Healey’s Lagoon wetland rehabilitation

(not documented)

Queensland Wetlands Program

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On-ground work, Monitoring

Queensland Wetlands Program (QWP) management case study

Australian Government

Burdekin Shire Council

(not documented)

(not documented)

(not documented)

(not documented)

Healey’s Lagoon is a freshwater system 5km long, located within the Burdekin River catchment, adjacent to the Ramsar listed Bowling Green Bay National Park. It has hydrological connectivity with Cromarty/Wongaloo Wetlands immediately downstream. The site had a modified hydrology and aquatic weed infestation impacting on water quality, especially causing a depletion of dissolved oxygen.

On-ground works included the removal of water hyacinth mats. Water quality monitoring was also carried out. In addition, approximately 2ha of riparian zone along Healey’s lagoon was re-vegetated. Site preparation involved slashing, brush cutting and spraying. 550 seedlings were planted along 600m of the lagoons lower bank and regular watering and spraying was carried out over the following 12 months after planting ensured good survival and growth rates.

Removal of weed mats improves water quality for aquatic species and therefore improves biodiversity.

Where possible, working with the season will pay dividends. For example, weed infestations can be treated before the wet season by loosening up the binding of the weed mats, improving the likelihood of a flood dislodging the weeds and hence will mitigate

Healeys Lagoon wetland rehabilitation