SUSE 6
29 May – 1 June 2023
Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
-On the unceded lands of the Turrbal and Yagara people-
Field Trip
On day two of SUSE6, attendees swapped the confines of the conference venue for the urban ecosystems of Brisbane. The field trip was designed to provide attendees with an understanding of the local context, environment, challenges and regional approaches to urban stream management in Australia. We toured and explored two different urban restoration sites; the Hanlon Park / Bur'uda Rejuvenation Project and the Small Creek Naturalisation Project.
Project 1
Title: Hanlon Park / Bur'uda Rejuvenation project
Theme: Urban landscape renewal project
Overview: Brisbane City Council’s Norman Creek 2012-2031 Master Plan outlines key initiatives aimed at rejuvenating the Norman Creek catchment. In 2017 Council announced funding to commence community engagement and planning to deliver a Norman Creek priority project, the Stones Corner Precinct rejuvenation of Hanlon Park. Hanlon Park was a large open space in the heart of Stones Corner. Running through the centre of the turfed area was a concrete drain used to move flood waters quickly through the area. The park had minimal shade, with the 6.6 hectare area primarily used by the local community as a connection route rather than a place to sit, relax and enjoy the outdoors.
The aim of the Hanlon Park rejuvenation project has been to revitalise Norman Creek, which runs through the park, enhance the environment with more trees and natural space, increase recreational and social opportunities for residents and visitors, enhance connectivity and accessibility within the park and local area, and boost local economic vibrancy with a new place to relax.
Delivery took place in stages and included three elements; the removal of the concrete channel, creation of the new meandering naturalised waterway and a temporary diversion channel which was later filled in. Removal of the concrete channel, construction of a meandering waterway with four ponding areas, creek lookouts constructed from repurposed pathway, 462 trees and 43,000 shrubs and ground covers has transformed the open space. Shared pathways with widened creek crossings and the O’Keefe Street underpass connect the Norman Creek Bikeway to Stones Corner Library. Nature themed play includes a climbing tower with a slide, swing, balancing and all abilities elements and a dry creek bed for imaginative play.
This project recently featured on Gardening Australia (ABC). Watch the 8 min feature video here.
Title: Hanlon Park / Bur'uda Rejuvenation project
Theme: Urban landscape renewal project
Overview: Brisbane City Council’s Norman Creek 2012-2031 Master Plan outlines key initiatives aimed at rejuvenating the Norman Creek catchment. In 2017 Council announced funding to commence community engagement and planning to deliver a Norman Creek priority project, the Stones Corner Precinct rejuvenation of Hanlon Park. Hanlon Park was a large open space in the heart of Stones Corner. Running through the centre of the turfed area was a concrete drain used to move flood waters quickly through the area. The park had minimal shade, with the 6.6 hectare area primarily used by the local community as a connection route rather than a place to sit, relax and enjoy the outdoors.
The aim of the Hanlon Park rejuvenation project has been to revitalise Norman Creek, which runs through the park, enhance the environment with more trees and natural space, increase recreational and social opportunities for residents and visitors, enhance connectivity and accessibility within the park and local area, and boost local economic vibrancy with a new place to relax.
Delivery took place in stages and included three elements; the removal of the concrete channel, creation of the new meandering naturalised waterway and a temporary diversion channel which was later filled in. Removal of the concrete channel, construction of a meandering waterway with four ponding areas, creek lookouts constructed from repurposed pathway, 462 trees and 43,000 shrubs and ground covers has transformed the open space. Shared pathways with widened creek crossings and the O’Keefe Street underpass connect the Norman Creek Bikeway to Stones Corner Library. Nature themed play includes a climbing tower with a slide, swing, balancing and all abilities elements and a dry creek bed for imaginative play.
This project recently featured on Gardening Australia (ABC). Watch the 8 min feature video here.
Project 2
Title: Small Creek
Theme: Naturalisation
Overview: Ipswich City Council’s Small Creek Naturalisation successfully converted a concrete lined channel back to a vegetated, naturalised chain of ponds waterway. The project was funded through Council’s water quality offsets programs and thus pollutant load reduction was a key outcome being sort. Recognizing that the success of this type of project rests with the community and wider stakeholder group, the project had to deliver environmental benefit, but most importantly provide the community with a connection to their re-imagined creek. Other benefits delivered include active transport connections, improved amenity, activation, urban cooling and education.
Stage 1 (the most downstream reach) and Stage 2 (middle reach) were co-designed by Council, Bligh Tanner and Landscapology. Stage 3 (the most upstream stage delivered to date) was co-designed by Alluvium, E2Designlab and Cusp. The first two stages were naturalised over 2017 and 2018 with Stage 3 being naturalised in 2021.
When visiting the site, you can experience the transition from a concrete channel (still existing in the most upstream reach), to a naturalised channel during early establishment, through to naturalisation with partially and fully established and maturing vegetation. Concrete from the channel was cut into slabs, treated and reused within select sections the waterway itself and within the landscape for retaining and pathways. Each stage revealed new learnings, including soil amelioration and construction techniques.
Small Creek is now establishing as a new and stable waterway. Monitoring has shown that it is home to a diversity of native fish, not previously recorded, the plants are establishing well and the community have embraced the change from lifeless concrete channel to a living waterway. Pollutant reductions have also been measured between upstream reaches and downstream reaches.
It has received many awards, accolades and commendations and provides a demonstration of the potential of concrete drains to become valued ecological and community assets.
More photos and information about the naturalisation can be found here:
Small Creek Redevelopment : Ipswich City Council
https://e2designlab.com.au/blog/i_2020-05-22-bringing-our-creeks-back-to-life
Title: Small Creek
Theme: Naturalisation
Overview: Ipswich City Council’s Small Creek Naturalisation successfully converted a concrete lined channel back to a vegetated, naturalised chain of ponds waterway. The project was funded through Council’s water quality offsets programs and thus pollutant load reduction was a key outcome being sort. Recognizing that the success of this type of project rests with the community and wider stakeholder group, the project had to deliver environmental benefit, but most importantly provide the community with a connection to their re-imagined creek. Other benefits delivered include active transport connections, improved amenity, activation, urban cooling and education.
Stage 1 (the most downstream reach) and Stage 2 (middle reach) were co-designed by Council, Bligh Tanner and Landscapology. Stage 3 (the most upstream stage delivered to date) was co-designed by Alluvium, E2Designlab and Cusp. The first two stages were naturalised over 2017 and 2018 with Stage 3 being naturalised in 2021.
When visiting the site, you can experience the transition from a concrete channel (still existing in the most upstream reach), to a naturalised channel during early establishment, through to naturalisation with partially and fully established and maturing vegetation. Concrete from the channel was cut into slabs, treated and reused within select sections the waterway itself and within the landscape for retaining and pathways. Each stage revealed new learnings, including soil amelioration and construction techniques.
Small Creek is now establishing as a new and stable waterway. Monitoring has shown that it is home to a diversity of native fish, not previously recorded, the plants are establishing well and the community have embraced the change from lifeless concrete channel to a living waterway. Pollutant reductions have also been measured between upstream reaches and downstream reaches.
It has received many awards, accolades and commendations and provides a demonstration of the potential of concrete drains to become valued ecological and community assets.
More photos and information about the naturalisation can be found here:
Small Creek Redevelopment : Ipswich City Council
https://e2designlab.com.au/blog/i_2020-05-22-bringing-our-creeks-back-to-life
