The Challenge

Nutrient and sediment runoff from sugar cane drains can impact water quality for the Great Barrier Reef, causing problems for Reef ecosystems such as seagrass meadows and delicate corals.

Changes to the landscape and land management practices since colonisation, as well as the introduction of invasive plant and animal species, have also dramatically affected the health of wetlands, which – when healthy – help in filtering water making its way to the Reef.

Australia’s Traditional Owners managed the land sustainably for over 40,000 years, but until very recently, much of this multi-generational knowledge around caring for Country has been overlooked and First Nations peoples have been actively disconnected from their traditional lands. This has broad social, cultural, spiritual, economic and environmental implications and presents a significant barrier to both landscape restoration and reconciliation.

A final challenge for undertaking large-scale wetland restoration projects in this area is a lack of reliable native seed and seedling supply.

The Project

This Reef Assist project aimed to improve water quality for the Great Barrier Reef by working with landholders to repair and revegetate wetlands and cane drainage systems, slowing the water flow so sediment and nutrient particles could be filtered out, and restoring threatened species habitat and riparian corridors.

First Nations collaboration on and leadership of revegetation projects is an ideal avenue to support both reconnection with Country and culture and the establishment of pathways to intergenerational wealth and wellbeing for communities. By working together with Madjandji Aboriginal Corporation, the project aimed to support the Madjandji people in developing long-term employment and enterprises working on Country, through offering certified and informal training in natural resource management.

At the same time, given the project’s need for a reliable supply of seedlings, the project supported Mulgrave Landcare to develop capacity in collecting and propagating seed and supplying native plant seedlings for revegetation in Far North Queensland.

The project worked in collaboration with Traditional Owners, local community and landholders like Lenny and Franco.

Impact

A native plant nursery was established – and a Mulgrave Landcare nursery manager installed – to produce seedlings for the project and provide social benefits for the community. A successful weekly volunteer program has been running at the nursery since May 2023. 142 community nursery events have been hosted through the project, resulting in more than 21,000 seedlings potted up and 257 kg of seeds collected and processed for planting.

The project supported six Madjaybana Rangers with hands-on learning opportunities and all six completed a Certificate III in Conservation & Ecosystem Management, as well as a suite of related courses such as 4WD training, snake handling, and emergency fire training. This has led to ongoing employment opportunities for the ranger team working on Country.

In terms of on-ground works to repair and revegetate wetlands and cane drainage systems, three sites were selected in partnership with willing landholders. Over 19,000 native trees have been planted, and 8.9 hectares of riparian vegetation restored, with more than 100 volunteers joining tree planting events.

 
The Wet Tropics Wetland and Cane Drainage Water Quality Treatment Systems project was funded through the Queensland Government’s $33.5 million Reef Assist program under the Queensland Reef Water Quality Program and delivered by Greening Australia’s Reef Aid team in partnership with Mulgrave Landcare and Madjandji Aboriginal Corporation.

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