The Bugle - 10 November 2006
In news this week
Regional NRM group stories
- New course identifies women as "Naturally Resourceful" land custodians
- Light sprinkling of salinity in Condamine
- Alliance plans for local government links
- CYPDA on the move
- CHRRUP State Finalists in Environmental Award
- Burnett Mary calls for conference papers
- Helping landholders improve water quality in the Burdekin Region
Government updates
- Last chance for Pest Offensive funding
- Minister approves new vegetation codes
- JSC tours South Burnett
- Water summit agrees on Murray Darling measures
- Saving millions of litres a year: a guide for building owners, managers and users
- SIP evaluation web site set to go live
- Regions get "Back on Track"
- Lunchtime seminar gives voice to the silent majority
Reef Plan updates
- Get involved in Coastcare Week
- Agricultural industries are working with government to improve water quality
- Cyclone clean-up nearing completion in national parks
Natural resources news
- Fish stocks to collapse within 50 years
- Shorebird conservation toolkit released
- Focus on desertification
- Database showcases NRM incentives
- Practical tool for biodiversity in rangelands
- Register now for Science Day
Get a job!
New course identifies women as "Naturally Resourceful" land custodians
A group of eight rural women from the Border Rivers region recently participated in a pilot course called "Naturally Resourceful", developed by the Queensland Murray Darling Committee with the support of the Queensland Office for Women.
Course Coordinator Amanda Bremner said the workshops focussed on increasing the women's knowledge of NRM issues that are impacting on the production and profit of agriculture.
"The four workshops covered a number of topics, including: understanding the global environment; how water quality can impact on plant growth; understanding the native vegetation legislation; and how to develop NRM project ideas," Amanda said.
The course also focussed on developing the participant’s communication and leadership skills.
Course Facilitator Emma Taylor said enormous value came from what the women learnt about their own communication styles and how this can impact on the outcomes achieved when they work with others.
"The participants were able to learn more about their preferred way of communicating and how their style differed from others involved in their business or groups they work with," Emma said.
For more info, phone QMDC Landcare Education Officer Amanda Bremner on 4671 7900 or 0428 771 310.
Light sprinkling of salinity in Condamine
On a catchment scale, salinity is not the most important natural resource management issue in
the Condamine River catchment.
That's the good news, however. A strategic salinity risk assessment in the catchment by Andrew Biggs, Ross Searle, Katherine Secombe and Kristie Watling from the Department of Natural Resources and Water for the Condamine Alliance identified several sub-catchments with a high risk to salinity.
Land use and management practices in these areas should be carefully monitored and amended where appropriate, according to the authors, who produced the report under the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality State-level investment projects.
Salinity expression sites were found to be typically less than five hectares and strongly influenced by the current drought. The majority of salt sites have decreased in size over the last five or so years.
The project found that Warwick was the only urban area with significant urban salinity issues in the catchment.
or more info, phone Lucy Larkin at the Condamine Alliance on 4620 0115.
Alliance plans for local government links
Condamine Alliance has set out to work more closely with councils by linking its natural resource management plan with the Regional Sustainability Plan being prepared by local government.
A review of the Condamine Catchment NRM Plan will involve a reconsideration of its scientific basis by consultant Natural Solutions, and wide community consultation led by the Condamine Catchment Management Association.
Workshops are planned in Toowoomba, Cambooya, Warwick, Dalby, Millmerran, Oakey, Chinchilla, Clifton, Pittsworth and Crows Nest.
The Alliance will also be considering an alternative presentation of the plan to move towards a more user friendly and accessible document, which incorporates targets that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound.
For more info, phone Penny Hamilton at the Alliance on 4620 0107.
CYPDA on the move
The Cape York Peninsula Development Association has moved to temporary premises at 207 Bunda Street, Cairns while waiting for a long-term accommodation project to be finalised which will meet the needs of the growing association.
With administrative responsibility for five NRW projects for the 2006-07 financial year, including the Cape York Sea Turtles Nest Predation Monitoring, Cape York Fire Management, Cape York Reef Seagrass Mapping, Cape York Feral Weed and Animal and the Cape York Marine and Coastal projects, and associated growth, the CYPDA is set for a challenging year.
