Last March, ex-tropical cyclone Alfred brought intense flash flooding to Brisbane, submerging roads and cars and bringing parts of the city to a standstill. Yet, just a week later, Hanlon Park in Stones Corner showed little sign of the disaster, standing as a proof to the success of its 2022 rejuvenation project.
Read: Stage 3 Of The Hanlon Park Rejuvenation Project Now Complete
A Test of Resilience
When ex-tropical cyclone Alfred dumped record-breaking rain across Brisbane in March 2025, Hanlon Park in Stones Corner faced a major test. Streets turned into rivers, storm drains overflowed, and flash flooding hit hard. But unlike many urban spaces that were left damaged or inaccessible, Hanlon Park emerged remarkably unscathed.
This resilience wasn’t an accident.
A Decade of Vision and Planning
Back in 2022, the park underwent a major transformation. The goal was to turn sterile infrastructure into vibrant green space.
Once a concrete drain, Hanlon Park was transformed into a lush green corridor designed to work with nature rather than against it. The $21.5-million project replaced the artificial channel with a naturalised creek, introduced more than 460 trees and 43,000 plants, and created spaces for recreation and relaxation. This investment not only enhanced the park’s beauty but also strengthened its ability to endure extreme weather events.
Concrete channels were removed, and the creek was reshaped to follow a slower, meandering path that helped absorb floodwaters. This ecological redesign not only enhanced biodiversity, but also provided natural flood mitigation.
The recent flooding tested the resilience of this design. Water levels rose rapidly as stormwater poured in from surrounding urban areas, but the park absorbed the impact remarkably well. While some mud and debris remained, and a few plants were flattened, the park’s core structures and pathways remained intact.
The strategic selection of plant species played a crucial role in this recovery—deep-rooted vegetation stabilised the banks, preventing erosion, while water-tolerant plants allowed floodwaters to pass through without lasting damage.
Built for Climate Adaptation
One resident and cyclist observed that the water rose quickly during the flood but drained just as fast, noting that by the next day, it was difficult to tell a flood had even occurred.
Environmental engineer Alan Hoban, who worked on the rejuvenation, explained that the park had been intentionally designed for such events. He emphasised that the goal wasn’t only to prevent flooding, but to create a space that could recover quickly while continuing to serve the community.
Post-flood assessments showed minimal damage to the park’s core infrastructure. Paths remained intact. Playgrounds reopened within days. And unlike other areas of Brisbane, native birds and turtles were spotted in the creek within a week of the event.
Nature Returns to the City
Beyond its environmental benefits, Hanlon Park has become an essential part of the local community. Walkers, joggers, and cyclists quickly returned to its paths, families resumed playtime in its open spaces, and the park once again provided a refuge from the city’s hustle. The rapid recovery demonstrated not only the effectiveness of the restoration but also the importance of green spaces in urban resilience.
The transformation also turned the park into a thriving urban ecosystem. Fish populations in the creek have quadrupled since the redesign. Children are often seen playing in the water, engaging with nature more than ever before.
Designs from students, like Kuan U Chan from the University of Queensland, even envision the future of Hanlon Park to include a glasshouse and community learning spaces. These ideas reinforce the park’s potential as a hub for education, biodiversity, and climate adaptation.
Maintaining the Vision: A New Challenge for Brisbane
The rejuvenation of Hanlon Park/Bur’uda has transformed it into a vibrant urban oasis, but this transformation brings with it significant maintenance responsibilities for Brisbane City Council. As the project transitions from contractor maintenance to full council management, several challenges are emerging:
- Infrastructure Upkeep: Eroding gravel paths and terraces require prompt attention to ensure safety and accessibility for park users.
- Vegetation Management: The creekside vegetation currently exhibits limited diversity, and some plants are failing and need supplementation to maintain the park’s ecological balance.
- Wildlife Interaction: Signs warning visitors about potential snake encounters highlight the complexities of managing a ‘wild’ space within an urban environment, balancing ecological authenticity with public safety.
These factors underscore the necessity for Council to adapt its management strategies to address the multifaceted demands of Hanlon Park. Coordinated efforts among various infrastructure services teams and active community engagement will be crucial in sustaining the park’s success and ensuring it remains a benchmark for urban waterway rejuvenation.
Read: Norman Creek Update After Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred Hits Brisbane
While ongoing maintenance remains a necessity, Hanlon Park’s ability to withstand and bounce back from extreme weather highlights the success of its redesign. It serves as a model for how cities can integrate nature into their infrastructure, creating spaces that are not only beautiful but also built to endure. As the climate continues to bring unpredictable challenges, Hanlon Park stands as a reassuring example of how thoughtful planning can lead to lasting resilience.
Published 2-April-2025
