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IN THIS SECTION
Djungan Cultural Centre
Bar Barrum Cultural Centre
Irvinebank Landcare
Molloy Lagoon
Preventing the Spread of Tilapia
Salvinia Removal at Mt Molloy
Bellyache Bush in the Catchment
Julatten State School Learning Garden - Q150 Grant
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Djungan Cultural Center
The Mitchell River Watershed Management Group (MRWMG) assisted the Djungan community of Dimbulah in their successful application for Round 2 of the Commonwealth Government Community Water Grants.
This Community Water Grants project involves partnerships between the Djungan community, MRWMG and the Australian Agricultural College Mareeba Campus. As part of a level 2 Engineering certificate, Indigenous students from the college are constructing rain catchment shelters and bases for the water tanks under instruction and mentoring from college trainers and Djungan program officers.
Rainwater tanks are being distributed across four sites on Djungan country - each site being an existing training area for various skills in Djungan training programs. The training programs are aimed at youth and include auto mechanics, horsemanship and cultural knowledge and support. The tanks and shelters at each site will provide drinking water and shelter, and also reduce the existing need to extract water from the Walsh river. When complete, the project is expected to enable the catchment of approximately 467,700 litres of rainwater per annum and ensure a more reliable programme of training activities.
Each site will include a sink that drains onto a small food garden next to it, ensuring smart re-use of the water collected.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
EnviroFund Projects in the Catchment
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Community Water Grants project: site#1
Shown here are prepared tank bases ready for arrival of water tanks, and two Australian Agricultural College-Mareeba Campus students with a Djungan Program Officer constructing rain catchment shelters - April 2007. |

Community Water Grants project: site#1
Australian Agricultural College-Mareeba Campus students constructing rain catchment shelters - April 2007
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Community Water Grants project
Delivery of materials - March 2007. |
Bar Barrum Cultural Center
The Mitchell River Watershed Management Group (MRWMG) is
working with the Bar Barrum people to support them in their ventures
to manage their country, and the Group has assisted with a number of funding
submissions.
The Bar Barrum Community Water Grants project:
Recently completed is the installation of rainwater tanks thanks to the kind support of the Commonwealth Government Community Water Grants scheme which MRWMG assisted the Bar Barrum community in successfully applying for. Five rainwater tanks with a total storage capacity of around 188,000 litres (approx 41,000 gallons) have been installed at three sites at the Bar Barrum Outstation - the two major sites being the Community Hall and the Cultural Centre. Combined, it is estimated that the tanks will reduce extraction from the near-by Emu creek by up to 375,000 litres per year and maintain fresh water sources for the Bar Barrum community. Members of the Bar Barrum community and the MRWMG provided in-kind support throughout the life of this project to see it through to a point of completion.
Rennovation of the Cultural Centre was a follow-on project conducted in conjunction with the Bar Barrum community, MRWMG and Green Corps.
Pictures to the right, show volunteers from the three groups preparing and painting the Cultural Centre after the delivery and installation of a 10,500gal tank and a 6,500gal tank (photos of this also to the right).
Bar Barrum Cross-cultural Workshop
In November 2005 the
Bar Barrum community
received one of only 21 Community Awareness Grants from the Department of
Natural Resources Mines and Water.
This grant was used in conjunction with other sponsorship to run a
Cross-Cultural workshop at the Bar Barrum Cultural Centre. Held over two
days, it combined Indigenous science with Western science to help
get Aboriginal youth back on country. The programs provided an
exchange of knowledge on natural resource management, including issues
such as fire management and biodiversity.
Special thanks
to the following sponsors for making this event possible:
- Cape York Sustainable Fire Project
- CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems
- Department of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Policy
- Department of Natural Resources Mines and Water
- Mitchell River Watershed Management Group
- Northern Gulf Indigenous Savannah Group
- Northern Gulf Resource Management Group
Other Activites:
In October 2005 the Bar Barrum community
received funding from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR)
to buy a second water tank.
Also In October 2005 several
community members completed a tourism course, and held a workshop in
May which provided young people with skills to support a cultural tourism
venture on Bar Barrum country.
The Queensland Government's
Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) provided $5000 to the Mitchell
River Watershed Management Group for the purchase of a new water
tank for the Bar Barrum Cultural Centre at Emuford. Everyone involved in
this project was excited to see the tank arrive on site on May 18, 2005.
Revegetation projects are currently underway at three sites, two of which have been established to control Bellyache bush
infestations (see related project article further down this page).
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Community Water Grants project site#2 - March 2007
After the delivery and installation of two rainwater tanks, Bar Barrum community members, Green Corps volunteers and MRWMG jumped into action to give the Cultural Centre a new lease of life with a scrub down, some light maintenance and a fresh coat of paint. The task took three days for which Green Corps and MRWMG members camped on site.
Installation of tanks, site#1 - June 2007
Cultural Centre: at approximately 7 metres wide and 30 metres in length, the roof span on this building collects plenty of rainwater for storage in these 10,500 gallon tanks.

