Climate Ready Coastlines in the Lower Burdekin

Overview

The Climate-Ready Coastlines project focuses on strengthening coastal dunes, beach scrub and freshwater wetlands in the Lower Burdekin, between Home Hill and Townsville. These ecosystems sit right on the front line of climate change. Storm surges, flooding, weeds, pests and human disturbance are putting pressure on the systems that normally protect the coastline and support wildlife.

This project will tackle those pressures directly. On-ground work will include controlling aquatic and riparian weeds, reducing feral animal impacts, restoring beach scrub and dune vegetation, repairing fish passage barriers and improving the health of wetlands and streambanks. The work will focus on priority sites such as Healy’s Lagoon, Collinson’s Lagoon, Horseshoe Lagoon, Merryplain Creek and several coastal dune systems including Alva Beach and Wunjunga.

By restoring vegetation, improving wetland condition and reconnecting waterways, the project will help coastal ecosystems function more naturally and recover more quickly after extreme weather events. The work also protects important habitats that link the Lower Burdekin wetlands to Bowling Green Bay and the Great Barrier Reef, supporting fish nurseries, migratory birds and other wildlife that depend on healthy coastal systems.

Secondary themes