Timeline

Water lettuce infestation reported to Council. Control options investigated.

Initial drone spraying of outbreak.

Site monitoring to assess treatment.

Bundaberg Now media article shared to the community.

Second drone spraying.

First floating boom installed at the boardwalk.

Third drone spraying.

Two site inspections undertaken.

No drone spraying undertaken as the spraying has less impact on the water lettuce in cooler weather.

Slower growth rate of water lettuce noted due to the cooler weather.

Two site inspections undertaken.

No drone spraying undertaken as the spraying has less impact on the water lettuce in cooler weather.

Fourth drone spraying undertaken.

Monitoring of effectiveness of spraying over three site visits.

Observed water lettuce decaying.

Six site inspections undertaken up to and including 18 November 2022. 

Drone spraying and installation of second boom upstream and a third boom downstream.

Following a successful treatment program with the majority of water lettuce eliminated from the wetland, Land Protection Officers will now work to contain any remaining water lettuce using booms and will continue to undertake monitoring to ensure there are no new outbreaks. It is important to note that spraying cannot be conducted in areas with protected marine plants.

Following identification of Water lettuce in the lagoon Land Protection Officers carried out inspections, installed a boom and undertook chemical control.

Land Protection Officers continue to inspect and monitor the lagoons.

Areas treated will be slow to die due to colder slowing growing conditions.

Areas treated include fringing and scattered infestations in the south and larger infestations in the north which are successfully contained within the Council installed booms.

Prevailing winds have also blown parts of the infestation making it appear that the water lettuce is spreading which is not the case.

Areas treated will be slow to die due to colder slowing growing conditions.

Areas treated include fringing and scattered infestations in the south and larger infestations in the north which are successfully contained within the Council installed booms.

Prevailing winds have also blown parts of the infestation making it appear that the water lettuce is spreading which is not the case.