NORMAN CREEKKnow your creek

Our Business - A Better Brisbane

Printed on recycled paper

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Brisbane City Council Information

GPO Box 1434Brisbane Qld 4001

For more informationplease telephoneBrisbane City Councilon 3403 8888 orwww.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Improving our Waterways from Backyard to Bay…

Know Your Creek – Norman CreekNorman Creek – Part of your lifestyle 1Where is Norman Creek? 1Natural highlights and places to see 2Flora and fauna 3History of the Norman Creek catchment 6

Know Your Creek – Understanding Catchments & WaterwaysWhat is a catchment? 9Waterway management 10Revegetation and rehabilitation 11Catchment map 13Major projects along Norman Creek 16Understanding flooding 19Stormwater and water quality 22

Know Your Creek – How Can You Help?Preserving and conserving water 24If you would like to help 27

This Know Your Creek booklet is one in a series, which aims to increasecommunity awareness of the diverse features and roles of local catchments.

Know Your Creek booklets are also available for the following catchments:

• Bulimba Creek

• Cabbage Tree Creek

• Cubberla Creek

• Enoggera/Breakfast Creek

• Kedron Brook

• Lota Creek

For more information visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or contact Council’s CallCentre on 3403 8888.

CONTENTS

• Moggill Creek

• Nundah/Downfall Creek

• Oxley Creek

• Pullen Pullen Creek

• Tingalpa Creek

• Wynnum Creek

WEBSITESWaterwatch

www.qld.waterwatch.org.au

Educational Materials

www.dnr.qld.gov.au/education

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Part of our lifestyle

As a river city, our lifestyle revolves around Brisbane’s waterways, from localcreeks and streams to the Brisbane River, wetlands and Moreton Bay. Over thepast 10 years Brisbane City Council, community groups and individuals haveworked hard to keep our waterways free from pollutants.

Council projects helping to improve the health of our waterwaysinclude:• More Stormwater Quality Improvement Devices to prevent

rubbish and sediment entering the river and bay viastormwater run-off

• Upgrading the Luggage Point Wastewater TreatmentPlant and the city’s main sewer line

• Cleaning up old landfill sites to prevent pollutionleaching into our waterways

• Continued commitment to water quality monitoring andresearch to identify and act upon threats to our

waterways• Riverfestival – an action packed festival

to celebrate all the river and bay has to offer

You can help improve the Norman Creek catchment byensuring your actions do not damage waterways, eitherdirectly or indirectly. For example, you could do this byusing fewer fertilisers and pesticides, collecting rubbish onroads and footpaths and by choosing native plants for your

garden. You can also take part in Council’s Habitat Brisbaneprogram, or join partnership organisations like the Norman

Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee (N4C).

WHERE IS NORMAN CREEK?Norman Creek and its tributaries flow through the Brisbane suburbs of EastBrisbane, Woolloongabba, Coorparoo, Camp Hill, Greenslopes, Annerley,Holland Park, Tarragindi and Mount Gravatt. Its many tributaries include EkibinCreek, Glindemann Creek, Mott Creek, Sandy Creek, Bridgewater Creek,Coorparoo Creek, Scott Creek and Kingfisher Creek.

NORMAN CREEK

The Norman Creek catchment has approximately 25 neighbourhood parks alongwith some of Brisbane’s best bushland areas.

Local reserves include:• A J Jones Recreation Reserve, Ernst Street,

Greenslopes• Bowies Flat Constructed Wetland, Coorparoo• Bridgewater Creek Park, Leicester Street,

Coorparoo• C P Bottomley Park, Crown Street, Norman Park• C B Mott Park, Abbotsleigh Street, Holland Park• Ekibin Park, Barsdale and Arnwood Places,

Greenslopes/Annerley• Giffin Park, Stanley Street East, Coorparoo• Glindemann Park, Lawn Street, Holland Park• Hanlon Park, Lincoln Street, Greenslopes• Heath Park, Hilton Street, East Brisbane• Langlands Park, Panitya Street, Greenslopes• Majestic Park, Meridian Street, Coorparoo• Moorhen Flats, Deshon Street, Woolloongabba• Mt Gravatt Bushland Reserve• Perth Street Park, Perth Street, Camp Hill• Seville Park, Elgar Street, Holland Park• Tarragindi Environmental Reserves, Ferrand Street & Monash Road, Tarragindi• Tarragindi Hill Reserve, Fernvale Road, Tarragindi• Tarragindi Recreation Reserve, Shaftsbury Street, Tarragindi• The Commons, Cambridge Street, Coorparoo• Toohey Forest Park, Toohey Road, Salisbury• Tristram Park, Longlands Street, East Brisbane• W J Scott Park, Arabilia Street, Holland Park• Wellers Hill Reservoir Bush Reserve, Weller Road, Wellers Hill• Wembley Park, Robinson Street, Coorparoo

For further information pick up a copy of the Bushland and Parkland Experience Guides from Council’s Customer Service Centres or libraries.

