The Mackay Region has undergone extensive urban development that has led to the removal and degradation of an array of natural ecosystems. These aquatic systems benefit a wide variety of fauna by providing critical refuge habitats. These wetland habitats also treat and improve the quality of water flowing from the terrestrial landscape before entering into estuarine and near shore marine habitats. The Little McCreadys Creek rehabilitation project is one of five priority implementation projects under Councils voluntary mechanism for stormwater quality management.
A rehabilitation project on Little McCreadys Creek is currently underway. Little McCreadys Creek is a 720 metre long, degraded and straightened creek channel that has lost nearly all of its habitat value due to removal of riparian/in-stream habitat as well as presence of invasive weeds.
Mackay Regional Council, Reef Catchments as well as the Design consultant – Australian Wetland Consulting, engaged with the local Industry groups, advising them of the purpose of the project and details of the proposed activities. Local industry groups included staff from the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), Department of Infrastructure Local Government & Planning (DILGP), Mackay Conservation Group and Pioneer Catchment & Landcare.
The Project aims include:
• Improve and treat water quality runoff from built up urban areas and improve the quality of water flowing into estuarine and Great Barrier Reef habitats.
• Increase in the amount of habitat available for biodiversity including the provision for fish passage.
• Local costed out example of naturalised/vegetated waterways versus mown swales in the provision of water quality and ecosystem services, as well as ongoing maintenance and operational costs.
• Improved visual amenity of the local area, and opportunities to engage with the community.
• Re-establish riparian vegetation and ecosystem service values in the McCreadys Creek catchment, including channel stability.
• Increase coordination between terrestrial and aquatic land managers and improve the knowledge of local government to better manage naturalised waterways that drain urban areas.
Community and industry consultation has favoured the project and has informed the detailed design process.. The project is due for completion by June, 2016.For more information contact Mackay Regional Council (http://connectingmackay.com.au/little-mccreadys-creek-remediation)
For further information on this project please contact Luke Galea
