The Black Snake Creek Catchment is about 35km² and flows through both Ipswich and Somerset local government areas, including the towns of Marburg, Glamorgan Vale and Fairney View, before joining the Brisbane River between Wivenhoe Dam and Mt Crosby Weir. The Marburg community has identified both opportunities and challenges across the Black Snake Creek catchment area, including impacts from flooding and declining water quality
In its natural state, the Black Snake Creek would have resembled a chain of ponds set within an actively engaged floodplain. Extensive vegetation clearing in the time since European settlement has led to a highly modified landscape and many water related issues including flooding, raising salinity levels and declining water quality impact on the environmental, social and economic future of the region.
Ipswich Waterway Health Strategy
Actions for Black Snake Creek featured in the Ipswich Waterway Health Strategy 2020.
| Priority Management Theme | Targeted Actions |
|---|---|
| Channel | Raise bed levels and stabilise banks to manage the channel interface with saline groundwater Investigate weir levels in relation tot he creek channel and floodway levels to allow for engagement of the flow path Continue revegetation of the main channel downstream of the detention basin to provide bank stability and improve water quality |
| Floodplain | Revegetate the floodplain along the eastern tributary Investigate and implement flood mitigation options Revegetate the midslope areas with deep rooted trees, to help address salinity issues |
| Community | Partner with landholders to improve stock access management, on-site septic system management, and revegetation of the midslopes and riparian zones Investigate the feasibility of establishing a Black Snake Creek Initiative to support landholder management Work with external stakeholders to help fund works across the catchment which will provide water quality benefits downstream |
Upper Black Snake Creek Improvement Plan
Council is working towards preserving and enhancing the environmental, economic, social and recreational potential of the area through a Total Water Cycle Management Plan for the Black Snake Creek Catchment. The plan was facilitated by an experienced team of environmental, economic and social experts, with significant input from your community.
The Plan presents three closely-related action plans designed to build the resilience of both the landscape and the community:
- Local Flood Risk Mitigation
- Salinity Mitigation
- Landscape Restoration and Water Quality Improvement.
The focus on the Plan is the upper catchment area which falls within the Ipswich City Council local government area although many elements are applicable to the entire catchment.
Read more in the Upper Black Snake Creek Improvement Plan Summary 2014 (PDF, 657.0 KB)
Read more in the Upper Black Snake Creek Improvement Plan - Final Report 2014 (PDF, 6.7 MB)
Benefits of the Plan
- Improved water quality for the creek and downstream systems
- Improved land usability - through environmental, productivity, economic and social improvements
- Improved community activities, education, recreation and beautification around the creek
- Reduced risk for community members and regional water supply
- A focus on maintaining and enhancing the feel and character of the Marburg township
- Gaining an understanding catchment condition and processes
- Identification of possible flood mitigation opportunities
Information for landholders
The majority of the Black Snake Creek catchment is in private ownership, which means landholders have a lot of influence over the catchment’s future.
Land use in the upper catchment is dominated by grazing, with other land uses including rural residential, urban and other agricultural activities.
There are many ways landholders can contribute to a better Black Snake Creek, in both rural and urban areas.
The Living in the Black Snake Creek Catchment booklet includes lots of information about the unique features of this catchment and actions landholders can consider to make a difference.
Read more in the Living in the Black Snake Creek Catchment booklet (PDF, 9.5 MB)