Wawu Dimbi wetland rehabilitation

Queensland Wetlands Program

Australian Government

Bamanga Bubu Ngadimunku and Douglas Shire Council

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On-ground work, Planning

Queensland Wetlands Program (QWP) management case study

Australian Government

Terrain

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The Wawu Dimbi property is a 5ha series of perennial wetlands linked by ephemeral wetlands and creeks. The site is between the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (to the north) and the Lower Daintree River Wetland site (immediately downstream). Hymenachne and pond apple were causing serious damage to the wetlands along with other weeds including snakeweed and giant sensitive plant. Cattle periodically grazed unfenced wetlands thereby impacting water quality downstream.

On-ground works included weed control, re-vegetation and fencing.

An Argo amphibious vehicle was used as a base to spray hymenachne. The Argo allows access to otherwise inaccessible areas. The ‘cut stump’ technique was used to treat pond apple in the late dry season, which involved cutting trees as close to the ground as possible. The cut surface was immediately treated with glyphosate diluted 1:1 with water.

Three thousand five hundred native seedlings were planted in the riparian areas of the wetlands. At the time of the works, Bamanga Buba Ngadimunku were developing a natural resource management plan for the whole property.

Fencing was erected to protect 20ha of wetland native vegetation from grazing.

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Ongoing maintenance programs are necessary for the long-term control of pond-apple. Wetland rehabilitation in the wet tropics region is very challenging. It is important to take into consideration the climate and characteristics of the individual wetland

Wawu Dimbi wetland rehabilitation