Author Archives: brbr3414

Joining forces for the Collared Delma

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Pullen Pullen Catchments Group (PPCG) and Kholo Creek Catchment Group (KCCG) have joined forces in a project designed to enhance habitat for the vulnerable legless lizard, the Collared Delma (Delma torquata), in our catchment areas. The western suburbs of Brisbane are considered a stronghold for this species, however its habitat (typically eucalypt forest with grassy understory and rocks) is threatened by factors such as changing land use and the encroachment of invasive weeds.

The project, Improving Collared Delma trajectories in Brisbane’s western suburbs, involves the assessment of local properties for suitable Collared Delma habitat, surveys to record populations and habitat enhancement measures. The latter include weed management and, in selected areas, the extension of habitat with imported rocks and native tussock grasses.

Area ranked highly for Collared Delma habitat,
project property assessment, June 2022

Thus far 22 properties in the catchment areas have been assessed, using a habitat assessment tool devised by project team members Paul Grimshaw and Jim Williams, with advice from local Collared Delma expert, Stephen Peck.

The assessment process included observations of the topography, soil, rock types and vegetation (including weed coverage). Those with features consistent with known Collared Delma habitat, such as north or west facing rocky slopes, open eucalypt forest and limited weed encroachment, were ranked most highly.

Collared Delma on a project property, October 2022

Surveys for Collared Delma have now been conducted on 11 of the 22 properties, with sightings recorded at two of the most highly ranked properties. These findings underline the utility of the assessment tool developed for the project; it will be an important outcome from the project that can be applied in future research.

Another crucial component of the project is weed management in areas with potential Collared Delma habitat. This work has commenced on several of the assessed properties, focusing on selected areas where invasive weeds such as Creeping Lantana (Lantana montevidensis) are affecting the capacity of otherwise suitable areas to support Collared Delma populations.

Before and after weed management on a project property, showing removal of invasive species from rocks, October 2022

In the final stages of the project, weed management will be supplemented in selected areas with the planting of tussock grasses and placement of rocks. This will further enhance habitat for Collared Delma by providing protected areas for the lizards, and simultaneously assist in retarding the re-encroachment of invasive weeds.

The project will continue until 31 March 2023. It is supported through funding from the Australian Government.

Article ompiled by the Collared Delma Project team (Paul Grimshaw, Liz Gould, Mervyn Mason, Justin Miller, John Ness, Stephen Peck, Gillian Whitehouse, Jim Williams), November 2022.


Wildlife corridor under threat from development proposal

View PDF version of article.

A Bridgeman Downs Development Application, previously rejected twice by Brisbane City Council, has been under appeal in the Planning and Environment Court since June 2020.

The proposed development includes a petrol station, fast food outlets, child care facility and multiple residences.

The majority of the 415/427 Beckett Road site is listed by the State Government as Core Koala Habitat and is located in a core wildlife corridor between Cabbage Tree Creek to Albany Creek and Dwan Road Reserve which is an important element in the Mountains To Mangroves environmental network.

The dense bushland on the site forms a natural east-west wildlife corridor from Cabbage Tree Creek across Beckett Road to the west and contains Endangered Regional Ecosystem including significant flora species and habitat for significant fauna species. This is the last vital such remaining link in the area and has huge preservation value for native wildlife and future generations.

The current proposal now includes a narrow “wildlife corridor”, which by most wildlife standards is totally inadequate.

The State Government previously dismissed protecting this Core Koala Habitat by acquisition.

Brisbane City Council charge rate payers a Bushland Preservation Levy but has also dismissed preserving the site by acquisition, despite previously acquiring vastly less important land such as property at Carrara Street, Mount Gravatt.

The window is rapidly closing for the Government to go down in history for the right reasons by moving quickly to secure this Core Koala Habitat and wildlife corridor before it is lost forever.

Community members who would like this priceless critical bushland corridor preserved should contact their local Brisbane City Councillor, and also their State Member of Parliament, without delay.

