Inside this issue The Boondall 20th anniversary ...... 1 20 years of caring for creeks ..4 20 years of Voluntary Regenerator Conservation Agreements ...... 8

BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL’S COMMUNITY CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS NEWSLETTER | AUTUMN 2017 EDITION

Boondall Wetlands Message from Councillor David McLachlan Chairman, Environment, Parks and Environment Sustainability Committee Centre celebrates Welcome to the second edition of the new Regenerator, a newsletter for 20 years Council’s Community Conservation Partnership programs. Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre celebrated its 20th anniversary in October Firstly, I would like to highlight 2016, with a day of free, fun-filled festivities the fantastic ongoing work of the at the Nudgee Beach foreshore. Along Bushcare Group in Oxley. I also volunteers and partners across with the ‘traditional’ hands-on workshops, welcome 16 new landholders joining Habitat Brisbane, Creek Catchments, guided walks and native animal displays, the Wildlife Conservation Partnership Wildlife Conservation Partnerships the event also featured traditional Program this year. and environment centres. In the Japanese storytelling and kite making 2015-16 financial year, we had Council is working alongside these acknowledging Boondall’s close ties 888 sites under restoration consisting valuable contributions from our with its sister wetland, the Yatsu-Higata of 3062 hectares, with 7000 partners Community Conservation volunteers Tideland in Narashino, Japan. and volunteers contributing over and partners, and has so far acquired The Boondall Wetlands Environment 313,155 hours in conservation 92.5 hectares of natural habitat Centre opened in 1996 and has been a activities, planting 205,787 plants this year as part of the Bushland place for local and international guests to and sourcing over $800 thousand Acquisition Program, supporting visit and learn more about this valuable of funds externally. This had an Brisbane’s vision of 40% natural ecosystem. Over the last 20 years many overall estimated contribution of habitat cover across the city. $11.1 million. Over 112,000 visitors school groups and visitors have attended have passed through our three Council has been a leader in programs at the centre to learn about the environment centres learning about sustainability practices for more wetlands and the animals that live within our environment and sustainability. than 20 years and will continue to them. The centre is located in the largest The new Karawatha Forest Discovery engage and partner with residents wetland reserve in South East Centre, since opening 12 months and businesses to guide, educate and is an important part of , ago, has hosted more than 108 and empower the community to recognised internationally under the activities for the public and seen make Brisbane ‘’s Most Ramsar Convention. 47,000 visitors. Sustainable City’. I would like to The centre also provides a focus for thank and congratulate you for volunteers, with a group of dedicated I would also like to welcome two your contributions to help achieve interpretive volunteers leading free guided new Habitat Brisbane groups – our vision for a clean, green and walks most weekends. The Boondall Yeronga Corso Bushcare Group in sustainable city. Yeronga, and Lawson and Kendall Continued on page 2

AUTUMN 2017 EDITION | 1 Continued from page 1

Bushcare Habitat Brisbane group also holds regular working bees to help manage weeds in the reserve. To learn how you can be part of either of these groups visit Council’s website.

Council has two other environment centres, at Raven Street Bushland Reserve (Downfall Creek) and Karawatha Forest. Each provides opportunities for visitors to relax and play in a natural setting with family and friends while learning about the unique natural environments. To find out more visit Council’s website at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and search ‘environment centres’.

Fly me to the Moon

Some weigh less than a hen’s egg, but over the course of their lifetimes they fly the equivalent of the distance to the Moon. Surviving hail, cyclones, predators, urban development and fatigue, migratory shorebirds such as eastern curlews (Numenius madagascariensis), bar-tailed godwits (Limosa lapponica) and red-necked stints (Calidris ruficollis). are the superheroes of the avian world.

