October 12, 2022
Efforts to increase the awareness about Fireweed outbreaks in the South Burnett region appear to be paying dividends.
Cr Scott Henschen told this month’s Liveability standing committee meeting that after news about the discovery of Fireweed in the Blackbutt-Benarkin area broke in September, more locals had stepped forward to report suspected Fireweed sites.
“Out of the 30 samples handed in by the public over the September period, 21 were identified as native while nine samples have been sent to the Queensland Herbarium for official identification,” Cr Henschen said.
“Landowners reporting suspected Fireweed also led to a further 25 targeted property inspections being undertaken (and) potential new Fireweed sites near Maidenwell and Kingaroy were detected.”
Cr Henschen said both sites are now waiting for official identification from the herbarium, too.
- Related article: Fireweed Found In South Burnett
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A vacant block of land in Kingaroy donated to Regional Housing Ltd (RHL) by the South Burnett Regional Council will be developed into social housing.
The block is the first of four surplus parcels of land the SBRC voted to donate to RHL last December in an effort to help create more social housing in the region.
At October’s Liveability meeting, Councillors were told a block at 27B Kingaroy Street which was transferred to RHL in September for future development under the State Government’s Queensland Housing Investment Growth Initiative had received approval.
It is the first block in the South Burnett to progress under this program.
The other three blocks – at 1 Kelvyn Street, 10 Agnes Street and 38-40 Banksia Way, all in Kingaroy – have yet to secure funding from the program.
RHL is a not-for-profit company that manages emergency, transitional, and long-term social housing as well as a range of complementary support programs throughout Central Queensland.
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The SBRC will investigate the cost of erecting a small wooden viewing platform in Kapernick Park at Boat Mountain.
Cr Kathy Duff told fellow Councillors she had been approached by the Murgon Business and Development Association (MBDA) on the matter.
The MBDA believes Boat Mountain is a popular local tourist attraction and the park – which has few amenities but sweeping views south to the Bunya Mountains – would be enhanced with a viewing platform.
The Council will also investigate legal issues surrounding tree clearing or lopping in the viewing area, and officers will deliver a report about both matters before Christmas.
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A shortage of critical herbicide chemicals may affect efforts to control Giant Rats Tail Grass and African Lovegrass.
Cr Henschen said flupropanate – used for the control of both pest plants – was still unavailable to herbicide suppliers.
He said land managers now faced the possibility this essential herbicide may never be available, which would limit the options available to control these weed species.
However, parthenium control efforts being run in collaboration with Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council which were scheduled to begin at the end of September are still in play.
Cr Henschen said cooler temperatures this year meant infested areas along the creek flats were slow to germinate.
Both councils will need to wait for warmer conditions before control activities can begin.
