The Bugle - 29 June 2007
In news this week
Regional NRM group stories
- Regional NRM goes international
- Stewardship payments provide a win-win result
- Pesticides a hot topic at Sugar Forum
- Managing dugong and marine turtles in Torres Strait
- Fish barriers are under scrutiny in the Burdekin
- Events target fans of the Gold Coast
- BDTNRM holds Coastal Community Group Forum
- New staff for CHRRUP's Emerald Office
Government updates
- Queensland is negotiating phase three of the Natural Heritage Trust
- National Water Quality Management Strategy workshops coming to a town near you
- Envirofund Round 10 focuses on coastal and marine protection
- Science helps guide the Moreton Bay Marine Park review
- Play it safe with whales during the annual migration
- Climatesmart actions to help Queensland and help the planet
Reef updates
Natural resources news
- Man raising awareness about climate change gets bogged in mud
- Last chance to nominate for Landcare Awards
- Marine Science in a Changing World on 9-13 July 2007
- Like sands through an hour glass the Queensland Coastal Conference is shifting sand
- Get a job in NRM!
Regional NRM group stories
Regional NRM goes international
A consultant has been commissioned to undertake a preliminary scoping exercise with Papua New Guinea (PNG) Western Province coastal communities as part of the Torres Strait Land and Sea Management Unit’s PNG Engagement Project.
The purpose of this project is to enable effective PNG engagement in the implementation of bilateral aspects of the Land and Sea Management Strategy for the Torres Strait. This strategyrecognises the many NRM issues within the Torres Strait which span the international border between Australia and PNG.
These issues, such as dugong and turtle management, can only be addressed through co-operation in line with obligations under the Torres Strait Treaty.
This PNG Engagement project is delivered through the Department of the Environment and Water Resources, International Unit.
For more information about the Land and Sea Management Unit visit the TSRA website.
Stewardship payments provide a win-win result
85 000 hectares in the southern Desert Uplands are now protected as 15 land managers have signed two year management agreements with the Desert Uplands Committee to maintain or improve the condition of selected areas.
The Desert Uplands Committee, with funding provided by BDTNRM, ran the successful stewardship tender program to help protect remnant vegetation and areas of biodiversity significance. This has been achieved through the creation of the foundation for Landscape Linkage across the Desert Uplands bioregion.
The tender program involved land managers bidding to provide ecosystem services on their land in return for annual incentive payments. These protected areas ensure land condition is of high enough quality to maintain the natural flora and fauna values for the duration of the agreement. These agreements only reward land management that implement above legal 'duty of care' requirements.
The Landscape Linkage stewardship tender is the first trial of an environmental stewardship program in central western Queensland. A multiple-round tender process was used, with very competitive bidding taking place amongst several land managers. The Desert Uplands Committee was overwhelmed by the amount and types of vegetation offered.
Payments are made annually on the provision of evidence of maintenance or improvement of condition at the end of each dry season.
Funding for future stewardship programs is being sought by the Desert Uplands Committee as the local response to this initiative was so strong. These programs will allow land managers to be rewarded for good biodiversity management and protecting remnant vegetation.
Good biodiversity management in many instances parallels with good production systems. Biodiversity stewardship programs give land managers the recognition they deserve when it comes to delivering tangible benefits for the environment. This tender process also ensures that public funds obtain maximum benefits for positive environmental outcomes.
For more information contact the Desert Uplands on 4651 1060.
Pesticides a hot topic at Sugar Forum
A Sugar Industry Forum was held in Townsville on 6 June, providing a unique opportunity for local cane growers, agricultural chemical suppliers, researchers and other key sugar industry people to get together and discuss current practices.
A key discussion on the day was the options for improving pesticide management in the future for the Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM (BDTNRM) region, with a particular focus on improving water quality.
The meeting also covered data collected on pesticides from the Lower Burdekin, industry perspectives, management practices and incentives to adopt new pesticide reduction practices.
Organised by BDTNRM and Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations (BSES) in collaboration with Canegrowers, the forum raised awareness of procedures for reducing pesticides entering waterways and pointed to a way forward in reducing pesticide losses from cane farms.
