Catchment Action Plan: Lockyer  

Site: Park Lea, Placid Hills  

Area: 7 ha  

Date Planted: April – June 2023  

Management interventions that focus on revegetation and avoid civil works (where possible) are understood to be the best value-for-money and most effective rehabilitation approaches for riverbanks. Using this guiding principle, an investigation was undertaken to determine the best approach to revegetate an 8km reach of the Lockyer Creek near Gatton, looking for high value, low risk stream bank and bench stabilisation planting opportunities. The investigation examined geomorphic and hydrological components and processes to determine erosion risks associated with high flow flood events. Several priority sites were identified, including Council-owned Parklea reservation. This site was part of the creek floodplain that had become overrun with weeds and had suffered extensive damage from cattle grazing.  

This site has high community value, both for the township of Gatton but also for the local First Nations community. Building on the work undertaken to identify the site, a collaborative approach was taken to researching, designing, and delivering the rehabilitation project. This included extensive and direct collaboration with Wirrinyah First Nations Services, the wider Gatton community, and investment partners Greening Australia.  

The project was researched, designed and planned following the Department of Environment and Sciences Aquatic Ecosystem Rehabilitation Process and included the incorporation of First Nations traditional land management practices. As the site was located close to urban development objectives in addition to revegetation to reduce erosion included flood resilience, bush fire resilience, and creating green space for the community to connect with nature. In addition to the initial investigation, an extensive bush fire risk investigation was also undertaken at the site and applied a rigor over the proposed revegetation design. The outcomes and recommendations of the report influenced the planting design (layout, density and species selection) so that the future revegetated site did not significantly increase bush fire hazard to the neighbouring residents. In consultation with the traditional owner group, cultural burning practice was considered for the site and future site management will include elements of this in the longer term. Other considerations included in the planning and design phase due to the proximity of the site to houses included vegetation slashing requirements to reduce immediate risks associated with overgrown vegetation on the site.  

Assessing potential flood impact from the proposed revegetation is always critical, particularly when sites have close proximity to creeks, floodplains and residences. The investigation tested various planting designs using the Lockyer Valley Regional Council Flood Model. A design was selected that had no impact on downstream residences, while still reducing flood velocity and erosion potential.  

Finally, reinstating koala habitat and increasing biodiversity were also objectives included in the design and planning phase.  

Resilient Rivers partnered with the Lockyer Valley Regional Council and Greening Australia to deliver the project, with Greening Australia contributing substantial investment from corporate and philanthropic donors looking to invest in long-term land restoration projects.  

A key part of the project implementation and successful community engagement was delivery of a community tree planting day held on Earth Day for the launch of the on-ground works.  

During this event the traditional owner groups representing the Yuggera and Barunggam people provided the welcome to country and cultural dances to welcome community, introduce the site and the project. A total of 1,200 trees and shrubs were planted on the day. The event provided local community and project funding representatives an opportunity to engage firsthand with environmental restoration, establish a connection with this site and its ecological importance on the landscape. Attendees on the day expressed how much they enjoyed the experience.  

The investigation, methodical approach and process applied to building this project sets the standard to be implemented to all RRSEQ projects and programs in the future.  

The process and partnership approach was seen as attractive to investors and a commitment has been entered into to co-fund this site as well as another planting site on Lockyer Creek, to be planted in early 2024