The Bugle - 13 October 2006
In news this week
Regional NRM group stories
- Tick of approval for environmental rescue effort
- Field days focus on the changing face of South East Queensland
- Landholders have their say in Fitzroy and Condamine survey
- Alliance forms to fight weeds on Fraser
- Weed highway to be halted
- Burdekin Dry Tropics keeps a lid on salinity
- Mackay Whitsunday chooses right vehicle for sustainability message
- Scratching cats claw
Government updates
Reef Plan updates
- National guidelines for irrigation in urban areas released
- Mackay Whitsunday's multi-scale approaches benefits water quality
Natural resources news
- Johnstone Shire takes out National Landcare Award
- 10 finalists represent Queensland at National Landcare Awards
Tick of approval for environmental rescue effort
Queensland's community-based NRM groups have welcomed the Australian Government's announcement of continued support beyond 2008 for the nation's largest environmental rescue effort since Federation.
The Australian Government had recognised the success of the $140 million investment being delivered by the regional NRM groups in Queensland, Regional Groups Collective CEO Andrew Drysdale said.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Peter McGauran and Minister for the Environment and Heritage Senator Ian Campbell last week announced that new programs would build on the success of the Natural Heritage Trust and National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality.
Funding from these programs nationally has helped to protect over 8 million hectares of wetlands, treat 400,000 ha of land for salinity and erosion, and helped 800,000 land managers and volunteers to get involved in on-ground work.
Mr Drysdale said the regional groups recognised the Queensland Government's funding and support under the present arrangements and hoped this would be strengthened in future.
A big factor in favour of the present arrangements is the community's contribution – in terms of either cash or labour – that has enabled the regional groups to leverage a minimum of $4 for every $1 of government funding for NRM works.
For more info, phone Andrew Drysdale on 4637 6228 or 0407 634 224.
Field days focs on changing face of South East Queensland
CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems and SEQ Catchments will host four public field days in response to increasing pressure in South East Queensland from population growth, property subdivision and new commercial activities.
CSIRO researchers have been studying land management issues on farms in South East Queensland for several years. They have developed landscape management principles and ecological thresholds for sustainable production on grazing properties.
CSIRO's research addresses the main natural resource management issues, such as looking after soils and pastures, protecting waterways, and conserving and siting trees.
This research into sustainable land use on smallholdings is funded by the Sustainable Agricultural State-level Investment Program (AgSIP), an initiative of Queensland Government's Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.
The four field days run from 9.30am to 12.30pm:
- Thursday 12 October: Gatton; Alan Duff's property, 561 Lefthand Branch Rd, Mt Sylvia
- Friday 13 October: Boonah; Terry Flanagan's property, 360 Mt Alford Rd, Bunjurgen
- Wednesday 18 October: Toogoolawah; Bill Gulbransen's property, 1585 Mt Mee Rd, Toogoolawah
- Thursday 19 October: Plainland; Brendan Dipple's property, 9 Morton Vale School Rd, Morton Vale.
Media representatives are invited to attend the field day and interview CSIRO and SEQC representatives at or before the event.
For more info:
- Gatton (12 Oct) and Plainland (19 Oct) - phone Tony McKew for field day info on 0439 852 162
- Boonah (13 Oct) phone Jean Bray for field day info on 5422 0516
- Toogoolawah (18 Oct) phone Bruce Lord for field day info on 0427 013 284 or 5422 0516
- Phone Fiona McFarlane for media enquiries and research info on 0402 687 111 or 3214 2639 (Tues, Wed, Thurs).
Landholders have their say in Fitzroy and Condamine survey
A survey sent to more than 11,000 rural landholders this week will help regional NRM groups to develop a more accurate picture of the challenges facing rural landholders.
The survey has been sent to rural producers and owners of lifestyle properties in the Fitzroy Basin in central Queensland and the Condamine River catchment in southern Queensland.
Fitzroy Basin Association CEO Suzie Christensen said that information recorded in the survey would be used to improve services and programs that support landholders in their efforts to achieve sustainable land management.
"The survey provides us with a unique opportunity for all land owners to have their say, especially people who don't like coming out to workshops or meetings," Condamine Alliance CEO Phil McCullough said.
"It will help us to understand the most important considerations that drive people's decision making about sustainable management."
The survey is modelled on a highly successful questionnaire distributed to landholders in the Queensland Murray Darling Basin, the Burnett-Mary catchments and the Burdekin Dry Tropics a few years ago.
