The Bugle - 16 December 05
In news this week
- SEQ investment strategy recommended to Ministers
- GIS technology helps Queensland farmers manage their natural resources
Government updates
- New Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister appointed
- Be alert, not alarmed: Fridge magnet gives a hand to help the land
- More money: Grants raise community awareness
- Yet more money: Round 2 of market-based instruments program announced
- Even more money: Protecting rivers a priority for government
- Still more money: Queenslands Water and Land Carers to receive $200,000
- Public urged to go Wild about Rivers
- NRM communicators: are you interested in joining an email discussion group?
Reef news
Natural resources news
- Don't pick up hitchhikers...
- Ecosystem and vegetation maps updated
- Queensland's new Indigenous Cultures Centre opens
This is the last edition of The Bugle for 2005. Thanks for your interest and support throughout the year, and special thanks to those readers who contributed stories and those who sent compliments.
We hope you have a happy and safe break and come back refreshed and inspired in the new year.
The Bugle will return mid January.
SEQ investment strategy recommended to Ministers
The JSC has recommended Ministers approve the consolidated regional investment strategy for the new SEQ Catchments region.
The $8.39 million strategy will guide NRM investment in the region from 1 January 2006 to 30 June 2007.
SEQ Catchments was formed by the merger of the South East Queensland and Western Catchments regions. The consolidated investment strategy was put together from the two former regions' approved investment strategies.
JSC is the joint Commonwealth and State committee that oversees regional NRM funding.
GIS technology helps Queensland farmers manage their natural resources
Queensland farmers can use sophisticated GIS technology to improve the way they manage their land’s natural resources through a new deal organised by Queensland's regional NRM groups.
The regional NRM groups have negotiated a significant discount with the GIS software developer, ESRI Australia, that provides Queensland landholders with GIS software that will enable them to create, edit and interpret natural resource information for their land.
This will provide local land managers with tools that can process, display and analyse information about their land to help them manage it better and make their properties more sustainable.
The deal will also include comprehensive support and skills development provided by the associated regional NRM groups in conjunction with the Queensland Rural Industry Training Council.
The arrangement between the regional NRM groups and ESRI is part of the worldwide ESRI Conservation Program, the non-profit support arm of the developers of ESRI software. The ESRI Conservation Program has helped to create and develop spatial analysis, computer mapping and geographic information system capabilities among thousands of non-profit organisations and individual projects of all sizes and types around the world.
For more information, phone Michael Digby from the Northern Gulf regional NRM group on 4062 1330.
New Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister appointed
New Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin's first priority will be to "get out and about".
"I will be meeting with representatives of key industry groups as soon as possible, both in Brisbane and in rural and regional Queensland to familiarise myself first-hand with the issues confronting our farmers, growers, graziers and fishermen,'' Mr Mulherin said.
Mr Mulherin is the Member for Mackay, a major sugar growing area of Queensland. He was born and has lived most of his life in Mackay and was elected to State Parliament in 1995.
He is a member of the Public Accounts Committee and a member of the Parliamentary Mines, Energy and Regional Development; Primary Industries; Natural Resources and Rural Communities committees.
Be alert, not alarmed: Fridge magnet gives a hand to help the land
Spreading the word about the many funding opportunities to help land holders protect their natural resources is the aim of a new fridge magnet available from the Department of Natural Resources and Mines.
The fridge magnet, in the shape of a human hand, has the message "Want a hand to look after your land? Check funding opportunties at www.regionalnrm.qld.gov.au".
If you would like copies of the fridge magnet to distribute to interested people and organisations, please contact NR&M's Beth Clouston on 3224 7734.
More Money: Grants raise community awareness
Community groups across the state are planning to show their creative colours next year to raise awareness of the importance of our natural resources.
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Henry Palaszczuk has announced funding for 21 projects totalling more than $40,000 under the 2006 Community Natural Resource Awareness Activity Grants Program.
Nine of the projects are located in south-east Queensland, five in south-west Queensland, three in the central west area and four in the far north.
