Plants of the region
Find out about the region's plants and vegetation communities:
Natural Environment Plan
Council’s Natural Environment Plan, provides information on the extent and location of vegetation communities, and includes an assessment of significant areas for protection and management, together with a detailed action plan.
The plan is a detailed strategic assessment of the Mackay’s remnant vegetation and provides recommendation for its management and protection.
Some key findings of the study include:
- 40 percent of Mackay supports native vegetation
- Two thirds of this vegetation is located outside state reserves on leasehold and freehold land
- Large remnants over 500 ha exist, particularly in steep areas in the hinterland
- Much of the vegetation is in good condition due to the existence of large, intact remnants
- There are 31 vegetation communities found in Mackay, but the area is largely dominated by five communities
- Four Endangered and 11 Of Concern regional ecosystems were identified.
The aims of the plan are to:
- Maintain existing diversity of vegetation communities and species
- Protect and re-establish linkages, particularly between hinterland and coast along riparian areas
- Maintain the intact and unfragmented nature of many of the larger, core areas and
- Establish icon sites for community involvement, education and tangible demonstration of environmental values
The plan recommends the establishment of an environmental levy, which has now been created. The Natural Environment Plan forms a key document that is used to inform and prioritise allocation of environment levy funds. Find out more about the Natural Environment Levy.
More information on the Natural Environment Plan is available:
- Our Natural Environment in Mackay (PDF 1010.9 kb)
Regional ecosystems
Regional ecosystems are vegetation communities that consistently occur on particular soil types, geology and landforms in an area. This broad classification system can be used to predict the vegetation that would have occurred in an area. Each regional ecosystem is labelled with a three number code (eg 8.3.1). In Mackay, we are part of the Central Queensland Coast Bioregion, which is number 8. The second number refers to the ecosystem landform. Landforms include basalt plains and hills, coastal dunes and river and creek flats. This gives important information about the soil type, geology and environmental conditions in an area. The last number refers to the specific ecosystem such as mangrove vegetation, or wet heath complex.
For each regional ecosystem, there is a list of plants and animals that would usually make up that ecosystem. You can use this information to find out what would have grown on your property prior to European settlement, and to develop a planting list for revegetation. Find out more about regional ecosystems by visiting the EPA website.
Mackay's indigenous plants
Indigenous plants are local native plants. They are native species that occur naturally in the local area. There are many benefits to growing indigenous plants. They are well adapted to local conditions and if planted in the right environment, will usually do well with minimal need for artificial fertilisers and watering. They provide food and shelter for our native wildlife including birds and butterflies. As they are part of local ecosystems, they are less likely to become weeds or invade natural areas. Indigenous plants also contribute significantly to the distinctive local character of an area.
Find out more about growing plants to attract wildlife to your garden (PDF 1.1 mb). With advice on plant selection and some tender care, its easy to transform your backyard into a low-maintenance wildlife haven.
Mangroves
Mangroves are trees, shrubs, palms or ground ferns, generally larger than half a metre in height, that grows above mean sea level in the intertidal zone of marine coastal environments and estuarine margins. The term mangrove also refers to the tidal habitat in which these plants grow.
The intertidal zone is a harsh environment and mangrove species are adapted to tolerate these conditions. Mangrove soils are regularly water-logged ad loaded with salt. High tides bring saltwater inundation, while low tides expose mud and roots to heat and desiccation. Some plants have aboveground breathing roots to cope with growing in water saturated conditions. Mangroves also have specialised attributes for growing in salty environments with saturated airless soils. The seeds of some mangrove species germinate on the parent plant and the new seedling remains attached as it grows. Propagules such as fruits and seeds can often survive at sea for many months, before they wash up in a suitable area for them to grow.
Some of the mangrove species found in Mackay include;
- Grey Mangrove – Avicennia marina var. eucalyptifolia
- Large-leafed Orange Mangrove – Bruguiera gymnorhiza
- Smooth-fruited Yellow Mangrove – Ceriops australis
- Milky Mangrove – Excoecaria agallocha
- Keeled-pod Mangrove – Heritiera littoralis
- White-flowered Black Mangrove –Lumnitzera racemosa
- Long-style Stilt Mangrove – Rhizophora stylosa
- White-flowered Apple Mangrove – Sonneratia alba
An estimated 75 percent of fish caught commercially spend some time in mangroves or are dependent on food chains which can be traced back to mangrove environments. Mangroves also protect the coast by absorbing wave and wind energy, particularly during storms. Mangrove roots can trap sediments and help protect corals and sea grasses in adjacent marine habitats, which can be killed by high levels of sedimentation.
