Portfolio
Pimpama
The construction of a pipeline under an existing creek necessitated the creation of novel solutions to restore the area after construction was completed. A detailed flora survey and site assessment was undertaken to provide us with baseline data for the rest of the project. All major groundcover plants were dug up, transported to our nursery and potted up. Additionally, all the reeds, sedges and rushes growing along the creek banks were removed using machinery and placed into on-site sedge trenches.
These sedge trenches were designed to act as a surrogate environment until the plants could be reinstated along the reformed creek banks after construction. Topsoil was also stockpiled for reapplication after construction.
Robina
An overabundance of vegetation was choking this constructed wetland at Robina. Restricted water flow, accumulated silt and blocked drainage outlets meant that the wetland was not functioning as designed.
Many weeds were present within and around the perimeter of the wetland and overall species diversity was low. By undertaking weed control and reducing the amount of bulrush, drainage was improved.
The works also provided the opportunity to increase species diversity and this was achieved by planting native sedges and rushes and assisting natural regeneration. The cut bulrush provided natural mulch and the edges were reinforced using jute mesh.
Nerang
Morgan Family Park is a suburban park alongside a natural riparian corridor. Large infestations of Cats Claw Creeper, Climbing Asparagus and other weeds were growing along the creek, smothering native plants and inhibiting germination. A comprehensive programme of strategic weed control was undertaken to assist natural regeneration. Weed treatment proceeded in stages. Vines were cut back at chest height to give our bush regenerators access to the inner areas of the treatment zones. Weed treatment then focused on each different layer of vegetation, working up through the strata (ground layer, midstorey, canopy). Treatment of the canopy weeds is ongoing and being undertaken over time to avoid abrupt changes in microclimate beneath the canopy.
Trees covered with climbing weeds were prematurely dying or under pressure to survive. With very few natives germinating there were no juvenile plants to replace the dead or dying native plants causing a cycle where weeds were persistent.
After controlling the weeds, native plants once again began to flourish and others began germinating in the understorey.
Labrador
The banks of this tidal channel bordering a suburban park were experiencing high levels of erosion. A combination of jute mesh and carefully selected native plants were installed to control the erosion. Plant species were selected based on their: ability to establish quickly; resistance to being inundated; and potential to control erosion.
Soon after revegetation, the plants hid the jute mesh, making it less visible. Other plants, especially groundcovers, began to colonise naturally. This greatly reduced the necessity for follow-up maintenance.
Maroochydore
This large-scale revegetation project in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland aimed to rehabilitate the headwaters of the Upper Maroochy River. The restoration areas followed the watercourse, mostly through freehold rural properties used for livestock grazing. Extensive weed populations were present and water quality was suffering as a result of stream bank erosion and excess manure from the livestock. After constructing fences to prevent cattle entering the revegetation areas, restoration began. The projects focus was to reconstruct the riparian habitat using revegetation.
Revegetation after approximately one year. Faster growing bottlebrushes, wattles and gum trees provide protection for more sensitive rainforest plants.
Coomera
Managing soil erosion around a newly constructed drain was undertaken by re-profiling the banks and stabilising them with geo-fabric. Once the geo-fabric was in place, Creek Matt Rush was planted that when fully grown will obscure the geo-fabric and help minimise erosion by holding the soil together with their roots.
Saltwater Creek
Assisted restoration using strategic weed control has been the primary method of restoration along Saltwater Creek at Pacific Pines. Revegetation was undertaken to supplement natural regeneration and accelerate natural processes where regeneration was not occurring adequately within the project timeframe. The plants we are using for revegetation are species that occur naturally at Saltwater Creek and are grown in our nursery using locally collected seed. Specific restoration and weed control methods took into account the diversity of plant communities present.
Saltwater Creek supports many different plant communities; from endangered gallery rainforest through to dry sclerophyll. Each plant community is unique and the spectrum of weeds also varied throughout the site.
The carefully timed removal of the pine trees triggered the germination of many native plants. By assisting natural regeneration with regular weed control, areas once dominated by pines now support a diverse range of plants.
