Reef Assist Program (RAP) – until June 2022

Funded by: Reef Catchments

Project Outline: Goals are to

1. Provide employment and on-ground experience working in NRM

2. Work with 10 Landholders to control weeds and plant native species. Properties will be prioritised in order to have the most impact on restoration of riparian zones, corridors and at risk ecosystems. Please download the Expression of Interest form (EOI) below if you are interested in accessing this program. Successful candidates will receive a written assessment and 2 days-on-ground support and training in weed control tailored to their property.

3. Improve biodiversity and control WONS on over 40 hectares of local reserve and environmentally significant areas.

Landcare Support

Funded by: Mackay Regional Council, through the Natural Environment Levy.

Project Outline:

The Landcare Support is one of PCL’s most important programs. It allows us to deliver and coordinate essential activities, projects and programs within the community that:

• Engage volunteers and youth in Landcare and environmental activities;
• Increase community awareness about the importance of our natural environment, and how to protect it;
• Support and coordinate community on-ground rehabilitation projects;
• Encourage the community to participate in environmental events;
• Provide leverage to attract further funding into the community, to build on projects, by demonstrating Council’s support and partnership; and
• Increase interaction with the community.

Through this program, PCL is able to play an active role in local and regional working groups, support stakeholders and other community groups, and provide educational support to local schools. PCL has continued to work closely with Mackay Regional Council to deliver great environmental outcomes for the Mackay Community.

Below are some activities/projects/programs that PCL is engaged with through the Landcare Support Program:

• Production of the PCL monthly newsletter;
• Displays at community events;
• Hosting environmental awareness events such as the Great Northern Clean-up;
• Working with stakeholders;
• Supporting local schools;
• Supporting community groups;
• Gardens for Wildlife Program;
• Volunteering projects such as Far Beach Restoration Works; and
• Weed management and education work/events.

For more information please contact us.

Land for Wildlife

Funded by: Mackay Regional Council, through the Natural Environment Levy.

Project Outline:

Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Group and Sarina Landcare Catchment Management Association (SLCMA) are jointly delivering the Land for Wildlife (LfW) in the Mackay–Sarina region with funding from the Mackay Regional Council’s Environmental Levy.

LfW started in Victoria in the 1980s and has spread throughout the country. It is a voluntary agreement that recognises the effort put in by individual landholders to manage and conserve parcels of land for the benefits of wildlife.

Land for Wildlife assists landholders to manage their property for biodiversity. Newly accredited properties receive a management plan to assist in the work efforts, subscription to quarterly newsletters, workshops on conservation based topics, and a sign to display on their property. The Land for Wildlife program has been a great success in the Mackay-Sarina region, as of the 2018/19 financial year, the region boasts 21,511ha of habitat being conserved through the Land for Wildlife Program! PCL has been promoting the program through newsletter articles and displays at local events which has generated the interest of a more local landholders.

If you have a property and are interested in registering please contact us.

Disaster Recovery – St Helens Creek Revegetation

Funded by: Reef Catchments Ltd. through the Queensland and Australian Federal Governments National Disaster Relief and Recovery Program.

Project Outline:

In 2017 the Queensland Central Coast was devastated by tropical cyclone Debbie. Flooding caused significant damage to steam banks around the region through erosion. Creeks were left with sheer unstable banks up to six meters high, and were highly susceptible to further erosion. Funding was received by Reef Catchments to rehabilitate highly impacted areas and increase the resilience of waterways.

PCL took on two restoration sites on St Helens Creek (near Calen), where we planted and maintained two revegetation areas. The stream banks were re-engineered to be more resilient to flooding events, and revegetation took place after the engineering works with the hopes of providing long term stability to these areas. 2800 trees were initially planted between both sites in November/December of 2018, and more infill planting was conducted in 2019. Weed maintenance is still being conducted on site.

Both sites have now stood up against several smaller flooding events, and the trees have shown excellent growth and survival.

Reef Trust IV – St Helens Creek Revegetation

Funded by: Reef Catchments Ltd. through the Australian Federal Governments Reef Trust IV Program. 

Project Outline:

In November 2018, PCL submitted a proposal for a revegetation project along St Helens Creek, as part of the Reef Trust 4 program. The overall intent of the project is to reduce streambank erosion along St Helens Creek, in return reducing the amount of fine sediments that reach the Great Barrier Reef. The site is an extension of previous revegetation works carried out by PCL in 2015 and will compliment further revegetation projects throughout St Helens Creek built under the National Disaster Recovery funding.

A total of 1840 trees and grasses were planted at the site and since the planting they have shown incredible growth. PCL have funding to carry out weed maintenance until May 2021.