"We encourage anyone who receives the survey in the mail to spend 20 to 40 minutes filling out the survey. Even if you aren't able to complete every question, it would be fine if you send back what you have been able to finish, so we can include your opinions in the analysis of this important set of information," Ms Christensen said.
For more info, contact the Condamine Alliance in Toowoomba on 1800 181 101 or the Fitzroy Basin Association in Rockhampton on 4999 2800.
Alliance forms to fight weeds on Fraser
Stakeholders representing local and state government, community, research and traditional owner groups on Fraser Island have banded together to create the Fraser Island Natural Integrity Alliance (FINIA).
The group was formed following a two-day workshop sponsored by the Burnett Mary Regional Group late last year to address issues affecting the conservation status of the world's largest sand island.
"The group initially met to discuss the impediments to integrated weed management on Fraser Island but resulted in a group of people that want to tackle all threats to the World Heritage Area's natural integrity. We are extremely excited with the formation of FINIA," BMRG Acting Executive Officer Carolyn Taylor said.
The group met again at the FIDO Fraser Island True Grit Conference at the University of the Sunshine Coast recently; several issues were on the agenda, including a proposal for a dedicated Weed and Pest Management Officer, better resource materials and the re-establishment of a native plant nursery on the island.
Fraser Island's World Heritage Area supports several unique ecosystems such as the patterned fens (thought to be the only ones in the world) and half the world's perched lakes. Fraser Island is also home to plant and animal species found nowhere else in the world, a result of the Island's relative isolation from the mainland.
Sadly, more than 100 invasive plant species have been identified on the Island, the impacts of which are proving to be devastating. Priority weeds, many of them garden escapees, include bitou bush, lantana, easter cassia, asparagus fern, mother of millions, groundsel, madeira vine and Queensland umbrella tree.
FINIA members include state government departments (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, and Natural Resources and Water), local government (Maryborough and Hervey Bay City Councils), researchers (CRC for Australian Weed Management (Weeds CRC) and the University of the Sunshine Coast), community groups (BMRG, Fraser Island Defenders Organisation (FIDO), National Parks Association of Queensland, Sandy Cape Lighthouse Conservation Association and Lower Mary River Land and Catchment Care Group) and representatives of the Butchulla people (the traditional owners of Fraser Island).
For more info, contact BMRG Acting CEO Carolyn Taylor on 4132 8333 or Weeds CRC Project Manager Scott Edwards on 3896 9298.
Weed highway to be halted
The six councils of the Burnett East local government authority cluster - Bundaberg, Burnett, Isis, Kolan, Miriam Vale and Biggenden – will combine with the Burnett Mary Regional Group to spearhead the "Stop the Spread of Weeds" initiative.
The project's first activity will be a highway wash down facility and, according to the cluster's NRM coordinator, Nick Maclean, the Burnett-Mary region is the only region in Queensland where formal local government clusters have formed to tackle such environmental issues.
Mr Maclean said the wash down facility, on the Isis Highway at the Biggenden Showgrounds, was a strategic first step to curbing the migration of weeds into neighbouring regions and reducing the amount spent on weed prevention, control and eradication by local governments.
For more info, contact BMRG Acting Executive Officer Carolyn Taylor 4132 8333 or Regional Communications Officer Bianca McCracken on 4132 8333.
Burdekin Dry Tropics keeps a lid on salinity
While there are some incidences of dryland salinity in the Burdekin Dry Tropics, it is not as big a threat as it is in parts of southern Australia.
Studies indicate, however, that some of the region's landscapes store significant quantities of salt. They could become salinised with land use or management practices that allowed increased levels of groundwater recharge (especially actvities that lead to the widespread loss of trees).
The regional NRM goup's project aims to identify dryland salinity priority areas in the Burdekin, increase community awareness and understanding of the impacts of dryland salinity and help communities in priority areas to identify land use and management practices appropriate to the control and prevention of dryland salinity.
The project received almost $500,000 from the Queensland and Australian Goverments through the National Action Plan on Salinity and Water Quality.
For more info, visit the Burkdekin Dry Tropics web site or email Kate Masters.
Mackay Whitsunday chooses "right vehicle" for sustainability message
"We don't just walk the talk in sustainability – we drive it!" Mackay Whitsunday NRM Group Executive Officer Colin Creighton said.
The group took delivery of its new Toyota Prius last week and has been using it as a "vehicle" for its sustainability and resource conservation message.
"In a move to demonstrate our organisation's commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility, we have cut back on vehicle usage, we walk to meetings which are within a few blocks of our office and we use the Prius as a cost-effective means of moving between stakeholders and projects across the region," Colin said.
