by woppaburra
In August of 2024 Woppaburra and Ecosure joined forces for a project called Balban Dara Guya which continues until March 2026.
The Project began with Woppaburra Elders and knowledge holders Uncle Fred Saunders, Valmai Smith, Sonny Van Issum and the Ranger team led by Debra Witteman, joining with representatives and ecology experts from Ecosure and Oyster Reef expert Robbie Porter from OzFish to conduct a baseline assessment of the project area including our Woppaburra Land Trust blocks. This assessment included gathering data on Woppa’s native plant species, invasive weed infestations, and cultural values. Ozfish worked with the rangers to identify 6 different oyster species including the Keppel Island Oyster/ Black Lipped Oyster that was nearly wiped out in the 1900s by over-harvesting for the local oyster industry at Emu Park .
Work continued in 2024-25 with the team, under the guidance of Sheridan Lawton (Ecosure), Woppaburra Ranger in Charge Debra Witteman, with Rangers Wayne Minniecon, Darcy McGrath and Tshinta Barney undertaking the huge task of the initial treatment of a significant weed infestation on the dunes behind Putney Beach. “We treated the weeds using what is called a ‘cut stump’ method that involves cutting the weeds including Easter Cassia, Lantana and Abrus Creeper at the base and painting the stump using frog friendly, water safe herbicide which is used in palustrine wetlands because it has special surfactants approved for use around waterways and aquatic environments” Ranger Tshinta Barney said.
We then mulch the dead plant material down and allow it to break down by itself, that way it improves the soil and provides shelter for our little critters on country. At times weed vines are growing well up into the canopy but we leave it to die off there so birds of all sizes have shelter. We then monitor and spot spray where needed to take out any new sprouts of invasive weeds that were beginning to regrow.”
As the project progressed and the ranger calendar began to fill up with work, there was a need to call in reinforcements to make sure we delivered the project requirements well and on time. Family members then joined the group including Jade Kemp, Tyrelle Cummins, Knomi Cummins, Derac Corporal, Uwan Rogers-Smith, Sequoyah Trusz, Omouri Trusz, Curran Trusz, Ngaire Barney and Bidjara man Ameron Cleland supported by Ecosure representatives along the way to ensure we were on track with our Balban Dara Guya project deliverables safely and swiftly.