NATURAL HIGHLIGHTS AND PLACES TO SEE

Pack a picnic, or enjoy a barbecuewith the family

Many neighbourhoodparks along thecatchment haveexcellent walkingpaths and bike tracks

It’s your river and bay – protect it and enjoy it!

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As the Norman Creek catchment is almost entirely urbanised, there are fewareas of original habitat for flora and fauna, particularly in low-lying areas.Exceptions are found in higher parts of the catchment, including Toohey Forestand a few remnant bushland areas such as Wellers Hill, Mount Stevens andTarragindi Recreation Reserve.

Flora

Wellers Hill

A canopy of poorly conserved Gum Topped Box(Eucalyptus moluccana) and Forest Red Gum (E. tereticornis) dominate remnants of woodlandvegetation. Other species include the GreyIronbark (E. drepanophylla) and Moreton BayAsh (Corymbia tessellaris). The understoreyconsists of Dogwood (Jacksonia scoparia) andBrisbane Black Wattle (Acacia leiocalyx).Kangaroo Grass (Themeda australis) is commonin the ground story.

There are also creek and rainforest habitatassociations in the gully lines. Canopy species includeTallowwood (E. microcorys), Brown Bloodwood(C. trachyphloia), Pink Bloodwood (E. intermedia), Grey Gum (E. major), BroadLeaved White Mahogany (E. umbra) and Brush Box (Lophostemon confertus).Rainforest species include Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anarcardioides), Hard Quandong(Elaeocarpus obovatus) and Buttonwood (Glochidion perakense).

Toohey Forest

The vegetation in this bushland is dominated by Broad Leaved White Mahogany,Tallowwood, White Stringybark (E. nigra) and Red Mahogany (E. resinifera). Otherspecies occurring include Brown Bloodwood, Pink Bloodwood, Broad LeavedSpotted Gum (C. henryi), Grey Ironbark, Broad Leaved Ironbark (E. fibrosa), ScribblyGum (E. signata), Forest Red Gum, Gum Topped Box, Brush Box and Smudgee(Angophora woodsiana).

The understorey consists of Black She Oak(Allocasuarina littoralis), Forest She Oak (A.torulosa), Coast Banksia (Banksia integrifolia) andRed Ash (Alphitonia excelsa). Creek lines andmoist areas are dominated by Paperbarked Teatree (Melaleuca quinquenervia), Swamp Box(Lophostemon suaveolens), Buttonwood(Glochidion perakense) and Brown Kurrajong(Commersoia bartramia).

Several rare plants on a citywide basis occur atToohey Forest. These are Planchon’s Stringybark(E. planchoniana), Bailey’s Stringbark (E.baileyana), Plunkett Mallee (E. curtisii), Hakea(Hakea plurinervia) and Bitter Pea (Daviesiawyattiana) and Banksia (Banksia spinulosa).

Mangroves

The lower reach of Norman Creek is tidal from the Brisbane River to Stones Corner.The banks along this stretch are dominated by regenerating mangroves, withoccasional stands of mature trees, particularly north of Stanley Street East. GreyMangroves (Avecennia marina) and River Mangroves (Aegiceras corniculatum) arethe most common species.

Moorhen Flats

This natural area is a mosaic of habitats, including developing lowland rainforest,melaleuca wetlands, native grass meadows and sclerophyll forest.

Weeds

There are a wide variety of weeds found along the creek, including Para Grass(Brachiaria mutica), Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum), Lantana (Lantana camara),Chinese Elm (Celtis sinensis) and Camphor Laurel (Cinnamomum camphora). Oncean area of creek bank has been disturbed, weeds quickly colonise and out-competenative plants for water, nutrients and light.

Council works with local residents and Habitat Brisbane groups to control andprogressively eradicate weeds from catchment areas. Activities focus on ‘controlpoints’ near bridges and crossings to ensure stormwater flows unimpeded throughthe creek and towards Moreton Bay. These control points are cleaned out on an ‘as needs’ basis every one to five years.

To help protect our parks and bushland from weed invasion, do not use plants inyour garden that are likely to become a pest. It is always safest to use plant species that are native to your local area, particularly if you live near naturalbushland or creeks.

For advice on how to choose suitable species for your garden, contact your localnursery or Council’s Call Centre on 3403 8888. The Call Centre can also provideyou with a list of declared weeds in Brisbane and advice on how to remove them.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Tallowwood(Eucalyptus microcorys)

Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopica)

Grass trees thrive in Toohey Forest

Fauna

Bushland animals live in Toohey Forest and somenearby parks. Only animals that can tolerate humanactivity, such as possums and flying foxes, enter thelower reaches of the catchment. Freshwateranimals such as frogs, fish, turtles and waterdragons are found in moderate numbers in theupper catchment. These numbers reduce at theStones Corner channel.

From Stones Corner to the Brisbane River, NormanCreek supports several saltwater animals, including mudcrabs, mullet and wader birds.

The six known native animals in the area are theNorthern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus), SugarGlider (Petaurus breviceps), Squirrel Glider (Petaurusnorfolcensis), Feathertail Glider (Acrobates pygmaeus), Brushtail Possum(Trichosurus vulpecula) and Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus). TheEchidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) is also likely to be found in Toohey Forest.