As a the world's first commercially produced and marketed hybrid-electric vehicle, the Toyota Prius uses an engine and batteries to power its electric motors – and it never needs to be "plugged in". It uses both a rechargeable energy storage system and fuel for power. It is a low emission vehicle designed to produce minimal air pollution - typically less than 10% of an ordinary vehicle.
"By replacing our fuel-consuming 4WD with this vehicle, we deliver a message to our stakeholders. It demonstrates our serious commitment to the use of new technology in resolving the problems of non-renewable fossil fuels and climate change," Mr Creighton said.
For more info, phone Colin Creighton on 4953 5298 or 0418 225 894.
Note: This story is not an ad for a particular brand of car; rather it promotes action to reduce environmental impact - Ed.
Scratching cats claw
Cats claw creeper (Macfadyena unguis-cati) infests creek lines, dry vine scrubs and rainforest communities across many of the catchments in south east Queensland.
Cats claw has been identified as a growing environmental problem for many landholders in Boonah Shire. SEQ Catchments and partners are hosting a cats claw control demonstration field day on Tuesday 24 October at 9.00am, 314 The Head Rd, Carneys Creek.
The day will provide opportunities for landholders to assess the best method for their properties and to apply for support to control their own infestations. Landholders attending the day will also be encouraged to speak of the methods they may be using to deal with the problem. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
The field day is sponsored by SEQ Catchments, Boonah Landcare and supported by Boonah River Improvement Trust, Farmcraft and the Department of Natural Resources and Water. Local landholders Kerry and Julie Surawski will host the field day at their property.
RSVP by 16 October for catering purposes to Sam Holdway, Community Contact Officer on 3816 9711.
For more info, contact Steve Lyngcoln, Logan/Albert Catchments Community Partnership Manager on 0438 008 668.
Envirofund community investments top $110 million
The Australian Government has announced $20 million of community projects, raising the total investment through the Envirofund to more than $110 million.
Round 8 of the Envirofund was announced recently by Australian Ministers for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, and Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, Senator Eric Abetz.
"Today we are announcing $20 million for 1,126 individual and community projects. Since 2002, Envirofund has provided more than $110 million for over 6,900 individual and community group projects improving sustainability and protecting and conserving the Australian environment," Senator Campbell said.
Examples of projects in Queensland inclucde:
- A Lions Club project that will receive $16,000 to construct fencing and access paths to reduce dune erosion and install a shower platform and waterwise taps at Rainbow Beach
- A Georgina River landholder will receive $10,000 to erect 10.6km of fencing to exclude stock from the Georgina River and adjacent flood plains during flooding.
Read the Ministers' media statement
Applications for funding of local environment projects through Envirofund Round 9 will open in early 2007. Exact dates and details will be advertised on the Envirofund web site.
For more info on Envirofund Round 8 funded projects please visit the Envirofund web site.
Regional liaison team strengthened
Natural Resources and Water's Community Partnerships has strengthened its team of regional liaison officers with the appointment of Shona Strachan as Assistant Regional Liaison Officer. Shona will provide valuable back-up to the Client Services team.
Shona has survived three years in the Community Partnerships Communications team, emerging relatively unscathed.
Regional communication officers and others who regularly supplied Shona with information for inclusion in The Bugle, the Voice of the Regions and the Regional NRM web site should now send the info to Paul Rees.
You can continue to contact Shona on 3222 2758.
National guidelines for irrigation in urban areas released
The Reef Water Quality Protection Plan's actions are focusing on managing diffuse sources of water pollutants (sediment, nutrients and chemicals) from broad-scale sources (for example grazing and farming) but some Reef Plan participants are looking at ways to better manage urban broad-scale sources.
The new national guidelines for best practice irrigation of parks, gardens and reserves in urban areas have been released.
Urban Irrigation: Best Management Practices was developed by the Irrigation Association of Australia and the Water Services Association of Australia to define best management practices, encourage improved standards in the industry and provide a consistent national approach to the specification, design, installation and operation of irrigation systems.
The guidelines cover the design, installation, maintenance and management of commercial urban irrigation systems and feature water use efficiency and protection of water quality.
The guide is available to purchase from the Irrigation Association. Call 02 9476 0412 for further details.
To learn more about the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan visit the Reef Plan web site.
Mackay Whitsunday's multi-scale approaches benefits water quality
A number of community groups are developing water quality improvement plans (WQIP), including the Mackay Whitsunday Natural Resource Management Group.
Mackay Whitsunday has shown it can supplement data from baseline water samples with models to represent river systems information, broadening the range of baseline information used to gauge the standards for regional catchment target setting.
