Bolstering the Brigalow project
(June 2024 – June 2026)
Aims of the project
- To improve the condition, extent and connectivity of Threatened Ecological Communities (TEC) of Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) in areas of the Suttor River catchment;
- Carry out weed removal and control access to brigalow TEC on five properties.
- Engage landholders in property planning to protect and improve the condition of brigalow by managing or removing grazing as required to benefit the Threatened Ecological Community.
- Establish the Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting and Improvement plan developed for the project, adding to the monitoring data previously collected and analysing it to evaluate the impact of threat reduction work.
- Ensure through the conduct of field days or workshops, neighbouring landholders are informed of the progress and importance of improving the conditions in brigalow communities.
Brigalow community on Hillalong Station, near Eungella.
Brigalow communities important for biodiversity
Landholders in the Suttor River catchment are working with NQ Dry Tropics to protect and improve remnant patches of brigalow scrub on their properties.
Brigalow is the name for communities of the distinctive silver-leafed Acacia harpophylla that together form an open forest or woodland.
Brigalow was notorious with early settlers for being extremely difficult to clear but they had the disadvantage of no bulldozers dragging heavy chains. Brigalow was cleared extensively from the 1950s through to the 1970s by which time the brigalow had all but lost the battle.
While, at the time, it appeared to achieve a gain of extensive tracts of new agricultural land, the price now realised was an enormous loss of biodiversity and a host of unforeseen environmental problems.
Brigalow is now listed as a Threatened Ecological Community and graziers, recognising the importance of biodiversity in their paddocks, are doing what they can to protect and improve it.
The Bolstering the Brigalow Project led by Senior Biodiversity Project Officer Jaymie Rains is going to re-engage with properties that have previously worked to protect brigalow. It will also work on new sites to extend the protection and improvement of brigalow.
Local communities will be able to learn more about the importance of the natural resources in their paddocks.
Jaymie said the aim was to address identified threats to brigalow communities including fire, weeds, feral animals and inappropriate grazing.
“By reducing the chance of significant damage to brigalow through clearing or fire, for instance, the habitat needed by an incredible variety of birds and reptiles will be able to thrive,” Jaymie said.
“Increased biodiversity in and around the grasslands will improve the performance of the soil and the pasture growing in it.”
For more information, or to get involved, contact Jaymie by email: jaymie.rains@nqdrytropics.com.au or by phone: 0427 023 192.
A brigalow community on Pasha Station.
Hillalong grazier Will Fordyce and Project Manager Jaymie Rains discuss possible actions to protect brigalow on the property.
The beautiful Queensland bottle tree (Brachychiton rupestris) is often found in and around brigalow communities.
The blue tiger butterfly, or Tirumala limniace calls brigalow home.
Grass yellow butterfly or Eurema hecabe.
One of the weeds threatening brigalow communities in central Queensland, Harissia martinii.
A weed threatening brigalow communities in central Queensland is Parkinsonia aculeata.
The Bolstering the Brigalow Project is funded by the Australian Government’s Saving Native Species program and delivered by NQ Dry Tropics, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.