
A healthy creek is a happy creek: An update on Cicada Park in Chapel Hill
Preparation Cicada Park Stage 3 - Urban Rivers and Catchments Program project
Healthy ecosystems are the backbone of thriving communities and what was once an overlooked urban waterway is now transforming into a vibrant ecological corridor. Join us on a journey that shows the story and update on works at the Cicada Park site in Chapel Hill.
Multiple milestones for urban waterway restoration
Since 2019, our team, alongside Brisbane City Council and the Cubberla-Witton Catchments Network (CWCN), has been working to transform Cubberla Creek from a neglected corridor into a vibrant ecological resource as the area was identified as a core movement corridor for wildlife.
Read about the initial stages of the project here.
Throughout the project, our efforts have been collaborative and strategic:
- Community engagement: Over 91 people attended our first community planting in Stage 1 as a National Tree Day event in July 2022 organised by CWCN. Another 37 community volunteers participated in a follow-up event in May 2023 in Stage 2.
- Ongoing stewardship: A local community volunteer bushcare group now meets monthly to maintain the site, ensuring long-term care and connection.
- Funding success for the future: In May 2024, funding for Stage 3 was awarded to Cubberla-Witton Catchments Network (CWCN) through Round 1 of the Australian Government’s Urban Rivers and Catchments Program. Healthy Land & Water has been engaged by CWCN to provide project technical support through project oversight and technical advice.
What has the restoration achieved so far
- Earthworks to re-batter the creek and ensure bank stabilisation.
- Native species revegetation.
- Creating a natural stormwater treatment system.
A visual journey capturing the transformation
Let’s take a look at the journey of Cicada Park through a photographic story that captures the remarkable evolution of this landscape, frame by frame.
Before (Stage 2) | |
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After (Stage 2) | |
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Before (Stage 3) | |
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After (Stage 3) | |
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What’s in store for Stage 3
The works phase will be two-pronged and will include:
- Restoration of the riparian zone and existing low-lying wetland with the aim to improve the functionality of these elements through weed management, bank battering/stabilisation, and revegetation of the channel banks and riparian zone with local, native species to improve water quality and habitat values.
- The project will also continue to act as a demonstration of a waterway intervention project, engage the local community, and continue to build stewardship through the delivery of Stage 3 of works along this wetland corridor.
Pre-on-ground works: September/October 2024
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Planting kicks off: October 2024
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From little things, big things grow: October 2024
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Just in time for rain: early December 2024
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A thriving creek: January 2025
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Other sections of the creek
The more mature-looking photos are of two previous stages delivered by Healthy Land & Water through our Water by Design initiative and looked after by CWCN.
In the mature sections, the lomandra have done a great job of protecting the banks. Read more about these initial sections here.
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You can read the full project snapshot here.
This project is funded by the Australian Government’s Urban Rivers and Catchments Program.