The Bugle - 15 July 05
In news this week
Regional body stories
- Today a big day for Mackay Whitsunday group
- Kit makes monitoring easy
- New project hooks into fish changes
- Desert Steps out in style
- Putting grazing strategies to the test
- Protecting critical habitat
- Partnerships to save soil
- Program bankrolls improved water use
Government updates
Natural resources news
- 'Courageous Conversation' considers conservation conundrums
- Enterprising rural women share stories
- Applications open for rural women's award
- Songs from the deep found to be meaningful
- Meet the relatives
- Soil Science Society celebrates 50 years with lecture and anniversary dinner
- Symposium hops into community engagement
- Get a job! Regional body seeks community representative
Today a big day for Mackay Whitsunday group
The Mackay Whitsunday NRM Group launched its NRM plan and investment strategy today. The launch was at the official opening of the group's new premises at 38 Tennyson Street, Mackay.
MWNRM Chair Clive Rogers said the plan set targets to improve or maintain the region's valuable natural assets, while the investment strategy outlined the projects that the Natural Heritage Trust would fund.
'The planning is finally over and we are currently working on projects that equate to on-ground actions,' Mr Rogers said.
'It is an exciting time for the region and a perfect opportunity for the community to get involved'.
For further information contact the Mackay Whitsunday NRM Group on 4953 5298.
Kit makes monitoring easy
Jenny and Jim Skelton from 'Stirling Downs', Tambo, undertook an Australian Government Envirofund project in 2003 to help improve their property's production and environment.
After the project finished, South West NRM staff helped Jenny establish a permanent monitoring site to measuring ground cover, pasture species, erosion, salinity, and mammal and bird diversity.
Monitoring these indicators was made easy by using South West NRM's community monitoring kits. For more information about the kits, contact Mellissa Jess at South West NRM on 4654 7382.
New project hooks into fish changes
A new program will chart changes to fish populations and fishers' behaviour following recent alterations to the Great Barrier Reef's management.
The Fitzroy Basin Association's CapReef program will use Natural Heritage Trust funding to collect data on changes to fish populations and fishers' behaviour. CapReef will link with other research and monitoring programs to develop an overall picture of changes in the marine park.
The program is a community initiative that has support from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. Science support comes from the CRC Reef Research Centre, CRC Coastal Estuaries and Waterways Management and the Central Queensland University. Community input comes from the Fitzroy Basin Association, Local Marine Advisory Committee, Capricorn Sunfish and local fishing groups.
'The Fitzroy Basin Association sees CapReef as an important component of the regional investment strategy that is targeting environmental improvement from the top of the catchment to the reef', FBA Chair Barbara Wildin said.
CapReef Program Manager Bill Sawynok said CapReef allowed the community to be fully involved in assessing the changes to fish and users.
'The response from fishers in Rockhampton, Yeppoon and Gladstone has been positive given that changes to zoning arrangements and fisheries management plans have led to significant increases in restrictions on fishing activities. Fishers are keen to find out what changes are actually occurring to their fishing,' Mr Sawynok said.
Desert Steps out in style
Desert Steps Ahead, a project to help landholders manage their land better, is set to roll out in the Desert Uplands over the coming months.
The 'kitchen table'-based project will give landholders a better understanding of NRM matters like salinity and water quality, and help them to plan and adopt new practices on their property.
The Desert Uplands Build-up and Development Strategy Committee and the Burdekin Dry Tropics Board are hoping to jointly produce a natural resource management and sustainable production 'toolkit' for landholders as well as developing a one-stop natural resource management and property planning resource.
Funds for the project come from the Burdekin Dry Tropics Board and NAPSWQ, with the project commencing on final approval of the BDTB Regional Investment Strategy.
For more information contact the Desert Uplands Office on 4651 1002 or email the Burdekin Dry Tropics on 47243544.
Putting grazing strategies to the test
A long-term trial being conducted on a property near Charters Towers may answer a question often asked by graziers - can sustainable grazing management be economic in a variable environment?
Results from the trial will be presented at the Queensland Landcare Conference in Barcaldine on 5 August.
The DPI's Sustainable Grazing Systems team in Charters Towers is hoping to change the perception that sustainable grazing practices are uneconomic. The trials on 'Wambiana Station' aim to assess the ability of different grazing strategies to cope with rainfall variablity, to develop new, practical grazing strategies and to demonstrate the benefits of sustainable management.
Team leader Peter O'Reagain said rainfall variability was a major challenge to sustainable grazing management. 'While strategies to manage for rainfall variability exist, they are not widely adopted due, in part, to a perception that they unviable,' he said
Dr. O'Reagain will present data showing these perceptions are incorrect and that there are economic and ecological advantages to adopting sustainable grazing strategies.
