Inspections in Fraser Island townships continue every May and November, with great work occurring with the volunteer groups and residents.

There are still plants being brought over from the mainland, seen without any known quarantine. Please think before bringing plants to the island to reduce the potential for spreading disease and pests. We are hoping that we have tackled most of the large broad-leaved peppers in Happy Valley, but if anyone knows of any more please let us know. This also applies with the spotting of Easter Cassia and umbrella trees in Eurong.

Flowing Easter Cassia

Easter Cassia, Senna pendula var. glabrata, is native to South America. The shrubs are easy to spot this time of year as they are in flower. This weed is not classified under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002; however, it is classified as an environmental weed by the Fraser Coast Regional Council.

Easter Cassia is a successful invader to disturbed sites. Its main distribution on Fraser Island is at Eurong and Happy Valley, with small patches found at Indian Head, Orchid Beach, Sandy Cape and Moon Point. Easter Cassia is controlled both chemically and physically. Methods include stump cutting, foliar spray, basal bark spraying and hand pulling small plants. There is no known biological control, but Easter Cassia is intolerant of fires. For further information, go to: www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au