River views maintained in Maryborough

Haircut …. Fraser Coast Regional Councillor Daniel Sanderson checks the progress of pruning vegetation along the City Reach of the Mary River by members of the Advanced Tree Works Safety Team.

Work has wrapped up on pruning and thinning vegetation along the City Reach of the Mary River at Maryborough.

Cr Daniel Sanderson said Council developed a Mangrove Management Strategy in 2011 which was endorsed by the State Government at the time and was endorsed again this year.

“The Maryborough Mangrove Management Strategy recognises the environmental values of mangroves and the need to actively manage them in high-use public areas where they have re-established since historical uses along the riverbank stopped,” he said.

“Strategy objectives include monitoring the extent and height of mangrove growth, preserving identified mangroves areas, maintenance of historical sightlines of the river, provision of access to the river for recreational use at strategic locations, protection of Council assets and access to those assets.

“In the section of the river from Wharf Street to the Brolga Theatre, the mangroves will be retained but managed to maintain views of the river from various locations and to allow public surveillance of the boardwalk and public jetty.

“The pruning, which was limited to the area between the Brolga and the public jetty, has improved views of the river, allows public surveillance of the boardwalk and public jetty.

“The river is one of our greatest assets and it’s excellent to see we’ve been able to, in conjunction with the state government, achieve a positive outcome for all - maintaining the mangroves while also improving the views and visibility of the river.”

As part of the management strategy, sections of riverbank near the Maryborough airport and the city’s wastewater treatment plant at Aubinville were successfully restored and revegetated to offset the lost vegetation.