Migratory shorebirds feed on the food-rich mud flats and roost in the salt marshes and mangroves along the shore. Each spring they fly to Moreton signing of the Narashino Wetlands Bay from as far as Siberia, China, Japan, Affiliation Agreement between Brisbane Mongolia and Alaska. They reside in City Council and the city of Narashino. Boondall Wetlands between September Today this agreement protects significant and March each year, then once again international wetlands and migratory follow the call of summer and return shorebird populations, through research, to the northern hemisphere to breed. conservation, education and community Species such as the red-necked stint may awareness. make the 25,000 kilometre round trip between Alaska and Moreton Bay up to Lord Mayor Graham Quirk reaffirmed 15 times during their lives. Traveling such Brisbane’s commitment to this remarkable distances requires plenty of relationship by re-signing the Affiliation energy and the birds rely on wetlands Agreement together with the Mayor of along the way to rest and refuel. Narashino at Boondall Wetlands on 13 February 2017. The Yatsu-Higata Tideland in Narashino, Japan provides both important breeding Like their winged counterparts, Australian habitat and a vital stopover for these and Japanese professionals and global navigators on their way south. volunteers from Boondall and Yatsu- The importance of the relationship Higata take part in an annual pilgrimage between Boondall and Yatsu-Higata that consolidates and strengthens this was acknowledged in 1998, with the longstanding international relationship.

2 | COMMUNITY CARE FOR BUSHLANDS, WETLANDS AND WATERWAYS Bearing witness: Weed profile – Coral berry capturing Brisbane’s nature with words

I’m drawn to country between wetlands and sea sand over limestone, like the shore where I left my other skin before I became estuarine… Threshold Country by Annamaria Wheldon

Nature writing is an opportunity to impart emotion, and creatively record our experience of nature and landscape. To bear witness to what is, so that future generations know what was. Annamaria Photo: Dick Colbert Wheldon’s Threshold Country captures the essence of a place and provides a well (Ardisia crenata) thick carpet of seedlings makes it a Coral berry is of inspiration, hope and purpose. a small upright evergreen shrub potential threat and a weed to keep that is native to South-East Asia, an eye out for. Nature Writing Competition growing up to two metres high, with glossy dark green leaves. Its Control methods Considering the importance of recording landscapes and connecting people to alternately arranged leaves are • Seedlings and younger plants relatively thick and have finely places, you are invited to submit your own can be hand-removed. All parts insights or reflections on ‘The Nature of toothed (crenate) margins. The of the plant including the leaves, plant has fragrant flowers, white Brisbane’ to our first ever Nature Writing fruit and roots should be bagged Competition. to deep pink in colour, which are and disposed of into general usually covered in numerous minute waste to prevent seed dispersal Entries will be judged by a panel black spots. Its showy bright red by birds and reshooting of the including local author Dr Inga Simpson berries hang down in clusters, plant from a plant fragment. (Mr Wigg; Nest; and Where the Trees appear from winter to spring and ). The winner will have their piece • Larger shrubs may require Were can remain on the plant for months. published in a future edition of The treatment with herbicide. This species reproduces by seed Regenerator and will win a book pack of Although no herbicides are and can be spread by humans (i.e. nature-related texts, with the opportunity specifically registered for the in dumped garden waste), birds to attend a nature writing workshop with control of coral berry in Australia, which consume the attractive fruit, Dr Inga Simpson. Five runners up will Vigilant Gel is registered for and by water movement. receive a selected nature text and also the control of woody weeds in have the opportunity to attend the nature Also known as Christmas berry Australia. Woody environmental writing workshop. and coral ardisia, coral berry has weeds may also be controlled become naturalised in the coastal in Queensland with some Entries should be submitted as an essay districts of eastern Queensland, herbicides as outlined in or prose piece on the theme The Nature north-eastern New South Wales and APVMA off-label Permit 11463 at of Brisbane, with a maximum of 1000 in the Sydney area. It is an emerging http://permits.apvma.gov.au/ words. The competition opens 1 May weed in tropical, subtropical and PER11463.PDF 2017 and closes on 30 June 2017. For warmer temperate regions. It prefers For information on this species terms and conditions and information rich, well-drained soil in partially visit Council’s online weed ID tool on how to submit your entry email shaded positions such as in closed at weeds.brisbane.qld.gov.au [email protected] forests, near forest margins and along waterways. Coral berry is of particular concern as its seeds can germinate in low light conditions, unlike many weed species that favour disturbed areas open to sunlight. Its capacity to grow under dense forest canopy and to form a

AUTUMN 2017 EDITION | 3 20 years of caring for Brisbane’s creeks

Brisbane is a city built on water. Bisected by the and bound by Moreton Bay, Brisbane contains 38 creek catchments and 630 kilometres of waterways. Brisbane residents recognise the environmental and aesthetic values of their local creeks and have joined together in their local communities to protect and restore them. There are currently 10 community-based catchment groups across the city. Five of these have been working in their waterways for over 20 years and are highlighted below.

