Current involvement
Norman Creek FREECS* Bushcare Group still meets at the site (*Friends Re-establishing Environmental & Ecological Creek Systems). Works carried out by the group include control of environmental weeds and revegetation with native plant species. These works have provided a mosaic of valuable habitats for wildlife.
The group meets on Thursday afternoon between 1 and 5pm at the shipping container about 30 metres down the path running north from the carpark next to 106 Deshon St, Woolloongabba. The group is always looking for more volunteers and you can find them on Facebook.
Background of the project
Moorhen Flats was former industrial land leftover from the Council's late-1980s flood mitigation works of Norman Creek. In 1993, it was a windswept, grassless waste site, with only a few trees which have become the icon trees of the site. Donna Bowes from the East Brisbane Community Centre was made aware of this former industrial area and it was suggested by a local business owner that it could be made into green space. She coordinated a number of groups for the initial meeting and these groups negotiated for almost a year, with the final decision being to create a bush habitat site.
The first plantings were carried out in 1994 by local residents and diverse members of the community. Large numbers of volunteers turned out for the plantings, and regular monthly working bees have been continuing since 1996. A special experimental project was the construction of frog ponds for Olympic Landcare in 2000 and this could be further developed to recycle stormwater from adjacent industrial buildings.
Download Moorhen Flats illustrated history - 2004 (16MB pdf)
Future of the project
Because Moorhen Flats is adjacent to planned future growth areas, many new opportunities and challenges will present themselves. N4C is hoping for positive ecological outcomes such as improved water quality and habitat connectivity. A key goal for the area is daylighting Kingfisher Creek, which is currently piped under the ground upstream of Moorhen Flats. Daylighting the creek would allow for better aquatic ecology and higher water quality; a series of parks along the creek would create green stepping stones for the community to engage with Moorhen Flats itself.
Where is Moorhen Flats?
Moorhen Flats bushland is roughly triangular in shape, enclosed by arms of Norman and Kingfisher Creeks and behind businesses in Deshon Street, East Brisbane. The main entrance is in Deshon Street at its intersection with Main Avenue and Turbo Drive. The other entry point is from Lerna Street via a small bridge across Kingfisher Creek. A cycle track joins these two points.
Project contact details
The bushcare group meets on the first Saturday of each month between 8 and 11 am and every Thursday 8 to 11 am. Please join us! Meet near the carpark off Deshon St Woolloongabba, opposite Atherton St. For more information contact Richard Nankivell on 0429 332 588 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Fran Thomas on 07 3397 2246. We also have a Facebook Page.
