The Bugle - 15 June 2007
In news this week
Regional NRM group stories
- Southern Gulf Catchments supports Carpentaria Land Council manage land and sea
- Condamine Alliance and ACSC consolidate partnership
- 'Biodiversity Back on Track' produces positive outcomes for endangered species
- Roma set to 'Discover Landcare' in August
- Tully's water plan a community effort
- Calling all NRM educators...
- New future for Cape York Peninsula
- Half a million reasons to celebrate nature: Premier
- Are you involved with water quality management?
Wetlands updates
Natural resources news
- Shane Webcke stars in new campaign to deliver vital farming message to city families
- Greenhouse gas mine project nominated for award
- 2007 Queensland Landcare Awards - Nominations close in two weeks!
- New faces at Landcare Queensland
- Early bird closing for Landcare Conference
- Get a job in NRM!
Regional NRM group stories
Southern Gulf Catchments supports Carpentaria Land Council manage land and sea
Traditional landowners who want to return to their country to carry out natural resource management will be helped by an agreement signed between two local organisations.
Carpentaria Land Council and Southern Gulf Catchments signed the historic agreement which will assist in the management of land and sea with the Gangalidda, Garawa, Waanyi, Lardil, Yangkaal, Kaidilt, Gkuthaarn, Kukatj, and Kurtijar peoples of the southern Gulf of Carpentaria.
Under the agreement, activities related to fire management and rubber vine control are funded as well as coordination of these and other project related to land and sea management such as the dugong and marine turtle project in the lower Gulf, and the establishment of a regional Land and Sea Ranger program.
The CEO of Southern Gulf Catchments, Claire Rodgers, believes this agreement will help develop a close working partnership with Indigenous people, not only in the Gulf of Carpentaria but in other parts of the region as well.
"The agreement represents a new era in Southern Gulf Catchments' investment in Indigenous management of land and sea," she said.
Gulf Traditional Owner Spokesman, Murrandoo Yanner, says "This agreement recognises the vital role Gulf Aboriginal people have as managers and custodians of an ancient pristine environment and we look forward to enhancing our close working partnership with SGC to ensure the Gulf remains in this condition for all of us into the future".
The agreement will enable Carpentaria Land Council to apply for supplementary funding to undertake future land and sea management activities.
Condamine Alliance and ACSC consolidate partnership
Representatives from the Australian Centre for Sustainable Catchments at USQ and the Condamine Alliance gathered for a special ceremony at the university to consolidate their partnership.
To signify the bond that exists between the two organisations, Condamine Alliance presented a ceremonial boomerang to the ACSC.
"The Condamine Alliance representatives made it clear in their presentations that continued collaboration and research funding support for the ACSC will be provided...to help us find the answers to many of the NRM questions that exist in the Condamine Catchment," deputy director of the ACSC, Dr Jerry Maroulis, said.
Since opening 18 months ago, Dr Maroulis said that strengthening ties with organisations like Condamine Alliance was important for the ACSC.
"The Condamine Alliance was one of the inaugural partners of the ACSC and one of the most strategically important given that USQ is part of the Condamine Catchment," Dr Maroulis said.
"We are working closely with all levels of government, industry and other key NRM groups at the local, national and international level to develop meaningful and sustainable research partnerships."
Condamine Alliance's CEO Phil McCullough attended the ceremony and highlighted the significance of the partnership.
"Partnering with USQ will allow local knowledge to be incorporated in the national and international thinking on natural resource management," said Mr McCullough.
'Biodiversity Back on Track' produces positive outcomes for endangered species
More than 30 wildlife and land management experts with detailed knowledge of Central Queensland's biological diversity gathered at the DPI&F conference rooms in Rockhampton last week to establish priorities for threatened species.
"The 'Biodiversity Back on Track' regional workshop was a great success; an example of cooperation between the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] and the FBA [Fitzroy Basin Association]," said organiser and Fitzroy Basin regional biodiversity coordinator, Graham Lightbody.
Although it's clear that there is more work to be done, Graham said "In addition to the valuable networking opportunites, participants reviewed some of the existing research and management work and developed a host of new project ideas and priorities."