"These projects will culminate in and around Natural Resources Week, from 13-20 May, with public activities from Cairns to Charleville as varied as a school song and rap competition to constructing a drought tolerant garden, and nature trails to a plant calendar and stage play about wetlands," he said.
"It's wonderful to see so many schools and local councils getting involved this time – especially as our week coincides with Local Government Week in 2006. I am always amazed at the capacity of the community to turn a small amount of money into a original activity of lasting benefit."
Mr Palaszczuk said the Department of Natural Resources and Mines' program supported Landcare, community and natural resource management groups to take an educational, entertainment or cultural approach to the 2006 community grants theme "Queenslanders - naturally resourceful."
The successful applicants were:
Far North Queensland
- Hambledon State School $2450
- Trinity Inlet Catchment Management Association $2500
- Mitchell River Watershed Management Group $2145
- Miriwinni State School $1425
Central Queensland
- Pioneer Integrated Catchment Management Association $2500
- Sarina Landcare Catchment Management Association $2500
- Whitsunday Rivers ICM Association $1650
South-east Queensland
- Cooloola Coastcare Association $2500
- Barung Landcare Association $2500
- Kolan Shire Landcare Association $1640
- Petrie Creek Catchment Care Group $2500
- Queensland Landcare Foundation $2500
- Holland Park Primary School $2430
- Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee $2400
- Coomera River Catchment Group $2000
- Northeast Albert Landcare Catchment Group $2000
South-west Queensland
- Centenary Heights State High School $2500
- Toowoomba Landcare Group $2500
- South West Natural Resource Management Group $2500
- Tara and District Landcare Group $2500
- Murilla Landcare Group $2500
Yet more money: Round 2 of market-based instruments program announced
The Australian Ministers for the Environment and Heritage, and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry have announced funding for a second round of market-based instruments pilot projects.
Market-based instruments are "tools" that use things like trading, auctions and differential pricing to encourage positive behaviour and deter undesirable activities. They work by altering market prices, setting caps or altering quantities of a particular item, improving the way a market works, or creating a market where none exists. They are increasingly being applied to environmental problems.
The pilot program is a joint initiative of the Commonwelath, state and territory governments under the National Action Plan on Salinity and Water Quality.
There will be a national call for projects in the new year.
Eleven projects were funded in the first round. They included tradeable pollution permits, auctions, offset schemes, attracting private funds and insurance markets. They addressed dryland salinity, irrigation salinity, water quality and biodiversity in most states, including Queensland. A number of final reports from round 1 projects can be found on the NAP MBI web site and other reports are being added as they are endorsed.
An evaluation of Round 1 of Market-based Instruments Pilot Program undertaken by Professor Quentin Grafton is also on this site. An interim report summarising the lessons from completed or nearly completed pilots will be available on the site after 20 December.
The full text of the Ministers' announcement is available on the DEH web site.
For more information, contact Ray Baker on 3239 0690.
Even more money: Protecting rivers a priority for government
Flood mitigation, management of riparian zones and improvement projects for streams and waterways will be funded under the Queensland Government's $8 million river improvement program.
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Henry Palaszczuk has approved the following funding:
- Burkekin Shire River Trust $301,000
- Boonah River Trust $35,000
- Cairns River Trust $243,000
- Caldwell Shire River Trust $230,000
- Douglas shire River Trust $167,375
- Herbert River $792,830
- Ipswich River Trust $3.64 million
- Johnstone Shire River $355,000
- Wambo Shire River Trust $50,000
- Warwick Shire River $245,667
- Whitsunday River Trust $178,900.
Still more money: Queenslands Water and Land Carers to receive $200,000
The Queensland Government has signed an agreement to provide $200,000 to Queensland Water and Land Carers.
This money will allow QWaLC to continue to operate as a peak body representing local NRM groups in Queensland.
This is the second year of a three-year funding agreement between the Department of Natural Resources and Mines and QWaLC.
Public urged to go Wild about Rivers
Public submissions are being sought for the Queensland Government's nominations of the first six areas for protection protected under the Wild Rivers Act.