Members, affiliates and friends are encouraged to drop in for a cup of tea or yarn at 207 Bunda Street Cairns.
CHRRUP reaches environmental award finals
Widespread participation, valued partnerships, a proactive approach and hard work were recognised by Queensland Regional Achievement and Community Awards, when CHRRUP (Central Highlands Regional Resources Use Planning Cooperative) was selected as a State Finalist in the Environmental category.
Conducted throughout Western Australia, NSW/ACT, Victoria and Queensland, the purpose of these awards is to encourage, acknowledge and reward valuable contributions and outstanding achievements in regional and rural areas.
CHRRUP Coordinator Liz Alexander said being one of the three finalists in the Environment and Landcare category showed the quality of the work being done by the Central Highlands community.
"This award has been designed to recognise individuals and organisations who show a proven passion and dedication to reducing environmental impacts in rural and regional areas, and the fact that we have been selected is a real honour for Central Highlands community groups and landholders, our staff and Board," Liz said.
CHRRUP was nominated by the Central Highlands Regional Organisation of Councils (CHROC).
Representatives from CHROC and the CHRRUP Board and staff will travel to Townsville to take part in the official Gala Awards Presentation ceremony to be held at the Museum of Tropical Queensland on Saturday, 18 November.
Good luck, CHRRUP!
For more info, phone CHRRUP’s Liz Alexander on 0427 729 085.
Burnett Mary calls for conference papers
The Burnett Mary Regional Group for Natural Resource Management has called for abstracts for its "Farmland to Fraser – Resource Managers and Science" symposium.
The symposium is on 19-20 February 2007 at the University of Southern Queensland's Hervey Bay campus.
Abstracts are due by Friday 24 November.
For more info, contact Ashton Berry from the symposium planning group on 4124 8501.
Helping landholders improve water quality in the Burdekin Region
Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM wants to know how it can help landholders improve water quality in the Burdekin Region.
Surveys have been sent to 750 landholders throughout the Region. The first questionnaires were mailed out in October and replies are rolling in already.
The survey aims to find out about the diversity of situations and challenges facing landholders throughout the region. The NRM group also want to know how it can tailor incentives to landholder's needs and encourage them to undertake work that will improve water quality.
This survey builds on a landholder survey conducted in 2002 in which landholders indicated a strong interest in economic incentives. Funding for this project is provided through the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality and the Natural Heritage Trust.
For more information please email Dr Ian Dight.
Last chance for Pest Offensive funding
Reclaim the Bush—a Pest Offensive is the Queensland Government's $11 million funding initiative under the Blueprint for the Bush to attack priority pest animals and weeds.
Applications close 5.00 pm Monday 13 November.
For more info, phone Trevor Stanley on 3224 2149
Visit the Pest Offensive web site.
Minister approves new vegetation codes
Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace has approved the new regional vegetation management codes.
The new codes are the culmination of many months of review, revision and negotiation involving a wide range of stakeholders, government agencies, regional officers and policy officers.
Together with a revised state policy and policies for material change of use, reconfiguring a lot and vegetation offsets, the new codes will come into effect on Monday 20 November 2006.
Four new codes have been approved, reducing the number of regional codes from 24. The approved codes are for Coastal Bioregions, Western Bioregions, South East Queensland Bioregion, and Brigalow and New England Tablelands Bioregions.
The new codes will be easier for applicants to use and will place more emphasis on the ability of applicants to provide alternative solutions to meet the code’s requirements.
For more information about the new codes, phone 1800 999 367.
JSC tours South Burnett
The Burnett Mary Regional Group hosted the Joint Queensland and Australian Government NRM Steering Committee (JSC) on a tour of the South Burnett this week.
JSC members heard presentations from South Burnett local authorites and visited the Goodger Wetlands.
Next week's Bugle will carry details of JSC's deliberations.
For more info, contact Debbie Guzek on 3225 2676.
Water summit agrees on Murray Darling measures
This week's summit meeting of the Prime Minister and the premiers from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia considered the dire state of the Murray Darling basin in the face of the worst drought in memory.
Read the key outcomes from the summit
Saving millions of litres a year: a guide for building owners, managers and users
With community interest in water saving and conservation at an all time high, the Australian Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, has released a guide to help reduce water use in office and public buildings.
