Restoring the Fursman Estate Wetland ~ Upper Enoggera Creek
During 2006 SOWN successfully applied for a Federal Government Community Water Grant to restore a weedy wetland along Yoorala Street, The Gap.
The site was initially a Singapore Daisy infested wetland area and a Lantana infested bench. The restoration has been undertaken slowly in order to retain the habitat that these weeds were providing for native wildlife. The majority of the Lantana has been retained and provides a great home for the many small birds which utilise the site.
The project was completed in April 2007.
Before: Lantana and Singapore Daisy infest the site
Stage 1 – Weeding and planting the top bench
The area includes a ‘top bench’ above the wetland where 20% of the total Lantana was removed. Some 800 trees are now progressing well here.
The replacement planting is a mix of insect pollinated plants and dense, spiky, native plants which are know to be natural alternatives to Lantana. In time they will provide cover for the small birds using the site and we will be able to remove a little more of the Lantana.
Suncorp volunteers planting the top bench
Stage 2 – Jute Matting and Planting the Bank
Just below this bench is a steep bank which was planted with the aid of a Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) team over two days.
The CVA team jute matted and planted the steep bank with over 350 trees.
CVA Team laying jute mat on steep bank. Photo: Ben Blanche
Stage 3 ~ Spraying of Singapore Daisy
For the wetland area, the Singapore Daisy was sprayed in sections over six months. The dry weather made this a relatively easy task and the two sections that had already been planted have benefited from some rainfall.
The Final stage – A SOWN Planting!
On April 29, 2007, SOWN held a community planting where all the remaining plantings were finalized.
It was a great turnout for a very pleasant morning’s planting in the dry creek bed, populating the area with Carex, lomandras, dianellas and sandpaper figs, all species that will relish the low-lying swampy conditions.
Photo: Mark Crocker
Subsoil moisture is not too far away. There is quite a big pool upstream that is seeping through underground.
Photo: Mark Crocker
This area was a camphor-laurel infested disaster zone. Now, the bones of a good reveg are in place, and with a little maintenance, should be an excellent buffer to limit downstream weed dispersal.
Photo: Mark Crocker
