Creekwatch: Caring for Gladstone’s Waterways:
Final Report
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Introduction
In January 2015,Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) was succuessful in securing the tender to deliver a citizen science program in the Gladstone region. The program Creekwatch: Caring for Gladstone’s Waterways aimed to engage volunteers from the community to take part in water quality testing, revegetation, weed control and general clean-ups in specific creeks and rivers in the Gladstone region
In consultation with the Steering Committee and represetantitives from the Gladstone Healty Harbour Partnership committee, CVA selected eight sites within the Gladstone region that would become the project sites for the length of the partnership.
This report contains the summary of the project sites, summary of the raw data collected, and examples of the flyers and posters used to recruit volunteers to the project. Accompanying this report, is a brief report summarising the program and recommending actions going forward.
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Contents Introduction 2
Overview 5 Site 1- Police Creek –Lions Park Gladstone 6 Site 2 -Police Creek- Jo Joseph park 7 Site 3 Boat Creek 8 Site 4 Calliope River – Black Gate Road. 9 Site 5 Calliope River – Calliope Historical Village 10 Site 6 Boyne River- Nortons Road Crossing 11 Site 7 Boyne River – Pikes Crossing 12 Site 8 Boyne River Benaraby 13 Volunteers and Community Engagement 14 Media 15 Community Events 15 Committee Meetings 15 Physiochemical Data 16 Site 1- Police Creek –Lions Park Gladstone 17 Site 2 -Police Creek- Jo Joseph Park 18 Site 3 Boat Creek 19 Site 4 Calliope River – Black Gate Road. 20 Site 5 Calliope River – Calliope Historical Village 21 Site 6 Boyne River- Nortons Road Crossing 22 Site 7 Boyne River – Pikes Crossing 23 Site 8 Boyne River Benaraby 24 Macroinvertebrate Data 25 Site 1- Police Creek –Lions Park Gladstone 26 Site 2 -Police Creek- Jo Joseph Park 27 Site 3 Boat Creek 28 Site 4 Calliope River – Black Gate Road. 29 Site 5 Calliope River- Historical Village 30 Site 6 Boyne River- Nortons Road Crossing 31 Site 7 Boyne River – Pikes Crossing 32 Site 8 Boyne River – Bruce Highway – Benaraby 33 Incidental Fauna and Bird Data 34 Site 1- Police Creek –Lions Park Gladstone 34 Incidental Fauna 34 Site 2 -Police Creek- Jo Joseph park 35 Incidental Bird Survey 35 Incidental Fauna 35 Site 3 Boat Creek 36 Incidental Fauna 36 Site 4 Calliope River – Black Gate Road. 37 Incidental Fauna 37 Site 5 Calliope River – Calliope Historical Village 38 Incidental Fauna 38 Site 6 Boyne River- Nortons Road Crossing 39 Incidental Fauna 39 Site 7 Boyne River – Pikes Crossing 40 Incidental Fauna 40 Site 8 Boyne River Benaraby 41 Incidental Fauna 41 Flora Data- Invasive species 42 Site 1- Police Creek –Lions Park Gladstone 42 Site 2 -Police Creek- Jo Joseph park 43 Page 3 of 57
Site 3 Boat Creek 44 Site 4 Calliope River – Black Gate Road. 45 Site 5 Calliope River – Calliope Historical Village 46 Site 6 Boyne River- Nortons Road Crossing 47 Site 7 Boyne River – Pikes Crossing 48 Site 8 Boyne River Benaraby 49 Conclusion 50 Appendix One – Community Engagement 51 Appendix Two - Weather Observations 54 April 54 May 55 June 56 Appendix Three - Regional Ecosystems and vegetation maps 57
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Overview
Gladstone’s first Citizen science project Creek Watch has been established in 2015 with the objective to engage our community in our environment and practical conservation activities at eight key water ways in the Gladstone Harbour Catchment.
THE STUDY SITES. Police Creek- Lions Park Police Creek – Joe Joseph Park, Lake Calemondah Boat Creek Calliope River Black Gate Road Crossing Calliope River Old Bruce Highway Historical Village Crossing Boyne River – Nortons Road Crossing Nagoorin Boyne River- Pikes Crossing Boyne River- Bruce High Way Crossing Benaraby.
