In only a year, Bundamba Creek at Jack Barkley Park has transformed from a planting site with tiny tubestock into a thriving habitat of tall trees, healthy shrubs and long native grasses.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said it was incredible how sections planted between September 2024 and May 2025, both by council and through community planting events, had flourished.
The Jack Barkley Park site at North Booval is one of nine priority Ipswich sites being restored under the Australian Government’s Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, with the support of Ipswich City Council.
Mayor Harding said the Ipswich program was now at the halfway point, with works completed at sites on Ironpot Creek, Bundamba Creek and Woogaroo Creek.
“So far, 781 metres of creek bank and over a hectare of riparian land have been restored with erosion control, revegetation, weed management and installation of habitat features such as rootballs and habitat stacks,” Mayor Harding said.
“Another four restoration sites will be delivered over the next two years, making an enormous difference to the health of Ipswich’s waterways.
“It has been a pleasure to join community efforts, both at Jack Barkley Park and Kippen Park in Goodna, and see how much people have enjoyed pulling on some gloves and helping out at planting days, knowing their efforts are making real improvements for our environment.”
Mayor Harding said almost 50,000 tubestock had been planted across the four completed sites.
“Importantly, council invests in regular maintenance of these sites during the establishment period, ensuring the tubestock grow into healthy mature vegetation,” Mayor Harding said.
“Dense native vegetation is vital for our creeks, making them more resilient to flood events, providing important habitat both on land and in the water, and acting as a buffer to harmful nutrients and pollutants.
“Sediment is a major issue in our waterways, and the four sites delivered so far will avoid approximately 296 cubic metres of sediment entering our waterways each year.”
Federal Member for Blair, The Hon Shayne Neumann MP said the Albanese Labor Government was investing $200 million into waterway restoration through the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program.
“Our government is proud to support Ipswich City Council’s work to boost the recovery of iconic species such as platypus and their habitat, as well as revitalise waterways and improve health and water quality across our community,” Mr Neumann said.
“We want to leave nature better off for our kids and grandkids by repairing damage to our environment and better protecting it for the future, and these efforts are a vital part of that.”
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