Saltwater Creek Master Plan

You are invited to participate in the development of the Saltwater Creek Master Plan.

Your views will help to shape this important drainage corridor into a vibrant space that balances healthy waterways, flood and climate resilience, community, and liveability outcomes.

Council has 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 20^th 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 is Council doing this Master Plan?

Council has recently completed a condition assessment of the concrete channels along the entire length of Saltwater Creek. The outcomes from this 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.

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 presents 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 wants 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 is seeking your input to help us understand the key values, constraints, and opportunities for the Saltwater Creek corridor.

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

How to Get Involved

Further engagement activities will be undertaken when the Draft Master Plan is ready for community comment. Subscribe to this page to receive notification of future opportunities to have your say.

How to Stay Informed

You can stay informed on the progress of the Master Plan by subscribing in the Stay Informed section on this page. Read the latest newsletter here.

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.