Breakout Creek Wetland and Watercourse Restoration

The Breakout Creek Wetland is a long-term watercourse restoration project winding along a man-made section of the River Torrens in the western suburbs of Adelaide, only 20 minutes from the CBD.

In 1999, the first stage was completed by the Torrens Catchment Water Management Board, now the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board. Greening Australia SA (GASA) is now working on the second stage, with BMD Constructions, for the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board. GASA was awarded the plant propagation and supply contract, and the planting and maintenance subcontract. A total of approximately 100,000 local native plants, including reeds, sedges, grasses, shrubs and trees, will be planted over 2009, 2010 and 2011. GASA’s vegetation services team will undertake maintenance work on the site until 2012 to ensure the environmental outcomes of the project are achieved.

The aim of the second stage of the Breakout Creek Wetland project is to create a high-flow wetland system incorporating shallow and deep water, reed beds, habitat refuge islands, and terrestrial woodlands, while significantly increasing access to the greater community. This is a rare and valuable opportunity in an urban environment where these vital ecosystem components are sadly degraded. Biodiversity outcomes have been a high priority, with considerable effort invested in plant rescue before the earthworks commenced to allow the reintroduction of the Creeping Monkey-flower (Mimulus repens) and Marsh Club-rush (Bolboschoenus medianus) once construction works were completed. The river now supports a vast array of wildlife including freshwater fish, frogs, water bugs, and many bird species which use the river as feeding and breeding grounds as well as a corridor through the urban area. Open grassy areas, extensive shared use paths, lookouts and a planned footbridge allow the community to connect with the river environment, with copses of native vegetation throughout.

Other benefits to the broader community and to the environment from these major environmental works include improved River Torrens flood management in the wet season, improved water quality during low flow conditions, and the removal of about 30 weed species which previously infested the site.

Aurecon was responsible for the design, project management and construction supervision of the project, and Green Environmental Consultants provided specialist vegetation advice.