it’s a win-win for the community.”

    In developing the Saltwater Creek master plan, Council is seeking input to help understand the key values, constraints, and opportunities for the Saltwater Creek corridor.

    Council has engaged JDA Co to work with the community and key stakeholders to identify a future vision and associated actions for this waterway.

    How to have your say on the Saltwater Creek master plan:

    Open Community Workshop

    • Where: Bundaberg Civic Centre, 190 Bourbong Street
    • When: Wednesday 4 May 2022
    • Time: 5 pm to 7 pm
    • RSVP: Reservations are mandatory to support planning. Please email your RSVP by 5 pm on Monday 2 May 2022 to engineering@bundaberg.qld.gov.au.

    Survey submission

    To make a submission, complete the survey online or request a paper copy from any Council service centre or by calling 1300 883 699.

    The survey will be open until Friday 13 May 2022 at 5 pm.

    Stay informed

    To receive notifications on the progress of the Saltwater Creek master plan, sign up on the project page.


    For more information on the Saltwater Creek master plan, contact the project team on 1300 883 699 or email engineering@bundaberg.qld.gov.au.


    You can read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

Page last updated: 15 Nov 2024, 04:52 PM