Month: February 2025

By examining soil test data from our clients’ sites, EnviroStraw’s soil scientists can capture information that demonstrates exactly how beneficial our products are for revegetation and regeneration. In this case study, we’ll examine the soil test data before and after the application of the BioGrowth™ program at the Caloundra turnoff on the M1 Highway on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.

Sunshine Coast Motorway project – site requirements

The case we are examining for this blog on soil test data is the Sunshine Coast Motorway project. EnviroStraw was invited to assist with this Sunshine Coast motorway project, which involved revegetating a relatively steep, sandstone-based slope near the busy Caloundra exit. This particular case was to be completed without the use of subsoil amelioration, topsoil or compost treatment.

Before EnviroStraw implemented the BioGrowth™ program for this site, the soil had been treated with gypsum at five to six tonnes per hectare. This method had not been effectively incorporated and had been spread very unevenly with an excavator bucket. – As pictured in the image below, this resulted in white patches indicating uneven soil conditioning due to the application process.

Because of this soil remediation approach, the plants that sprouted showed severe mineral deficiencies induced by the excess calcium mineral release from the gypsum treatment. This process locks up almost all essential trace minerals like iron, copper and manganese. The result of this is shown in the patchy growth shown in the image below.

Soil data at inception

The first soil test data recorded by EnviroStraw from the motorway site is reflective of the initial soil amelioration program that had been instigated, hence very high calcium and magnesium mineral levels showing up in the results. It’s worth noting that the estimated soil carbon level was at 10,842g/kg during these initial readings.

During the nine-to-ten month period following the application of EnviroMatrix at ten tonnes per hectare, the site experienced very dry conditions. In classic subtropical fashion, that then changed drastically a few months later, with the site receiving the most rainfall recorded in the region for fifty years.

Soil data four months after application

After the significant levels of rain were received on the site, the plant-available minerals started reducing to more acceptable levels within the soil, and the carbon levels were also improving.

Grass species were introduced to the site and established well – acting as intermediate crops, rebuilding soil fertility and carbon levels. You will notice the regeneration beginning to thrive in the image below.

Soil data ten months after application

As recorded in the chart below, the carbon levels continued to improve dramatically at the ten-month mark post-application.

Even with a less than desirable soil-conditioning program applied before the BioGrowth™ program was implemented, the overall ecological system still rebuilt soil carbon to more acceptable levels in a relatively short time-frame. This bar graph data shows how implementing the BioGrowth™ program for site rehabilitation is successful in boosting soil fertility and balancing minerals.

Nearly ten months after application, the BioGrowth™ system was still performing exceptionally well – as pictured in the impressive revegetation on the motorway site below. A wonderful result for the Sunshine Coast community!

In case you missed it, in October last year we published an article on the IECA website, which took an in-depth look at our innovative revegetation program.

It examined the fact that traditional soil analysis has often focused on chemical and physical properties while overlooking the importance of soil biology. However, managing soil biology is crucial for successful remediation and revegetation efforts, especially in degraded soils.

In response to the growing need for sustainable soil management, EnviroStraw’s BioGrowth™ program combines advanced soil science, eco-friendly technologies and regenerative practices to restore degraded soils and enhance ecosystems. This innovative approach tackles soil biology, chemistry and physical characteristics, addressing challenges like erosion, mineral imbalances and poor plant growth.

Unlike traditional methods that rely heavily on chemicals and physical treatments, which can disrupt soil health and biodiversity, the BioGrowth™ program uses biological solutions such as beneficial microbial inoculum technology, slow-release fertilisers and eco-friendly hydromulching, to improve soil stability, nutrient availability and plant growth. These methods also help mitigate issues like nutrient lock-up, leaching and greenhouse gas emissions.

A sustainable approach to site rehabilitation

The program promotes sustainability by using renewable materials like wheat straw and biochar, aligning with principles of the circular economy. This approach has been proven effective in a range of environments, including mine site rehabilitation, construction projects and agricultural lands.

Through research and innovation, the BioGrowth™ Program offers a transformative solution to soil degradation, fostering long-term ecological balance and supporting biodiversity and climate resilience. Head to the IECA website to read the article in full.

At EnviroStraw, we thrive on seeing plant-life regenerate on sites that have implemented our revegetation programs.

Results such as these make a strong case for opting for Australian-made and environmentally friendly solutions, and it’s brilliant to see revegetated sites being enjoyed by communities and our native wildlife. Below, we’ve provided a snapshot of successful outcomes at a few of our favourite sites, and information on what was used to achieve these results.

Binna Burra, Queensland

EnviroStraw was contacted by the Main Roads division of the Gold Coast council to revegetate a section of National Park, just below Binna Burra Lodge in the idyllic Gold Coast hinterlands. This location provided a few challenges, as the area to be regenerated included extremely unstable, steep slopes. Added to this, Binna Burra was affected by devastating bushfires in 2019 – and this was evident in the poor condition of the soil and vegetation.

BioGrowth™ and EnviroMatrix were applied at a rate of ten tonnes per hectare, with the addition of 500L of EnviroBond. The outcome was successful revegetation of native plants in the previously fire-damaged national park – a wonderful end-result for the visitors, and of course the native wildlife that call it home.

Steve Irwin Way, Sunshine Coast

Our work on revegetating a section of steep, sandstone-based rock batter on the Sunshine Coast motorway generated some incredible results – especially considering the prior condition of the site. For this project, we needed to revegetate the site – near the busy Caloundra exit – without using any subsoil amelioration, topsoil or compost treatment.

EnviroMatrix was used at a ten tonne rate, combined with EnviroBond at 500L per hectare. The results in only a ten-month period are quite astonishing – the collected soil data showed great improvements in carbon levels as well as essential nutrients. The success is evident when comparing the images from this motorway site before and after EnviroStraw treatment.

Pimlico, New South Wales

We were enlisted to address an area of damaged soil in Pimlico, New South Wales. The challenge for this site was to implement a low-maintenance, self-sustaining solution that would thrive in a subtropical climate. In order to encourage native plant establishment, EnviroStraw provided a solution made of ten tonnes of EnviroMatrix and 400L of EnviroBond per hectare. The result was well-established pasture growth and lush greenery in place of the prior bare soil.

At EnviroStraw, we love to see our solutions creating successful results for our clients. If you need revegetation for your site, get in touch with us today.