Families living across Graceville and Tennyson are being warned to keep their children and pets away from the water’s edge after local testing found Oxley Creek is one of the region’s most consistently contaminated waterways.
Recent data collected between November 2024 and December 2025 shows a worrying trend for residents in Brisbane’s leafy western suburbs. While many locals enjoy the walking tracks and parks that line the creek, the actual water quality often fails to meet basic safety standards. Unlike the open beaches on the Gold Coast that benefit from ocean currents, the geography of Oxley Creek means it does not flush out pollutants easily. This leads to a build-up of Enterococci, a type of bacteria that signals the presence of faecal matter from either animal or human sources.
Health Risks Lurking in the Water
The presence of these pathogens is more than just a numbers game for the community. Health experts, including Griffith University microbiologist Associate Professor Helen Stratton, explain that swimming in such conditions can lead to serious gastrointestinal illnesses, as well as infections in the ears and eyes.
For those in the Tennyson area, the risk is particularly high because the bacteria can survive in the water for long periods. Safety guidelines suggest that anything over 500 units of the bacteria per 100 millilitres of water is unacceptable for any form of recreation, yet several local spots have far exceeded these limits during the testing period.
The Impact of Heavy Rainfall
The situation becomes significantly more dangerous following the heavy storms that often hit the region. When a big downpour occurs, rain flushes chemicals, oils, and waste from gutters and backyards directly into the creek system through stormwater drains. In some cases, the volume of water is so great that it causes sewerage pipes to overflow and mix with the stormwater.
Professor Ian Wright from Western Sydney University suggests that while open beaches might clear up after a day, rivers and estuaries like those near Graceville can remain dangerous for at least three days after the rain stops. He compares the movement of the bacteria to a flood, noting that even when the rain ends, the contamination continues to flow through the system for several days.
Regional Comparisons and Safety Steps
While Graceville and Tennyson residents face challenges with Oxley Creek, other parts of the city have seen much better results. Nearby Wynnum and the Redlands area, specifically Wellington Point and Raby Bay, were noted as some of the cleanest swimming spots in the region. For those willing to travel to the Gold Coast, Main Beach remains the top-rated spot for water purity.
To stay safe, the local community is encouraged to check for permanent warning signs at popular entry points. If there has been heavy rain within the last 72 hours, the safest choice for families is to stay on the grass and out of the water until the system has had a chance to naturally clear itself.
Published Date 13-February-2026
