Southern Fitzroy floodplain wetland complex

Fitzroy Basin Association Inc

(not documented)

On-ground work

(none)

Queensland Wetlands Program

Australian Government

(not documented)

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1 July 2006

The Southern Fitzroy floodplain project was the largest of the Pilot Program projects in terms of scope and geographic extent. It delivered a coordinated program of wetland habitat restoration in strategically targeted sites within the Southern Fitzroy floodplain. Achievements of the project:

• the use of strategic grazing and controlled fires to manage invasive grasses
• targeted herbicide spraying to control weeds
• revegetation
• restoration of connectivity
• installation of ‘snag fixtures’ to enhance fish habitat
• incentives for site maintenance
• monitoring, including photo monitoring, electro-fishing and cast net sampling.

The wetlands included in the project were:

• Gracemere Lagoon
• Duck Pond
• Meura Plains
• Springers Lagoon
• Toonda Lagoon (in the 12 Mile Creek system)
• Blacks Waterhole on Raglan Creek
• Larcom Vale Creek Reserve.

(not documented)

Much of the southern Fitzroy floodplain is dominated by invasive grasses such as para grass, hymenachne and guinea grass. Riparian weeds include rubber vine, parkinsonia and prickly acacia.

Weeds affect native vegetation through competitive exclusion, reduction in biodiversity and alteration of habitat values.

Past clearing has been detrimental to riparian and floodplain vegetation communities. Clearing has reduced catchment vegetation cover and contributed to increased soil erosion, elevated sediment and nutrient loads, and decreased water quality.

Heavy grazing pressure in some wetland areas has contributed to soil erosion. In areas where grazing is moderate or non-existent, exotic pastures such as guinea grass create large fuel loads, which are a hot fire risk.

Loss of connectivity between freshwater and marine habitats is a problem across the wider Fitzroy basin, particularly for marine breeding species such as barramundi, mangrove jack, mullet and tarpon.

(none)