Weeds targeted in Qld savannas
Invasive weeds have been targeted in north Queensland's savanna
areas as the Queensland Government ramps up the fight against pests
and weeds as part of its $6 million funding boost to enhance fire,
weed and feral animal management in national parks and State
forests.
Pest control programs already underway or being planned in the
Savanna district include:
- control of rubber vine and parkinsonia in Dalrymple National
Park, north of Charters Towers
- control of rubber vine in Porcupine Gorge National Park, north
of Hughenden
- control of parkinsonia in Moorrinya National Park, south-east
of Hughenden
- control of rubber vine and prickly acacia in the Ramsar-listed
wetlands of Bowling Green Bay National Park between Ayr and
Townsville
- fire-line maintenance in Paluma Range and Girringun national
parks west and south of Ingham.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers in the Savanna
district are working co-operatively with neighbouring landholders,
local landcare groups, land protection officers of the Department
of Natural Resources and Mines, and local government staff to
control pest animals and weeds.
Sustaining the Great Artesian Basin
Great Artesian Basin water licence holders are urged to adopt
the basin’s innovative bore capping and piping program.
Water licence holders are the main target audience for a new
audio CD that captures the history of the basin, details the
current Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative (GABSI) and
outlines government and community involvement in the management of
this precious resource. The audio CD - The GAB, Past, Present
and Future - was launched at the 2005 State Landcare Conference
in Barcaldine.
The Great Artesian Basin underlies two-thirds of Queensland and
is one of the largest artesian basins in the world. Hundreds of
landholders have embraced the bore-capping program which is
currently saving more than 130,000 megalitres a year. However,
about 250 landholders are yet to commit to the program. Landholders
contribute 20% towards the cost of bore rehabilitation and 40%
towards the piping costs, with the Federal and Queensland
governments equally contributing the remaining funds.
Additional copies of the CD are be available at Natural
Resources and Mines regional offices and government service centres
and tourism information centres within the basin.
(From the Central Western newsletter Dec 2005.
