Logan City is Australia's 6th largest local government by population with over 290,000 residents. Borrowing from a Singapore waterway improvement model, Logan City Council has implemented an Activate, Beautify and Clean (A.B.C.) approach to achieving improvements in waterway health and returning a degraded drain back into a valuable community space.
Slacks Creek is a highly urbanised creek catchment in the heart of Logan City which like many urban waterways has suffered significantly from the change in catchment land-uses and development. Over the past 50 years the catchment has changed from forested landscapes to urban uses and the impacts this change brings has significantly compromised the creek's ability to support biodiversity as well as recreational and social amenity values.
Key to the success of the A.B.C approach is the focus on achieving a clean, healthy creek which supports and is supported by active and vibrant open spaces. Creating places for people and nature allows for multiple benefits to be achieved, drives investment from multiple sources and encourages stewardship from residents, businesses and the broader community.
In the past 12 months the Slacks Creek Recovery Project has driven an increase in Council investment and significant funding from both the State and Federal governments. The project will deliver improvements in riparian function, reduce pollutant runoff, improve habitat values and connectivity and improve recreational opportunities.
A cleaner creek and more active parklands create a sense of place for everyone to enjoy and improved ecological conditions. Coupled with opportunities for residents and businesses to be an active part of the recovery process, A.B.C drives improved stewardship leading to reduced pollution, healthier creeks and a healthier community.