Save Our Waterways Now (SOWN) – Breakfast- catchment SOWN was firstly initiated in 1994 by Brian Hallinan, then Councillor for The Gap Ward, as a project to restore the health and biodiversity of Enoggera, Fish and Ithaca creeks, and provide a best practice working model for catchment group activities. However, SOWN’s precursor was the Enoggera Creek all stakeholder groups in the catchment Catchment Beautification Committee which held to develop an agreed response to land Coordinating Committee (B4C) its first planting on 26 January 1986. use issues. With catchment B4C was formed in 1997 as part of SOWN has developed partnerships including local government areas of a collaborative effort between the with a variety of stakeholders, including Brisbane, Logan and Scenic Rim, and community and local government to Council, the Queensland Government, containing a broad range of rural, urban improve the catchment’s natural resource and local businesses and schools, as and industrial land uses, this was no management and create a web of green well as with larger corporations outside mean feat. In early 1999 the Oxley Creek across the Bulimba Creek catchment. To the catchment. The group maintains its Catchment Management Plan was achieve its vision the group has worked own volunteer-run nursery which works released and OCCA has since worked closely with industry and the community in conjunction with the Arthur Gorrie with all levels of government, industry in the catchment, often turning seemingly Correctional Centre to propagate over and the community to implement it. damaging developments into good 67,000 local native plants every year. The group has coordinated many projects environmental outcomes. In 2001, as over the years, including festivals, water part of the Port of Brisbane Motorway It also makes good use of its award- quality monitoring, habitat plantings development, B4C formed two major winning website to distribute information and wetland restoration. In 2007 OCCA partnerships with landholders Powerlink and recruit and manage volunteers. Over launched CreekWatch, a collaborative and the Department of Transport and the years SOWN achievements have been program between industry, community Main Roads resulting in the transformation recognised through a number of awards, and government, to educate business and of ‘The Oxbow’ from an industrial including the Minister’s Grand Prize at the industry about good practice in relation to wasteland to a thriving area of mangroves 2014 Healthy Waterways awards and more catchment care, pollution prevention and and native vegetation contributing to recently the Lord Mayor’s Australia Day the restoration of our local waterways. the fisheries of Moreton Bay. In 2005 B4C ‘Green Heart Award - Organisation’ for The group operates a catchment centre was awarded the National Riverprize, the 2017. Visit www.sown.com.au for more and a community native plant nursery at first Queensland group to receive this information about their projects. Coopers Plains and their commercial arm, prestigious, national prize. The group OCCA Biodiversity Services, provides Oxley Creek Catchment Association – operates their Sustainability Centre professional natural area restoration (OCCA) and a native plant nursery at Carindale, services. OCCA’s success has been where they aim to inspire and empower In 1995, the Oxley Creek Environment recognised through many awards, their local community. B4C’s Ecosystem Group Inc. and the Australian Marine including the 2009 National Riverprize. Services Unit delivers professional habitat Conservation Society Inc. approached Visit www.oxleycreekcatchment.org.au rehabilitation and maintenance projects the (then) Queensland Department of to learn more about OCCA and the with profits reinvested in supporting the Environment to establish an Integrated Oxley Creek catchment. environment and the community. Catchment Management (ICM) program Visit www.bulimbacreek.org.au to in the Oxley Creek catchment. OCCA find out more about this dynamic was formed and aimed to bring together community group.