Delivery of water tanks to Bar Barrum site#2 - January 2007
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The first water tank funded by the Gambling Community Benefit Fund
R-L: Rob, Lily, Max, Richie, Nikki, Kaylenna, Leewayne, Jermaine, Lester

October 2005 Bar Barrum Tourism graduates with lecturer Marcey Urken
(L)

Bar Barrum community water tank funded by FRRR
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Bar Barrum Revegetation site 3

Bar Barrum Revegetation site 1
Tree planting.

Bar Barrum
Cross-Cultural Workshop
Eric Vanderduys (R) from CSIRO Sustainable
Ecosystems presents a captured lizard to
children while conducting a survey at Bar Barrum Outstation.
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Irvinebank Landcare
Irvinebank Landcare Group was established in November 2004 and the
community of the historic mining town of Irvinebank in far north
Queensland is enhancing
the natural environment of Irvinebank
by creating a native garden.
Natural Resources and Mines awarded Irvinebank Landcare Group $2500,
through the Mitchell River Watershed Management Group
(MRWMG), to carry
out a community rehabilitation project at Gibbs Creek, Irvinebank. The
community with the support of
MRWMG, Mareeba Shire Council and QITE Work for the Dole program,
established
this native garden,
now known as Moffat Gardens.
Irvinebank Landcare Group members have prepared eight garden beds, installed an irrigation system
at the site and since April 2005 have planted more than 350
native trees. The community chose the site at Gibbs Creek,
formerly an old rubbish tip, as it was an entry point to the township and the site was covered in weeds and
rather unattractive.
"The planting will beautify the area while helping to raise
awareness of the role riparian vegetation plays in the health of
rivers and creeks, including stabilising creek banks and
reducing erosion," Irvinebank Landcare Group Chairperson Donna
Meade said. "It will also help local residents and
visitors appreciate the diversity of plant life native to the
Greater Irvinebank area". Irvinebank
is regarded as a botanically important area and is known among
plant enthusiasts for some of its endemic species,
including Acacia purpureopetala and Grevillea glossadenia.
The Landcare
Group,through the Mitchell River Watershed Management Group, was
approved for project funding in the 2005 round of grants from
the nationwide Bundaberg Rum Fund. $2505.00 of funding has been
provided to repair and protect Gibbs Creek. The Bundaberg Rum Bush Fund is in its second year and is a
joint initiative with Landcare Australia to help protect and
repair Australia's rivers and waterways.
The principal aim of this project (stage 2 of a broader
project) is to remove a major infestation of the weedy succulent Agave sisalana (Sisal) and later revegetate the site using a
range of suitable native plants to meet both aesthetic and
environmental objectives. A report has been compiled by Simon
Gleed for the Irvinebank Landcare Group and the Mitchell River
Watershed Management Group titled Revegetation
Guidelines & Recommendations For Gibbs Creek, Irvinebank (2005)
Compiled By Simon Gleed
Click here to view an article about Irvinebak and Sisal on the Northern Australian Land Manager web site.
Weedbuster
week is a national program that aims to raise awareness and
increase public understanding about the problems weeds cause.
The students of
Irvinebank school showed their enthusiasm for tackling environmental
issues when Andrew Congoo (NR&M Land Protection Officer) visited the
school to talk about weeds. Andrew and the kids (along with their teacher
Belinda, and Donna from Irvinebank Landcare) walked around the school
grounds and identified what weeds are there. Using this information, they
will develop a plan to address the weed issues. One of the school’s
worst weed problems is Mother of Millions.
The Irvinebank
Landcare Group is also part of the Keep Australia Beautiful, Adopt-A-Road
program.
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Clean Up Australia Day - 04 March 2007
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MOFFAT GARDEN
Photos below show the transition of the site so far.

