In 2018, BCCA successfully obtained a ‘Community Sustainability Action Grant’ to collaborate with Gympie Regional Council (GRC), to monitor current infestation levels of Rubber Vine (RV), Parthenium Weed and Honey Locust (HL) in the Barambah, Boonara Creek and sections of the Moonda Waamba Creek located in the GRC area. The project is funded by the State Government acting through the Department of Environment and Science.
In mid 2019, GRC will engage a drone to survey deep gorges and difficult terrain areas to establish the current levels of Rubber Vine and Honey Locust. A weeds contractor will then treat approximately 50m either side of these identified areas of invasive weed infestation, covering an area of approximately 800ha and 70km of riparian area.
The project area has received good spring rainfall, allowing the contractors to begin spraying for Parthenium weed.
This project will include monitoring of the treatment areas and landholder and community education as part of the long term activities of the eradication program.
This project will build on previous project works which involved treatment of targeted declared plants (Rubber Vine & Parthenium) in the Barambah, Boonara and sections of the Moonda Waamba creek, this was funded through our regional body, the Burnett Mary Regional Group. Weed control work under this proposal will lead to a high chance of areas becoming weed free or at a manageable level for the participating landholders.
Extension and awareness will focus on increasing the awareness of these weeds (identification, vectors of spread and control) to provide the community with the ability to maintain the catchment free of these weeds, and promoting the need for early intervention which will build desire of the community within the project area to respond to new infestations in the future.