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Combatting Cane Toads on K’gari

Cane toads (Rhinella marina) were first reported on K’gari in the early 2000’s with their appearance coinciding with a dramatic reduction in the island’s snake populations, particularly death adders. 

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Building Knowledge and Biosecurity Capacity for K’gari

In February, a suspicious sight of piccabeen palm dieback behind Happy Valley, was reported by Peter Shooter, a team leader with the Fraser Island Defenders Organisation (FIDO). The rainforest palms appeared to be dying and rotting along areas spanning tens of metres, showing overall symptoms of dieback. Investigations point to the fungal pathogen Phytophthora, but this is yet to be confirmed.

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K’gari Post-Cyclone Ecological Impact Assessment

In mid-May 2025, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Great Sandy Area staff organised a field trip to K’gari to train QPWS staff in the use of the wetlands condition assessment tool (WetCAT) to undertake assessments for a selection of freshwater lakes, creeks and swamps on K’gari. The driver for this was the need for a post-ecological event impact assessment on K’gari.

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FINIA Field Trip 2025

It is incredible to think that this year, marks 20 years since the formation of FINIA and their first weed workshop held on K’gari. Weeds and biosecurity are still a massive (and growing) issue for the World Heritage property and an area that concerns many of our partners.

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K’gari Fire Gym – Drafting Water Practice

K’gari fire-trained staff are getting ready for prescribed burning activities as the bushfire season comes to an end. This includes regular equipment maintenance and training days.

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What’s in your mud – getting dirty to find out how to protect K’gari

Most drivers wash their vehicles after leaving K’gari to remove salt and sand, but many arrive with remnants of their last adventure still clinging to tyres and mudguards.

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Butchulla Land and Sea Rangers support Queensland Fisheries

After some wild weather caused a slow start, the Fishery Monitoring team (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries) conducted their first annual roving survey on K’gari back in August 2024.

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Effective fire management is a complex beast

Nature doesn’t wait for resources; in fact, I think it plays a game of ‘let’s see how well you can react to this weather event!’ as a dry-lightning storm forms on the horizon after prolonged dry.

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Introductory Biosecurity Training

Ten Butchulla Land and Sea Rangers recently joined K’gari Biosecurity Officer, Seth Henaway, AJ Perkins from the NSW Threatened Species Team, Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Pathologist Dr Geoff Pegg and CSIRO specialists Tracey Steinrucken (Invasive Pathways) and Tim Vance (Aquatic Weeds) for an intensive 1-day introduction to the world of invasive weeds, pests and diseases.

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Butchulla Cultural Camp: Conserving Water Knowledge

The Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation’s (BAC) Butchulla Water Stories project has now moved into Phase 2, supported by a Great Barrier Reef Foundation Reef Trust Partnership Healthy Country grant.

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