On 19 June 2013 a workshop funded by the Brisbane City Council`s Lord Mayor’s Community, Sustainability and Environmental Grants Program (Environmental Grants) was run with the specific aims of training 15 volunteers from Moggill Creek Catchment Group and Pullen Pullen Catchment Group in identification of aquatic weeds that are considered serious threats to creek health and stream riparian conditions. The workshop was run by Phil Moran from Noosa Landcare Ltd at the Cottage used by MCCG as its education and special function centre.
Of the 20 participants originally accepted 14 took part. Phil Moran provided an excellent range of aquatic plants concentrating on those that are known to occur in Moggill and Pullen Pullen catchments and others that are present in SEQ catchments and pose considerable threat to aquatic ecosystems if they become established. Phil gave detailed information on the different weeds including case studies in SEQ as well as nationally. He provided a range of ID sheets and emphasised the differences in the plants and the implications when it comes to management methods. The resource material provided is extremely useful, for field identification of weeds. 
The hands-on identification training was provided through a range of aquatic weeds and native aquatics that are not considered threats. These were displayed in tubs and we were encouraged to handle and look at them closely. Several of the specimens were collected from local sites in the catchment.
A major benefit from the workshop is the increased knowledge of the Moggill and the Pullen Pullen participants in identification of aquatic weeds and the wider knowledge of the threats posed by them. An important point made at the workshop was that a wide range of aquatic weeds considered serious threats to creek health, do occur in our catchments. Another is that most of them are very difficult to destroy or manage. Subsequent to the workshop it has become quite clear that more needs to be done to encourage and support landholders in the management of their dams / turkey’s nests so that infestations are treated on farm and do not enter the creek systems. Currently Brian Hacker an MCCG member does provide information on aquatic weed management to landholders when the opportunity arises through his property visits. Aquatic weeds that have been reported as occurring in our creeks or drainage lines over the last 5 years include: Salvinia, Sagittarius, Senegal tea, Kidneyleaf mud- plantain, Glushweed, Parrot’s feather. Of these, the Declared Class 1 weeds which must be reported to Biosecurity Queensland are Senegal tea, Glushweed. 

Adrian Webb ([email protected])