Picturesque Whiteman Creek commences its journey at the headwaters of Fortis Creek National Park in the Coaldale Valley and travels approximately 60kms through areas including Coaldale, Stockyard Creek, Fortis Creek and The Whiteman before reaching its end at the Clarence River near Rogans Bridge in the Clarence Catchment.

Whiteman Creek also encompasses National Park, Crown Reserves, Local Government Reserves and over 50 private properties many which are large pastoral enterprises.

There is a mixed balance of good riparian vegetation along Whiteman Creek with moderate to heavy weed infestations of cat’s claw creeper (macfadyena unguis cati) where some properties have heaving seeding vines and a great deal of ground cover weed, other properties have only moderate infestations of climbing vines not yet seeding.

There have been reported sightings of many vulnerable species along Whiteman Creek including the Phascogale, Rufous Bettong, Koala, Glossy Red Cockatoo, Wompoo Dove, White Crowned Snake and a threatened flora species Square Stem Spiked Rush.

Due to the extent of Whiteman Creek spanning such a broad geographical area, the project was split up into five reaches, 1,2,3,4&5. Clarence Landcare is now working with landholders along Reach 3,4&5 of Whiteman Creek to implement the plan of management for control of Cat’s Claw Creeper (macfadyena unguis cati). The first year of this project realised control work over an area of 10.52 ha and 9.50km of stream front.

Having gained further funding in October 2010 from the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority we will be able to implement our 2nd year of control work. There are now 23 properties involved in this plan of management covering an area of 30kms.

Landholders involved in this project will need to remain vigilant with their own control efforts to ensure the projects success in controlling the cat’s claw creeper infestations.

If you wish to find out more about this project please contact our Project Officer, Susan Moore.