For more information visit the BDTNRM website.
Managing dugong and marine turtles in Torres Strait
Torres Strait is one of five regions participating in a cross-regional Dugong and Marine Turtle Management Project on behalf of the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA).
The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) was successful in securing $480 000 from NAILSMA in September 2005 and $560 000 in October 2006 for the implementation of a regional activity plan for supporting sustainable community-based dugong and turtle management arrangements.
The TSRA board and executive nominated Badu, Lama (Yam), Boigu, Ngurupai (Horn), Mabuiag, Erub (Darnley), Mer (Murray) and Dauan islands to participate in the project with the available funding.
The project employs community project officers in each of the participating island councils. The officers’ role includes coordinating community input and supporting the development of community-based management plans for dugong and turtles. The officers also undertake catch and habitat monitoring procedures.
The project team has also been involved in liaising with research organisations to increase community involvement in dugong and turtle related research and to prioritise future research and training opportunities.
This project is foundational in terms of sustainable dugong and turtle fisheries management. An ongoing commitment is required from all levels of government to support a continuation of not only the project, but the community based management of traditional fisheries in the region.
For more information about the Land and Sea Management Unit visit the TSRA website.
Fish barriers are under scrutiny in the Burdekin
A new Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM (BDTNRM) program is focusing on the identification of barriers in waterways which prevent fish migrations and lateral movement. Barriers include road and rail culverts, weirs, dams, sang walls and aquatic weeds.
A key objective of the program is to identify and map all ecologically and regionally significant fish barriers in the Burdekin Region. These will then be prioritised for removal or modification, based on ecological, economic and social considerations.
The team will also look at the feasibility and risks associated with a removal or modification project for each of the priority fish barriers and establish the costs involved in removal or modification.
A series of meeting with community groups will begin in early July as an essential component in this project is to engage the region’s communities in the process through presentations, map based information exchange and media opportunities.
More information will be provided as soon as dates and venues are set. Please email BDTNRM's Diana O'Donnell or phone on 4724 3544 if you are interested in attending.
Events target fans of the Gold Coast
For those that love nothing more than a day at the beach, SEQ catchments has the ideal opportunity for you to discover more about the coastal environment through a series of community events from June to September.
The events include community lectures on beaches, cultural heritage and coastal art, fun family bike rides and coastal tree planting days.
Sarah Castle from SEQ Catchments said the community events were a great way to get out into the natural environment and meet new people.
"Our beaches are living things that we need to understand if we are to manage and protect them… and as climate change begins to affect the coastal strip, we need to work smarter to protect our lifestyle," Ms Castle said.
The events are sponsored by SEQ Catchments, Griffith University and the Gold Coast City Council and funded through an Australian Government EnviroFund grant.
For further information regarding these coastal community events, email Sarah Castle or phone on 0400 910 679.
BDTNRM holds Coastal Community Group Forum
The Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM (BDTNRM) are hosting a Coastal Community Group Forum in late June to assist community groups such as local Coastcare Groups in developing projects for the Coastal and Marine Envirofund Round which is currently open.
The Coastal and Marine Envirofund round closes on 20 July and BDTNRM has secured funding through Envirofund to employ a part-time Coastcare facilitator to assist groups in developing their applications.
Conservation Volunteers Australia will also give presentations at the forum on how they can assist groups with valuable information in regards to risk assessment and workplace health and safety.
For more information about this project please contact the Program Coordinator for Coastal and Marine, Rachel Allan and for more information regarding the forum.
New Staff for CHRRUP’s Emerald Office
Natural Resource Management on the Central Highlands has received a boost this month, with two new faces in the Central Highlands Regional Resources Use Planning Cooperative (CHRRUP).
Susie Bate has joined CHRRUP as the Comet Catchment Field Officer and Kate Wilson from the Fitzroy Basin Association will also work two days a week in Emerald as the Mackenzie Catchment Field Officer.
