Gowrie Creek Catchment Management Strategy

Toowoomba is built within a total water catchment area covering 56 square kilometres, featuring two main creeks – East and West Creeks – that meet just north of the CBD to form Gowrie Creek.

East Creek forms at the top of Middle Ridge, runs through Ballin Drive Park, the Waterbird Habitat and Garnet Lehmann Park.

It then flows downstream of Garnet Lehmann Park to form Lake Annand and then flows into the concrete-lined channel running parallel to Kitchener Street from Perth Street to Herries Street.

After running through a series of ponds, it cuts across the bottom corner of Queens Park, under Hume Street, and then flows in a narrow channel parallel to Chalk Drive. The creek passes under Ruthven Street where it meets West Creek to form Gowrie Creek.

The other arm, West Creek, starts at Kearneys Spring and runs down through a series of detention basins and continues into the city centre.

It runs through the City Golf Club, opposite Toowoomba Hospital, behind the PCYC down to Herries Street. It then runs parallel to Dent Street, behind the old library then under Margaret Street and then parallel to Victoria Street, under Russell Street where it meets East Creek to form Gowrie Creek.

The East Creek Masterplan has been under development for a number of years. The strategy for Gowrie Creek and subsequent reviews all recommend, as a priority, the construction of detention basins in the East Creek catchment and channel improvements along East Creek between James and Herries Street. Ballin Drive and Garnet Lehmann parks were identified as the best locations due to available size and mitigation capacity.

The masterplan includes upgrading of road crossings and channels as well as various options for detention measures. It also considers planning aspects such as land acquisition that can reduce the likelihood and consequences of flooding. When funding became available for flood mitigation works, the masterplan was expedited, completed and formalised.

The Masterplan offers an over-arching and cost-effective plan for reducing and managing flood hazards and providing flood mitigation works in East Creek while minimising impacts to parks and open space areas.