The Coochiemudlo Island Wetland Weed Control project tackled weeds in the Coochiemudlo Island Melaleuca Wetland.
The site was managed by Redland City Council and has recorded 170 native plants including the threatened Lesser Swamp Orchid and the Wallum sedge frog.
Weeds were removed to improve the habitat for native flora and fauna. Weeds were targeted at key locations across the wetland, which enabled native vegetation to re-establish in its place and improved the integrity of the Melaleuca Wetland ecosystem.
The project focused on:
The project was part of the Ramsar Wetland 5-year Program, which included several initiatives aimed at wetlands restoration. Restoring wetlands was essential because they provide clean water, protect shores, reduce the impact of floods, and improve water quality.
The project reduced weed threats and restored habitat in and around the 19-hectare Melaleuca freshwater wetland.
The Coochiemudlo Island Wetland Weed Control project employed innovative chemical-free weeding techniques and controlled weeds in hot spot locations within the 19ha Melaleuca Wetland on Coochiemudlo Island.
The project involved:
The Coochiemudlo Island Melaleuca Wetland within the Moreton Bay Ramsar site has high cultural and ecological values as it is home to over 170 native plant species, including the endangered Lesser Swamp Orchid (Phaius australis), and it provides habitat for many birds and animals including the threatened Wallum sedge frog. Weeds are one of the main threats to this wetland, in particular, Singapore Daisy is threatening a small population of the endangered Lesser Swamp Orchid (Phaius australis). Other weeds such as asparagus fern, cassia, pepper tree, and umbrella tree are also starting to spread through the wetland. The weed pressure was exacerbated following a storm surge from ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald in 2013, which wiped out over a kilometre of shoreline, exposing the Coochiemudlo Island Melaleuca Wetland, uprooting trees, destroying infrastructure, and threatening the Island’s economy. Restoring wetlands is important because they provide clean water, protect our shores, reduce the impacts of floods, and improve water quality. Melaleuca wetland ecosystems have been diminished in South East Queensland as a result of land clearing and coastal development pressures. Melaleuca Wetlands have been diminished in South East Queensland due to coastal development pressures, hence the preservation of this wetland is important, not only for the ecosystem services it provides to Ramsar but also as a remnant of this vegetation type. |
There is huge potential to build on the successful work. Future funding will be required to build on current project successes and maintain the areas.
This weed control project was delivered in partnership with Coochiemudlo Island Coastcare and Redland City Council and forms part of the broader Ramsar Wetlands Restoration Program funded by the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.