Field Trip 1: Urban and Peri-urban Landcare – From small weeds big weeds grow

This Field Trip will look at environmental pest management issues in urban and peri-urban areas around the city of Mackay. It will cover management of a wide range of weeds, woody and herbaceous weeds.  Sites visited are at different stages of weed management and utilise in varying programs and partnerships.  Sites will include Melaleuca wetlands, the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens and a peri-urban property where the owner is managing weeds without using herbicides.  We will also look at progress with a recently identified infestation of Pond Apple in a coastal catchment and visit a small national park which is infested with Cats Claw Creeper.    

Field Trip 2: Innovation in the Pioneer Valley – From cows to cane

Within the Pioneer valley delegates will visit a variety of innovative weed management activities over a diverse range of land uses. A visit to a sugar cane farm will demonstrate how growers are adopting new technologies to better manage weeds. This will be followed by a visit to a local wetland with a history of water weed issues. A local grazier will talk about his war against GRT and his armoury of control methods. The field trip will finish with a visit to an award winning composting project utilising weeds as a soil improvement resource.   

Field Trip 3: Weed Management in the Sarina Catchment – New and emerging threats

From invasive weeds covering vast expenses to bio-security risks crossing Australia’s largest coal port. This will include a practical management of Hymenachne in floodplain grazing systems. Delegates will tour the Sarina Rural Skills Centre to see the innovative work undertaken by students in pasture management. The tour will visit the international coal port of Hay Point to learn about environmental and bio-security management in place to protect Australia’s borders. The trip will conclude with a coastal rehabilitation project at Louisa Creek.   

Field Trip 4: The Management of Weeds on Islands 

Visiting two tropical offshore islands delegates will have the opportunity to inspect different sea side pest management activities. Delegates will be shown presentations on island management while in commute to the islands. Ashore on Brampton Island work carried out by a community action group will be viewed. A visit to St Bees Island will than look at lantana control and implementing appropriate fire resumes.