Bonny Glen Public Benefit Order | Progress Report

In October 2018, Cape York Weeds & Feral Animals incorporated, and Gummi Junga Aboriginal Corporation were the recipients of a Public Benefit Order of $40,000.

This was to enable Gummi Junga to purchase a secondhand backhoe to undertake rehabilitation works around an abandoned mine site and other priority areas that have been identified in the Bonny Glen Land Management Plan.

• The Bonny Glen Backhoe Purchase has been possible with the help of the Department of Environment and Science.

• Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals Inc developed an extensive land management erosion control program in conjunction with the Gummi Junga Aboriginal Corporation.

• Liaised with local landholders and neighbouring landholders around Bonny Glen.

• Consultation with Traditional Owners on final project plan was carried out.

• Quotes for all capital items, backhoe and replacement parts to get the machine up and running were sourced.

• The initial purchase of all capital equipment needed for the erosion control were conducted.

• Thanks to Gummi Junga, the machine was fixed up to standard for safe working order.

• This erosion control work was carried in the areas that were identified, surveyed and mapped.

  Strategic Erosion Survey

• We also surveyed other on-ground areas that could be rehabilitated if resources permit.  

    Erosion Control Work

• Weed control work was also carried out as a part of the overall project.

• Our main focus was on the Declared Weeds and Feral Animals under the Biosecurity Act 2014.

• We also focused on the weeds that were affecting the cultural and natural areas along the headwaters of the Palmer and Mitchell River areas.

• Work on these areas has helped mitigate the effects of weeds and feral animals’ infestations on properties and communities all along the entire catchment, which runs into the Gulf of Carpentaria. This includes Kowanyama.

• This affects all native species and natural ecosystems that are located in this catchment area.

• The Gamba Grass, Sicklepod, Rubber vine and Noogoora Burr has the potential to spread further along the river and gully systems.

• Vehicles, humans and stock, travelling along these areas also have the capacity to spread it further.

     Sicklepod, Gamba Grass and Rubber vine after control work 

• Purchase of materials and equipment (fencing, cat traps, monitoring cameras, incendiaries and matches, safety equipment, first aid kit, satellite phone).

• A fair bit has been achieved, in a small window of time as it has been reasonably wet this year.

• Relationships with key parties (e.g. neighbouring pastoral leases, mining leases) focused on land management have been further developed. It has been very successful in sponsoring good will and co-operation in all Land Management Operations. 

  Establishing Relationships   

• Project has been promoted and published in the Cape York NRM (CYNRM) and CYWAFA_INC's Website, Facebook and Twitter.

           Project Promotion

• We have had a reasonably late start due to it still being very wet. A lot more work is being done now. Some mapping has been done, with a lot more to be done as the project progresses.

• We have yet to purchase a replacement second-hand backhoe bucket, as the original bucket is worn out. The remainder of the funds are committed to these works.

• Total area (ha) treated for pest plants: approximately 1650 hectares of Gamba Grass, Sicklepod and Rubber vine land area has been surveyed and controlled.

• Total area (ha) of area rehabilitated through erosion control: approximately 8ha of erosion in a main road leading into the Palmer River system was surveyed to see the extent of the erosion. Approximately 4 ha of the worst erosion was rehabilitated and whoa boys put in further up the road to slow down the water.
   
  Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals Inc have provided on the ground and in-kind training for weeds and feral animal control, Mentoring, Administration, Equipment Purchase, Wages Payments, Program Hosting and General Program support.

  
  The Department of Environment and Science,Gummi Junga and Cape York Weeds & Feral Animals Incorporated, are to be commended for their professionalism and willingness to get the job done.
   

Gamba Grass, Rubbervine, Sicklepod, Weed Survey and Control Areas