Mount Isa Landcare president Mark Van Ryt said they had a team of nine camped at "the Gorge" to chase the remnant of an infestation of Corella River belly ache bush, a weed of national significance.

“We completed two of three walks to inspect about five kilometres of the Corella River that once was severely infested,” Mr Van Ryt said.

“The volunteers circuited ‘the island’ and the south side of Corella River from the junction of Greens Creek to our camp site at the gorge.

Mr Van Ryt said that in February small teams completed all three walks to capture any plants before they seeded.

“During those steamy hot walks we pulled out a total of 200 belly ache bush,” he said.

“This weekend we could find only seven plants, after scanning over five kilometres of river bank about 40 metres wide.”

Mr Van Ryt said that this proved they had won the battle at this site, considering their previous annual totals of about 15,000 plants pulled out.

“The volunteers enjoyed the picturesque walks and a visit to an old abandoned hill top mine site and the day time was cool and sunny with the bird life a constant joy beside the water hole,” he said.

“Our night was still, a bit chilly, but was enjoyed with cheer beside a raging camp-fire.”

Within 2 months each belly ache bush can produce hundreds of seed which will remain viable in the soil for up to a decade in dry conditions. Trials have shown that the best way to beat bellyache bush is to maintain good ground cover. This competitive environment will slow down the growth of each bellyache bush plant, increase the length of time before it flowers and sets seed and reduce the number of seeds produced.

Meanwhile the fight against noxious weeds is far from over for Mount Isa Landcare Group.

“Next Sunday (July 3) we go after the rubber vine in Gorge Creek,” Mr Van Ryt said. “We leave from my place at 9am - lunch is provided.”