Camp Creek Master Plan

Draft Master Plan
Community consultation on draft Master Plan
Final Master Plan adopted by Council
Staged delivery, subject to annual budgeting
April 2026
May 2026
August 2026
2026/2027

The Camp Creek Master Plan sets out a long-term vision for the restoration, protection and enhancement of Camp Creek as a valuable ecological, recreational and educational space at the eastern gateway to Wynyard.

Overview

Camp Creek is a small but ecologically significant waterway that sits between the town of Wynyard and the Inglis River estuary. Despite its size, the area supports a remarkable range of natural values (including platypus, burrowing crayfish, native fish, Latham’s snipe, azure kingfisher and white-bellied sea eagle) along with two threatened vegetation communities: Melaleuca ericifolia swamp forest and coastal saltmarsh.

Council has worked with consultants, environmental groups and the local community to prepare a Master Plan that recognises the unique values of Camp Creek and provides a clear, coordinated roadmap for its future.

The Plan prioritises ecological restoration and habitat protection, supported by low-impact community access, nature-based recreation and opportunities for environmental education. It consolidates previous planning work into a single document suitable for reference by both community and Council.

Feedback from draft consultation

The Master Plan was generally supported with feedback reinforcing that Camp Creek should be managed as a sensitive natural corridor, with restoration, low-impact access and careful implementation considered together.

View Feedback Brochure

Key themes of the Master Plan

The Master Plan is built around six interconnected themes, each reflecting both ecological priorities and community aspirations:
Rehabilitating degraded areas into a functioning wetland and riparian system that supports native biodiversity.
Strengthening riparian vegetation to filter runoff, stabilise banks and help reduce flood impacts.
Supporting native wildlife through targeted planting, nest boxes and artificial hollows.
Reducing ongoing maintenance through low-impact, water-wise design.
Creating a welcoming green space with picnic areas, pocket forests and facilities that support health and wellbeing.
Extending the walking trail to link with the coastal pathway and incorporating the historic train line.
Using interpretive signage, digital tools and hands-on activities to help visitors learn about and care for the area.

Six management zones

To guide planning and delivery, the Camp Creek area has been divided into six zones, each with specific objectives:
A welcoming green space at the entrance to Wynyard, with pocket forests, seating, shade and low-maintenance landscaping.
The ecologically sensitive area where saltwater and freshwater meet. Management prioritises habitat protection and weed control, with public access limited in sensitive areas.
Ongoing revegetation, bank stabilisation, weed control and opportunities for interpretive signage or viewing points.
A walking trail extension along the former train line, connecting Camp Creek to the broader coastal trail network, suited to community-led beautification.
Targeted restoration, weed control and native planting to address riverbank erosion, with future trail access considered where compatible with habitat protection.
A long-term opportunity for habitat restoration and public access, progressed respectfully and in partnership with private landholders.

Camp Creek Master Plan

FAQs

Camp Creek is a small but ecologically significant waterway supporting platypus, threatened birds, native fish and two threatened vegetation communities. It also sits at a key gateway to Wynyard, offering an opportunity to create a welcoming, nature-focused space that the whole community can enjoy.
The Master Plan provides a unified future vision for Camp Creek and demonstrates Council's commitment to the outcomes described. However, it is not a commitment to specific funds or to undertake immediate works. Programming and funding are subject to Council's standard annual budget and financial management processes.
A portion of the eastern bank (Zone 6) is privately owned and is not currently publicly accessible. Council respects private ownership and is working with the landowners to explore shared goals and voluntary arrangements. Early delivery will focus on Council-managed and Crown land areas, with other opportunities progressed over time.
The Master Plan deliberately prioritises ecological restoration and habitat protection. Public access is supported only where it is low-impact and compatible with sensitive habitats. Facilities will be limited to those that support passive, nature-based use, and access will be restricted in the most sensitive areas.

Documents