Piles to catch sediment in Station Creek

Timber pile fields slow down water to better protect eroding, or at-risk stream banks. They consist of multiple rows of timber piles, of a specified diameter, driven into the streambed and bank. Timber pile fields also trap sediment, helping to build the area up to support vegetation that can eventually replace the function of the piles as the bank’s protection.

A large-scale restoration project on Havilah Station, near Collinsville, is almost complete.  

The Station Creek remediation site consists of two highly-active sections of eroding streambank (1050m and 554m), running into the Bowen River. The sites are 2km upstream of the Bowen Developmental Road crossing.

Works carried out includes:

  • 1980 timber piles to abate sediment. The piles were sourced from local contractors and acquired from state forests.
  • Bank batterning the vertical banks to a stable grade and installing rock chute batter drains and bunds to manage the entry of overland flows through multiple existing gullies.

The sites will be revegetated with hydromulch to achieve groundcover, and planting, irrigation, and maintenance of tube stock to restore riparian vegetation. Native vegetation tube stock will be planted in the remediation area in late October to mid-November to maximise the benefit of wet season rains.

Stock exclusion fencing and grazing management will ensure the success of the project in the long term.

Engineering firm Neilly Group has been contracted to design the on ground works. Local contractors will carry out the work.

Benefits of streambank stabilisation include reducing loss of land, maintaining the flow or storage capacity of the waterway and reducing the downstream effects of sediment resulting from bank erosion.

A cultural heritage survey and impact assessment was completed in consultation with the Birriah People in February.

Construction began in June.

Each pile has to be driven into the ground. PHOTO: Courtesy of the Neilly Group.

The pile field looks like a modern sculpture from above.

An aerial shot of the project site.

This project is part of the Landholders Driving Change Program funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.