The Bugle - 4 May 2007
In news this week
Regional NRM group stories
- Climate change our biggest threat, ministers told
- Mark Stoneman - new chair for Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM
- Central west communities benefit from free grant workshops
- Giru soils guru talks to land managers
- Saving Mitchell's soil
- Proceedings of the River Management Workshop now available
- Bringing back the beach scrub
- Managing and preventing salty spots
- Inaugural Queensland Coastal Conference 2007
- Catch a Carp and win big bucks
- Historic new home for BMRG
- Learning new tricks from old SIPs
- $408 million for south east Queensland water
- North QLD farmers asked to help
- Passmore Reserve hooks a big catch
- Integrated and coordinated intervention for wild dog control
- Superman beware: there is a 'kryptonite'
- Queenslanders urged to enter the prestigious Landcare Awards
- Get a job in NRM!
Regional NRM group stories
Climate change our biggest threat, ministers told
Federal and state ministers were told by Australia's 56 NRM regions that regional communities see climate change as the biggest threat to their environmental, social and economic well-being.
National NRM Working Group chairman Mike Berwick said there were three key issues,climate variability,building community capacity to manage natural resources and closer alignment of efforts by the three spheres of government - federal, state and local.
The annual Regional NRM Groups meeting between government ministers and the regional bodies chairs held in Brisbane last week, focused on the roll-out of the next national NRM program following the completion of the existing program in June 2008.
Mr Berwick said although they were "very enthusiastic" about the proposed new national program, many of the NRM regions had entered uncharted territory in terms of water scarcity and drought. Seasons and crops had failed again, and the water deficit had continued a downward trend.
"However, on the positive side, where there has been long-term investment through Landcare, the Natural Heritage Trust and the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality, there is a noticeable improvement in the retention of ground cover, despite the drought," Mr Berwick said.
The Australian Government is expected to announce the amount of money allocated to the 56 regional bodies when it brings down its budget on May 8. The states will be asked to match this funding through a series of bilateral agreements.
Mark Stoneman - new chair for Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM
Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM (BDTNRM) has appointed a new chair following Mike Cannon's retirement. Mark Stoneman has an extensive background in public life as the State Member for Burdekin for 15 years. He retired from State Parliament in 1998.
He guided the development of the Wetlands and Grasslands Foundation, now acknowledged as a unique environmental concept in world terms. Mark also has extensive first hand knowledge of NRM issues, having re-established his Brahman Stud farm in the Giru district.
Mr Stoneman's view is the Board of Directors have primary roles in policy development, governance issues and providing support for the CEO and staff who are delivering the Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM Plan created by the Burdekin Regional Community.
The retiring Chair, Mike Cannon, is to be commended for his dedication and hard work over the past three years in pushing BDTNRM through the transition from a planning organisation to a regional body responsible for implementing over $20 million worth of NRM activities throughout the region.
Since Mike took on the role of chair, BDTNRM has grown from five to 18 staff and their activities in the region have increased exponentially.
Visit BDTNRM website to learn more about this regional body and what it is doing.
Central west communities benefit from free grant workshops
Twenty people attended a grant writing workshop in Winton early this week to enhance their chances of securing support for important environmental and NRM projects in the Desert Channels region. The workshop was the first of five to take place across the Desert Channels Queensland region, to provide landholders, landcare and other community groups with tips, tools and tricks of the trade for winning grants.
The workshops, also taking place in Windorah, Blackall, Aramac and Longreach, have been delivered by Landcare Queensland and funded by Desert Channels Queensland and the Gambling Community Benefit Fund.
Landcare Queensland Manager Samantha Morris said "writing grant applications can be a daunting process for many people. These workshops help simplify the grant writing process.
"Regional bodies like Desert Channels Queensland are playing a crucial role in providing communities with the skills to access resources from a broad range of sources. As well as providing funding for strategic natural resource management projects, Desert Channels Queensland is also helping to build the skills base of the region’s landholders. Both are crucial to ensuring the region’s sustainability," Sam said.
Future workshops (May–June) will take place in Emerald, Biloela, Rockhampton, Mackay and Monto. Further information about grant writing workshops is available by emailing Samantha Morris or by calling Landcare Queensland on 07 3211 4413.
Giru soils guru talks to land managers
In 2006 Jim McClurg took soil samples for the lower Burdekin which was one of the last areas in Burdekin Dry Tropics region which had not been mapped.
