2018-2028Ward River Waterhole Plan of Management

1. Executive summary

(To be completed after submission period)

2. Acknowledgements

South West NRM Ltd wishes to thank all contributors and stakeholders involved in the development of this document.

3. Introduction

3.1 Purpose of Management Plan or management intent

This plan was the major project outcome of investment by the Queensland State Government under the Queensland Regional Natural Resource Management Investment Program 2017-18. The Plan will address the health of the waterway by setting out targeted management actions to improve the water quality of the Ward River Waterhole and decrease the loads of pollutant and sediments entering the waterhole from the Reserve bank (Eastern Side) and from freehold land on the Western bank. Bank erosion is a contributing factor to increased sedimentation due to run off. Erosion is exacerbated in sections of the Reserve by visitor use. Areas of heavy use such as popular parking areas for vehicles and caravans, has led to compaction of the soil and bare ground.

This plan was prepared in consultation with various stakeholders who provided input into the values, management issues and management actions at the Reserve. Stakeholder meetings were held with: Charleville Fishing & Restocking club Inc, Murweh Shire Council, with the general community at community events and when the opportunity arose discussions were had with individuals. The project was publicised on social media.

Consultation Meetings with Stakeholders:Charleville Fishing & Restocking Club on 14/10/2017 (6 Members present)Murweh Shire Council on 26/10/2017 (3 staff and Mayor)General Community Information Stall @ Sunset Markets, Town Hall Park on 5/11/2017 (over 300 people at the event).

Other organisations that have previously had a connection to the Ward River Reserve include the Charleville Ward River users group. No contact could be made with this group as it appears to be inactive.

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The development of the plan also had regard to the recommendations of Western Rivers Rapid Fish and Habitat Assessment Report of 9 June 2017 (Range Environmental Consultants, 2017). This report recommended interventions to improve habitat availability and condition (Site 2: Ward River Reserve) were:

Ongoing fish and water quality monitoring including depth profiling of dissolved oxygen and other physicochemical parameters.

Installation of bollards to reduce camping and motor vehicle impacts Revegetation Installation of snags and rocks Installation of fish hotels and cod breeding pipes Aquatic vegetation planting Installation of LUNKER (artificial habitats constructed of wood and rock to

replicate undercut banks – refer to photos in appendices) Carp removal Reduction of livestock access Restocking of Murray Cod Restocking of small bodied species (after instream aquatic vegetation has

been established) Weir upgrades to allow/improve fish passage Signage for litter and installation of bins at frequented areas. (Range

Environmental, 2017) The community perceptions of the values of the Reserve and the management issues and improvements the community wants to have addressed are set out in Figure 1.

Figure 1 - Community perceptions of Ward River 4. Description of the Reserve

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4.1 Location and Description

The Ward River Waterhole Reserve is a riverside public reserve on the eastern bank of the Ward River (Latitude -26.4937, Longitude 146.0988). The Reserve covers a total area of approximately 1778 hectares. It is located 20.1km from Charleville, Qld, just off the Diamantina Developmental Road heading towards Cooladdi and Quilpie. The Main access to the Reserve is via an unnamed road which you follow for 900 metres after turning off the Diamantina Development Road (Charleville side). The unnamed access road was an original alignment of the Diamantina Developmental road which is now bypassed, but connects at the north and south ends making a short diversion loop to the Reserve for ease of access.

The Reserve is managed by Murweh Shire Council and consists of the following Lot plans:

79SP219045 (1012 ha)74SP222864 (630.22 ha)45OR110 (135.27 ha)

The reserve surrounds a small parcel of freehold land. This property ‘Lass O’Gowrie’ (73OR800165) totals 18.1 hectares which previously operated as a wholesale nursery and is currently listed for sale (as at 7/11/2017). Reserve land parcel 45OR110 is leased to the current owners of ‘Lass O’Gowrie’ with a permit for sustainable grazing.

The opposite (West) bank properties are freehold and the primary land use is cattle grazing. The main property on the opposite bank is ‘Wardsdale’ (Lot/Plan: 5BUR 80,1BUR19 – 8319ha) and a small lifestyle block ‘Binnowee’ (9BUR83 – 13 ha). There is a stream gauging station at ‘Binnowee’ no: 423205A (Range Environmental, 2017).

The reserve is a popular place for recreation, swimming, water sports, fishing and camping by residents and visitors and it is a free camping location. The reserve is promoted in the Charleville tourism brochure as a fishing spot. It is also promoted in online camping forums. The only facility provided by council is garbage bins at various locations throughout the reserve, although it was noted by various community members that littering at the reserve remains a significant problem.

In Main Reserve, along the main track, there are eight clear visitor use sites where people pull off the track. Bins are in most of these areas. The entrance to the first carpark area has been lined with gravel, stopping where the car park starts.

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4.2 Land types

The Reserve occurs in the Mulga Lands Bioregion. The land types within the reserve are:

Wooded alluvial plains Hard mulga Mulga sandplains Open alluvial plains Gidyea

This information was obtained from a Forage Report: Indicative Land Type dated 6 November 2017 (copy in the attachments section of this report).

Wooded alluvial plains occur in a bank alongside the river channel and are subject to occasional flooding. River red gums and coolabahs occur in the riparian zone. The dominant trees of the woodlands are coolabah, yapunyah, poplar box or gidgee depending on soil type. Understorey can be an open tussock grassland or contain species such as sally wattle and fuschia bush.

Hard mulga is usually composed of sparse mulga shrublands with an understorey likely to contain species such as cassia, hopbush or turkey bushes. On ridge areas, the understorey is more likely to have spinifex patches. This land type usually occurs in shallow to moderately deep, stony or gravely, loamy red earths with areas of ironstone and rock throughout the soil profile. This land type is a high run-off zone.

