From planting trees along creeks to trapping feral pigs – neighbours are joining forces in the Wet Tropics so that new land conservation projects can deliver more ‘bang for the buck’.

A strong response from private landholders has meant 14 projects will start soon between the Daintree, Tablelands and Ingham on land in important areas between forests – where tree-planting and pest and weed control can make a big difference.

Seven of the projects cross property boundaries.

Connecting endangered Mabi forest

“Cane farmers along a creek near Atherton are planting trees in what could be the beginnings of a new green corridor connecting sections of endangered Mabi forest between the Curtain Fig National Park and Wongabel State Forest,’’ Terrain NRM’s Bronwyn Robertson said.

Removing pond apple

“Further south, pond apple is being removed across 50 hectares near Babinda thanks to an agreement with neighbouring landholders. This builds on previous work in the area to control pond apple and improve habitat condition.

Feral pig control

“At Topaz and in the Daintree, feral pig control programs will bring neighbouring landholders together over more than 200 hectares of high-value habitat.”

These new projects are part of ‘Green Connections’, funded by the Queensland Government’s Natural Resource Management Expansion Program. Community conservation groups and local councils will be working on many of them.

Tree planting to help mahogany gliders

Ms Robertson said the program was targeting areas where conservation investment could deliver the greatest benefits. It also includes tree-planting along a creek in the Ingham area to help endangered mahogany gliders, and the expansion of a Tableland couple’s forest restoration project at the base of Mt Bartle Frere, Queensland’s highest mountain.

Feral pig and woody weed control programs are beginning in the Herbert catchment as Terrain NRM and its partners intensify efforts to improve water quality in a river system extending from west of Mt Garnet to the floodplain around Ingham.

Five projects are now being rolled out as the first stage of the Herbert Integrated Project’s on-ground works, and Terrain NRM Project Manager Fiona Barron said there were more to follow.

Council leads feral pig control program

One of the first is a feral pig management initiative led by Hinchinbrook Shire Council.

“Feral pigs are a major problem for the environment and also for the sugar cane industry and other farming industries in the Herbert,” Ms Barron said. “Pigs churn up soil and vegetation and damage wetlands and riverbanks, which releases nutrients and can spread pathogens.”

Hinchinbrook Shire Council will build on an existing control program by using emerging surveillance and control technologies, including AI-enabled cameras. A remote-triggering feral-tech trap door will also be trialled near a coastal community where traditional systems have been unsuccessful.

Woody weeds removal in Upper Herbert region

In the upper Herbert, stakeholders identified the thickening of invasive woody weeds, such as lantana, as a priority.

“Dense thickets of woody weeds are a problem for graziers because they lead to less soil protection and pasture,” Ms Barron said.

“Part of the project will involve working with graziers on trials of different burn approaches at different times of the year to determine the most effective way of tackling woody weeds so that we can share best practice with other landholders.”

Whole-of-farm and whole-of-catchment planning

Other projects include developing a whole-of-catchment management plan, supporting cane farmers through integrated whole-of-farm planning led by Herbert Cane Productivity Services Ltd, and synthesising past and present water quality monitoring data to better understand what’s happening across the catchment and help farmers and the wider community.

Circular economy, natural capital opportunities

There will also be a focus on circular economy opportunities and natural capital capacity-building within the Herbert catchment area.

Ms Barron said the Herbert Integrated Project was being driven by the community, and Terrain NRM was working with a wide range of partners and community groups.

“We have engaged widely with stakeholders across the upper and lower Herbert catchment to understand how the catchment can be managed as one integrated system – to not only improve water quality but also deliver broader community and landscape benefits,” she said.

How can we all work together more effectively to manage feral pigs? Brett Carlsson is looking at this, as our new Feral Pig Coordinator for the Wet Tropics and Cape York.

Brett has spent more than 20 years in invasive species work and has an agricultural background. His position has been funded by the Queensland Government, along with four others across the state.

First steps…
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Brett is talking to stakeholders – from industry groups to councils and Traditional Owner groups.

“First, we need to build up a picture of the current situation – from control efforts to research activities. Then we can identify any gaps, boost community-led initiatives, get targeted working groups together where needed…”

Managing feral pigs on a regional scale

“Pests are best managed at a regional landscape scale. The focus will be on pest impacts, rather than pest numbers. The goal is to get more people involved and to help everyone to work smarter, not harder – for a result that’s fewer pigs, less damage to crops, the land, threatened species and culture, and a better ability to respond if disease outbreaks occur.”

The new coordinator positions are hosted by NRM groups and are funded through the Queensland Government’s Queensland Feral Pest Initiative. Work will be guided by the National Feral Pig Action Plan.