Last month Jim conducted a free two hour practical session, on how the Giru Survey was undertaken and how soils were sampled throughout the region. Attending were a number of property owners and other agencies (BSES, Department of Natural Resources and Water, consultants and the Burdekin Productivity Services).
Jim went on to explain the Australian Soils Classification coding and what each of the numbers and letters in these codes actually represented. Each soil code was described in terms of their suitability for productivity, especially in relation to sugarcane.
Doug Willis from BDTNRM also described how each landholder could obtain maps through BBIFMAC as part of the Giru Soils project and satellite imagery could assist with property management.
For background information visit the BDTNRM website.
Saving Mitchell’s soil
A recent modelling exercise conducted in the Mitchell district found graziers will soon be saving four ute loads of topsoil per day (1300 tonnes of their soil per year) from their paddocks, soil, which previously washed away into the Maranoa River.
The exercise was conducted by graziers, Mitchell and District Landcare Association and the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee (QMDC).
QMDC Water Projects Officer Paul Webb lead the exercise, using a computer program developed by the Queensland Government to predict the impact of a number of environmental projects around Mitchell for erosion and water quality.
A lot of graziers around Mitchell have undertake riparian, fencing, and grazing projects that will improve soil and water health, however, it can take up to five years before results are seen. It is great to use this program to see now what the future results will be. the positive prospects also helps to encourages other people to participate.
QMDC will now take this computer modelling exercise to other farming groups, to build a better picture of the impacts of agriculture on the environment across southern Queensland.
Proceedings of the River Management Workshop now available
The proceedings of the Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM (BDTNRM)River Management Workshop are now available on the BDTNRM website.
Bringing back the beach scrub
In February, the Mackay Whitsunday NRM Group, Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM and the Fitzroy Basin Association secured funding for bringing back beach scrub, through the 'Back on Track' - species prioritisation framework.
The project called 'Bringing Back the Beach Scrub' will assess the distribution, condition and conservation significance of beach scrub on coastal dunes between the Fitzroy River and Thuringowa to guide on-ground management actions at priority sites.
This beach scrub supports a number of high priority species for conservation, including five plants and eight animals including the northern quoll. These priority species were identified through the ‘Back on Track’ - species prioritisation framework.
For further information on 'Bringing Back the Beach Scrub' email Matt Bloor or David Murphy. For further information on the 'Back on Track' – species prioritisation framework visit the EPA website.
Managing and preventing salty spots
Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM (BDTNRM) is funding a project to better understand potential threats posed by dryland salinity in the Burdekin River catchment.
This will be achieved through a series of on-farm case studies to investigate salinity processes and discover how producers manage salty patches on their country.
The BDTNRM website provides more information on this project.
Inaugural Queensland Coastal Conference 2007
The Inaugural Queensland Coastal Conference 2007, a gathering of coastal managers, will be held in Bundaberg from the 17–20 September.
The theme for the conference will be 'Shifting Sands' which best represents the current status of coastal management in Queensland.
The Burnett Mary Regional Group organising committee feel the natural, cultural, economic and social values of Queensland's coastline are highly significant, yet management and proactive planning for their continued protection, outside the current framework, needs to occur.
If you have a passion about Queensland’s coastline and wish to inspire others with your experiences and knowledge, then please register your interest by submitting an abstract.
Some of the topics to be considered at the conference vary from coastal development to climate change, for a more comprehensive list of topics or for further information, visit the Ice Australia website or phone 02 9368 1200.
Catch a carp and win big bucks
Goondiwindi District Promotions and the Queensland Murray Darling Committee (QMDC) have formed a partnership to hold Goondiwindi's first Carp Cull Fishing Competition.
The 'Cull' will be held on 19-20 May and event organisers are expecting 500 anglers. With cash and prizes to the value of $10 000 up for grabs, competition is expected to be fierce.
The Invasive Animal Cooperative Research Centre will be using the event to help with their research into carp biology and leading up to the event, they will be tagging fish in the competition area. There will be special prizes for anglers who land tagged fish.
QMDC is committed to improving the state of natural resources in the Border Rivers Catchment and sees the carp cull as an important event in promoting river health.
Carp are a major pest of inland waterways according to Megan Purvis, Riverine and Floodplain Technical Officer for QMDC.
"Carp are bottom feeders and when present in large numbers their habits contribute to increased turbidity and reduced bank stability. They also feed on the native fish eggs and compete for resources leading to a reduction in native fish numbers," said Ms Purvis.
President of Goondiwindi District Promotions Jamie White said said “Carp are a blight on the natural fishery and this event will help native fish recover to the numbers present prior to the arrival of carp."
For more information head to the Carp Cull website or ring Todd McLean on 4671 3264.
Historic new home for BMRG
One of Bundaberg's most historic buildings was officially heralded as the new home to the Burnett Mary Regional Group for Natural Resource Management Inc. (BMRG) by Federal Member for Hinkler Paul Neville last Friday night.
The 116 year old colonial landmark at 193 Bourbong Street formerly housed the Bundaberg Branch of the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney and is currently listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.
BMRG Independent Chairman Russell Stewart said great pains had been taken to preserve the architectural and historical integrity of the building, while equipping it to accommodate a functional modern office space.
BMRG has achieved some major milestones in the past 3 years including treatment of 80% of current aquatic weed infestations in the Burnett River, and over 25,000 hectares and 30 kilometres of pest plants throughout the region.
By partnering with Local Government, industry, catchment and community groups, BMRG strives to address the highest priorities in all the five natural asset areas – lifestyle and people, water, land, coastal and marine and the Burnett Mary's unique biodiversity.
Further information is available by visiting the Burnett Mary Regional Groupwebsite or calling them on their new number 4181 2999.
Government updates
Learning new tricks from old SIPs
Papers, tools, data sets, models, maps and reports are among the long list of products from the various State-level Investment Projects (SIP).
An updated catalogues of these products has been compiled for each SIP theme to make it easier for these invaluable tools to be sourced.
These SIP product lists are now available on the regional NRM website.$408 million for south east Queensland water
The Australian Government has announced it will invest $408 million in the $1.7 billion Western Corridor Recycled Water Project in south east Queensland.
The Western Corridor project is the largest recycled water scheme to be constructed in the southern hemisphere and involves the construction of pipelines to enable the transfer of purified recycled water from advanced wastewater treatment plants in Brisbane and Ipswich to end users.
When completed the project will have the potential to produce over 250 megalitres a day (90 gigalitres per annum) of recycled water for drinking, industrial and possibly agricultural purposes and will provide positive long term outcomes for southeast Queensland.
It will also demonstrate to other communities in Australia that the use of purified recycled water is a viable option to augment drinking water supply. The serious effects of the drought continue to impact across the country and southeast Queensland residents are also subject to level 5 water restrictions.
Southeast Queensland is currently facing a serious water supply situation evidenced by the combined current dam levels for the region which were at 19.75 per cent on 19 April.
Further information on this and other Water Smart Australia projects can be found on the National Water Commission's website.
North QLD farmers asked to help
Water Minister Craig Wallace has called upon north Queensland farmers to "step up to the plate" and do more to feed Australia, if food production declines in the Murray Darling Basin due to drought.
Mr Wallace said farmers in the Murray Darling Basin have been warned by Prime Minister John Howard that if it does not rain, these farmers will not get any water for irrigation, meaning food production will be reduced.
"Prices for fruit and vegetables are predicted to triple as $6 billion worth of production in the Murray Darling is threatened," he said.
The Lower Burdekin and Bowen irrigators have had such a good wet season they can expect their entitlements to increase and they are in a good position to make up some of the shortfall from the Murray Darling Basin.
The Lower Burdekin, Bowen and the Whitsundays support industries including sugar, horticulture, cotton, beef production and aquaculture.
For the full media release visit Queensland Ministerial statements online.
Passmore Reserve hooks a big catch
Popular fishing and picnic spot, Passmore Reserve on the Condamine River, will benefit from $60 624 in funding from the latest round of the Australian Government’s Recreational Fishing Community Grants program.
Condamine Alliance and Clifton Shire Council applied for the funding for a project called Enhancing Recreational Fishing at Passmore Reserve. Passmore Reserve, about 20km west of Clifton, covers about 1.2km of the Condamine River.
The project will improve the fish, aquatic and riparian habitat and the day-use facilities for recreational fishers and other visitors. The reserve is home to a diverse range of aquatic and riparian habitats.
Federal Member for Maranoa, Bruce Scott, announced six recreational fishing grants for his electorate, totalling $144 814, from Round 4 of the Recreational Fishing Community Grants program.
The other Maranoa electorate projects are located in Miles, Charleville, Isisford and Condamine.
Mr Scott said the six projects are about restocking several waterways, improving the natural habitats and passages for fish and one project will see the construction of a boat ramp.
Round 5 of the Recreational Fishing Grants program is now open and groups are encouraged to apply for funding. Applications for Round 5 close on May 25. Further information is available on the DAFF website.