Mulga sandplains are generally flat with slight inclines and declines in places. The sandhills support mulga low open forest to woodlands. The soil type is sandy red earths which due to their high infiltration capacity, have limited runoff.

Open alluvial plains occur on the flood zone of riverine systems. They are predominantly shrub/grasslands with only occasional scattered trees. Trees that occur close to the watercourse such as poplar box/whitewood and coolabah. Grasses and forbs are the dominant vegetation present such as ruby saltbush, Queensland bluebush, sedges, caustic weed, nardoo. The soil type is deep to very deep alluvial cracking clays. Water infiltration on these soils can range from high to low depending on the degree of self-mulching or hard-setting. Soil can be grey to brown cracking clays with sand patches.

4.3 Potential fauna species

There have been no fauna surveys conducted specifically in the reserve, so the exact fauna assemblage present is unknown. It is recognised that Riparian zones often act as a corridor linking other areas and generally have a high degree of biodiversity depending on their habitat condition.

The waterbody alongside the reserve is a permanent waterhole of the Ward River and a critical drought refuge area. It allows aquatic fauna to persist in dry times characterised by periods when there is little or no flow in the river and it has become a chain of

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waterholes. These types of waterholes are recognised as being vital to sustain terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity. For fish and other aquatic organisms, the waterholes have a source and sink function in that they allow the biota to survive in dry times and when the waterholes return to being connected and flowing allow the biota to move through the river system and recolonise other parts of the river (DSITI, 2015).

A search of fauna records on the Atlas of Living Australia database (www.ala.org.au) identifies 175 species (1 Mammal, 94 Birds, 4 Fishes, 12 Arthropods, 12 Insects and 56 plants) as being found within a 5-kilometre radius of the Reserve. A list of species found is in the Appendices section of this plan.

Figure 2 - Eastern Grey Kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) at reserve on 28/10/2017.

4.4 Recent History and land use

Murweh Shire Council has day to day management of the reserve as a trustee appointed by the Minister for Natural Resources and Mines. Lot 79 SP219045 is designated as a camping and water Reserve. gazetted on 4/06/1892. Lot 74 SP 222864 is designated as a Grazing Reserve. The current permittee is the Moffatt family. The Lease is for an unknown term, commencing from 10/10/2011. Under the lease the area must only be used for grazing. Whilst the area is leased the conditions require that the public and travelling stock are still entitled to free and unrestricted access.

5. Fire/ Flood History

Floods have been a regular occurrence, notable floods were recorded in: 14 June 1919, June 1920, December 1922, December 1923, December 1927, January 1928, September 1933, March 1936, January 1938, July 1956, July 2001, January 1999, February 2003 and November 2007. The Ward River height at ‘Binnowee’ is regarded to be in flood at the following heights:

Minor Flood Level: 4 MetresModerate Flood Level: 5 MetresMajor Flood Level: 6 Metres

Minor flooding means low-lying areas next to watercourse are inundated. Properties alongside the watercourse may need to move stock and equipment to higher ground

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Moderate flooding means the area inundated is increased, stock must be removed.

Major flooding results in an extensive area being inundated. Properties could become isolated and roads cut.

‘Binnowee’, which is on the opposite bank to the Reserve has three flood warning stations (no: 44224 - 44230,544021) operated by the Bureau of Meteorology, Murweh Shire Council and Department of Natural Resources and Mines. These automatic stations measure river levels and rainfall. Station no: 44244 is located at 262903s and 1460508e (BOM, 2016)

Real time data on River levels can be obtain from the Bureau of Meteorology website (see figure 3 below for river height over the week commencing 3/11/2017).

Figure 3 – Ward River Height recorded at Station 44230 between 3/11-10/11/2017. (Source: Bureau of Meteorology, 2017).

6. Prior funded environmental works at the Ward River –

The Charleville Rotary Club was funded in 2014 under the Queensland Governments, ‘Everyone’s Environment Grants Round 2’ to undertake on-ground work in pest fish (Carp) control (Dept of Environment and Heritage Protection, 2014). This involved setting carp traps, install fyke nets and electrofishing. The project received funding of $39,625.00 (Dept of Environment and Heritage Protection, 2015). The efforts of Charleville Rotary Club have been acknowledged at the Reserve by signage.

The Charleville Ward River Waterhole Users Group undertook re-vegetation work, weed control spraying and placing of wood/tree limbs as habitat or in gullies for erosion control. Funding was through the Federal Government’s Caring for our country program which ran from 2008 – 2013. There is a sign acknowledging the Group’s activities.

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The Charleville fishing and re-stocking club Inc has as one of its goals to regularly undertake re-stocking programs by releasing native fish fingerlings at the Ward River Waterhole. As at October 2017, 128,800 Fingerlings have been released between February 1993 and January 2017. The fingerlings were: 122,900 Yellowbelly, 5600 Cod and 300 Catfish.

Weed spraying of prickly pear, coral cacti, tiger pear and Mother of Millions in an upstream reserve (accessed from Adavale Road) of scattered core and isolated infestations was undertaken by South West NRM Staff in November 2017.

7. Reserve Values

7.1 Ecological Values

South West NRM Ltd engaged Range Environmental consultants to complete a fish instream and riparian zone habitat assessment of Western Rivers (Rapid Assessment report -dated 09/06/2017). The Ward River Waterhole was monitoring site 2 within the study area. The study sites were all refugial waterholes.

The assessment of the riparian zone in the Reserve was that bank instability was noted along the surveyed reaches with moderate areas of erosion noted. On the banks, a high density of mature tree roots was found, most likely acting as the sole bank stabilising feature. The river channel has an irregular pattern of multiple channels. Drought refuge habitats are regarded as areas of High ecological value (Range Environmental, 2017).

