A New Way to See Griffin: Exploring Its Hidden Waterways
Beneath the roads, parks, and backyards of Griffin and North Lakes, a network of creeks and stormwater channels continues to shape how water moves through the landscape. These waterways once flowed through wetlands and bushland, connecting to the Pine River catchment before reaching Moreton Bay. Today, many of them are hidden in plain sight, running beneath footpaths, alongside bike tracks, and behind suburban fences.
According to the City of Moreton Bay, these channels continue to play a vital role. They help manage stormwater, support native species, and link together natural habitats within built-up areas.
Maps from the MBRC Planning Scheme – Stormwater Catchments Overlay show how these waterways form a web beneath the suburbs. They guide rainfall through the catchment, help reduce flooding, and support habitats for plants and animals.
Bringing Life Back to the Creeks
Across the Moreton Bay region, work is underway to improve and protect these waterways. A $30 million program is funding projects focused on creek and wetland restoration, including stabilising banks, improving water quality, and planting native vegetation.
In Griffin and the surrounding suburbs, projects include bank stabilisation, revegetation, and habitat improvements for aquatic species. These works aim to protect the environment while making local green spaces more enjoyable and accessible for the community.
Council materials describe these creeks as an essential part of the region’s natural systems. Restoration efforts benefit biodiversity, improve water quality, and strengthen local resilience to heavy rain.
Explore the Hidden Waterway Trail
While there is no official plan to create a new walking trail, local environmental groups and residents have proposed linking existing parks, paths, and waterway corridors. One way residents could reconnect with these natural areas is by following a self-guided route that links key waterway sites in Griffin and North Lakes.
A suggested trail could begin at Osprey House Environmental Centre, where visitors can learn about the local environment and observe birdlife such as ospreys and sea eagles. From there, the route could follow shared paths through Black Duck Creek Reserve, where native vegetation supports biodiversity.
Further stops might include Freshwater Creek Parklands, highlighting how waterways now flow beneath suburban streets, before finishing at Deception Bay Conservation Park, a protected wetland area where creeks meet the bay and support migratory birds and coastal plants.
Each stop reveals a different chapter of Griffin’s story — from pre-colonial wetlands and traditional land use by First Nations peoples to modern water systems designed to manage seasonal rain and protect homes from flooding.
Community at the Centre
Local volunteers are closely involved in looking after these waterways. Landcare groups and catchment care teams organise planting events, water testing, and activities with schools to raise awareness about local ecosystems.
Griffin’s creeks are an important part of the region’s environment. Healthy waterways absorb stormwater, reduce flood risks, support biodiversity, and provide valuable green spaces for the community.
They also link the present to the past. For thousands of years, First Nations peoples relied on these creeks and wetlands for food, travel, and cultural practices. Even as the landscape changes, the waterways continue to flow, remaining part of the region’s story.
