The Bugle - 12 August 2005
In news this week
Regional body stories
- Indigenous representation on board of management
- Two new faces join the ranks
- Where's the salt? Mapping salinity in the Fitzroy Basin
- Coastal land managers catch new wave of funds
- Double victory for Desert Uplands at this year's Landcare Awards
- Two wins in the Gulf
Government updates
- QPWS attacks pests and fires
- Qld timber industry recognised for environmental practices
- How much is your property worth?
- $100 000 available for community NRM
Natural resources news
- Enrol now for Weedbuster week
- Become a Rhodes or Fulbright scholar
- Salinity from the ground up – NSW PUR$L Workshop 2005
- A sight for sore eyes: Study finds best views in SEQ
- Going, going, gone! The scuttling of the ex-HMAS Brisbane
Indigenous representation on board of management
The Burnett Mary Regional Group for Natural Resource Management (BMRG) officially inducted two interim Indigenous representatives to the BMRG board.
The BMRG has been working with the Indigenous community and now have indigenous representation on its board.
Mal Collinge, Djakunde & Jangerie Jangerie Corporation and Lurline Henderson of the Kabi Kabi People were nominated by the interim working group of the region’s traditional owner groups. They will represent the interests of the Indigenous community in the region in relation to NRM.
The BMRG has upgraded some of its computers and donated the old systems to Kabi Kabi People, Bundaberg Media Aboriginal Corporation and Gayndah Landcare.
As a non-government, non-profit organisation, BMRG is working with the community, industry and local government to manage, restore, use, and conserve the diverse and highly valuable natural resources of the vast Burnett Mary region.
For more information about BMRG on-ground activities visit the BMRG website or phone them on 4132 8333.
Two new faces in the ranks
The regional arrangements program have two new chief executive officers. Vickie Webb commenced in the CEO position at South West NRM on the 1 August, while Southern Gulf has appointed Julia Shadlow-Batha as their new executive officer.
We welcome them both to healthy regional arrangements, which has more than $180 million being invested in Queensland's regional NRM projects such as Natural Heritage Trust Extension (the Trust), National Action Plan Salinity and Water Quality (NAPSWQ), National Landcare Program (NLP), Wetlands program, 10 Year Partnership ‘Looking After Country Together' and Reef Water Quality Protection Plan.
Where's the salt? Mapping salinity in the Fitzroy Basin
Land managers will be able to make more informed decisions when a salinity risk assessment for the Fitzroy Basin is completed in June 2006.
Department of Natural Resources and Mines (NR&M) principal land resources officer Mike Grundy said soil and groundwater information will be used to map the risk that current land use poses to salinity.
Funded by the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAPSWQ), this project will be run by the Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA), NR&M and CSIRO Land and Water.
FBA's Gavin Peck said a better understanding of local salinity processes will help improve cropping practices and target revegetation.
Mr Peck said a Fitzroy Basin salinity hazard map would play a vital role in helping to meet land use and water resource targets in FBA's catchment plan.
For more information about FBA on-ground activities visit the FBA website or phone them on 4999 2800.
Coastal land managers catch new wave of funds
Land managers in the Greater Alligator Creek catchment will receive more than $114 000 to help manage their land and water resources.
Coordinator of the Fitzroy River and Coastal Catchments Inc. (FRCC) Fiona Anderson applauded the 19 land manager that took part in the neighbourhood catchment program.
Fiona said staff within the Alligator Creek, Hedlow Creek and the Woodbury Bungundarra area worked extremely hard in this coastal area where there is a diversity of agriculture and a wide range of activities being funded.
These include riparian fencing and off-stream watering on grazing properties; water use efficiency initiatives on horticulture properties; property planning on dairy properties; and a catchment wide approach to manage giant rats tail grass.
Funding for this program is provided by the Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA) through the National Action Plan for Salinity & Water Quality and the Natural Heritage Trust.
Acting FBA Chief Executive Officer Claire Rodgers said it is good to see on-ground work underway that supports the sustainable landscape actions in the community's regional catchment plan.
For more information about FBA on-ground activities visit the FBA website or phone them on 4999 2800.
Double victory for Desert Uplands at this year's Landcare Awards
Some 240 people descended on the historic Australian Workers' Heritage Centre in Barcaldine to celebrate the 2005 Queensland Landcare Awards held as part of the 16th annual state Landcare Conference.
