Burdekin River Wetlands Project

 Suspended under review

Location: Located between Townsville and Cairns, the closest town being Mount Garnet (80km). The project encompasses vast wide river plains with abundant wetlands which attract a rich diversity of water birds as well as steep escarpments.

Stakeholders: Queensland Government

Conservation Outcomes: To place sustained mortality pressure on populations of focal feral species (pigs and cats) and thereby significantly reduce their impacts on the high conservation values of the wetlands through strategic shooting of the focal species by the use of coordinated ground searching as part of the stakeholders overall feral management plan. In addition, to monitor, survey and record focal species and water birds within the project area and providing assistance to the stakeholder when requested.

History: The 76,500 hectare property was purchased by the QLD Government in 2010 and became a CWM (QLD) project in 2014.

Project Milestones:

• Feral Pig Suppression. To achieve a creditable degree of suppression, approximately 70% of the feral pig population should be removed annually in order to suppress population growth. The holding capacity was determined to be around three pigs per square kilometer which equated to 177 pigs. In 2019 that target was exceeded.

• Pig Damage Survey. The project has been employing practical methods undertaken by participants to routinely monitor and report upon the feral pig damage on the major wetlands. Over the years the survey results have supported the suppression methods positive outcomes.

• Waterbird Survey. The routine surveying of five major wetlands within the project area to determine water bird breeding patterns assists with gauging the impact of feral pigs on these patterns. While the recent extended drought impacted on the patterns, early reporting indicates favourable outcomes.

SSAA Conservation & Wildlife Management expertise utilised:

• Bush craft in remote areas.
• 4WD driving and recovery skills.
• Ground shooting of feral pigs and cats by day and by night.
• Cat trapping.
• Accurate reporting of feral animals and specific wetland birds.
• Safe firearms handling in the field.
• Teamwork and mentoring.

Logistics:

• Accommodation. This is a remote area project requiring the ability to bush camp without facilities and participants are required to be totally self-reliant. Mobile phone coverage rare to non-existent.

• Transportation. High clearance 4WD vehicles are a must within the project and seed guards over radiators are required. When walking through the creek lines and around the wetlands, the wearing of snake gaiters is strongly recommended due to both the presence of snakes and abrasive vegetation.

• What to bring. In addition to your CWM(QLD) standard equipment, every participant is required to carry and use a GPS (with track downloading capability), UHF radio and snakebite kit.

• Weather. Consider the weather, humidity and temperature conditions that exist in the far north of Queensland when planning your participation into the remote region.

Project Contacts:

This project operates throughout the year and is only closed during adverse weather (Wet Season) or bushfire conditions. Look at the Calendar tab for the BRWL Project Coordinator’s contact details and get in touch.