Removal and Rehabilitation
MEDIA RELEASE
31 October 2011
Removal and Rehabilitation
The Desert Channels region is huge (51 000 000 ha) so, to minimise costs, Desert Channels Group lumps the travel component of project work together, wherever possible. Sometimes, the weather and deadlines conspire against the best laid plans, and the Group’s NRM Facilitator, Peter Spence, has just travelled nearly 1500 kms in two days, to sign off on two projects under the Natural Disaster Recovery Response 2010/11 funding.
First stop was Spring Creek, where the Boulia Shire Council had successfully completed a Parkinsonia spraying project. This infestation was significant, as it was situated along the creek which feeds into the Diamantina National Park and the Diamantina River which eventually makes its way to Lake Eyre. With cooperation from the landholder, another outbreak of the Weed of National Significance, Parkinsonia, has been eliminated. Boulia Shire, in conjunction with Desert Channels Group and local graziers has worked tirelessly to improve containment lines of this weed.
To make the most of the trip, Peter headed a further 250kms south, to Cuttaburra Crossing where flood waters had washed away public access areas, leaving the creek bank in very poor condition. Cuttaburra Crossing, between Bedourie and Birdsville, is a permanent waterhole and a renowned wetland. Not only do many migratory birds stop there, tourists enjoy stopping for awhile to read the interpretive signage and watch the bird life. Various types of waterbirds also make the Crossing their home.
For more information on the work of Desert Channels Group, visit www.dcq.org.au.
Media enquiries: Roelie Hartwig Ph: (07) 4652 7812 Fax: (07) 4658 0122 or roelie.hartwig@dcq.org.au
