April 6, 2020
A two-year program to treat weed infestations in the Barambah and Boonara creek catchments has wound up, with 70km of riverbanks treated.
The project, funded by the State Government, was organised by the Burnett Catchment Care Association (BCCA).
It targeted Rubber Vine, Parthenium and Honey Locust in sections of the Barambah, Boonara and Moonda Waamba creeks in the Gympie Regional Council area.
Initial chemical treatment of the project area was followed up by a drone survey in May 2019.
Rubber Vine regrowth was evident in a 100ha stretch of Lower Boonara Creek. Treatment while the Rubber Vine was flowering reduced seed pod formation.
An isolated infestation of Honey Locust on a 3km of Ettrickdale Road along Boonara Creek was chemically treated in December 2018. A follow-up ground survey in May 2019 revealed no evidence of Honey Locust in the treatment area.
However, the project area was found to have a higher Parthenium infestation than initially anticipated, especially in the Lower Boonara Creek area.
Follow-up treatment was carried out by contractors over a 54ha area.
The BCCA said continued local Council and landholder involvement would be required to maintain a control on the parthenium.
Related articles:
