Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) – Riverine Site Maintenance Program

The Riverine Site Maintenance Program will involve undertaking maintenance of previously funded riverine sites. The key purpose of the project is to provide maintenance and rehabilitation support to existing riverine recovery sites that had previous disaster recovery investment allocated post the 2017 Cyclone Debbie and 2019 North Queensland Monsoon Trough events. This project aims not only to ensure the long-term resilience of the sites but also to facilitate capacity building and to provide valuable training and employment opportunities in the natural resource management sector. This will benefit the local economy through the upskilling of local service providers, enhancing their expertise and employability. Commencing June 2024 this project will run over two years until the end of June 2026.

The project works will include:

• Weed and pest management to remove invasive species.
• Infill planting to fill gaps in the initial revegetation area and restore habitat quality and diversity.
• Mulching, and watering activities to ensure the success and long-term resilience of previous works.
• Monitoring and assessment of site conditions throughout the contract period.
• Support and enhancement of local service provider capability through capacity building, training, and employment opportunities.

Throughout the Mackay-Whitsunday region, areas with healthy riparian vegetation provide  resilience during extreme weather events by acting as a natural buffer. Riparian zones play a critical role in stabilising riverbanks, reducing soil erosion, and moderating the flow of floodwaters. By enhancing the health and connectivity of riparian zones, this project will improve the effectiveness of riverine environments in mitigating flooding, reducing downstream fine sediment impacts, and supporting social and environmental values. This initiative will not only reinforce the resilience of riparian areas to withstand extreme weather events but also enhance their ability to provide essential ecosystem services that benefit both the environment and society.

The DRFA Riverine Site Maintenance Program is a project of the Reef Catchment’s Waterways team.

Assistance provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).