Small Creek has been transformed from a straight concrete channel in Raceview to a living waterway. As well as clean water and habitat for wildlife, the new Small Creek boasts better path and bikeway connections and the opportunity to enjoy nature in your neighbourhood. This page details technical and community engagement initiatives to help inform the success of the transformation project.
Small Creek was once a meandering stream that flowed into Deebing Creek. Like most waterways, it was surrounded by large iconic tree species such as Queensland blue gum and an understory of native grasses and rushes. Subsequent to a period of ongoing decline as a result of European colonisation of land for grazing, the area was cleared and in the early 1980s the creek was replaced with a concrete drain. The few trees that were left were remnants of the original landscape and would have had their roots in or close to water. Council spearheaded a significant three-stage project to reinstate sections of Small Creek as a living waterway with native vegetation, pools and riffles of shallow running water. Construction started in 2018, with completion in 2023. Project funding comprised developer contributions under council’s Offsite Stormwater Quality Improvement Program.
2020 - AILA National Award of Excellence in Land Management
2020 - AILA Queensland Award of Excellence in Land Management
2019 - River Basin Management Society Finalist for Outstanding Waterway Management Project
2019 - Stormwater Queensland Excellence Award in Integrated Stormwater Design
2018 - Minister’s Award for Urban Design, Commendation, Excellence in Urban Design
2017 - River Basin Management Society Finalist for Involving Community in Waterway Management
2017 - AILA National Landscape Architecture Award in Land Management
2017 - Stormwater Queensland Award for Excellence in Strategic or Master Planning
2017 - Healthy Land and Water Awards - Finalist in Government Stewardship
2017 - AILA Queensland Award of Excellence in Land Management
Warwick Road to Sapar Landscapes:
Sapar Landscapes to Briggs Road:
Briggs Road to Poplar Street Park:
Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 722.6 KB)
Small Creek Stage 3 fact sheet (PDF, 543.1 KB)
Community Concerns (PDF, 86.0 KB)
Ipswich First Small Creek Articles
Ipswich City Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners, the Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul people of the Yugara/Yagara Language Group, as custodians of the land and waters we share. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, as the keepers of the traditions, customs, cultures and stories of proud peoples.