Having grown up on her parents' property near Gindie, Susie has valuable practical experience in the cattle and cropping industries in central Queensland, enhanced by her studies in Agribusiness and Agriculture. Susie is a familiar face to many local land managers and brings a wealth of important local knowledge. Recently based in Longreach, Susie was employed by AgForce as their Regional Membership Coordinator.
Susie is looking forward to renewing contacts with producers throughout the central highlands region and helping to develop projects to enhance NRM. This year CHRRUP is focusing on completing existing on-ground projects and monitoring and evaluating the success of all project participators since 2005.
Anyone wishing to know more about CHRRUP projects can contact CHRRUP Field Officers on 49822 996.
Government updates
Queensland is negotiating phase three of the Natural Heritage Trust
The National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAPSWQ) and phase two of the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT2) programs end in June 2008.
The Australian Government has announced that NAPSWQ and NHT2 will be replaced by a single new program, phase three of the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT3).
In its May 2007 budget the Australian Government announced that $2 billion has been made available over five years for NHT3. The exact amount Queensland will be allocated is being negotiated through a bilateral agreement process between the Australian and Queensland Governments.
The Department of Natural Resources and Water (NRW) is leading the development of the bilateral agreement for the new program. A state negotiating team has been formed, chaired by NRW, with representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Department of the Premier and Cabinet and the Queensland Treasury.
Consultation sessions on the future NRM arrangements have been held with representatives of peak industry bodies, indigenous groups, conservation groups, the Regional Groups Collective, and the Local Government Association of Queensland. Consultation will continue until the bilateral negotiation process is completed.
Both the Queensland and Australian Government's teams aim to have negotiations for the new bilateral agreement completed before the end of 2007 to ensure a smooth transition from NHT2 and NAPSWQ to NHT3.
Further information about NHT3 can be found on the regional NRM website.
National Water Quality Management Strategy workshops coming to a town near you
The main objective of the National Water Quality Management Strategy (NWQMS) is to achieve the sustainable use of the nation’s water resources by protecting and enhancing their quality while maintaining economic and social development.
The process for water quality management plans starts with the community working with government to develop a management plan for each catchment, aquifer, estuary, coastal water or other waterbody.
The plan should take account of all existing and proposed activities and developments; it should contain feasible management options that aim to achieve the environmental values that have been agreed to for that waterbody.
To help achieve this agreed view, the Department of the Environment and Water Resources is holding more than 20 workshops throughout Australia's NRM regions from June 2007 to May 2008.
The workshops will provide examples based on local water quality issues and skills for water quality planning. The workshop will also assist in the development of plans and actions identifying local water quality objectives, water quality targets and monitoring and reporting frameworks.
A full list of NWQMS documents are on the NWQMS website.
To get your region involved or for more information, contact the Department of the Environment and Water Resources’ Gerard Hogan on 02 6274 2699
Envirofund Round 10 focuses on coastal and marine protection
Round 10 of the Envirofund is focused on protecting coastal catchments, ecosystems and the marine environment.
Four million dollars from the Natural Heritage Trust is being used for this special purpose 'Coastal and Marine' round of the Envirofund.
Community groups and individuals can now apply for grants of up to $50,000 to undertake local environment projects to protect foreshores, beaches, estuaries and marine environments.
Some examples of the types of projects eligible for funding include coastal dune restorations, monitoring threatened species, construction of beach walkways to protect native plants and animals and public awareness campaigns to help reduce marine pollution.
More information and examples of eligible activities can be found in the Envirofund Round 10 Guide and Application Form. The coastal and marine round of Envirofund closes on 20 July.
For copies of the application form and guide visit the Envirofund web page or phone 1800 065 823.
Science helps guide the Moreton Bay Marine Park review
A Scientific Expert Advisory Panel, chaired by Professor Paul Greenfield, has now completed its recommendations which will be incorporated into the draft Moreton Bay Marine Park Zoning Plan.
The Panel has based its recommendations on world standards in marine reserve design to advise on the habitat types, scientific guiding principles and an analysis method to guide the development of the draft zoning plan.
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the recommendations included a minimum amount of habitat to be protected in no-take areas across 16 habitat types within the marine park.
