Cicada Park | CHAPEL HILL

This site was identified during strategic sessions with Brisbane City Council and the local catchment group, Cubberla-Witton Catchments Network (CWCN).

Cubberla Creek runs through the length of Cicada Park and is a core movement corridor for wildlife between Mt Coo-tha and the Brisbane River. This section of the waterway had not been looked after for some time and was highly weed infested.

The aim of this project was to restore the natural values of the site and improve the amenity and accessibility of the creek and surrounding area to reduce waterway pollution, boost local biodiversity, and build stronger community connections.

The work was undertaken in multiple stages beginning in June 2022 and included extensive weeding, bank reprofiling, coir logs and biodegradable matting to prevent erosion and suppress weed regrowth, and revegetation of the entire area with local, native species.

We also took the opportunity to formalise the existing creek crossing and bush track with stone steppers, and install community activation elements including sandstone seating blocks and balancing logs. The last stage of work was completed in May 2023.

To celebrate each stage of work, we held a series of community events in collaboration with CWCN and The Hut Environmental and Community Association (THECA). This included two planting days during which attendees collectively planted and watered over 2,000 native plants, shrubs, and groundcovers.

A subgroup of THECA was also stood up as stewards for this site, which continues to thrive thanks to their efforts.

Another stage of works, led by CWCN, has also recently been approved for this site. Water by Design will be delivering these works in partnership with CWCN and OCCA, with kick off scheduled for 2024. Stay tuned!

This project was supported by Healthy Land & Water, through funding from the Australian Government’s Environment Restoration Fund. Project partners included Brisbane City Council, Cubberla-Witton Catchments Network, and The Hut Environmental and Community Association.