A masterplan for the West Creek channel, running from James Street to Herries Street, has been endorsed by the Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) at their Ordinary Meeting (Tuesday 18 March) as a long-term solution to improve channel stability and resilience, whilst improving the overall amenity for this urban reach of the waterway.
Portfolio and spokesperson for Transport and Drainage Planning Cr Trevor Manteufel said the future upgrade of this reach was going to be a great addition to the Toowoomba Region.
"This project will not only improve flood immunity which is always a great outcome in itself, but it will also create a beautiful outdoor space for the community to enjoy right in the middle of the CBD", Cr Manteufel said.
The Masterplan proposes deepening and widening the existing channel to increase the available waterway area and constructing a series of low flow weirs (or barriers across the width of the channel) to manage instream velocities, maximise channel capacity in flood events and provide an overall more aesthetic appearance. The use of vegetated banks along the channel will soften any hard infrastructure and provide a sense of tranquillity and respite amongst the heavily urbanised CBD.
Although the project is yet to reach the detailed design phase, the initial masterplan designs include the use of surfaces like bluestone which are commonly found throughout Toowoomba to represent the history and culture of the city. The West Creek Masterplan has been modelled on a similar approach to the reach of West Creek which flows alongside Victoria Street, between Margaret Street and Russell Street.
The estimated cost to deliver the masterplan is approximately $4.1 million at present day value. The project has the option to be completed as a single continuous project or delivered in stages dependent on available funding.
After significant flooding of the West Creek channel in 2022, TRC received around $1 million of flood recovery funding from Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) for rehabilitation to fix the damaged areas. Rather than continuing the approach that would result in eventual full hard lining of the channel (covering the entire channel bed and sides in concrete), other design options were explored, and the current West Creek Masterplan was realised. However, Council has been advised that the current QRA funding is only eligible to be used on the original scope of rehabilitation works and does not cover the additional works outlined in the current Masterplan. As such, TRC will complete the original approved QRA works as an interim solution before delivering the West Creek Masterplan in the future.
"As an elected representative of the community, I'm pleased that Council didn't rush into a 'quick fix' solution when patching the damage to the West Creek channel after the flooding in 2022. I am glad we took the time to investigate other options. Now, as a result the hydraulic engineers have designed a better solution benefiting the community long term," said Cr Manteufel.
The proposed Masterplan will be included in the next ten-year Capital Works Program and is likely to be brought forward if external funding is secured.
"TRC would like to thank the Australian and Queensland Governments for their financial assistance which will facilitate the West Creek recovery works. We are grateful for the joint funding given to us under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) administered by QRA."
Photo caption: Ariel photograph of the culvert on James Street, Toowoomba.
