The Bugle - 16 June 2006
In news this week
Regional NRM group stories
- NRM improving water quality in the Burdekin Sugarlands
- GPS training days help landholders, landcare groups and council officers
- A new media and communications officer for Fitzroy Basin Association
- Shady show grounds for Kalbar
- South West NRM welcomes three new team members
Government updates
- Blueprint boosts funding for natural resource management
- Vegetation codes revamped
- $10million to fight against park pests and control park fires
Reef news
- Reef Plan completes first quarter with great results
- Reef Plan's action B2 supports research and information systems
- A successful model for Reef awareness
Natural resources news
- NRMW Deputy Director-General wins Public Service Medal
- Landcare Week Calendar of events: 2 - 10 September 2006
- New Wetlands Exhibit Officially Unveiled at Reef HQ
- Federal funding for frogs
NRM improving water quality in the Burdekin Sugarlands
The Coastal Catchment Initiative (CCI), aims to reduce agricultural pollutants entering rivers and streams within the Burdekin catchment and the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.
Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM's component of this initiative is to work closely with a number of key cane industry science providers, including BSES, CSIRO and CANEGROWERS, to identify and develop water quality best management practice guidelines specific to farming in Burdekin sugarlands.
These guidelines are a key component of the Water Quality Improvement Plan, developed by CCI to include region-specific support for the uptake of improved sugarland management practices. The guidelines will also help to develop an industry-supported strategy for delivering genuine on-ground improvements in the quality of water leaving cane fields.
This component of the CCI will focus on aspects of irrigation efficiency as well as fertilizer and pesticide management, in order to maximize production and improve environmental outcomes for growers.
A number of on-ground, paddock-scale studies are already underway to improve knowledge of the factors that influence water quality leaving cane farms.
For more information email the Sugarlands Project Officer Aaron Davis or phone him on 4781 5987.
GPS training days help landholders, landcare groups and council officers
Global Positioning System technology and its use in NRM was highlighted at a series of training days hosted by the Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) last month.
The training days, held in Mundubbera, Kingaroy, Bundaberg and Gympie, were very well received by regional landholders, landcare groups and council officers from the region.
The usefulness of GPS in weed monitoring, vegetation assessment, threatened species locations, education and property management planning were discussed, with participants able to test their knowledge with hands-on exercises.
Those interested in attending future GPS training days can email BMRG or phone 4132 8333.
A new media and communications officer for Fitzroy Basin Association
The Fitzroy Basin Association welcomes Joanne Rodney, their new Media and Communications Officer, based in Rockhampton.
If you have media or communications questions or requests for Joanne, email her or phone 4999 2816.
Shady show grounds for Kalbar
Stage One of a revegetation and revival plan for the Kalbar Show Grounds has been completed. With the aim of creating much-needed shage, 500 native trees have been planted. These trees will also assist in creating a wildlife corridor, address salinity problems and provide a more pleasant environment for all those who use the grounds.
"After securing a $2,600 eTrees grant from SEQ Catchments late last year, it's great to get some plants into the ground," Peter Prenzler, president of the Kalbar Show Society said.
"The success of such a large-scale planting day would not have been possible without the support of the local community and society members ... the hard work and effort provided by today's people will be enjoyed by generations to come," Mr Prenzler said.
Project coordinator, and SEQ Catchments Community Contact Officer Samantha Holdway expressed her appreciation for the support provided on the day, offering special thanks to Raceview Sand and Gravel, a local business, for their contribution of a load of water to help establish the new plants.
For more information contact Community Contact Officer, Samantha Holdway on 5463 9000
South West NRM welcomes three new team members
South West NRM is delighted to welcome three new staff members to its dedicated team.
The new Warrego/Nebine Community Support Officer, based in Cunnamulla is Alina Barkla. Alina grew up on a family property 150 km south east of Cunnamulla and previously worked for the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water as a Land Protection Officer.
Linda Durham has moved from Adelaide to take up the role of Local Government NRM Support Officer. With a degree in Environmental Management, Linda is looking forward to settling into the community and working on some exciting projects with local councils.
Angie Walton is South West NRM's the new Landcare Coordinator. Angie has a Diploma in Applied Science (wilderness reserves and wildlife) and has worked for National Parks and Wildlife in Charleville.
