Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Media Release, 17 November 2025
Extensive flood resilience works to protect communities in Mount Sylvia and Woodbine from future flood damage are now complete.
The $1.8 million rehabilitation project, led by Resilient Rivers SEQ, involved major creek bank stabilisation and revegetation works at three priority sites along Blackfellow Creek, and was officially unveiled today.
Funding includes $1.35 million through the SEQ City Deal, a partnership between the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Council of Mayors (SEQ), and an additional $558,000 from the Queensland Government.
The SEQ City Deal aims to improve the accessibility, prosperity and liveability of the region, which is home to more than four million residents. The SEQ City Deal will invest $40 million into Resilient Rivers SEQ with $10 million each from the Australian Government, Queensland Government, Council of Mayors (SEQ) and Seqwater.
Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation, Andrew Powell said there had already been strong return on that additional investment.
“The site passed its first major test, withstanding the impact of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred earlier this year, making the Lockyer and South East Queensland waterways more prepared and resilient to flooding is a key priority for all levels of government,” he said.
“The resilience work at Mount Sylvia protects critical infrastructure and farmland, while also reducing sediment erosion from the catchment. This improves drinking water quality across the region and helps safeguard the internationally recognised Moreton Bay.
“This project is a powerful example of what can be achieved when all levels of government work together to deliver lasting outcomes for our communities.”
Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Tanya Milligan and Member for Lockyer Jim McDonald MP planted the final trees on site today to complete these important works.
Queensland Senator Corinne Mulholland said the Resilient Rivers program is an all-round success story.
“Not only are all three levels of government financially committed to ensuring its success, but the project teams utilise local knowledge to respond to the unique needs of local river systems,” she said.
“So here in the Lockyer that means in addition to flood resilience, we’re looking to protect productive soils, improve farm sustainability, enhance local water quality and in doing so, we are actually investing in the regional food security of SEQ.
“This important project has been delivered in three different stages since September 2024, and I consider it a real testament to what can be achieved when all three levels of government work together.”
Council of Mayors (SEQ) Treasurer and Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Tanya Milligan said the project would provide significant benefits to nearby communities, road users and those downstream.
“Flood rehabilitation and resilience works are vital steps in protecting our local infrastructure and communities from future flood events and this investment will help safeguard our region for the long-term,” Mayor Milligan said.
“It will also reduce erosion and limit the amount of sediment that flows into Moreton Bay and the Brisbane River – which is one of the key objectives of this project.”
Lockyer Valley Regional Council Environment Portfolio Councillor Cheryl Steinhardt said the project area suffered considerable damage in the major flood events of 2011, 2013 and 2022.
“These weather events caused severe damage to infrastructure and farmland, and the erosion came dangerously close to Mount Sylvia Road – so it is wonderful to have everything complete before the upcoming wet season,” Cr Steinhardt said.
“The overall design included creek bank battering, a series of rock groyne structures, timber pile fields and revegetation, which has stabilised the creek bank and will slow the flow of water, helping to reduce the impacts of major flooding events.
“In total, 12,000 tonnes of high-density blue rock was used, and more than 5000 native plants have been planted across the three priority sites as part of Council’s ongoing revegetation work.
“The project follows extensive hydrological assessment of the creek, design testing and consultation with the community at workshops held on multiple occasions.”
The Queensland Government also completed disaster recovery works at multiple locations along Mount Sylvia Road, with five floodways receiving specialised concrete treatments to become better able to withstand flood water saturation.
These floodway works took place between July 2024 and September 2025.
Extraordinary disaster assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Resilient Rivers SEQ is an initiative of the Council of Mayors (SEQ) and has successfully delivered coordinated catchment management for more than 10 years as a partnership with South East Queensland councils, and key regional waterway and catchment organisations. For more information, visit: www.resilientrivers.com.au/.
