East Coast Pond Apple Project (Jan-Mar 2016)
We have been working in partnership with Cape York Natural Resource Management Limited, as a part of our Strategic East Coast Pond Apple Control Program,
We have been able to time it so we have done a control run before the plant has been able to seed and therefore reduce the seed bank in the soil. This has occurred in all three catchments. We are continually working from the start of all the infestations, with the aim of reducing the size and impact of Pond Apple on the ecosystems of all the internationally recognised coastal wetland areas.
Trip 1/ Progress Report for the period 19/1/2016 to 28/1/2016
We decided to conduct a Pond Apple control trip, with the resources of our group.
• This Pond Apple control work has been ongoing in the Mt Amos and Cooktown areas for the last twenty three years.
• The project will build upon work already undertaken and ensure we further encourage the return of biodiversity in our unique environment.
• This control trip was done as an in kind contribution from Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals Incorporated.
• It was carried out over eighteen people days.
• We had not had any rain, or wet season as yet, and so we were able to access all areas earlier than expected
• As these areas are largely Pond Apple Free, we did not want to lose the achievements that have been made over a twenty three year period.
• This run was to continue on with control work, as a part of a systematic strategic control program.
• Talked with Local Land holders along all Pond Apple areas.
• Due to the fact that there has not been any rain, it made it easier to get to the pond apple that had been previously in water.
• Went through risk assessment, workplace health and safety, and toolbox talk before we started the control trip.
• Started our control trip down at Alligator creek. We walked the whole area. Basal barking as we went.
• Went and walked the areas along the Endeavour River foreshore.
• This was followed by the areas at Adelaide Street, behind the old Railway station.
• We moved to the infestation adjacent to the bakery, behind the cemetery, and Tickle belly Flat areas, around Cooktown.
• We then continued Pond Apple control from this location through towards the waste treatment plant at Chinaman creek using the 'basal bark' technique.
• Went to Cherry Tree Bay and conducted Pond Apple control by cut stump and hand pulling.
• Travelled out to Walker Bay and started control work at the north end of the beach.
• We identified and controlled Pond Apple seedlings sprouting from debris washed in by the tide.
• Continuing south along the back of beach swamp we set up two photo points.
• We then continued the control work along Walker Bay beach until we reached the end of the swampy area.
• We checked likely locations of Pond Apple infestations at Archer's point
• We went to go into Pond Apple Infestation at Mt Amos. When we got there we found that both gates had been locked , barring land access. We will try to locate the land holder and obtain permission for the next Trip.
• Photos were taken including photo points along the various treatment sites.
• . The mapping has been included as a part of the next control program, which will be run in February and March, depending on resources.
Pond apple regrowth
Trip 2 / Progress Report for period 29/02/2016 to 23/03/2016
As a part of our contract with Cape York NRM, we were to conduct a control trip as soon as we could access all areas.
• the program was carried out over twenty six people days, during the above time period.
• Due to the lack of a wet season we were able to access all areas, with the exception of the Mt Amos patch, where there has been more rain. The resulting run off has made the areas inaccessible except for the outlying areas and around the edges of the swamp, where it is reasonably dry.
• As we had trained up and provided assistance to the Jabalbina rangers last year, we started on the next milestone of our pond apple project.
• Liaised with Local Land holders along all Pond Apple areas.
• The follow up covered all areas, same as last time.
• We also surveyed areas to the North, South and West of each coastal Pond Apple area, to see if any new Pond Apple could be found.
• Liaised with Jabalbina rangers let them know that we going in to the Amos Pond Apple area if we could get in.
• Met up at the CYWAFA_INC office where we went through risk assessment, workplace health and safety, toolbox talk.
• Met up at the beginning of the Pond Apple infestation behind the bakery and finished off the follow-up control work through to Chinaman creek. We then went on to Botanic Gardens creek where we conducted 'cut stump' Pond Apple control. In the afternoon we walked in to Cherry Tree Bay and conducted Pond Apple control by cut stump and hand pulling.
• Travelled out to Walker Bay and started control work at the north end of the beach. We identified and eradicated Pond Apple seedlings sprouting from debris washed in by the tide.
• Continuing south along the back of beach swamp we set up two photo points.
• We then continued the control work along Walker Bay beach until we reached the end of the swampy area.
• Met up at Archers Point where we checked likely locations of Pond Apple infestations and only found one small infestation which we treated and mapped. We then travelled to Esk Valley road where we demonstrated how to identify Giant Sensitive Weed, and Elephant Creeper. Travelled to Alligator Creek where we conducted Pond Apple control using 'cut stump' method. Finished up in the afternoon with revision of herbicide mixing ratios and data sheet filling.
• The last area to be worked on was the Mt Amos infestation.
• When we got there it was still too wet to get in there and basal bark anything.
• We further surveyed the area for any pond apple that was out of water and found nothing.
• Mapped all of control work. The data and herbicide usage sheets were also completed.
• Approximately 22ha of the existing Pond Apple area was controlled and further 36 ha of area was surveyed finding little outside of the existing known areas.
• Photos were taken including photo points along the various treatment sites.
• All areas of control work have been mapped using the GIS systems, and put on to QGIS maps.
• The data and herbicide usage sheets were also completed.
• The Weeds Control Program was extremely successful.
CYWAFA_INC, Cape York NRM, and Traditional Owners, are to be commended for their professionalism and willingness to get the job done.
Pond apple growth at Walker Bay
