Invasive weed species targeted at Cape nature refuge

Important work to eradicate weeds and protect the natural environment is continuing to progress at the former Springvale cattle station in Cape York.

In visiting Springvale Station Nature Refuge today, Minister for Environment Leeanne Enoch said work was being carried out to tackle weeds, conduct aerial and ground burning, cattle de-stocking and boundary fencing.

“All of this work is being carried out as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s nearly $6 million commitment to the station,” Ms Enoch said.

“Our Government purchased the 56,000 hectare property in 2016 and we have since converted it into a nature refuge.

“The property is home to a range of threatened species, such as the Cooktown Orchid, Brown Antelope Orchid, Northern and Spotted-Tailed Quoll and Southern Cassowary.

“It also has high biodiversity and terrestrial ecosystems, and that is why work is being carried out to ensure the land is protected, and rehabilitated.

“This work includes identifying and treating weed species such as Hymenachne, Para and Gamba grass, and Rubber Bush.

“It is also anticipated work will progress on the gully rehabilitation, to reduce sediment run off into the Normanby River system and ultimately the Great Barrier Reef.”

Today Minister Enoch met with members of the Yalanji Joint Venture and Queensland Parks and Wildlife staff, who are undertaking the current work together.

Coordinator of the Yalanji Joint Venture, Liam O’Neil said the next step is ensuring cultural heritage clearances to enable gully remediation earthworks to begin.

“This is important as Springvale Station has a high concentration of culturally significant sites,” Mr O’Neil said.

“We will work with the Queensland Government and Traditional Owners to preserve cultural heritage significance for future generations and ensure all stakeholders understand the significance of this before remediation works are started.”

To assist in the remediation work training courses in conservation, soil science and erosion management will soon be developed by Cape York Natural Resource Management in partnership with Griffith University.

“One of the major problems encountered is a lack of practitioners that have the experience necessary to remediate large gully complexes on the Cape,” said Cape York NRM Project Manager Michael Goddard.

“This project allows Cape York Natural Resource Management, Griffith University and Yalanji people to share learnings from previous gully projects and work together to build local capacity to remediate erosion.”

When the Queensland Government bought Springvale Station in 2016, it was one of the biggest contributors to sediment run-off to the northern Great Barrier Reef in the Normanby catchment.

Subsequently, an Erosion Management Plan was developed in partnership with Cape York NRM, Traditional Owner representatives, soil erosion experts and Department of Environment and Science staff to guide erosion management on the property.

/Public Release. View in full here.