Chapter 4. Case studies - Department of Land Resource ...

4.3 Case Study 3Peter Faust Dam, QLDPeter Faust Dam,near Proserpine, in Queensland, is the onlyknown infestation of Mimosa pigra outsidethe Northern Territory.The dam is located on private land at the headwatersof the Proserpine catchment. It is used as apopular recreation area for boating and fishing, aswell as water storage for irrigation and domestic use.Mimosa pigra was originally detected at the Damby the landholder in February 2001. The infestationwas mapped from the ground using a GPS, boats,four-wheel drive vehicles and 13 staff members over10 days 21 . About 1000 plants were found at thehigh water mark. Seeds were physically removedfrom the plant by hand, then the entire plantwas uprooted and taken to a bunded area wherethe plants and seeds were burned. Another twoinfestations were found five metres under water.A subsequent aerial survey of the catchment viahelicopter did not find any other infestations.A follow up ground survey took place inSeptember 2001, detecting 150 seedlings inthe same area. The Peter Faust Dam MimosaManagement Group was founded to bringtogether stakeholders and develop a five-yearmanagement plan for the dam 21 .If this infestation had not been quickly controlled,mimosa would have cost the community, theenvironment and the Queensland economy. Itposes a great threat to the productivity of canefarming and cattle grazing, both major industriesin the region. Popular recreation and tourismactivities such as water-skiing, fishing and campingwould also be compromised if mimosa wasallowed to spread throughout the region.In April 2002, mimosa seedlings were foundextensively throughout the area, many withinMelaleuca spp. stands. Some areas were found tohave up to 400 mimosa plants per 25m 2 .A 17km access road was bulldozed to spraythe mimosa infestations with melfuron-methyl.Areas of melaleuca stands containing mimosawere also cleared so the seedlings could bedetected and controlled. Wash-down sites andhygiene guidelines were established to preventfurther spread by vehicle and cattle movement.The Management Group decided to undertakemonthly inspections of the area and three annualsurveys of the entire dam perimeter 21 .A state-wide education program was launched toraise awareness of the risks of spreading mimosa.Local landholders were trained in identifying andcontrolling mimosa. A land management programincluding feral pig control and fire managementwas also established to prevent further spread.Principal Land Protection Officer, Steve Matheson,said the location of the infestation at theheadwaters of the Proserpine River meant therewas a high risk of spread. Without proper control,the mimosa infestation poses a threat to theagriculture, recreational fishing and tourism sectorsas well as waterbird habitat.Peter Faust Dam48 MIMOSA BEST PRACTICE MANAGEMENT MANUAL