Hands-On Weed Management Protects Local Restoration Sites

Practical, on-ground weed management is playing a key role in protecting the long-term success of earlier environmental restoration works across several local sites.

Crews from Narburra Water Services and Gudjuda Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation recently carried out targeted weed control across three locations, focusing on reducing pressure on native vegetation and improving ecosystem health.

The works included cutting invasive rubber vine and lantana close to the root system, as well as removing dead plant material that was smothering young trees and restricting canopy growth. Rapidly spreading weeds such as prickly acacia and chinee apple were also controlled to protect surrounding native species.

At Molongle Creek, dense gamba grass was brush-cut to improve visibility and safety for crews working on site. The cut material was then reused as mulch, helping to stabilise soil and address areas affected by land degradation.

Weed control methods were carefully selected to suit site conditions while minimising disturbance. At Tabletop and Molongle Creek, Narburra Water Services used basal barking to manage chinee apple and prickly acacia. This low-disturbance and time-efficient method prevents regrowth and seedling emergence and was applied using a backpack sprayer with an oil-soluble herbicide and oil-based carrier at correct ratios.

Meanwhile, at Majors Creek, Gudjuda Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation employed a cut-stump treatment, applying Vigilant II Herbicide to freshly cut stumps to prevent regrowth.

Beyond improving site conditions, the works also strengthened crew skills in plant identification and practical weed management. Together, these efforts are helping to protect ecosystem health, stabilise erosion-prone areas and ensure earlier restoration investments continue to deliver lasting environmental benefits for the community.

Photos supplied by NQ Dry Tropics NRM.