Understanding these terms is important for managing your property.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Creek | A narrow channel of water that can vary in size depending on the amount of water flowing through it. Creeks can hold small or large volumes of water, which may change with seasonal events like rainfall. |
| Riparian land | Areas like riverbanks, wetlands and floodplains. Proper management of these areas is essential for maintaining clean water, reducing disease and retaining soil. |
| Riparian zone | The area influenced by a river, creek or drainage line. A riparian zone extends from the normal water level to the floodplain. Healthy vegetation in these areas stabilises creek banks, prevents erosion and provides wildlife habitat. However, poor vegetation can lead to erosion and weed problems, and impact ecosystem health. |
| Watercourse | A river, stream, brook or creek where water flows. Watercourses can vary in size and may not always have water flowing through them. |
| Waterway | Rivers, streams and their floodplains and estuaries. This includes systems with non-permanent and intermittent flow, as well as artificially modified watercourses. |