Integrated and coordinated intervention for wild dog control
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin is urging landholders to take advantage of the latest coordinated wild dog and fox baiting programs running across the Darling Downs to minimise impacts of the feral animals.
A broad scale approach is the best way to control wild dogs and foxes. The best results are achieved by using a range of control and prevention methods, as 1080 baiting programs are only one tool and landholders need to consider integrating other available control methods including trapping and shooting.
Preventative actions such as fencing to keep feral animals away from properties and stock, keeping guard dogs for livestock protection and fencing off disposal pits so as not to attract feral animals scavenging on carcasses and other waste should be considered.
Land protection officer Grant Beutel said not controlling feral pests could result in the loss of domestic animals through disease and predation and placed increased pressure on remnant native animal populations.
"Isolated baiting campaigns can increase wild dog attacks as they create recolonising opportunities for younger, inexperienced hunters who are much more likely to attack livestock than native animals like kangaroos which are much harder to catch. This is why coordinated baiting with support from neighbours is so important,'' he said.
For information to join a co-ordinated baiting campaign contact your local council pest management officer or the land protection officer in your area.
The Southern Downs and Granite Belt campaign starts at Warwick April 26-27, Clifton on May 8, before moving on to Stanthorpe on May 9.
For the full media release visit Queensland Ministerial statements online.
Natural resources news
Superman beware: there is a 'kryptonite'
Dr Chris Stanley, a museum mineralogist at London's Natural History Museum has said a newly-found mineral contains the same elements as kryptonite, the fictional mineral used to fight Superman.
Stanley says he searched the web using the new mineral's chemical formula - sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide - and was amazed to discover the same scientific name used in the film Superman Returns.
In the movie the superhero's arch enemy Lex Luthor steals a kryptonite rock fragment from the Metropolis Museum and on the case is written the words "sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide with fluorine".
The new mineral named jadarite after the Serb region where it was found, does not contain fluorine and is white rather than green, but in all other respects the chemistry matches that for the rock containing kryptonite in the film.
The museum says the real mineral could be used as a source of lithium, which is used in batteries, or the cleaning compound borate, or borax.
Between 30 and 40 new minerals are discovered each year, but before a mineral can be classified as new, its chemical properties including its crystalline structure, must be tested.
There are currently greater than 1300 granted exploration permits for minerals in Queensland. This permit allows the holder to explore for all minerals other than coal. So who know what new minerals or mineral deposits will be found here in Queensland.
Kryptonite story sourced from ABC News website.
Queenslanders urged to enter the prestigious Landcare Awards
Queenslanders are being urged to enter the prestigious Landcare Awards – which are on again.
Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath and country music star Adam Brand are backing the awards and urging Queenslanders to enter the State Landcare Awards which will recognise outstanding achievements in Landcare. Other stars supporting the Awards include Graeme Connors, Tania Kernaghan and Melinda Schneider.
Landcare says it's vital to salute dedicated people in Queensland who give up time to care for Queensland's precious land and water resources and it's thrilled to celebrate the amazing work being done by Queensland landcarers.
With awards to recognise individuals, schools, universities, local councils, primary producers, indigenous groups and many others, this is an invaluable opportunity for all types of landcarers to celebrate their remarkable work in tackling environmental issues from the ground up. Winners will be recognised throughout national and local media, among the Landcare network and in their community.
Landcare Australia Chief Executive Brian Scarsbrick said "Landcare is all about people with sleeves rolled up and making it happen. The winners will receive state-wide recognition and be flown to a huge national ceremony held in Canberra in 2008, where our national winners will receive $1000. Award winners go on to receive greater acknowledgement and some end up getting extra funds to help them continue with their projects. A Landcare Award really does open doors for them to continue their amazing work."
All information on entering is available on the Landcare Australia website. Queensland nominations close on 29 June. Landcare Australia urges everyone to get their nominations in ASAP.
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:
Burdekin Dry Tropics Board Vacancy
Title: Aboriginal Land Management Facilitator (ALMF) Full time position, contracted until 30th June 2008 with potential for extension with the roll out of future Australian government funding.
Full copies of the position descriptions with selection criteria and details of how to apply are available from BDTNRM website.
For further information contact Michelle Allen, Manager – Contracts, HR & Policy on telephone 4724 3544.
Applications close: 9:00 am on Monday 14 May.
Thought for the week
The most beautiful thing under the sun is being under the sun.
German novelist Christa Wolf
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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 08 January 2008