Almost three-and-a-half hectares of land within the Burgess Creek catchment will undergo weed removal works over the next 12 months to improve the local ecosystem.
Unitywater Executive Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions, Mike Basterfield, said Unitywater had funded the works, in a collaboration with Noosa Council and Noosa Landcare, that will see invasive weeds eradicated to enable native species to thrive.
“These important works will help remove problem weeds that would otherwise take over native species in this catchment,” Mr Basterfield said.
“Our Noosa Wastewater Treatment Plant is an input into Burgess Creek and the cleaned and disinfected water from our plant keeps the creek flowing, improving water quality in the creek. Because we have infrastructure in this area, we have an interest in maintaining the catchment and these weeding works will contribute to the ecological health of the area.”
Noosa Council Natural Areas Recovery Officer Kara Reading said weeds would be targeted and removed using a number of methods, including hand weeding.
“Council officers identify the locations that require weed removal and the top end of the catchment has significant Singapore Daisy growth,” Ms Reading said.
“We’re also removing asparagus fern and umbrella trees. This area is also a known glossy black cockatoo feeding site so it’s important we look after it,” she said.
“The Burgess Creek catchment has a beautiful, diverse ecosystem and we want to ensure the native species can remain there and flourish, without being overrun by weeds.”
Teams from Noosa Landcare and Skilling Queenslanders for Work trainees will carry out the works on a monthly basis for the next 12 months.