The riparian zone vegetation is dominated by eucalypt species with a sparse grassy understorey along the water’s edge of Common rush (juncus spp.), Slender knotweed (persicaria spp.) and matt rush (lomandra sp.) (Range Environmental, 2017). The Rapid assessment report found riparian vegetation cover composition was made up of 40%, trees, 10% grass, 45% bare and 5% other (Range Environmental, 2017).

“Riparian vegetation, including grasses, is important for the controlling the movement of water, nutrients and sediment. Riparian vegetation stabilises riverbanks and captures sediment, nutrients and other contaminants contained in run-off before it reaches waterways. Clearing of riparian vegetation can result in increased sedimentation’ (Range Environmental, 2017).

7.1.1 Fish

Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii) is an important species at the Ward River Waterhole. It was the only monitoring site where the species was captured during fish community surveying undertaken for the Rapid Assessment Report (Range Environmental, 2017). Murray Cod is listed as vulnerable by the national Threatened species scientific committee (TSSC) (Department of the Environment (2017). The national Recovery Plan for the Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii) (2010) states that the Warrego River between Charleville and Cunnamulla has good population structure for

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Murray Cod. Based on the results of the Western Rivers Rapid Fish and Habitat assessment report, the same could be stated about the Ward River Waterhole.

Other fish species recorded during the survey were:

Native - bony bream (Nematalosa erebi), spangled perch (Leiopotherapon unicolor), eel-tailed catfish (Tandanus tandanus), yellowbelly (Macqwuaria ambigua), murray river rainbow fish (Melanotaenia fluviatilis)

Exotic - carp (cyprinus carpio), and goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Overall in stream fish habitat condition is of concern in relation to increases in sedimentation. ‘Sedimentation is reducing the volume of these refugia, causing waterholes to dry out more quickly…. If left unmanaged, these processes will eventually reduce the persistence of critical refugia such that they will completely dry out during prolonged droughts. This would have very major impacts on the distribution of aquatic biota”.

“Bathymetry survey indicated little variability in bed contours…. indicating elevated sediment loads within the surveyed reaches “.

7.2 Cultural Values

The Bidjara people are the traditional owners of the area surrounding Charleville.

7.3 Social Values

The Ward River Waterhole is a vital community asset for the people of the Murweh Shire. A short drive from town, it is a popular recreational destination for the townspeople of Charleville. The waterhole is valued as a place to simply enjoy nature, peace and tranquillity. People either visit on day trips or camp for several days. With easy access from the road, camping can range from tent based, to large caravans and camper trailers especially in the part of the Reserve closest to the access road. The Ward River is promoted in the local tourism brochure as a fishing and camping spot and is listed on several internet camping forum sites as a place to free camp.

During the summer months, the waterhole is used for swimming, with people using the makeshift flying fox rope swing attached to a tree on the river bank. Water sports such as water skiing and kayaking also take place.

Recreational fishing from the river bank and on the watercourse, is a major activity at the Reserve. The signage approaching the Reserve refers to ‘Ward River fishing”. The Charleville fishing and Re-stocking Club hold one of their major fishing competitions (Smith family Cod Classic) over the Easter weekend each year at the Ward River. The waterhole is an important source of domestic and stock water to the local grazing enterprises. Murweh Shire Council’s water trucks also fill up from the downstream side of road bridge.

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7.4 Condition of Values

It is recognised that there are three major characteristics of a refugial waterhole that influence its level of persistence in drought: a) the time it can retain water b) overall refuge condition having regard to: water quality, habitat availability and quality/quantity of food resources and c) connectivity between waterholes (DSITI, 2015). Sedimentation is a key factor that threatens persistence as it reduces the depth of a waterhole (DSITI, 2015). Depth has been found to be a key determinant of persistence time (DSITI, 2015).

A blackwater event occurred at the waterhole in January 2017 which resulted in a large fish kill due to low dissolved oxygen levels. This generated public concern over the health of the waterway and was reported in local and national media (ABC news, 2017).

8. Bioregional and landscape context

8.1 IBRA (Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia).

There are 89 classified bioregions across Australia (Dept of Environment & Energy, 2017). Bioregions represent land areas that have common environmental attributes including climate, geology, landform, native vegetation and species which are distinct from other regions (Dept of Environment & Energy, 2017). The Ward River Reserve is within the Mulga Lands Bioregion. The Mulga Lands Bioregion covers 25,188,333 ha (Dept of Environment and Energy, 2017). Mulga lands landscapes are generally under- represented within the National Reserve system with less than 10% protected within National Parks and Reserves (Dept of Environment, 2017). This means that most of the bioregion is under private ownership or leasehold. The Mulga lands had the highest rate of vegetation clearing between 2013-2015 at 35% of all clearing undertaken in Queensland during that period (52,100 ha) (Accad, Neldner, Kelley & Li, 2017).

8.2 Catchment

The Ward River is in the Warrego River Catchment (62,900 sq2) within the Murray-Darling Basin. The Warrego catchment covers less than 7% of the Murray-Darling Basin and is in the far northern section of the Basin (MDBA, 2017). The Warrego catchment contributes less than 1% to the Basin’s overall water resources (MDBA, 2017). The ward River’s headwaters are in the Warrego Range, south of Tambo, Queensland and it flows for about 455 kilometres. The Ward River waterhole is at the end of the Ward River system about 6 kilometres from its confluence with the Warrego. Downstream of the Waterhole reserve is the confluence with the Langlo River. Subsequently, the Langlo River flows into the Warrego below Charleville. The Ward River can form a series of intermittent pools in times of drought.

The Ward River is a major tributary of the Warrego River in its upper reaches. The waterhole is a critical drought refuge for native fish, turtles, waterbirds and invertebrates.

