sheepstation

Wetlands are often called swamps, dams or waterholes.

They’re areas of land that are either temporarily or permanently covered by water. They support a large variety of plant and animal species that are adapted to fluctuating water levels.

Wetlands are very useful. They enhance water quality, mitigate floods, provide refuges for wildlife in dry seasons and sustain grazing long after floods have receded.

They trap sediments and filter nutrients so they’ve been likened to the cleansing kidneys within the river systems.

Over the past number of years, the Lower Burdekin has become a focus for wetland and riparian area protection. NQ Dry Tropics worked in conjunction with WetlandcareAustralia and the Burdekin Shire Council to carry out works in this area – primarily at Sheepstation and Barratta creeks.

Other areas where work was carried out include Plantation, Kalamia and Saltwater Creeks.

The types of work carried out included: weed control, fencing to allow controlled grazing, revegetation, controlled burns and the removal or modification of fish passage barriers.