Hymenachne Program Progress Report 01/02/2017 -17/02/2017

Re-commenced follow-up control work on Hymenachne in the Annan and Endeavour Catchments, as well as Normanby catchments. This work has been made possible by Cape York NRM. We did not want to lose the achievements made last year with the assistance of Cape York NRM.

This run was to continue the work that was restarted this financial year, as a part of a systematic strategic control program.

● Liaised with local landholders along all three catchments.

● They were extremely pleased that we are continuing the program which has been ongoing for many years. They were concerned about it coming to an end.

● Over 15-people days were used in conducting this control work.

● We had received a great deal of rain during this time, so there was not a great deal visible.

Endeavour Catchment

Hazelmere Dam

The Endeavour catchment was commenced first. We started the control work in the dam at Hazelmere which is the Endeavour Catchment Source of Hymenachne.

• As a result of previous control, late last year not much regrowth was visible.

• We followed the water course along, spraying a couple of isolated patches as we went.

• Conducted control work on the Jensen’s crossing area where the threat of Hymenachne being spread by human activities is high.

Jensen’s Crossing site

• We then moved to Keating's lagoon site in the Annan catchments.

• Because of the extended wet period, the water level had risen a fair bit.

• We sprayed all the exposed area, the water line and the dry ground at the starting point of Hymenachne.

• We walked the whole watercourse and controlled what was found.

• Approx 0.4hectares

Keating' s Lagoon Photo Point

• The next area was Mungumby creek, which runs into the Annan. We found that the creek was in full flood.

• Nothing was visible, so we photographed the area.

Mungumby Creek photo point

• We then moved on to the start of the Hymenachne in the Annan River, opposite the Shipton’s Flat Ranger base. Here we found none.

We then commenced a survey of the Lakeland and Laura areas.

• We mapped some at Goose swamp on the Lakeland Road.

• The infestation had been controlled by cattle which had grazed the areas very short.

• There seemed to be no seed as the Hymenachne had been grazed to practically nothing

Goose Swamp- Photo Point- Normanby Catchment

• On moving to the Lakeland area, we surveyed at Honey Dam and the Laura River as best we could. We did not locate any.

• We could not get through to the locations at upper Normanby river, Lilly lagoon, both crossings of the Laura River, Lake Emma, and lower Normanby River.

• The ring road had been closed by the Cook Shire Council, and Department Of Main Roads.

The last section to be surveyed and controlled was Lilly Lagoon at Kings Plains in the Normanby Catchment.

• As the area was still very wet, very little had been controlled by the landholder with CYWAFA_INC’s assistance, due to access problems.

A further 26 ha was surveyed in the areas along the roadway. The extra survey and control was done as natural progression of the project, especially in the threatened wetland areas of the Normanby catchment.

• Most of the work was conducted on the edges and drier areas of the lagoon, to try and stop it from being spread into clean areas.

• As our resources are limited, a more detailed survey needs to be carried out by air during the growing season.

The Daintree catchment was not included in the project this time. The landholder at the head of the Hymenachne infestation was given the resources to work on it themselves.

● Photos were taken including photo points along the various treatment sites.

● All areas that were controlled were mapped.

● All landholders,Traditional Owners, and Cape York rangers involved in this project are to be congratulated on a job well done.

● All partners are making a real difference in restoring Healthy Ecosystems in all three catchment areas.

● There has been a significant re-establishment of native plants and animals in all areas.