Project site in
November 2004

Project site official opening
2 September 2005

Project site June
2006

Project site February 2007
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VARIOUS PICS
of other projects and events

Working Bee planting 26 Feb 2007

Irvinebank State School students during Weedbuster week activity
October 2005

Botanist Simon
Gleed among sisal,
Agave sisalana, on Gibbs Creek |
Molloy Lagoon
Currently being updated ...
Funded through the Northern Gulf Resource Management Group devolved grants
for Wetland Management
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Sicklepod at Molloy
lagoon June 2004

The same site Dec 2005
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September 2006 - Marcus Achatz joining in the tree planting

Rupert Russell of JAMARR stone-mulching juvenile trees - October 2006
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Preventing the spread of Tilapia
• Work has been ongoing on this issue for several years with
much of the initial groundwork undertaken by the Barron and
Mitchell Groups, further efforts by the Mitchell Group finally
achieved some positive outcomes.
• During 2002-2003 meetings were held with Minister Robertson
and the CEO of Sunwater, Mr Peter Noonan regarding the issue
of noxious fish, Tilapia escaping from Lake Tinaroo
and infesting the Mitchell River and other Gulf Rivers.
• After demonstrating the legal implications Sunwater
agreed to give this project their full support and has spent
approximately 1.2 million dollars to install mesh screens and
associated infrastructure to prevent the escape of Tilapia into the Mitchell River system through the irrigation
channels.
• Sunwater, DPI Fisheries and the MRWMG formed a Tilapia Working Group to address engineering and
biological aspects of the stainless steel mesh fish exclusions
screens.
• The screens were installed in November 2004 and are now
operational.
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Fish exclusion
screens on the West Barron irrigation channel at Walkamin
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Salvinia Removal at Mt Molloy
The introduced water weed Salvinia grows annually in the lagoons in the park on Little Street in Mt Molloy. Salvinia reproduces vegetatively and it's control in these lagoons is an important part of limiting it's spread down the Mitchell River catchment. Mitchell River Watershed Management Group (MRWMG) is working with the local community to physically remove the weed and Tablelands Regional Council has been introducing the weevils that act as a biological control for Salvinia. Thirteen dedicated weedbusters got wet and muddy on Friday July 4th 2008 and cleared Salvinia from these lagoons, including one that was completely covered and two with minor amounts around the edges.
MRWMG has received a grant from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal for the purchase of a trailer which will greatly assist this, and other, weed removal work. Kenny Hill of Vision Products & Services, our neighbours in McCormack Street, Manunda, very kindly donated two pool leaf scoops with telescopic handles which were invaluable in getting the Salvinia out of the lagoons in Mt Molloy.

If you see Salvinia anywhere else in the Mitchell River catchment please report it to MRWMG on (07) 40532856 |
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Mt Molloy, 4 July 2008 - Lagoon with total Salvinia cover

A very different school holiday activity - young weedbusters |
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Bellyache bush
in the Mitchell catchment
Currently being updated ...
There are two infestations in the Mitchell catchment
and the Group is working with landholders and government staff, assisted
by funding from Australian Government Envirofund program, to try and
control these outbreaks before they infest the whole river system. So far
these infestations are only within the high banks of the waterways but BAB
is happy to grow in most soil types and pasture covers and quickly
out-competes native vegetation. It impacts on our biodiversity, the native
flora and fauna.
In Queensland its area of infestation has increased
70% in the last two years. It is a huge problem in the Burdekin. BAB is
poisonous to stock and people.
Bellyache bush -The Mitchell Group was successful in gaining a $15,454 dollar Envirofund
grant in Round 4 for the Palmer River and $7818 from Round 5 for the
Walsh River to work on the noxious weed Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia) to prevent it spreading further into the Mitchell River
system.
The Group is working with Shire Pest Management Officers,
landholders and students from the Mareeba Environment College.
Students have already helped spray the weed out on the Walsh
River infestation.
Cook Shire Council and staff from the Tropical Weeds
Research Centre are also supporting the Palmer River project
and Cook Shire have provided equipment for loan as well as
spray to work on management. |
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Bellyache bush Jatropha giossypiifolia

