Burdekin Dry Tropics Region Natural Resource Management NRM Plan Status Report 2022 | Page 4

ABOUT THIS STATUS REPORT

This Status Report arises from the Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM Plan , and was developed in conjunction with a multi-sector Advisory Panel . Thanks to all who helped develop and revise the NRM Plan and this Report . We recognise the NRM community ’ s efforts to sustainably manage natural resources .

Community effort protects coastal ecosystem

Coastal ecosystems link land with water , and provide a variety of benefits , including carbon storage , commercial and recreational fisheries , migratory bird habitat , and flood mitigation . In the Burdekin region these ecosystems , which connect to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area , face threats including weeds , feral animals , and human activity .

The dune system at Lynch ’ s Beach , near Ayr , had become severely degraded by four-wheel drive vehicles and quad bikes , which had damaged vegetation binding the dunes together , exposing the sand to wind erosion .

Burdekin Shire Council partnered with NQ Dry Tropics to install fencing and signage to help protect the seedlings and inform the public about keeping vehicles off the dunes . They also organised a Community Planting Day , attended by 50 locals who planted 450 stems and participated in a beach clean up . Gudjuda Rangers and a crew from Indigenous employment group Three Big Rivers also revegetated and maintained the dunes , using 3000 native plants selected for their ability to withstand harsh coastal conditions , such as beach hibiscus , Burdekin plum and spinifex .

NRM PLAN ADVISORY PANEL

Bronwyn Bignoux - Townsville City Council Terri Buono - Qld Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Dr Greg Calvert - Environmental scientist and consultant Dr Niall Connolly - Qld Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Kate Cumming - Department of Resources Dr Julie Funnell - NQ Dry Tropics Paul Groves - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Richard Hoolihan - Traditional Owner Management Group ( Gugu Badhun ) Katie Malouf - AgForce Queensland Allan McManus - Department of Defence Jane Moore - Rivercea Pty Ltd Natasha Rodwell - Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare Inc . Trevor Robinson - Traditional Owner Management Group ( Bidjara ) David Sartori - Lower Burdekin Water Dr Samantha Stone-Jovicich - CSIRO Donna Turner - NQ Dry Tropics Jane Waterhouse - C2O Consulting and TropWATER Greg Watson - Canegrowers Burdekin Dale Williams - Euri Gold Farms Dr Yvette Williams - Reef and Rainforest Research Centre

MORE INFORMATION

Visit : nrm . nqdrytropics . com . au / nrm-status-report-2022 for more information and stories .

This project is delivered by NQ Dry Tropics , through funding from the Australian Government ’ s National Landcare Program .

Assistance with the Status Report : Arcadia Coastcare , Australian Wildlife Conservancy , Barcaldine Regional Council , BBIFMAC Inc , Birdlife Townsville , Burdekin Shire Council , Canegrowers Burdekin Ltd , Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare Inc ., Greening Australia , Lower Burdekin Landcare , Magnetic Island Community Development Association Inc ., Magnetic Island Nature Care Association Inc ., North Queensland Conservation Council Inc ., North Queensland Wildlife Care Inc ., OzFish Unlimited , Reef Check Australia , Sugar Research Australia , Tangaroa Blue Foundation , Townsville City Council and Whitsundays Regional Council .

Photos : NQ Dry Tropics staff and Melissa Cormack Photography .