Brisbane’s creeks are so much more than pockets of urban bushland, they are vital lifelines that shape the city’s resilience in both everyday life and in times of crisis. With every heavy downpour or flooding event, creeks and their surrounding catchments play a crucial role in storing, slowing, and channelling vast amounts of stormwater, helping to protect homes, businesses, and the wider river system from even greater damage.
Everyday choices at home have a direct impact on the health and performance of these waterways. Litter, garden clippings, and chemicals washed from Brisbane’s suburbs can block drains and end up in creeks, reducing their ability to carry floodwaters and increasing the risks of local flooding and erosion. This pollution also harms native wildlife and degrades the natural “sponges” that healthy creeks provide, which help absorb and filter rain before it reaches the river.
It’s easy to be a part of the solution. Dispose of rubbish thoughtfully, keep chemicals away from drains, and compost garden waste instead of blowing or raking it onto the street. Native gardens stabilise creek banks, support biodiversity, and reduce maintenance, while rain absorbing gardens and permeable paths allow more water to soak slowly into the soil.
Between severe storms, restoring creek corridors with native vegetation and removing blockages can make all the difference. These actions help our waterways buffer the impact of floods, reducing peak flood levels and the speed of water surges. Brisbane’s community catchment groups regularly organise tree planting and weed management days, creating greener, safer neighbourhoods for everyone and healthy habitat for native wildlife.
By looking after your local creek, whether through small changes at home or by joining a bushcare activity with your catchment group, you play a vital part in building a flood-resilient, thriving Brisbane for the future. For more details see:
https://www.moggillcreek.org.au/events-activities/monthly-working-bees-on-public-waterways/
Moggill Creek
Words and photo: Tracey Read
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Published in the October 2025 edition of the Local Bulletin
