Council’s 2011 flood response wins top stormwater infrastructure award

Published 11 March 2021

A flood of praise has inundated Pine Rivers Park, after Moreton Bay Regional Council claimed gold at the Stormwater Queensland Excellence Awards 2020 for Excellence in Infrastructure.

Mayor Peter Flannery said Council’s hard work to stabilise the banks of the South Pine River in the wake of the devastating 2011 floods and revegetate the riparian zone was deserving of this accolade.

“The environmental rejuvenation we’ve achieved over the last 18 months has surpassed even our greatest aspirations,” he said.  

“The 2011 floods that ravaged SEQ totally destroyed a 340-metre stretch of the South Pine River, collapsing the riverbank and destroying the ecosystem around it.

“But a combination of clever engineering and strategic replantings completed in June 2019 has restored the area to a condition that’s better than before the floods. In fact, new mangroves germinating in the lower regions of the restored bank have already taken root.

“I hope this award-winning riverbank stabilisation project will become a template for other Councils in the wake of future flood damage to sensitive river banks.

“This stretch of river is a vital part of the natural ecosystem as well as one of Strathpine’s most used public spaces, so it’s a win-win outcome.

“We’ve already seen vegetation returning to the riverbanks and wildlife returning to the area, which is fantastic for birds, fish and other wildlife that call the South Pine River area home.

“Not to mention great news for the incredible array of community events Pine Rivers Park plays host to throughout the year, including Kids Fest and Park Vibes.

Council worked with Alluvium Consulting to implement the innovative soft engineering solution to restore and stabilise the collapsed riverbank.