4 | COMMUNITY CARE FOR BUSHLANDS, WETLANDS AND WATERWAYS Norman Creek Catchment Visit www.norman-creek-catchment.org. School and the popular annual ‘Kids Day Coordinating Committee (N4C) au to learn more about N4C and their at The Cottage’ event. In 2015 MCCG was awarded the Lord Mayor’s Australia Day N4C was established in 1996 with the projects. Green Heart Award – Organisation. Visit aim to protect and maintain the Catchment Group – www.moggillcreek.org to learn ecosystem of Brisbane’s Norman Creek (MCCG) more about the Moggill Creek catchment. Key members of the group Catchment and MCCG. have remained active throughout its MCCG was formed in October 1997 at 20 year history. N4C’s work has greatly a public meeting following the release In addition to these veterans, ‘younger’ contributed to creating habitat and of Council’s Moggill Creek Catchment catchment groups also operate in green spaces across the catchment. Management Plan the same year. By , Cubberla and Witton While the group has worked closely December 1997 the group had become creeks, Pullen Pullen Creek, the Bayside with the government and industry incorporated, with the objective of creeks (Wynnum, Lota and Tingalpa groups to develop plans and projects to working to conserve and improve the creeks) and the Wolston Creek and improve the health of Norman Creek, it natural environment of the Moggill Creek Centenary catchments. You can find has remained a staunchly independent catchment, including , Wonga out more about them by visiting not-for-profit group. In 1999 the group Creek, Gap Creek and McKay Brook. www.brisbanecatchments.net.au The catchment includes urban and rural negotiated work with the Department Council’s Creek Catchments Program of Main Roads for funding to restore properties and the group works closely with landholders providing expert advice supports all of the city’s catchment a section of the creek affected by groups, assisting them to improve construction of a busway. on revegetation and land management issues. In 1999 MCCG started a nursery their capacity through developing and The ‘Demonstration Catchment Project’ delivering training, providing professional has continued since and now provides an growing local native plants for use within the catchment. From small beginnings technical advice, enhancing groups’ area of rainforest habitat close to the city access to funding opportunities and centre. Home to 61 species of birds the the nursery is now a substantial operation, giving away between 12,000 and 15,000 delivering ecological restoration projects. project won the Queensland Landcare Affectionately known as ‘Creekies’, the Rivercare Award in 2005. N4C members plants to members every year. In 2008 the group increased its public presence with officers act as a two-way conduit between monitor the health of their creek and Council and the community, providing catchment, by collecting data on plant, the opening of ‘The Cottage’ at the end of Gold Creek Road, which has since become Council departments with insight into bird and reptile species. The group’s local environmental concerns, values and catchment centre and native plant nursery a hub for MCCG activities. These include a well-developed Creek Health Monitoring opportunities for leveraging community at Greenslopes provide a base for their partnerships and keeping the catchment activities and a meeting point for the Program, bird and butterfly surveys, ‘Streamsavers’ with Kenmore State High groups informed of Council’s relevant community. projects and priorities.

AUTUMN 2017 EDITION | 5 Living on the edge – the importance of a good edge seal

Edge effects Example 2 – Vine enhanced edge seal Living on the edge of your bush restoration site is a tough ask for native plants. It is a dynamic and unstable area of your bushcare site, susceptible to disturbance from external influences. The ‘edge effect’ is a term that describes the generally negative consequences of living at the boundary of a vegetation type as it transitions between urbanised areas, mown parks, roads or houses and our bushlands. Increased light penetration Vegetation edges are exposed to a and weed invasion

