Riparian Restoration in the Scenic Rim - Project Update

We’ve been working on a creek restoration project in the Scenic Rim, focused on bringing around 400 metres of an ephemeral creek back to health. This section of creek has a rocky, gravely bed in most places, with loamy soil underneath thick lantana in others, and heavier clay in some of the outer sections. It still has a decent overstorey of native trees — mostly Melaleuca and Eucalyptus — but was heavily infested with lantana and under pressure from erosion and water runoff.

The aim of the project is to build on what’s already there by planting more of the same native trees, introducing some much needed age and species diversity and adding structure back into the system — especially in the understorey and ground layers. That means planting dense rows of Lomandra and Carex along the creek bed to help slow water down, soak it into the soil, and protect the banks from further erosion. We’re also planting shrubs and trees to shade out weeds, stabilise the area, and rebuild habitat over time.

What’s been done so far

Weed control

The first job was to start tackling the dense lantana thickets, passionfruit vine and cats claw creeper, which had taken over a large part of the riparian zone. We used a mix of techniques depending on the site conditions:

• In some areas, lantana was manually broken down and left to mulch the ground — this helps suppress regrowth and hold the soil together.

• Other patches were left to break down in place after targeted herbicide treatment (combination of foliar spraying, splatter gun application and the ‘cut and paste’ method). Leaving the dead material on the ground helps reduce erosion risk and keeps some structure in the system while native species establish.

• Passionfruit vine and cats claw creeper were all ‘cut and sprayed’ with a non-selective herbicide.

This step has opened up access and let light in, giving the new plantings a fighting chance.

The first priority was getting ontop of the dense Lantana thickets. But we were to avoid overspray and off-target damage as there was a range of native tree species emerging through the shaded canopy which the Lantana provides.

Planting

With the help of the Scenic Rim Council’s Million Trees Program, we’ve now planted over 1,000 native trees and shrubs. The mix was designed to match the local ecosystem and give a variety of benefits, from long-term canopy to quick-growing pioneers, erosion control, and habitat value.

Some of the main species planted include:

• Eucalyptus tereticornis (Queensland Blue Gum) – good for creekside planting and used by koalas.

• A mix of four different Melaleuca species – including Melaleuca viminalis, M. quinquenervia, M. bracteata, and M. linariifolia. These species are tough, tolerant of wet soils, and flower heavily — great for pollinators.

• Grevillea robusta (Silky Oak) – fast-growing and adds height and structure early on.

• Alphitonia excelsa (Red Ash) – another fast-growing native, often used to help shade out weeds.

• Eucalyptus robusta (Swamp Mahogany) – suits the heavier, wetter parts of the site.

• Toona ciliata (Red Cedar) – a slower-growing rainforest species with long-term value.

We’ve also planted lots of Lomandra hystrix and Carex appressa along the creek bed and lower banks. These plants form dense clumps that help hold soil in place, slow down water, and create cooler, moister microclimates for other plants to establish in.

What’s next

Now that the first round of planting is done, the next few months will focus on maintenance and follow-up.

Weed follow-up

Keeping on top of the weeds is a priority — especially grasses and any lantana regrowth. We’ll be doing regular follow-up weed control to make sure the new trees and shrubs don’t get outcompeted in their early stages. This includes spot-spraying, hand-weeding and mulching around the plantings where needed.

Additional planting

There are still some gaps to fill, especially where we want to increase the density of the understorey or get more shade onto the creek banks. We’ll be continuing to plant into these areas over time, adding more local shrubs and small trees to build out a proper multi-layered riparian buffer.

Monitoring

We’ll also keep an eye on how things are tracking — checking survival rates, watching for erosion, and seeing how water moves through the site during heavy rainfall. That will help us tweak the planting plan if needed and decide where to focus extra effort.

Long-term goals

Though we have made excellent progress in a short few weeks, this is not a quick project — it’s going to take a few seasons for the site to really take shape. But the goal is to get a healthy, functioning riparian area established that:

• Slows and filters water through the landscape.

• Provides habitat and food for local wildlife.

• Keeps weeds under control through shade and competition.

• Reduces erosion and soil loss along the creek line.

Over time, as the canopy develops and the understorey fills in, the creek should become more stable, cooler, and more resilient — even during dry periods or after heavy rain.

We’ll keep updating as the project progresses. In the meantime, if you’re working on a similar site or want help restoring a section of your property, feel free to get in touch.