The Mackay Whitsunday WQIP has monitored, reported and engaged the community at the farm, sub-catchment, catchment and regional scales.
The models are used to represent catchment and water quality processes at the various scales and this has helped the WQIP developers to generate water quality targets which are accepted by the entire region. This is demonstrated by the high program participation rates in their catchment, a three-fold value–adding of allocated funds to on-ground work and the delivery of scientific knowledge that can be used at the farm and regional scale.
For more info, visit the Mackay Whitsunday NRM Group web site.
Johnstone Shire takes out National Landcare Award
Johnstone Shire Council was announced winner of the Local Government Landcare Community Partnerships Award by Governor General, Major Michel Jeffries at the National Landcare Award ceremony held this week.
With around half of the Wet Tropics World Heritage area situated within its shire, the council has been proactively practicing the Landcare ethic since 1991. Today the council delivers a full and diverse program of environmental initiatives, well and truly surpassing its historical agenda of roads, rates and rubbish.
Queensland Landcare Foundation Chair Geoff Penton said local government was a key partner to Landcare in Queensland.
"Johnstone Shire Council promote landcare through a range of initiatives, including financial incentives to landholders. They are deserving winners of this important national award and we honour their staff and councillors for such a commitment to conservation in their shire," Mr Penton said.
While accepting the award on behalf of council, Bob Devine said the win was the result of the combined efforts of many staff within council and particularly Sandy Paton, who initiated council's nomination.
10 finalists represent Queensland at National Landcare Awards
Queensland was represented by 10 finalists at the prestigious National Landcare Awards, presented by Governor General Major Michel Jeffries. The Queensland finalists were:
- Desert Uplands Committee - with around 83% remnant vegetation, the Desert Uplands region is one of Australia's significant biodiversity hotspots. Desert Uplands has woorked on strategic projects addressing biodiversity and conservation in the region for more than 10 years.
- Carpentaria Ghost Net Program - traditional owners in Arnhem land recall a total absence of nets on their beaches only 20 years ago. In a 2003 survey, 420 nets were collected from just 23 kilometres of beach. This project is helping communities in the remote Gulf region remove and manage ghost nets and marine debris.
- Towerhill & Torrens Creek Catchment Landcare Group - with more than 700,000 hectares to look after, plus the challenge of a drought, this Landcare group boasts over 100 individual members comprising 40 propertieis. It also has a young core which has prompted the group to embrace new technologies and management techniques.
- Wartburg State School - Wartburg SS has embraced the Landcare spirit, achieving rapid succes with limited funds. Waste minimisation, recycling, community education, waterwise initiatives and revegetation projects form part of the curriculum along with actively involving students, teachers and the wider community.
- Northern Gulf Indigenous Savanna Group - guided by a 10 year caring for country vision, this 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.
- Alby Wooler - known as "Mr Landcare" by his Capricorn Coast community, Alby is an inspiration to young and old. Even as a farmer Alby has always been a trail blazer. The 74-year-old Landcarer voluntarily works with about 150 students as part of a junior Landcare program he started over a decade ago and he is also founder and President of Capricorn Coast Landcare Group.
- Shane Templeton - For three generations, Shane and his family have grown ginger in the Eumundi area. Through its commitment to best management practice, his family strives to protect waterways and maximise biodiversity, while maintaining high productivity and employment levels
- Desert Channels Queensland - covering about a third of the state, Desert Channels Queensland contends with extreme distance, communication challenges and a remote community. However this small talented team has managed to reactivate a Landcare movement which had all but died off. Often on the road, the group is smart and innovative when it comes to supporting its community and promoting Landcare.
- Norman Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee - a spectactular example of people working together, the Norman Creek Demonstration Catchment Project has rapidly converted a severely degraded waterway into a restored natural creek system. The site is situated along Brisbane's Norman Creek, in Queensland's most urbanised catchment. Pooling support and funding from diverse sources, the group has delivered a natural channel design involving earthworks, erosion and sediment control, and the construction of pools, boulders and riffles.
We are honoured to have been represented at the National Awards by such outstanding Queensland Landcare projects. A hearty congratulations to the finalists.
Thought for the week
"It is a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it."
John Steinbeck (via Ed Wensing)
We welcome your contributions and feedback. If you have any comments or suggestions for The Bugle please contact Paul Rees.
To view past issues of The Bugle visit the regional NRM web site.
The Bugle is a weekly newsletter published by Community Partnerships, the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water, highlighting regional NRM activities around Queensland.
Last updated 12 October 2006