The Bugle - 23 February 2007
In news this week
Regional NRM group stories
- Queensland is catching fires using satellite tracking
- BDTNRM hits the road in the Burdekin catchment
- Landcare groups called to arms
- Grader grass management under scrutiny
- Peter Andrews talks to north Queensland grazers
- Applications closing for the Good Land Management Awards 2007
Government updates
- Putting AgSIP learning into perspective at Bundaberg forum
- Fitzroy Water Plan review closes today
- Money available to combat weeds
Reef Plan updates
Queensland Wetlands Programme updates
Natural resources news
- Carers for water and land, networked
- The winner will be natural resources at the 2007 State Landcare Awards
- Landcare bookshop launched
- Get a job in NRM!
Regional NRM group stories
Queensland is catching fires using satellite tracking
Managing fires using cutting edge satellite technology was the focus of the Rangelands Fire Project meeting held in Roma on 21 February.
The fire tracking technology can be used by landholders in southern/central Queensland rangelands to manage fire risks to their properties.
The Rangelands Fire Project, funded by the Natural Heritage Trust, builds on the expertise and knowledge acquired by the Cape York Peninsula Development Association's (CYPDA) Cape York Fire Management Program. Northern land managers have been using this program to receive real time fire tracking services since 1999 and data has been recorded to build fire history maps of Cape York, assisting them to incorporate fire management into their property plans.
Manager for the Rangelands Fire Project, Bryan Cifuentes, said fire always has and always will play a large role in shaping the Australian landscape. Fire activity has a direct economic impact on production, through lost grazing areas and crops, time diverted to fire fighting and potentially lost grazing productivity through woody thickening and weed encroachment.
Fire information will be available through the North Australian Fire Information website, which identifies fire hotspots, enabling land managers to respond rapidly to outbreaks and provides fire history maps to assist with better managing fuel loads throughout the year to prevent highly destructive wild fires.
"Fire has no respect for property boundaries - this project encourages land managers to look beyond their own back yard to better manage fires in their region and protect pastures, property and people," Brian said.
The project is a collaborative exercise between regional NRM bodies, the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, the Department of Natural Resources and Water, the Environmental Protection Agency, CSIRO and local councils.
BDTNRM hits the road in the Burdekin catchment
Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM is holding public meetings to discuss best management practices (BMPs) adoption incentives and to review their grazing land BMPs draft guidelines.
Meetings will be held at the following locations:
26 February
- Greenvale Hotel, Charters Towers 9:30am
- Department of Primary industries and Fisheries, Charters Towers 3:00pm
27 February
- Belyando Crossing Roadhouse 10:00am
28 February
- Clermont Club 9:00am
To view a copy of the guidelines visit the BDTNRM website, under 'Reports now available'.
Landcare groups called to arms
Recent rainfall and a better outlook for south-west Queensland are encouraging signs for the reinvigoration of the Landcare movement in the region.
With renewed interest starting to emerge, regional landcare facilitator Angie Walton has been busy coordinating interested land managers and community members to facilitate new project ideas. Landcare groups in the region are keen to move forward on educational programs and revegetation, regeneration and restoration of river systems and are seeking funding for these endeavours.
Angie is currently working on submissions to the National Landcare Program Community Support Funding for projects targeting weeds and Warrego catchment restoration. Both projects will involve the formation or re-activation of local Landcare groups.
Angie is keen to talk to anyone interested in becoming part of a Landcare group in the south-west. She can give interested people a contact for an existing group or assist people in forming a new group.
Contact Angie Walton on 4654 7382 or visit the South West NRM website.
Grader grass management under scrutiny
The Department of Natural Resources and Water's Tropical Weeds Research Centre at Charters Towers is conducting a two-year research project into the ecological aspects of grader grass to improve management techniques of this high priority pest.
The project is funded by the Burdekin Dry Tropics, Northern Gulf and Southern Gulf Catchments natural resource management bodies.
