10 | BURDEKIN DRY TROPICS COASTAL COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN PROJECT PROSPECTUS
Mundy Creek Natureway Regeneration Project
Healthy riparian ecosystems in North Queensland are highlybeneficial for the Great Barrier Reef . This project will use community resources to further improve the riparian zone of Mundy Creek — a waterway important to the Townsville community .
Background and project information
Riparian zones link terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems . Creekbank vegetation creates shade to keep water cool ; reducing evaporation and providing fish with a refuge when oxygen levels may be low during hot summers . The vegetation ’ s roots and debris also create important underwater habitat , and help capture litter and sediment before it ends up on the Great Barrier Reef ( GBR ).
The Ross catchment area , near Townsville , had the highest recorded proportion of riparian clearing in the Burdekin catchment between 2004 and 2008 , with 415 hectares cleared ( Reef Plan Report Card , 2009 ). The Ross River catchment also scored as “ moderate ” for native habitat and litter in the latest Dry Tropics Partnership for Healthy Waters Report Card ( 2018 ).
This project will directly reduce the pressures on riparian areas in the Ross River catchment by revegetating riverbanks and removing weed and rubbish from key project sites with help from local community groups and volunteers .
Mundy Creek Landcare
Mundy Creek flows past well-used parks and open spaces , but the surrounding natural vegetation was substantially degraded during the past century , and remained largely neglected until 2012 , when ecological restoration efforts began , led by community volunteers who then approached Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare
Incorporated ( CDTLI ) to have the area declared an official landcare site .
The success of early planting at Mundy Creek is clearly visible as the first batch of trees has already matured . Despite the project ’ s excellent progress there is still a large section of the creek without riparian vegetation , and a constant stream of litter provides an ongoing maintenance burden for volunteers
Additional funding would allow the Mundy Creek Natureway Regeneration Project to further reinvigorate , develop , maintain and protect this important riparian zone .
The project takes a multi-disciplinary approach , focusing on arts , environment , health and cultural heritage . There is already plenty of momentum to harness , with a large group of community stakeholders and volunteers already invested in the project .
CDTLI has been working to improve riparian vegetation through native plantings at multiple sites across the Townsville region since 1994 .
Volunteers would clear weeds and litter , plant successive areas with new native trees , and monitor the health of the creek in partnership with the local Creekwatch group .
The project would partner with Townsville City Council to install litter traps to reduce the impact on volunteers and the GBR .