The 'Back on Track' workshop followed a series of state-wide workshops, the first of which was held in Rockhampton in April 2005. Invited particpants were chosen for their knowledge of species - whether mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, insects, spiders or plants. They represented a range of government, research and community conservation groups.
There are several dozen endangered species in the Fitzroy Basin region, but those species can be linked to similar habitats that also need protection, such as briglow, wetlands or off-shore islands.
Roma set to 'Discover Landcare' in August
The third annual Discovering Landcare environmental and sustainability event for schools will be heading to Roma in August.
The Queensland Murray-Darling Committee will host the event, supported by funding from the Blueprint for the Bush and the National Science Week round of grants.
QMDC education officer Pam Fisher said the funding had made it possible to move the event outside of Toowoomba, where it had been previously held, and take it to Roma.
"QMDC works with a lot of communities in the Maranoa-Balonne catchment and is very aware of the difficulties rural schools have in attending such an event," she said.
Another change to the traditionally school-based event will be the inclusion of guest speakers and sessions for the adult community.
"The theme this year is Is that science? so it will be more of a forum of speakers and activities, showcasing the importance of science to sustainable land management and how many people in our rural communities actually use science every day," Pam said.
Topics to be showcased include climate change, the carbon cycle, biodynamics and sustainable agriculture, as well as numerous hands-on activities for students such as DNA sampling, GPS, and the science behind traditional owner culture.
For more information contact the QMDC on 4637 6201.
Tully's water plan a community effort
The Tully community is leading the way in developing water management practices that make environmental and economic sense.
Scientific research, community knowledge and agricultural industry expertise has come together to develop the water quality improvement plan.
The plan will identify ways to reduce pollutant loads in the Tully/Murray catchment.
CSIRO scientist and FNQ NRM board program leader, Dr Frederieke Kroon, said research showed the community was travelling well overall when it came to improving local water quality.
"The plan represents the next step from excellent work that primary producers are already undertaking to improve water quality," she said.
"This includes fertiliser application, minimum tillage and green cane trash blanketing."
FNQ NRM chief executive officer, Allan Dale, said the next phase of the project involved a draft plan and implementation strategy being released in July for six weeks of community consultation.
He also said the benefits of the plan process would hopefully include enabling industry to stay ahead of regulation.
"I believe the collaborative action that has helped here will be adopted by more and more communities trying to create realistic mangement practices."
The plan is being developed as part of the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan.
Thanks to GBRMPA's Sea Read for this story.
Calling all NRM educators...
To facilitate greater networks and collaboration in environmental education in Queensland, FNQ NRM would like to invite all NRM educators to participate in a state-wide network, supported through a web-based message board and forum.
The proposal for an educators' network arose from an education workshop held recently by FNQ NRM, the Department of Natural Resources and Water, and Education Queensland entitled Integrated Education Initiatives and NRM.
The network would be initially supported by FNQ NRM's Community in the Classroom program providing some logistical and IT support, and will ultimately feed into other education initiatives around at a state, national and international level.
The network will also be used to showcase environmental initiatives and ongoing programs, providing an information resource for teachers, students and the general public, and share ideas, experiences and other information to facilitate environmental education programs.
To share your views on how the network could be developed, or for more information, contact Moni Carlisle, FNQ NRM, on 4043 8000.
Government updates
New future for Cape York Peninsula
Agreement has been reached on one of the most significant land management initiatives in the history of Queensland.
"After months of negotiation between our government, the Indigenous community, conservation interests, the mining industry and the pastoral industry we have reached agreement on the resolution of outstanding land tenure and management issues on our beautiful Cape York Peninsula," Premier Peter Beattie said.
"The agreement reaches common ground between Indigenous and non-indigenous people and between conservation and development interests.
"It is a framework for the future to undertake ecologically sustainable development in the region."
In implementing the legislation, the Minister for Natural Resources and Water and the Minister for the Environment and Multiculturalism will consult with an advisory committee comprising all key stakeholder interests including Aboriginal people, pastoralists, conservation interests, mining interests, tourism and local government.
Mr Beattie said many organisations contributed to the historic agreement including the Cape York Land Council, the Wilderness Society, the Australian Conservation Foundation, AgForce and the Queensland Resources Council.
"Through a spirt of endeavour and cooperation I believe we have put in place a blueprint for a new future in the Cape York Peninsula," he said.
