Weed Project

Background

Kedron Brook Catchment Network has always been concerned with the identification and removal of weeds along the watercourses and particularly remnant forests and vegetated areas assisting in the formation of bush corridors that assist the safe movement of wildlife throughout the catchment.

Since 2004, greater attention has been given to a systematic location and identification of weeds, mapping of weed types and their growth intensities related to legislative and authorative priorities for the control of weeds. This information allows the proper appraisal of the overall threats to native flora and fauna. The resultant data can be used to assist habitat groups and local authorities to budget for human and financial resources necessary for weed control on a priority basis.

Creek Rangers (previously named Catchment Coordinators), Kylie Withers and Nathan Kirby, Leslie Collins, Emma Maltby, Anna Bourke, and now Jacinta Hamilton have provided technical expertise, facilitation and coordination of this ongoing project. The successful techniques developed during this work have been communicated at our general meetings, via our newsletters and group training activities, and on this website.

Only brief details of the procedures are given here.  A more detailed record is being considered for future inclusion. Obtain general information about weeds on our About Weeds page.

General approach

• Determination of priority areas within the catchment to be studied.
• Determination of priority weeds from governmental legislation and authorative references.
• Provision of reliable data records indicating the location, type and severity of selected weed infestation.
• Assessment of bushland biocondition within these areas.
• Evaluation, management and reporting of results to catchment groups, relevant authorities, and specifically Brisbane City Council and the Pine Rivers Shire (now Moreton Bay Regional Council).

Recording tools

The following two data collecting forms may be downloaded from the Report below. The methodology has been carefully adapted from that used by resource management within the Brisbane City Council and other SEQ authorities.

Remnant Vegetation Condition Assessment Form

This form is used as a summary of the positive and negative attributes for a given management unit (prescribed area of land, including bushland, important vegetation or wildlife dependant area).

Weed Survey Form

This form is used to record the densities of grasses, groundcovers, trees, shrubs and vines, as selected as being particularly relevant in the management unit being surveyed.

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Kedron Brook Catchment Remnant Vegetation Prioritisation Assessment and Weed Mapping Project

From late 2005, our KBCB Coordinator at that time, Nathan Kirby, fine-tuned the existing survey worksheets so that they were more easily adapted by bushcare groups. He trained relevant individuals and groups throughout the catchment. Weed assessment and prioritisation training was carried out during 2006 on a "tool-box" approach, branch and network meetings, and finally catchment workshop in November 2006. As a result, weed surveys were carried out by individuals and groups, guided by Nathan, in important forest remnants along the catchment.

The results of surveys conducted on these "remnants" have now been appraised. Action priorities have been determined based upon the types and severities found of weed infestation, in relation to the immediate and long-term needs of the bushcare groups, the community and the local authorities; Brisbane City Council and Pine Rivers Shire Council (now Moreton Bay Regional Council). Nathan has developed and detailed procedures to determine the priority of various significant weed removal strategies and mapped the results of this information to assist responsible bodies to determine future actions required on a priority basis.

Final Report (05/03/2007)