The Bugle - 03 February 06
Regional NRM group stories
- Check it out! Burnett Mary's new web site goes live
- Landholders support land management tender
- Graziers shift from problem to solution for salinity
- Get a job...in the Torres Strait!
- Get a job...in the Murray-Darling!
Government updates
Natural Resources news
Wetlands news
- Go wild about wetlands on World Wetlands Day
- Wetlands funding announced
- Wetland profiles released
- New interactive wetlands display to be unveiled in Mackay this week
- Sandfly Creek Wetlands in spotlight as part of World Wetlands Week
- Reviving our Wetlands for World Wetlands Day
Reef news
Check it out! Burnett Mary's new web site goes live
The Burnett Mary Regional Group website has just had a complete makeover.
The new site is designed to be more user-friendly and provide more detailed information and services for members. New features are constantly being added, so be sure to check it regularly.
Go to the new Burnett Mary web site
Landholders support land management tender
Landholders on vulnerable brigalow lands in the Millmerran area have submitted 13 bids to attract funding from a grazing land management tender scheme being trialled by the Condamine Alliance, in partnership with the Social and Economic State-level Investment Project.
Under the scheme, graziers in the area were encouraged to tender for funds to help protect and enhance degraded brigalow country by submitting management plans to the Alliance.
The Condamine Alliance's George Lambert is working with Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries agricultural economist Rod Strahan and Millmerran Landcare coordinator Libby Gardiner to assess the bids and prepare contracts for the successful bidders.
Mr Lambert said an index had been developed for the scheme to assess the relative value of proposals, in line with the Condamine catchment NRM plan .
"This is a very good way of comparing what people are prepared to put into projects, which have some environmental significance and private good," he said.
This value index also uniquely compares values in terms of the public and/or private good arising from the projects. "It can also be tailored for specific requirements in an environmental region – in this case, it is weighted towards protection of remnant vegetation (brigalow), compared with pasture management," said Mr Strahan.
The proposed projects encompass protection of remnant vegetation and riparian areas; management and establishment of pasture; and control of weeds of national significance.
The Alliance has allocated $100,000 to the pilot scheme, which will also examine the longer term prospects via a stewardship arrangement. If successful, this approach will be rolled out across the catchment as part of the Alliance's grazing land management program.
For more information, phone George Lambert on 4620 0112.
Graziers shift from problem to solution for salinity
A program to curb the threat of salinity by encouraging graziers to change their management practices is showing results in the Condamine catchment.
The Condamine Alliance’s George Lambert is driving this change as part of a strategy to meet resource condition targets for salinity by influencing management in vulnerable areas. The aim is to avoid flow-on effects in adjacent or downstream areas.
Eighteen workshops have been held, with more than 200 grazing land managers attending.
The Grazing Land Management program has been introduced and is in the early stages of adoption across 168,000 hectares in the catchment, including 60% in the upland areas of the Brigalow-Jimbour Floodplain Landcare area, 60% of the North East Downs Landcare area and a significant area of the Chinchilla Landcare region.
The Condamine Alliance has subsidised the planting of perrennial pastures on 2000 ha. Read the full story on the Condamine Alliance web site.
Get a job...in the Torres Strait!
The Torres Strait Regional Authority is recruiting staff for its Land & Sea Management Unit.
There are two vacancies - a Land & Sea Management Coordinator and a Landcare Officer.
Applications close Thursday 23 February.
For further information or a copy of the position descriptions, contact Tony White at Precruitment on 4031 8388.
Get a j ob...in the Murray-Darling!
The Queensland Murray-Darling Committee is looking for a new Landcare Education Officer to be based in Goondiwindi.
The position plays an active role in developing, coordinating and delivering community education and communication activities, and in increasing the awareness of, and involvement in, NRM in the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin.
For further information or to download a position description, visit the QMDC web site.
Performance reports go under the microscope
The Learning and Evaluation Unit within NR&M has begun assessing the six-monthly performance reports submitted by regional NRM groups, State-level Investment Projects (SIPs) and Statewide projects.
The assessments will be completed in time for the Joint Queensland-Australian Government NRM Steering Committee's (JSC) meeting on 23-24 February.
JSC uses these reports to make decisions on how NRM funds will be invested.
These reports will help highlight the great work being done to manage, protect and restore our natural resources.
It would be appreciated if all outstanding components of performance reports are finalised and submitted as a matter of priority to assist in meeting JSC deadlines.
For more information about performance reporting, contact Nicole Blackett on 3224 2154.