PROGRESS During the 45 field activities over 29 day from March to June Creek watch volunteers achieved. Removal of 120 Kg Rubbish collected. Collection of 1 kg native seeds Removal of 1000m2 Weeds Water physiochemical studies (45) Bird Surveys (45) Macro invertebrate surveys (45) Regional Ecosystems mapping and flora trigger mapping Risk assessments for each site. Established photo monitoring points for each site. Recruitment and training of Project officer. Establishment and monthly meetings of the Creek Watch steering committee.
COMMUNITY Community engagement and volunteer recruitment have been intensive through this period of time with regular news articles and community days during the period.
Weekly volunteer- what’s coming up updates are sent to our volunteer list. . 200 individuals receive these notifications Media Releases . Media releases were submitted and published in local media in March April and May. Radio interviews Public information sessions at Stockland Kin Kora on 20/03/15 and 08/05/15. . Approximately 140 people were directly engaged through these information sessions Monthly newsletters were sent to our volunteer contact list (Appendix One) Fliers were developed and approved for distribution publically. (Appendix One)
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Site 1- Police Creek –Lions Park Gladstone
GPS -23.52.20S ; 141.14.178E
*Map source Gladstone Regional Council Mapping System
Survey Dates
30/03/2015 11/04/2015 2/05/2015 23/05/2015 8/06/2015 22/06/2015
Police creek is Gladstone’s most significant urban water way falling with in the regional ecosystem classification 12.3.7 (Riverine wetland or fringing riverine wetland.) Police creek contributes to the Gladstone harbour not far down stream where it joins Auckland creek at Lake Calemondah weir. Human impacts on this site include local development, land clearing, litter (takeaway food packaging) and invasive flora species. The site is an important nature corridor and home to hundreds of species of local native fauna. Regular practical conservation activities including regular litter cleanups, removal of invasive species and planting of endemic species particularly Lomandra and Native sedges would improve the water quality not only with in the site but also in the Gladstone
. 30/03/15
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Site 2 -Police Creek- Jo Joseph park
*Map source Gladstone Regional Council Mapping System
Survey Dates
30/03/2015 11/04/2015 2/05/2015 23/05/2015 8/06/2015 22/06/2015
1500m downstream from the Lions park Police creek sampling site Joe Joesph park at Lake Calemondah , joins the Gladstone Harbour Auckland Creek. Devied only by Calemonah weir Joe Joseph part site reflects the issues are common in the urban water way of Police creek. The impacts of adjoining development , recreational use, Litter and Invasive species lower the quality of this key habitat and green corridor in Gladstone. Practical conservation and a hands on approach to revegetation and litter management will improve this site and contribute to healthier wildlife and a healthier harbor.
30/03/15
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Site 3 Boat Creek
GPS S 23.49 - E 151.09.086
*Map source Gladstone Regional Council Mapping System Survey Dates
30/03/2015 15/04/2015 11/05/2015 29/05/2015 12/06/2015 26/06/2015
Boat Creek rests in the Gladstone Development corridor neighbored by industry and agriculture he water way the water way has infestations of invasive species and litter that comes from the traffic passing by.
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Site 4 Calliope River – Black Gate Road.
GPS S 23.59.23 -E 151.06.020
*Map source Gladstone Regional Council Mapping System
Survey Dates
24/04/2015 1/05/2015 30/05/2015 15/06/2015 29/06/2015
In the upper catchment of Calliope river the survey site at the Black Gate Road crossing is impacted by agriculture and recreational use of the area.
We have found a lot of litter in the survey site and significant infestations of weeds. The rubber vine infestation being of concern. Small areas of Parthinium weed and castor oil plant have been removed as well as litter.
24/04/15
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Site 5 Calliope River – Calliope Historical Village
*Map source Gladstone Regional Council Mapping System
Survey Dates
24/04/2015 1/05/2015 30/05/2015 15/06/2015 29/06/2015
The Calliope river at the Historical village is a popular recreational camping spot and the banks are somewhat degraded due to this use. Upstream and adjoining agricultural land has also impacted on this site with invasive species present.
At this site the water becomes influenced by tide.
