14 | ANNUAL REPORT 2017-2018
Partnerships key to
OUR five-year Systems Repair project wrapped up this year, having achieved its key objective of improving the ecological function of coastal wetland ecosystems flowing into the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.
Success was founded on strong partnerships with local water delivery provider Lower Burdekin Water( LBW), Burdekin Shire Council, landowners, and other local groups including the Burdekin Fish Restocking Association, Lower Burdekin Landcare, and Gudjuda Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation.
The project was funded through the Australian Government’ s Reef Program.
As well as mechanically removing major weed chokes, the project helped prevent further infestations by addressing their root causes. We worked with LBW to reduce excess irrigation water entering the wetlands, allowing them to once again dry down seasonally, and keep weeds in check naturally.
Initiatives such as installing fishways and tackling pest species such as tilapia helped to improve native fish habitat and remove barriers to migration. Fish surveys carried out by TropWATER showed an increase in native fish numbers and species, reflecting improved connectivity. Revegetation work in riparian zones also improved habitat across 9.3ha.
Riparian Management Agreements
WEED control was primarily conducted by project partner Burdekin Shire Council( BSC), with support from local landowners through a series of Riparian Management Agreements( RMAs).
RMAs are cost-share agreements between BSC, Lower Burdekin Water, NQ Dry Tropics and landowners adjacent to wetlands.
This collaboration ensured community buy-in, so the wetlands would have a greater chance of being maintained after the life of the project.