The clearing of mangroves is prohibited in Queensland. Mangroves are protected under the Fisheries Act 1995.
More information on mangroves, is available from the EPA website.
Weeds
Environmental weeds are plants that do not naturally occur in an area and can invade areas of natural habitat. They are usually introduced from other countries or areas and spread to bushland and areas of natural vegetation, where they become weeds, threatening the survival of native specis. Over 170 species of environmental weeds occur in Mackay.
Facts sheets on a range of weeds are available from the Department of Natural Resources and Water.
Priority weeds
The Mackay Regional Pest Management Group has chosen the following 15 pest plants as high priorities for control in the Mackay Whitsunday region.
Mimosa pigra
Giant Sensitive Tree forms dense, impenetrable thickets, 3-6m high, establishing on waterways, floodplains and wetlands. In the Northern Territory, over 80,000 ha of floodplains have been invaded by Giant Sensitive Tree.
Giant Rat's Tail Grass
Giant Rat's Tail Grass is an aggressive grass that can reduce pasture productivity and outcompete desirable pasture grasses. It was introduced from Africa during the 1960's as a contaminant in pasture seed. It has adapted well to Queensland conditions.
Sicklepod
Sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia) is a vigorously growing, very competitive, woody shrub which grows 1.5-2.5m tall and 1m wide. It is normally an annual, but plants which have been slashed or survive chemical treatment often reshoot, flower and last for a further year.
Parthenium
Parthenium weed is an annual herb with a deep tap root and an erect stem that becomes woody with age. As it matures, the plant develops many branches in its top half and may eventually reach a height of 2 meters.
Hymenachne
Orignially introduced to provide ponded pasture for cattle, Hymenachne has become a pest of stream banks, shallow wetlands and irrigation ditches. In some areas it has invaded low-lying sugar cane, fish habitat and natural wetland areas with high conservation value.
Rubbervine
Rubbervine is a vigorous climber with twining, whip-like shoots which can grow unsupported as an untidy, many-stemmed shrub, 1-2m high. It can also scramble up to 30m high in trees.
Salvinia
Salvinia molesta is a Weed of National Significance in Australia. It can rapidly form mats that completely cover water storages, affecting water quality, water flow, wildlife, irrigation and recreational activities including fishing and swimming.
Water Hyacinth
Originally introduced to Australia as an aquatic ornamental plant, Water Hyacinth has become a major pest of rivers and dams. Not only does it destroy native habitats, but it also seriously depletes water bodies of oxygen, increases water loss and provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Water Lettuce
Water Lettuce is a free floating aquatic weed that rapidly forms dense mats covering rivers, dams and irrigation canals. It can restrict water flow, increase water loss by transpiration and serve as a breeding ground for mosquitos. Water Lettuce spreads both by vegetative reproduction and by seeds.
Singapore Daisy
Singapore Daisy is a vigorous ground cover with lush, glossy green leaves. The leaves are usually three lobed and in pairs up the stem. It produces yellow to orange daisy flowers about 2cm across. It flowers all year round. The flowers are held above the leaves on short stalks.
Bellyache Bush
Bellyache Bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia) is often confused with Castor Oil Plant (Ricinus communis). Both plants are frequently found in the same areas. Bellyache Bush is a squat, thick-stemmed shrub 2.5-4m tall, which develops from a short, single stemmed plant, with three or four young leaves sprouting from the top.
Prickly Acacia
Prickly Acacia is a thorny shrub or small tree growing 4-5m high, although in ideal conditions it can reach up to 10m. The umbrella shape of the prickly acacia tree and the distinctive pods are characteristic features. The young shrubs form dense thorny thickets, while mature trees are usually single stemmed, with spreading branches that are mainly thornless.
Parkinsonia
Parkinsonia aculeata is a thorny shrub or small tree. It was introduced as an ornamental shade tree in around 1900. Since then, it has progressed to be a major weed and today infests large areas of Queensland and other states, amounting to 800,000 ha nationally, primarily along waterways.
Giant Sensitive Plant
Giant Sensitive Plant is a shrubby or sprawling annual, that can behave like a perennial vine in certain years. Stems bunching, often scrambling over other plants, with a line of sharp, hooked prickles.
Mother of Millions
Mother of Millions (Bryophyllum species) are escaped ornamental plants from Madagascar. Five species are commonly naturalised in Queensland; three of these are spreading over substantial areas. Mother of Millions is highly toxic to stock and because of its succulent features, is well adapted to dry areas.
Pest Management Plan
- View council's Pest Management Plan (PDF 206.4 kb)