Senate seeks public submissions on national parks
The Senate has invited public submissions to its inquiry into Australia's national parks, conservation reserves and marine protected areas
The terms of reference for the inquiry are to investigate the funding and resources available to meet the objectives of Australia's national parks, other conservation reserves and marine protected areas, with particular reference to:
- the values and objectives of Australia's national parks, other conservation reserves and marine protected areas
- whether governments are providing sufficient resources to meet those objectives and their management requirements
- any threats to the objectives and management of our national parks, other conservation reserves and marine protected areas
- the responsibilities of governments with regard to the creation and management of national parks, other conservation reserves and marine protected areas, with particular reference to long-term plans
- the record of governments with regard to the creation and management of national parks, other conservation reserves and marine protected areas.
Public submissions are due by Wednesday 1 March, with the inquiry to report by 30 November.
For more information, visit the Senate web site.
New web site offers information Vista
The new Vista web site offers users unprecedented access to information about natural resource management.
Vista was developed through the Queensland Integrated Regional Information System (QIRIS) project.
Vista's Liz Hardie said the web site's name was chosen after a statewide search.
"This name reflects the landscape view users see of natural resource management in Queensland. It’s also easy to remember," Liz said.
"It's been a challenging project, given the short times frames for the first release of Vista. We thank everyone for their patience and assistance in getting through this period, and would offer special thanks to those of you who have worked closely with us to make this happen."
Liz said Vista included general access sections, as well as areas that were currently restricted to a small audience of registered users.
"While the number of Vista users will grow, this early restricted-access group consists of regional NRM body staff nominated by their organisation; project staff of statewide projects, and staff from Natural Resource Management Arrangements," Liz said.
"Once you log in you will only be allowed to view the information for which you are authorised. For example, NRMA staff will see the level of information about projects that they would already normally see for contract management, fund administration and reporting purposes. Detailed project information will only be visible to those directly involved or responsible for the project. However, anyone will be able to see basic information about all projects happening in Queensland – which in itself is something new for Queensland."
"Vista is an evolutionary system, so if you should take the opportunity to have a visit, please feel free to send us any feedback about functionality or the quality of the data. As everyone is eager to see Vista working to its complete potential, we intend to keep working on Release 1 and are already getting stuck into developments for Release 2."
Visit the Vista web site
Go wild about wetlands on World Wetlands Day
February 2 marks World Wetlands Day as part of 2006 World Wetlands Week, which is an annual international promotion to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the Ramsar Convention on the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
This year’s theme is Wetlands and water – supporting life and sustainable livelihoods.
The Queensland Wetlands Programme is a joint five-year initiative of the Australian and Queensland Governments to support initiatives that will result in long-term benefits to the sustainable use, management, conservation and protection of Queensland’s wetlands.
The Queensland Wetlands Programme will be gearing up efforts over the next six months to engage regional NRM groups and others. The Programme will link and support wetland initiatives by regional NRM groups and the actions set-up by the Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Protection Plan.
Wetlands funding announced
The Australian Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, and the Queensland Ministers for the Environment, Desley Boyle, and Natural Resources, Mines and Water, Henry Palaszczuk, announced new project funding of $2.4 million cash from the Australian Government and matched by Queensland Government in-kind support.
The funding comes from the Australian and Queensland governments $15 million Natural Heritage Trust Wetlands Programme.
The funding will support a range of projects running to 2008 including:
$1.3 million to develop and implement a grazing management package to balance efficient pasture management with wetlands management
nearly $1.1 million to progress the Queensland Wetland Inventory project to enable existing and new information to be incorporated into the state wetland inventory database
$180,000 to develop a toolbox of wetland assessment methods and guidelines to assist landholders and enable local government and regional bodies to administer wetland initiative and controls.
Read the Ministers' full statement
Wetland profi les released
Under the Queensland Wetlands Programme, the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency is preparing 15 wetland management profiles. The profiles address gaps in information available to wetland managers and suggest practical, on-ground actions to help landholders, regional NRM groups and local governments to recognise threats and protect wetlands.
The profiles cover a range of regional ecosystems and wetland types across Queensland and will be available on the EPA website. The profiles that are available from 2 February are:
- overview profile — explains the key concepts addressed in the profiles, gives background information, and how to use them
- Great Artesian Basin spring wetlands
- coastal melaleuca swamp wetlands
- coastal wet heath/sedgeland wetlands
- saltmarsh wetlands
- arid zone lakes
- karst wetlands
- crater lakes
Seven more profiles will be available later:
- coastal grass-sedge wetlands
- mangrove wetlands
- arid-zone swamp wetlands
- inland non-arid swamp wetlands
- coastal dune lakes
- inland non-arid lakes
- palm swamp wetlands.
