Soon after purchasing our property at Mount Nathan we began discussing what conservation measures might be applicable for this area. By the time of occupancy, three months later, we had prepared a preliminary plan from information off air photos, websites and plant and animal species lists from the Queensland Museum.
About 60% (5.5ha) of our property is open eucalypt forest and is protected under state environmental legislation as Koala Priority Area. Although there have been some minor natural disturbances, like wind damage and a cool ground fire years ago, there are old growth trees with hollows, juvenile canopy trees, shrubs and a grassy understory. Rainforest plants occur in the drainage line corridor that flows from Mount Nathan and crosses our forest, providing specialised habitat. The southern part of our forest borders with Mount Nathan Reserve, providing an important wildlife corridor to and from our property.
The Journey Begins
Soon after arriving in August 2022, we contacted Gold Coast council about their Community Conservation Partnership program and had our first visit by an officer soon after. We received our Land for Wildlife Property Assessment Report by late September 2022 and our property officially became part of Land for Wildlife.
The four management zones in the report formed the basis of our conservation plan. Zones 1-3 comprise forest and are classified as ‘Retained Habitat’. It provides habitat suitable for threatened fauna and Koalas are regularly sighted in this area. These zones show evidence of extensive natural regeneration and we recognise these saplings will be our large trees of the future with the potential to develop hollows and provide further habitat. It also indicates the forest system has a good level of resilience with the ability to recover from disturbances such as weed invasion. Native understorey species include wattle and native hibiscus. Groundcover comprises leaf litter, logs and branches, mosses, fungi and lichens.
Zone 4 (30% of property) was cleared for grazing many years ago. Significant remnants include a Crows Ash (Flindersia australis), Flame Tree (Brachychiton acerifolius) and a community of Narrow-leaved Ironbark (Eucalyptus crebra) trees. It is classified as ‘Habitat Under Restoration’. Currently, it is largely exotic grass, predominantly South African Pigeon Grass (Setaria sphacelata) with sporadic woody weeds including Wild Tobacco (Solanum mauritianum) and Giant Devil’s Fig (Solanum chrysotrichum). Our long-term goal for Zone 4 is revegetation and re-establishment of native vegetation.
The Land for Wildlife Property Assessment process has given us a very valuable insight into the benefits of developing and maintaining a close connection with the Community Conservation Partnership program, and to draw on the valuable expertise of its team and the workshops and field days they hold. Whilst it is essential to understand the conservation values of our property we recognise that it is vitally important to view these within our local and regional ecological framework.
Getting To Work
Our initial work focussed on:
- Weed removal – By the end of 2022 we had commenced weed removal mainly by hand pulling, with a focus on Zone 1. The main species removed include Lantana, Corky Passionfruit, Brazilian Nightshade, Molasses Grass, Wild Tobacco, Chinese Burr, Broad-leaf Paspalum and Ground Asparagus. The cut Lantana was spread as mulch, which has proved very effective for soil surface protection and moisture holding. Our weed control methods follow the natural regeneration methodology based on the South East Queensland Ecological Restoration Framework. We have done primary and maintenance sweeps to reduce the spread of weeds downstream.
- Waterway restoration – The drainage line which crosses the northern part of Zone 1 was deeply incised and actively eroding at the time we arrived. Vegetation cover was sparse, dominated by Molasses Grass, Wild Tobacco, Chinese Burr and Devil’s Fig. We worked hard to stabilise this area by removing the weeds and constructing rock barriers and sediment traps to reduce the channel gradient and lower the velocity of flow. We rock-lined the bed and side walls to increase the channel roughness which reduces the erosive force of the water.
- Soil erosion control – Logs and rocks have been placed along the contours on the side-slopes in Zones 1 and 2 to reduce the length and velocity of overland flow.
Nature Conservation Assistance
Every year, the City of Gold Coast offers funding opportunities to help landholders restore and protect environmental values through the Nature Conservation Assistance Program (NCAP). In September 2023 our NCAP application was approved. It has enabled us to continue restoration of the open eucalypt forest by employing a bush regenerator, with us providing in-kind hours. The NCAP work expands on our initial restoration activities.
This period has also seen an increase in feral deer activity. They track down from Mount Nathan Reserve in the daytime and retreat at night. To date vegetation damage has been minor but their repeated tracking is causing soil erosion.
Koala Habitat Management
Since mid-2023 we have recorded over 40 daytime sightings of Koalas in Zone 1. Field monitoring cameras at three sites have recorded substantial Koala activity. In addition, two rescue Koalas have been released by Wildcare, a male and a female, on separate occasions. The strong presence of Koalas in our patch of forest puts further weight on ensuring the forest ecosystem values are maintained in good condition and regular restoration activities will have to be carried out.
Observations and Lessons Learned
Although we have been actively involved in conserving and improving the ecological quality of our forest for a relatively short period, many valuable observations have been made and lessons learned which might benefit others, such as:
- Planning. It is imperative to establish early goals and objectives in the planning phase. In our case, it has been logical and practical to start by implementing the recommendations in the Land for Wildlife Property Assessment Report and then looking for further assistance through the NCAP. Whilst the control of Lantana has been very effective so far, the high density of Lantana and Molasses Grass on neighbouring private and public land may provide continuous problems on our land. Because we are working with nature there has to be flexibility.
- Effect of rainfall and soil conditions. Monitoring changing moisture and ground conditions is vital to planning the timing of weed removal, and planning and undertaking soil erosion control and waterway restoration works.
- Feral deer. Visual observation and camera monitoring confirms a significant feral deer presence. This is an area where we require more knowledge and assistance on control options.
- Continue to build knowledge. The many excellent workshops and field days have helped in building a firm partnership with council, meeting like-minded people in Land for Wildlife and acquiring the specialised knowledge on vegetation and land restoration and maintenance techniques.
We gratefully acknowledge the valuable assistance and expertise of Melanie Mott, our Conservation Partnership Officer from the City of Gold Coast.
Article and photos by Ian & Lynda Hannam
Land for Wildlife members
Mount Nathan, Gold Coast