Curramore Sanctuary - Programs

Lantana weed erradication Curramore sanctuary

In common with most equivalent habitats on private land in south-eastern Queensland and those on large areas of State land, the habitats of Curramore have been subject to disturbance from logging with extensive weed invasion, most notably from lantana. Management effort will therefore be directed at re-establishment of all habitats as fully functional ecosystems, and to achieve that a number of conservation programs will be given priority. These will be programs aimed at describing the present nature of the resource, the maintenance of those habitats that are currently in good condition, and the rehabilitation of those that are heavily disturbed and weed invaded.

A program to map the vegetation in terms of the nature and condition of its habitats has been completed, with the preparation of 1:10,000 maps showing 38 habitat types, and possible ways of achieving base-line fauna surveys are being investigated.

The vegetation mapping has revealed the full extent of the lantana problem, with heavy infestations of the weed being identified in most habitats, and widely spread across the property. A systematic control program, with a long term end point of complete eradication, has begun.

Habitat maintenance and weed control measures will be combined in 18 ha of grassy forest along the eastern boundary of the property, where scattered infestations of lantana have been recently eradicated. Stock was removed in the summer of 2004/05, and regular prescribed burning began in the winter of 2005 or 2006. This will have the dual purpose of preventing the re-establishment of lantana, and maintaining the grassy forest against invasion by rainforest shrubs and trees. An additional benefit will be increased security for neighbouring properties along the eastern boundary against wildfires that might enter the sanctuary from the south.