Parison ’ s Lagoon , Saltwater Creek before ( left ) and after ( right )
WEED REMOVAL RESTORES CRITICAL HABITAT
As part of our Reducing Burdekin Sediment project , we continued to improve the health and function of key local wetlands by removing harmful weed chokes and restoring habitat and natural function .
We also partnered with Lower Burdekin Water to install automated gates in three locations to reduce levels of excess irrigation water flowing into local wetland systems . This helped ephemeral wetlands downstream to dry out , so they could act as natural detention basins to capture the first nutrient and sediment-rich flows of the wet season . The gates also held water up for longer , giving sediment a chance to settle . By installing fishways in each gate structure , we were able to support migration of several important native fish species , including barramundi and mangrove jack . This work was funded by the Queensland Natural Resource Investment Program .
Automated gate and fishway at Saltwater Creek
LINKING GRAZIERS TO THEIR FRONTAGE COUNTRY
This year we launched the Linking Burdekin Landholders to Their Frontage Country project , aimed at protecting sensitive creek systems in the Upper Burdekin catchment from grazing impacts . We are working with landholders to find ways to manage grazing pressure to maintain productive frontage pastures and minimise impacts on waterways .
Options being considered by landholders include activities such as managing grazing pressure and time with fencing , strategically placing off‐stream water points and supplementary feed sites , controlled fire regimes , and controlling pests such as feral pigs , as part of an integrated pest management plan . This work is funded by the Queensland Natural Resource Investment Program .
Biodiversity Project Officer Jaymie Rains is managing the project
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