Tedlands wetland rehabilitation

Tedlands landholders

Adjacent land managers

Sarina Landcare Catchment Management Association

Sarina Shire Council

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service

Queensland Wetlands Program

Queensland Government (DPI&F)
Australian Government

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On-ground work, Monitoring

Queensland Wetlands Program (QWP) management case study

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Tedlands Station is 2.5km south of Mackay adjacent to the coast. The station includes a complex of natural and modified wetlands comprising riparian vegetated stream channels, channel hosted lagoons, melaleuca and palm swamp forests and bunded intertidal areas. Most of the site is used for pastoral production.

The main aim of the project was to protect and rehabilitate the property’s coastal wetland habitat and to negotiate a nature refuge agreement. The main challenges facing the property at the time of these projects were infestations of exotic grasses such as para grass and hymenachne; large populations of feral pigs preying on bird and crocodile nests; loss of freshwater wetland connectivity and elevated sediment, nutrient and other contaminants in water bodies.

The main focus of on-ground work efforts included erection of fencing and controlled burning to reduce exotic grass biomass and promote the growth of native understorey, overstorey and aquatic plants. Feral pig control was also undertaken. Wetland values, condition, threats and related production management were also undertaken and management recommendations were developed to manage key wetland and remnant habitats on the station. Additionally, five information bulletins were developed showing results from monitoring, surveys and management.

The Rocky Dam Creek Feral Pig Control Group was formed to coordinate pig control efforts.

One of the key findings of the project was that some of the existing management regimes (e.g. heavy grazing late in the dry season) are of critical importance in helping to maintain the ecological condition and values of the wetland complex.

Tedlands wetland rehabilitation