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 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 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.