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Abstract:

North Queensland coastal wetlands have been severely degraded by the Weeds of National

Significance (WoNS), Hymenachne amplexicaulis (Olive hymenachne) with lesser impacts

by Salvinia molesta (Salvinia), and Eichhornia crassipes (Water hyacinth). Working with

traditional owners, we are seeking to remediate a degraded wetland by improving the

biodiversity of native plant and animal species, and improving water quality and the amenity

value to the local community.

Mungalla Stud is a coastal cattle property east of Ingham in north Queensland. It incorporates

coastal wetlands, grazing land and a coastal dune complex. The property abuts the Halifax

Bay National Park and the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon. The property was purchased by the

Nywaigi Traditional Owners in 2000. A management structure was created to run and

manage the businesses associated with the property where by the land is owned by the

Nywaigi Aboriginal Land Corporation and operated by the Mungalla Corporation for

Business.

A concerted effort has been undertaken by the Nywaigi Traditional Owners to improve

wetland habitats. They have partnered with CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences to undertake a range

of activities to remediate the wetland to improve the function, hydrology and amenity value

of the property. This has included aerial and ground based applications of herbicides, the

strategic use of fire and revegetation of creek lines.

This paper outlines the progress of the rehabilitation work undertaken by the Nywaigi

traditional owners in collaboration with CSIRO and highlights the expectation that

eradication of wetland weed infestations are difficult to achieve but control over large areas

of weed infestations is possible.