The Letter Winged Kite (Elanus scriptus) is found in Eucalypts along dry creek beds.This nocturnal bird of prey is an occasional vagrant in the catchment.

Two species commonly seen in the urban waterway are the Freshwater Mullet(Myxus petardi) and the Eastern Water Dragon (Physignathus lesueurii).

The large bat colony in the grounds of the AnglicanChurch Grammar School is a significant feature of

the lower creek. Both the Black Flying Fox(Pteropus alecto) and the Grey Headed

Flying Fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) arefound in this area.

Mudcrabs, mullet and prawns occurfrequently in the lower tidal reaches ofthe creek. Wader birds are commonalong the East Brisbane reach of thecreek. Species include the RoyalSpoonbill (Platalea regia) and Sacred Ibis

(Threskiornis aethiopica). The commonSandpiper (Tringa hypoleucos), egrets and

other migratory birds, found in or near thecreek, are protected by international

agreements between Australia and Japan, and Australia and China.

Aboriginal influence

Before European settlement, the Norman Creek catchment was a communalarea travelled through by adjacent Moreton Bay and Logan River clans. Theseregional clans used the area as a seasonal camping ground for its abundance ofwildlife, especially fish and birds. The mosaic of habitats, including denseforest, tea-tree swamps, open grassy-woodlands and Eucalypt forests, providedample game and resources.

Woolloongabba, which once included Kangaroo Point and East Brisbane, was amajor camping site for these clans. In season, more than 500 Aborigines camped inhuts or villages near the present day Mater Hospital, Vulture and Hawthorne Streetsand Shafston Avenue. Clans walked along well-defined track systems, whichconverged like the present day Woolloongabba Five Ways.

The name Woolloongabba has many translations, but the most evocative comesfrom the translation ‘whirling waters’. It refers to a chain of waterholes, whichwould fill with floodwaters from the surrounding catchment. The chain extendedfrom the present Stanley Street and Annerley Road junction to the Brisbane CricketGround, where it fed into Kingfisher Creek and was called ‘One-Mile Swamp’ (its approximate distance from the GPO). These waterholes, along with nearbycorroboree and fighting grounds, indicates Aborigines used this area to meet, huntand collect food, converse, celebrate and settle any differences.

European settlement

For the early explorers, Norman Creek was an almost impassable barrier withits many swamps and dense Hoop Pine and vine forests. The present day StonesCorner, situated at the tidal interface and Burnett Swamp, was the only easilyaccessible point through the catchment. In more recent times, Council hasworked to reclaim these swamp areas and provide quick getaways forfloodwaters. Today, much of the main channel has been converted into publicparkland through community revegetation efforts, such as Arnwood Place andBridgewater Creek.

HISTORY OF THE NORMAN CREEK CATCHMENTNorman Creek Bridge at Wynnum Road 1886

Feather-tailed Glider(Acrobates pygmaeus)

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Common Brushtail (Trichosurus vulpecula)

Historical milestones

• 1823 – John Oxley explores the Brisbane River and charts Norman Creek butleaves it unnamed.

• 1825 – Major Edmond Lockyer of the 57th Regiment names the creek on his map.

• 1939 – Surveyor, James Warner, completes a trace of Norman Creek where itmeets the Brisbane River.

• 1850 – Warner surveys a route to the then port of Emu Point, now Cleveland Point.

• 1856 – The first bridge across Norman Creek is opened to provide a shorter routeto Brisbane via New Cleveland Road (now Wynnum Road).

• 1860–70 –Woolloongabba, Kangaroo Point and East Brisbane were subdividedand waterholes became polluted. Surrounding tea-tree swamps were graduallydrained, filled and redeveloped.

• 1886 – The Stanley Street Bridge is officially opened, linking with the newlyformed Woolloongabba Five Ways.

• 1893 – Brisbane’s disastrous floods slow the development of Coorparoo.

• 1890 – A large part of Highgate Hill and South Brisbane’s stormwater is divertedvia a 2700mm diameter tunnel under Leopard Street to the Brisbane River.

• 1970–80 – The South East Freeway bisects the catchment and impacts on EkibinCreek. The Stones Corner channel is confined with concrete and the BurnettSwamp is reclaimed.

• 1992–93 – The lower reaches of Norman Creek are straightened and a large partof the main channel is converted into public parklands.

• 1993 – Rejuvenation of Moorhen Flats at the Deshon Street loop of Norman Creek,where more than 20,000 trees, shrubs and ground covers have since been planted.

• 1996 – Norman Creek Catchment Management Study and Plan completed.

• 1996 – Norman Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee formed.

• 2000–01 – Glindemann Park/Creek first stage erosion control project completed.

• 2000–01 – Arnwood Place Natural Channel Design Project commenced, involvingconfluence of Norman and Sandy Creeks.

• 2001–02 – Healthy Waterways ‘Demonstration Catchment Project’ beginsinvolving natural channel design riparian work along Norman Creek betweenSouth East Freeway and Nicholson/Roseglen Streets, Greenslopes.

