The Bugle - 30 March 07
In news this week
- Bugs, bats and bluegrass pastures
- Discovering Landcare event heads outback
- BDTNRM no barrier to Burdekin fish
- Conservation Partnerships providing consistent landholder assistance
- Assessing the real cost of holding stock through drought
Government updates
- Climate Change...Queensland takes action!
- Paid indigenous cadetship available
- $5 million to tackle climate change on farms
Natural resources news
- Chance for community NRM groups to have their say
- Regional unsung heros sought for Primary Industries Awards
- Climate change - what does it mean for agribusiness? Dairy farmers thank Cyclone Larry helpers
- Get CarbonSMART
- Recovering Rainforest: Queensland Rainforest Forum
- Awards for Excellence in Community Business Partnerships
- No issue of The Bugle next week
- Get a job in NRM!
Regional NRM group stories
Bugs, bats and bluegrass pastures
How can bugs and bats help graziers manage their native pastures?
Families around the Moonie district will get to find out the answer at a farming fun day on local property 'Crowders Creek' on Saturday 31 March.
The day will start at 3pm and will give local farmers and graziers the opportunity to hear from ecology and agronomy experts, and find out more about local Grain and Graze projects.
The afternoon will also include fully supervised children's sessions, teaching them about the role wildlife can play in farm management.
A BBQ dinner and drinks will be provided by local Landcare members, with a wildlife show-and-tell, and a trapping and spotlighting adventure after dark.
The day has been organised by the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee and the Grain and Graze initiative, with thanks to property owner Ray Brown.
To RSVP contact local Landcare coordinator Andy Gunther on 0427 571 417.
Discovering Landcare event heads outback
The third annual Discovering Landcare event, an environmental and sustainability event for schools, will be heading west in 2007.
Previously held in Toowoomba, the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee will be bringing it to Roma during National Science Week in August this year.
The event will be funded by the Department of Education, Science and Training, and organised by a community panel.
"We're holding a meeting on 4 April, at the Landcare and Catchment Management Office in Roma, for anyone who'd like to be involved in planning this event," said education officer Pam Fisher.
The 2007 event, titled 'Is that Science', isn't just for students. It will also showcase all the people in rural communities that use science every day.
QMDC is hoping that more than just schools will be interested in planning the event. Mrs Fisher said input will be sought from local business, Aboriginal groups, the health sector and the farming community, as well as others.
To be involved in planning this year's Discovering Landcare Forum, contact Pam Fisher on 4622 2993 before 4 April.
BDTNRM no barrier to Burdekin fish
Alluvium Consulting (Queensland) has won the tender to undertake fish barrier assessment across the Burdekin region, as announced by Dr Scott Crawford at this week's River Management Workshop in Townsville.
"Alluvium's comprehensive proposal will feature meetings with the community to take into account their knowledge of the type and location of the many barriers that exist to the movement of native fish in and out of our catchments," Dr Crawford, from Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM, said.
"BDTNRM actively sought community input into our NRM and Traditional Owner plans and we welcome Alluvium's determination to continue with our strong desire to have direct community involvement in the progression of the barrier study and its outcomes."
The project will improve understading of habitat requirements of native fish and what is required to increase their distribution across the region with the modification of barriers (constructued and natural), particularly in coastal areas.
Workshop delegates also undertook a field trip to view a successful fishway design at James Cook University where eight native species have been returned to habitat areas previously devoid of fish.
Conservation Partnerships providing consistent landholder assistance
In late 2006 the Burnett Mary Regional Group for Natural Resource Management entered into a multi-partner project to improve landholder access to extension services and conservation assistance within the greater part of the Mary River Catchment.
Councils through the Mary Local Government Cluster are partnering with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Greening Australia to provide an innovative 'one-stop-shop' conservation extension program.
The program known as 'Conservation Partnerships' provides landholders with consistent landholder assistance and access to EPA's Nature Refuges, Council Conservation Covenants and Greening Australia's Land for Wildlife program, through one locally-based conservation partnerships officer.
The program provides a suite of incentives to landholders to assist them in working towards the actions within their property management plan.
It is envisaged that this program will also support the maintenance of existing and past restoration works on private land through continued extension services and maintenance incentives.
Conservation partnerships officers will assist landholders in attracting further funding for on-ground work and securing labour assistance in partnership with local catchment and Landcare groups.
Three new conservation partnerships officers will be positioned in Hervey Bay, Maryborough and Gympie by April this year.
For further information contact Rachel Lyons, BMRG, on 5483 7718.
Assessing the real cost of holding stock through drought
Low dam levels, poor-quality water, low levels of available feed, and little time left for summer-growing grasses - the list of worries for stock owners appears to grow daily as the drought drags on.
But this list doesn't include the real financial cost of drought if graziers are determined to hold their stock, according to George Lambert, technical officer for grazing land management for the Condamine Alliance.