The Desert Uplands Build Up and Development Strategy Committee celebrated a double victory. The group took out the nature conservation award and they also hosted the gala event.
Supporting more than 70 individual on-ground projects to date, the committee has inspired land managers and built the region's capacity in areas such as weed management, property mapping and understanding landscape ecology.
Chair of the Queensland Landcare Foundation Geoff Penton praised the work of the group saying "their ability to engage local landholders, indigenous communities and state and local government should be held up as an example of how far Landcare has come over the years".
Geoff also praised the awards ceremony saying that coordinating the event in a remote part of Queensland was challenging. The group demonstrated their partnership approach by engaging the local community to help bring the event to reality.
To find out more about the Queensland Landcare awards visit the Queensland Water and Land Carers website.
Two wins in the Gulf
The Carpentaria Ghost Net program has taken out the Coastcare community award and the Northern Gulf Indigenous Savanna Group won the Indigenous community award.
Guided by a 10 year "caring for country" vision, the Northern Gulf Indigenous Savanna Group is an inspiring example of people working together.
Among other things, the group promotes cross-cultural awareness, partnerships, GPS and GIS training and access to country.
All of the language groups either have, or are producing, a development plan for their community which records aspirations for country and the activities needed to achieve this.
While in Arnhem Land, traditional owners recall a total absence of nets on their beaches 20 years ago and now each community is developing its own actions to remove ghost nets and record information.
This will assist state and Australian government agencies to form policies to reduce the source of pollution.
These awards honour the proactive approach of these two groups.
To find out more about the Queensland Landcare awards visit the Queensland Water and Land Carers website.
QPWS attacks pests and fires
The Queensland Government is continuing to invest in the battle against animal and plant pests and to reduce fire risks in national parks and state forests throughout Queensland.
Environment Minister Desley Boyle announced the next round of the state government's $6 million, three-year funding commitment to contain pests and improve fire control in protected areas managed by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS).
The funding will specifically target pests and fire hazards, which can adversely affect neighbouring land managers.
Fire control is essential to ensure that national parks and other protected areas do not pose a risk to visitors or neighbours. They are also confident these persistent efforts will help to bring the plant invader problem under control within three years and QPWS is serious about winning the battle against these pests.
Ms Boyle acknowledged the cooperative working relationship between QPWS rangers region NRM bodies, councils, neighbouring land managers, local Landcare groups and Land Protection officers of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines.
Qld timber industry recognised for environmental practices
The Queensland Government's forest grower, DPI Forestry, has secured formal recognition as one of the world's leading environmental agencies and forest managers, giving the State's $2.7 billion per annum industry a trading advantage overseas.
DPI Forestry produced 84% of Queensland's log timber, providing the resource for an industry that directly employees more than 19 000 people, has a yearly turnover of $2.7 billion a a year earns $215 million for Queensland in overseas export income.
DPI Forestry has obtained certification to the Australian Forestry Standard (AFS) allowing Queensland's timber industry access to a "chain of custody" process for green labelling their products as coming from sustainably managed forest resources when sourced from DPI Forestry.
Almost 3.3 million hectares of forests covered by DPI Forestry's AFS certification, the organisation's achievement has effectively doubled the area of Australian forest now covered by the standard, which totals 5.1 million hectares.
DPI Forestry's AFS certification was formally presented during the XXII International Union of Forestry Research Organisations (IUFRO) World Congress held in Brisbane this week.
How much is your property worth?
People wanting to buy or sell a house should check out the Queensland Government's Pavilion at the Ekka, being held 11-20 August 2005.
The Department of Natural Resources and Mines will showcase the 'information-smart' products SmartMap, the Sunmap Raster CDs and selected titles in the Sunmap Regional Map series.
These products can be purchased from the Department's stand and they enable homebuyers to research recent sales information or help holidaymakers plan their next trip.
Sunmap regional maps highlight tourist attractions, information on the region, climate, events and national parks.
Minister of Natural Resources and Mines Henry Palaszczuk is encouraging everyone to come and try out the information-smart products at the Queensland Government Pavilion.
More information on SmartMap, Sunmap Raster CDs and Sunmap Regional Maps can be found on the department's website, or at NR&M customer service centres.
$100 000 available for community NRM
Natural Resources and Mines Minister Henry Palaszczuk has urged local Landcare and catchment management groups to put forward their most innovative ideas when they apply for a share of the state government's $100,000 annual grants program.