To contact us for comment or further information please email secretary@brisbanecatchments.org.au


National Tree Day in Anstead Bushland Reserve

Pullen Pullen Catchments Group (PPCG) celebrated National Tree Day 2022 (Sunday 31 July) with a planting event in Anstead Bushland Reserve, attracting over 70 participants. On completion of the morning’s activities, 500 native trees, shrubs and grasses had been planted in the area around the Quarry Lookout in the Reserve.


The event was part of PPCG’s plans for the extension of native bushland and canopy cover in high visibility areas of the Reserve. It was made possible with assistance from Brisbane City Council, the Lord Mayor’s Community Fund and plants received from Moggill Creek Catchment Group Nursery, local propagator Chris de Jong and Healthy Land & Water’s Winter Plants for Wildlife project (funded by the Australian Government).

Cr Adermann planting a hoop pine at Anstead Bushland Reserve, with Brisbane City Council Catchment Group officer, Brendan McIntyre.

Cr Adermann (Pullenvale Ward) attended the event, commending the catchment group for organising it and thanking the many volunteers who turned out to plant a tree. “The Schrinner Council is committed to a cleaner, greener Brisbane and community tree plantings such as this contribute to achieving 40% shade cover for the city by 2030 which in turn enhances the lifestyle of our residents,” he told attendees.

Cr Adermann joined in the tree planting and said he looked forward to checking the progress of his hoop pine during future visits to the Anstead Reserve. The hoop pine is an iconic tree of the Brisbane area and once formed large forests in the western regions of Brisbane. It grows to around 40-50m with a symmetrical shape and is resilient to drought, floods and fire.

As well as planting activities for all ages, the morning included a wildlife presentation from Wild Call and a display of innovative nesting boxes for Australian fauna from Hollow Log Homes. Artist Dr Farvardin Daliri’s giant kookaburra, cockatoo and platypus were also on display for the enjoyment of all.

Dr Farvadin Daliri’s giants on display.

Participants also appreciated the free refreshments on offer and the free native plants available for taking home. A great time was had by all who contributed to this enhancement of the environment in Anstead Bushland Reserve.

PPCG will be monitoring the progress of the new plants over coming months, with a regime of watering and weeding that will be undertaken by its bushcare group, Friends of Anstead Bushland.


Seeking BCN Secretary (volunteer)

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We are seeking a volunteer Secretary for the Brisbane Catchments Network committee.

Position now filled. We thank those who expressed an interest and/or applied.


Lord Mayor’s Roundtable – presentations

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In May Brisbane Catchment Network representatives attended the Lord Mayor’s Creek Catchment Roundtable.

The presentations have been available here:

https://app.frame.io/presentations/5b81470b-a4fa-4793-af01-e17d80fdeaa4?fbclid=IwAR004FjLd03WNgm3QkRr3JdcJSQ2Vs4UGYWHD5ZvmeR7WxVHpY0KYMB0yaI

They included a welcome from Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, a flood event overview, value of riparian restoration works, Kedron Brook waterway health, Downfall Creek Restoration Project and more.


Success Street

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Category : Uncategorised

Success Street is looking better than ever with the addition of over 150 new native plants!

The Oxley Creek Transformation crew attended OCCA’s CreekWatch event in May supplying trees, conversation, morning tea and information on the new draft Master Plan.

A huge thank you to Rockpress – their ongoing dedication to the environmental restoration of Oxley Creek makes the CreekWatch world go ’round.

Thanks to the Brisbane City Council Waste & Resource Recovery Services litter team for kicking things off with a litter tidy up and photo op.


BCN meets with traditional owners

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Representatives of Brisbane’s catchment groups met with traditional owners Kerry Charlton and Steve Coghill with facilitator Craig Jones recently. Over two workshops, one in April and one in May, they jointly developed positive outcomes regarding communicating and working with and learning about Traditional Owners.

This helps to contribute to a strategy enabling BCN to work towards custodianship and to provide a structure and process for working with traditional owners on a Brisbane or local level.

It was made possible thanks to BCN, Healthy Land & Water and federal funding received through the ‘What’s your Nature?’ program.


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