Not so Baffling: Stormwater device a striking success
Published on 23 March 2021
Rockhampton Regional Council aren’t taking any rubbish when it comes to polluting our waterways.
Last year Council installed a device known as a ‘Baffle Box’ on the riverbank, opposite the Pilbeam Theatre.
Baffle Boxes are underground structures made up of different chambers that trap gross pollutants such as debris, trash, and other pollutants from stormwater that flows off streets and into storm drains after heavy rain.
Water and Supporting a Better Environment Councillor Donna Kirkland said the device is used to treat the runoff from the upstream Cambridge Street catchment coming from the CBD.
“We installed this amazing creation to not only remove sediment and pollutants from our waterways, but also to increase environmental awareness,” Cr Kirkland said.
“The Baffle Box is designed so that people can actually see the gross pollutants and rubbish, through the clear observation cover, that are being caught in the trap that would have otherwise gone into the Fitzroy River.
“The end result is cleaner water going into our beautiful river that in turn flows into the Pacific Ocean, and the Great Barrier Reef.”
Communities Councillor Drew Wickerson championed the installation of the Baffle Box following a visit to Gladstone’s Yacht Club, as part of a Reef Guardian Council workshop.
“I was really impressed by Gladstone’s Baffle Box and knew it would be a fantastic initiative for our community,” Cr Wickerson said.
“I was lucky enough to see how the device worked when we visited Gladstone as part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Reef Guardian Council program.
“This program, which Rockhampton Regional Council is a proud member of, sees 18 councils throughout Queensland working together to support a healthy reef through local government and community actions.
“From this, RRC is then able to review our activities and identify potential improvement opportunities, such as the installation of the Baffle Box.
“The Baffle Box is a great educational tool for residents and a great step forward for the environment.”
Council’s progress in the Reef Guardian Program is monitored via the Environmental Sustainability Strategy annual action plan and reported via the annual Sustainability Highlights Report.
For more information on the Reef Guardian Program and to view the current action plan click here.
To check out the Baffle Box yourself, head to the Riverbank opposite the Pilbeam Theatre.
