Making Water Work Program: hyacinth weed removal, Fitzroy River central Queensland

A pilot project is underway in the Fitzroy River waterways (Rockhampton, Central Queensland) to explore whether hyacinth, an invasive and fast spreading weed, could be turned into mulch or compost for agricultural use.

The project is apart of the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA) Making Water Work program.

Around 500 tonnes of the weed will be removed from Murray Lagoon near Rockhampton and turned into mulch or compost.

It will be tested for its effectiveness at improving soil nutrition and microbe activity at three properties in the region, including a cropping, fruit and grazing operation.

The hyacinth will be converted into mulch and compost for the first trial, and potentially biochar and stockfeed in the future. The project is being managed by the Fitzroy Basin Association.

Watch the video for more information on the hyacinth harvesting that occurred in 2024.