The Ward River flows through a semi-arid region. Summer maximum average temperatures are 34-35 degrees and Winter maximum temperatures average 20

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degrees falling to between 4-6 degrees overnight (BOM 2017). Rainfall is highly variable with most rain failing from late spring to early autumn (BOM, 2017). The average rainfall is nearly 500mm per year at nearby Charleville (BOM, 2017).

Figure 4 – Map of Bulloo, Paroo, Warrego, Nebine catchments with Ward River highlighted.

9. Management issues

9.1 Preliminary Risk Analysis, threats to reserve values,

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Through the consultation phase in preparing this plan, from general observations and reports, numerous threats have been identified to the ecological values of the Ward River Reserve.

9.2 Visitor Use and impact

Uncontrolled access to the Reserve is causing degradation of the ecological values. High use areas on either side of the sealed roadway show the most evidence of environmental degradation. In these areas, the earth is heavily compacted and bare from vehicle movements. There is virtually no leaf litter or logs on the ground. The tops of the river bank have no ground cover making the area highly susceptible to erosion and gully formation.

There are numerous vehicle tracks throughout the Reserve leading to further potential sources of erosion.

Littering is a problem even though there are adequate garbage bins provided at various locations within the Reserve. It was repeatedly mentioned during the consultation phase. Although, the placement of bins may need to be reviewed as there is no bin located in the immediate area of high usage. Another associated problem is the disposal of human waste, with toilet paper a source of littering. There are no toilet facilities.

Destruction of habitat by the collection of firewood is another major impact. Firewood collection has resulted in their being sparse logs and leaf litter on the ground. Trees have also been felled to provide firewood. Campfires are also being burnt anywhere people camp. There are no designated fireplaces.

There is a lack of riparian vegetation in part due to visitors climbing up and down the banks to access the River. Collapse of the bank (slumping) is also evident at the top of banks in high use areas, possible exacerbated by vehicles parking close to bank edges. Campers park caravans and camper trailers for several days at a time.

Recreational watercraft, especially motorised craft, create wash which can have a twofold effect on water clarity and erosion along the shoreline.

Figure 5 - (Ashes from campfires on 21/11/2017) (Tree felled, cut up logs on ground on 21/11/2017.)

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9.3 Environmental Weeds and Declared Animals and Plants

The following weed species have been identified or are at high risk of establishing at the Reserve:

Coral cactus (Opuntia cylindrica or cylindropuntia fulgida). All opuntia spp. are listed as Weeds of National significance. Broken pads of the coral cactus can be spread by flood waters and animal’s considerable distances from the origin plant and survive long dry spells until favourable conditions allow roots to form (Department of Agriculture and fisheries, 2016a)

Noogoora burr (Xanthium pungens. is not a prohibited or restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld), however there is a general biosecurity obligation on all landholders to minimise invasive plants on their land (Department of Agriculture and fisheries, 2016). This plant is known to grow along river and creek flats and burrs can float so can be spread downstream during floods (Department of Agricultural and fisheries, 2016b).

Willows (Salix spp.) are listed as a weed of national significance and are also a restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld). Willows are a significant pest species in southern states and have reduced area in Queensland. They have several detrimental aspects in relation to their growth and habit around watercourses such as growing into the river bed, slowing water flow, aeration and altering water flow contributing to bank erosion (CRC Weed management, 2003).

Prickly pear (Opuntia stricta) is a listed Weed of National significance. New plants can establish from broken off pads. Animals such as birds that eat the fruit can also excrete viable seed. Flooding also contributes to the spread of this weed species.

Mother of millions has become a naturalised plant in dry regions of Queensland. It is a restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld). The seeds are likely to be spread by wind and water (Department of Agriculture & Fisheries 2016). Its leaves and plantlets if broken off can also form new plants. Mother of Millions is not found in the Reserve but there are infestations upstream.

9.4 Fire

Fire is always a risk in the Australian climate. In south west Queensland, fire is often started from dry lightning strike and in periods of extreme hot weather conditions. The main fire risk at the Reserve is from an escaped campfire, discarded cigarette or glass litter. The vegetation communities’ characteristic of the Mulga Lands usually doesn’t generate high fuel loads however planned burns have been carried out in recent years to control Mulga thickening (Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing (NPRSR), 2013). The optimum time for these burns has been after above average rain has fallen. It is not recommended to carry out planned burns of the Riparian zone due to the fire sensitive nature of the plant species (Dept of NPRSR, 2013).

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There was a small bushfire over an area of about 2 acres in the Reserve in approximately 2012.

9.5 Erosion

Erosion is a significant concern at the Reserve. Erosion has led to sedimentation in the waterhole, placing the persistence of the waterhole as a critical drought refuge at risk. These refuges are gaining in strategic importance as buffers against the impacts of climate change. Erosion is due to visitor impacts, loss of ground cover especially in drought and vegetation diversity in the riparian zone. Vegetation not only prevents erosion but acts as a sediment trap and filter. In this semi-arid environment, ground cover is generally low unless seasonal conditions have been favourable. As the Reserve is in the flood zone, soil movement is high.

Land use in the surrounding landscape may also be contributing to erosion. Cattle on some of the properties on the opposite bank to the Reserve drink directly from the watercourse. Currently, stocking rates are minimal so any adverse effect of cattle such as trampling and compaction of the banks, effects on water quality from faeces are low. Faeces can increase electroconductivity.

Figure 6 - (Example of bank erosion taken from top of bank, 21/11/2017) (Ground compaction in car park area, 21/11/2017).

9.6 Water Quality

Management actions to improve the water quality at the Ward River Waterhole, is a major objective of this plan of management. Action is imperative given the water quality results from the Rapid Assessment Report (Range Environmental 2017). The water quality results were:

“Stratification of physicochemical (temperature, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, pH and turbidity) parameters was evident…of particular concern, dissolved oxygen levels were minimal below 0.5-1.0m depths”.