To find out more about the grazing trial and other exciting workshops at the Landcare conference, contact Kerri at the Desert Uplands office on 4651 2160 or visit the Desert Uplands web site.
Protecting critical habitat
Does the regional ecosystem map of your property have strange lines drawn on it showing 'critical habitat areas'?
These areas are the known locations of plants and some animals that are endangered, vulnerable or rare.
The Environmental Protection Agency has collated all available knowledge about known locations of these species and supplied it to the Department of Natural Resources and Mines to try to protect and conserve these threatened species.
While some landholders may be concerned that the whole world can now know about what is on their property, they should also feel pride because their management has helped maintain these unique species.
Landholders may source funding through Envirofund or the Desert Uplands On-ground Nature Conservation program to maintain these critical habitat areas on their properties.
If timber on these parts of a property has thickened considerably, thinning may benefit the natural habitat. The Vegetation Management Act may permit thinning of critical habitat. Landholders should apply on a case-by-case basis to ensure that any thinning is permissible.
Partnerships to save soil
A new partnership between the Department of Natural Resources and Mines and the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee will see soil conservation services for landholders in NR&M's south-west region retained.
NR&M and QMDC have committed funds and time to support the equivalent of two full-time and one part-time soil conservation officers. QMDC will also employ two soil conservation trainees and NR&M will provide training support.
QMDC's Regional Land Management Coordinator, Bob Walker, and NR&M's soil experts, Ian Heiner and John Gray, will make up the management team.
'Initially we aim to develop a process for prioritising the soil conservation services across the region. Ultimately, departmental staff and QMDC trainees will work together with landholders on properties to plan coordinated run-off designs, implement soil conservation structures and advise on land management practices that minimise surface run-off,' Mr Walker said.
This service is predominantly available to groups of landholders actively cooperating to implement soil conservation measures across the region. Email QMDC on 4637 6270.
Program bankrolls improved water use
A new, $180,000 Rural Water Use Efficiency (RWUE) program aimed at improving water use across the Queensland Border Rivers and Maranoa-Balonne catchments is drawing significant interest, with more than 30 local irrigators lodging applications.
The program, which is run by the QMDC, offers financial assistance to irrigators to improve irrigation systems and help with water audits, training and follow-up monitoring. The program is being delivered with support from RWUE II Cotton and Growcom.
Program coordinator Michelle Prendergast said the program was open to any irrigators in the Queensland Border Rivers and Maranoa-Balonne catchments.
Applications are still being accepted. Contact the Border Rivers Catchment Management and Landcare Centre on 4671 7900 for an application package.
Open the floodgates: Queensland set to benefit from Water Fund
$200 million will be available through the Australian Government's Water Fund over the next five years.
Assuming an equal spread of funding across this period and across the states, an average of $40 million a year will be available Australia-wide. If Queensland received a 20% share, this would mean $8 million a year for Queensland communities.
With the maximum grant set at $50,000, this means at least 160 Queensland proposals should be successful each year.
Local governments, schools, Indigenous organisations and community groups are eligible to apply for funding for projects that promote a culture of wise water use and demonstrate water-saving solutions.
So if you have a good idea for a project, make sure you get your application in. Round 1 closes Tue 4 October.
For more information, see the Community Water Grants web site or call 1800 780 730.
Guide answers chemical questions
Need to know about chemicals? The National Chemical Reference Guide provides practical and easy-to-understand explanations about chemical standards and guidelines.
The guide is available on-line through the federal Department of the Environment and Heritage web site
Chemicals, whether natural or man-made, are a central part of our daily life. Their benefits include increased agricultural and industrial productivity and improvements in the control of disease. But they also have the potential to cause health and environmental problems throughout their life cycle, from production through to disposal.
This guide is a valuable resource for anyone interested in chemical standards and guidelines, particularly newcomers to this area.
'Courageous Conversation' considers conservation conundrums
The Gondwana Centre is hosting a five-day forum called 'Sustainable Futures and Resilient Communities: Courageous Conversation between Policy, Industry and Community Leaders' from 22-26 August.
The forum's impressive line-up of presenters includes Dr John Williams (CSIRO/ Wentworth Group) and Robyn Williams (ABC Radio Science guru).
The forum is aimed at policy makers and influencers, industry (especially development, agriculture and energy sectors), educators, cultural development workers, scientists, researchers and community and environmental activists.
For more info see the Gondwana Centre web site.
Enterprising rural women share stories
More than 56% of staff in regional NRM bodies are women so a networking event for rural women should be of great interest.
This event on 1 August from 11.30am to 3.00pm at Wedgetail Ridge Estate, Kingsthorpe-Haden Rd, Kingsthorpe (near Toowoomba) coincides with the launch of the national Rural Women's Award sponsored by the Rural Industry Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC).