Ms Nelson-Carr said "Another key principle is that zoning should minimise impacts on users of the marine park including recreational and commercial fishers, boaties, and tourism operators".
The EPA will also be considering input to the plan from the ongoing involvement of user groups, the community and key organisations such as the Stakeholder Reference Group.
"We are looking for an outcome that conserves the unique marine environment within Moreton Bay Marine Park while minimising any impacts on how people use this great area," Ms Nelson-Carr concluded.
For the full media statement visit Queensland Government's media statements.
Play it safe with whales during the annual migration
As humpback whales enter Queensland's waters on their annual migration, it is an appropriate time to remind everyone to play it safe around the huge mammals and abide by regulations.
The regulations set out approach limits and are aimed at protecting both the animals and people from harm.
Humpbacks migrate north from Antarctica in early autumn and usually reach our waters in late May, heading up to the Whitsundays and further north to give birth and mate, and then head south again from about August through to November.
People come from far and wide to see these majestic animals passing so close to our coastline and if the whales are not harassed, they should keep coming back each year.
The number of humpbacks increases by about 10 per cent each year. There were around 8000 last year. This is good news, but it also means boaties are more likely to encounter whales and they must remember that humpbacks are very large and unpredictable.
The following regulations apply to protect all whales during their migration:
- Boats cannot go any closer than 100 metres from a whale and in the Whitsundays this is extended to a 300 metres limit.
- Boats cannot go any closer than 300 metres from a whale if three or more boats are already closer than 300 metres to a whale.
- Boats cannot go any closer than 300 metres if moving in a similar direction to or behind a whale, moving at more than four knots.
- Swimmers should exercise caution and move carefully away if a whale approaches or surfaces near them.
Information about whales, the regulations and whale-watching season is on the EPA website. Stranded or dead whales should be reported to the EPA hotline 1300 130 372.
Climatesmart actions to help Queensland and help the planet
Two and half million dollars is being invested in a 12 month state-wide campaign focusing on the small changes people can make in their daily lives to reduce their environmental impact.
ClimateSmart Living is a whole-of-government program aimed at helping the 34 percent of residents who are uncertain what actions they could be undertaking to prepare for climate change.
Such as changing light bulbs in homes to compact fluorescent light bulbs, keeping the air pressure in car tyres at a good level to reduce fuel consumption, turning off appliances at the power point or reducing time in the shower to four minutes.
A dedicated website, www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au, has been created so people can work out their carbon footprint and find out what to do.
The ClimateSmart Living campaign will use television, radio and website material to promote climate change strategies for Queenslanders.
Reef updates
Studying farming practices' effects on the Reef
The Department of Natural Resources and Water is studying the movement of pollutants, elevated levels of sediments, nutrients or pesticides in the water originating from broadscale land use, as part of its Neighbourhood Catchments project.
The project aims to give land managers a better understanding of the relationship between landscape condition and management, and the levels of pollutants delivered to major waterways which enter the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. The program is contributing to the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan.
The project is focusing on two catchments - Gordonstone Creek, north of Emerald and Spottswood Creek, west of Moura. Each catchment covers about 300 square kilometres and both ultimately drain into the Fitzroy River.
Indications are that Gordonstone, with its deep absorbent black cracking clays, constitutes a low risk landscape, while Spottswood, which is characterised by less permeable and somewhat dispersive soils, is likely to deliver a comparatively high level of pollutants to the Fitzroy.
The project will help to identify high-risk landscapes. The project will be used to show land managers how they can conserve soil, maximise water use efficiency and reduce costs on things like fertiliser and fuel, while also increasing yields and profits.
Potential projects to minimise the movement of pollutants off-site could include the construction of contour banks and waterways, the provision of additional livestock watering points, uptake of control traffic or minimal till farm machinery and the revegetation of riparian areas.
Visit the Reef Plan website to learn more about what is being done to protect the reef from decreasing water quality.
Natural resources news
Man raising awareness about climate change gets bogged in mud
The recent rain was a godsend for just about everyone in southeast Queensland except Steve Posselt who set off from the West End reach of the Brisbane River four weeks ago to raise awareness of sustainable living.
