Stuart Creek Rehabilitation Project 

QR embarked on a rehabilitation program at Stuart Creek as part of the development of a maintenance depot for its Rollingstock. The 20 hectares of riparian land had been untended for many years requiring:

• removal of weeds;
• improvement of habitat diversity;
• improvement of water quality;
• woodland protection;
• revegetation with native species;
• improved control of public access; and
• wildfire management.    

While a number of environmental issues including air, land and biodiversity management, one of the key benefits of the project is improved water quality. By restoring the habitat and re-establishing naturally occurring species, downstream areas will benefit from improved quality of water leaving the site and the development forms an integral part of an overall catchment management program.

QR and the Stuart Creek Rehabilitation Project were recognised with the corporate category of the Queensland Arbor Day Award 2002 for the outstanding contributions this project made to local biodiversity and community partnerships. 

Fauna on the Darling Downs Rail Corridor

To better understand the current biodiversity of its rail corridors, QR commissioned the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to survey 150km of rail corridor in the Darling Downs. The survey found a number of rare and endangered reptiles. It appears that the remaining flora or fauna of environmental significance has adapted to rail operations and infrastructure maintenance practices. 

Key findings from the WWF study were:

• The rail corridors generally offered more value as a refuge or core habitat for the less mobile species such as reptiles, amphibians and small terrestrial mammals, than for avian fauna
• At least 160 species of vertebrates, including 152 native species, were observed within or immediately adjacent to the railway corridors during this survey. They comprised the following:
• • At least 15 species of mammals, including 11 native species
  • At least 101 species of birds, including 96 native species
  • 35 species of reptiles
  • 9 species of frogs.    
• Several species were located on the rail corridors which are listed under Queensland legislation (NCWR 1994):
• • The Endangered Five-clawed Worm Skink (Anomalopus mackayi)
  • The Endangered Grey Snake (Hemiaspis damelii)
  • An undescribed species of Velvet Gecko (Oedura sp.)    

By progressively identifying these areas and reviewing management practices, QR aims to promote the conservation of key species while enabling the continuance of safe and efficient rail operations in the rail corridors.