CMC Mein Deviation Weeds and Pests Survey-September 2015

Report for 30/08/2015 - 04/09/2015

Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals Incorporated was contracted to conduct a Weeds and Pest Survey for the Civil and Mining Construction Pty Ltd Group at their work site situated on the Cape York Peninsula Development Road near Piccaninny Plains Station.

• As it is very dry, it might not be possible to find anything.

• Travelled to the Mein Deviation Roadworks site located on the Peninsula Development Road to conduct a Weeds and Pest Survey for the CMC contractors, who were carrying out the roadworks on behalf of the QLD Main Roads Department.

• This included a Weeds and Pest survey for the entire length of the CMC job site. 

• This involved the survey and mapping of the thirty two kilometres of road way, on both sides to the edges of the road reserve work area.

• A buffer survey was also included to make sure the entire works area was covered properly.

• Attended a Work site Induction Session before commencing the Weeds and Pests Survey.

• Liaised with the Project Engineer, Site Overseer, and Traditional Owners at the Job site.

• The Weeds and Pest Survey was required to be carried out before any substantial work could be carried out.

• The country had dried out very quickly and a lot of it had been burnt.

• An initial start up meeting was conducted each day to coordinate each day's activities.

• CYWAFA_INC conducted a brief training session with the site supervisors about Weeds and Feral Pest—best management practices for the work site.

• Assessments were carried out to determine if any declared weeds and pests were present, their extent, and if any control work could be carried out.

• A range of other duties were also carried out as well.

• All appropriate PPE was worn when undertaking activities.

• A full Weeds and Pest Survey was conducted, including buffer zones, over the entire work Site.

• There were only two Declared (Land Protection Act 2002)Weeds species observed and mapped. 

• The two species were the Class 2 Sickelpod and Sporobolus spp. grasses.

• A small patch of Sicklepod was mapped at the start of the work area, at the end of the existing bitumen, heading north.

• The plant itself had already seeded and was dead.

• The sporobolus grasses were located outside the CMC work area, in the vicinity of the Sicklepod. It also had seeded and died.

• Once the survey was completed, the Project Engineer and Overseer were informed.

• We were then asked by the Project Overseer to identify a number of trees of the Acacia family that were included on the endangered and the near threatened species list. They are known as Acacia ommatosperma. They are found between Coen and Weipa in Cape York Peninsula.

• We identified them and tagged them so that they would not be disturbed. The works area would be changed to go around their habitat.

As the road construction area requires the use of water trucks, we were then required to do a further survey of all the dams and water points, to identify any declared species.

• This will help in preventing weed seed spread through the use of the water or by the water trucks themselves.

• The only water point o be affected by weeds was the dam behind the CMC compound.

• It had half a dozen Sickelpod plants which were controlled straight away.

• Every part of the survey was mapped and photographs taken. All information was submitted to the CMC project engineer

• CMC staff were informed of the best containment and weed control measures to use on their work area.

• This was aimed at reducing what is there, it's soil seed bank, and the associated weed seed spread by people and machines.

• As the area had been burnt and the plant species are under water stress, It is very hard to do anything when there is nothing actively growing and seeding.

• We advised the project management that once they get rain, we would be in a better position to control all the weeds and pests in their work area. 

• We finished up the program, submitted what mapping data and photos we had and travelled home.

• The whole of the area was extremely dry with nothing growing at the present time.

  End of Survey

             The Weeds and pest Survey was successful

             The CMC contractors and Traditional Owners, are to be commended for their professionalism.