Grader grass (Themeda quadrivalvis), a native of India, is a significant and increasing weed problem in northern Queensland. Grader grass forms tall thickets which may cover large tracts of land, smothering native plants, reducing biodiversity and increasing fire hazards.
This project will provide both economic and environmental benefits through the development of management recommendations so that land managers can reduce the economic and environmental impacts of this weedy grass.
For more information contact Dr Wayne Vogler on 4761 5707.
Peter Andrews talks to north Queensland grazers
North Queensland grazing land managers will take another practical step towards managing climate change and improving water quality at a Natural Sequence Farming field day in March.
The field day, to be conducted by the Three Rivers Landcare Group, Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM and Dalrymple Landcare Committee will feature Peter Andrews, an innovative ecological land manager from the Hunter Valley.
The field day will be held at the Ewan Racecourse (120km North of Charters Towers on the Lynd Highway) and nearby demonstration sites commencing at 7.30am on Saturday 3 March.
To register, contact the Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM office on 4724 3544, or John Nicholas of the Dalrymple Landcare Committee on 4754 6120 by 23 February.
To learn more about Peter Andrews visit the ABC's Australian Story website to read the Australian Story feature on him.
If you are in the Burdekin region, but unable to attend the field day, you can see Peter on 4 March at the Better Earth Expo at Thuringowa.
This event will be a first for the region and will showcase the environmental industry, service providers and environmental groups from throughout North Queensland. For more information go to the Thuringowa City Council website.
Applications closing for the Good Land Management Awards 2007
The Dalrymple Landcare Committee, in conjunction with Burdekin Dry Tropics Natural Resource Management (BDTNRM) and the SPIRAL project, are holding the second annual Good Land Management Awards. Funding for this year's awards has increased to $20 000.
The awards will focus on improved sustainable land use and natural resource management by Landcare groups and land managers. The awards now include separate categories for land managers and Landcare groups, while the rural blockholder and effective weed management categories remain.
The awards are open to all industries in the Dalrymple Shire and are not specific to commercial grazing enterprises. Nominations will be accepted in both self-nominations and third-party formats. People who have not been involved with Landcare are eligible and are invited to nominate. Applicants are welcome to nominate work completed with assistance from funding bodies or works completed through their own initiatives.
Landcare groups are asked to nominate one or more land managers and to submit an entry based on what the group has achieved.
Applications close on 9 March and successful applicants will be contacted by phone and mail on 23 March. The awards ceremony will be held in Charters Towers on 30 March at a venue to be determined. For more information email John Nicholas.
Government updates
Putting AgSIP learning into perspective at Bundaberg forum
An Agricultural state-level investment projects (AgSIPs) forum will be held at Bundaberg on 14-15 March.
The two-day forum plans to capture the 'learnings' from the AgSIPs and other regional NRM projects involved with intensive agricultural industries such as cane, cotton, fruit and vegetable production.
The forum will explore how intensive agricultural industries and regional bodies can use the information gained from the AgSIPs to continue to move forward on NRM issues, such as producing case studies, best practice guidelines or identifying directions for further research and projects around three themes: Engagement, Regional Coordination, and Reporting and Marketing.
An organising committee consisting of AgSIP project staff, QFF, Canegrowers, Cotton Australia, Growcom and the Burnett Mary Regional Group invite people with experiences in developing NRM projects in intensive industries to participate and share their knowledge at the forum.
The forum is limited to 50 people and registrations of interest will be taken on a 'first come first served' basis. Registrations and enquiries should be made to Veronica Chapman 4620 8103 or 0428 101 730.
Fitzroy Water Plan review closes today
Submissions by central Queenslanders to have their say on proposed amendments to the Fitzroy Water Resource Plan (WRP) and to nominate members for a community reference panel close today (23 February).
The amended plan will look to secure sustainable groundwater in the Isaac-Connors and Callide Valley catchments as well as supply urban and industrial needs. The community reference panel's role is to identify issues and provide advice to the Department of Natural Resource and Water on the proposed amendments to the WRP.
