The Bugle - 01 July 2005
In news this week
Regional body stories
- Roll out of the Coastal Catchment Initiative
- Water data ends up in the SWAMP
- Get paid to protect Aussie icons
Government updates
- Partnerships go under the microscope
- Read all about it: SIPs making great progress
- Plan for your next project: Community Support Grants open
- Reporting on monitoring and evaluation trials
- Make it a management solution for your next workshop
- Fighting continues against weeds of national significance
Natural resourcesnews
- "I'm a Lumberjack and I am ok", I'm off to the IUFRO conference today...
- Opportunities for farm forestry
- McKell Medal nominations
- Queensland Landcare Awards hosts gala dinner
- Project examines irrigation in Northern Australia
- Get a job!
Roll out of the Coastal Catchment Initiative
The Great Barrier Reef between Bowen and Townsville will benefit from the Burdekin Dry Tropics Board (BDTB) adopting the Coastal Catchment Initiative.
The BDTB will have funding for two years to produce a water quality improvement plan for the Burdekin catchment.
Three projects have been proposed under the plan: knowledge; grazing lands and water quality; and cropping (sugar lands) and water quality.
A technical advisory panel will review the proposals and report to the Burdekin Dry Tropics Board. A project manager will be employed by the BDTB to oversee the projects should they be adopted by the Board.
The three projects aim to improve water quality in the Burdekin catchment through the introduction of new farming practices to reduce sediment, nutrients and chemicals flowing onto the Great Barrier Reef.
For more information please email David Reid or phone 4721-4077.
Water data ends up in the SWAMP
Stanthorpe locals have taken the future of their most precious natural resource into their own hands and intend to take their work to the highest levels, becoming a model for other community monitoring groups.
The Stanthorpe Water Assessment and Monitoring Project (SWAMP) is planned and driven by the local community. SWAMP aims to collect long-term data about the quality of water throughout the Stanthorpe Shire.
Integral to this project, and what makes it somewhat unique, is the intention to incorporate the water quality results into the state government database.
The Queensland Murray-Darling Committee has provided support and training and is the link between the project and the state government data collectors. SWAMP members have received water testing kits and a monitoring manual and have undertaken accredited training.
Other SWAMP partners are Granite Borders Landcare Committee, the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Growcom, Border Landcare Organic Group, Stanthorpe River Trust, Department of Primary Industries, Stanthorpe Shire Council Traprock Wool Association, Border Rivers Catchment Management Association and local irrigators.
Contact QMDC on 4637 6201 or the Granite Borders Landcare Coordinator and SWAMP committee member, Samantha Williams on 02 6736 3500.
Get paid to protect Aussie icons
Landholders in the Einasleigh Uplands, Desert Uplands, Brigalow Belt and Border Ranges are invited to apply for funding through the Biodiversity Incentive Tender, a joint initiative of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Natural Heritage Trust.
The EPA develops partnerships with land managers to help them achieve their conservation goals. The Biodiversity Incentives Tender helps land managers maintain their land's unique natural values through a conservation agreement.
If you own land in these areas you can take part in a program that rewards you for managing your property's natural values.
For further information or to obtain an expression of interest form visit the EPA website.
Partnerships go under the microscope
The social research, development and extension (SE03) state investment strategy (SIP) provides support for developing further knowledge about social dimensions that are important to the implementation of NRM.
SE03 funding is for research and NAPSWQ regional NRM bodies have been encouraged to form partnerships with research institutions in their region to study aspects of this field relevant to regional NRM plans.
The regional NRM bodies in the partnerships are Condamine Alliance, Burnett Mary Regional Group, Queensland Murray Darling Committee, SEQ Western Catchments and the Burdekin Dry Tropics Board with Desert Uplands.
The research partners are University of Queensland, Griffith University, Central Queensland University, University of Southern Queensland, James Cook University, CSIRO and other key NRM sectors such as Greening Australia and the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.
Ten projects have been supported through two rounds of funding. Recently the Burdekin Dry Tropics Board submitted a report on relationships and this is now available on the regional NRM website.