Guests will can meet past award winners and runners-up and access information about applying for this prestigious award.
Guest speakers include Martha Shepherd, from Galeru and Heather Simpson, from Maleny Cheese. Georgie Somerset, Durong Country Beef, will be interviewed by former ABC journalist Edwina Clowes about how they have built their niche food businesses.
The cost is $25. A light lunch featuring local produce and Wedgetail Ridge Estate wines will be provided.
Bookings are essential so contact Susan Jones on 3239 3515 for more details. RSVP by 25 July.
Applications open for rural women's award
Applications for the 2006 RIRDC Rural Women's Award open on 1 August and close on World Rural Women's Day, 15 October.
Winners receive $10,000 and the opportunity to attend a week-long Australian Institute of Company Directors' course in Canberra.
Applicants will also be in the running to win the DPI&F Elaine Brough Bursary of $5,000.
For the first time in the award's seven year history, Queensland winners will be in the running to be named overall Australian winner.
For more information phone 3239 3515 or visit the Rural Women's Award web site.
Songs from the deep found to be meaningful
Ever had a song you just can't get out of your head?
Off the Queensland coast, scientist Dr Mike Noad is heading up one of the biggest whale research missions in the world. He and his 30-strong crew are determined to find out which whales are singing and what they're singing about.
And Dr Noad's surprising finding - humpback whales have culture.
Culture is defined as any sort of behaviour that is learnt and passed on. Before this research, only primates, birds and elephants had ever passed a culture test convincingly.
Humpbacks are the only whales that truly sing. They have themes in their songs a bit like the verses of a human song. Typically, in any one year there are up to seven themes and all the whales in the population sing the same song composed of the same themes.
The 1996 song from the west coast whales was quiet different for the 1996 song on the east coast. However, the following year all the east coast whales were humming the west coast tune.
This was stunning proof that songs are learned. Whales have joined primates and birds at the top of the animal culture pops.
To view the full story, visit the ABC web site.
Meet the relatives
Looking for a holiday with a difference or just a break from the usual primates?
Conservation Volunteers Australia is looking for volunteers to help monitor baboon families in South Africa. The tour, which will take place from 26 September to 10 October, is part of CVA's World Conservation Program.
This is the third year that CVA have been involved in the baboon monitoring project in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. The project is providing information for the development of conservation plans for baboons, whose habitat is threatened by development.
The 15-day tour costs $1100, which includes accommodation and meals. For further information on the South African baboon monitoring tour, other World Conservation Program or local CVA activities, call Emily Brash on 07 3846 0893 or visit the CVA web site.
Soil Science Society celebrates 50 years with lecture and anniversary dinner
The Queensland Branch of the Australian Soil Science Society will present the Ron McDonald memorial lecture and a dinner to celebrate 50 years as a professional society on Friday 29 July.
The Ron McDonald lecture will feature Mike Grundy on the topic of '50 years of land resource assessment - what's changed and what does the future hold'.
At the anniversary dinner the society will launch the State Soil chosen for Queensland - the highly prized Vertosol, renowned for its fertility, moisture-holding capacity and high levels of agricultural production.
The venue is Hillstone (formerly the St Lucia Golf Club), Carawa St, St Lucia. The Ron McDonald lecture is free and goes from 3pm until 5pm. Dinner starts at 6pm and costs $50.
RSVP for both events to Angus McElnea on 3896 9331 or email Angus McElnea.
Symposium hops into community engagement
Here's an event that should get you hopping. 'Capacity building for sustainable resource management - moving a wheelbarrow full of frogs' discusses the difficulties of engaging NRM stakeholders and getting them to move toward a common goal.
The symposium, to be held in Toowoomba on 28-29 September, is aimed at people from regional NRM bodies, Landcare and conservation groups, private consultants, government agencies, researchers, industry and land managers - anybody involved in natural resource management.
Keynote speakers include Janice Jiggins, Niels Roling and Andrew Campbell.
The symposium organisers invite papers on themes related to community engagement. For more information, see the Australasia-Pacific Extension Network web site.
Get a job! Regional body seeks community representative
The Burdekin Dry Tropics Board is looking for a community rep from the Desert Uplands.
The successful applicant would have to provide advice to the board on decisions affecting that part of the region, liaise with a broad range of groups and be a link between the board and the local community.
Remuneration is $2400 p.a + travel expenses. Applications close Friday 22 July.
For more information on the Burdekin Dry Tropics Board, phone 4724 3544 or visit the Burdekin Dry Tropics web site. To find out more about the Desert Uplands Committee, phone 4651 1002.
Selection criteria and further information are available by email from Louise Gronold, Coordinator, Desert Uplands Committee, phone 46511 002.
We welcome your input and feedback on this newsletter. If you have any contributions, comments or suggestions please contact Carl Glen or Paul Rees.
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