Ipswich in Winter - 2021

BREMER RIVER BANKS RECEIVE FACELIFT

The inner city banks of the Bremer River are almost unrecognisable following a large scale clean up recently. The clean-up saw intensive weed removal commence along a one kilometre stretch of the Bremer River banks near the Bradfield Bridge. Environment and Sustainability Committee chair Councillor Russell Milligan said it was all part of Ipswich City Council’s Habitat Connections Program. “The program coordinates annual weed work and revegetation across a number of our strategically important waterways,” Cr Milligan said. “Council identified the weed infestations throughout the town reaches of the Bremer River as a priority area for rehabilitation in 2021. “Once the weeds are completely removed we can start revegetating with native plants, which we expect could be in September this year.

“The native plants will offer many benefits to the river from aesthetic improvement to bank stabilisation and habitat for native birds and insects.” Castor Oil, Leucauna and Glycine were among the weed species removed as part of the blitz. Environment and Sustainability Committee deputy chair Councillor Andrew Fechner said regular follow up weed spraying and further removal would continue over the coming months to get riverbank weeds under control. “Removing the weeds and revegetating this area with native plant species will not only provide an ecological boost to the Bremer catchment, but also significantly improve this popular section of the river for the community’s enjoyment,” Cr Fechner said.

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