Progress is underway on a significant riparian restoration program at three sites on the Flinders River near Hughenden, in Northwest Queensland.
The program aims to repair damage from torrential rain and extreme flooding in 2022, which washed valuable vegetation, soil and slabs of riverbank downstream.
“The Flinders River flows directly to the Gulf of Carpentaria, making river health critical to supporting local jobs and the sustainability of the region’s fishing and agriculture industries,” said Queensland Disaster Recovery Minister, Nikki Boyd.
“These recovery projects from the devastating 2022 floods put boots on the ground with good, local jobs for Queenslanders, while protecting riverbank biodiversity for future generations.”
Working closely with land managers, councils and Traditional Owners, Southern Gulf NRM has used aerial reconnaissance to identify three high-priority, severely degraded riverbank erosion zones on the Flinders River, including a site at the Hughenden Golf Club.
“Our goal for the restoration efforts is to ensure our natural environment sustains healthy biodiversity and ecosystems by establishing vegetation in and around areas of severe erosion until it becomes self-sustaining,” said Southern Gulf NRM CEO, Alison Larard.
Cultural heritage surveys by Traditional Owners are predicted to begin at the sites in coming weeks, ahead of boots on the ground for the start of riverbank and revegetation work by September.
The Flinders River riparian restoration project is part of a $32.75 million Riverine Recovery Program funded by the Albanese and Miles Governments’ Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
“Environmental recovery is important for the region, and important for future generations,” said Federal Emergency Management Minister, Murray Watt.
“The Albanese and Miles Governments are committed to disaster recovery, and we welcome the progress that has been made on this program.”
The works will limit sediment and nutrient runoff into the environment and minimise the impact of future flooding on the biodiversity of the Flinders River by:
- Bank re-profiling – reshaping severely eroded sections to create a more stable incline.
- Rock beaching – installing log jams or root wads for added protection.
- Revegetation – planting native grasses, trees, and shrubs with hydromulching of large areas to promote vegetation growth.
Southern Gulf NRM and Verterra Engineering are finalising designs for the program. Disaster recovery and revegetation works will be locally led by contractors, council and Traditional Owners, creating good Queensland jobs.