• 2001 – Council awarded a Healthy Waterways award for the development of aconstructed wetland at Bowies Flat along Bridgewater Creek to improve thewater quality of Norman Creek.

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Let us now cross the river from this point, and

land at the mouth of Norman Creek. This creek

in the mid fifties was a pure salt water stream,

and fish could be caught in any of the reaches

from its mouth to the upper branches, which

serpentined their way to Burnett Swamp, and

penetrated the alluvial flats at Coorparoo; or in

the branch that concealed its head in a teatree

swamp near what is now the junction of the

Logan and Wellington Roads. Here and there

in the pockets of the creek the wild convolvulus

hung in the gay festoons from overhanging

branches of the trees, and trailed its blooms in

the tide. In the pocket of the creek, near the

residence of Mr W.F.Cameron, the writer has

seen a score or so of blacks procure by means of

their tow-rows (hand held nets), a couple of

hundred fish in a few minutes. In the early

fifties a dense pine scrub occupied the eastern

bank of the stream at the mouth, and filled the

entire pocket of the creek nearby up to the foot

of Galloway’s Hill.

Taken from Chas Melton ‘When

Woolloongabba was Wattle Scented’

(Read at a meeting of the Historical Society

of Queensland on 26 April 1918)

1839 trace of Norman Creek by thesurveyor, James Warner

Council encourages community participation in the management of Brisbane’swaterways. The process incorporates principles of Ecologically SustainableDevelopment (ESD) to ensure these valuable resources continue to meet theneeds of current and future generations. Issues dealt with in waterway planningand management include water quality, flooding and drainage, soil erosion,vegetation management, environmental planning and community awareness.

Council involves the community in researching background information, identifyingkey issues in the catchment and exploring programs and partnerships to improveour waterways.

One of the outcomes of this process is a Waterway Management Plan (WMP).WMPs aim to integrate the activities of Council and community groups to overcomethe problems facing Brisbane’s waterways.

The main goals are to: • protect and manage the health of waterways in the catchment• improve the use of, and access to, waterways by the community• maintain the water-moving capacity of waterways to minimise flooding and

subsequent property damage• enhance the ecological diversity of

waterways and their surroundingsto create wildlife corridors.

WATERWAY MANAGEMENT

Maritime Care andN4C field day toclean up NormanCreek – here avolunteer clears oneof Council’s littertraps (one type ofStormwater QualityImprovement Device)

A catchment is an area of land surrounded by natural features, from where allstormwater runoff flows to a common low point, such as a creek, lake, river orbay. The Norman Creek catchment covers 29.8 square kilometres and runs fromMount Gravatt and Toohey Forest Park to the Brisbane River.

Often older main roads run along ridges and provide an indication of thecatchment boundary. In the Norman Creek catchment these boundaries are IpswichRoad, Annerley Road, Wynnum Road, Oateson Skyline Drive, Boundary Road andCavendish Road. The southern boundary runs along the ridge through MountGravatt Lookout and Toohey Forest Park.

Many activities that take place in the catchment area affect the water quality andhabitat of the creek and its tributaries, the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay.

Natural catchments

The soil and surrounding vegetation absorbs much of the water that falls onto anatural catchment. Soil erosion by stormwater is reduced by the presence ofground covering plants as they bind the soil and slow the flow of water. Rocksand meanders in the waterway system also slow the flow of water as it makesits way down the creek. In the Norman Creek catchment, only three per cent ofthe area remains undeveloped. These undeveloped areas are found aroundMount Gravatt Lookout, Toohey Forest Park and pockets of remnant bushlandareas along Norman Creek and its tributaries.

A typical catchment

WHAT IS A CATCHMENT?

Creeks

Creek

Watershed

Creek mouthBeaches

Bay or River

Runoff

Creek

Runoff

SuburbsSuburbs

Runoff

Runoff

Runoff

Canal

Runoff

Runoff

Runoff

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UNDERSTANDING CATCHMENTS & WATERWAYS

Council has an active program to encourage residents to become involved inrevegetation and bush regeneration projects around Brisbane. Over 2000volunteers are involved with more than 100 Habitat Brisbane groups and 12 catchment groups across the city. Working with Council, these groups areexpanding the city’s wildlife habitats and improving our waterways by removing weeds and planting more native species.

In the Norman Creek catchment, several groups have worked to create wildlifecorridors linking Toohey Forest and remnant bushland areas to the Brisbane River.These corridors protect migratory animals from threats, such as domestic pets,humans and transport traffic.

While providing better habitats and food for animals,revegetation projects also reduce the impacts of flooding.Council oversees habitat creation work on public land toprotect urban creek corridors and low-lying properties,which may be susceptible to flooding.

