Council launches weed-busting plan for the Mary River

Sunshine Coast Council will reveal how the Mary River was not only under threat from the proposed dam – it was choking to death on weeds.

A new plan launched this week will outline the ongoing fight against some of the biggest threats to the Mary River – including weeds that grow nine kilometres long, making them strong enough to knock over a bridge in their wake.

The plan will be unveiled by Sunshine Coast Council Deputy Mayor Tim Dwyer at the South East Queensland Pest Advisory Forum to be held at Lake Kawana Community Centre on Wednesday 24 March.

The Mary River Aquatic Weed Strategy reveals which weeds are choking the river and how the three councils in the river’s path – Sunshine Coast, Gympie and Fraser Coast – are taking unprecedented measures to protect it.

This includes biological control in the form of insects being specially bred in a new facility at Gympie. These weevils feed on the river weed, reducing infestations to very low levels.

Left untreated, aquatic weeds are disastrous to the Mary River because they:

• Deplete the water of oxygen, killing fish including the endangered Mary River Cod
• Increase the cost of water treatment
• Pose a serve risk of drowning to people and livestock
• Alter the ecosystem of the river leading to changes in fauna, especially birds.

The Australian Government has provided two rounds of funding to the Mary River Pest Management Group to develop the strategy. It is hoped that all three councils in the river’s catchment area will adopt the measures it outlines in their future planning.