A symposium was held on 3 June bringing together regional NRM bodies and research partners with other NRM groups and key sectors, to share findings from the projects and build on outcomes for the regions.
A report on the symposium can also be found on the regional NRM website.
Read all about it: SIPs making great progress
Land managers in Southern Queensland's Lower Balonne will soon be able to view their property on a computer in 3D, using a new virtual-reality tool. The tool was produced by the SA07: Airborne geophysics in the lower Balonne catchment a state-level investment project (SIP).
You can find out more about this project and many others in edition eight of the quarterly NAP State-level Investment Projects (SIPs) Update.
The SIPs coordination group produces the update to inform people of progress in state level science (biophysical, social and economic) and capacity building activities under the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality.
This update includes reports and dates of SIP activities and meetings. Please pass on the SIPs update through your networks to raise awareness about SIP projects.
SIP updates are available on the regional NRM website.
Gaining statutory approval
Find out how the statutory approval process works for land, minerals, petroleum, water, vegetation and pests on the Department of Natural Resources and Mines web site: "Approvals".
Anyone involved in the allocation, use and development of natural resources will be interested in NR&M's approval web pages. The site is easy to use, listing approvals alphabetically, by resource or by Integrated Development Assessment System (IDAS)/Non IDAS categories.
The site explains how NR&M assesses an application and these are also presented as flowcharts. They provide a general overview of the process, however depending on the requirements of specific applications, a more detailed process may apply.
Where appropriate, reference is made to NR&M guidelines and policies, the IDAS timeframes under the Integrated Planning Act 1997 and legislation.
Before lodging an application for an approval listed on this site, applicants are advised to contact their local NR&M service centre. NR&M service centre locations and contact details can be found on the NR&M website.
Plan for your next project : Community Support Grants open
The 2005-06 round of National Landcare Program Community Support Grants is now open. The grants are for on-ground activities that address natural resource management and sustainable production.
Applications close 22 July and further information is available by visiting the Landcare website.
As funds are not likely to hit the ground until July 2006, it is well worth planning ahead for this program.
Reporting on monitoring and evaluation trials
Two reports on monitoring and evaluation trials in Queensland recently launched at an Audit Advisory Council meeting have revealed that many of the current indicators are not likely to be addressed according to the proposed method.
Participants in one of the two trials reported that only 15 per cent of the recommended indicators were likely to be monitored using the recommended framework and almost half had issues with their method.
Mike Grundy and Ross Bigwood, scientists at Natural Resource Sciences, Indooroopilly have been involved in the project which assessed the practicality of implementing the draft national framework for monitoring and evaluation in two Queensland regions, the Condamine and Burnett-Mary.
The trials have led to more detailed work developing a response to monitoring and evaluation for resource condition in each region in the state.
The Monitoring and Evaluation Trials, Queensland Regions phase 1 and phase 2 reports can be found on the NLWRA website.
For more information, please contact Ross Bigwood on 3896 9267.
Make it a management solution for your next workshop
The Sunshine Coast is one of Australia's fastest growing regions. With such rapid growth, understanding how to harness this growth into sustainable economic development is vital.
A sustainable business conference being held today on the Sunshine Coast will investigate trends within the region, illustrate how to harness these trends and showcase winning strategies for sustainable economic development.
Delivered by academics and business leaders the conference culminates in a special panel with the three Mayors of the Sunshine Coast.
Keep an eye on future editions of the Bugle for a report on this workshop.
On 14 July, an interactive workshop on regional economic development policy skills will also be held on the coast and costs $450 per person.
The workshop includes practical Australian and overseas case studies and identifies the key steps, processes and issues required for regions to develop successful economies.
For further information visit the Management Solutions (Qld) website.
Fighting continues against weeds of national significance
The National Heritage Trust is continuing to support Weeds of National Significance (WONS) projects and the WONS National Management Groups with funding of around $1 million for 2004-05. The funding will be allocated to projects to be completed in 2005-06.