24/04/1
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Site 6 Boyne River- Nortons Road Crossing
GPS S 24.21.21 – E 151.18.620
*Map source Gladstone Regional Council Mapping System
Survey Dates
7/04/2015 27/04/2015 18/05/2015 5/06/2015 20/06/2015 10/07/2015
Impacts from regional flooding, surrounding agriculture, litter from recreational use and an infestation of Creeping Cats claw is of concern for the native vegetation on this site. Locally known for sightings of platypus our Creekwatch team has removed areas of Castor Oil plant in seed and litter with the hope our monetreme friends would pop their heads up to say thanks for the cleanup. The site would greatly benefit from management of the creeping cats claw and revegetation to replace the old growth being lost to Creeping Cats Claw.
20/06/15
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Site 7 Boyne River – Pikes Crossing
*Map *Map source Gladstone Regional Council Mapping System
Survey Dates
28/03/2015 23/04/2015 4/05/2015 15/05/2015 1/06/2015 19/06/2015
A popular recreational fishing spot Pikes crossing shows the scars of impact from regional flooding, surrounding agriculture, litter from recreational use and invasive species infestations will continue to degrade this stie with out regular management. On each survey day our creek watch team spent time weeding siratro vine from native vegetation and collecting bags up on bags of rubbish (fishing or beverage items).
04/05/15
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Site 8 Boyne River Benaraby
GPS S 24.00.32 – E151.20.305
*Map source Gladstone Regional Council Mapping System
Surveyed on
30/04/2015 4/05/2015 4/05/2015 15/05/2015 19/06/2015
This intertidal site in the lower Boyne River is impacted by flooding, debris from flooding and recreational use (fishing and camping) and invasive flora. On ground conservaion activities included removal of debris and a few small patches of weeds from around some struggling native flora.
04/05/15
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Volunteers and Community Engagement Number of Date Site Volunteers
Boyne River Pikes Crossing / Boyne River Bruce Saturday 28 March 4 Highway Benaraby Monday March 30th Police Creek-Lions Park 6 Police Creek Joe Joseph park
Monday March 30th Boat Creek 4 Tuesday 7 April Boyne River Nortons Road Crossing Nagorin 4 Police Creek- Lions Park Saturday 11 April 3 Police Creek – Joe Joseph park Wednesday 15 April Boat Creek 8 Thursday 23 April Boyne River Pikes Crossing 2
Calliope River Black Gate Road / Calliope River Friday 24th April 1 (rainy day) Historical Village Monday 27 April Boyne River Nortons Road Crossing Nagoorin 3 Calliope River Black Gate Road Friday 1 May 4 Calliope River Historical Village Police Creek Lions park Saturday May 2 2 Police Creek Joe Joseph park Boyne River Pikes Crossing Monday 4 May 3 Boyne River Bruce Highway Benaraby Monday 11 May Boat Creek 4 Boyne River Pikes Crossing Friday 15 May 4 Boyne River Bruce Highway Benaraby Monday18 May Boyne River Nortons Road Crossing Nagoorin 2 Police Creek- Lions Park Saturday 23 May 2 Police Creek – Joe Joseph park Friday 29 May Boat Creek 4 Calliope River Black Gate Road Saturday 30May 4 Calliope River Historical Village Calliope River Black Gate Road Monday 1June 5 Calliope River Historical Village Friday 5 June Boyne River Nortons Road Crossing Nagoorin 5 Police Creek- Lions Park Monday 8 June 6 Police Creek – Joe Joseph park Monday 12 June Boat Creek 7 Friday 15 June Calliope River Black Gate Road 7 Calliope River Historical Village Friday19 June 7 Boyne River Bruce Highway Benaraby Boyne River Nortons Road Crossing Nagoorin Saturday 20 June 8 (community Field Day)
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Police Creek- Lions Park Monday 22 June 6 Police Creek – Joe Joesph park Friday 26 June Boat Creek 4 Calliope River Black Gate Road Monday 29 June 4 Calliope River Historical Village
Friday 10 July Boyne River Nortons Road Crossing Nagoorin 5
A total of 123 volunteers were engaged in this project.