To read the full media release, visit Queensland Ministerial statements online.
Half a million reasons to celebrate nature: Premier
Queensland's Nature Refuge Program is now protecting more than half a million hectares of the state's natural heritage with another 19 properties signed to the scheme.
Premier Peter Beattie and Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr last week announced Queensland has reached 242 nature refuges spanning 561 000 hectares of some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet.
"The new nature refuges to join the program will protect valuable conservation areas while at the same time enable landowners to continue managing their private enterprises sustainably," Mr Beattie said.
"This program is a truly outstanding example of cooperation and partnership between governments, non-government organisations and landholders for the purpose of conservation and sustainable land management," he said.
Contributing to the program's outstanding milestone was Graham Turner, founder and managing director of Flight Centre and owner of Peppers resort who has agreed to sign up a third Spicers Peak property to the program.
The latest parcel of land takes in 2080 hectares bordering the World-Heritage listed Main Range National Park.
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said Environmental Protection Agency surveys found Mr Turner's properties were home to some of Queensland's rare and endangered native animals, including the mountain galaxias fish, Hastings River mouse, Gould's long-eared bat, red-bellied black snake and great barred frog.
"Spicer's Peak includes eucalyptus open forest, woodland, high shrubland, vine thicket and vegetation that helps protect Millar Vale Creek and Freestone Creek, as well as creates an important bioregional corridor," Ms Nelson-Carr said.
"Nature refuges play a vital role in complementing what we have in the national parks system and creating important nature corridors that will help protect species and vegetation that are not always present in public reserves," she said.
To read the full media release, visit Queensland Ministerial statements online.
Are you involved with water quality management?
Do you want to learn more about the National Water Quality Management Strategy (NWQMS) guidelines?
The Department of the Environment and Water Resources is running approximately 20 workshops throughout Australia's natural resource management regions from June 2007 to May 2008.
The workshops will:
- provide participants with skills for water quality planning.
- assist in the development of plans and actions that identify local water quality objectives, water quality targets, and monitoring and reporting frameworks.
- provide examples based on local water quality issues.
To get your region involved, or for more information, contact Gerard Hogan, Department of the Environment and Water Resources, on 02 6274 2699.
Wetlands updates
Protecting our wetlands
Local landholders are working to control feral pigs in the Whitsunday Catchment with a focus on protecting our iconic wetlands.
Many landholders adjacent to Goorganga wetlands and the watercourses feeding into the catchment have taken part in a coordinated program of trapping and baiting as part of the Queensland Wetlands Programme.
Coordinator for Whitsunday Catchment Landcare, Christine Peterson, said trapping materials are available free of charge, as is technical assistance from Whitsunday Shire Council pest and vector control officer Bren Fuller.
Ms Peterson said that feral pigs pose economic losses to agriculture such as direct damage to cane and pose a threat of transport of diseases to livestock. They are also a significant threat to the environment both directly and indirectly.
They threaten biodiversity by disturbance of water fowl habitat and predation of native animals as well as by their impact on water quality from land disturbance.
Mr Fuller said that installing traps was "no problem" and, provided a few easy "do's and dont's" are followed, trapping is a very effective method of pig control.
"We have trapping material ready and can help set traps up according to your property's needs," he said.
"We can even provide pre-feed and bait materials for the traps free of charge - at the moment we are using fermented grains.
"A coordinated approach across the catchment is needed for effective control."
Anyone wanting to participate in the program or seeking more information can call Christine Peterson on 4945 0267.
The Queensland Wetlands Programme - Great Barrier Reef Coastal Wetlands Protection Programme is funded by the Australian Government.
Thanks to the Proserpine Guardian for this story.
Natural resources news
Shane Webcke stars in new campaign to deliver vital farming message to city families
With the water crisis rating as the number one issue across the nation - driven by the prolonged drought and subsequent rising food prices - AgForce Queensland has launched phase two of its ground breaking 'Every Family Needs a Farmer' campaign.
AgForce chief executive officer Brett de Hayr said the campaign's new television commercial, starring rugby league legend Shane Webcke, will go to air across Queensland from June 10.