Water quality targets for the Ward River catchment waters were set out in the Healthy Waters Plan for the Warrego, Paroo, Bulloo and Nebine Basins (2016) with the

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drainage basin regarded as being moderately disturbed. The Water quality target values are set at the annual average rate of:

Turbidity 410 (noting that turbidity is naturally high in this river system) Total phosphorous 170 (μg/L)Total Nitrogen 720 (μg/L)Dissolved Oxygen 60-110%SatPH within the range of 7.0-8.0

9.7 Climate Change

Changes in climate variables are predicted to lead to increasing temperatures, higher rates of evaporation and reduced rainfall throughout South West Queensland (Queensland Government, nd). Tropical cyclones that track inland from the coast or ex-tropical cyclones that become rain bearing depressions over the inland can cause major flooding. Cyclones are predicted to become more frequent, intense and occurring further south in Queensland (Dept of Environment & Resource management, 2010). Extreme weather events are likely to be more intense with a higher risk of flooding (Depart of Environment & Resource Management, 2010).

The key threats to ecological values from climate change are: declining biodiversity, increased pests and weeds (Depart of Environment & Resource management, 2010). Climate refugia such as the Ward River Waterhole allow species to persist in the face of climatic stress. Additional protection should be given to these areas where possible (Dunlop and Brown 2008). The predicted hotter and drier climatic conditions carry an attendant greater risk of bushfire although this may be reduced in drought, when there are low fuel loads (Dept of Environment and Resource Management, 2010).

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10. Implementation Plan

10.1 Purpose of the Protected area

The purpose of this plan is to protect and restore biodiversity on the land and adjacent waters of the Reserve. The goal is to align these improvements in condition of the waterhole to meet the economic and social needs and aspirations of the Charleville community. There is a significant risk of sediment continuing to enter the waterway due to overland flow events, lack of riparian vegetation to act as a filtering mechanism and wash from on water activities. Sedimentation has been identified as a significant risk to the persistence of drought refuge waterholes which are likely to become more important under the predicted climate change scenarios. The management activities outlined in this plan are designed to reduce the risk of sedimentation, improve water quality and improve the riparian zone to a more natural state, improving resilience of the ecosystem. The Reserve also is an important natural asset for the local community to enjoy nature based recreation and education.

10.2 Management Objectives

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Management Actions Relevant documentation Status Priority

Native fauna and flora

Undertake a terrestrial flora and fauna survey of the Reserve and enter results into Atlas of Living Australia.

Provide opportunities to involve the local community in public restoration were appropriate.

Take action to improve instream habitat for aquatic fauna such as installation of snags and rocks, fish hotels, cod pipes.

Identify sites for revegetation as funds can be allocated to minimise erosion and provide increased sediment filtering.

National Recovery Plan for the Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii) 2010.

Not commenced – Funded 2017/2018 National Landcare Program Ecosystem services

Not commenced – First event Clean up Australia Day 2018

Not commenced

Not commenced

Medium

High

High

High

Condition of Values

Undertake biodiversity assessment every five years to determine changes in vegetation condition and to measure success of restoration works.

Undertake periodic water quality assessment to determine general stream health, water quality to be tested upstream and downstream of the Reserve.

Not commenced

First readings taken December 2017.

Medium

High

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Management Actions Relevant documentation Status Priority

4 photo monitoring points (aligned with water monitoring points) established with photos of land condition taken twice yearly (Summer and Winter) in accordance with Land Manager’s Monitoring Guide – Photo point Monitoring, DNRM.

Queensland Government, (2016). Land condition monitoring guide. Brisbane: Department of Natural Resources and Mines: State Land Operations, pp.19-21.

Photos taken Dec 2017. High

Visitor use and impact

Install a single eco-friendly toilet for visitor use.

Review garbage bin placement within reserve, ensure garbage bins are provided in areas of highest use.

Improve directional signage off the Diamantina Developmental Road. (for example, of suitable signage refer to appendices).

Construct new access road into reserve through hard mulga country which will reduce erosion potential

Review signage at reserve and consider if needs to be updated eg: Fishing Club members suggested that the sign about native fish include cod season closure.

Develop a landscape plan for reserve so that areas are set aside for: conservation, visitor/recreational

Not commenced

Not commenced

Monique Johnson liaised with TMR. Tourist route signage to be reviewed in Early to Mid-2018. Follow up in February 2018.

Not commenced

Not commenced

Not commenced

Medium

Medium

Medium

Medium

Medium

High

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Management Actions Relevant documentation Status Priorityuse, grazing/stock route, camping, water sport activities etc.

Cultural heritage values

Consult with the traditional custodians of the Reserve’s land and water, Bidjara peoples prior to any works that will cause significant ground disturbance = lasting impact to the area.

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act (Qld) 2003

Duty of Care Guidelines – https://www.datsip.qld.gov.au/resources/datsima/people-communities/cultural-heritage/duty-of-care-guidelines.pdf

Ongoing High

Environmental weeds, declared plants and pest animals

Weeds are to be controlled in accordance with council’s pest/biosecurity plan.

Consideration as to whether council’s pest baiting should also be carried out on the Reserve lands.

Collaborate with adjacent property owners to facilitate coordinated weed management.

All new weed species located within the reserve are to be reported to Biosecurity Officer, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld)Weeds of National Significance and National Environmental Alert ListMurweh Shire Pest Management (Biosecurity) Plan

Ongoing

Ongoing

Ongoing

Ongoing

Medium

Low

High

Medium

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Management Actions Relevant documentation Status Priority

Fire

Conduct an assessment in consultation with the Rural Fire Service of fuel loads in the reserve.

