Black Duck Lake System - improvements

The riparian areas adjacent to the North Pine River and the Black Duck Lakes system form a wildlife corridor, which is known to be utilised by a variety of native wildlife, including koalas.

Residents will be familiar with the wide variety of birds that frequent the lake system, including a variety of wader birds as well as species such as swans, cormorants, pelicans and ibis. 

As improvements to the lakes are implemented, including planted macrophyte zones at the lake edges, additional foraging and nesting habitat will be provided for bird species.

Koalas are also known to utilise the habitat around Black Duck Lakes, as this area is not far from John Oxley Reserve and The Mill at Moreton Bay. Council is currently undertaking a monitoring program for koalas at The Mill during its development and is tracking a number of koalas across the site and in adjacent areas.  Several koalas have been located regularly using John Oxley Reserve and at times, Black Duck Lakes.

• Red line shows wildlife movement corridor
• Gold stars show individual sightings of koalas

View more information about Council's koala monitoring program at The Mill at Moreton Bay

View more information about native animals across the Moreton Bay Region

The Black Duck Lake System has had an on-going issue with the floating aquatic weed, Salvinia. 

Salvinia - floating aquatic weed native to Brazil

Salvinia is native to Brazil and forms thick mats that quickly cover water bodies, being able to double its spread every two to three days. Salvinia weed mats reduce water flow, degrade water quality and can affect native animals.

Under the Biosecurity Act 2014 Salvinia is classed as a Medium Risk Restricted Invasive Plant and landowners are responsible to implement reasonable and practical measures for its control.

While it is not possible to eradicate Salvinia from the lake system, Council is implementing a full range of control techniques including manual removal, mechanical harvesting, chemical control and biological control.

Council will continue to work with the contractor during lake improvement works to manage Salvinia.

View more information on weeds found throughout the Moreton Bay Region

The Black Duck Lake System provides ideal conditions for adult mosquitoes that have developed in the saltmarsh tidal areas along the North Pine River.

The tidal areas along the North Pine River are treated as part of Council’s aerial mosquito program, which targets mosquito larvae before they emerge as adults.  However, this program is only capable of controlling around 90% of mosquito larvae. Any adult mosquitoes that emerge from the saltmarsh areas will naturally disperse along riparian areas and also through residential communities.

To reduce the impact of adult mosquitoes Council conducts a range of treatments, such as barrier treatments on particular sections of vegetation adjacent to residential areas. 

Council’s vector control officers also regularly inspect the Black Duck Lake system and will treat areas where is pooling water, particularly after rainfall.

Residents are reminded that mosquitoes cannot be eliminated from the local environment and therefore, everyone is encouraged to use personal protection, such as repellents and clothing, particularly at sunset and sunrise during summertime.

View more information about Council's mosquito management program