Media
Approved media released were sent to local media monthly. Activity updates were sent weekly to our volunteer subscription list. 4cc Ratio interviews CVA / Creek watch newsletters April -May
Community Events
During the calendar of events Creek watch held community weekend events
Information displays were held at Stockland Kin Kora on20/03/15 and 08/05/15. o Approximately 70 people were directly engaged at this stall Ecofest 31/05/15 o The popular Gladstone event was attended by over 7000 people with hundreds visiting the GHHP/CVA creek watch display to meet the Creek Watch Creatures.
Committee Meetings
Steering Committee Meetings were held on
05 March 2015
01 April 2015
06 May 2015
11 June 2015
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Physiochemical Data
Physiochemical data sets including PH, Turbidity, Dissolved oxygen, Temperature and Conductivity were collected as indicators of the water way health. Each site was tested at three locations approximately 50 m apart The tabled data is the average of the three location/ site s this gives a reliable overall picture of the Physiochemical data set of the each site. To ensure the data confidence in these data sets the instrument used was hired from Airmet Scientific and calibrated to manufacturers standards. Visual observations for each site are also included in this data set. Data confidence in the parameter is high as the field team for each site included key volunteers that were familiar with each of the sites observed water features. Across all sites Physiochemical data indicates good aquatic health with in the short sampling physiochemical data samples were with in normal and expected ranges. Included in this report in Appendix Two are the weather summaries for the period of sampling, as the weather impacts on delivery and results. Each of the eight sampling sites is tabled below:
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Site 1- Police Creek –Lions Park Gladstone Date 30/03/2015 11/04/2015 2/05/2015 23/05/2015 8/06/2015 22/06/2015 Time 12:30 14:15 10:00 12:00 9:30 - Temp 28.5 27.8 20.3 20.5 19 19.2 C 0.138 0.097 0.073 0.159 0.186 0.164 DO (%) 64.1 85 72.7 74 54 53 pH 7.63 8.02 7.53 7.48 7.33 7.52 Turbidity 0.88 1325 47.5 29.83 19.9 6.8
Instrument CQU - DKK- DKK- DKK- DKK- 721232 638033 638033 638033 Observations
Water level Normal Normal Normal Normal Low Normal Flow rate Slow Still Still Still Still Stil Water surface Smooth Small Smooth Smooth Smooth Smooth ripples Evidence of Odour None None None None Pollution
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Site 2 -Police Creek- Jo Joseph Park Date 30/03/2015 11/04/2015 2/05/2015 23/05/2015 8/06/2015 22/06/2015 Time 11:30 10:00 11:20 10:30 Temp 28.1 26.7 22.1 20.7 20.3 19.5 C 0.085 0.105 0.106 0.102 0.113 0.122 DO (%) 82.6 85.8 81.3 89 69.7 73 pH 7.97 7.32 7.69 7.63 7.55 7.56 Turbidity 0.52 1315.7 13.1 7.1 13.8 12.9 DKK- DKK- DKK- DKK- 721232 638033 638033 638033 Instrument
Observations
Water level Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal High Flow rate Slow Slow Still Still Slow Slow Water surface Small Small Small Small Small Small ripples ripples ripples ripples ripples ripples Evidence of Pollution None Debris None None None None
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Site 3 Boat Creek
Date 30/03/2015 15/04/2015 11/05/2015 29/05/2015 12/06/2015 26/06/2015 Time 10:30 11:00 14:00 14:00 11:00 10:00 Temp 27.5 24.4 20.6 22.1 19.9 17.6 C 0.0136 0.029 0.19 0.177 0.192 0.209 DO (%) 67.5 33 73 62.5 73.5 47.7 pH 7.1 6.32 7.4 7.02 7.32 7.24 Turbidity 0.85 - 0.1 33.6 10.8 11.1
Instrument CQU Aurecon DKK- DKK- DKK- DKK- YSI 638033 638033 638033 638033
Observations
Water level Normal Normal Low Low Normal Flow rate Slow Slow Still Slow Slow Water surface Smooth Smooth Smooth Smooth Small ripples Evidence of Algae None Oil sheen None None Pollution Iron bacteria present
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Site 4 Calliope River – Black Gate Road.