REVEGETATION AND REHABILITATION

Volunteers work torevegetate ArnwoodPlace as part ofRiverclean 2001

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Ducks taking advantage of recentlycompleted frog pond, Moorhen Flats

Bridge near the Anglican Church GrammarSchool, East Brisbane

Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis)

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City BotanicGardens

Mowbray Park

RaymondPark

WembleyPark

C P BottomleyPark

TheCommon

GiffinPark

C B MottPark

GlindemannPark

TooheyForestPark

LanglandsPark

MoorehenFlats

Hanlon Park

HeathPark

EkibinPark

BrisbaneCricket

Grounds

TarragindiRecreation

Reserve

Sandy Creek

Ekibin Creek

GriffithUniversity

QueenslandCollegeof Art

BalmoralPark

MerthyrPark

Whites Hill Reserve

Mott Creek

Glindem

an Creek

MOUNTGRAVATTCENTRAL

CITY CENTRE MOOROOKADISTRICT

EAST BRISBANECOORPAROO

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BULIMBADISTRICT

KANGAROOPOINT

NEW FARM &TENERIFFE HILL

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MAP – NORMAN CREEK CATCHMENT

Shopping Centres

Hospitals

Schools

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Main Roads

Catchment Boundary

Sub-catchment Boundaries

Monitored Sites

Walkways/Bikeways

LEGEND

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Stormwater quality improvement project for Bridgewater Creek

Council’s $2.5 million constructed wetland at Bowies Flat along BridgewaterCreek at Camp Hill has been recognised regionally with a Healthy WaterwaysAward. The project was completed in December 2001 and will play a key role in improving the water quality in Bridgewater and Norman Creeks.

The project includes a large-scale Stormwater Quality Improvement System, or‘treatment train’, which filters stormwater runoff before it enters Bridgewater Creek.

Using a range of measures such as trash racks, a sediment pond, vegetated wetlandareas and a natural channel, the design targets pollutants such as litter, sediment(soil, silt and mud) and nutrients (for example, nitrogen).

In the planning stages, thorough consideration was also given to public access and amenities with the help of a community reference group. The layout incorporatespedestrian pathways around the perimeter,a children’s playground, footbridge,viewing platform and boardwalk, andfully landscaped surrounds.

Here local residents can enjoy the range of aquatic and terrestrialhabitats created for local wildlife,including birds, fish, reptiles and frogs.

The project was undertaken withsome of Australia’s leadingstormwater quality researchers andpartly funded with a grant from theNatural Heritage Trust. Members of thelocal community and Norman CreekCatchment Coordinating Committee (N4C) arehelping to monitor the site.

MAJOR PROJECTS ALONG NORMAN CREEK

Community planting at Bowies Flat,Bridgewater Creek, December 2001

andpipers (Tringa hypoleucos)

Norman Creek

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Bushland habitat creation at Moorhen Flats

In late 1993, the East Brisbane community identified a low-lying, almosttreeless, four-hectare block of land bordered by industrial factories. The site at the Deshon Street loop of Norman Creek was left over from flood mitigation works in 1992-1993. A group called Norman Creek FREECS (FriendsRejuvenating Ecological and Environmental Creek Systems) was later formed to rejuvenate the area, known locally as Moorhen Flats.

The FREECS have planted over 20,000 trees, shrubs and ground covers to createdeveloping lowland rainforest, eucalypt and melaleuca dominant habitats. A frog pond, lagoon and palm grove has also been successfully completed.Today, the park is a popular spot for residents, with a bikeway, pedestrian pathand gazebo.

Glindemann Park restoration project

A stream bank restoration project has been undertaken by Council to enhanceprevious work completed by Greening Australia. This ongoing project includesextensive contouring and tree planting works to create a natural waterwaychannel through the park.

Moorhen Flats before (left) and after restoration (right)

Arnwood Place – restoring the natural creek system

The section of Norman Creek within Ekibin Park has experienced problems, such asexcessive weed growth, erosion and poor water quality from polluted stormwaterrunoff. Concern from local residents about the state of the creek triggered actionfrom Council and N4C to rehabilitate this significant freshwater site.

Over the next 15-20 years, the Arnwood Place RestorationProject aims to:• revegetate the creek bank using native trees, shrubs

and grasses• control weeds• improve water quality• provide a variety of habitats for aquatic animals• manage erosion and sediment.

Already, Council in partnership with the community has redesigned and added natural elements to the previously degraded channel at the junction of Norman and Sandy Creeks.

Demonstration Catchment Project – Nicholson St, Greenslopes

With funding from the Queensland Government’s Healthy Waterways program,N4C is restoring an area along Norman Creek, near Greenslopes Hospital. Thedemonstration project looks at enhancing pools, riffles and riparian vegetationalong the creek.

Riffles are sections of the creek where water flows quickly over loose gravel. They increase the oxygen level in the water, which is essential for aquatic worms,fish, bugs and crustaceans.

Pools of different depths create a diverse habitat and are essential havens foraquatic life during dry periods. Pools also help to settle out sediment that may be carried in stormwater.

The project will include the development of recreational walking tracks andinterpretive signage and is headed by the Greenslopes Demonstration Catchment,Project Bushcare Group.

