Council applies for funding to boost regional environmental resilience

Cairns Regional Council is stepping up efforts to restore and protect the region’s natural environment, progressing two key initiatives that will strengthen sustainability and resilience.

Through three grant applications valued at almost $300,000, Council is seeking support from the Queensland Government’s 2024–2025 Environmental Clean-Up and Local Conservation Program to deliver vital clean-up and habitat restoration works across the region.

The program, administered by the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI), supports debris removal and habitat rehabilitation in areas affected by extreme rainfall events.

If successful, the funding will allow Council to extend its Clean Creeks and Conservation Partnerships initiatives to priority sites across the:

• Northern region: Deadman’s Gully and tributaries at Clifton Beach, Sweet Creek at Palm Cove, and Avondale Creek at Smithfield.
• Central region: Moody Creek catchment (Manoora), Goomboora Park and Freshwater Creek (Brinsmead), Ryan Weare Park (Freshwater).
• Southern region: Mulgrave River catchment (Greenpatch camping area, Peets Bridge and Little Mulgrave), and Babinda Creek and Rotary Park.

The works will focus on removing storm debris, stabilising creek banks, and restoring vegetation to improve biodiversity, reduce erosion, and support community amenities.

Projects are expected to commence in April 2026 and conclude by March 2027, as part of the Reef Guardian Action Plan 2025-2028.

Council has also applied for a further $111,043 under the joint Commonwealth and Queensland Government’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements – Pest and Weed Management Program 2023-2024.

The initiative targets pest and weed outbreaks that spread following Cyclone Jasper, supporting recovery of natural assets and reducing long-term environmental impacts.

Planned actions include:

• Clearing Amazon Frogbit and Olive Hymenachne from the Avondale Creek System and Barron River Catchment.
• Removing Salvinia from Cattana Wetlands and associated drain lines.
• Targeting Hymenachne infestations around Holloway’s and Machan’s Beach.
• Reducing high biomass grasses and pests at Kamerunga Conservation Park to promote native regrowth and reduce fire risk.

These projects will help return pest levels to pre-cyclone conditions, protect native ecosystems, and support ecological resilience in flood-affected areas.