Land managers, scientists, Traditional Owners and community members gathered in Julatten in October for the 2025 Mitchell River Forum, an annual event celebrating collaboration and shared responsibility for one of northern Australia’s most significant river systems.
Hosted by the Mitchell River Watershed Management Group, the forum showcased a wide range of projects aimed at protecting ecosystems, improving land management and strengthening biosecurity across the catchment.
Gulf Savannah NRM (GSNRM) provided a regional update, outlining new projects funded through the Queensland Government’s Natural Resource Management Expansion Program, with a strong focus on weed control and protection of ecosystems linked to the Great Artesian Basin.
Mareeba Shire Council’s Pest Management Advisory Committee also reported on endeavours to coordinate pest responses across the shire, with updates on key threats including Amazon frogbit, gamba grass and feral pigs.
Environmental research featured strongly, with Terrain NRM ecologist Dr Andrew Dennis presenting on efforts to protect the vulnerable Mountain-top Nursery Frog in Mt Lewis National Park. In collaboration with GSNRM’s Dr Edward Evans and Western Yalanji rangers, the project is investigating the combined impacts of climate change and feral pig damage on rainforest ecosystems, including emerging links between pig activity and altered water movement through forest soils.
Wetland restoration was another highlight of the forum, with GSNRM Biodiversity Officer Océane Dupont discussing rehabilitation work underway at historic Wetherby Station. The project includes fencing, weed treatment and involvement of Indigenous custodians and local ecologists to restore the degraded wetland and improve long-term ecosystem health. Like many wetlands, Wetherby Station has been previously damaged by years of intensive grazing, made worse by the spread of Olive Hymenachne — an introduced grass once promoted to extend feed through the dry season.
The forum also heard calls for caution around future water development, with CAFNEC campaigner Lucy Graham outlining risks associated with large-scale dams and irrigation schemes. Ms Graham noted that dams do not improve water security, nor do they add to regional climate resilience, but instead serve large-scale industries dependent on brittle logistics and highly volatile overseas markets. Scientists warned that major infrastructure could threaten vulnerable species, including critically endangered sawfish that rely on healthy river systems extending far upstream.
Forum chair Fiona Barron thanked presenters, volunteers and supporters for another successful event, reinforcing the importance of collective stewardship for the long-term health of the Mitchell catchment.