Currumbin – Flat Rock Creek improvements

Project typeOcean, beaches & waterways
Project schedule2018 – ongoing

We are working to improve the water quality and ecological health of Flat Rock Creek.

What has happened

The creek lies within a highly urbanised area and the catchment has been altered by surrounding development.

Since the 1960s:

Sections of the creek have been converted to concrete drains.
There has been flood mitigation works – a concrete pipe was installed at the end of the creek that empties directly into the ocean.
3 lakes have been constructed at Littleford Family Park, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Alex Griffiths Park.
The tidal connection between the creek and the ocean was cut at the Teemangum Street road crossing.
Vegetation along the creek has been cleared over time due to development.
Housing development has increased in the area.

These changes have reduced water flow and increased sediment in the lakes and lagoons, leading to poor water quality.

Current situation

A small lagoon can form on the eastern beach side of the Teemangum Street bridge following high tides and large rainfall. The water can remain for some time in the lagoon. Over time, the still water becomes stagnant and algae grows that produces a bad odour.

Even though the Flat Rock Creek area is modified, this is a natural process. The beach lagoon will change constantly due to the dynamic nature of the creek, the sand and the ocean.

Most of the time, the stagnant water will be flushed out and the smell will pass with the next high tide or when it evaporates. In extreme circumstances we will manage the lagoon by adding sand to reduce the algae.

What we are doing

We replaced the culvert crossing in Teemangum Street with a single span bridge in February 2024. The upgrade is the first step in helping to improve water flow in the lower reaches of the creek.
Maintain the beach outlet and sand level at the creek mouth and clean up algae has needed.
Manage the weeds along the creek areas of Littleford Lake.
Monitor water quality every 3 months at Alex Griffith Park Lake. For details, visit Monitoring our waterways
Monitor recreational water quality at Currumbin beach and other popular swimming areas to help you make safe choices where to swim. For details, visit Recreational water quality
Established the Flat Rock Creek improvement project. Improvements to Flat Rock Creek are a joint responsibility of the Queensland Government, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and City of Gold Coast.

Future actions

Remove sediment and instream weed vegetation from the Alex Griffith Park Lake to improve water quality and flood water storage.
Investigate the feasibility of dredging sediment from Littleford Lake upstream of Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
Continue to work with the Queensland Government and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to improve Flat Rock Creek.

Photo Gallery credit: Aerial view of Flat Rock Creek – Daryl Jones
Source: Gold Coast Libraries Local Studies Collection