Work will focus on the Ironbark Creek stormwater channel, between Cowper Street and downstream of Boscawen Street into Federal Park, and will include:
While these works won’t stop flooding completely, they will allow more water to move through the channel during heavy rain.
Wallsend is one of Newcastle’s most flood-prone areas. Many homes, businesses and streets have experienced flooding during major storm events.
This project is based on years of planning and will be designed to work together with the bridge upgrades over Ironbark Creek, so both programs deliver better flood outcomes for the community.
Once finished, this project will:
While no single project can stop flooding completely, the work is expected to make a meaningful difference in high-risk areas.
This project is not just about managing stormwater. It is also an opportunity to improve the local environment. Naturalised sections of Ironbark Creek will help:
We're exploring opportunities to enhance Ironbark Creek as part of the Wallsend CBD stormwater widening and naturalisation project.
We want to hear what is most important to the community, from greener spaces and healthier waterways to improved habitat for local wildlife and places people can enjoy. These opportunities would be delivered alongside the project's main goal of reducing the frequency and severity of flooding in the Wallsend CBD.
Learn more and have your say below.
Discover how Wallsend’s creek upgrade will reduce flooding, support nature and create greener community spaces.
Check out the areas of the creek set to be widened or potentially have natural features introduced.
Take our quick survey to share your thoughts on introducing natural elements to sections of the creek. Survey closes 5pm Sunday 11 October 2026.
Our team will be on hand to listen and answer your questions at our pop-up stalls at:
The project is in the design phase. This phase includes site investigations to better understand ground conditions, and community engagement to provide feedback on the design.
Construction is expected to start from mid-2027, weather and approvals permitting. We will share updates as each phase progresses.
All levels of government support delivery of this project.
Working together helps make sure the right improvements are delivered for the Wallsend community.
No. In a low-lying, built-up area like Wallsend, it is not practical to stop flooding entirely. This project will reduce how often flooding happens and how severe it is, especially in high-risk areas.
Planning has been underway for many years. A formal direction from the NSW Minister for Water means Hunter Water can now move into detailed design and delivery.
The project will help protect homes, businesses and roads in the Wallsend CBD. It will also improve the health of Ironbark Creek by improving water quality and creating better habitat for native plants and animals.
As with any major construction, you may notice some noise, construction vehicles and traffic changes while work is underway. We will plan the work carefully and keep the community informed to help reduce disruption as much as possible.
You can speak with the project team at one of our pop-up information stalls or complete a short online survey. The survey takes less than five minutes to complete and closes on Sunday 11 October 2026.
Our team will be on hand to listen and answer your questions at our pop-up stalls at:
Your feedback will help us understand which improvements would deliver the greatest benefit for the Wallsend community and inform future planning and design.
This project is being designed to work alongside the bridge upgrades over Ironbark Creek. Together, these works will help deliver better flood outcomes for the Wallsend CBD.
As part of the project design process, we will aim to minimise impacts on private property wherever possible. Where temporary construction access or possible land acquisition is needed to deliver the project, affected property owners, residents and tenants will be contacted directly and kept informed throughout each step of the process.
Later this year, we’ll begin site investigations along the stormwater channel, including surveying, geotechnical investigations, environmental assessments and other technical studies. The information gathered will help shape the detailed design for the channel widening and naturalisation works. Construction is currently expected to start from mid-2027.