Bellyache bush on the Palmer - the low dark
plant among the tall trees

Bio-control agent Agonosoma trilineatum (Jewel bug)
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Julatten State School - Q150 Grant
Mitchell River Watershed Management Group is helping the Julatten State School with their Learning Garden project by auspicing a Queensland Government Q150 grant, a grants program set up to celebrate Queensland's 150th Birthday, to provide signage for the rainforest species they have planted. The signs will identify the plants and provide information on traditional and current uses for both the students of the school and an increasing number of visitors that are attracted by the garden and gazebo/ outdoor classroom erected next to it. |

Julatten State School: students working in their vegetable garden |

Julatten State School: Learning Garden and Gazebo |
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Special Feature: |
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| EnviroFund Projects in the Catchment |
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Envirofund is an Australian Government funding programme that helps community groups and individuals to undertake on-ground environmental activities. This programme was introduced as a part of the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT). The Australian Government has committed funding to the Envirofund programme to 2012-2013.
There have been many successful projects in the Mitchell Catchment that have been funded by the Envirofund Programme. Three current successful projects are described below.
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These projects aim to enhance the environmental conditions of the Mitchell Catchment, which would not be possible without the support of the Envirofund programme. The Mitchell River Watershed Management Group (MRWMG) has supported many successful applicants for the Envirofund programme. Please contact MRWMG if you would like assistance in developing an Envirofund project in the Mitchell River catchement. |

13 January 2008
10 friends and neighbours plant some of the 8000 young trees planned for this revegetation site.

4 July 2008
Planting well established. |
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Ken Brown - Planting Native Species for Habitat Enrichment in Julatten, North Queensland
Ken Brown’s property in Julatten borders a seasonal creek and is located just meters from the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. The area has significant biodiversity values, located within the boundary zone between the Wet Tropics bioregion and the Mitchell River and Einasleigh Uplands bioregion. The project will plant 3000 trees of mixed species to restore native vegetation and increase the biodiversity of the site. Ultimately, the property objectives are to reduce run off of sediment on the property into the nearby creek, and provide habitat for the local fauna through vegetation corridors to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Ken has already removed the weed vegetation and commenced planting with the help of friends and neighbours, some of whom are seeking to start their own revegetation projects.

More planting of rainforest species
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August 2007
Rolling out hay during a mulching working bee.

January 2008
Revegetation begins with the first of a number of planned planting days.
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Peter Brown - Rehabilitation of Mount Molloy Copper Smelter: Revegetate Land Damaged by Old Copper Smelter Operations
This project will control erosion through the construction of swales along the edge of terraces and stabilise soil by planting 2500 local native plants. Contaminated sediment from the old copper smelter site has previously been entering Rifle Creek and this project will control this by limiting erosion and collecting any sediment that does escape from the area.

Conservation Volunteers Australia work crew preparing new plants on site in April 2008
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Wetherby Station, June 2008 - Wetland under development showing hymenachne control measures (Right centre of photo) |
John Colless - Revegetation, Wetlands Enhancement and Erosion Control on Wetherby Station, MountMolloy
John Colless has initiated this project to revegetate and repair a part of Wetherby Station on Rifle Creek which was previously used to grow sugar cane. Stock has been excluded from wetlland areas, weeds (including hymanachne) controlled and native trees planted. The restoration of wetlands within this part of the Mitchell River catchment using endemic species will help increase biodiversity, develop fauna corridors and control erosion. John will achieve this through the construction of 1.59km of fencing, planting 2550 endemic trees, controlling weeds, and correcting bank erosion. |
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