PLANT SURVEY LUCINDA DRAIN, FISHERMAN ISLANDS: WINTER 2003 SURVEY

January 2004

Prepared by Rob Friend and Associates

This Plant Assessment Report is the sixth 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.  The surveys have been undertaken using the same survey methodology that was utilised in the three previous surveys.

Summary of findings
With respect to this November 2003 survey, the findings are:

1.  no new environmental weed species were recorded during the plant survey;

2.  a total of 48 plant species were recorded.  This consisted of 12 native/planted species and 36 environmental weed species;

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

4.  the area was very dry with the grasses dominating the groundcover throughout the left bank;

5.  the right bank receiving irrigation was wetter, however this area is also slashed/mowed and sprayed;

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

7.  Sheoak species (Casuarina equisetifolia and C. littoralis) and Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anacardioides) were shooting from damaged rootstock and from seed.

No target weed species identified by Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) (see pg 20) 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.