Mr Lambert has urged graziers on the Darling Downs, where rain has been patchy, to consider other factors in calculating the cost of holding stock in the lead-up to autumn.
"Animals will have to be fed and feed is becoming more expensive by the day because supplies are running low," he said.
Mr Lambert is president of the Tropical Grasslands Society and will be among speakers dealing with grazing issues at its annual conference, titled 'Pastures for protection and production on marginal cropping land', in Dalby on 11-12 April.
Graziers who want to learn more and discuss the issues should attend the conference, being sponsored by Condamine Alliance and local pasture seed companies.
For more information contact George Lambert, Condamine Alliance, on 4620 0112.
Government updates
Climate Change...Queensland takes action!
The 2007 Natural Resources Conference, hosted by the Department of Natural Resources and Water, is being held on Wednesday 23 May at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The theme of this year's conference is 'Climate Change - Queensland takes action'. There will be presentations and lively discussions on topics concerning climate change, particularly how it relates to sustainable management of Queensland's natural resources.
The conference will be the focal point of Natural Resources Week, running from 20-26 May.
Special guest, Dr Keith Suter, will deliver a keynote address during the lunch. Dr Suter is a social commentator, strategic planner, university lecturer, writer and broadcaster. He appears on radio daily, and is the Channel 7 Sunrise foreign affairs expert.
James O'Loghlin, ABC personality and host of The New Inventors, will MC the event and facilitate the afternoon hypothetical.
Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Kate Williams, NRW, on 3224 7786 for more information.
To download a draft program or to register your interest in attending, visit the Climate Change Conference website on the NRW website.
Paid Indigenous cadetship available
Indigenous university students have until Monday 23 April to apply for a paid cadetship with the Department of Natural Resources and Water.
Successful applicants will be paid up to $13 000 a year including book allowances and 12 weeks of paid vacation work.
The department has a range of Indigenous cadetships on offer in the fields of agricultural science, communications, engineering, forestry and geology.
The program is a federal initiative as part of the national Indigenous Cadetship Program.
For more information visit the NRW website.
$5 million to tackle climate change on farms
Australian farmers will benefit after the Australian Government announced up to $5 million to help them prepare for the risks associated with climate change.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Peter McGauran, who announced the funding at a climate roundtable in Canberra, said climate variability posed an enormous challenge to Australia's farm sector.
"Over the past 200 years, Australian farmers have shown an ability to evolve within one of the world's most variable climates. They have adapted to the great challenges that come with record high temperatures and record low rainfalls," Mr McGauran said.
"In the coming years, our farmers will increasingly have to make business decisions that take climate change issues into consideration - amongst all the other challenges to sustainable farming they will face.
"It is...vital that they are fully aware of climate trends and the implications they wll have on their businesses, as well as strategies to deal with such changes."
The roundtable brought together representatives from industry, research organisations and states and federal government.
The $5 million will fund a number of projects identified at the roundtable, which focused on the National Agriculture and Climate Change Action Plan 2006-09, released in August 2006.
Natural resources news
Chance for community NRM groups to have their say
Queensland Water and Land Carers has launched a statewide membership survey to canvass the needs of the NRM volunteer sector.
The survey gives community NRM volunteers an opportunity to contribute to the future direction of their peak body.
"QWaLC works hard to truly represent its members," QWaLC's chair Esma Armstrong said.
"We're making sure that QWaLC's future direction is in keeping with the needs of our 16 000 volunteers."
The findings of the survey will be used to better represent community NRM groups to key decision makers, such as the Queensland Government.
The survey will be conducted by Yarramine Consulting and includes a mailed questionnaire and telephone follow-up, if express permission is given. The survey is concise and simple and easy to complete.
For more information visit the QWaLC website.
Regional unsung heros sought for Primary Industries Awards
Unsung heros from the agricultural industry throughout regional Queensland have the opportunity to gain recognition for their outstanding efforts at the 2007 Queensland Primary Industries Achievement Awards.
A highlight of Primary Industries Week (27 April-5 May), the awards recognise and reward outstanding Queensland-based achievers in agriculture, fisheries and forestry.
There are four awards to recognise innovation, sustainable primary production, service to primary industries, and the popular young achiever segment.
Nominations close: Wednesday 11 April. Self-nomination or nomination by someone else in all categories will be accepted. Visit the Primary Industries Week website to download a nomination form, or contact 0417 626 420.
Climate change - what does it mean for agribusiness?
Climate change is arguably the biggest issue impacting Queensland's $11 billion primary industries sector.
Its effect on the agribusiness sector will be examined during Primary Industries Week at a Brisbane luncheon on Wednesday 2 May at the Sebel and Citigate King Geogre Sqaure (formerly the Carlton Crest).