Date 24/04/2015 1/05/2015 30/05/2015 15/06/2015 29/06/2015 Time 12:00 10:30 11:00 12:30 11:30 Temp 23.4 21.5 20.6 20.7 20 C 0.121 0.121 0.135 0.139 0.103 DO (%) 100 73 99 89 98 pH 8.22 8.35 8.13 8.22 8.29 Turbidity 2.9 5.7 0.7 0 0
Instrument DKK-733558
Observations
Water level Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Flow rate Fast Fast Fast Fast Medium Water surface Small Lage Small Large Small Ripples ripples ripples ripples ripples Evidence of None None None Oil Debris (household litter and Pollution fishing line)
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Site 5 Calliope River – Calliope Historical Village Date 24/04/2015 1/05/2015 30/05/2015 15/06/2015 29/06/2015 Time 11:00 12:30 12:30 10:30 10:00 Temp 22.3 23.1 22.7 21.8 18.6 C 0.783 0.655 0.835 0.17 0.141 DO (%) 107 90 131 87 80 pH 8.27 8.34 8.26 8.05 8.27 Turbidity 2.7 4.2 2.5 1.3 0.7
Instrument DKK- 638033 DKK-733558 Observations
Water level Normal Normal Normal High Normal Flow rate Fast Medium Medium Medium Medium Water surface Large Small Small Small Small ripples ripples ripples ripples ripples Evidence of Pollution None None None Other Oil (sheen) (Algae) Froth Other (toilet paper)
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Site 6 Boyne River- Nortons Road Crossing Date 7/04/2015 27/04/2015 18/05/2015 5/06/2015 20/062015 10/07/2015 Time 11:30 11:15 12:00 11:00 10:30 11:30 Temp 26.3 21 21.2 20.2 19.6 19.8 C 0.052 0.052 0.052 0.055 0.553 0.595 DO (%) 87 81 79 64 60 69 pH 7.48 7.71 7.44 7.35 7.41 7.3 Turbidity 7.2 18.8 25.2 26.7 3.8 20.5
Instrument CQU DKKK- 638033 DKKK- 638033 DKKK- DKKK- 638033 638033
Observations
Water level Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Flow rate Slow Slow Slow Slow Slow Slow Water surface Smooth Smooth Smooth Smooth Small ripples Smooth Evidence of None None None None Debris None Pollution Chairs in water
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Site 7 Boyne River – Pikes Crossing Date 28/03/2015 23/04/2015 4/05/2015 15/05/2015 1/06/2015 19/06/2015 Time 11:30 11:00 10:30 14:00 11:00 10:30 Temp 24.3 24.3 20.2 21.8 21.2 C 0.026 0.028 0.026 0.026 0.251 DO (%) 102 105 107 104 92 pH 8.18 8.04 8.37 8.01 8.25 Turbidity 0 0 0 8.1 0
Instrument DKK- DKK- DKK- 638033 638033 638033 Observations
Water level Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal Flow rate Medium Slow Slow Still Slow Slow Water surface Smooth Smooth Smooth Smooth Small Small ripples ripples Evidence of Debris Froth Froth Debris None Froth Pollution Debris (household littler)
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Site 8 Boyne River Benaraby Date 30/04/2015 4/05/2015 4/05/2015 15/05/2015 19/06/2015 Time 11:10 12:00 - 11:00 12:00 Temp 23.2 25.9 24.9 21.8 23.1 C 3.17 3.07 1.01 1.01 3.93 DO (%) 80 125 64 108 90 pH 7.89 8.03 8.05 7.89 8.1 Turbidity 5.5 0.5 5 0 0
Instrument DKK- DKK- DKK- 638033 638033 638033
Observations
Water level Normal Normal Normal Normal Flow rate Medium Fast Fast Medium Water surface Small Small ripples Large Small ripples ripples ripples Evidence of None None Debris Debris (household Pollution litter)
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Macroinvertebrate Data
At each of the survey sites macro invertebrate samples were taken at the three sampling locations using 10 net scoops at each location. The samples were studied in field. A Total of 45 individual macro invertebrate surveys have been completed across the survey sites At each of the sites the sampling locations were sampled by using a small net taking 10 scoops of samples to study. Overall there was data to suggest diversity of macroinvertebrate species, which were identified during the activities conducted across the eight sites. Below is a breakdown of the sampled species across the eight sites.