The groundwater resources in the Isaac-Connors catchment, north-west of Rockhampton, plays an important part in supporting the central Queensland's economy, natural heritage and biodiversity. The proposed amendments will apply to all sub-artesian water contained in aquifers within the two catchments.
Information reports detailing the planning process are available on the NRW website.
Money to combat weeds available
The Australian Government has made $1.5 million available to communities and researchers to combat weeds.
Researchers and community groups are being encouraged to develop project proposals under the latest round of the Australian Government's Defeating the Weed Menace program.
Government departments are works closely with the research community to make sure the latest and best science is available for the fight against weeds.
The Australian Government sees research and development as an important component of its $44.4 million Defeating the Weed Menace program and $5.4 million is directly allocated to research and development.
This is the second call for research and development projects. For information visit the Defeating the Weed Menace Programme website.
Reef Plan updates
Fishers warned to avoid handling stingrays
With the recent wide spread media coverage of concerns over stingray safety, a clear message has been voiced to fishers to handle stingrays with care.
The stingray is extremely common in Queensland waters, inhabiting oceans, rivers and estuaries, and is commonly found in shallow waters over sand and mud flats.
Stingrays are shy and non-aggressive by nature, but if they are threatened they will defend themselves. This involves the stingray whipping its tail equipped with one or more spines at the foreign body. These spines can inflict a painful and potentially deadly injury.
The best thing to do if a stingray is caught fishing is to release it by cutting the line and allowing it to swim away. This strategy ensures anglers are not put at any risk and chances for survival are maximised for the stingray. Fishers should not cut off the stingray's tail, as the stingray usually dies.
If you are stung by a stingray, seek medical attention immediately.
A copy of stingray safety tips can be obtained from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries' Business Information Centre on 13 25 23 where you can also report suspected cases of animal cruelty involving stingrays.
Queensland Wetlands Programme updates
Wetlands the big winner in $220 million in water funding
Wetlands are the big winner from the announced $220 million for projects aimed at improving Australia's water infrastructure and managing Australia's water resources in the latest round of the Water Fund.
Details of funding allocations to states have not been announced; however $91 million of the total funding has been allocated to six projects focused on wetland restoration.
Almost $72 million will support the planned acquisition of environmental water through the purchase of entitlements from willing sellers. When the water is not required for the environment it will be able to be traded back to irrigators on the temporary market.
The funds will target projects to improve the science, water delivery and community engagement aspects of environmental water management.
The program consists of four sub-projects:
- Acquisition and management of water for environmental benefit.
- Enabling better use of environmental water by modelling, monitoring and decision support system.
- Ensuring better delivery of environmental water through works and river management measures.
- Boosting the benefits of environmental water on private land through conservation agreements, and recording Aboriginal culturally significant wetland activities.
For information visit the Water Fund website.
Natural Resource news
Homeless to get their hands dirty
With support through the Community Awareness Grants, Landcare Queensland is conducting a field trip for people who are homeless. The group will be visiting a Landcare site and helping to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism during Natural Resources Week.
The field trip involves homeless support organisations including: The Big Issue; New Farm Neighbourhood Centre; and West End Community House. The Community Awareness Grants are providing assistance with bus hire, catering and special mementos for the participants such as hats and calico bags.
Landcare Queensland chair, Geoff Penton said that the project was an innovative way to involve new people in Landcare projects.
"Landcare is about bringing people together to look after the environment. This project will provide people affected by homelessness with a fantastic opportunity to spend a day away from Brisbane getting their hands dirty," Geoff said.
"By working in partnership with homeless support organisations we are ensuring that as many people as possible will have access to worthwhile volunteering opportunities. Hopefully some long term links with Landcare projects will be developed."
