Bremer Healthy Country Riparian Restoration - Breen

(not documented)

Queensland Government (Healthy Country program)

Landholder

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On-ground work

(none)

Queensland Government (Healthy Country program)

Bremer Focal Area Local Committee

Landholder

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4 May 2011

1 December 2011

This project addresses the objectives of the wider Upper Bremer Healthy Country Waterways Restoration Project. Working with the community within a defined focal area (Rosevale region) it will deliver on-ground works to improve water quality in local waterways and Moreton Bay. The Bremer Healthy Country River restoration plan undertaken by Griffith University in partnership with the Healthy Country Project identified this project site as one of the highest priority sites based on their initial gully erosion sediment supply modelling. It is recommended that rehabilitation of these areas should incorporate fencing and riparian planting as well as works to stabilise areas prone to erosion.

This property fronts onto a 1.15km stretch of the Boyd Creek, a major tributary of the Upper Bremer River Catchment. This area has a major infestation of Chinese elm (Celtis sinensis) that dominates the riparian area. Chinese elm is an introduced species that prevents the regeneration of native species, most importantly essential ground cover species in riparian areas. This has resulted in the exposure of soils on banks to ongoing erosion and bank slumping, as well as poor soil stability. A major tree removal program has been implemented upstream of this property which has resulted in the complete removal of all vegetation along the bank.

This project proposes to control celtis without risking the remaining integrity of the creek banks. The control program will involve cutting, removing and poisoning all large trees, but will leave the stumps in place to stabilise banks. Further stabilisation will be carried out by planting more than 3000 ground covers, shrubs and trees along the river bank.

This project will:

• construct an extensive network of fencing along the length of the riparian area (1.15km) that will manage stock and protect 3.5ha of riparian area, improve water quality and reduce stock impact
• enhance similar works along the neighbouring property for another 1km and support a Traditional Owner project on the same property
• improve water quality in Boyd Creek and address the interrelated water and land management issues contributing to nutrients and sediment entering the Bremer River and Moreton Bay
• carry out weed control, which will involve cutting, removing and poisoning all large celtis trees
• plant more than 3000 ground covers, shrubs and trees along the river bank
• erect an extensive network of fencing along the length of the riparian area (1.15km) to manage stock and reduce stock impacts on 3.5ha of riparian area.

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SEQC1711