GRANT HELPS SAFEGUARD SPRINGERS LAGOON

Rockhampton and Gracemere locals are taking an active approach to looking after a local wetland, Minister for Natural Resources and Water Craig Wallace said today.

Mr Wallace said a Wetland Connections Open Day would be held at Springers Lagoon next week thanks to a $5000 Community Natural Resource Awareness Activity Grant from the State Government.

The event will be held at the Lagoon, off Sullivan Road at Gracemere, on May 23 from 9.30am-1.30pm.

Mr Wallace said the Fitzroy River and Coastal Catchments (FRCC) group would use the grant to establish an ongoing monitoring and maintenance program to care for the Lagoon, a perennial wetland located 2km east of Gracemere.

“The idea is to raise public awareness of the value of the waterhole as an environmental and recreational resource and to encourage residents and users to look after this top local spot,” Mr Wallace said.

Coordinated by FRCC, the day focuses on exploring and learning about the nationally significant wetland while also participating in hands-on activities, such as planting trees and presentations and demonstrations.

FRCC business manager Michael McCabe said healthy coastal wetlands helped reduce sediment and excess nutrients flowing into the Great Barrier Reef.

“During the dry season Springers Lagoon provides a refuge for wetland plants, fish and other animals while in the wet season the lagoon connects with coastal flowing streams and salt water estuaries of the southern Fitzroy floodplain,” Mr McCabe said.

“Springers Lagoon has a high public profile as a popular site for swimming and fishing and it provides great potential for future educational opportunities due to its biodiversity and habitat values.”

Mr McCabe said the community, students, landholders, recreational fishers, bird-watchers and native plant enthusiasts would all benefit from the open day.

“The NRW grant has enabled FRCC, and the partner organisations, to extend our activities beyond the planning and delivery of on-site works such as weed control and revegetation,” he said.

“It’s also important to increase community awareness of the natural and recreational value of wetlands, such as Springers Lagoon and the Wetland Connections day grant has helped achieve this.

“The success of the restoration work, and increased community engagement, is expected to lead to more Great Barrier Reef wetland restoration works.”

This year the Department of Natural Resources and Water awarded 21 grants across the state totalling more than $100,000.

For more information on the open day, contact FRCC on 4921 0573 or at info@frcc.org.au

Springers Lagoon, near Gracemere

Electronic photo of Springer's Lagoon available on request.

Media contact: Caroline Kaurila, Craig Wallace’s office, on 3896 3694.