Sunshine Coast volunteers collaborated with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service & Partnerships (QPWS & P) rangers for a successful weeding event at one of the region’s most important attractions.
On Wednesday, June 12, 2025, a dedicated group of community volunteers gathered at Kondalilla National Park for the monthly “Friends of Parks” conservation event. Under clear winter skies, they focused on tackling invasive weeds around the Flaxton Trailhead, pruning vegetation along the walking track leading to the fire break, and removing persistent vines near the entrance gate. A significant achievement for the day was the successful elimination of substantial patches of Elephant Grass and Lantana from the park’s more remote areas.
“It was an enormous turnout of volunteers,” said Shelley Skinner, Ranger Maleny from QPWS & P South East Queensland Region. The impressive volunteer roster included both new participants and regular contributors, alongside trainees from Barung Landcare’s Certificate I program. The diligent work was complemented by homemade refreshments, which were “completely devoured” by volunteers during the morning tea break.
QPWS&P’s Partnership Approach to Conservation
The volunteer event at Kondalilla exemplifies the broader partnership approach adopted by QPWS & P, which manages more than 1,000 national parks, state forests, marine parks, and other protected areas across Queensland. To achieve its conservation and management goals, QPWS & P works collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders including Traditional Owners, community groups, volunteers, and other government agencies.
Friends of Parks Queensland, a not-for-profit umbrella organisation established in 2022, operates in partnership with QPWS & P to amplify the impact of community volunteers engaged in conservation activities. This partnership initiative supports and connects local Friends of Parks groups across the state, with the Kondalilla volunteer sessions representing just one aspect of this comprehensive conservation collaboration.
Impressive Species Removal List
The three-hour session resulted in the removal of 18 different invasive plant species, including several particularly problematic varieties that pose serious threats to the park’s ecosystem.
- Elephant Grass was a primary target. This giant grass is a rapid grower, capable of outcompeting native species. Reaching up to 4 meters tall in bamboo-like clumps, it displaces native vegetation and disrupts the delicate balance of the rainforest ecosystem.
- Lantana is another aggressive invader that forms dense thickets, preventing native seedlings from establishing and diminishing habitat for native wildlife.
- Morning Glory species can smother native plants with their vigorous climbing habit, blocking sunlight from reaching the forest floor.
Other removed species included:
- Silverleaf Desmodium and Broad-leaved Paspalum
- Blackberry and various passion flower species
- Broad-Leaf Privet and Chinese Celtis
- Camphor laurel and Easter Cassia
- Umbrella Tree and Asparagus Fern
- Night Jasmine and Coralberry
Both volunteers and rangers benefited from the educational aspects of the morning, enhancing their ability to identify various invasive and native species throughout the work area. “There’s always something interesting to learn,” noted Ranger Skinner.
Protecting a Vital Ecological Refuge with Rich History
Kondalilla National Park has evolved significantly since its establishment, growing from a modest 73-hectare recreation area gazetted in 1906 to become a substantial 1,591-hectare national park by 2010. Originally focused around Kondalilla Falls when it was gazetted as a 327-hectare national park in 1945, the park has expanded into a major block of natural vegetation that, in conjunction with SEQ Water and Sunshine Coast Regional Council bushland reserves, now protects significant ecosystems and the upper reaches of the Obi Obi Creek.
Surrounded by residential properties, Kondalilla National Park serves as an important refuge for numerous animal and plant species, including the rare, pouched frog and the Bopple Nut, which is vulnerable to extinction. The park provides habitat for approximately 107 bird species and supports a total of 1,579 documented species.
The park is home to wallabies, possums, and diverse birdlife. Twenty-three rare or threatened animal species reside within the park, underscoring the critical importance of conservation efforts for their survival.
By removing invasive species, volunteers contribute directly to the restoration of native habitats, allowing indigenous plants to flourish and providing essential food sources and shelter for native wildlife. This work directly benefits species such as the vulnerable pouched frog, which requires pristine rainforest conditions to survive.
Supporting Official Conservation Goals
The volunteer weeding efforts align perfectly with Kondalilla National Park’s official management plan. This plan identifies invasive weeds like lantana, blackberry, and other species removed during the June event as significant threats to the park’s ecosystem. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service management plan emphasises coordinated weed control programs and community engagement as essential strategies for protecting the park’s natural values.
The plan specifically highlights the importance of maintaining habitat integrity and conserving biological diversity through active weed management. Community involvement, exemplified by the “Friends of Parks” program, is recognised as a vital component of the park’s conservation strategy, helping to prevent reinfestation and promote native species recovery. This comprehensive approach ensures that volunteer efforts contribute to broader conservation objectives, including the protection of rare and threatened species, fire management planning, and water catchment protection throughout the park.
Join the Conservation Effort
The next Kondalilla National Park volunteer session is scheduled for Wednesday, July 9, 2025, from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Community members of all experience levels are encouraged to participate in this hands-on conservation work.
For those interested in other “Friends of Parks” opportunities across the region, QPWS & P offers regular volunteer sessions at multiple locations:
Blackall Management Unit (Contact: qpwsandp.blackall@detsi.qld.gov.au)
- Kondalilla National Park: Second Wednesday of each month
- Mapleton Falls National Park: Fourth Wednesday of each month
Glass House Management Unit (Contact: qpwsandp.glasshouse@detsi.qld.gov.au)
- Currimundi Lake (Kathleen McArthur) Conservation Park: First Wednesday of each month
- Glass House Mountains: Second Tuesday of each month
- Ferny Forest (Mooloolah River Conservation Park): Third Thursday of each month
These volunteer conservation days provide an excellent opportunity to contribute to preserving the region’s natural heritage while connecting with like-minded community members and learning from experienced rangers.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy and timeliness, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the article or the information contained within for any purpose.