Natural Resources and Mines Minister Henry Palaszczuk, who announced the nominations last week, said it was important for stakeholders and the wider community to examine the declaration proposals and make comments.
"Of the six catchments nominated for declaration, four are in the remote Gulf country in the State's north-west. They include Settlement Creek, the Morning Inlet and the Gregory and Staaten rivers. The other two areas nominated are Hinchinbrook and Fraser islands," he said.
"Preserving our wild rivers will ensure these valuable natural assets are retained for the enjoyment of current and future generations.
"It will also allow rivers to protect and enhance existing industries, such as fishing and eco-tourism, which rely on natural values".
Public submissions for the proposed Hinchinbrook Wild River area are due on 10 February 2006 and submissions for the proposed Fraser Island Wild River area are due on 17 February. Submissions for the proposed Settlement, Gregory, Morning Inlet and Staaten Wild River areas are due on 24 February.
Copies of the declaration proposals can be found on the NR&M web site.
NRM communicators: are you interested in joining an email discussion group?
The Department of Natural Resources and Mines maintains an email group for regional body communication officers to share information. This group is open only to regionial bodies' communication officers in Queensland.
It has been suggested that a similar email list for communication officers in the broader NRM area - for example, communication officers in peak bodies, industry groups, research organisations and government departments - should be established.
In The Bugle last week, we asked communication officers who thought this was a good idea and would like to be on such a list to contact us.
So far we've only had a few responses. We are happy to set up the list but won't do so unless there is sufficient interest. If you would like to be on the list, please email Paul Rees by COB Friday 23 December.
Reef research needs identified
Questions about water quality, land use and the health of Queensland's nearshore coral reefs are a step closer to being answered after the Consortium of Integrated Resource Management (CIRM) released a discussion paper on research and development.
The discussion paper describes where further research is needed for the next three to five years to support the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan.
Professor Greenfield and Mr Robson from CIRM said: "While much good work has already been done, new research is required to develop more sophisticated catchment and catchment to reef models to obtain a better understanding of the dynamic linkages between climate variability and changes in land use management practices, water quality and the health of marine ecosystems."
They noted the need to improve water quality monitoring and develop simple but effective performance measures to enhance reporting on water quality condition and trends.
The CIRM Reef Catchments Working Group, which includes the CIRM partners plus other research agencies and regional NRM bodies, prepared the discussion paper, Future research and development needs to improve water quality in the Great Barrier Reef Catchments, which is available on the CIRM web site.
Compilation shows Reef R&D
The Consortium of Integrated Resource Management (CIRM) has launched a compilation of research and development projects in the Great Barrier Reef catchments which will assist in the implementation of the Reef Plan.
"The compilation is the first time such a comprehensive collection of research projects related to the impact on water quality within the catchments draining to the Great Barrier Reef has been produced," CIRM's Professor Greenfield said.
"This will help researchers, policy makers and land managers to easily find out what research is currently underway in the reef catchments and improve coordination and collaboration on science projects designed to progress implementation of the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan."
CIRM has identified more than 350 research projects in reef catchments, covering a range of topics to improve our knowledge for managing sediment and nutrient inputs from broad-scale land use and improving water quality in rivers flowing to the Great Barrier Reef.
Many of the projects focus on developing best management practices for agricultural industries, such as sugar and banana production or cattle grazing, while others consider the social and economic factors motivating or inhibiting the adoption of best management practices.
The report, Current research and development in the Great Barrier Reef Catchments, can be found on the CIRM web site.
Reef study to focus on carbon dioxide
A world-first study into the effects of carbon dioxide on the Great Barrier Reef has been announced.
The Great Barrier Reef Research Foundation has been granted $1 million by mining company Comalco to investigate the impact of ocean acidification.
The foundation's Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg said high levels of carbon dioxide in the ocean were making the water more acidic but the effect on marine animals was not yet known.
"What we are seeing now is that we are getting the industrial might that's starting to say, 'okay, lets now solve that problem'," Professor Hoegh-Guldberg said.