"The Water Efficiency Guide: Office and Public Buildings gives practical 'how to' help for building owners, managers and users to reduce water use by up to 30% to 40%," Senator Campbell said.
The commercial office building sector is a significant water user, with office water use accounting for as much as 10% of capital city water consumption. A moderate sized office building typically consumes more than 20 000 litres a day (more than seven million litres a year) - enough to supply 40 average homes.
Download the water efficiency guide
SIP evaluation web site set to go live
A new web site is being developed to keep people up to date on the evaluation of state-level investment projects (SIPs) currently underway.
The web site will also encourage feedback on the SIP evaluation.
The web site is being trialed this week but from next week will it will go live, offering people involved in SIP projects the ability to provide specific feedback on the project as well as encouraging general input.
The web site will also contain information about the evaluation project as well as links to regional NRM SIP projects and Water Quality On Line.
See next week's edition of The Bugle for details on how to access the SIP evaluation web site.
For more info, contact Suzanne Hoverman by phoning 3239 3884 or 0415 702 110.
Regions get "Back on Track"
A growing number of regional NRM groups getting involved in the EPA's "Back on Track" project to protect endangered species.
"Back on Track" helps managers make decisions that conserve plants and wildlife efficiently.
Experts and NRM managers develop a list of priority species is developed for each region.
Since April 2006, the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee, Southern Gulf Catchments, Desert Channels Queensland, Mackay Whitsunday NRM Group, Condamine Alliance, Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM, South West NRM and the Burnett Mary Regional Group for NRM have been involved in the program.
Priority species lists for all these regions are being fine-tuned ready for workshops beginning in February.
Workshops will use local knowledge to identify common threats to priority species and develop management actions to address them.
Back on Track's David Murphy is contacting the groups to set workshop dates.
For further info, contact Sara Williams at the EPA.
Lunchtime seminar gives voice to the silent majority
If you have a passion for evaluation and in Brisbane next week, this may be of interest to you.
Libby Paholski will present "Tapping into the 'silent majority's' voice", which will showcase the use of sample surveys in community engagement programs.
Where: All Ords Room, Ground floor, Executive Annexe, 102 George Street, Brisbane
When: Wednesday 15 November 2006: 12.15 pm – 1.45 pm
Australasian Evaluation Society members and non-members are welcome at this free seminar and to stay on afterwards for informal discussion over a light lunch.
For more info and to register your interest email Julie Stimson or visit Australasian Evaluation Society web site.
Get involved in Coastcare Week
Australians love our beaches and more than 60,000 Coastcare volunteers are working in more than 2000 Coastcare groups around Australia to ensure we all can continue to enjoy them.
You too can get involved in caring for our coasts and this year's Coastcare Week from 4-10 December is a great time to start. Coastcare week is a national initiative held in the first week of December each year to raise awareness of coastal and marine issues.
Coastcare involves community volunteers caring for their coast by identifying local environmental problems and working together to achieve practical solutions. Coastcare groups tackle problems like dune erosion, loss of native plants and animals, storm water pollution, weeds and control of human access to sensitive areas.
The valuable work of Coastcare volunteers is acknowledged each year in the Coastcare Awards which are held during Coastcare week.
To find out how you can get involved or for more information contact your local Coastcare facilitator or visit the Coastcare web site.
Agricultural industries are working with government to improve water quality
The Department of Natural Resources and Water is hosting a series of lectures on the effects of agricultural practices on water quality.
Fertilisers and poor soil management can adversely affect the quality of surface and ground water. Agricultural industries are responding proactively through collaborations with research, development and extension providers to develop and promote best-practice soil and nutrient management on farms.
The lectures will cover the drivers for improving nutrient management in the sugar industry, how to improve nutrient management by adopting soil-specific fertiliser recommendations and the application of Soil Constraints and Management Package (SCAMP) in Queensland and Vietnamese crop lands.
The lectures will be held at the Natural Resource Sciences, Indooroopilly, Block B large conference room on 21 November from 11.15 am to 12.15 pm.
Programs like SCAMP can assist the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan to reverse the decline in water quality entering the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.
To learn more about the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan visit the Reef Plan website.