"With families in all capital cities focusing on the best water saving techniques and how the drought has resulted in increasing supermarket bills, it’s timely they see a campaign outlining why farmers play such an essential role in their everyday lives," Mr de Hayr said.
"This is why AgForce has chosen now as the ideal time to help bridge the city/country divide by explaining that without farmers there is no food and why their ability to enjoy the world's best food and fibre depends on the very survival of farming families."
To read the full media release, visit the AgForce Queensland website.
Greenhouse gas mine project nominated for award
Work to capture greenhouse gases at a central Queensland mine has been nominated for a national environment award.
Arrow Energy has been working with Anglo Coal at the Moranbah North Coal Mine to capture greenhouse gases that are usually emitted in the mining process.
Once captured, the gas is piped to Townsville where it is used to make electricity.
Kerry Parker from Arrow Energy says the company has been working with other mines to try and extend the technology's use throughout the region.
"We're taking the view that it is the coal mine's benefit as well in that for environmental reasons it's important to capture and use that gas ... we've got the means to do it through our current contract and hopefully through future contracts that we'll have and put it to a useful purpose rather than simply wasting that gas."
2007 Queensland Landcare Awards - Nominations close in two weeks!
Nominations for the 2007 Queensland Landcare Awards will close in two weeks on Friday 29 June.
"To ensure a fair process, this year entries will only be accepted if they are received by or on the due date," Queensland Awards coordinator Erin Russell said.
"We also want to give the judging panel as much time as possible to decide which groups and individuals not only deserve the state award, but will demonstrate the achievements of Queensland's landcarers at the 2008 National Landcare Awards."
To this end, tips on writing a nomination have been published on the Queensland Water and Land Carers' website, as well as example nominations. Landcare Australia has included a detailed synopsis of past award winners on their website. Entrants are encouraged to use these resources in writing their entries.
There's still time to nominate groups, individuals, Indigenous groups, primary producers, schools, councils and regional bodies for these prestigious awards. Nomination forms can be downloaded from QWaLC's website.
Early bird closing for Landcare Conference
Only two weeks remain until the close of early-bird registrations for the 2007 Queensland Landcare Conference taking place 22 – 25 August at Mackay. The theme of the conference, Making a Difference, provides the backdrop to an innovative program of speakers, field trips and social events.
Topics include:
- farming systems improving soil and water health.
- what’s being done to look after Great Barrier Reef ecosystems.
- ameliorating the effects of climate change.
- using urban compost to the benefit of rural landscapes.
- weed management in the Burdekin.
- reducing the impacts of urban development.
- managing nutrients for water quality.
- local government successes and challenges.
- meeting the targets in the Mackay Whitsunday region.
- Landcare at the international level.
- diversification and integration of land management practices.
- climate caring.
Trade exhibition space is now fully booked and some exciting sponsors have come on board to make the event possible. The conference also plays host to the presentation of the Queensland Landcare Awards being coordinated by Queensland Water and Land Carers. Attendance at this gala dinner and awards night is included in conference registration.
A comprehensive registration package including information about field trips, accommodation and programming is available now. Early bird registration closes Friday 29 June and early bird prices are 15% cheaper than standard registration fees. Standard registrations close 12 August and late fees will apply to registrations received after 13 August. Modest subsidies are also available for community delegates traveling from regional and remote parts of the state.
Further information is available on the Landcare Queensland website, by emailing Landcare Queensland or phoning 3211 4413. Information about the Landcare Awards is available by contacting QWaLC on 3211 4409.
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 website 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:
Queensland Murray-Darling Committee (QMDC)
Position: Regional Coordinator (Indigenous Program)
Tenure: Full-time
Location: Goondiwindi or Roma (preferred) but negotiable within region
The Regional Coordinator (Indigenous Program) will encourage and facilitate Aboriginal participation in the whole of NRM (in particular, Landcare and catchment management) planning, issue prioritisation and implementation activities in the Border Rivers and Maranoa/Balonne catchments, and actively engage with Indigenous people to ensure they have access to NRM program funds and resources for land management projects.
A current driver's licence is essential.
The position description can be obtained from the QMDC website or by contacting Julie James, QMDC, on 4637 6201.
Closing date: Friday 22 June.
Thought for the week
Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama (1935- )
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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 07 March 2008