Blueprint boosts funding for natural resource management
The commitment of $47 million over four years for initiatives under the whole-of-government Blueprint for the Bush strategy increases total funding for natural resource management services to $570.4 million under the 2006-07 State Budget.
Natural Resources Minister Henry Palaszczuk said the 2006-07 State Budget commitment for the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water represents a $63 million increase over the $507 million forecast in the 2005-06 State Budget last year.
"NRMW is managing the sustainable use of the State's natural resources, which include land, water and vegetation, and for pest management, native title, and forest products, as well as cultural heritage recognition and other Indigenous natural resource management issues," Mr Palaszczuk said.
"NRMW, in partnership with other Queensland Government agencies, AgForce Queensland and other stakeholders, will be a significant contributor to the Blueprint for the Bush."
Vegetation codes revamped
Landholders and other interest groups are being invited to have their say on four proposed new codes that apply when the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water assesses applications for permits to clear native vegetation.
The 24 existing codes had proved difficult for landholders to use, leading to delays in their applications being processed, the department's vegetation management director Leslie Shirreffs said.
Working with rural and other industry groups, the department reviewed the codes with the aim of making them easier to understand and use. These draft codes were released in early June.
The current 24 codes that apply across Queensland have been reduced to four draft codes that are based on the following bioregions: are: Western Bioregions; Coastal Bioregions; Brigalow Belt and New England Tableland Bioregions and South-East Queensland Bioregions.
Landholders can use the codes to seek permits for a range of activities such as clearing to build fences or harvest fodder.
To receive a copy of the draft codes, visit the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water's web site or phone 1800 999 367. Comments and submissions should be sent to the department by July 28.
$10million to fight against park pests and control park fires
The Environmental Protection Agency Budget includes about $10million to fight pests and weeds and manage fires in national parks and forests in 2006-07.
Environment Minister Desley Boyle said the big spending showed the Government was serious about continuing the fight against pests and improving fire management.
"Invasive weeds and animals such as feral pigs, wild dogs, foxes and feral cats will be targeted in 78 projects spread throughout the state," Ms Boyle said.
The funding is a combination of normal day-to-day spending and the final instalment of the Government's election commitment to spend an extra $6million on pest and fire management over three years.
Reef Plan completes first quarter with great results
This month, the 10-year Reef Water Quality Protection Plan (Reef Plan) has completed its first quarter. It has been two and half years since the plan was launched in December 2003, and some great progress has been made.
Activities in this first quarter have concentrated on establishing administrative structures, developing partnership arrangements, investigating implementation options, policy development, and developing tools and frameworks to support evaluation.
Some of the milestones include: positive progress in implementing the Reef Plan objectives with the development of industry-led farm management systems; the introduction of new Queensland vegetation management legislation; and the accreditation of regional natural resource management plans and investment strategies.
These are great first steps but all stakeholders recognise the work ahead.
The Reef Plan's 10-year timeframe will allow for communicating the plan's actions to the wider community, and identifying and engaging key stakeholders.
For more information visit the recently updated Reef Plan web site.
Reef Plan's Action B2 supports research and information systems
Action B2 of the Reef Plan is to improve the integration and coordination of research information systems and relevant extension services to support regional natural resource management (NRM), catchment and property resource management planning in the Reef catchments.
Through the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality state investment project (SIP) IM01, the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water has developed a Regional Information Services Framework that has helped to bring about Action B2. This framework is a web mapping and information services portal that enables regional NRM bodies to view, use and download government-owned research information on the internet.
The SIP projects on Landscape Attributes (Sa03) and Information Management (Sa05) are also contributing information products through the Regional Information Services Framework.
In support of Action B2, the Social and Economic SIP (SE02), Coordination of Social and Economic Information for the Development of a Regional Information Service (QRBIS) has developed a system to integrate and deliver social and economic information from a wide range of sources, accessed through a common web browser. The QRBIS information service is available to regional NRM bodies and is providing social and economic data for each region.
For more information about Action B2 of the Reef Plan visit the Reef Plan web site.
A successful model for Reef awareness
The Reef Water Quality Protection Plan (Action B4) calls for a campaign to raise community awareness of the importance of reef water quality and the need to protect and rehabilitate wetlands and riparian habitats within the Reef's catchment.
