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Protecting Carnarvon's Endangered Ecosystems
Springs on Carnarvon Station that were once an important part of Aboriginal life have been fenced off from feral animals to help protect endangered ecosystems.
The 59,000 hectare property which borders Carnarvon National Park is owned by Bush Heritage Australia and managed primarily for conservation.
Conglomerate and Mailman Springs were the last of eleven springs in a core protection area to be fenced to reduce erosion, weed infestation and damage to creek bank vegetation.
"We were aiming to exclude feral animals like horses and pigs from the area," said Carnarvon Station manager Darren Larcombe.
"These animals were not only damaging the springs but having a major impact on endangered ecosystems such as Bluegrass Plains. We have the largest pristine area of Bluegrass in Queensland and New South Wales on our property.
"There are also more than 25 axe grinding grooves near Conglomerate Spring's rock pools which shows it was once occupied by Aboriginals and these are now protected by the fencing."
Funding
The Australian Government contributed around $4,000 to fencing the springs. Additional support came from Bush Heritage Australia and its volunteer program.
Activities
Carnarvon Station Reserve staff undertook the basic preparation work before fencing began. For Mailman Spring this involved breaching a levee bank established in the 1980s which was still causing considerable erosion.
Fencing is done by volunteers.
"There's no shortage of them at Carnarvon," said Darren. "We give them a specific task, point them in the right direction and help them with trade-oriented work.
"A holidaying couple fenced the one and a half hectares around Conglomerate Spring, while three Dutch students and a retired pastoral couple fenced the two and half hectare Mailman Spring area.
"The students were part of a Bush Heritage Australia agreement with a Netherlands university which gives students an internship including practical experience on a Bush Heritage property."
As well as fencing the springs, rock and log ramps were constructed to give native animals like kangaroos and wallabies access to the water. Carnarvon staff cut out creek bank weeds by hand and thatched the banks to encourage native grasses to grow back.
Achievements
"The recovery process around the springs takes around two to six years or more," said Darren.
"However by excluding pigs and horses, water quality has already improved and plants are growing back. Most of the springs we have fenced have not only doubled in size, but flow has improved very rapidly."
More information
- Darren Larcombe, Manager Carnarvon Station: (07) 4654 9178
- Bush Heritage Australia
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