John Sinclair, Fraser Island Defenders Organisation
During the past year FIDO has made an impressive impact in addressing the weeds at Eurong with three weeding weeks in the last year contributing 723 volunteer hours working on the problem in one of Fraser Island’s centres of weed infestation.
One of 17 trailer loads of weeds and garden waste that went to the Eurong waste transfer station during FIDO’s May weed replacement trip
FIDO is determined to build on the gains we have made to date especially with the demonstration gardens in an effort to ensure that Fraser Island landholders are encouraged to use plants local to Fraser Island and obtained from the Eurong Nursery rather than bringing any new plants to the island.
FIDO’s program received a significant boost with two grants that will enable FIDO to hold six weeding weeks on Fraser Island in the current financial year as well as boost the capacity of the Eurong nursery.
A $19,950 Caring for Country grant will enable Michael Lowe to develop a comprehensive weed replacement program that in addition to the weeding work places a heavy emphasis in helping the QPWS build up its nursery capacity and adding seed to provide the plant stock for landholders and the Parks service to draw on in the next year.
A $6,000 BMRG Community engagement program will provide the basic funding for three other FIDO week-long weeding programs to be led by John Sinclair. This program will also enable FIDO to extend its monitoring program on the island that has now been continuing for over forty years.
Once Eurong is cleared up FIDO is hoping to be able start tackling other major centres of weed infestation on the island.
FINIA 