Project Gladstone

Suspended under review

Location:

Central Queensland, between Rockhampton and Gladstone

Stakeholders:

• Queensland Government - www.ehp.qld.gov.au

Conservation Outcome

Preservation of Yellow Chat nesting sites and habitat via control of Feral Pig numbers on the project property

Feral predator control, including:

• primary
  
  • feral pig (Sus scrofa)
• secondary
  • European red fox (Vulpes vulpes)
  • feral cat (Felis catus)
  • wild dog (Canis lupus spp)

History

The area is home to the Yellow Chat (Epthianura crocea macgregori) and the reason for the effort to control pig numbers on the property is the pigs’ destruction of chat nesting sites and habitat.

The Yellow Chat (Capricorn subspecies), Epthianura crocea macgregori, is listed as vulnerable under Queensland legislation and Critically endangered in the schedules of the The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act).  

www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals-az/yellow_chat_dawson.html

A variety of vegetation types grow in the area, from heath, grassland, stunted paperbark woodland and open eucalypt forest to extensive patches of dry rainforest.

Project Milestones

Commenced:  2006

SSAA Conservation & Wildlife Management Expertise utilised

• ground shooting of feral pig, European red fox, feral cat and wild dogs according to NSW DPI Code of Practice and Standard Operating Procedures
• trapping and disposal of feral pigs according to NSW DPI Code of Practice and Standard Operating Procedures
• monitoring of feral activity in order to improve & develop control techniques in this specialised environment.

Logistics

Accommodation

Hut for meal preparation, eating & showers
Bush camping  (Also consider bringing swag, small tent to camp away from main site at times for specialised control techniques)

Transportation

To project: 4wd only with reasonable clearance

Members usually arrive in Gladstone on the Friday afternoon, the day before the project begins.  Friday afternoon and evening is used to sort CWM members’ and our project partner’s equipment for travel to the project site on Saturday morning.  CWM members camp overnight in facilities provided by project partner in Gladstone.
If you are arriving later than 9.30pm you will need to organise your own accommodation, as the site is locked for security reasons.

What to bring

• standard equipment as per CWM operating procedures (refer to your team leader for details)
• no electricity so self sufficient camping fridges/eskies,
• food, plates and cutlery
• tent/swag  
• GPS (highly recommended)
• ear protection, eye protection
• sun block, insect repellent, hat, long sleeve and long pants, robust hiking boots
• knee-high gaiters
• cold weather gear, wet weather gear
• torch
• rifle mounted spotlight (e.g. Lightforce or Led Lenser P7 etc)
• spare pair of hunting boots (in wet weather)

Consider the weather conditions for the time of year that you are attending the project.
Mozzies can be thick at times, so bring a face net and good repellent.

Local weather

www.weatherzone.com.au/qld/capricornia/gladstone

Project Contacts

Please look at Calendar tab and relevant contact is there against projected dates.