Seek advice as to whether a cool burn of vegetation should be undertaken to control mulga thickening. Consider if any fire trails to enter inaccessible parts of Reserve.

Construct designated fireplaces

Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing, Planned Burn Guidelines – Mulga Lands Bioregion of Queensland (2012)https://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/managing/pdf/pbg-mulga-lands.pdf

Not commenced

Not commenced

Not commenced

Not commenced

Medium

Low

Low

Medium

Erosion

Install bollards or some form of barrier to control vehicle movements to right of boat ramp near signage to define area where vehicles can park, forcing vehicles back from edge of bank and to allow vegetation to regenerate.

Map all vehicle tracks within the reserve and consider which tracks should be blocked off by a barrier to force vehicles onto one main track.

Install erosion control measures in areas at high risk of erosion such as gullies or where erosion is evident.

Select a trial site in the Riparian zone to re-vegetate with appropriate native plants, with an appropriate management regime for preparing the site, and

Boulders to be used. Council to install.

Not commenced

Not commenced

Not commenced

High

High

High

High

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Management Actions Relevant documentation Status Prioritymonitoring afterwards.

Further sites of bank instability or erosion be prioritised for remediation.

Not commenced High

Water Quality

Monitor and report key water quality indicators at 4 monitoring sites set up within the reserve quarterly.

Healthy Waters Management Plan, Warrego, Paroo, Bulloo & Nebine Basins 2016. Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.Water Act 2007 (Cth), Basin Plan 2012.

First readings taken Dec 2017

High

Climate Change

Build resilient instream ecosystems by restoring riparian vegetation and controlling bank and bed erosion.

Ensure surrounding land use does not adversely affect the natural hydrological processes of the site.

Ongoing

Ongoing

High

High

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10.3 Restoration Goals, Actions

Restoration activities at the Ward River Waterhole Reserve aim to maintain and enhance existing natural values to improve overall resilience of the riparian zone it protects. The management actions set out in this plan detail and describe the priorities for activities to be undertaken over the next 10 years at the reserve. Once the reserve lands have been mapped and divided into protection/activity based zones, consideration will be given as to whether this plan needs to be updated with further targeted zone based actions.

10.4 Finance and Resourcing

Initial funding for works outlined in this plan will come from the grant monies provided to South West NRM Ltd for condition improvement under the Queensland Government Natural Resource Management Investment Program Works will be undertaken collaboratively with Murweh Shire Council, adjacent landholders and the local community as partners. This project funding will deliver the following outcomes:

Erosion control measures, Water quality testing over 4 weeks up to 30/06/2018, off-stream watering points

on adjacent properties and photo monitoring points established. A fauna survey will be funded before June 2018 under the National Landcare

program Eco-System Services investment theme which is targeting priority waterholes in the Warrego River system.

This plan can be used to support new planning and investment that council undertakes regularly.

10.5 Monitoring

Monitoring is an essential component of this plan to ensure that the activities under this plan are reported on, evaluated for success or failure, measured against desirable outcomes. Relevant data will be collected during the lifetime of this plan to enable sound evaluation of the condition of the Reserve’s values

10.6 Communications Plan

This plan was developed after consultation with various stakeholders, council representatives and community members. The public and stakeholder groups were invited to comment on the first draft of the plan through newspaper advertisements and display of the plan at the Charleville Library, Council Chambers and office of South West NRM Ltd.

Council and South West NRM Ltd will continue to provide information to the public on the implementation and achievements under the plan through reports, newsletters and social media posts as and when suitable opportunities arise.

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10.7 Management Plan Review Schedule

This plan is to be reviewed by 2027.

References

ABC News, Hundreds of Fish, Crabs die after extreme Queensland weather, 24 January 2017.

Accad, A., Neldner, V.J., Kelley, J.A.R. and Li, J. (2017). Remnant Regional Ecosystem Vegetation in Queensland, Analysis 1997-2015. Queensland Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation: Brisbane.

Bureau of Meteorology 2017, Climate of Charleville, http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/charleville/climate.shtml

Bureau of Meteorology (2016), River Height Stations, http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/flood/networks/section3.shtml accessed 10/11/2017.Bureau of Meteorology (2010) Queensland Flood summary, http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/flood/networks/section3.shtml Bureau of Meteorology, 2017 Latest River Heights for Ward R at Binnowee# http://www.bom.gov.au/fwo/IDQ65397/IDQ65397.044230.plt.shtml#notes issued at 9:41am 10/11/2017. CRC Weed management, 2003 Weed Management Guide, Willow – Salix spp.Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, 2016a, Fact sheet – opuntioid cacti. https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/383822/Opuntioid-cacti.pdf Accessed 13/11/2017Department of Agriculture and fisheries, 2016b, Fact sheet – Noogoora Burr https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/77723/IPA-Noogoora-Burr-PP17.pdf accessed 13/11/2017.Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, 2016c, Fact sheet – Mother of millions https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/61461/IPA-Mother-Millions-PP33.pdf Accessed 13/11/2017Department of Environment and Energy (2017a) Australia’s bioregions (IBRA), http://www.environment.gov.au/land/nrs/science/ibra Accessed 9 Nov 2017.Department of Environment and Energy (2017b) Interim biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA7) Codes http://www.environment.gov.au/land/nrs/science/ibra/ibra7-codes Accessed 9 Nov 2017Department of Environment (2017) National Reserve System http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/3a086119-5ec2-4bf1-9889-136376c5bd25/files/ibra-underrep-capad-2016.pdf Accessed 15/11/2017Department of the Environment (2017). Maccullochella peelii in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of the Environment, Canberra. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat. Accessed Wed, 8 Nov 2017.