New sewer main for Brisbane

Council’s new $52 million S1 sewer has 60 per cent greater capacity than theprevious system and will significantly reduce the risk of sewerage overflows inBreakfast Creek, Norman Creek and Milton/Toowong. The project began in July 1999 and stretches 4.8 kilometres from North Quay to Cooksley Street,Hamilton. It aims to improve water quality entering Moreton Bay, while meetingthe needs of an increasing population.

An Eastern WaterDragon enjoys the sun at Arnwood Place

An example of structural flood mitigation within theNorman Creek catchment can be seen at DeshonStreet where the channel has been widened.Structural mitigation is only used when the benefitsof reducing flood damage outweigh theinfrastructure costs. Council prefers to preventdevelopment within Brisbane’s waterway corridorsand floodplains to reduce the risk of floodwatersdamaging property.

Waterway corridors

Protecting waterway corridors from development is important to maintain and enhance the water flow,water quality, ecology, open space, recreational andamenity values of the particular catchment.

A waterway corridor is shown as lines drawn on amap along both sides of a waterway. These lines indicate the area where anydevelopment or activity (including revegetation) needs to be strictly controlled toprevent an unacceptable increase in anticipated flood levels.

Council has strict development regulations for land near waterways. If developmentis allowed to take place on afloodplain, this may cause flooding and erosion problemsboth upstream and downstream,as well as for the developmentitself.

When placed in the way offloodwaters, large obstructionssuch as buildings and dense treeplantings reduce the floodplain’sability to carry water andincrease the flood levels insurrounding areas.

Land flooded by river, creek orlocalised flooding is consideredflood prone and is unsuitable forresidential development. It is alsodesirable that access to residentialsubdivisions/developments fromexisting roads is flood-free.Developers need to provideCouncil with informationdemonstrating that the proposeddevelopment has no effect onneighbouring properties.

An example of stormwaterdrainage at Coorparoo

Anticipated flood level

Filling within the floodplain

Waterway Corridor

Filling permitted outside of Waterway Corridor

Increase in anticipated flood levels due to filling

Waterway corridors have been devised tolimit flood damage

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Prior to European settlement, the Norman Creek catchment had extensiveground cover and many trees. Over time, houses, roads, car parks and shoppingcentres have replaced vegetated areas, as more people came to live and workin the catchment. As a result, the percentage of stormwater that can soak intothe ground has decreased, while the percentage of stormwater running into thecatchment has increased. Some reaches of the creek have suffered bed andbank degradation, which has contributed to localised flooding in the areaduring periods of heavy rainfall.

Flood management

It is essential to plan and provide infrastructure for Brisbane to minimise the impactof floods.

Council has two flood management goals:

• minimise the risk of flooding

• minimise the impact of future development on local catchments.

Flood mitigation in waterways

Flood mitigation is sometimes necessary in creeks, like Norman Creek, due to pastdevelopment activities such as filling within the floodplain, which changes thedrainage characteristics of the catchment.

Stormwater drains run directly from the road system into our creeks. Some sectionsof Brisbane’s creeks have been straightened, concrete-lined and/or piped forvarious reasons. All these changes increase the speed of water flowing down thecreek. While providing an effective and faster way to drain stormwater andfloodwater, it may cause erosion downstream.

Council has two main methods to reduce the impact of flooding on the community:

Structural measures• raise structures above the flood level

• decrease flood levels, through mitigation work such as dredging

• construction of stormwater drainage infrastructures, such as dams and detention basins

Non-structural measures• limit development of adjacent land

• vegetation control

• flood awareness programs

• flood warning and emergency response

UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACTS OF FLOODING

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Flood modelling is undertaken to predict how the waterwaywould react under various rainfall and stormwater runoffconditions, and how any alteration to the watercourse andcatchment would affect the flow.

Outside waterway corridors and flood prone areasdevelopment may proceed without flood-imposedrestrictions (see figure previous page). If you want to knowthe location of waterway corridors along Norman Creek, visit aBrisbane City Council Customer Service Centre.

Information and advice during floods

The Bureau of Meteorology provides weather and floodwarnings on radio and television, alerting you to a floodemergency. When a flood emergency occurs, the following services can provideinformation and advice.

Brisbane City State Emergency Service (SES)

The SES undertakes emergency rescues, property protection and clean-ups after aflood event. If you need emergency assistance from the SES at your house, phone3403 8888.

Brisbane City Council Flood Information Centre

The Flood Information Centre operates only when a flood emergency has beendeclared and provides information on flood levels for the Brisbane River within thecity’s boundaries. It also provides general information on Brisbane metropolitancreeks. Phone 3403 8888.

Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ)

The RACQ provides statewide information to members on road closures and travelroutes. Phone 3219 0900 for a 24-hour update, or visit www.racq.com.au

Evacuations and closures

The SES will contact you should you need to evacuate the area. Council may carryout road closures and restrict access where necessary within Brisbane city.

The most effective way to minimise flood levels is to carefully spacetall-trunked trees to create a shaded main channel with selected low foliage.

Where problems with flooding do not exist,it is preferrable to promote a shrubby midstoreyfor fauna habitat.

