AWC assisted in rehabilitating Little McCready’s Creek to improve water quality.
AWC worked with Mackay Regional Council to rehabilitate 720m of Little McCready’s Creek between Bucasia-Mackay Rd and Dawson Blvd. The aims of this project were to improve water quality entering estuarine and Great Barrier Reef habitats, increase biodiversity, fish habitat and fish passage, provide a comparison against traditional concrete and turf channels of a naturalised waterway. These video series demonstrates how this was done.
Purpose
AWC engaged to ‘naturalise’ a water way within a suburb of Mackay. The creek had been turned into a trapezoidal drain when the surrounding development was created. This resulted in a decrease in water quality, loss of habitat features and biodiversity, unnatural flow regimes and erosion. Through flood modelling, increased sinuosity was achieved by cutting back banks and creating lateral wetlands which engage in high rain events. Pools and riffles were also constructed throughout the reach enabling fish passage and habitat.
Located within the urban environment, connectivity and community usability were also key drivers in the project. The result is a riparian corridor/ parkland that has become a real feature in the area and an asset for its residents
Objectives
- Community consultation
- Flood modelling
- Detailed design drawings and documentation
- Construction estimate and works schedule
Partners & Stakeholders
- Bligh Tanner
- Reef Rescure
Project Facts
Client: Mackay Regional Council
Challenges: Creek stabilisation through passive approaches, capable of withstanding large flood events.