Stuart Creek wetland rehabilitation

Queensland Wetlands Program

Australian Government

Local businesses

Local graziers

Stuart State Primary School

Pimlico TAFE

James Cook University

Wulguru Scouts and Girl Guides

Castle Hill Girl Guide

Townsville Region Bird Observers

Conservation Australia

Townsville Bushwalking Club

Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare

Creekwatch

Rotary

Better Earth Volunteers

Hard Rock Earth Moving

Xstrata Copper

Clinta Holdings

Work for the Dole

Green Corps

Townsville City Council

Queensland Government (DNRW)

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service

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On-ground work

Queensland Wetlands Program (QWP) management case study

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Stuart Creek is located within the Ross River basin on the southern outskirts of Townsville, in the Burdekin Dry Tropics region. The riparian creek corridor was infested with woody weeds, particularly chinee apple. The chinee apple was cleared and chipped. The chippings were used as mulch on re-vegetation sites, where 4800 trees were planted to help prevent reinfestation of riparian weeds and redress past clearing. A guinea grass fuel reduction trial was carried out at one of the reaches of the creek. Local graziers slashed and baled 20ha of grass on the adjacent woodland and grassland, and then used the hay bales to mulch other riparian vegetation sites. This management technique was feasible when undertaken by the landholder but might not be economically viable if a paid contractor was used.

A Stuart Creek cooperative management arrangement was set up with Queensland Rail (a major landholder) to ensure their fire management program has minimal impact on adjoining riparian areas.

The key to the project’s success was having a dedicated project officer employed to coordinate the work.

Stuart Creek wetland rehabilitation