Magnetic Island’s green thumbs: strengthening creek lines and growing community

Efforts to tackle erosion and sediment control along Magnetic Island’s waterways continues thanks to additional funding.

Magnetic Island, a tropical island paradise, sits within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The surrounding seagrass beds and fringing coral reefs support large numbers of sea turtles and dugongs. But these sensitive ecosystems face numerous threats.

A dedicated team of green thumbs have been on a mission to restore the island’s native vegetation, stabilise creek banks and enhance soil health to help protect local marine habitats from the threats of sediment and erosion.

Executive Officer of the Healthy Waters Partnership, Kara-Mae Coulter-Atkins said fast-moving water during heavy rain and flood events, picks up and transports tonnes of soil or rock from creeks to rivers and eventually, to the Reef.

“This sediment then hangs in the water column, making it hard for sunlight to reach seagrass and coral reefs, which they need to survive.

“Poor water quality due to increased sediment is one of the most significant threats to the Reef.”

In 2020 following several large weather events, the Queensland Government funded local councils across the Great Barrier Reef catchment to deliver projects that help waterways and assist the health of the Reef.

Aptly named Reef Assist, Townsville City Council funded businesses in the Black-Ross River basins to carry out restoration works, including a crew from Magnetic Island Conservation and Development Association (MICDA).  

More recently, the Council secured a new round of funding to extend the program.

“Often many remediation projects receive seed funding, where fantastic work occurs, then don’t receive further investment for maintenance to ensure the longevity of these benefits,” explains Kara-Mae.

“The Council’s commitment to continue and expand the vital rehabilitation of waterways on Magnetic Island is a win for both the Reef and the community.”

Digging in: island crew tackle erosion and sediment control

From project kick off, the goal was clear: minimise erosion, now intensified and more common due to human activities, to control sediment and restore crucial native vegetation along local creek lines.

Over 20 sites across the island have been rehabilitated, with some sites handed back to Council, landowners or landcare groups for long-term care.

MICDA coordinator and green thumb, Chris Sampson said the project has seen remarkable progress in stabilising creek banks by removing invasive species and weeds, mulching, and planting natives.

“At some sites, native grasses have made a strong comeback, replacing tall woody weeds, whilst along steep creek lines, techniques like use of coir logs and rocks have stopped erosion.”

The methods have already been put to the test and proved highly effective when heavy rains dropped 200ml in a 24-hour period.

“With over 2,000 native grass, shrubs and tree seedlings planted, we’ve seen the fruits of our labour, as native plants have flourished along creek lines,” explains Chris.

“The project’s not just about the restoration of our island paradise, it’s about the community bonds that have been strengthened through shared knowledge and growth.”

Before, during and after rehabilitation works at Scrub Hen Creek on Magnetic Island. Photo: Chris Sampson

Skilling up: empowering locals to grow

A major focus of Townsville’s Reef Assist projects has been to provide opportunities for First Nations, youth, women and underemployed.

Townsville City Council’s Sustainability and Environmental Services Technical officer Tasman Bay McPhee said the program had created a successful model for creating jobs and meaningful careers within the environmental sector.

“Across five projects in Townsville, the first portion of funding helped to create ongoing employment for all 50 participants, 37 being First Nations people, as well as providing opportunities and experience for at-risk youth.”

On Magnetic Island alone, 20 island residents have been employed part time throughout the project and trained in a variety of essential environmental skills, such as seed collection, biosecurity and soil health.

“The investment in growing local expertise has empowered residents who continue the important task of restoring landscapes and waterways on Magnetic Island,” said Tasman.

The Council was recognised for their Reef Assist program model, receiving an Environmental Excellence Award for Innovation and Education from the International Sediment and Erosion Control Association (IECA).

Waste-to-resource: a circular economy in motion

Island communities are perfectly located to apply circular economy practices, and MICDA, alongside Magnetic Island residents, are ideal role models.

Townsville City Council’s innovative ‘Weeds to Healthy Soils’ initiative turns organic resources that were destined for landfill into high-quality products for regeneration.

During the first year of the program, MICDA removed more than 50 tonnes of weeds, utilising this biomass for regeneration activities. This closed-loop process ensures valuable organic material stays on the island, reducing costs and the environmental impacts associated with transporting and disposing of suitable organic material.

Another community project funded by Townsville City Council, and supported by MICDA, is the Bio-Regen program. This pilot demonstration converts food scraps into a liquid soil enhancer.

Co-developed with the community and industry, Bio-Regen has diverted more than 4800 kilograms of food waste from landfill since June 2023, transforming it into a soil enhancer rich in nutrients that support the local or native soil micro-organisms. This has been a valuable product applied across Reef Assist’s 10 revegetation sites and local native tree plantings.

The Bio-Regen facility located at Horseshoe Bay is part of a global circular economy solution toward eliminating food waste and restoring soils. Locals are demonstrating it can be done right here in Townsville. The feedback? Overwhelmingly positive. Shared with over 80 island residents to enrich their gardens, locals are seeing healthier soils and stronger plants – free of charge.

These demonstrative projects stand as a beacon of what’s possible when community and nature-based solutions come together. From scraps to soil, from weeds to wonder-this is stewardship in action.

Both Townsville City Council and MICDA are partners of the Healthy Waters Partnership.

Weeds into Healthy Soil, as crews create tailored products for restoration. Photo: Sharon Molloy

The Reef Assist Program is managed and delivered by Townsville City Council and funded by the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation - Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage office.