Cattle Creek – a reach-scale approach to riverine management
Regional NRM organisation: Reef Catchments
Location: Cattle Creek catchment, Pioneer Valley, Mackay Whitsunday region
Primary themes
Biodiversity
Land & Soil
Water
Key partners
- Mackay Natural Environment Centre (MNEC)
- Neilly Group Engineering
- Mackay Regional Council
- Strathdickie Plant Hire
Overview
Cattle Creek in the Pioneer Valley has become an unstable river system after decades of riparian clearing, channel modification and extreme weather events. More than 1.1 million cubic metres of sediment has been mobilised from streambanks since 2009, threatening productive agricultural land and contributing sediment to the Pioneer River and ultimately the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.
This project will work with local landholders and partners to restore approximately 2klm of streambank along Cattle Creek while also supporting 8 hectares of improved riparian vegetation. This will be achieved by using engineered stabilisation works combined with revegetation and weed control to strengthen the riparian corridor. The project will also improve in-stream habitat and reconnect sections of the waterway to support aquatic species and overall ecosystem health.
Alongside the on-ground works, the project will engage landholders and the broader community in best practice river restoration, helping build long-term stewardship of the catchment while protecting high value sugarcane and grazing land and reducing sediment flowing to the Reef.
Secondary themes
Waterways
Restoration of streambank stability and riparian vegetation to reduce erosion and improve waterway condition along Cattle Creek.
Reef water quality
Reducing sediment loss from streambanks to improve water quality flowing into the Pioneer River and the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.
Biodiversity conservation
Improving riparian habitat condition and in-stream habitat to support aquatic species and ecological function.
Sustainable agriculture
Protecting high-value sugarcane and grazing land from erosion and loss through improved land and water management.
Soil health and land condition
Stabilising soils and reducing sediment loss to improve long-term land condition and productivity.
Indigenous engagement and leadership
Collaboration with Yuwi Aboriginal Corporation to support project design and delivery.
Landholder engagement
Working directly with landholders to plan and implement restoration works across priority reaches of the creek.
Community stewardship and engagement
Engaging landholders and the broader community in best practice river restoration and long-term catchment stewardship.
Capacity building and skills development
Building knowledge and skills in river restoration, erosion control and land management through on-ground delivery.
Local government partnerships
Collaboration with Mackay Regional Council to support regional waterway and land management outcomes.
Technology and innovation
Use of engineered stabilisation techniques and monitoring approaches to address large-scale erosion and improve restoration outcomes.
By the numbers
$4.82 million
Total project investment
2km
Streambank targeted for restoration along Cattle Creek
1.1 million m³
Sediment mobilised from streambanks since 2009
35km
Length of Cattle Creek from the Clark Connors Range to the Pioneer River
8 hectares
Riparian vegetation condition to be improved through revegetation and weed control
~10 landholders
Directly involved along the priority reach of the creek
This project is funded by the Queensland Government’s Natural Resource Management Expansion Program