These profiles will help wetland managers accurately identify important wetland values, the significance of the particular wetland, its ecology and how to best mangage it.
If you have any feedback on the profiles or know of any additional management advice for a particular wetland type, contact the Wetland Management Profiles Project team leader, Sarah Young on 3836 0194.
New interactive wetlands display to be unveiled in Mackay this week
An interactive touch-screen display highlighting the importance of wetlands will be unveiled in Mackay on 2 February to coincide with World Wetlands Day.
Exploring our wetlands is the brainchild of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, with the support from the Great Barrier Reef Wetlands Taskforce.
The interactive wetlands information booth is located at the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens and will be opened on 2 February by the Deputy Chair of Mackay Whitsunday NRM Group, Clive Rogers, at a special ceremony on site.
Mackay Whitsunday NRM Group’s Coastal and Marine Officer, Matthew Bloor, said the booth, a collaborative effort between the Federal and State Governments and regional community bodies, was an important educational resource on the value of local wetlands.
"Wetlands are an essential part of the ecosystem, linking the catchment to the reef. The booth contains information on their important hydrological and habitat connectivity, values, variety and threats."
These educational products were developed as part of activities under the Queensland Wetlands Programme to support the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan, a ten-year programme to halt and reverse the declining water quality entering the Great Barrier Reef. For more information visit the Queensland Wetlands Programme web site.
Sandfly Creek Wetlands in spotlight as part of World Wetlands Week
The Mackay Whitsunday Natural Resource Management Group is calling on locals to visit the Sandfly Creek Wetlands during World Wetlands Week.
Matthew Bloor, the Coastal and Marine Officer from the Mackay Whitsunday Natural Resource Management Group, said many people often overlook the unique flora and fauna at local wetlands.
"World Wetlands Week is the perfect opportunity for locals to investigate and learn more about the complex and diverse environment on their doorstep. Each wetland type has a unique ecological mix of plants and animals," Matthew said.
"The Sandfly Creek Wetland on the southern bank of the Pioneer River is a good example of mangrove and saltmarsh communities and it internationally significant for migratory shorebirds. It is important to enjoy the wetland environment without disturbing the wildlife."
Wetlands, which range from coral reefs and mangroves to saltpans and melaleuca swamps, are vital to the Great Barrier Reef. Their functions include protecting the coast, absorbing pollutants, purifying water and forming nurseries for fish.
Reviving our Wetlands for World Wetlands Day
Conservation Volunteers Australia is running a tree planting day on Sunday 5 February at Eagleby Wetlands, in recognition of World Wetlands Day and the Revive our Wetlands partnership.
Revive our Wetlands is the largest national wetlands revival program in Australia and was established by Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) and BHP Billiton. Between 2000-2003, $1.5 million of assistance and more than 17,000 volunteer days contributed to the revitalisation of 100 of Australia’s most significant wetlands.
During 2004-2006, "Revive" should see an extra $1.5 million and 15,000 volunteer days invested at 10 priority locations across remote, regional and urban Australia.
Eagleby Wetlands is approximately 38ha and lies to the west of the Ramsar listed Moreton Bay, a wetland of international importance. It is located on the Gold Coast and borders the Logan and Albert Rivers. The wetlands is noted for its regionally significant native flora, which is habitat to a wide range of wildlife, particularly frogs and birds.
For more information contact Damien Draper from Conservation Volunteers Australia on 3846 0893.
Coral Reefs cheaper to protect than neglect – UN
Costs of safeguarding the world's fast-disappearing coral reefs and mangroves are small compared to the benefits they provide from tourism to fisheries, according to the UN Environment Program.
The report, part of a recent trend trying to place a value on the natural world, said that pollution, global warming and expanding human settlements along coasts were among mounting threats to reefs and mangroves.
The report estimated that intact coral reefs were worth $100,000-$600,000 per sq km a year to humankind and a sq km of mangroves $200,000-$900,000 a year. By contrast, the cost of protecting a sq km of coral reef or mangroves in a marine park was just $775 a year.
We welcome your input and feedback on this newsletter. If you have any contributions, comments or suggestions please contact Shona Strachan or Paul Rees.
To view past issues of The Bugle visit the regional NRM web site.
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