Following the winter bird survey, we can confirm that the ecological recovery is continuing with 3 new birds species observed in the survey. This brings the total to 53 bird species observed so far, compared to 24 species at the beginning. This means that the number of species has more than doubled since the start of the project.
Background
In 2018 the Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee Inc. (B4C) and Ingham’s Pty Ltd formed a professional partnership, which is now developing into a major success on many fronts. Ingham’s is a major food processing and production company working across Australia. Its Brisbane factory and operations centre is a major employer and provides an essential local manufacturing facility of major importance to the Brisbane economy.
Ingham’s, working with B4C, planned an integrated natural water quality management system. This was done by converting existing agricultural dams into a major solution to environmentally responsible industrial management of waste and fresh water. Ingham’s has been successful to the point of achieving an “International Water Stewardship Platinum Standard”, which is recognised world-wide.
The project is located near the Doboy Wetlands in the Bulimba Creek Catchment, Brisbane. It adjoins Brisbane City Council and State Government (TMR) lands to the north. These wetlands are of great ecological and economic importance to our city and region and provide essential ecosystem services.
This project was a break-through for Industrial Landcare in Brisbane. The land adjoins other important Industrial Landcare projects to the north – particularly Western Recycled Water Pipeline Rehabilitation, Oxbow Wetlands Recovery (TMR and Powerlink) and the 2018 initiated Gibson Island Rehabilitation Project. These integrated project outcomes reflect the cooperation between urban landcare and industry. The benefits it brings to industry and environment is the ultimate “win-win” scenario.
Emerging Environmental Benefits
Carefully planned hydraulic solutions and environmental rehabilitation of naturally modified water bodies (natural infrastructure) has led to innovation and ecological improvements on a landscape scale. To monitor these outcomes B4C has been funding professional bird species surveys over a three-year program from Birdlife Southern Qld.
The interim winter survey report reveals some newly recorded birds for the site: Buff-banded Rail, Pheasant Coucal and Fan-tailed Cuckoo. The presence of these birds shows that continued work of revegetation is making this site suitable for many bird species.
This result builds on the outstanding success of Year 1 of the surveys. It is proving that ecological recovery and rehabilitation are worthwhile investments in industrially influenced natural areas, which were sometimes, in the past, regarded as beyond repair and devalued.
With foresight, the Industrial community, led by successful companies like Ingham’s, are choosing natural solutions to achieve economic outcomes. This provides a “Dividend For Nature” and an investment in community well-being and liveability. Ecologically Sustainable Development and Ecosystem Services, may not be the buzz-words of the moment, but sometimes it serves us well to take a step back and choose what we really want to be representing and embracing, while pursuing great achievements.
PROGRESS – Excavation and Rehabilitation