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Site 1- Police Creek –Lions Park Gladstone
Water flea Pouch snail Gilled snail
Flatworm Mosquito larve Freshwater prawn
Freshwater shrimp Water mite Water boatman
Back swimmer Water strider Small water strider Needle bug Giant water bug Pygmy back swimmer Crawling water beetle Stonefly nymph Damselfly nymph Mayfly nymph Dragonfly nymph Caddisfly larva Sculpted snail
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Site 2 -Police Creek- Jo Joseph Park
Water flea Pouch snail Gilled snail Non-biting midge larva Biting midge larva Mosquito pupa
Freshwater shrimp Freshwater prawn Water mite Water boatman Back swimmer Water strider Small water strider
Water measurer Needle bug Giant water bug Pygmy back swimmer Damselfly nymph Mayfly nymph Dragonfly nymph Caddisfly larva Sculpted snail
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Site 3 Boat Creek
Seed shrimp Water flea Pouch snail Gilled snail Little basket shell Biting midge larva Round worm Mosquito larve Freshwater shrimp Water boatman Water strider Small water strider Giant water bug Pygmy back swimmer Freshwater prawn Water scavenger Crawling water beetle Damselfly nymph Dragonfly nymph Caddisfly larva Small fish Sculpted snail
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Site 4 Calliope River – Black Gate Road.
Pouch snail Gilled snail Little basket shell Segmented worm Mosquito larve Mosquito pupa March fly larva Freshwater shrimp Freshwater prawn Fishing spider Back swimmer Water strider Small water strider Water measurer Creeping water bug Pygmy back swimmer
Water scavenger Predacious Whirling beetle Damselfly nymph Mayfly nymph
Caddisfly larva
Small fish Sculpted snail
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Site 5 Calliope River- Historical Village
Seed shrimp
Pouch snail Gilled snail Biting midge larva Round worm Mosquito larve Freshwater Sponge Freshwater shrimp Freshwater prawn Fishing spider Water strider Small water strider Needle bug Pygmy back swimmer Whirling beetle Crawling water beetle
Mayfly nymph Water penny Dragonfly nymph
Caddisfly larva Small Fish
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Site 6 Boyne River- Nortons Road Crossing
Seed shrimp Gilled snail Non-biting midge larva Biting midge larva Round worm Flatworm
Mosquito larve Mosquito pupa Soildier fly larva Freshwater shrimp
Freshwater slater Freshwater prawn Water mite Water boatman Back swimmer Water strider
Small water strider Giant water bug Pygmy back swimmer Water scavenger Predacious diving beetle
Crawling water beetle Damselfly nymph Mayfly nymph Dragonfly nymph
Caddisfly larva small fish Sculpted snail
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Site 7 Boyne River – Pikes Crossing
Gilled snail Non-biting midge larva Round worm Flatworm Mosquito larve Yabbie Freshwater shrimp Freshwater prawn Water mite Water strider
Creeping water bug Giant water bug Crawling water beetle
Stonefly nymph Damselfly nymph Mayfly nymph
Dragonfly nymph Caddisfly larva Glasi snail sculpted snail Cone crab thing Small fish Flat spiral snail
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Site 8 Boyne River – Bruce Highway – Benaraby
Pouch snail Gilled snail Non-biting midge larva
Freshwater shrimp Scud Freshwater prawn Water mite Predactious Diving beetle Sculptured snail molluscs
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Incidental Fauna and Bird Data
Site 1- Police Creek –Lions Park Gladstone
Common Name Scientific Name Blue Faced Honey eater Entomyson cyanotis Torrisian crow Covus orru Dusky Moorehen Gallinula tenebrosa Black faced Cuckoo Corancina navehollandiae shrike Pacific Black duck Anas superciliosa Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoflossus hameatodus Little Pied Cormerant Microcarbo melanoleucos Black duck Black swan Cyngus atratus Magpie goose Anseranas semipalmata Eurasian coot Fulica atra Sulphur Crested Cacatua galerita Cockatoo Galah Eolophus roseicapilla Brown honey eater Lichmera indistincta
Incidental Fauna
Dragon Flies Butterflies Murray River Turtle (Emydura macquarii )
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Site 2 -Police Creek- Jo Joseph park
Incidental Bird Survey
Common Name Scientific Name Australasian darter Anhinga novaehollandiae Australasian fig bird Sphecotheres vielloti Australian white ibis Threskiornis molucca Brahminy kite Haliastur indus Brown honey eater Lichmera indistincta Double bar finches Taeniopygia bichenovii Dusky moorhen Gallinula tenebrosa
Eastern great egret Ardea modesta Forest kingfisher Todiramphus macleayii Little friar bird Philemon citreogularis Magpie lark Grallina cyanoleuca Pied cormorant Phalacrocorax varius
Spangled drongo Dicrurus bracteatus White eared monarch Carterornis leucotis Willy wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys
Incidental Fauna
Dragon Flies Butterflies Murray River Turtle (Emydura macquarii )
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Site 3 Boat Creek
Common Name Scientific Name Welcome swallow Hirundo neoxena Eurasian coot Fulica atra Double bar finches Taeniopygia bichenovii Whistling kite Haliastur sphenurus Common Name Scientific Name
Welcome swallow Hirundo neoxena Eurasian coot Fulica atra Double bar finches Taeniopygia bichenovii
Incidental Fauna Dragon Flies Butterflies
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Site 4 Calliope River – Black Gate Road.
