Projects – NQ Land Management Services

Dirran’s end

nqlms — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 23:33:27 +0000

In 2015 NQLMS was engaged by South Endeavor Trust to revegetate a large property they purchased near Mount Hypipamee National Park on the Atherton Tablelands. This property is regarded as a critical site for highland refugial as it is above 1000 above sea level. The property also falls within into the Walter Hills east west wildlife corridor which runs from Mission Beach to Herberton. The Walter Hill corridor is regarded within the industry as the most critical wildlife corridor in the Wet Tropics.

To date we have planted 38,000 native seedlings and achieved canopy closure. We were excited this year when we discovered a Cassowary and chicks have moved into the site, we also have spotted tree kangaroos and these sightings make our hard work all worthwhile.

The work on this property is ongoing with plans to plant another 30+ hectares.

Reef Assist Program

nqlms — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 01:00:09 +0000

The Reef Assist Program is a QLD Government employment program targeting youth employment in Reef Catchment Zones throughout QLD. This Covid triggered stimulus employment program aims to tackle environmental issues impacting the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon. Other benefits include the injection of income to local businesses in regional QLD and training youth in Natural Resource Management.

NQLMS was approached to host a team by our partners including;

South Endeavour Trust
Rainforest Reserves Australia
Rainforest 4 foundation
Queensland Parks & Wildlife

NQLMS approached WTMA to submit a bid to employ 10 participants for twelve months which they agreed to host the program.

The team to date has achieved.

Planted approximately 15000 native seedlings including site preparation and on-going weed maintenance.
Produced 20000 native seedlings in two nurseries.
Attained accredited and non-accredited training appropriate within this sector.
Assisted local voluntary groups with on-ground works.

The team are motivated, hard working and keen to keep working in this industry.

Yellow Crazy Ants (YCA)

nqlms — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 00:03:13 +0000

YCA were first detected in Cairns in 2001 and it is thought they arrived via shipping. They originate from Africa but are an invasive species in Australia impacting wildlife, domestic animals and humans.

The Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA) are the agency leading the YCA eradication program. WTMA first engaged NQLMS in 2017 to train first nations on-ground groups on remote area survey techniques. Within a couple of months NQLMS were contracted to conduct remote surveying in World Heritage Rainforests mainly in the escarpment areas south of Cairns. Surveying requires us to walk transects lay down lures and all points are collected on GPS’s and uploaded daily into the WTMA data based. We continue to work on this program where inroads have been made in the eradication process.

Turbina Weed Management

nqlms — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 10:46:48 +0000

NQLMS staff have been working on Turbina corymbosa outbreaks within rainforest areas on the Atherton tablelands since 2008.

Turbina an exotic vine (in the sweet potato family) grows vigorously producing numerous seeds per plant and if left unchecked will smoother and kill native vegetation. Since severe Tropical Cyclone “Larry” where large tracts of remnant rainforest where defoliated and many trees damaged Turbina has gained a foothold.

We are engaged by State agencies, private landholders and Landcare groups to survey remnant areas, cut & paint and folia spray Turbina. Treating Turbina within native vegetation requires field botany skills and specialised control techniques. Some of our sites are in World Heritage Areas and all native species are protected under state legislation therefore our extensive experience makes our services ideal for this sensitive weed control activity.

Project Links

www.environment.gov.au/node/14513

Saline Soils Reafforestation

nqlms — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 10:39:50 +0000

Saline Soils Reafforestation

“NQLMS has been contracted to conduct salt tolerant plantings in an agricultural district where past land management practices have led to saline soils.

Through the regional bodies direction several landholders are providing land for reafforestation. NQLMS was contracted to plant river red gums with the aim to lower the water table.”

Project Links

Mine Site Project

nqlms — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 10:28:50 +0000

NQLMS is engaged by a mining company to revegetate and monitor revegetation progress on a site adjoining a large extraction pit. Tasks include;

Monitoring regeneration by setting up quadrats where data is collected monthly
Report writing
Weed control of the site area
Revegetation of a section of the site

NQLMS continues to provide ongoing weed maintenance and continues to extend revegetation across the site.

Sediment Control

nqlms — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 10:25:13 +0000

Governments have been running a program to lessen sediments, nutrients and pesticides from entering the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. NQLMS has been engaged to roll out and complete projects, contracted tasks include;

Developing plans and assisting in the grant applications.
Overseeing all subcontractors
Installation of cattle creek crossings, installing fences and off creek watering points.
Laying erosion matting on several sites.
To date we have revegetated approximately 25 ha and planted 80 000 native seedlings.
Reporting and landholder liaison”

Project Links

www.barronrivercatchment.org.au/~barronri/green-corridor/reef-rescue
Other Projects
- Griffin road detention ponds
- Razzo’s
- Thurling’s
- Carclays
- Gallos

Green Corridor Project

nqlms — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 23:55:57 +0000

“Barron Catchment Care (BCC) initiated the Green Corridor Project in 2005 with an aim to conduct revegetation and sediment control works in the Barron River Catchment over 20 years. The group charged us with trying to tackle the cost of landscape restoration and we have adopted and trailed many approaches to address this task. To date over 100,000 seedlings have been planted, several erosion control projects completed and 400 hectares of weeds managed.

NQLMS being BCC’s principal contractor have and still are rolling out many project from the Mouth of the Barron to the source. Task includes;

Produce revegetation site plans for 25 sites.

Writing grant applications

Work with a variety of private and public landholders.
Organise operation management including resourcing conducting on-ground works and on-going maintenance.

This project is a 20 year initiative and works are on-going into the future.

Project Links

www.barronrivercatchment.org.au/green-corridor/green-corridor

Some sites include.

Bonadio’s: 38000 seedlings planted, 20 hectares of weeds managed. The Bonadio property sits in the heart of Mabi country which is listed under Commonwealth legislation as “Critically Endangered”. We have reinstated approximately 15 hectares of Mabi through revegetation.
Turbina: Turbina corymbosa is an aggressive exotic vine species which took a huge foothold in Mabi forests after cyclone “larry” in 2006. BCC has been actively involved in rolling out control programs within the Tablelands since”

Cairns Water intakes

nqlms — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 23:20:58 +0000

NQLMS has been working for Cairns Water for over ten years managing three water intakes within World Heritage Rainforest areas. We have produced revegetation plans, prepared sites, revegetated and landscaped areas and continue to manage these areas for weeds. We also mow the footprint areas and keep access roads open for operational staff.

Powerlink

nqlms — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 23:10:51 +0000

NQLMS won a tender in 2014 to undertake the rehabilitation of a decommissioned powerline easement and conduct ongoing environmental maintenance of new easements. The easements were from Kareeya power station at Tully Gorge through to Tully and Tully through to Cardwell range. Our two main tasks were revegetation and spray & release (spraying weeds and releasing native plants). We were also engaged to conduct monitoring of the results after three years of operations.

Outputs included.

Planting 10000 native seedlings
Spray & releasing 20 hectares stretching over 100 kilometres.

This project was a great success with canopy cover achieved in 18 months and vast areas re-establishing with native plants once the exotic weeds were removed.

A large percentage of sites to be restored fell within World heritage Rainforest footprints. Our best practice and proven careful implementations within these zones highlights our great skills in the NRM sector.

Given NQLMS’s successful implementation of the above contract, we were engaged to rehabilitate a decommissioned communications site within World Heritage rainforests near Koomboolomba dam near Ravenshoe. This site is now fully restored and was completed in 2020.