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 03/3/2015 to 12/3/2015

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 area 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 work was done as an in kind contribution from Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals Incorporated. At this stage no funding had been available, so we did not involve the Jabalbina Traditional Owners. We did what we could ourselves

• As these areas are largely Pond Apple Free, we did not want to lose the achievements that have been made over the twenty three year period.

• This run was to continue on with control work, as a part of a systematic strategic control program.

• Liaised with Local landholders along all Pond Apple areas.

• 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

• 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.

• The control trip was conducted over seven days.

• Started our control trip down at Alligator creek. We walked the whole area. Basal barking as we went.

Pond Apple Regrowth

• 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.

• 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 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.

• 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 October, depending on resources.

Trip 2 / Progress Report for the period 05/10/2015 to 29/10/2015


As a part of our contract with Cape York NRM, we were to provide training for and work in partnership with the rangers from the Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation.

• Trained up nine indigenous rangers, and their manager.

• The training included OH&S risk assessments, ACDC chemical safety training, weed control techniques, weed id, photo taking, photo point set up, gis mapping, filling out herbicide data records and all forms of information recording, plant pressing and sample collection.

• Liaised with Local Land holders along all Pond Apple areas.

• The trip took place over a period of seven days during the above time period.

• 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 and agreed to start their training in the Cooktown Pond Apple area.

• Met up at the CYWAFA_INC office where we went through risk assessment, workplace health and safety, toolbox talk, and an introduction into Pond Apple control techniques.

• Moved on to herbicide mixing and Pond Apple control demonstration at the infestation adjacent to the bakery. Went through GPS mapping techniques and procedures with the rangers. We then continued Pond Apple control from this location through towards the west treatment plant at Chinaman Creek using 'basal bark' technique.

• 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.

• The weather was pretty blowy and we could not get in to the area until Tuesday 17 Oct 2015.

• It was decided by the Jabalbina rangers and ourselves that the most efficient way to access the Mt Amos infestation was by boat.

• We took a dingy from Bloomfield river up to Archers Point. I met up with the rangers and we travelled by boat to Amos Bay.

• We unloaded the gear and had a toolbox talk. We then mixed 60L of 'Access' and diesel herbicide mix.

• We located the Pond Apple infestation and set up a photo-point.

• We  began control work and used up the 60L of 'Access' and diesel herbicide mix.

• We then ferried the guys back to Archers Point.

• Rowan Shee contacted me at a later date and informed me that the weather had gotten worse so the Jabalbina guys did not get back to continue the control work.

• When the crew could not make it back we did some follow control work and took some follow up photos from the two photo-points at Walker Bay.

• Mapped all of control work. The data and herbicide usage sheets were also completed.

• Approximately 24ha of Pond Apple was controlled and further 36 ha of area was surveyed finding little outside of the existing known areas.

• I forwarded all of the photos and information to Rowan Shee, from the Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation.

• Photo points were identified and set up with the aim of the rangers to keep returning to monitor the success of their control work. Photos were taken including photo points along the various treatment sites.

• All areas of control work had been mapped previously using the GIS systems.

• The Rangers retained that data.

• We also did a refresher course in the filling in of chemical usage data sheets and daily work log books.

• The data and herbicide usage sheets were also completed. All records were kept by the rangers.

• Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals Incorporated spent as much time as possible providing advice or building capacity for each of the individual rangers.

• This has enabled them to work on their country when resources permit.

  The Weeds Control Program was extremely successful.

  The Jabalbina Rangers and Traditional Owners, are to be commended for their professionalism and willingness to get the job done.