Bundaberg Regional Council’s Washpool Creek Master Plan has been recognised for its long-term commitment to environmental sustainability and community wellbeing at the 2025 National Landscape Architecture Awards.
The prestigious event, hosted by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA), celebrated 36 projects across 17 categories nationwide, with the Washpool Creek initiative taking home the top accolade in the Landscape Planning category.
Urban and landscape planning consultant Tract worked alongside Council to deliver the project which was praised for its visionary approach.
“The Washpool Creek Master Plan presents a 30-year vision to transform a degraded catchment into a resilient, biodiverse ecosystem,” the awards jury said.
“Tract is commended for working closely with Traditional Custodians and the community, combining technical expertise with genuine collaboration.
“Their focus on engagement and innovative stormwater and WSUD (water sensitive urban design) strategies has shifted people’s perceptions of waterways, highlighting them as important cultural and environmental assets rather than just drains.
“This project boosts flood resilience, connects habitats and helps build a healthier, safer and more climate-resilient community.”
The award highlights how innovative asset management planning can deliver tangible social, cultural, and ecological benefits, reinforcing Bundaberg Regional Council’s commitment to creating sustainable and multi-functioning infrastructure.
Building on lessons learned from previous Washpool Creek projects, Council continues to work in partnership with the community to bring the Master Plan to life, with the next stage of the Washpool Creek Naturalisation Project set to begin construction in early to mid-2026.
Mayor Helen Blackburn said it wasn’t the first time the project had been recognised, with the space also highlighted in award wins at the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) Awards for Planning Excellence and the National Landscape Architecture Awards held in Tasmania.
“Washpool Creek has consistently demonstrated how thoughtful planning can transform outdated and unsustainable infrastructure into a resilient and multi-functional public asset” Mayor Blackburn said.
“This award is a testament to the dedication of our Council teams, Tract and the local community who have all played a part in bringing this long-term vision to life.”
How to get to Washpool Creek:
Where: Located in Bundaberg South
The open area is accessible by pathway which twists through the corridor from Ford Street and across Hargreaves Street before reaching a new playground at Lathouras Court.
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Lovely that the washpool project has receive such acclaim, only trouble is with yesterdays rain it became washpool lake as it always does with people still unable to use the bridge in ford st as it was under water once again. Pity council never considered raising the bridge before all these millions were spent. Ford st resident.