A large complex of actively-eroding gullies at Havilah Station.

Havilah large-scale gully work begins

Treatment of a large actively eroding alluvial gully complex near Collinsville marks LDC’s fifth large-scale gully remediation site.

Preliminary treatment works at Havilah Station, near Collinsville, have been carried out at strategic locations to address the active portions of the gully complex. This includes constructing rock chutes and improving water permeability through conditioning the soils upslope of the active areas.

These preparatory works enable the scope of works including construction of rock chutes and earth bunds to be carried out. This is expected to be completed before the end of the year.

The next step is to conduct a cultural heritage survey and impact assessment in consultation with the Birriah People to address NQ Dry Tropics’ obligations and cultural heritage duty of care under the Queensland Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (ACHA).

Aboriginal cultural heritage surveys are conducted to identify places in the landscape which contain or embody Aboriginal heritage values, not just sites.

The 110ha gully complex will be fenced to facilitate revegetation, excluding stock from two properties — Havilah, and neighbouring property Gattonvale. The partnership between the two properties will mean the effort on one property to halt the gully expansion will be of benefit to both.

Total fine sediment savings from ths site is expected to be 1600 tonnes per year.

The technical designs have been prepared by engineering firms Alluvium and Veterra, and Veterra is project-managing the works. 

The site will be monitored to monitor remediation effectiveness.

The overall aim of this remedial work is to ascertain the control measures capable of permanently reducing alluvial gully erosion and associated sediment and particulate nutrient export.

Before preliminary works began and the same site after rain… active portions of the complex system have been initially stabilised.