"Without the support of the Department of Natural Resources and Water, this project would not be possible. The department has shown a true commitment to building partnerships with a broad cross section of the community and embracing diversity in natural resource management," Geoff added.
Volunteers are being sought to attend the trip as ushers and eco-mentors. For more information, contact Sam Morris on 3211 4413.
Carers for water and land, networked
Around 30 people from Cape York to Cunnamulla attended the Queensland Water and Land Carers' (QWaLC) meet-and-greet afternoon tea in January. The afternoon provided attendees with the opportunity to access QWaLC's state-wide NRM network, exchanging ideas and making new contacts across the NRM sector.
Representatives from volunteer NRM groups, Queensland Farmers Federation, the Regional Groups Collective, Department of Natural Resources and Water, Landcare Queensland, Queensland Conservation Council, SEQ Catchments, CSIRO and AgForce all attended the networking exercise.
QWaLC will be holding more of these events as part of its work representing and advocating on behalf of the NRM volunteer sector.
For information on QWaLC's next event email Erin Russell or phone 3211 4409.
The winner will be natural resources at the 2007 State Landcare Awards
The 2007 State Landcare Awards will be hosted by Queensland Water and Land Carers (QWaLC) and Pioneer Catchments. The awards, sponsored by Landcare Australia Limited, will be held in August during the Queensland Landcare Conference.
Categories for the State Landcare Awards will be released in May. QWaLC will be accepting nominations from individuals and groups. Self-nominated individuals and groups are also encouraged to apply. The Awards are an opportunity to recognise groups and individuals for their volunteer NRM work. Winners will represent Queensland at the 2008 National Landcare Awards.
The categories will be similar to the last Awards in 2005. The 2005 categories were:
- National Landcare Program Individual Landcarer Award
- Murray Darling Basin Commission Rivercare Award
- Bushcare Nature Conservation Award
- Australian Government Coastcare Community Award
- Alcoa Landcare Community Group Award
- Landcare Australia Local Government Landcare Community Partnerships Award
- Australian Government Landcare Regional Award
- Rural Press Landcare Primary Producer Award
- Westpac Landcare Education Award
- Alcan Landcare Indigenous Community Award
Don't miss the awards night! The 2005 awards night was a huge success with over 300 guests attending the ceremony and dinner. Live entertainment and high-profile presenters made it a night to remember - and 2007 will be even better!
Landcare bookshop launched
Landcare Queensland announced the launch of its virtual bookshop this week. The bookshop, which launches with 17 Landcare related titles, will focus on publications about the Queensland landscape, sustainable land management and community engagement. The latest titles, catalogue and order form are available online from the Landcare Queensland Bookshop.
Proceeds from the bookshop are directed towards the mission of Landcare Queensland: To really look after the environment, people need information, support and financial assistance to make the right choices. Landcare Queensland provides training, resources and funding to more than 30,000 people involved in Landcare throughout the state.
Landcare Queensland members receive a discount on most publications and the good news is that membership is only $20 a year.
For more information about the virtual bookshop or other Landcare Queensland services, email Kerri Woodcock or phone 3211 4413.
Get a job in NRM!
Are you interested in working with Queensland's regional natural resource management bodies? Then head to the Regional Groups' Collective web site where current job opportunities are now available. Be sure to check back regularly to ensure you don't miss out on the job of a lifetime!
Here's a sample of what's on offer:
South West NRM Ltd
Education & Training Officer
Salary: $38 000-$45 000 based on qualifications & experience
Location: Charleville full-time, part time or consultancy as negotiated.
Media & Promotions Officer
Salary: $38 000-$45 000 based on qualifications & experience
Location: Charleville full-time, part-time or consultancy as negotiated.
Thought for the week
At the heart of science is an essential balance between two seemingly contradictory attitudes - an openness to new ideas, no matter how bizarre or counterintuitive, and the most ruthlessly sceptical scrutiny of all ideas, old and new.
Carl Sagan - The Demon-Haunted World
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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 10 January 2008