BULIMBA CREEK OXBOW FACT SHEET
Bulimba Creek Oxbow & Environs:
Rehabilitation that’s Working

Background

In 2000, a 4.5km motorway was needed to be constructed  through a highly degraded wetland area that included the Bulimba Creek Oxbow. Seeking sustainable development outcomes an alliance was formed between government, industry and the community. The alliance identified the potential of restoring the ecological function of this heavily impacted site and through the construction of infrastructure has delivered to the community significant environmental outcomes and innovative hydraulic solutions.

Aims

• Form mutually beneficial relationships between non-
  government, government and industry to produce 
  outstanding outcomes.
• Strive to achieve common objectives to attain a 'win-win'
  result and to manage project risks and opportunities.
• Deliver Infrastructure development with a net gain to the environment

Achievements to date

• Created partnership precedent
• Deliver quadruple bottom line results
• Eco-hydrology function restored
• 60,000 trees planted
• 4,000 Mangroves successfully transplanted (+ high % of natural regeneration)
• Bird species have increased from baseline data of 14 to 58 species
• Research programs on salt marsh ecosystems and aquatic fauna species. The Oxbow is a proven fish and
  prawn nursery.
• 13 fish species - yellow perchlet, banded toadfish,  blue-eye, southern herring, mangrove goby, tiger mullet,
  whiting, common toadfish, fan-tailed mullet, yellow-finned bream, tailor, snub-nosed gar, tahwine,
• 3 crustacean - banana prawn, school prawn, Australian paste shrimp
• 78% of total fish studied were juveniles
• Substrate conditions and tidal flows are consistent with healthy salt marsh  and mangrove communities
• Won Stormwater Industry Association National Award for Excellence 2003

Partners

Port of Brisbane Motorway Alliance, Qld Gov Department of Main Roads, Power Link, Parsons Brinckerhoff and Bulimba Creek Coordinating Committee

Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee

Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee (B4C) is a voluntary not-for-profit community-based landcare & catchment organisation that is committed to the protection and enhancement of the natural environment and sound natural resources management. The committee has established an Environmental Services Unit delivering professional rehabilitation work throughout the catchment and created the Bulimba Creek Environment Fund a registered charity to receive donations to fund environmental and educational initiatives.                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                       Thiess River Prize Trophy

Outcomes

                      – Planted over 250,000 native trees
                      – Created 362ha of habitat for wildlife
                      – Protected 462ha of urban bushland
                      – Committed over 300,000 volunteer hours
                      – Won 2005 Thiess National Riverprize

Key Projects

The Southside Sustainability Centre – a purpose built education facility designed to teach people how to live more sustainably with the environment. The centre will be power, water and waste self-sufficient and present a new holistic philosophy of catchment management and community involvement.

Twinning Project - a national and international twinning program that is designed to encourage students to learn more about their catchment, and their  cultural and social surroundings, so they are armed with the knowledge and passion to make the choices required for a sustainable future.  Participating schools include 4 Brisbane schools, and schools in the gulf country and Southern Thailand.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

B4C is always looking for volunteers to assist with its many projects and can also organise corporate tree planting days. Please contact B4C for details on how to volunteer.

Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee Ph 3420 4800
PO Box 5       Fax 3420 4811
Carina 4152       
Email: b4c@bulimbacreek.org.au
www.bulimbacreek.org.au