$6.7 million drives ambitious flood resilience project

In a major milestone, work has commenced on a critical $6.7 million river restoration project in Southeast Queensland’s Scenic Rim.

Targeting Upper Warrill Creek, the ambitious project will boost flood resilience, restore waterway health and protect agricultural land along the creek.

Led by Resilient Rivers SEQ, the project involves major catchment works to prevent loss of productive farmland, reduce sediment to Moreton Bay and improve habitat for native species.

Intensive weed removal is underway across more than 50 hectares of waterway corridors and major on-ground works have begun.

Significant earthworks will reshape eroded banks, stabilise slopes and establish native vegetation, with more than 20,000 new native plants to reduce erosion and protect agricultural land while slowing flood waters. 

Work to rehabilitate Upper Warrill Creek represents a practical investment in both the resilience and productivity of the Scenic Rim.

As the Scenic Rim enjoys a well-earned reputation for its agriculture, food, tourism and natural beauty, restoring Upper Warrill Creek will provide long-term benefits to the local economy.

A major tributary of the Bremer River, Upper Warrill Creek flows through the Scenic Rim and Ipswich City local government areas before joining the Brisbane River which flows into Moreton Bay.  

Successive severe weather events in 2017, 2022, and 2024 caused widespread damage across the Scenic Rim, including loss of agricultural land and crops, severe erosion and significant impacts to local waterways which increased vulnerability to future floods.  

Financial assistance for the Upper Warrill Creek project is provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).