Common Name Scientific Name Brahminy kite Haliastur indus Brown honey eater Lichmera indistincta Double bar finches Taeniopygia bichenovii Magpie lark Grallina cyanoleuca White bellied sea eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Willy wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys
Incidental Fauna
Dragon Flies Butterflies
Native frogs and Skinks
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Site 5 Calliope River – Calliope Historical Village
Common Name Scientific Name Brahminy kite Haliastur indus
Grey crowned babbler Pomatostomus temporalis
Little black cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris Little Pied Cormorant Microcarbo melanoleucos
Magpie lark Grallina cyanoleuca
Masked lapwing Vanellus miles Pale headed rosella Platycercus adscitus
Rainbow lorikeets Trichoflossus hameatodus
Welcome swallow Hirundo neoxena
Whistling kite Haliastur sphenurus White bellied sea eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster
Incidental Fauna
Dragon Flies
Butterflies
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Site 6 Boyne River- Nortons Road Crossing
Common Name Scientific Name
Blue-wing kookaburra Dacelo leachii
Brown honeyeater Lichmera indistincta
Eurasian coot Fulica atra
Welcome swallow Hirundo neoxena White bellied sea eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Rainbow lorikeets Trichoflossus hameatodus Little Pied Cormorant Microcarbo melanoleucos
Forest kingfisher Todiramphus macleayii Brown honey eater Lichmera indistincta
Double bar finches Taeniopygia bichenovii Rainbow Bee Eater Merops ornatus
Incidental Fauna
Dragon Flies Butterflies Turtles and Lizards
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Site 7 Boyne River – Pikes Crossing
Common Name Scientific Name Australasian darter Anhinga novaehollandiae Australian magpie Cracticus tibicen Brahminy kite Haliastur indus
Brown-headed honeyeater Melithreptus brevirostris Double bar finches Taeniopygia bichenovii Dusky moorhen Gallinula tenebrosa Forest kingfisher Todiramphus macleayii
Magpie lark Grallina cyanoleuca Masked lapwing Vanellus miles Pacific black duck Anas superciliosa Rainbow lorikeets Trichoflossus hameatodus Torresian crow Covus orru Welcome swallow Hirundo neoxena Whistling kite Haliastur sphenurus White-necked heron Ardea pacifica Willy wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys Azure Kingfisher Alcedo azurea
Incidental Fauna
Dragon Flies Butterflies Murray River Turtle (Emydura macquarii )
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Site 8 Boyne River Benaraby
Common Name Scientific Name Australian pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus Torresian crow Covus orru Sulphur-crested cockatoo Cacatua galerita Whistling kite Haliastur sphenurus
White bellied sea eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Eastern great egret Ardea modesta Crested turn Thalasseus bergii Blue-wing kookaburra Dacelo leachii
Incidental Fauna
Dragon Flies Butterflies
Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus
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Flora Data- Invasive species
Site 1- Police Creek –Lions Park Gladstone
Aquatic Weeds Terrestrial Weeds
Salvinia Para grass
Smart weed Grader grass
Algae Umbrella sedge
Lotus Singapore daisy
Lantana
Green panic
Sirrarto vine
Passiflora sp.
