Quiet Achievers at Mt Isa
By Nikita Zatyko
Hi, my name is Nikita, and I am a proud natural bush regenerator at B4C, Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee. On 26 April 2026, I embarked on a remarkable 10-day journey to Mt Isa. The connection and relationship between B4C and the members of the Gulf Rivers Landcare Group goes back to 2007. Over the years, B4C has continuously sent dedicated volunteers to share experiences, knowledge and nurture the relationship, while providing assistance with weed control and annual local events and projects.
The first half of my journey with the Gulf Rivers Landcare Group took place east of Mt Isa, at the beautiful Corella River, where we spent three nights removing Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia) and Parkinsonia (Parkinsonia aculeata). The second half of the adventure was north of Mt Isa, at the enchanting Gregory River, where we spent four nights eradicating rubber vine (Cryptostegia grandiflora). We also had the opportunity to experience two exciting annual local events, the Horse Races and the Canoe Races—important events that connect the communities of the Gulf Rivers.
Our Adventures with Weed Control
At the Corella River, the team hiked about 30 km over three days while pulling out Bellyache bush in clustered areas where it was dominating. Bellyache bush originated from the Caribbean Islands and South America and was introduced into Australia as an ornamental plant in the late 1800s. Since its arrival, the seeds have been washed from upstream to downstream along the Corella River. It is a plant that causes dense infestations in watercourses, floodplains and disturbed vulnerable areas, outcompeting and displacing native vegetation while reducing pasture productivity.
Parkinsonia was another weed we had our eyes on and was treated by basal barking, a method where diesel is trickled down the stem of the woody weed, where it is absorbed through the bark. Similarly to Bellyache bush, Parkinsonia arrived in Australia in the early 1900s as an ornamental plant from the Americas. It has since taken over watercourses, impacting native vegetation in wetlands, providing refuge to pests such as feral pigs, and creating problems for pasture production and property management.
At the Gregory River, another ornamental plant from Madagascar, rubber vine, was targeted. It is a canopy-dwelling plant that smothers and kills native trees and prevents regeneration by creating a thick mat throughout the understorey. When left unmanaged, it prevents wildlife and cattle from accessing watercourses, floodplains and wetlands. I saw this plant at the Gregory River towering as high as the tallest River Red Gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and Cabbage-tree Palms (Livistona australis), entwining itself around the trees, completely blocking sunlight and slowly entrapping them, leading to a gradual ecosystem collapse.
Conservationists – Quiet Achievers
In my line of work as a natural bush regenerator in South East Queensland, I often see sites where weed species dominate. Bellyache bush reminded me of the larger herbaceous weeds I would normally pull out. Parkinsonia resembled the woody weeds I regularly treat with basal barking, while rubber vine reminded me of the canopy-dwelling climbing species we manage at home. These canopy weeds restrict space, block sunlight and smother the canopy, while also encroaching on the ground layer and preventing seedlings from establishing. Over time, their immense weight causes branches to fail and trees to decline. The imbalance created by dominant weed species shifts Australian ecosystems towards lower native species diversity.
This was my mindset when travelling to Mt Isa, but what I learned along the way was just how much background work happens through the management team of B4C. Relationship building is a powerful tool, and my line of work wouldn't exist or be as effective without it. I came to better understand the depth of social and relational work that underpins conservation efforts in the Gulf. Effective land management in these regions is not possible without long-term relationships between Landcare groups, landholders and the broader community, relationships that are built on trust, respect and reputation.
The Gulf Rivers Landcare Group explained to me the years of relationship and community building required to gain access to weed-infested properties. Land leased to families can span tens of thousands of hectares. The reason we were able to access and camp beside the Corella River was because trust had been established between the landholders and the Gulf Rivers Landcare Group. I saw this as a symbiotic relationship, allowing the Landcare group to care for the environment while enabling the families to continue managing their cattle enterprises.
The story of the Landcare group is that it began by working in schools and local community spaces, gradually building a reputation for caring for the environment. When the group was formed in 2007, the Mayor of Burke Shire Council said that "the Landcare group is another voice in the community"—the voice for the natural environment that surrounds and influences all communities in the Gulf Rivers region.
