Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

20,000 volunteer hours help transform former Cairns sugar cane farm into Cattana Wetlands

20,000 volunteer hours help transform former Cairns sugar cane farm into Cattana Wetlands
August 3, 2023

Thousands of volunteer hours have transformed what was once a working farm covered in sugar cane into an important nature conservation reserve - the Cattana Wetlands.

Over the past decade the Jabirus, part of Council’s Green Space Our Place volunteer program, have invested 20,000 hours to tackle weeds, plant thousands of trees and shrubs, install nesting boxes for possums and beautify the area.

Cattana Wetlands started out as a sugar cane farm and sand mining quarry and has since been rehabilitated to form an enjoyable 80 hectare nature conservation park with a 420metre boardwalk through feather palm forest, freshwater and salt water lakes and abundant plant and birdlife.

Located on Dunne Road, Smithfield, about 20km from the Cairns CBD, the site was originally a sugarcane farm owned by Franco Cattana, also used as a sand mining quarry resulting in several fresh and saltwater man-made lakes.

The land was purchased by the then Mulgrave Shire Council in 1993, primarily to protect the 30 hectares of lowland rainforest on the western end of the site. This forest, described as the Feather Palm Forest, is a remnant of a once extensive forest type that is now confined to only a few remnant patches in the Cairns region.

In addition to the amazing wetland habitat, Cattana Wetlands also harbours an impressive range of north Queensland wildlife and significant plant communities.

Cairns Regional Council Mayor Bob Manning said Cattana Wetlands has gone from strength-to-strength since the site was purchased by the former Mulgrave Shire Council in 1993.

“Our predecessor council had the foresight to purchase the Cattana area to preserve 30 hectares of lowland rainforest,” Mayor Manning shared.

“Through investment by Council, the State Government, Treeforce and the amazing Jabirus, Cattana Wetlands has been rehabilitated to not only protect the Feather Palm Forest but the many birds and native wildlife that have made the site their home.

“With its lakes, shaded boardwalk and interpretative signage, Cattana Wetlands is also the perfect sanctuary for humans wanting to connect with nature, right on their doorstep.”

Residents can find out more about the history, flora and fauna of the wetlands at an Open Day this Saturday 5th August.

The Cattana Wetlands Open Day, from 8am to noon, doubles as a celebration of 10 years of the Jabirus volunteer group.

The Open Day will include:

  • Botany For Kids: 8.30am to 9.10am
  • Boardwalk tours: 9.30am to 10.10am; and 11am to 11.40am
  • Birdspotting from the jetty: 8.30am to 9.10am; and 9.30am to 10.10am
  • Possum boxes: 8.30am to 9.10am; and 9.30am to 10.10am
  • Plant Doctor: have all your native plant questions answered, all morning.

Cattana Wetlands, on Dunne Road, Smithfield, is a nature conservation reserve. Dogs, except registered assistance animals, are not permitted.

Related Articles

1st June 2023 - Timelapse showcases Christchurch’s Te Kuru Wetlands construction

31st August 2022 - Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek urged to consider impact on the Reef and wetlands from coal and gas projects

19th August 2022 - School children contribute to wetland preservation as part of Department of Conservation planting exercise

2nd February 2022 - Celebrating 2022 World Wetlands Day

20th December 2021 - Nationally significant wetlands added to NSW national park estate

23rd September 2021 - New playspace at Stamford Park designed to co-exist with wetlands

6th April 2020 - 88,000 hectares of NSW wetland returned to indigenous owners

28th January 2019 - New ACT wetlands aims to protect environment and provide safe swimming

1st October 2016 - Western Sydney organisations band together to protect the region’s wetlands

23rd September 2015 - Gulf of Carpentaria tourism boost from wetlands park

10th January 2013 - Warren’s wetlands biggest tourist drawcard


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

revolutioniseSPORT

revolutioniseSPORT is the emerging market leader in online club management in Australia. Whether it is memberships, registrations, events, online sales or governance tools - revolutioniseSPORT is the…

read more

Recreation / Sport / Technology

 
 

TicketSearch Pty Ltd

TicketSearch is focused on providing businesses, organisations, and venues with affordable, efficient, and powerful self-managed ticketing solutions. The organisation has offices in Australia, New…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

AUSTRALIAN WATERSLIDES AND LEISURE

A leading designer and manufacturer of innovative waterslides and attractions, Australian Waterslides and Leisure (AWL) is also able to advise clients in the areas of concept and design, feasibility…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Play / Waterparks

 
 

PerfectGym

Perfect Gym Solutions is a software as a service (SaaS) solution purpose-built to service the fitness industry, with over 1000 clients servicing over two million gym members across 40 countries making…

read more

Access / Fitness / Marketing / Recreation / Technology

 
 

VITEC

Stadiums and venues around the world recognise that success hinges on more than just what happens on the pitch. More than ever, fan engagement within each facility is a critical part of the overall…

read more

Entertainment / Sport / Technology / Venues

 
 

ProSlide Technology

ProSlide is the global leader in water ride design and manufacturing, supplying high-performance water attractions to new and expanding water parks around the world. For over three decades, ProSlide…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Waterparks

 
 

Debitsuccess

Debitsuccess is now part of Xplor Technologies.

read more

Billing / Finance / Fitness / Golf / Recreation

 
 

HIB Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

HIB Insurance Brokers - Experts in Leisure and Amusement Insurance With over 20 years specialising in the Amusement and Leisure industries, we have the experience to understand your operations and…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Insurance / Recreation / Safety

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business