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Department of Environment and Resource Management, 2010, Climate Change in Queensland What the science is telling us. Dunlop, M., & Brown, P.R. 2008. Implications of climate change for Australia’s National Reserve System: A preliminary assessment. Report to the Department of Climate Change, February 2008. Department of Climate Change, Canberra, Australia.Queensland Government, nd Climate change in the South West Queensland Region, http://hardenup.org/umbraco/customContent/media/333_regionsummary-swq.pdf

Department of National Parks, Recreation, sport and Racing (2013) Planned Burn Guidelines – Mulga Lands Bioregion of Queensland, Brisbane Queensland.

Department of Science Information technology and innovation (DSITI) (2015). Waterhole refuge mapping and persistence analysis in the Lower Balonne and Barwon–Darling rivers. Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation.

Ward River Waterhole enhancement, WetlandInfo 2014, Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Queensland, viewed 8 November, 2017, <https://wetlandinfo.ehp.qld.gov.au/wetlands/resources/tools/wetland-project/ward-river-waterhole-enhancement-d84d/>.

Murray Darling Basin Authority (2017), Warrego, https://www.mdba.gov.au/discover-basin/catchments/warrego

National Murray Cod Recovery Team 2010. National Recovery Plan for the Murray Cod Maccullochella peelii peelii. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne.

Range Environmental Consultants (2017), Western Rivers Rapid Fish and Habitat Assessment South West NRM Ltd, Toowoomba, Qld

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APPENDICE:IntroductionThis report displays the most current version of the Grazing Land Management (GLM) land types for the selected Lot on Plan.The land type map is generated from a GIS shapefile which is developed based on regional ecosystems mapping and GLMinformation. Most of the land types and their boundaries have not been validated with field observations. Therefore, the landtype map is only indicative and can be used to understand what land types are expected on the area selected. The approximate land type area (hectares) and their percentage of the total area are summarised on the second page.

Land type map

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Expected land types (for land types more than 1 hectare)

Land type code

Estimated area (hectare)

Estimated area (%)

04 Open alluvial plains MU06 402 35.002 Hard mulga (MU) MU04 250 21.803 Mulga sandplains MU05 249 21.701 Wooded alluvial plains (MU) MU10 189 16.505 Gidyea (MU) MU03 58 5.0

Land type summary

Data sources

The land type information is based on "SIRQRY.QLD-GLM-LANDTYPE-RLL-V2" dataset

DisclaimerLimitation of liability: The State of Queensland, as represented by the Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation (DSITI) gives no warranty in relation to the data (including without limitation, accuracy, reliability, completeness or fitness for a particular purpose). To the maxi- mum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall DSITI be liable for any special, incidental, indirect, or consequential damages whatsoever (including, but not limited to, damages for loss of profits or confidential or other information, for business interruption, for personal injury, for loss of privacy, for failure to meet any duty including of good faith or of reasonable care, for negligence, and for any other pecuniary or other loss whatsoever including, without limitation, legal costs on a solicitor own client basis) arising out of, or in any way related to, the use of or inability to use the data. Qc the State of Queensland, 2017.

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Species Name Common NameNematalosa erebi Bony BreamCyprinus carpio European CarpMacquaria ambigua Golden PerchLeiopotherapon unicolor Spangled PerchRhipidura (Sauloprocta) leucophrys Willie WagtailPtilotula penicillata White-Plumed HoneyeaterClimacteris (Climacteris) picumnus Brown TreecreeperCracticus tibicen Australian MagpieEucalyptus ochrophloiaBarnardius zonarius Australian RingneckPhilemon (Microphilemon) citreogularis Little FriarbirdHaliastur sphenurus Whistling KiteCracticus nigrogularis Pied ButcherbirdAcanthagenys rufogularis Spiny-Cheeked HoneyeaterCorvus coronoides Australian RavenPardalotus (Pardalotinus) striatus Striated PardaloteLichmera (Lichmera) indistincta Brown HoneyeaterGrallina cyanoleuca Magpie-LarkEolophus roseicapillus GalahPetrochelidon (Petrochelidon) ariel Fairy MartinManorina (Myzantha) flavigula Yellow-Throated MinerStruthidea cinerea ApostlebirdPsephotus (Psephotus) haematonotus Red-Rumped ParrotPhilemon (Tropidorhynchus) corniculatus Noisy FriarbirdMyiagra (Seisura) inquieta Restless FlycatcherPlatycercus (Violania) adscitus Pale-Headed RosellaGavicalis virescens Singing HoneyeaterMalurus (Leggeornis) lamberti Variegated Fairy-WrenPelecanus conspicillatus Australian PelicanChenonetta jubata Australian Wood DuckOcyphaps lophotes Crested PigeonMicroeca (Microeca) fascinans Jacky WinterColluricincla (Colluricincla) harmonica Grey Shrike-ThrushCoracina (Coracina) novaehollandiae Black-Faced Cuckoo-ShrikeRanunculus pentandrusStreptoglossa adscendensEremophila maculataEucalyptus camaldulensis River Red GumEgretta novaehollandiae White-Faced HeronCorcorax melanorhamphos White-Winged ChoughFalco (Ieracidea) berigora Brown FalconDacelo (Dacelo) novaeguineae KookaburraArdea (Ardea) pacifica White-Necked Heron