Pepper tree
Devils fig
Rubbervine
Honey locust tree
Mile a min
Snake weed
Rhodes grass
Caster oil plant
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Site 2 -Police Creek- Jo Joseph park
Aquatic Weeds Terrestrial Weeds
Salvinia Lucena
Smart weed Green panic
Algae Singapore daisy
Lotus Pepper tree
Nut grass
Para grass
Grader grass
Passiflora sp
Snake weed
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Site 3 Boat Creek
Aquatic Weeds Terrestrial Weeds
Hymanachene hymenachne ampleexicaulis Green panic
Nut grass
Devils fig
Snake weed
Cobblers pegs
Lantana
Rubber vine
Saratra
Umberella sedge
Calope
Rodes grass
Grader grass
Euphorbia hurta
Red natal
Para grass
Bull rush
Mother of millions
Misty flower
Wild goose berry
Milk thistle
Kaki weed
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Site 4 Calliope River – Black Gate Road.
Aquatic Weeds Terrestrial Weeds
Hymanachene hymenachne ampleexicaulis Green panic
Nut grass
Devils fig
Snake weed
Cobblers pegs
Lantana
Rubber vine
Siratro Vine
Umberella sedge
Calope
Rodes grass
Grader grass
Euphorbia hurta
Red natal
Para grass
Bull rush
Mother of millions
Misty flower
Wild goose berry
Milk thistle
Kaki weed
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Site 5 Calliope River – Calliope Historical Village
Aquatic Weeds Terrestrial Weeds
Castor oil
Green panic
Siratro
Rodes Grass
Tomatoes
Pexalis
Devils fig
milk thistle
Yellow rattle pod
Rubber vine
misty flower
Blackberry
Parthemium
Mexican poppy
euphorbia herta
Cobblers pegs
Snake Weed
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Site 6 Boyne River- Nortons Road Crossing
Aquatic Weeds Terrestrial Weeds
Hymenachne Lantana
Cats claw creeper
Sorgum
Yellow rattler
Nut grass
Leukenia
Castor oil plant
Passiflora
Milk weed
Mexican poppy
Easter Cassia
Parra
Stylo
Rubber vine
Umberella sedge
Devils fig
Night shade
Siratro Vine
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Site 7 Boyne River – Pikes Crossing
Aquatic Weeds Terrestrial Weeds
Aquarium weeds Green panic
Smart weed Lucenea
Devils fig
Lantana
Para grass
Caster oil plant
Snake weed
Nagoorin bur
Yellow rag weed
Rattle pod
Siratro vine
Cats Claw
Paresalis
Singapore daisy
wild goose berry (physalis angulata)
Rubber vine
Euphorbia herta
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Site 8 Boyne River Benaraby
Aquatic Weeds Terrestrial Weeds
Para grass
Green panic
Grader grass
Rodes grass
Siratro Vine
spiny headed sider
Cobblers pegs
Nagoorra Burr
Pig face
Yellow Rattle pod
Calope
Sweet basil
Carribean stylo bush
Snake weed
SUMMARY The invasive species identified in the field surveys are common to water ways of the Gladstone Region. Landholders invasive species management plans should be referred to for the larger areas of infestations, smaller infestations were removed and disposed of. Native vegetation was not recorded as part of this projects survey data, in future projects it is a recommendation from Conservation Volunteers that Native flora be also included in the field observations . The data sets should also include information on the species status if flowering in seed or new growth is present.
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Conclusion
The aim of the Creek watch: Caring for Gladstone’s Waterways was to engage the Gladstone (and surrounding) communities in environmental activities that contribute to the knowledge of the water quality in the region.
The program Creekwatch: Caring for Gladstone’s Waterways successfully engaged volunteers from the community to undertake the following activities water quality testing, revegetation, weed control and general clean-ups in eight specific creeks and rivers in the Gladstone region. .
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Appendix One – Community Engagement
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Appendix Two - Weather Observations
Weather observations have been recorded for the project, as it impacts upon the delivery of the program, and also the results collected.
April
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May
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June
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Appendix Three - Regional Ecosystems and vegetation maps
Flora Trigger Maps and regional ecosystem vegetation maps have been completed for each survey site. All sites fall within the South East QLD (RE 12.1.1- 12.3.7) regional ecosystem and have high ecological value.
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