The stablisation of 830 metres of the Kolan riverbank has been completed by the Burnett Mary Regional Group with the project set to benefit both the reef and local landowners.
The river is a high contributor of sediment to the Great Barrier Reef and the work, funded by the Reef Trust through Burnett Mary Regional Group’s Discovery Coast project, will prevent 5000 tonnes of sediment reaching the reef each year.
BMRG CEO Sheila Charlesworth said the site work was a success.
“The stabilisation of the riverbank has already proven effective in reducing sediment to the Great Barrier Reef during recent heavy rainfall,” she said.
“It will also prevent erosion and further land degradation for the landholder.
“We would like to see this effective approach expanded to other sites of concern, should funding be available to support it.”
The site work involved cutting the cliff face back to a shallower gradient which reduces how much sediment is removed by overland water flow.
Pile fields of large tree trunks drilled into the ground then stabilised the riverbank, and Gidarjil Development Corporation revegetated the site through traditional seeding and plantings native to the area.
Bundaberg Sugar is the landowner of the site and representative Jane Barratt said they were impressed with the results of the work.
“As primary producers, we are only too aware of the importance of protecting our natural resources, particularly reducing sediment run-off into our waterways and the Great Barrier Reef,” Jane said.
“Bundaberg Sugar is very pleased to have had the opportunity to be involved in such an innovative project and we are impressed with the final product.”
The long-term effectiveness of the work will be assessed through water quality monitoring by Central Queensland University’s Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre.
The Kolan River site work forms part of a Burnett Mary Regional Group led project through the Discovery Coast Consortium, which includes key members from Central Queensland University’s Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC), LESS industries, Gidarjil Development Corporation and Alluvium Consulting.
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