Cyclone clean-up nearing completion in national parks
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has made impressive progress cleaning up the extensive damage to the region's national parks in the six months since Cyclone Larry.
Thirty nine national parks were closed and numerous other forest reserves and protected areas were inaccessible because of cyclone damage.
Enormous damage was caused to vegetation, tracks and roads in protected areas and QPWS rangers have worked tirelessly to clear debris, repair park infrastructure and reopen walking tracks and roads, since the cyclone hit.
Many of the national parks and conservation areas within the Great Barrier Reef catchment also play a role in removing water-borne pollutants.
For specific information on tracks and parks that remain closed, go to EPA web site and check out the "Parks and forests" section.
Fish stocks to collapse within 50 years
An international team of scientists says global fish stocks may be wiped out within 50 years if ocean species continue to be lost at their present rate, according to an ABC report.
The research, published in the journal Science, says if nothing is done to reverse the trend, the world's fisheries will be empty by 2048.
One of the scientists who carried out the research, Dr Boris Worm, said more action is needed to save fish stocks.
"For our own sake and for the sake of fishing communities, for the whole culture that's involved with this, we need to conserve these extremely valuable resources and do that soon and we know how to do that," he said.
Shorebird conservation toolkit released
WWF Australia has recently launched a national Shorebird Conservation Toolkit to help protect and enhance shorebird habitat across Australia.
The toolkit builds on the success of the national Shorebird Conservation Project (2001-2005), drawing from 31 on-ground and community-driven shorebird conservation projects.
The toolkit is a comprehensive resource that will enable users to: understand and appreciate shorebirds, their habitat and conservation needs; locate important shorebird sites in Australia and access population estimates; develop site survey and monitoring programs; identify and assess site management needs, and implement/evaluate management actions; and identify and advocate international and national conservation options.
For more info, visit the Shorebirds web site.
Focus on desertification
With 2006 as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification, the Science and Development Network web site includes a desert science dossier that addresses the successes and limitations of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
The collection includes peer-reviewed policy briefs on key scientific and policy aspects of desertification and drylands such as human impact, access to water and biodiversity.
For more info, visit the Desert Science web site.
Database showcases NRM incentives
The natural resource management incentives database provides a comprehensive resource for Queensland landholders, community groups and regional bodies undertaking natural resource management activities.
The searchable database covers incentives offered by local councils, regional natural resource management bodies, Queensland Government departments and agencies as well as federal agencies.
Visit the incentives database web site.
Practical tool for biodiversity in rangelands
Managing for Biodiversity in the Rangelands is a series of new guides to help sustainably manage the varied land use and environmental challenges across the rangelands that cover more than 75 per cent of Australia's landmass.
The guides cover management of fire; weeds; total grazing pressure; tools for assessing financial and environmental impacts of management options; and industry guidelines for sustainability.
To order copies, visit the Department of Environment and Heritage web site.
Register now for Science Day
A one-day conference will be held on 29November to celebrate the scientific achievements of the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAPSWQ) State-level Investment Projects (SIPs).
Presentations will cover scientific outcomes relating to each of the SIP themes:
- Water Quality
- Salinity
- Sustainable agricultural production
- NRM capacity building
- Social & economic aspects of NRM
Where: Riverglenn Conference Centre, 70 Kate Street, Indooroopilly
When: 29 November
Cost: Free (including catering) but online registration is required for entry and must be submitted by 20 November.
To register or obtain further information, including program details visit the Science Day web site or email Ralph Dowling.
Get a job!
The Fitzroy Basin Association is seeking an Isaac/Connors Catchment Field Officer to work with landholders and other stakeholders in catchment and natural resource management. To obtain a copy of the position description, visit the FBA web site or phone Ruth Anderson on 4999 2814. Applications close at 5pm, Monday 20 November 2006.
Central Highlands Regional Resource Use Planning Cooperative Coordinator Liz Alexander is resigning from her role at the end of December. A new position description for Executive Officer can be found at the CHRRUP web site. Contact Liz Alexander on 4982 2991. Applications close at 5pm, Friday 17 November 2006.
Thought for the week
Feeling tired? Drink a glass of water, as one of the first signs of dehydration is fatigue.
Harvard Medical School (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 and Water, highlighting regional NRM activities around Queensland.
Last updated 09 November 2006