The 2006 theme for the community grants program is 'Queenslanders, naturally resourceful' and once again funding is provided for community groups to undertake local projects that strengthen awareness and involvement in sustainable NRM.
Grants of up to $2 500 are available to develop small, innovative and creative promotional projects.
Applications for grants close on 28 October and successful applicants have until the end of May 2006 to complete their projects which will feature during Queensland Resources Week.
Guidelines and applications forms are available from the Department of Natural Resources and Mines website.
Interested parties can obtain application kits by telephoning the Natural Resource Management Arrangements team on 3239 3860.
Enrol now for Weedbuster week
Weedbuster Week will take place between 8 and 15 October across Australia and New Zealand this year.
Weedbusters Australia works with the community to achieve sustainable land and water management, primarily through increased public involvement in weed management, education and awareness projects.
You are invited to register your event on the Australian Weedbusters website. Detailed information of organised events can also be found on this web site.
New Zealand has also launched a Weedbuster site which you may be interesting in viewing. You can visit this site at the New Zealand Weedbusters website.
Become a Rhodes or Fulbright scholar
Applications to study at the University of Oxford in 2006 are now open. The Rhodes Trust offers 11 scholarships in Australia each year, one awarded in each state and five for Australia at large. Applications close 1 September.
Find out more by visiting the University of Queensland website.
Fulbright scholarship grants are awarded to Australian students, scholars and professionals to study, teach, lecture and conduct research in the Unites States.
These grants are awarded each year to individuals who are selected on the basis of academic excellence. Applications close 31 August.
Find out more by visiting the Fulbright website.
Salinity from the ground up – NSW PUR$L Workshop 2005
Two NSW catchment management authorities are hosting a regionally focussed salinity workshop with the support of the national PUR$L committee. The event is planned for 25- 27 October and will be held in Wellington & Cowra NSW.
The hosts have three themes for discussion and papers are being invited to specifically address these three themes:
- "Who pays for whose benefits?"
- "How do we target investment and activity at a catchment scale?"
- "How do we put a land management system together on a mixed farm?"
For further information please contact Andrew Wooldridge on 02 6341 9126 or Allan Nicholson on 02 6840 7803.
A sight for sore eyes: Study finds best views in SEQ
Reports from stage one of the SEQ Regional Scenic Amenity Study are now available. These reports represent public opinions about the scenic views of South East Queensland (SEQ).
The report is the result of the participation of many people across the south east region over the past 14 months. The study involved most local governments, Queensland Government agencies, professional associations, universities and members of the public.
There are four reports from the Scenic SEQ 2004 Public Preference Survey:
• Report 1 – Overview of the Scenic SEQ 2004 Public Preference Survey
• Report 2 – Survey design and results
• Report 3 – Tools for site assessment of Scenic Preference Rating
• Report 4 – Applying tools to estimate Scenic Preference Rating.
The South East Regional Organisation of Councils (SEQROC) approved the results of stage one of the SEQ Regional Scenic Amenity Study to be used by councils for a 12 month period. Local government in SEQ will use the tools and reports to assess their use in planning and impact assessment studies.
At the end of this evaluation phase, local governments in SEQ will consider options for the second stage of the SEQ Regional Scenic Amenity Study, which would develop maps showing the location of areas with high scenic amenity and develop guidelines for managing their scenic values.
Going, going, gone! The scuttling of the ex-HMAS Brisbane
Within minutes the ex-HMAS Brisbane artificial reef and dive site became another jewel in Queensland's already impressive tourism crown, making headlines around the world.
The ex-HMAS Brisbane or Steel Cat, as it was affectionately known by its former crew members, was scuttled 2.5 nautical miles east of Mudjimba Island, Sunshine Coast at 10.15 am on 31 July.
The ship effortlessly slipped away in two minutes and 10 seconds finding its resting place 27 metres under the water.
A new conservation park, the ex-HMAS Brisbane Conservation Park, will protect the artificial reef and dive site, which will become a centrepiece for dive tourism offering a range of diving activities and limited snorkelling opportunities.
It is estimated up to 10 000 dives will be made on the Brisbane each year, bringing more tourist dollars to Sunshine Coast restaurants, resorts and attractions.
We welcome your input and feedback on this newsletter. If you have any contributions, comments or suggestions please contact Carl Glen or Paul Rees.
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