This project is being carried out by FIDO
By John Sinclair – FIDO

Lake McKenzie (Boorangoora) Beach:
In response to criticisms of the modifications to the beach at Lake McKenzie (Boorangoora) in 2010, the QPWS invited the Fraser Island Natural Integrity Alliance to set up a monitoring project on the impacts of recreational use of the lake’s beaches as a basis for future management and decisions relating to the lake.

Laura Simmons and Yoko Shimazu, doctoral students at the University of the Sunshine Coast prepared a monitoring plan that was submitted to FINIA and at the FINIA meeting in October 2012 it was agreed that the Fraser Island Defenders Organisation would install the monitoring stations as part of its next scheduled working bee on fi in the week 25 November to 1 December 2012. The monitoring site and procedures were examined during a site inspection in October 2012.

On 28th November the four poles were placed in their respective positions and GPS locations recorded. Following that and a prolonged dry period in the latter half of 2012 there were a number of heavy downfalls that contributed to a rise in the level of the lake beginning with ex-cyclone Oswald at the end of January.

Registrations at Eurong were:

• December 2012 – 48.8mm
• January 2013 – 418.8mm
• February 2013 – 302.0mm
• Early March 2013 – 100.4mm (prior to the monitoring readings)

Boorangoora #1.
GPS Reference: 250 26.759’ S 1530 03.075’ E Installed 28th November 2012.
Approx. 10.30am when there a number of people were moving about the beach.

Location: This site was high on the lunette of the main beach near the head of a small sandblow to the west of the main stairs. It is able to sight up on the same focal point used for sighting from Boorangoora #2.It’s high and unobtrusive and in a blowout area of the lunette to be able to assess the human traffic in this bared area and if there are any adverse impacts on the site.

Photos taken 28-11-2012 Note base of the Melalueca

On 15th March 2013: In the intervening 15 weeks since the monitoring posts were installed the region experienced heavy rainfall, particularly from ex-cyclone Oswald and the water level in the lake rose approximately one metre shrinking the area of dry beach.

15th March 2013 showing pole location

15th March 2013

15th March 2013 with same scene as above

To see a gallery of images from this project Click Here
For more information about Lake McKenzie (Boorangoora) Photo Monitoring Project. Click here