Concerns about sewage entering Cabbage Tree Creek have resurfaced after figures showed more than 713 million litres were released during the 2024–25 financial year. The figure has renewed attention on sewage bypasses from the Sandgate treatment plant and how those releases are managed.
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The total of 713,178,660 litres was calculated by the Stop Raw Sewage Into SEQ Waterways campaign from 32 Sandgate bypass records it said were provided by Urban Utilities. A recent video from the campaign again highlighted the figure and its concerns about sewage releases into local waterways.
The campaign has been raising concerns about sewage releases across South East Queensland, with Cabbage Tree Creek among the areas under scrutiny.
Questions Over Sewage Releases
The figures have raised questions about the frequency of the bypasses and the circumstances in which they occur. They have also renewed attention on the infrastructure used to treat sewage before it is discharged.
Cr Jared Cassidy has previously raised concerns about the figures and the broader scale of the issue. He said sewage bypasses can occur when systems are overwhelmed during extreme weather, while planned maintenance can also involve authorised releases.
The campaign has also called for greater attention to sewage discharges and previously sought answers from the Premier and State Environment Minister about their management. The issue has remained a focus for residents concerned about Cabbage Tree Creek.
Water Quality Monitoring
Cabbage Tree Creek is subject to regular water-quality monitoring, providing information about conditions in the waterway. Brisbane City monitors water quality at 11 highly used recreational sites across the Brisbane River and sections of Moreton Bay, including Cabbage Tree Creek.
The monitoring program checks levels of enterococci, bacteria used to measure microbial contamination. Testing at Cabbage Tree Creek occurs fortnightly during summer and monthly during the cooler months, according to Brisbane City.
Brisbane City said through its website that monitoring results indicate the levels of bacteria present when a sample is taken and can vary daily. Its guidance advises people to avoid contact with waterways during and after heavy rainfall, while its current information specifically advises against entering waters during or up to three days after heavy rainfall.
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The sewage-release figures and water-quality monitoring provide different information for residents following conditions in Cabbage Tree Creek. The 713-million-litre figure has placed the local waterway back under scrutiny, with ongoing questions about the frequency of sewage bypasses and how releases into the waterway are managed.
Published 7-October-2026