Species Name Common Name

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Aprosmictus erythropterus Red-Winged ParrotSmicrornis brevirostris WeebillPtilonorhynchus maculatus Spotted BowerbirdCracticus torquatus Grey ButcherbirdPetrochelidon (Hylochelidon) nigricans Tree MartinGrus (Mathewsia) rubicunda BrolgaEntomyzon cyanotis Blue-Faced HoneyeaterPlatalea (Platibis) flavipes Yellow-Billed SpoonbillMalurus (Malurus) splendens Splendid Fairy-WrenElseyornis melanops Black-Fronted DotterelMelanodryas (Melanodryas) cucullata Hooded RobinAnas (Anas) superciliosa Pacific Black DuckOnthophagus mjobergiBrachyscome dentataDodonaea petiolarisEremophila gilesiiPachycephala (Alisterornis) rufiventris Rufous WhistlerCorvus orru Torresian CrowChrysococcyx basalis Horsfield's Bronze-CuckooCorvus bennetti Little CrowMaccullochella peelii Murray CodNinox (Ninox) novaeseelandiae Southern BoobookPipilopsalta ceuthoviridisHirundo (Hirundo) neoxena Welcome SwallowGeopelia striata Peaceful DoveDicaeum (Dicaeum) hirundinaceum MistletoebirdAcanthiza (Subacanthiza) nana Yellow ThornbillOnthophagus tamworthiGeopelia cuneata Diamond DovePhaps (Phaps) chalcoptera Common BronzewingAcanthiza (Geobasileus) uropygialis Chestnut-Rumped ThornbillTandanus tandanus Freshwater CatfishOreoica gutturalis Crested BellbirdEndocarpon simplicatumPsora crenataEndocarpon pusillumPsora crystallifera (Taylor) Müll.Arg. (Nyl.)Synaptantha tillaeaceaMalva parviflora MarshmallowDissocarpus biflorusEnneapogon lindleyanusSclerolaena cuneataAlternanthera nodiflora

Species Name Common NameVerbena africanaBothriochloa decipiens

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Lotus cruentusMelaleuca trichostachyaCalandrinia pumilaSclerolaena calcarata RedburrCentipeda thespidioidesChenopodium auricomumMedicago laciniataSenecio brigalowensisCalotis plumuliferaGoodenia lunataEucalyptus thozetianaEragrostis setifolia Neverfail GrassSalix babylonica Weeping WillowCyperus gilesiiAcacia petraea LancewoodLepidium sagittulatumBrunoniella australisEremophila bignoniifloraSporobolus mitchellii Swamp Ratstail GrassMaireana integraSclerolaena johnsoniiAristida calycinaWahlenbergia gracilisEucalyptus coolabahCynodon dactylon CouchPtilotus obovatusLepidium bonariense PeppercressDuma florulentaLeptochloa digitataSclerolaena diacanthaSclerolaena muricataSclerolaena tricuspis Giant RedburrRugitarus puellarumMelanotaenia fluviatilis Murray River RainbowfishAquila (Uroaetus) audax Wedge-Tailed EagleStizoptera bichenovii Double-Barred FinchTaeniopygia guttata Zebra FinchBraunsapis hyalinaCincloramphus (Maclennania) mathewsi Rufous SonglarkFalco (Tinnunculus) cenchroides Nankeen KestrelNeosilurus hyrtlii Hyrtl's Catfish

Species Name Common NameDigitonthophagus gazella Gazella Dung BeetleNymphicus hollandicus CockatielPetroica (Petroica) goodenovii Red-Capped RobinDromaius novaehollandiae Emu

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Onthophagus consentaneusCommon Northern Dung Beetle

Plectorhyncha lanceolata Striped HoneyeaterAcanthiza (Geobasileus) chrysorrhoa Yellow-Rumped ThornbillCacomantis (Vidgenia) pallidus Pallid CuckooCacatua (Cacatua) galerita Sulphur-Crested CockatooEremophila latrobeiAmyema maideniiHeliotropium geocharisDysphania glomuliferaEremophila glabraLophochroa leadbeateri Major Mitchell's CockatooOnitis alexis Bronze Dung BeetleElanus axillaris Black-Shouldered KiteTodiramphus (Cyanalcyon) pyrrhopygius Red-Backed KingfisherGerygone fusca Western GerygoneAccipiter (Leucospiza) fasciatus Brown GoshawkOnthophagus atroxCulex (Culex) australicusFalcunculus frontatus Crested Shrike-TitMilvus migrans Black KiteFulica atra Eurasian CootPomatostomus (Pomatostomus) temporalis Grey-Crowned BabblerTurnix (Alphaturnia) velox Little Button-Quail

Artamus (Artamus) leucorynchusWhite-Breasted Woodswallow

Todiramphus (Todiramphus) sanctus Sacred KingfisherCulex (Lophoceraomyia) cylindricusGeophaps (Geophaps) scripta Squatter PigeonCoracina (Pteropodocys) maxima Ground Cuckoo-ShrikeMerops (Merops) ornatus Rainbow Bee-EaterAegotheles (Aegotheles) cristatus Australian Owlet-NightjarArtamus (Angroyan) cinereus Black-Faced WoodswallowMelopsittacus undulatus BudgerigarAcanthiza (Acanthiza) apicalis Inland ThornbillPsephotus (Psephotus) varius Mulga ParrotThreskiornis spinicollis Straw-Necked IbisArtamus (Angroyan) minor Little WoodswallowMirafra (Mirafra) javanica Horsfield's BushlarkRhipidura (Rhipidura) albiscapa Grey Fantail

Species Name Common NameHieraaetus (Hieraaetus) morphnoides Little EagleGambusia holbrooki Eastern GambusiaArdea (Casmerodius) modesta Eastern Great EgretAustroplebeia australisAntechinomys laniger Kultarr

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Example of Directional sign – proposed to install similar with diagram showing road diversion off Diamantina Developmental Road.

LUNKER STRUCTURES -

Condamine Alliance, our partner organisation has previously successfully enhanced fish instream habitat with the use of lunkers at their Myall Creek river rehabilitation project. A story on the project can be accessed by following this link - http://www.condaminealliance.com.au/news-saving-myall-creek.

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Lunker structure (Image: Condamine Alliance 2015).

Lunker structure in situ. Arrow indicates the submerged structure. (Image: Fininterest.com.au)

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