Biodiversity

The Biodiversity team at Reef Catchments engages in various initiatives to safeguard the biodiversity of the Mackay Whitsunday Region. Their efforts concentrate on wetlands and priority species conservation.

Koalas

The first Reef Catchments Koala Habitat Restoration project kicked off early in 2024.

After many years working towards building recognition of the regional koala population and its needs, this project represented a significant step forward for Reef Catchments.

With a primary objective to stabilise or improve koala populations, the initiative includes managing 150 hectares for weed control to facilitate koala movement and lower fire risks, alongside planting 27 hectares with koala-friendly vegetation. The project spans from Sandy Creek to just north of Koumala, covering from Connors Range in the west to the eastern coastal areas, targeting several key zones within this range.

Regional landholders and communities have enthusiastically engaged with the project to assist with identification of koala habitat areas, weed management and habitat revegetation.

The program will provide valuable data and insights to support future regional programs in support of these endangered populations.

How you can help: reefcatchments.com.au/projects/sarina-region-koala-habitat-restoration

Eastern Curlew

Listed as a top 20 priority and critically endangered bird, the Eastern Curlew uses the Mackay region as a non-breeding roosting destination.

Flying more than 20,000 kilometres (round trip) from breeding grounds in China and Russia to Australia, they can lose 40-70% of their body weight. This significant loss makes it crucial for them to rebuild body muscle and fat during their stopovers in the region.

The Eastern Curlew programs, delivered by Reef Catchments, utilises habitat data to identify and prioritise sites for conservation interventions. These interventions include feral animal control, beach cleanup events, and habitat restoration. Community engagement, awareness, and education are also important in providing safe and quiet areas for birds to rest and feed.

These groundbreaking regional programs have been an important start to understanding and helping these beautiful birds in a bid to stabilise their population.

Want to know more? reefcatchments.com.au/projects/eastern-curlew/

Fishways

Many of our region’s fish populations are ‘Diadromous’ fish that travel between salt and freshwater as part of their life and breeding cycles. In 2015 the Mackay Whitsunday Fish Barrier Prioritisation Report investigated 3974 potential barriers that prevent, delay or obstruct their migration, impacting population numbers.

Reef Catchments and other regional partners have used the report to guide and focus future efforts on installing and repairing existing fishways, otherwise known as fish ladders, that facilitate the natural migration of fish. Fishways monitoring programs have shown that works completed on the prioritised areas quickly achieve outstanding results in terms of increasing number of fish and numbers of species repopulating inland waterways.

Wetlands

The Biodiversity team at Reef Catchments has a long involvement in the rehabilitation of wetland sites in the region, focusing on restoring these vital ecosystems to enhance wildlife habitats and maintain ecological balance. Their efforts contribute significantly to the conservation of biodiversity in these areas.

The team engaged in a long-term project at Sandringham Wetlands, just south of Mackay, which serves as a showcase study. This project was conducted in cooperation with the landowner to create a balance between wetland conservation and sustainable farming practices. Restoration activities at the wetlands included weed management, installation of fishways and the integration of beneficial farm management practices.

Landholder Jason Bradford is quick to describe the benefits of protecting what he sees as a very special asset. “What I want (for my property) is to be a financially viable enterprise, as well as the best outcomes for nature”

More info on Sandringham: https://reefcatchments.com.au/projects/sandringham-wetlands-complex

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