Bowie’s Flat

Bowie’s Flat is a wetland project on Bridgewater Creek in Coorparoo. This project was designed to find out how effective wetlands could be in removing pollutants from urban run-off before they reach Moreton Bay. Bowie’s Flat Wetland on Bridgewater Creek is located at the intersection of Boongall Rd & Biran St Camp Hill.

Working Bees

The group meets up on the first Saturday of each month at 8.30am to continue to clear the site of invasive species, lay down mulch, plant native species & remove rubbish. It is a large, sociable group & our working bees are always fun. We retire to a nearby café after our labours. Check out our Facebook page to find out happening at our site. More volunteers are always welcome!

Site Strategy

The aim of the group is to clear the site of invasive species, lay down mulch to prevent their return, and plant native species. Our volunteers also remove rubbish as they go.

Site History

Bowie’s Flat was created in 2001 by the Brisbane City Council, in partnership with Norman Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee, and in consultation with the local community. The wetland was designed to find out how effective wetlands could be in removing pollutants from urban run-off before they reach Moreton Bay. At the time, it was a pioneering project as some of today’s commonly used modelling tools were not yet available.

Prior to its creation, the site was an area of lawn bisected by a concrete channel. It now has a wide variety of mature native trees, shrubs, grasses & sedges with several permanent waterholes spanned by a boardwalk.

Rather than a lake, the design of Bowie’s Flat wetland originally intended a low water level to allow for plenty of plants to grow on the banks; however, the system is possibly too small for the catchment it is serving, and some of the ponds may have been over-excavated. In addition, blocking of the outlet has been a problem. The water level has been too high for long periods, and the native grasses and reed beds have died. From time to time, the outlet has been cleared and new planting has been done, but the water level has varied too much for them to thrive.

Wildlife

Bowie’s is a popular spot for birdwatchers with 80 species of birds observed there over the past decade. It is rich in wading & water birds. Many children have learned the word ‘duck’ here as Pacific Black Ducks & Australian Wood Ducks are always present.

It is also home to 41 species of butterflies. Plenty of frogs, water dragons & other lizards, turtles & eels are also living there.