A section of the Logan River in Cedar Grove has been rejuvenated thanks to a project reversing the negative impacts of erosion from repeated flooding, the activity of feral species, and abundant environmental weeds.

Ultimately, the work will improve local biodiversity, improve habitat and help keep soils from entering Moreton Bay. When soil enters the bay, it negatively impacts seagrass and the marine life which relies on a healthy ecosystem to thrive.

Cats Claw Creeper smothering native species.

Removing Cats Claw Creeper

In the first six months of 2020, the natural resource management body for South East Queensland, Healthy Land & Water, partnered up with Cedar Grove Landcare to remove some 1.25 hectares of Cat’s Claw Creeper along Roberts Creek in Cedar Grove.

Infestations of invasive vine weeds along riverbanks have devastating effects on South East Queensland’s environment as they impact water quality, destroy habitats, and smother native vegetation.

Cat’s Claw Creeper is a vine weed with a vigorous root and tuber system that has the ability to smother native vegetation to the point of complete canopy coverage along waterways and in lowland rainforest.

The work along Roberts Creek involved cutting down dead trees, while retaining existing native vegetation. This opens the landscape for birds and bats to fly through and allows for habitat and native flora and fauna regeneration.

Indicators of success and the ongoing battle with this weed

Jewel Beetle – a biological control agent which specifically targets Cats Claw Creeper -activity was seen consistently through weed removal sites which is a positive indication that the beetles persist in the environment and return to fresh regrowth post herbicide treatment.

Due to the warmer conditions and tropical climate between far north Queensland and parts of New South Wales, attempts to manage the well-established weed in the region has been a battle for environmental groups and organisations for decades.

Predictions of above-average rainfall are forecast for 2021 and it is extremely important that weed removal and maintenance work continues for the successful establishment of native species and to prevent weed species from overwhelming the Roberts Creek site once again.

This work forms part of the second year of work under the Regional Riparian Weed Control Program – Community Grant Cedar Grove.

Healthy Land & Water supports the collaboration between Cedar Grove Landcare and Skilling Queenslanders for Work

Trainees from the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative undertook weed removal works at a second Cedar Grove site. The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is a program that funds training and support for unemployed or underemployed people, with a focus on young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, mature-age jobseekers, women re-entering the workforce, veterans and ex-service personnel, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

The initiative helps these Queenslanders gain skills, qualifications, and experience, allowing for future employment and boosting the number of people working in the environmental field.

This project is supported by Seqwater.