East Ballina Wetland Restoration
15 April 2016
WetlandCare Australia has been working with Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council to protect biodiversity and cultural values of North Creek wetlands in East Ballina with funding from the Holmes Family Foundation through Perpetual’s 2015 IMPACT Philanthropy Program.
Wetlands associated with North Creek at Ballina Coastal Reserve contain a mosaic of endangered ecological vegetation communities, provide important habitat for listed threatened fauna species and represent part of the culturally significant site registered as the East Ballina Aboriginal Place. However, weed invasion at the site threatens both the environmental and cultural heritage values by forming impenetrable thickets and altering the structure of the vegetation community.
Recent weed control works undertaken at the site in partnership with Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council have improved habitat for plants and animals and will protect significant sites from damage by invasive weeds. The WetlandCare Australia/Jali LALC bush regeneration team focused on the removal of invasive vine weeds including Coastal Morning Glory, Madeira Vine and Climbing Asparagus along with other environmental weeds and garden escapees from the site. The team also participated in a training forum to learn more about the threat of canopy invading vine weeds and the most effective methods to control them.
Photo: WetlandCare Australia/Jali LALC bush regeneration team member, Clarence Kelly, controlling invasive vine weeds at the North Creek wetlands, East Ballina.
