Stotts Island 'Find it Fix it' Restoration Project

Media release: 10 December 2014

Following extensive damage caused by Ex Tropical Cyclone Oswald in January 2013, ecological restoration work is being undertaken by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in areas of Stotts Island Nature Reserve.

Tweed Kyogle Area Manager, Damien Hofmeyer said that Stotts Island lies in the Tweed River north of Murwillumbah and through “Find it Fix it Funding” a restoration project is underway to restore critical habitat and Endangered Ecological Communities (ECC’s).

“The island contains the largest ECC of Subtropical Lowland Rainforest on Floodplain in NSW.  Swamp Sclerophyll and Swamp Oak on Floodplain ECC’s also form part of the vegetation.”

“In addition, Stott’s Island is very important as it contains critical habitat for the Endangered Mitchell’s Rainforest Snail”, Mr Hofmeyer said.

Mitchell’s Rainforest Snail is a large land snail with a large triangular shell up to 55 mm wide. The shell is deep reddish chestnut to black in colour with two prominent yellow bands.

“The Mitchell's Rainforest Snail is found only in remnant areas of lowland forest between Ballina and Tweed Heads in north-east NSW”, he said.

“Stotts Island Nature Reserve, in the Tweed River near Murwillumbah, provides the largest single area of remaining habitat and largest known population of the species.

“Large tree falls associated with the cyclone created widespread disturbance resulting in increased density and growth rates of invasive weed populations which was threatening the island’s important values.

“Area staff were successful in securing a “Find it Fix it” grant of almost $15,000 dollars to contract rehabilitation experts to carry out the restoration works necessary on Stotts Island.

“Find it Fix it is an initiative of NPWS to tackle urgent and critical biodiversity and natural conservation issues in our parks and reserves.”

“It gives staff the chance to get resources quickly for on-ground projects that make a real difference,” he said.

Contact: Lawrence Orel