The highly successful Healthy Waterways campaign from 2004-05 is the suggested model, and several community-based natural resource management groups are undertaking activities, based on Healthy Waterways, to support this action in their regions.
The Mackay Whitsunday Regional NRM Group with support from the Queensland Government is developing a series of short television segments to promote improved wetland and riparian management, land management, and raise awareness about the sediment and nutrient runoff.
The Creek to Coral project, a collaborative venture between EPA and Townsville and Thuringowa Councils, aims to improve water quality and raise public awareness of water quality issues.
The Coastal CRC, in conjunction with the Fitzroy Basin Association, has developed a healthy waterways program that integrates research, training and extension activities to improve the condition of the region's coastal ecosystems.
The Burnett Mary Resource Management Group is working towards socio-economic outcomes such as increased engagement, training, education, and communication under its Community Capacity and Partnerships action program.
The Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM Group have developed an engagement and knowledge package.
For further information about Action B4 of the Reef Plan visit the Reef Plan web site.
NRMW Deputy Director-General wins Public Service Medal
NRMW Deputy Director-General of Land, Science and Regions, Bryan Coulter has been awarded the Public Service Medal in the recently announced Queens Birthday Honours List.
This is a senior award in the Australian honours system and recognises Bryan's more than 30 years or exemplary service in the Queensland and Australian Public Service.
Congratulations, Bryan.
Landcare Week calendar of events: 2 - 10 September 2006
If you are planning events in Queensland during Landcare Week, 2 - 10 September, 2006 then consider listing them in a statewide calendar of events being compiled by the Queensland Landcare Foundation.
The calendar, which will be distributed electronically, will be used to promote landcare to a wide public audience and to generate media interest in landcare activities around the state. The Foundation wants to include a broad cross section of landcare-related activities that might include: field days, meetings, workshops and training, on-ground events, fundraising campaigns, and the launches of resources and services.
The calendar will include activities from across the state but is relying on contributions from northern and western Queensland catchments.
Contributions are welcome from landcare and catchment groups, regional NRM bodies and our broader environmental, conservation and rural development networks. They should include the date and time, location, title, a one sentence description, host organisation, contact details for more information and any other supporting information.
Contributrions can be mailed to PO Box 13204, George Street, Qld 4003, emailed to the Queensland Landcare Foundation or faxed to 3221 4407. The closing date for calendar contributions is 15 August.
New wetlands exhibit officially unveiled at Reef HQ
More than 25,000 litres of water, 800 fish and a three-metre high waterfall are the three vital ingredients for a new wetlands exhibit at the Reef HQ aquarium in Townsville.
The display, showing the connection between wetlands and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, was formally opened by Member for Herbert Peter Lindsay on Wednesday 7 June.
Mr Lindsay said the display showed the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's commitment to educating the community about the importance of conserving fresh and saltwater habitats.
"The new wetlands exhibit is one of the most visually exciting and innovative exhibits the Reef HQ aquarium has to offer," he said.
"It is a key tool for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to show the community the importance of wetlands to the Marine Park.
"It is also testament to the strong partnership between the Federal Government, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the State Government through the Queensland Wetlands Programme."
Federal funding for frogs
Funding to save the endangered Corroboree Frog from extinction and to fight salinity, erosion and pollution in the Murray River and its surrounds are among 49 major environmental projects soon to be underway across NSW, courtesy of the Australian and State governments.
Federal and NSW State Ministers today announced $21 million in funding from the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality and the National Heritage Trust.
Senator Ian Campbell said $329,600 would be committed to save the Corroboree Frog from extinction in the wild, using ground-breaking methods which may also benefit other frog species.
Thought for the week
One hectare of good quality soil in a temperate zone may contain at least 300 million small invertebrates - mites, millipedes, insects, worms and other mini-creatures. As for micro-organisms, a mere 30 grams of soil may contain one million bacteria of just one type, as well as 100,000 yeast cells and 50,000 bits of fungus.
We welcome your contributions and feedback. If you have any comments or suggestions for The Bugle please contact Paul Rees or Miriam Airey.
To view past issues of The Bugle visit the regional NRM web site.
Last updated 16 June 2006