The Bugle - 03 June 05
In news this week
- NT's first NRM plan gets accredited
- Regional bodies get serious about natural resource monitoring
- RAAG talks over the options
- QFF considers its options
- Western Landcare group survives urban jungle
- Applications open for Landcare grants
- Green cities Plan for the Planet!
- Making every drop count: Website shows how to save water
- Water fund flood gates open
- Community asked to help save water
- Future Rangeland managers wanted
- Your chance to help save turtles
- Workshops counter grazing pitfalls
- Drought Update
- More areas go thirsty
- QFF and the Collective implementing their MOU
NT's first NRM plan gets accredited
The first integrated NRM plan for the Northern Territory has formally been accredited by Northern Territory and Australian government ministers. This strategic plan addresses priority NRM issues and will guide the use of more than $22 million in Natural Heritage Trust and National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality funding.
The Northern Territory's resources sustained Indigenous Australians for thousands of years. They form the base of wealth creating industries, including pastoralism, horticulture, fishing, mineral production and tourism. Additionally, they are very important for a range of cultural and recreational activities.
Using resources in a sustainable manner and maintianing biodiversity is paramount for the ongoing renewal of the benefits they provide. To achieve this, we need to identify natural assests, recognise threats to these resources and ways to tackle problems before they become insurmountable. The Northern Territory has a relatively unmodified landscape and can subsequently benefit from the lessons learned elsewhere over the last century.
The Northern Territory NRM plan is the first time all of the Territory's natural resource issues have been considered in one relatively comprehensive plan of action. Stakeholders and the community have led the development of this template for NRM.
The Northern Territory's NRM plan is available on the Infrustructure, Planning and Environment web site.
Regional bodies get serious about natural resource monitoring
NR&M is hosting a resource condition monitoring workshop for regional NRM bodies in Brisbane on 16 and 17 June to develop approaches to monitoring the condition of natural resources such as forests, soil and water.
This workshop starts a 12-month project to determine where monitoring should occur in each region; what activities should be employed and who is responsible for these activities.
Queensland's current monitoring program needs to align with the national program and meet the needs of regional plans.
Following the Brisbane workshop, meetings will be held with organisations engaged in resource condition monitoring in each region to develop agreements and determine monitoring indicators.
For more information, contact Ross Bigwood 3896 0267 or Kelly Bryant 3896 9689.
RAAG talks over the options
Regional Arrangements Advisory Group (RAAG) met on the 26 May to review recent government NRM activities.
RAAG was established in August last year to help enable peak stakeholder groups have a role in state level policy and assist their members in identifying meaningful roles in managing Queensland's natural resources.
The group received presentations from a number of regional NRM stakeholders including the Queensland Indigenous Working Group and Queensland Water and Land Carers. Additionally, there were presentations from NR&M on the Wild Rivers legislation and the Office of Urban Management on preliminary results of public consultation on the draft SEQ Regional Plan.
The group also ran a discussion session on the Options for Future Community Engagement in Regional Natural Resource Management paper, currently out for public consultation.
For further information please contact Anne Stuart.
QFF considers its options
The Options for Future Community Engagement in Regional Natural Resource Management discussion paper (options paper) has been prepared to provide information, promote discussion and seek views about future community engagement in regional NRM in Queensland post the current terms of the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAPSWQ) and Natural Heritage Trust programs. Several options for future arrangements are outlined in the options paper and criteria to consider when making your choice.
The Queensland Farmers Federation (QFF) and member organisation staff met last week to consider a response to the options paper released by the NR&M in April. Through its partnership with the Regional Groups Collective, QFF will explore the possibility of a joint submission.
We would like to encourage all groups to read the options paper and provide a submission. Submissions are due by the 24 June.
You can download the full version of this options paper at the regional NRM web site.
Western Landcare group survives urban jungle
Members of Emu Creek Landcare group travelled from Ipswich to Mt Gravatt East last Sunday to learn about urban Landcare activities.
Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee hosted the successful urban-rural volunteer exchange, which took the Emu Creek Landcare group on a wetland tour of the Bulimba and Tingalpa catchments. Members from both the rural and urban groups exchanged information about the challenges each Landcare group face.
The exchange program's aim is to bridge the gap between rural and urban communities by highlighting the similar goals of Landcare groups throughout the state.
This was a trial for a broader exchange program between rural and urban Landcare groups throughout Queensland, to demonstrate the realities of managing natural resources. The idea for the exchange program between urban and rural Landcare groups originated at last year's Landcare Conference in Toowoomba.
