FAQs

What do we know about the health of the Burgess Creek catchment?

The technical work to date shows that Burgess Creek is a highly connected system made up of urban areas, wetlands, a creek channel and the beach. Different parts of the catchment function in different ways and respond differently to rainfall, land use and coastal conditions. Rather than rating the catchment as “good” or “bad”, the work helps explain how the system operates, where there are pressures, and where there are uncertainties or knowledge gaps.

What did the technical work find?

The technical investigations describe how water moves through the catchment, how each part of the creek system functions, and how different pressures interact across the catchment. The work highlights connections between zones, identifies risks and uncertainties, and provides background information to support community and stakeholder discussion. It does not make decisions or recommend specific actions.

Why does the technical work talk about “zones” in the catchment?

The Burgess Creek catchment changes character from the upper urban areas, through wetlands, along the lower creek channel and out to the beach. Describing the catchment in zones helps explain how different parts of the system work and connect, and helps people reflect on values, pressures and considerations in different places. The zones are a discussion tool, not management boundaries.

What is an Integrated Catchment Management Plan and what will it achieve?

An Integrated Catchment Management Plan is a way of looking at the whole catchment as a connected system rather than focusing on individual issues in isolation. It helps build shared understanding, brings together technical information and community values, and supports informed conversations about future planning directions. It sets context for engagement but does not, by itself, make decisions or commit to specific outcomes.

Does this work mean decisions have already been made?

No. This summary and the current engagement process are about building understanding and gathering input. They do not make decisions, select options or commit Council or others to specific actions. Any future decisions would occur through separate planning and approval processes.

Why does the technical work talk about uncertainty and trade‑offs?

Natural systems like Burgess Creek are complex, and not everything can be predicted with certainty. Actions in one part of a catchment can sometimes affect other parts, and different people may value different outcomes. Being open about uncertainty and trade‑offs helps support realistic, informed and respectful discussion.

What will this planning process do and what won’t it do?

The process will summarise what is currently understood about the catchment, use community and stakeholder input to inform understanding, and support informed discussion about future considerations. It will not make decisions, set regulations or targets, commit Council or others to actions, or replace existing planning or approval processes.

How can the community be involved?

Community and stakeholder input is an important part of understanding the catchment. People will be invited to share what they value, where they see knowledge gaps or uncertainties, and what considerations matter most in different parts of the catchment. Details about engagement opportunities will be shared through the Your Say page and other Council communication channels.