Young’s Block Fossicking Area to undergo enhancement

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Published
22nd April 2020

Young’s Block Fossicking Area will undergo environmental maintenance as part of an Area Enhancement Project which will be funded by the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, Charters Towers Regional Council and Dalrymple Landcare Committee.

The Australian Government has provided $50,000 in funding, Council budgeted $12,000 with a further $3,000 in-kind support. Dalrymple Landcare Committee will provide $3,000 in-kind support.
The aim of the Fossicking Area project is to create an environmental maintenance plan and to undertake works relating to invasive plant control and land improvement. This will include utilising various erosion and sediment control measures resulting in improved land stability, social amenity and visitor enjoyment.
Mayor Frank Beveridge said the area is currently in a poor state of repair.
“Young’s Block is an asset for our community as it offers fossickers and nature lovers the opportunity to visit the site and enjoy bird watching, bushwalking and the opportunity to find gold.

“However, it’s currently in a poor state of repair as the site was historically overgrazed and as a result, invasive weeds remain an issue.

“The enhancement project aims to address erosion and sediment loss, with the construction of raised banks (whoa-boys) to divert water away from affected areas and tracks. This will decrease the abundance and density of invasive plants such as Chinee Apple, Rubber Vine and Bellyache Bush.

“Following this, the treated area will be reseeded with native species which will increase visitor enjoyment,” said the Mayor.

Open days will be held which will include information regarding land condition improvement, erosion controls on degraded land and dealing with areas heavily infested with invasive plants. This will enable participants to learn and scale this outcome to mitigate impacts and develop controls for land under their control.

Project outcomes include:
Weed Treatment - 76.5 ha treatment area
Erosion Management - 5.6 km tracks improved
Erosion Management - 50 structures installed

Young’s Block Fossicking Area Enhancement Project is supported by Dalrymple Landcare Committee, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program and Charters Towers Regional Council.

For further information please contact Dalrymple Landcare Committee on 0473 038 127 or Charters Towers Regional Council on 07 4761 5300.

OGG 22 April 2020