Koinmerburra Country in Central Queensland is the Traditional Lands of the Koinjmal People. This Country has places where freshwater meets salt water with wetlands, saltwater plains, mangroves and swamps, known as ‘Mixed Water Country’. Koinmerburra Aboriginal Corporation are collaborating with Ecosure, Firesticks Alliance and Kuril and Currawong to restore the significant wetlands located near the small community of St Lawrence.  The ‘Healing Mixed Water on Koinmerburra Country Project’ is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, with support from Isaac Regional Council and the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.

Together, we have gained an understanding of Country health by undertaking ecological surveys of the water, fauna and flora on Country, and explored Culturally important areas. We are now co-designing a long-term restoration plan for St Lawrence Wetlands that includes ecological restoration and Cultural burns. Koinjmal Rangers will be regularly seen out and about in St Lawrence putting these actions into place and working to heal Mixed Water Country. 4,000 native plants will be installed at the Wetlands including bushtucker and medicinal plants, with some plants propagated from seeds collected by the Koinjmal Rangers and Conservation Volunteers Australia. Throughout the project, the Koinjmal Rangers will receive on Country training and learn practical skills to continue caring for their Mixed Water Country into the future. The project integrates Culture and Community and provides meaningful employment for four Koinjmal Rangers.

The Head Ranger for this project, Marissa Deshong says “this mixed water part of our Country is significant, and we want to do everything in our power to protect, restore and respect Country, our Elders and ancestors. We want our young ones to be strong, healthy and able to connect to this place for many decades to come.”

The St Lawrence Community and visitors to the region are invited to be a part of restoring the iconic St Lawrence Wetlands at our community tree planting during the upcoming Wetlands Weekend on the 23-25 June, 2023. Let’s come together to connect to Country, share knowledge and celebrate this beautiful part of Koinmerburra Country https://www.isaac.qld.gov.au/community/wetlands-weekend