Projects from Local, State and Federal Government grants

1. Dilkusha

Dilkusha is a 28 hectare property located in the Lake Baroon catchment on the Obi Obi Creek.  The property includes extensive areas of native rainforest, which is home to 300 species of plants and 245 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and butterflies. These include the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly (and vine), the Pink Underwing Moth and its foodplant and the rare Eastern Pygmy Possum as well as six rare and endangered tree species.

A 1.2 km stretch of the Obi Obi Creek flows through the centre of the property. The riparian lands abutting this reach are one of the last remaining examples of a rainforest riparian ecosystem in the Upper Obi Obi catchment and provide an insight into the condition of the catchment prior to European settlement. The majority of the riparian lands located at Dilkusha have never been cleared while other sections were selectively cleared in the past but have enjoyed almost 20 years of regeneration and regrowth.

The community at Dilkusha is committed to conservation. This is demonstrated by their entering into a Voluntary Conservation Agreement that protects almost 70% of the property as well as 95% of the riparian lands. In addition, in 2006, the community undertook, with the financial assistance of a Caloundra City Council Annual Grant, a program to control riparian weeds such as small and large leaved privet, lantana and madeira vine. 

The community has developed a Property Management Plan and have a proven, low ecological impact methodology for removal of woody weed species based on the Bradley method. This includes a six-hit approach to weed control over a one year period. This achieves:

• An 80% ‘first kill’ success rate on targeted ground cover species using hand removal and chemical methods;
• A 95% kill rate on woody weeds controlled by drilling and frilling;
• Removal of up to 80% of madeira vine from riparian lands;
• Control of up to 90% of targeted riparian weeds by the end of third phase of activity.

2. Groundwater Investigation Group

An innovative approach to community-based groundwater monitoring has been undertaken in the Sunshine Coast region by the Sunshine Coast Groundwater Group (GIG). The main aims of the project have been to improve knowledge of groundwater and to increase community awareness of the role of groundwater in catchment management. It is hoped that this will encourage better self management.

The Sunshine Coast GIG was formed in 2005 to investigate groundwater in the region and through the collaborative efforts of individual landholders, local Community Groups (including LBCCG in recent times), Regional NRM Bodies (BMRG and SEQ Catchments), and NR&W, groundwater monitoring networks have been set up in the Maleny (upper Obi Obi and Walkers Creek catchments) and Eudlo catchment to the east.

Funding to support the project has been provided by SEQ Catchments and BMRG, with SEQC employing a Groundwater Projects Officer to coordinate the programme in collaboration with the GIG.

There is now a record of depth to watertable and daily rainfall dating back to January 2006 for a selection of bores throughout the Maleny Plateau area. Assessment of this data is on-going, with reporting of results due for presentation in June 2008.

Focus turned to monitoring groundwater quality late in 2006, while water level and rainfall monitoring has continued. A partnership agreement between BMRG, SEQC, AquaGen and LBCCG, led to the start of the comprehensive groundwater quality monitoring program in January 2007.  The project was funded by BMRG, with considerable in-kind support provided by SEQ Catchments (project coordinator) and AquaGen (project management and E. coli analysis). Laboratory analysis has been carried out by the University of the Sunshine Coast under contract.

The programme of groundwater sampling, and analysis of nutrients, E. coli and groundwater chemistry, was completed in February 2008. The objectives of the project were to:

• provide baseline data to characterise natural groundwater quality in the Maleny area;
• monitor on a monthly basis the possibility of existing contamination from diffuse or point source pollution sources leading to unnaturally elevated nutrient and E. coli levels in groundwater;
• identify any water quality signature differences between aquifers.

The water quality monitoring has involved:

• sampling of selected bores and surface stream sites (15 - 20 sites) on a monthly basis for the on-site analysis of pH, Conductivity and Temperature, and laboratory analysis of nutrients (Nitrates, Phosphate) and E. coli;
• sampling of 20 bores twice annually for additional detailed geochemical analysis (Redox Potential, alkalinity, major cations and anions, selected metals, Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorous).

Analysis and interpretation of the water quality information is currently being assessed in relation to local landuse and the geohydrology of the area, for reporting later in June 2008.

Any enquiries about the community-based groundwater project should be directed to:

3. Name that Stream

BMRG funding initiated this project which aimed to put names to some of the as yet nameless sections of the Lake Baroon Catchment. The activity involved an advertising campaign, community workshops and the production and distribution of brochures and posters identifying the un-named creeks in the catchment.  The workshops identified those creeks that needed naming and the relevant public interest in creek naming.   The brochure allowed residents to vote on which name is most worthy for their local creek through a reply paid survey form.  The information gathered was used by LBCCG in their place name proposal to the Queensland Government.

The creeks listed below are going through the naming process according to The Place Names Act 1994.  The names will be advertised, and people will have an opportunity to challenge these choices.

Pobblebonk Creek, Honeysuckle Rd, Montville Small Creek (also known as Lexys Creek) Falls Creek Whardjin Creek   Lawley Creek   Bridge Creek   Alcorn Creek   Graves Creek Arley Creek King’s Lane Weir Maleny Weir Gardner’s Falls Freshwater Crayfish Creek   Fryar Creek after William Fryar, a surveyor Daley Creek   Willow Creek   Clark Creek	Map of streams (Click on image for full screen map)
See a presentation on Name That Stream (PDF 875Kb)

4. Maleny High School Water Tank Project

A grant from the Community Water Grants of $45,000 was received during 2006-07 to enable the High School to install several water tanks which will supply water for a large ablution block.  The system is currently being designed and it is hoped that the tanks will be installed in mid 2008.

5. Mistflower Biocontrol

Mistflower is a garden escapee that has invaded riparian areas, bush margins and pasture from Fraser Island, QLD to the Victoria border. Unlike many other invasive plants, mistflower has the ability to spread up riparian corridors into pristine catchment headwaters and negatively impact diversity in ecologically important areas such as Lamington NP, Springbrook NP, and Barrington Tops NP.

In Hawaii and New Zealand, biological control programmes have controlled this weed successfully, which has led to increases of plant diversity. These programs have used a fungus disease (the white smut fungus Entyloma ageratina), imported for that purpose. A gall fly was also introduced to NZ (and Australia) but was not an effective biological control agent.

In 2007, LBCCG provided $1000 of funding to help the initiation of a parallel project in Australia.