National Landcare Program
Submission 63 - Attachment 3
Case Study – Improved habitat for threatened species –
Booroolong frog & Southern Pygmy perch
Mannus Creek infested with willow and blackberry choking the habitat for two threatened species
Before investment and works undertaken
National Landcare Program
Submission 63 - Attachment 3
Works in progress on Mannus creek – blackberry and willow control
National Landcare Program
Submission 63 - Attachment 3
Willows poisoned and stockpiled above flood level – burnt just after this photo taken
National Landcare Program
Submission 63 - Attachment 3
After works undertaken – natural regeneration on Mannus Creek
National Landcare Program
Submission 63 - Attachment 3
Improved habitat for threatened species
•
Since 2008 Murray CMA/LLS has worked with local farmers, frog specialists from the NSW Office of
Environment and Heritage, Taronga Zoo, Tumbarumba Shire Council and local schools to improve
the habitat of two threatened species – the Booroolong frog and Southern Pygmy perch
•
The threat to these frogs and fish are willow and blackberry choking the rocky granite shoals in
which the frogs breed, call and sun themselves; for the fish, it is loss of water quality and native
aquatic plants from exotic weed invasion.
•
Series of projects funded through the Australian Government, three major creek systems: Maragle,
Mannus, and Lankeys-Coppabella-Jingellic Creek have had over 50km of riparian areas treated to
remove weeds and rehabilitate with revegetation and regeneration.
•
Strong partnerships, skills and local management capacity been developed with local farmers with
frontage to the creek, NSW Forests Corp, local contractors, private forest companies, local
government and schools to engage, empower and take ownership of the riparian areas affected.
•
In a series of projects over $500,000 has been invested.
•
Scientific monitoring of the frogs through severe floods, heatwaves and variable weather patterns
for over 8 years is showing recovery of the threatened species.
•
The project has been used as an example of “best practice” by the scientists monitoring it and has
won Landcare Awards for its educational component.