The inner city banks of the Bremer River are almost unrecognisable following a large scale clean up last week.
The clean up saw intensive weed removal commence along a one kilometre stretch of the Bremer River banks near the Bradfield Bridge.
Environment and Sustainability Committee chair Councillor Russell Milligan said it was all part of Ipswich City Council’s Habitat Connections Program.
“The program coordinates annual weed work and revegetation across a number of our strategically important waterways,” Cr Milligan said.
“Council identified the weed infestations throughout the town reaches of the Bremer River as a priority area for rehabilitation in 2021.
“Once the weeds are completely removed we can start revegetating with native plants, which we expect could be in September this year.
“The native plants will offer many benefits to the river from aesthetic improvement to bank stabilisation and habitat for native birds and insects.”
Castor Oil, Leucauna and Glycine were among the weed species removed as part of last week’s blitz.
Image: Before works commenced.
Image: After the weeds were removed.
Environment and Sustainability Committee deputy chair Councillor Andrew Fechner said regular follow up weed spraying and further removal would continue over the coming months to get river bank weeds under control.
“Removing the weeds and revegetating this area with native plant species will not only provide an ecological boost to the Bremer catchment, but also significantly improve this popular section of the river for the community’s enjoyment,” Cr Fechner said.
“Over the next five years, the program will see around $120,000 invested to improve the vegetation in this specific area.”
It comes after more than 30 shopping trolleys were removed from the same section of the Bremer River in December 2020 as part of a joint operation between council and not-for-profit organisation Healthy Land and Water.
“The Bremer River is a cherished part of our city’s history and deserves our best efforts to recuperate it for the future,” Cr Fechner said.
“Council will continue to deliver targeted actions and investment to improve the Bremer River and other Ipswich waterways.”
I love that you are cleaning up the environment from noxious weeds etc. It concerns me that you use weed spray though. Surely this is detrimental to the wildlife and nature in general. Also, it would end up in the waterways.
May I ask what chemicals you use?
So disappointing that as part of this clean up there will be ongoing use of pesticides. Whilst removing the weeds and replacing with native greenery is to be applauded, sustained use of chemicals will harm fauna and leach into the river.
Four sewage treatment plants, as well as a power station, an abattoir and a former coal mine all have environmental authorities from the State Government to discharge into the river.
Dr Freeland said his research found the level of pollutants being released into the river by holders of the EAs had exceeded national guidelines over the past 20 years.
So Council here this!
Removing weeds, spending 120k on plants over 5 years and relying on volunteer groups to clean it up?
Seriously.
Meanwhile sit by and let the State Govt help industry pollute the Bremer and tributaries.
Stop Industries polluting it