Project Description
Funded By: Queensland Government’s Department of Environment and Science
Partners:
- Gidarjil Development Corporation
- Gympie and District Landcare
- Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation
- Kabi Kabi Aboriginal Corporation
- Department of Environment and Science
Background: The Burnett Mary region experienced severe damage due to heavy rainfall and flooding as a result of ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth and subsequent flash flooding events, damaging properties, equipment and habitat. Among the various problems and hazards posed by these floods in recent months is the wide distribution of debris and rubbish across the Bundaberg, Gympie and Fraser Coast localities.
Issue: Areas most impacted by flooding have seen high levels of debris on land, which has restricted property owners’ operations, posed a risk to local habitats, wildlife and livestock, and decreased the aesthetic value of impacted areas.
Solution: Before paddocks and properties can resume crop growth and grazing implementation after such events, flood debris needs to be cleared. This project will see the removal of dangerous marine debris that otherwise would have contributed to continuous damage to properties, livelihoods and endangered habitats.
Project Scope: This project targets areas across the Burnett Mary region most impacted by recent flood events, helping to restore the aesthetic of these locations and remove hazardous debris from properties and conservation areas. The on-ground marine debris intervention work will also involve the general public and local volunteers, helping to increase locals’ understanding of marine debris and the importance of keeping it in check. All partners in this project contribute to the ongoing clean-up of selected waterways and sites across the Burnett Mary region to remove litter and marine debris. Removed debris will be identified and measured as part of this work, and the areas where the clean-up works took place will be mapped, contributing to necessary data for future clean-up efforts.
Work Done to Date: The first round of the marine debris clean-up project work has now been completed. Project partners have undertaken comprehensive clean-up efforts across the region. Round 2 is currently underway, and in total since the onset the clean-up efforts across both rounds, more than 1500kg of rubbish have been removed from the Bundaberg, Gympie and Fraser Coast areas.
Future Work: Round two of the Marine Debris Clean-Up project has now commenced, with partners Gidarjil Development Corporation, Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation and Kabi Kabi Aboriginal Corporation set to undertake on-groundwork across the Bundaberg, Fraser Coast and Gympie regions. This round of work will conclude in 2023.