NR&Ms' Adam Richardt thought it was a great idea. He proposed that NR&M could promote and support an exchange program. The exchanges would focus around an organised activity and take no longer than two days. For this trial, NR&M provided a central contact point for organising the exchange and some remuneration for travel expenses for the members of the Emu Creek Landcare group.
For more information about the Landcare exchange program, please e-mail Adam Richardt.
Applications open for Landcare grants
Applications for funding for 2005-06 projects under the Australian Government's National Landcare Program (NLP) are now open. Projects funded under the NLP's community support component are intended to be a partnership and require matching contributions, in cash or kind from the benefactor.
NLP focuses on the management of natural resources, sustainable agriculture and support for Landcare group activities in rural and regional Australia. Involving both the community and industry during project development and implementation is vital for achieving long-term resource management. This financial year there will be an emphasis on involving companies from local businesses to multinationals in these activities.
NLP will continue to complement the Natural Heritage Trust, the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality and the Envirofund.
Applications for funding should be sent to regional NRM bodies or if the project covers more than one region, the application can be sent to the Regional Groups Collective. It is recommended that project managers talk with a regional NRM body before they submit an application, as projects will be assessed against regional NRM priorities.
The 2005-06 NLP community support guidelines are on the Landcare web site. Applications close 22 July.
Green cities Plan for the Planet!
Green cities on a blue planet is the colourful aim for this years World Environment Day theme, Plan for the Planet!
The colourful World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June, is one of the principal vehicles the United Nations uses to stimulate worldwide awareness of the environment and enhance political attention and action.
The World Environment Day theme for 2005 is Green Cities and is asking us to Plan for the Planet! The main international celebrations of the World Environment Day 2005 will be held in San Francisco and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) is honoured that the City of San Francisco will be hosting this important United Nation's day.
Information on Australia events are on the UNEP web site. One of these colourful events is the Glen Planters of Brisbane's native tree and shrub planting in the lowland area of Forest Hills' glen. More than 800 shrubs and trees are planted their each year.
While Bedourie State School, located in the far west of Queensland on the edge of the Simpson Desert where the water supply comes from the Great Artesian Bore, will be building a football oval using a complex network of underground irrigational systems. A trip to the local council office has also been organised for the students Bedourie State School to discuss the possibility of promoting a sustainable environment.
For more information on the Bedourie State School project please email Chris Daly or for more information on the Glen Planters please email Nicholas Herron or phone on 3351 4158. For more information on World Environment Day visit the UNEP web site.
Making every drop count: Website shows how to save water
If you are serious about finding ways to save water, you may want to visit the NR&M's web site for guidelines published by Water Industry Compliance group.
This includes guidelines on water supply and sewerage; wetlands; improve water use efficiency; desalination; storage evaporation minimisation; and evaporative airconditioner water usage. TheTotal Management Plans and the Water Act 2000 are also available here.
These guidelines are on the compliance section of the NR&M web site.
Water fund flood gates open
Applications for the first round of funding under the Australian Government Water Fund are now open and guidelines for the Water Smart Australia program are now available. Applications close on 30 June.
The National Water Commission (NWC) is responsible for administering the Water Smart Australia and Raising National Water Standards Programs using the Australian Government Water Fund.
The Water Smart Australia program was designed to accelerate the development and uptake of smart technologies and practices in water use across Australia.
Many local governments feared their projects wouldn't be considered under the Water Fund, however projects costing as little as $1 million or even less for 'highly relevant' projects will be considered for funding under the $1.6 billion Water Smart Australia scheme.
The Raising National Water Standards program will invest in Australia's national capacity to measure, monitor and manage its water resources. The NWC will provide further information on these programs in coming months.
To gain the greatest effect from these investments, competitive bidding is the primary mechanism for allocating grants.
A third water program, the Community Water Grants program, will provide grants to communities for promoting wise use of water. This program is jointly administered by the Australian Department of Environment and Heritage and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Learn more about the Community Water Grants in the Community asked to save and protect water resources story in this edition of the Bugle.
Further information about the Australian Government Water Fund is available on the NWC page of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet web site.
Guidelines for applications are available from National Water Commission: interim web site.
Community asked to save and protect water resources
Projects that save and protect water resources through practical on-ground work may be eligible for grants of up to $50 000 from the Community Water Grants.
The Australian Government, through its $2 billion Water Fund, will make available funds of $200 million over the next five years for Community Water Grants.
Projects that may be funded include those that promote or improve:
- Water savings/efficiency:
- Water efficiency of community buildings, such as schools.
- Improvements to town water supply infrastructure to reduce losses from evaporation or leakage.
- Capping disused or unnecessary bores that tap into groundwater.
