Current projects
As part of the Natural Environment Program, work is undertaken at a number of key sites and habitat areas throughout the region. Council's Habitat Restoration Team, volunteers and friends group members work hard weeding, planting, seed collecting, fencing, monitoring and undertaking a range of other vegetation management tasks.
Blacks Beach
The Blacks Beach Esplanade is an area of significant natural habitat. The vegetation on the dunes helps to protect the coastal zone from wind and wave erosion, and provides habitat for wildlife.
Flatback turtles nest in the area, and significant shorebird species can often be seen feeding on the beach, particularly when the tide is low. The native vegetation provides a buffer from the adjoining residential areas, but is under constant pressure from illegal clearing, rubbish dumping, weed invasion and illegal access.
Work is being undertaken to control weeds in the area and to revegetate the dunes with indigenous species such as Coastal She-oaks. On the foredunes, plants such as Sand Spinifex, Goats Foot and Beach Bean act to trap sand and prevent wind erosion, which helps to stabalise the dunes and build beach areas.
As with all coastal areas, work is being undertaken to maintain beach access tracks and to protect vegetation through fencing.
Eulbertie Reserve
Eulbertie Reserve is a riparian rainforest area with significant flora and fauna species. The reserve forms part of the McCready's Creek catchment.
Management activities in the area have centred on weed control, fencing and revegetation. Hundreds of trees and shrubs have been planted by council staff and volunteers.
As they grow, they will provide habitat for local wildlife. In fact many birds are already visiting and nesting in the area. Recent sightings have included the Leaden Flycatcher, Rainbow Beaeater and Bush Stone-Curlews.
Janes Creek
Management works in this area aim to widen the corridor of indigenous vegetation along Janes creek, from 5 to 30 meters. This will create a more extensive corridor for wildlife and help to maintain biodiversity.
Riparian vegetation also helps to shade waterways, stabalise banks and trap sediments during floods. Riparian areas are recognised as important for the protection of biodiversity and sustainable land managment. The area is already proving popular with local birds. A Forest Kingfisher was seen there recently, and many other birds visit the site.
Jane's Creek flows into the Gooseponds, North Mackay. This site was recognised as an area of environmental significance needing protection and conservation in council's Natural Environment Plan. In addition to revegetation, weed control is also being undertaken in remnant vegetation areas and in the planting beds.
Sandfly Creek Environmental Reserve
Sandfly Creek Environmental Reserve has high conservation values and is home to many important shorebird species. A path has been built in the Sandfly Creek area, that will form part of the Mackay Bluewater Trail. Disturbed areas will be revegetated and interpretive signs installed so trail users can learn about shorebirds and the environmental values of the areas. A program of weed control will also be undertaken.
Council staff and volunteers, including school groups, regularly work on the site. A detailed management plan for the site is in preparation and will be made available upon completion.
Slade Point Reserve
Slade Point Reserve is one of the region's iconic environmental reserves. It has been set aside as a 'Reserve for Natural Resource Management', whilst still allowing low impact public use. The natual resources of the site include the natural geomorphology (the landstructures such as dunes and wetlands) and the natural plant and animal communities that are reliant on each other for their existence.
A committee of trustees oversea the managment of the Reserve. Friends of Slade Point Reserve group also undertake regular working bees in the reserve.