"The scientists have to work with people who are shaping the way that we do things and only then can we get some serious solutions."
Prof Hoegh-Guldberg said small aquariums would be used to see the effects of acidification on marine life.
The Great Barrier Reef is under threat from a number of human-made causes. The source of acidification could be rain or river water entering the reef catchment.
The Reef Water Quality Protection Plan has been produced by the Australian and Queensland Governments in partnership with industry and regional NRM bodies to help reduce and reverse the decline in the quality of water entering the Reef.
Don't pick up hitchhikers...
The Department of Natural Resources and Mines has warned Christmas holiday-makers about the environmental dangers posed by everyday activities such as caravanning and four wheel driving.
NR&M Principal Land Protection Officer Greg Jones said weeds were relentless hitchhikers, and holiday-makers needed to be on their guard.
"Every time a vehicle goes off the road there is the potential to pick up weeds in or on the vehicle," Mr Jones said.
"Clothing and footwear, even a pet's coat can pick up seeds and deposit them at the next place you visit."
Mr Jones said two of Central Queensland's most invasive declared weeds, Parthenium and Giant Rats Tail Grass were notorious hitchhikers.
"Weeds cost Queensland primary industries more than $500 million dollars each year and the community and environment a further incalculable amount. Prevention is better than cure and with a little effort we can reduce the burden.
"When travelling, keep to roads and tracks, and before leaving an area, make sure you remove mud, seeds and plant parts from cars, trailers and caravans. You should also check boats and watercraft."
Mr Jones said many local councils throughout Queensland provided washdown facilities where vehicle owners could remove weed seeds.
To help reduce the spread of weeds, information sheets about declared pests are available on the NR&M web site or simply visit a local Council or NR&M office in your travels.
Ecosystem and vegetation maps updated
Updated regional ecosystem and remnant vegetation maps for Queensland have been released by the State Government.
Department of Natural Resources and Mines Director of Vegetation Management, Leslie Shirreffs, said the maps showed the status and extent of remnant vegetation for all of Queensland.
"Remnant vegetation is often found in areas where the dominant native vegetation layer has not been obviously disturbed," Ms Shirreffs said.
"These maps clearly show non remnant vegetation as white areas, which is invaluable to graziers, primary producers and other landholders who want to apply to NR&M for a clearing permit.
"The updated maps help to classify and understand landscapes, identifying vegetation types in different geographical areas. They show the current conservation status of vegetation eg: 'endangered', 'of concern' or 'not of concern'."
The updated maps have replaced previous versions and become law under the Vegetation Management Act.
Landholders can view the new maps at any NR&M regional office. Alternatively, paper maps can be ordered at any NR&M service centre.
Copies of the updated maps can also be downloaded for free from the EPA web site.
Queensland's new Indigenous Cultures Centre opens
A new $760 000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures Centre at Queensland Museum has opened in Brisbane.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy John Mickel said the new centre, known as Dandiiri Maiwar (pronounced Dun-deer-ree May-wah), explores the histories and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders through the use of an exhibition space, a public open access collection, and a resource area.
"The word Dandiiri means to meet and Maiwar is the traditional name for the waterway now known as the Brisbane River. The two words have been selected to sit side by side as an invitation for people to come and meet near the river at the new centre," Mr Mickel said.
"It is very important that Queensland has a world-class showcase for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, so we can not only learn more about Indigenous cultures and histories ourselves, but we can teach the rest of the world.
"Hundreds of artefacts and photographs are displayed on Level 4 of Queensland Museum South Bank, and the centre uses personal and community stories to capture the spirit of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander past and present."
For more information about the centre, visit the Queensland Museum web site.
We welcome your input and feedback on this newsletter. If you have any contributions, comments or suggestions please contact Shona Strachan or Paul Rees.
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The Bugle is a weekly newsletter published by Natural Resource Management Arrangements, Natural Resources and Mines, highlighting regional natural resource management activities around Queensland.
Last updated 05 April 2006