Cape York Weed & Feral Animals

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Bonny Glen Land Management and Planning Final Report

In March 2017, Cape York Weeds & Feral Animals were successful in obtaining conservation funding under The Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Program 2016.


• This 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 control program in conjunction with the Gummi Junga Aboriginal Corporation.
• As this was a continuation of last year’s project, we started on the next milestone of our project .
• Liaised with local landholders and neighbouring landholders around Bonny Glen.
• The initial weeds and feral animal control work and follow up control was conducted in the areas that was extensively surveyed and mapped.
• We also surveyed the on-ground areas to the north, south and west of each the identified weeds and feral animals’ infestations.
• The weeds which we incorporated into the monitoring and control program, were :

Gamba Grass, Sickle Pod, Rubber Vine, Nagoora Burr and Sporobulus grasses. 


• Our main focus was on the Declared Weeds and feral Animals under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
• We have been able to time it, so we have done a control run before the plant has been able to seed and therefore reduce the seed bank in the soil.
• We also focused on the weeds that were affecting the cultural and natural areas along the head waters 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.
• As far as we can ascertain from extensive survey work that has been conducted throughout Cape York Peninsula over a 25 year period, weeds and feral animals have a huge effect on the land and water quality, which ultimately affects native ecosystem greatly.
• These locations are also adjacent to the World Heritage Wet Tropics Area.
• Most importantly control work will prevent these destructive weed species from establishing in these areas- if we are not too late.
• The majority of weed in is very well established, being intertwined in amongst these areas.
• This affects all native species and the natural ecosystems that are 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.
• In conjunction with weed control and extensive program of fencing off cultural areas, quoll monitoring, 1080 baiting feral cat control, fire management and general property maintenance was carried out.
• These include, but are not limited to:
1. First aid training of six Traditional Owners was carried out. We are awaiting an invoice from Queensland Ambulance.
2. Purchase of materials and equipment (fencing, cat traps, monitoring cameras, incendiaries and matches, safety equipment, first aid kit, satellite phone).
3. Signage, quotes are being sought now.
4. Purchase of side by side vehicle in the name of Gummi Junga Aboriginal Corporation.
5. Property management plan and mapping, and Fire Plan has been completed.
6. Weed control work, has been completed on high priority areas (e.g. rubber vine, sicklepod, rubber bush, gamba grass.)
7. A fair bit has been achieved, in a small window of time as it has been reasonably wet this year.
8. The rest will be completed as soon as we can access all control areas, when it dries out 
9. Feral pigs, brumbies, wild dogs and wildcat control has been carried out at the end of the dry season. Further control work will be done as soon as it dries out enough to enable access.
10. Cultural site fencing has been finished.
11. Cultural awareness signage is being sourced and will be installed as soon as we can
12. Quoll monitoring established (monitor and record with wildlife cameras). 
13. Areas of soil erosion noted and methods to improve stability and ground cover identified.
14. . By spraying the weed infested areas, the native ground cover can re-establish.
15. Aerial burning has been carried out. One season has been completed with the final burn to be completed, once the fuel load cures enough.

  • Relationships with key parties (eg. 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. 

  • Traditional knowledge has been recorded and incorporated in land management plans and activities.

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

  • 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.