Palaszczuk government and landcare group to restore cane farm land

The Mulgrave Landcare and Catchment Group will plant over 2000 trees on old cane faming land to protect waterways flowing into the Great Barrier Reef thanks to a grant from the Palaszczuk Government.

Environment Minister Steven Miles said the $25,000 grant will help the group to reduce nutrient and sediment runoff into Fig Tree Creek and the Mulgrave River.

“This is a great example of how the Community Sustainability Action grants program is helping local organisations work on the projects they know their communities need.

“The Figtree Creek Wetlands and the Mulgrave River are important, diverse environments for a number of aquatic and land-based plants and animals,” Mr Miles said.

“The Mulgrave Landcare and Catchment Group will rehabilitate land on the Parisi cane farm near McDonnell Creek.

“They will plant over 2000 trees, control weeds including pond apple and remove rubbish and debris from one hectare of land.

“Pond apple, a Weed of National Significance native to west Africa and north, central and south America, is a major pest in far north Queensland.

“It thrives in swamp areas, irrigation channels and brackish water, where it can completely choke waterways and change ecosystems.

“Pond apple has infested about 2000 hectares in far north Queensland and has the potential to spread throughout tropical and subtropical coastal regions.”

Mr Miles said the Mulgrave Landcare and Catchment Group would restore 550m of waterways.

“Getting rid of the pond apple will open up the waterways and help restore riparian corridors to Figtree Creek and the Mulgrave River,” he said.

“This work will play an important role in species migration and adaptation as a result of climate change.

“Native wildlife, including migratory birds, will benefit from the project and it is anticipated that water quality running into Figtree Creek and the Mulgrave River will also see an improvement.

“The Mulgrave Landcare and Catchment Group have previously completed other restoration projects in the area.

“I congratulate the organisation and their volunteers for their dedication to the environment and look forward to seeing their work in this important habitat.”

To find out more about Community Sustainability Action grants, please visit https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/pollution/funding/community-sustainability/

ENDS