Fencing around the northern area of Cannery Creek has been removed, restoring public access following the completion of a major sewer upgrade designed to reduce wet weather overflows and creek spills in Northgate and Banyo.
Read: Locals Welcome Proposed Cannery Creek Sewer Upgrade
The $72 million Cannery Creek Sewer Upgrade was delivered by Urban Utilities in partnership with Fulton Hogan, using a nature-based approach to manage increased flows during wet weather while improving the surrounding waterway.
Cr Adam Allan announced the fencing removal in a Facebook post, saying the change would allow full public access to the area north of the creek. He also thanked Urban Utilities, Fulton Hogan and members of the Community Planning Team for their involvement in the project and community consultation.
A nature-based approach to sewer management
Construction began in 2022. The project was developed in response to the way heavy rainfall can increase flows through the wastewater network, with the new system designed to reduce wet weather overflows while improving the surrounding environment.
During heavy rain, stormwater can enter the wastewater network and increase flows. At Cannery Creek, the system diverts wastewater mixed with stormwater from the Virginia Branch Sewer before screening particles larger than 6mm.
The screened flows are pumped through a new wet weather pump station and about two kilometres of underground pipeline to a 5100-square-metre constructed wetland and two 2800-square-metre bioretention basins.
Natural treatment processes then remove sediment and nutrients before the water flows towards Kedron Brook and Moreton Bay. The Cannery Creek site also includes sediment basins, fish screens, a screening chamber and a weir.
SMEC said the project has proposed outcomes of a 96 per cent reduction in wet weather overflows and a 92 per cent reduction in Cannery Creek spills. The upgrade is also designed to reduce wet weather loads on the sewer network and Luggage Point Resource Recovery Centre while creating additional downstream capacity.
Environmental restoration is another part of the project, with creek restoration, landscaping and habitat improvements incorporated alongside the sewer infrastructure.
Public access returns
The project was developed with community involvement, including a Community Planning Team that contributed to the planning and design process. The nature-based approach was co-designed with the community as an alternative to relying solely on larger conventional sewer infrastructure.
Read: Balancing Wildlife Safety and Pet Recreation Across Northgate Parks
Urban Utilities said the completed infrastructure will continue to be monitored until 2027, including routine water-quality testing and ongoing maintenance of the sediment basins and wetlands.
The return of public access marks a visible change at Cannery Creek as the major infrastructure works move into their operational phase, with the upgraded system now supporting ongoing wet-weather sewer management and waterway improvements.
Published 9-September-2026
