New flood-repair works well tested by a second flood event
A streambank rehabilitation project we’re excited to share in an upcoming video has certainly been on quite the journey.
Delivered in the wake of the record-breaking 2021 rainfall and flooding, the works were quickly put to the test again when another major flood event rolled through after completion.
The encouraging news is that most sites held up well, a validation of the design, approach, and on-ground effort that went into the project.
In April, we returned to the Logan Creek sites near Belyando to reconnect with some of the people behind the work.
They included Traditional Owners who completed cultural heritage surveys, the site manager from the engineering team involved in designing and delivering the rehabilitation, and landholders who host these sites on their properties.
On-ground works included reshaping unstable streambanks, reusing timber to provide natural bank reinforcement, planting native species sourced locally, and fencing to protect regenerating vegetation:
- Stabilised 13 erosion sites.
- Restored about seven hectares of riparian vegetation.
- Improved more than 1.5km of creekline.
- Across all sites combined, the project achieved an estimated average annual reduction of 869t of sediment runoff.
- Strengthened habitat along the waterway.
- Protected productive grazing land and infrastructure.
- Improved resilience for future flood events.
It’s an example of engineering and nature-based solutions working side by side to strengthen resilience in landscapes that have faced significant flood impacts.
Funded by the Queensland Government through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, the project focused on five erosion-prone sites across three grazing properties in the Burdekin catchment.
The aim was to reduce sediment movement through the Suttor and Burdekin river systems, and ultimately support better water quality flowing toward the Great Barrier Reef.
Keep an eye out for the upcoming video — it’s one worth watching.
Some of the sites
Images in this column were taken before work began in September, 2025
Images in this middle columns were taken as work progressed work in October, 2025
Images in this column were taken in April, 2026 after the first wet season.
Dooruna Site 4
Dooruna Site 5
Talki Site 6
Talki Site 7
Avon Downs Site 8
Faces of the project…
Jangga Elder,
Director – Jangga Operations
“Cultural heritage surveys were undertaken to identify and protect areas of significance and to ensure cultural values were respected throughout planning and delivery. Protecting these places means protecting our story and our connection to Country. We found grindstones, scar trees and stone artefacts, signs of people living closely with the water for thousands of years.
Grazier,
Dooruna Station
“On our property, the on-ground works achieved what it needed to, reducing erosion, protecting nearby infrastructure and cutting soil loss into the reef catchment, while allowing the area to return to productive grazing under best management practices. Streambank stability directly influences productivity and long-term land condition.
Site manager, Verterra Ecological Engineering
“The key is working with the landscape, and every site is different. We reshaped and stabilised the banks, improved the soils and revegetated the area to rebuild the riparian zone. Healthy vegetation is the best defence against erosion, improving water quality, providing habitat, and enhancing productive grazing land at the same time. It’s a win for the graziers and for the environment.
Project Manager, NQ Dry Tropics
“The project aimed to remediate damaged sites while protecting vulnerable riparian habitat, including an endangered brigalow stand being lost to severe creek erosion. It also delivered significant sediment savings, helping protect surrounding grazing land and downstream waterways feeding into the Burdekin Dam. It was also about building resilience into the landscape so it can better withstand future flood events.
This project was funded by the Queensland Government through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
