Post Bushfire Bush Regeneration in the Mid-Lower Clarence
Clarence Landcare received three Local Land Services grants for post bushfire weed control and sponsored Angourie Community Coastcare for one WIRES project.
Capacity to Deliver - LP-022-029
The issue
Fifty percent of the Clarence Catchment was burnt in the 2019/2020 Bushfires. Bush regeneration projects were focused on areas where previous weed work has been undertaken by active Landcare groups and landholders. Grant applications were put in less than 12 months after the fires so many people were still under a lot stress from the natural disaster. Most still feeling overwhelmed by the personal impacts and damage to the environment.
The solution
We were able to mobilise and develop grant applications so soon because we already had community engaged in these areas. Post bushfire rehabilitation projects gave people hope and something positive they could do for the environment. All projects engaged professional Bush Regeneration Teams - so people impacted on their properties could focus their energy on rebuilding what they lost.
The impact
In total over 38 public and private properties were addressed for weeds post bush fire achieving a total of 186 hectares. Areas worked on included riparian land on the Nymboida and Boyd Rivers which is the stronghold for the critically endangered eastern fresh water cod and two threatened plant species Triplarina imbricata and Phyllanthus microcladus. Susan and Elizabeth Islands within the Clarence River at Grafton were included as their unburnt rainforest communities were recognised as a refuge for birds and flying foxes displaced by the fires.
Eight coastal reserves were addressed including Angourie, Brooms Head, Diggers Camp, Iluka, Sandon River, Minnie Water, Wooloweyah and Yamba, all areas were within or close to the fire scar area.
Key facts
- 3 x Post Bushfire Projects were funded by LLS & 1 x WIRES
- 186 hectares were addressed for weeds by contractors
- Threatened species habitat and ecological communities were protected
- 8 coastal reserves were worked on
- All areas targeted already had previously engaged communities