This commitment allows Natural Resources and Mines, regional NRM bodies and other groups to launch a coordinated attack on mesquite, parkinsonia, prickly acacia, parthenium, rubber vine, lantana, pond apple and hymenachne.
This funding will also contribute to the national coordination of strategies for cabomba, salvinia, alligator weed, bitou bush, Chilean needle grass and other WONS.
For more information email Phil Maher or on 3405 5530.
"I'm a Lumberjack and I am ok", I'm off to the IUFRO conference today...
This is the first time the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) has held its world congress in the southern hemisphere and it is expected to attract more than 2500 international forest scientists.
IUFRO is the only world-wide organisation devoted to forest research and related sciences, with more than 15,000 member scientists in 700 member institutions from 110 countries.
The congress will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from August 8 to 13.
For more information visit the IUFRO website or phone 07 3854 1611.
Opportunities for farm forestry
This new resource authored by Geoff Borschmann and Laurie Capill and produced by Greening Australia with support from Private Forestry Southern Queensland and the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, is an annotated bibliography and resource kit for planners and managers of natural resources.
The resource kit CD will be a valuable resource for regional NRM bodies, Landcare and catchment groups, local government planners and teachers and all people interested in NRM.
Copies available by emailing Greening Australia or calling 3902 4444.
McKell Medal nominations
Nominations for the 16th McKell Medal, a national NRM award, are now open. The medal recognises excellence and achievement in NRM throughout Australia.
McKell medallists receive funding to travel within Australia to communicate their message to other natural resource managers.
The medal commemorates the outstanding contribution made in the fields of soil and land conservation by Sir William McKell, former NSW Premier (1941-47) and Governor-General of Australia (1947-53)
It is awarded by Australian, state and territory governments to people who have contributed to NRM, including community leadership, research, education and awareness raising.
The McKell Medal is only awarded to individuals. The recipient will be expected to make occasional public appearances and undertake speaking engagements to promote their work and sustainable management practices.
Nominations close 18 November 2005. Application forms are available by email mckellmedal, by calling 02 6272 4399 or by visiting the mckellmedal website.
Queensland Landcare Awards host gala dinner
Desert Channels Queensland invite you to come and pay tribute to the individuals, businesses, Landcare groups, schools and organisations that have shown an outstanding commitment to Landcare and catchment management over the past two years at the Queensland Landcare Awards gala dinner.
This gala dinner will be held 5 June at the Australian Workers Heritage Centre in Barcaldine and will feature ‘1824’ beef which has been generously supplied by the Australian Agricultural Company.
The dinner is part of the Queensland Landcare and catchment management conference in Barcaldine from 4-7 August.
Presentations will be made by Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Stephen Robertson and the Master of Ceremonies will be Samantha Kume. Entertainment will be provided by the Basalt River Boys.
Contact the conference secretariat on 4651 2160, email Kerri Woodcock or visit the Desert Uplands website for more information.
Project examines irrigation in Northern Australia
The Northern Australia Irrigation Futures (NAIF) project seeks to add value to government and community processes addressing NRM in order to ensure existing irrigation in northern Australia, and any new irrigation if developed, are sustainable within a catchment context.
The NAIF project is linked with regional NRM bodies, local governments and communities across northern Australia, and with the Australian, WA, NT, and QLD governments who have responsibilities for tropical Australia.
For further information visit NAIF website.
Get a Job!
The Northern Australia Irrigation Futures project is seeking a highly motivated individual to join their project, working closely with governments, community groups and other organisations to improve understanding of tropical water systems and decision making regarding irrigation in northern Australia.
The appointee will work with the project leader and team, liaise with governments and communities, implement communication strategies and manage contracts.
The position will be based in Townsville although other options could be considered. The salary package is $66k - $103k + superannuation and allowances.
For further information email Keith Bristow or visit NAIF website.
We welcome your input and feedback on this newsletter. If you have any contributions, comments or suggestions please contact Carl Glen or Shona Strachan.
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 21 January 2009