Seqwater is helping the vulnerable Richmond birdwing butterfly make a colourful comeback on the Gold Coast, with a conservation project at Hinze Dam delivering results.

Six years ago, Seqwater teamed up with the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI), David Fleay Wildlife Park, and the Richmond Birdwing Conservation Network to create a habitat corridor and support a captive breeding program, after the rare butterfly, along with an invasive weed it is drawn to, were spotted at Hinze Dam. Dutchman’s pipe, a fast-spreading vine originating from South America, is closely related to the native plant used by the butterflies for feeding and egg-laying but is poisonous to the larvae.

Seqwater Recreation and Catchment Operations Supervisor Matthew Wellington said the dam’s team of rangers and staff have assisted DESI Conservation Officers to salvage butterfly eggs, while undertaking critical removal of Dutchman’s pipe and also rearing and planting hundreds of native replacement birdwing butterfly vines in the catchment.

“We now have an extensive and healthy population of the Richmond birdwing butterfly in the area thanks to the connectivity of healthy vegetation across the Hinze Dam catchment, including the planted and naturally occurring host vines for the butterfly,” Mr Wellington said.

“Since the project began in 2018, we have planted over 250 birdwing butterfly vines in the Hinze Dam catchment to sustain local butterfly populations and provided over 150 vines to the Fleay’s breeding facility, all of which are grown onsite at our native plant nursery.”

“We’ve also facilitated the salvage of over 100 eggs and 40 larvae from Dutchman’s pipe to support a captive breeding program.”

“It’s a fantastic project to be part of and our dedicated staff are committed to working alongside our partners so we can see these spectacular butterflies thrive in the wild.”

DESI Senior Conservation Officer Hunter McCall said the Richmond birdwing recovery program was resulting in butterfly populations re-establishing in the wild, including in the Hinze Dam catchment.

“Seqwater has been a valuable partner in recovery work for the Richmond birdwing butterfly,” Mr McCall said.

“The success of this project is a testament to the sustained efforts of stakeholders and highlights the importance of supporting healthy native habitats, including restoring important resources such as the birdwing butterfly vines, in reversing the decline of vulnerable species.”