THEY’RE COMING BACK – RE-EMERGING SPRINGS
Funded by
Lying beneath parts of the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, and New South Wales, the Great Artesian Basin, (GAB) is Australia’s largest groundwater basin and one of the largest underground freshwater resources in the world. The GAB is the main source of water for most of inland Australia including Queensland’s Desert Channels region. Springs emerging from its underground reservoirs are therefore vital for both biodiversity and the pastoral industry. However, the ecosystems supported by these springs face multiple threats, from invasive pest species (cane toads, feral cats, and prickly acacias among others), to misguided farming practices.
To preserve the GAB springs, Desert Channels Group will team up with local landholders and Aboriginal communities to implement a long-term plan for the conservation and sustainable use of land and water in western Queensland. This project, funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust, will run for the next four years until June 2028.
The project aims to reduce the impact of invasive species by removing weeds and controlling pest animals by trapping and humane lethal protocols. Regular assessments of flora and fauna diversity will be conducted to guide actions. From a human perspective, traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) from Aboriginal communities will be actively included in management practice, with landholders being consulted about measures to reduce impacts of cattle on GAB springs. The main goals of the project are to improve the habitat conditions of GAB springs while raising an awareness of best farming practices and TEK among landholders by June 2028.
Other projects
Emergency Plan
WATERTIGHT
MAKING THE LAND PRODUCTIVE: REHABILITATION AFTER DROUGHT
PRICKLY ACACIA ERADICATION
WADDI TREES
Long term ecological monitoring trial
Ayrshire Downs field day
Camel herd monitoring
SPRING MONITORING
NEW SPRINGS ARRIVAL
PRICKLY ACACIA ERADICATION
Emergency Plan
WATERTIGHT
MAKING THE LAND PRODUCTIVE: REHABILITATION AFTER DROUGHT
WATER QUALITY
Emerging Springs – Highlights
GAZING AND GRAZING INTO THE FUTURE
UNDERSTANDING WET SEASON SPELLING
WADDI TREES
NEW SPRINGS ARRIVAL
SEEDY BUSINESS
ARTESIAN SPRINGS
THORNVILLE QUANDARY
Emergency Plan
WATERTIGHT
MAKING THE LAND PRODUCTIVE: REHABILITATION AFTER DROUGHT
PRICKLY ACACIA ERADICATION
Emerging Springs – Highlights
Long term ecological monitoring trial
NEW SPRINGS ARRIVAL
ARTESIAN SPRINGS
IS DIESEL BECOMING A THING OF THE PAST?
WADDI TREES
EDGBASTON GOBY MAKING A COMEBACK
UNDERSTANDING WET SEASON SPELLING
KEEPING UP WITH THE CAMELIDS
Like to be involved?
Connect with us today if you would like to participate in this project or to find out more.