PLANT SURVEY LUCINDA DRAIN, FISHERMAN ISLANDS: SUMMER 2004 PLANT SURVEY

May 2004

Rob Friend and Associates

This Plant Assessment Report is the seventh report prepared following an assessment of plants occurring along the banks of the Lucinda Drain, Fisherman Islands. The Lucinda Drain is located along the eastern side of Fisherman Islands and is approximately 2.5 kilometres in length. The drain provides tidal, stormwater and wash drainage for all hardstands and roof water runoff for the majority of facilities and roads along the eastern section of Lucinda Drive.

Rob Friend & Associates Pty Ltd  was commissioned to undertake the previous plant surveys of Lucinda drain.
 
This survey utilised the revised field survey technique trialled in the previous plant survey (November 2003). The survey results did not alter the outcome in terms of plant species identified, however improved the timeliness of the field survey.

The following point summaries the findings of the March 2004 plant survey of Lucinda Drain :

1. no new environmental weed species were recorded during the plant survey;
 
2. A total of 42 plant species were recorded. This consisted of 15 native/planted species and 27 environmental weed species;

3. Lantana (Lantana camara); Para grass (Brachiaria mutica), Broad leafed pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius) and Singapore daisy (Sphagneticola trilobata) were recorded again on the left bank;

4. recent rains had allowed for a relatively dense grass sward of Rhodes Grass (Chloris gayana), Red Natal grass (Melinis repens) and Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) to become established along the majority of the left bank and in areas which had not been regularly maintained;

5. Siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum) and Cobblers pegs (Bidens pilosa) dominated in places where grasses were not dense;

No target weed species identified by Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service were located during the plant survey. Additionally, no other exotic plant species new to the site or in the general Brisbane area were recorded during the plant survey.

All environmental weed species that have been identified following the implementation of the plants surveys are being managed in accordance with a land management schedule. No unusual plant species or potential exotic plant incursions were identified during this and the previous plant surveys.

Recommendations regarding the long-term management of environmental weeds within the Lucinda Drain area are provided in Section 8 of this report.