Enhancing habitat while minimising the risk of flooding

Flooding at ArnwoodPlace after a January2002 storm

Stormwater quality monitoring plays an important role in pollution prevention.N4C works with Council, schools and community groups to keep a close eye onwater quality changes and the make-up of animal communities, including frogsand fish. In recent years, Council and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)have performed citywide assessments of water quality in Brisbane’s urban creeks.

The indicators of water quality used in the study are:

• nutrients – nitrogen and phosphorus (essential for plant growth, but highconcentrations may indicate excessive weed and algal growth)

• chlorophyll-a (an indicator of algae which can be harmful to other aquatic organisms)

• water clarity (suspended solids and turbidity which can limit light penetration)

• oxygen levels (essential for life processes of aquatic organisms)

• pH levels (a measure of acidity or alkalinity of the water)

• faecal contamination (high concentrations may contain harmful bacteria, virusesand parasites)

Water quality ratings from ‘very good’ to ‘very poor’ are given so Council canidentify and address pollution problems along the creek in the early stages.

Water quality was moderately impacted in the lower tributary of Norman Creek (site 57)with high nutrient and chlorophyll-a concentrations. However, there were improvementscompared to the previous year, with lower concentrations of most nutrients, especiallyammonia. Water quality was very poor at the estuarine site in Norman Creek (site 58).Concentrations of most nutrients exceeded desirable levels at both sites, probably dueto impacts from the Brisbane River, via tidal exchange as well as from catchment input.

In contrast, water quality was generally good at freshwater sites in Norman Creek (59-60) and its tributaries – Ekibin Creek (61-62) and Sandy Creek (63). Concentrations ofammonia and oxidised nitrogen were again higher than desirable levels at the SandyCreek site, indicating a persistent local source of these nutrients. Dissolved oxygenand pH levels remained high at the highly channelised lower site of Norman Creek(59), probably due to photosynthesis of microalgae on the concrete bed.

STORMWATER AND WATER QUALITY

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SITES MONITORED

• 57 – Jackson St , Coorparoo (Bridgewater Creek, Wembley Park)

• 58 – Deshon St , Wooloongabba (Norman Creek near Moorhen Flats)

• 59 – Lincoln St , Stones Corner (Norman Creek near Stones Corner above tidal interface)

• 60 – Arnwood Place, Annerley (Norman Creek downstream of Sandy Creek confluence)

• 61 – West Roseglen St, Holland Park (Norman Creek)

• 62 – Justin St, Holland Park West (Glindemann Creek)

• 63 – Shaftesbury St / Weller Rd, Tarragindi (Sandy Creek)

Further information about this study and results from across Brisbane for the periodbetween July 1999 – June 2000 are available in a report published on theEnvironmental Protection Agency’s website on www.epa.qld.gov.au

Sewerage overflows

A sewerage overflow is a discharge of wastewater from a sewerage system, whichoccurs at a specific ‘sewer overflow point’. These points have been designed tooperate as an emergency safety valve to relieve pressure by allowing excesswastewater to overflow at a planned location during periods of intense rainfall. At overflow points, wastewater is more than ninety percent diluted by water.Sometimes in the Norman Creek catchment, during periods of heavy rain, sewerageoverflows do occur.

Why do sewerage overflows occur?

Sewerage overflows can occur during periods of intense rainfall mainly due to:

• Stormwater or groundwater seeping into the sewer system

• Stormwater being directed into the wastewater system from illegal connections

The overflows are designed to protect public health and property, and preventsewage backing up or overflowing onto private property.

How can you help prevent sewerage overflows?

1.Ensure stormwater from roof gutters, driveways, paths and gardens is directed toa stormwater drain, not into the sewerage system. It is illegal for stormwaterpipes to be connected to the sewerage system.

2.Replace cracked and faulty sewerage pipes on your property. Brisbane CityCouncil can check sewerage pipes on your property and advise if any needreplacement.

3.Preserve the life of your sewerage pipes by not placing fats, oils, paints, solventsand other chemicals down drains. Liquids such as these can cause blockages andweaken pipes at their joints.

4.Do not plant trees with invasive roots on your property as these can entersewerage pipes causing cracks and blockages.

Stormwater is the rainwater that flows into any form of stormwater drain.Unlike wastewater, such as sewage, stormwater flows untreated into our localcreeks, the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay that provide vital habitats foranimals and plants.

A good downpour appears to clean streets and paths of grit and oil, but this wastewashes directly into our waterways as harmful pollution.

This can include:

• Pesticides, fertilisers and chemicals

• Cigarette butts, plastic bags, bottles and paper

• Animal droppings

• Chlorine and salt from swimming pools

• Pressure packs, spray cans

Council is installing Stormwater Quality Improvement Devices or SQIDs to trap litterand other pollutants before they enter our waterways.

SQIDs come in many forms such as:

• Ponds, wetlands and grassed areas to slow stormwater runoff

• Pollutant traps to catch large rubbish and heavy sediment

• Litter baskets fitted directly into stormwater drains.