© Catchments & Creeks Pty Ltd © Catchments & Creeks This option is suitable for sites with range of external influences that may established vegetation, but where adversely affect the site. These include factors such as species habit allow excess micro-climate variability where sunlight, sunlight to penetrate beyond the edge moisture, wind, ambient temperature and vegetation. Vines are an option to ‘fill soil temperature conditions are changed the gap’ in this context. It’s important to the detriment of the native flora and to ensure the existing vegetation is fauna, altered competition dynamics such established enough that its health is as weed invasion and land use impacts not compromised when vines begin such as nutrient enrichment and . laddering. Selection of appropriate vine Edge effects may also impact upon native species is also important. fauna as they can both expose the site to unwanted predation or competition from Edge seal Example 3 – Mosaic edge seal pest animals and potentially limit native Edge seal wildlife movement. What is the answer to Pty Ltd © Catchments & Creeks our edge dilemma when all of our sites Figure 1: Poor edge seal (top) where site need to end somewhere? The answer is is exposed to external influences and edge sealing! a functional edge seal (bottom) where outside influences are mitigated. What is an edge seal? Edge sealing describes the practice Examples of an edge seal: of strategically planting at the edge of Example 1 – Alleopathy edge seal your site to reduce these edge effects. Nosworthy Park, Corinda Typically this involves the planting of canopy, mid storey and robust Spring Creek is a small but significant groundcovers to provide the most waterway corridor, fringed by a riparian continuous ‘protective edge’ for your and dry rainforest vegetation and home bushcare site. The better the edge seal, to swamp wallabies and an endangered the greater protection against weed fish species. Pressure from nearby incursion and pest animal predation. urban development has impacted the By better sealing your edges, your site site through increased sunlight, weed core has a better chance to remain intact incursion, runoff and erosion. Browsing by and provide essential ecosystem functions wallabies was also hindering restoration and habitat to native fauna. efforts in the area.

An edge seal for all occasions Some native species such as Casuarina Small ‘mosaics’ of vegetation were densely There are a number of different edge are known to exude chemicals that inhibit planted to create a ‘thicket’ understorey sealing techniques. The most suitable the establishment of other species in their effect along the site’s exposed boundary. approach depends on your management vicinity. This kind of behaviour is referred Species selected included a mix of fast strategy for weed and pest animal control. to as allelopathy and can be an effective growing and dry rainforest species to way to prevent weed invasion from accelerate natural plant succession. adjoining areas while still providing a clear References Taller corflute guards also helped reduce line of vision for adjoining areas. Planting Rowley, L, Edwards, R and Kelly, damage from browsing wildlife. such species along the edge of a site is P. (1999) Edges – their effect on particularly useful when your bushcare site vegetation and wildlife, Land for adjoins residential properties. Wildlife newsletter Nov 1999.

6 | COMMUNITY CARE FOR BUSHLANDS, WETLANDS AND WATERWAYS Noel Standfast – Benarrawa Bushcare Group

Noel Standfast has been an integral part of the Habitat Brisbane program for 22 years demonstrating a commitment and passion that serves to inspire conservation volunteers across our city. Anna Shera recently caught up with Noel to get his perspectives on what it means to be part of Brisbane’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program.

Motivation for joining Habitat Brisbane When Noel first moved to Corinda and built his house in 1989, the adjoining land was a much degraded Council reserve, full of every weed under the sun. With the belief that ‘anything is better than a chinese elm’, Noel took it upon himself to plant some native trees on the site. He started with a rainforest kit that he ordered through the mail.

Local residents soon joined to help plant and weed on the site, allowing Noel to meet many of his neighbours. In 1994, having seen an advertisement in The Courier Mail, the keen bushcarers What has been your greatest area, including the volume and force expressed their interest in establishing challenge to date? of water when it flows through the site. a Habitat Brisbane group. The Allen “The water course is the hardest area Street Bushcare Group was soon formed “Historically, the biggest challenges to maintain. In fact, one of the bushcare with the help of Jenny Leask. In 1999, over the years have been the 10 year group’s biggest frustrations is the Noel was instrumental in getting the drought, which saw a major loss of difficulty in establishing native ground area recognised as Benarrawa Park, with plants on the site, as did a serious fire cover. For the group, it’s been a case the involvement of Aboriginal Elder caused by vandalism. The damaging of trial and error with planting different Uncle Bob Anderson. Consequently, the storm in 2014 also hit the site hard, and species and using various erosion control group’s name was changed to Benarrawa saw the loss of a 100 year old ironbark techniques,” he said. Bushcare Group. Today there are six tree. Not to mention the 2011 ,” core members of the group who have Noel said. Benarrawa Park is a stone What have you learnt from become close friends. throw from Oxley Creek and serves as doing bushcare? a stormwater runoff course. Noel has certainly noticed the impact of increased “It’s very rewarding getting a group of urban development in the surrounding like-minded locals together to restore a degraded area and we’ve noticed a big increase in native fauna,” he said. Noel’s analogy of bushcare is that it is just like life and we just have to keep ‘soldiering on’. “There are plenty of challenges, setbacks, frustrations and disappointments.”