Without these relationships, the watercourses of the Corella River would likely be overrun with Bellyache bush and Parkinsonia, as they have been in the past and continue to be at risk today. At the Gregory River, the situation with rubber vine is even more serious. Without the tireless efforts of the Gulf Rivers Landcare Group, the river's native vegetation would have long since been overrun, making it inaccessible for recreation, including the annual canoe races. To ensure the battle against rubber vine is eventually won, the Gulf Rivers Landcare Group and B4C need to continue working together. Otherwise, the beauty and uniqueness of the Gregory River would slowly disappear, becoming inaccessible for future generations to experience and appreciate.
Through my years of work in this industry, I have realised just how fascinating humans are as a species, and the extraordinary changes we have caused on a global scale. We have moved countless species around the world. Some failed to survive in their new environments, while others thrived and became over-dominant. Without natural predators, and with favourable climates and conditions, there is often little to keep these introduced species in check. This is where Bushcare, Landcare and conservation groups step in: people dedicating their time and energy to controlling invasive weeds. In many ways, we have become the predators of these exotic species.
This also made me think about the differences between Bushcare and Landcare groups in rural and urban Australia. Urban areas generally have Bushcare groups, while rural regions tend to have Landcare groups, reflecting differences in landscape scale, land use and ecological context. Urban areas often have higher population densities, greater funding opportunities, more volunteers and smaller, more contained green spaces to manage. In contrast, rural regions are vast, often difficult to access, have fewer volunteers and limited funding to manage extensive landscapes. Despite these differences, the shared goal of caring for and restoring the land remains the same. This is why it is so important that B4C continues supporting the Gulf Rivers region through funding and by sending capable volunteers to assist in maintaining the balance of these remarkable ecosystems.
The Importance of Fire
Australia is a continent whose flora has evolved with and is dependent on fire. I see fire not simply as a destructive force, but as a process that can help restore ecosystems, particularly those heavily affected by weeds. What I observed along the Gregory River was that the shoreline ground layer was dominated by weeds, while in nearby pastoral areas, the absence of regular fire had allowed trees to become increasingly dense, resulting in canopy thickening.
This creates a cycle of cause and effect. The denser the canopy, the greater the shade. The greater the shade, the less grass grows beneath it, and grass is the primary food source for cattle. It is fascinating to consider how, over the long term, appropriate fire management helps maintain healthy grazing systems.
This is also a challenge we face in South East Queensland. Because of our higher population density and surrounding infrastructure, the use of fire is often much more difficult. Perhaps part of the solution lies in revisiting the knowledge that managed Australian landscapes for thousands of years. Through carefully timed, low-intensity burns and proactive land management, it may be possible to reduce fuel loads, suppress some weed species, support native biodiversity and lessen the risk of severe wildfires, creating healthier landscapes for both people and nature. I see well-planned ecological burning as an important tool that should be considered more often where it is safe and appropriate.
Final Thoughts and Reflection
My time with the Gulf Rivers Landcare Group highlighted that conservation work in the Gulf is not only about physical weed control but also about long-term commitment, relationships and sustained presence on the landscape. Because many invasive species produce persistent seed banks, and because seeds can remain viable in the soil for extended periods, regular monitoring and repeated treatments are essential to prevent reinfestation. This reinforces the need for ongoing support rather than one-off interventions, particularly in remote regions such as Mt Isa, where resources and personnel are limited.
Looking ahead, I hope that when B4C volunteers attend annual events in the Gulf Rivers region, they can continue to broaden their contribution beyond weed management by also assisting with practical challenges such as waste management during community events. Small but consistent support in these areas strengthens local Landcare efforts and helps maintain positive relationships within the community.
Ultimately, this experience reinforced my understanding that ecological restoration in Australia is a shared responsibility shaped by both ecological processes and human connection. Whether through fire management, weed control or community engagement, the work is ongoing, adaptive and deeply interconnected. The future of these landscapes depends not only on technical solutions, but on continued collaboration between organisations, landholders and volunteers who are willing to work across vast and challenging environments.