Beach Scrub Report Card

Beach Scrub by the numbers

For landholders in the Coastal Plains and Adjacent Ranges of the Burdekin.

The Beach Scrub Project

The Beach Scrub Project was an Australian Government funded initiative, through the National Landcare Programme, to improve the condition and extent of beach scrub in the NQ Dry Tropics region.  The Beach Scrub Project aimed to promote conservation of beach scrub semi-evergreen vine thickets, an endangered ecosystem that’s crucial for reducing erosion and preserving strong ecological diversity on-property.

NQ Dry Tropics is an independent not for profit organisation engaged to deliver and implement the National Landcare Programme for the Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM region.  

The Beach Scrub Project  assessed known beach scrub regional ecosystem areas and worked to improve the condition and extent of these areas.

In the Burdekin area:

  • OF CONCERN: Queensland State Regional Ecosystem 11.2.3 – Microphyll vine forest (“beach scrub”) on sandy beach ridges.
  • ENDANGERED: Australian Government – Part of the Semi-evergreen vine thickets of the Brigalow Belt (North and South) and Nandewar Bioregions.

In the Wet Tropics area:

  • OF CONCERN: Queensland State Regional Ecosystem 7.2.2 – Notophyll to microphyll vine forest on sands of beach origin.
  • CRITICALLY ENDANGERED: Australian Government – Part of the Littoral Rainforest and Coastal Vine Thickets of Eastern Australia.

Beach Scrub Site Plans

  1. Cape Upstart (Central)
  2. Cape Upstart (Northern)
  3. Cape Upstart (Southern)
  4. Curlewis Bay
  5. Dingo Beach
  6. Horseshoe Bay
  7. Kings Beach #2
  8. Kings Beach #3
  9. Nelly Bay
  10. Ollera
  11. Queen’s Bay
  12. Quindelup
  13. Rita Island
  14. Shelley Beach
  15. Yabulu
  16. Mystic Sands
  17. Crystal Creek
  18. Wunjunga
  19. The Pocket
  20. Groper Creek

The Beach Scrub Project initially had $100,000 available to fund on-ground works on the Coastal Plains and Adjacent Ranges. This targeted funding was allocated to support integrated management projects, focussing on priority areas where suitable regional ecosystems occur.

On-ground works to improve the condition and extent of beach scrub was funded on a case-by-case basis, based on established management guidelines and expert recommendations.  Works  typically included:

  • Weed control;
  • Improved fire management practices;
  • Improved grazing management practices;
  • Revegetation works; and
  • Beach scrub monitoring.

Works were undertaken by  landholders, with in-kind support; or under contract with a community environmental group.

This round of the Beach Scrub Project finished in June 2018. Some larger projects may be extended as funding allows.

Where can I get more information?

Contact Jaymie Rains on  4724 3544 or jaymie.rains@nqdrytropics.com.au.

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