ABC science broadcaster Bernie Hobbs will lead a panel of experts as they explore the impacts, mitigation and adaptation of strategies of climate change.
Speakers and topics include:
- Climatology impacts - Roger Stone, Professor of Climatology, USQ
- Impact on insurance - George Walker, senior risk analyst, AON Re Asia Pacific
- Implications for agribusiness banking - Graham Jennings, general manager (agribusiness), Westpac
- Adaptation to climate change - John Sims, Bureau of Rural Science
- Carbon trading - Fiona Waterhouse, CEO, FEX Climate
Tickets are $77 for individuals and $750 for a table 10, including a 2-course meal and drinks. For more information visit the Primary Industries Week or the Queensland Farmers' Federation website, or contact 0417 626 620.
Dairy farmers thank Cyclone Larry helpers
The Queensland Dairyfarmers' Organisation has honoured those north Queenslanders who helped the industry during the clean-up following Cyclone Larry.
Many dairy farmers lost much of their farm infrastructure and had to cope without electricity for weeks, causing major disruptions to milking. Farmers lost pasture and crops as the ongoing wet weather following the cyclone brought more than three metres of rain and continuous cloud cover. The cyclone caused millions of dollars of damage to the industry, and the path to recovery will be a long process.
Queensland Dairyfarmers' Organisation president Wes Judd said "I would like to personally thank all those people who helped dairy farmers clean-up after the wreakage of Cyclone Larry.
"The volunteers gave hundreds of hours to help others at a time when many of them had their own property damage from the cyclone."
Mr Judd also thanked the hundreds of dairy farmers who donated funds to assist their industry colleagues devastated by Larry.
The QDO Cyclone Relief Fund was established in response to calls of concern from dairy farmers across Australia, and enough funds were raised to purchase a semi-trailer load of steel fence posts to help farmers repair their fences.
Get CarbonSMART
Hundreds of Australian landholders are expected to benefit from the launch of Australia's first ongoing carbon pool to support biodiversity.
Through Landcare CarbonSMART, farmers and landholders can earn money simply by planting and maintaining vegetation for biodiversity.
The CarbonSMART project makes it possible for landholders to secure a regular income for up to 30 years.
Revegetating land is an effective tool to offset our carbon emissions - in fact, trees are the only proven technology to remove carbon from the atmosphere - an important step in the battle against climate change.
Landcare Australia is urging landholders across Australia - particularly those who have undertaken landcare plantings since 1990 - to find out how they can potentially secure ongoing annual income through the project.
For more information visit the Landcare Australia CarbonSMART website.
Recovering Rainforest: Queensland Rainforest Forum
Registrations are now open for the Queensland Rainforest Recovery Forum, showcasing community projects, rainforest science, recovery planning, management and conservation.
Hosted by SEQ Catchments with the support from the Australian Government, Centre for Innovative Conservation Strategies and Landcare Queensland, the forum will be held at Griffith University, Brisbane from 25-27 June.
Keynote presenters include Professor Roger Kitching, Councillor Mike Berwick, and Bruce Boyes. Along with presentations from community groups, NRM groups, government and research institutions, the event will include interactive forums, field trips, and poster presentations.
For further information or registration forms contact Landcare Queensland on 3211 4413 or visit the Landcare Queensland website.
Awards for Excellence in Community Business Partnerships
The Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Community Business Partnerships reward and recognise those businesses and community organisations that come together to generate outcomes that have a long term benefit for the community.
Partnerships can take many forms and can include providing in-kind support, financial assistance, technical expertise, or opportunities for training and mentoring.
Nominations close: 27 April. State and territory winners will be announced during Community Business Partnerships week in August.
More information and nomination packs are available from the Community Business Partnerships website.
No issue of The Bugle next week
There will be no issue of The Bugle released next week due to the public holiday (Good Friday).
Please send in your stories to Carl and Shona for the next issue (out on Friday 13 April) - it will be a bumper issue!
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 so you don't miss out on the job of a lifetime!
Here's a sample of what's on offer:
CHRRUP
Position title: Catchment field officer
CHRRUP is seeking a confident and motivated person with a passion for rural industry and community-based natural resource management, who is looking for a challenging and rewarding career opportunity.
Covering the Comet River Catchment watersheds, the catchment field officer will be responsible for:
- providing on-ground support to landholders for the voluntary uptake of sustainable agriculture and improved NRM practices.
- assisting landholders develop on-farm projects to obtain incentive support.
- fostering communication and awareness for all NRM issues within the catchment.
The position requires a high level of initiative and approachability. The successful applicant will be required to work between the Springsure and Emerald CHRRUP offices.
Position descriptions and selection criteria are available from Sally Murden, CHRRUP, on 4982 2996.
Applications close: Tuesday 10 April.
Thought for the week
All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsion, habit, reason, passion, and desire.
Aristotle
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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 09 January 2008