There is so much to discover at Hays Inlet

This week the REF team was focusing on surveying a section of Casuarina forest. On their way to the survey site they discovered two new species for the list.

When working in the restoration of wetland areas like those surrounding Hays Inlet, it is important to conduct surveys in order to determine the health of the area as well as identify the strategies needed to improve its stability and biodiversity. These surveys are designed to look at weed and erosion issues as well as catalogue the flora and fauna within the area. The team from REF Inc has been surveying the Hays Inlet wetlands and remnant forests and recently came across two previously unidentified species of plant.

The first plant discovered was a member of the Quandong family the Hard Quandong or Elaeocarpus obovatus. Green glossy leaves and white bell like flowers ensures the small stand of trees stand out against a background of dry forest. The trees will provide a harvest of blue fruit early in the new year which will provide food for many local bird species. This tree is a Queensland specialist found mainly in Northern Queensland although it ranges south as far as the central coast of New South Wales.

The second identification process demonstrates the need to keep checking vegetation throughout the year. Chris Joyce had been keeping his eye on a small tree adjacent to one of the channels in Hays Inlet. It can be difficult to identify plants and often you need to wait for it to flower before you can be sure which species you are looking at. During the survey the tree was spotted in flower and Chris was able to identify it as the Lolly Bush or Clerodendrum floribundum.  This plant, like the Hard Quandong is a tropical species found in Queensland, NT, WA and Papua New Guinea.

The next challenge for the team will be to categorise the native species of flora found in the area. The diversity and variety of plants discovered so far indicate it will be a long list.  Our remaining wetlands around Hays Inlet are certainly worth preserving.

This weeks special feature is on the Hays Inlet Restoration project and the benefits to the Eastern Curlew.

The Eastern Curlew or Numenius madagascariensis is a critically endangered wader and we at Redcliffe can still be lucky enough to see them on the intertidal flats around the peninsula including Hays Inlet, Newport Waters and Deception Bay.

To read and see more click on "Special Features" at the top of the page.

At a glance:

·         Restored nearly  4 hectares of coastal habitat
·         3 tonnes of noxious weeds were removed from the site
·         6 tonnes of weed material removed by hand and composted on site
·         120 cubic meters of mulch spread over 1.2 hectares of land
·         3713 indigenous plants were planted
·         1.2 hectares of erosion control
·         Flora and Fauna surveys and water quality testing
.         Community engagement day with over 80 people attending

The final report has been presented to REF Inc regarding the first stage Green Army Project and some of the statistics make incredible reading. The report demonstrates the value of the project not only in terms of providing our youth with a training opportunity but also some excellent environmental outcomes. There were also some excellent community engagement activities including tree planting and tours of the wildlife within the area.

In particular REF Inc would like to acknowledge the hard work and efforts of the following people and organisations for allowing us to carry out the first Green Army Program:

Moreton Bay Regional Council

This project would not have been possible without the support of our council. The project was backed by councillor Koliana Winchester with support from the Moreton Bay Regional Council Environmental team including Robyn Moffat and Glen Millar. The support involved the provision of technical advice, the supply of 120 cubic meters of mulch and many of the plants used by the Green Army Team.

Luke Howarth

The Federal Member for Petrie, Luke Howarth has been a long-time supporter of Redcliffe Environmental Forum and its on-ground activities. Luke provided the impetus for us to apply for a Green Army Project and he paid many visits to the site and wasn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves and get stuck into some work along with the Green Army team.

Friends of the Redcliffe Botanical Gardens

We would like to thank David Lergessner, Don Perrin and their colleagues for providing advice in terms of plant identification, referencing in terms of important plant species as well as propagation and the provision of selected plants.

The Sporting Community

We would also like to acknowledge the support and assistance provided by the Redcliffe Golf Club and the Redcliffe Rugby Union Club. Both organisations assisted the team with access to their facilities for training activities.

Conservation Volunteers Australia

We would also like to acknowledge the work and expertise to the supplier and trainer of the Green Army Team members who carried out the work under the guidance of the team leader Chris Joyce. A big project like this was possible due to the strategic and technical advice provided by Phil Harrison, Doug MacKenzie and Dennis Gannaway.

We have started a new section on this site - Special Features. From time to time we will focus on stories around Moreton Bay and Redcliffe Peninsula. The first feature is on the impact of stormwater runoff on Moreton Bay and our precious wetlands. Just click on special features at the top of this page.