You can improve the efficiency of these devices bybecoming ‘stormwater wise’. By following these simple tips, you can help keep ourwaterways healthy from ‘Backyard to Bay’:

• Service your motor vehicle regularly and watchout for leaking oil, brake fluid or chemicals

• Use fertilisers sparingly and lightly hose into thegarden after application

• Do not use pesticides if you expect rain

• Compost garden waste, especially lawn clippings

• Use plants and ground covers to prevent topsoilswashing away and reduce erosion

• Create depressions and gullies in your garden tocollect and absorb rainfall – your plants will love it

• Take a plastic bag to dispose of your dog’s droppingsand place it in your wheelie bin.

BEING WATERWISE

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Wash your car on the grass

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Never dump garden rubbish or general waste

Many people think they’re doing great things forthe environment by dumping garden waste andlawn clippings in parks and local waterways. Hereare the surprising facts.• Lawn clippings placed around trees can burn

the trunk, stunt their growth and cause fungal disease.

• Garden waste and lawn clippings dumped in local creeks increases nutrients which promotealgal growth.

• Algal growth cuts light available to seagrass, a majorhabitat for dugong, fish and other marine life.

• Weeds compete with native plants and starvethem of nutrients and light, which affects foodsources for local wildlife.

• Dispose of litter in bins, or take rubbish homewith you – remember what misses the bin hits the bay.

• Report all ‘environmental incidences’ such aschemical, oil spills and the illegal dumping of garden waste and household rubbish, whetheraccidental or deliberate, to Council on 3403 8888.

Water conservation

Did you know 97 per cent of the water on earth issalt water and two percent is ice? Only one percentremains available for human consumption. In fact,Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth.

To plan for our future water needs, we all need toknow how to use water wisely. There are little thingswe can all do in our daily lives at home, school, workand play which can make a real difference.

Here are some of them:• Check for leaking taps and toilets which can

waste up to 12 litres of water per day, or 4300litres of water per year.

• Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth cansave up to five litres of water.

• Install water-saving devices, such as dual-flushtoilets and shower roses.

• Consider a front loading washing machine, asthey save water and electricity.

• Look for AAA water ratings when purchasingwashing machines and dishwashers.

• When washing up by hand, plunge dishes intothe sink or bucket of clean water instead – don’trinse under a running tap.

• Deep soak your lawn to encourage a deep root system• Use good mulch in the garden to prevent water

evaporation.• Use a watering can to direct water straight to the

roots where it is needed.• Install a drip or trickle sprinkler system which only

uses four litres of water per hour, as opposed to1000 litres per hour for normal sprinklers.

• Wash your car using a bucket and sponge andonly use the hose to rinse the vehicle.

• Wash your car on the grass to add moisture and prevent soap suds and grime entering yourlocal catchment.

If we all play our part, we can improve ourwaterways, save money on water bills and reducefuture costs for water storage and treatmentfacility upgrades. So, when you are about to usewater, think and use it wisely.

For more information about sustainable living andgardening, contact the Call Centre on 3403 8888 for a copy of Council’s Green HomeGuide and Green Garden Guide. Both bookletsprovide lots of useful tips and hints for savingmoney and the environment.

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If you would like to get involved in worthwhile and rewarding environmentalprojects, the Norman Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee would like tohear from you. N4C works to maintain local waterways by protecting andrejuvenating the local ecosystem.

It achieves this by:• coordinating the activities and involvement of government, residents and groups

in the catchment• involving, educating and empowering communities in the catchment• protecting and enhancing the ecological values of the catchment.

The committee works to:• involve community and schools in restoration projects and habitat assessments• monitor water quality • facilitate riparian vegetation and rehabilitation projects identified in Council’s

catchment and waterway management plans• conduct awareness and environmental education programs for the community• involve existing groups, establish new groups and coordinate their activities.

Norman Creek Catchment Coordinating CommitteeN4C Coordinator, Damien Madden Phone/fax: 3324 8307Email: dnmadden@eis.net.auWebsite: www.ourbrisbane.com

Committee meetings 7.30pm, first Monday of every month Community Resource and Environmental Education Centre (CREEC)66 Baron Road, Greenslopes

Other Environmental Organisations in the Catchment:• Norman Creek FREECS (Friends Rejuvenating

Ecological and Environmental Creek Systems)• Bridgewater Creek FREECS• Buranda State School and Community Bushcare Group• Demonstration Catchment Project Bushcare Group • Ekibin Creek Bushcare Group• Greening Australia Headquarters (phone 3902 4412)• Maynes Reserve Bushcare Group• Mott Creek Bushcare Group• Mt Gravatt Environment Group• Perone Road Bush Reserve Project (Greening Australia)• Toohey Forest Protection Society Inc• Wellers Hill Bushcare Group

To take part in Council’s Habitat Brisbane program, or join one of the abovegroups, contact the Call Centre on 3403 8888.

N4C - CARING FOR YOUR LOCAL WATERWAY

Waterwatch FieldDay – N4CCoordinator,Damien Maddentalks to studentsfrom BurandaState School atArnwood Place.

The exit of Norman Creek to theBrisbane River