- Water reuse/recycling using rainwater, grey water, treated effluent or storm water to maintain community grounds and sporting fields.
- Ground and surface water health:
- Groundwater health, such as erosion control, creek and riverbank repair, or cleaning up a local creek or wetland.
- Reduction of pollution in rivers, groundwater or coastal areas.
Grant recipients may include community groups, schools, local government, catchment management authorities and regional NRM bodies, and non-government organisations.
The opening of the first grant round will be advertised, with the first open call for grant applications expected in June. Grants will be assessed on a nationally competitive basis.
To receive a copy of the round one guidelines and application form, when they become available, register via the online registration form on the NRM web site or by free call 1800 780 730.
Future Rangeland managers are wanted
Rangelands Australia has developed Australia's only postgraduate course work programs in rangeland management for land managers, government advisors and facilitators needing a qualification for recognition of their skills, or for a career in the rangelands.
Rangeland management qualifications can be studied through the University of Queensland, and qualifications include a graduate certificate, graduate diploma and Masters of Rangeland Management. Semester two enrolments for external studies are now being accepted and will close 30 June.
For more information, visit Rangelands Australia web site, email Rangelands Australia or call 5460 1660.
Your chance to help save turtles
Join an expedition to work with Aboriginal rangers and researchers as they attempt to reverse the damage done to nesting sea turtles by feral pigs and entrapment of adult animals in abandoned fishing nets.
Western Cape Turtle Conservation Project expedition dates in 2005 are from end of June to early October in modern comfortable "bush camp" facilities.
The Western Cape York Turtle Conservation Program is conducted in one of the most unique regions of Queensland. The areas are some of the most remote and isolated parts of the coast and you will have a memorable experience.
For just $1875 (ex-Weipa) you will assist in data collection on adult turtles or nesting. There is a lot of ‘hands-on' participation including tagging and measuring turtles and you could also be involved in counting and measuring eggs.
Like many research projects, for some the work could become arduous and the turtles may become uncooperative. However, you will have the satisfaction that you have played a vital role in assisting the Aboriginal Rangers from Mapoon and helped some of Australia's leading marine turtle researchers piece together the jigsaw puzzle of marine turtle populations on Western Cape York.
Find out more information on the sea turtle escapes web site.
Workshops counter grazing pitfalls
More than 100 land managers have joined workshops run this year by the Condamine Alliance to start to improve management of more than 1.4 million hectares of dryland pasture in the catchment.
It is hoped that more groups will attend workshops over the course of the year, run by the Alliance's technical officer for grazing systems, George Lambert. These workshops follow the release late last year of the grazing systems manual.
Permanent pasture monitoring sites have been set up in the regions where workshops have been held and these will feature in future workshops and field days. A study by Mr Lambert and Nikki Webb showed that the grazing industry has the lowest adoption rate for current recommended practices of all rural industries.
According to Mr Lambert, as a result of the grazing industries not using the recommended practices on their properties, there is less than desired ground cover and poor pasture health, leading to excessive water run-off and deep drainage in pasture land.
Find out more information on the Condamine Alliance web site.
More areas go thirsty
Two more shires in southern and western Queensland were added to the state's drought declared list, bringing the total drought-declared shires to 55, plus seven part shires, equivalent to around 60% of the state.
DPI&F's Minister Henry Palaszczuk said he had accepted the recommendations of the Local Drought Committees (LDCs) for the shire of Millmerran and the western part of Boulia Shire.
Drought declarations will entitle eligible producers to freight subsidies for the movement of water and fodder for stock under the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme.
For further information producers can contact the DPI&F call centre on 13 25 23.
QFF and the Collective implement their MOU
Queensland Farmers Federation (QFF) and the Regional Groups Collective's (the Collective) memorandum of understanding (MOU) is a great example of how effective regional NRM arrangements are working, with industry and regional NRM bodies working together to resolve threats on forests, soil and water.
QFF met with the Collective and regional NRM bodies on 19 May to progress work under their new MOU. The Farm Management Systems (FMS) project will continue to be the primary focus of their work together.
The details of a joint project progressing strategic implementation opportunities for FMS and regional NRM body activities were discussed at the meeting.
A project proposal is currently under development. For more information email Diana Dawson.
We welcome your input and feedback on this newsletter. If you have any contributions, comments or suggestions please contact Carl Glen or Shona Strachan.
To view past issues of The Bugle use this link, on the regionalNRM web site .
The Bugle is a weekly newsletter published by Strategic Policy and Regional Arrangements, Natural Resources and Mines, highlighting regional natural resource management activities around Queensland.
Last updated 05 April 2006