Just like bushcare, there are successes, friendships and wonderful community spirit. The commitment of the Benarrawa Bushcare Group and the Oxley Creek Catchment Association’s Creek care team, who work at this site regularly, are indeed leaving a legacy for generations to come.

AUTUMN 2017 EDITION | 7 20 years of Council’s support for voluntary conservation Dates to remember 1 May 2017 In 1996 Eric Vickerman was a man with a The introduction of the nationally vision. He had been working to restore recognised Land for Wildlife program Brisbane Biodiversity and replant native bushland on his 17 to Brisbane in 1998 provided another Seminar Series hectare block at Belmont Hills since method for Council to support private Join us for an informative evening the early 1950s. Eric saw his land as not land holders. Through joining Land for of guest speakers discussing a range only providing a home for his family, Wildlife, land owners could receive advice of waterway health themed topics. but also forested backdrop for the city, and assistance to manage their bushland, protecting remnant bushland and rare without the legally binding nature of the 4 June 2017 species of native plants. However, at only VCAs. This was an attractive option, as Catchment Tour 12 kilometres from the city centre, the the 1998 target of registering 20 Land Come and see first-hand the great property was prime real estate and in for Wildlife properties in a year was work being done by restoration high demand for housing development. exceeded in the first five months of the volunteers, with a comprehensive So Eric approached Council to discuss program being offered. tour of one of Brisbane’s ways he could make his vision a reality. catchments. Conservation agreements, covenants and In 1996 Eric Vickerman signed the first Land for Wildlife play an important role in 11 June 2017 Voluntary Conservation Agreement with achieving Council’s vision of having 40% Council. The agreement rezoned part of of mainland Brisbane as natural habitat by Brisbane Biodiversity Eric’s property to ‘Conservation’ in the 2031. More than half of Brisbane’s wildlife Seminar Series Brisbane City Plan, effectively protecting habitat is located on privately-owned Join us for an informative evening it from future development and helping land and its conservation is critical to the of guest speakers discussing a range maintain Brisbane’s unique biodiversity. survival of our native wildlife. of native wildlife themed topics. Sadly, Eric passed away in 2005, however his family remains on the property and As of February 2017 there are 669 Land 28 June 2017 for Wildlife properties in Brisbane. 45 of continues the conservation work National Tree Day he started. those properties also have a VCA and a further nine have VCCs. With the help of What is your group doing for Eric wasn’t alone in his desire to protect Council over 2200 hectares of Brisbane this year’s National Tree Day? the conservation values of his property bushland on private land is being For more information visit: and 18 other land owners joined the managed for conservation. http://treeday.planetark.org/ program in the first 15 months. Of these, 20 August 2017 13 agreements are still in place 20 years For more information on Land for on, all with the same owners. Wildlife or VCAs in Brisbane visit Restoration Celebration www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and search Join us and fellow conservation Council offers two types of Voluntary ‘wildlife conservation partnership’ or visit volunteers from across the city in Agreements: a Voluntary Conservation the recently revamped Land for Wildlife celebrating the year’s achievements Agreement (VCA) and a Voluntary website www.lfwseq.org.au with a catered breakfast and a range Conservation Covenant (VCC). Both are a to see what’s happening across South of fascinating speakers. legal agreement between the landowner East Queensland. and Council, under which the owner undertakes to manage a defined area of their property for conservation purposes. The VCAs only apply to the current owner and lapse if the property changes hands. However they may include the rezoning of the conservation area to protect it into the future. VCCs go a step further, being noted on the property title and putting an onus on future owners to continue to manage the area for conservation.

That's why I volunteer to protect our environment

Brisbane City Council Printed on sustainable paper www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or Information call (07) 3403 8888 GPO Box 1434 facebook.com/BrisbaneCityCouncil Brisbane Qld 4001 @brisbanecityqld CA16-331754-01-2415 © Brisbane City Council 2017 instagram.com/brisbanecitycouncil 8 | COMMUNITY CARE FOR BUSHLANDS, WETLANDS AND WATERWAYS