While farmers were doing rain dances, the intrepid adventurer's epic attempt to kayak from Brisbane to Adelaide got even tougher as dusty creek beds turned to glue-like mud.
Prior to the rain his mission had taken him up the Bremer River to Ipswich, where he had to leave his kayak and drag it over the Great Dividing Range to Toowoomba. He didn't see the next significant body of water until he got to Gowrie near Toowoomba and he hopped back into his kayak and weaved downstream to Chinchilla.
Ironically, boot-sucking mud was his major challenge after the first drops of rains in months began to fall. But this was not the first obstacle Mr Posselt had overcome in order to take this inspirational journey to promote sustainable living.
Four years planning for this seven month journey nearly ended in tragedy after Mr Posselt was involved in a horrific motorcycle accident in the Northern Territory last year. Surviving the accident provided even more of an incentive for Mr Posselt to undertake the journey as he felt that unless people are made aware of the changes that are already happening it may be too late.
"In the short term, I think the environment will lose out ... but eventually people will say 'Oh dear, what have we done?' I hope it will not be too late," he said.
Mr Posselt is currently just past Surat, to learn more about his journey and his sustainable living message visit kayak4earth.
Last chance to nominate for Landcare Awards
Get your nominations in now for this years Queensland Landcare Awards as they close next week on 29 June 2007.
Nominations cannot be accepted after the closing date in order to ensure a fair process. This will also give judges as much time as possible to consider each nomination.
There is still time to nominate groups, individuals, Indigenous groups, primary producers, schools, councils and regional NRM bodies in these prestigious awards.
Entrants are encouraged to use the tips on writing a nomination available on the QWaLC website, and the example nominations on this site. Additionally, the Landcare online website has a detailed synopsis of past Award winners which could help in writing the 1000 word entry.
Nomination forms can be downloaded from the QWaLC website.
Marine Science in a Changing World on 9-13 July 2007
The Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) is holding its 45th annual meeting in Melbourne on 9-13 July 2007.
This conference is the major annual event for AMSA, attracting more than 300 marine scientists from diverse fields and with a strong representation from across Australia. The conference represents a unique opportunity for Australian marine scientists to address cutting edge, priority science in a world where environmental and other changes offer great opportunities to advance marine science.
The University of Melbourne has been chosen as the venue for AMSA 2007 Marine Science in a Changing World.
AMSA2007 is shaping up to be the biggest AMSA conference yet, with four full days of the latest in marine science, each day commencing with an excellent plenary speaker.
Delegates to AMSA 2007, Marine Science in a Changing World, can register at AMSA registration.
Like sands through an hour glass the Queensland Coastal Conference is shifting sand
The theme for the inaugural Queensland Coastal Conference 2007 being held in Bundaberg from 17-19 September, isShifting Sands which reflects the need for a shift to coastal issues being addressed with an integrated approach, rather than as independent projects.
The Queensland Coastal Conference 2007 is the first state coastal conference to be held in Queensland and it hopes to attract over 200 delegates from within the state and beyond.
The conference program will feature a number of outstanding speakers, several concurrent sessions, open space sessions, workshops and poster presentations.
This is an ideal opportunity for coastal planners, engineers, managers, scholars and community groups to share ideas and workshop solutions to ensure the natural, cultural, economic and social values of Queensland's coastline are protected.
Online registrations are now open and early bird registrations will apply until 12 July (government & professional $430, community $230). For more information including registration and sponsorship opportunities, visit the conference website.
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:
Regional group: Fitzroy Basin Association
Title: Catchment Field Officer - Boyne Calliope Sub Region
Salary range: $48 950 - $59 641 based on knowledge & experience
Location: Preferably Dawson River Catchment, however negotiable with FBA
Thought for the week
Enthusiastic people are the ones who actually get things done in this world. Enthusiasm is what turns any idea into reality. And enthusiasm is linked closely with happiness.
"Your Personal Survival Guide To The 21st Century", Roy Sheppard (1998)
We welcome your contributions and feedback. If you have any comments or suggestions for The Bugle please contact Carl Glen or Shona Strachan.
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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