The Bugle - 6 July 2007
In news this week
- Condamine Alliance assists its members to attend Landcare Conference
- New regional NRM facilitator for Cape York
- Teaching the world about north-west Queensland's culture heritage programs
- Land managers wage war on weeds
- Network agronomists to lead practice change
- Condamine farmers have designs on landscape
- From the top to the bottom, water is on everyone's mind in Queensland
- FBA answers land manager's most frequently asked questions
- Competition winners are WaterWise
- Hundreds gather for state rainforest forum
Government updates
- Barramundi in hot water over climate change
- Queensland climate scientists working to better predict the wet season
- Torres Strait waste management pilot program begins on Warraber Island
- Cheque of approval for Brisbane environment groups
- Mackay region boosted by property management systems
- Fifteenth meeting of Environment Protection and Heritage Council
Reef updates
Wetlands updates
Natural resources news
- Regional bodies throw weight behind Landcare conference
- The LGAQ Environment Conference meeting the Environmental Challenge
- Register now as the sands are quickly running through the hour glass
- Ghost Net prize winner shares skills
- Ghost Nets Programme finalist for two Banksia Awards
- "Buy the bush and save it" say Rainforest Rescuers
- Get a job in NRM!
Regional NRM group stories
Condamine Alliance assists its members to attend Landcare Conference
The Condamine Alliance (the Alliance) is providing $5000 to Landcare to enable community members to attend the Landcare Conference in Mackay in August.
The Alliance is subsidising the cost of a community member from each of the seven 'umbrella' groups in its region to attend the conference.
Alliance CEO Phil McCullough made the offer at the Council of Chairs meeting on 2 May 2007.
The Alliance has made this opportunity available in order to recognise and/or encourage Alliance member’s participation and involvement in the Landcare network.
By attending, individuals will have an opportunity to further develop their understanding of Landcare and the current NRM structure. Groups will benefit from more of their members having an enhanced understanding of NRM policy and strategies; funding priorities and sources; and opportunities for linkages with the wider network to compare experiences and performance.
Some Landcare groups are also supporting an additional community member and their coordinator to encourage professional development.
To find out more visit the Condamine Alliance website.
New regional NRM facilitator for Cape York
Cape York Peninsula Development Association's (CYPDA) has recently appointed Deb Pople as regional NRM facilitator for Cape York. Regional NRM facilitators are a part of a national network funded through the Natural Heritage Trust to support community engagement in NRM.
Part of Deb's role is to support and communicate NRM policies and initiatives to the people of Cape York and to encourage greater community involvement in NRM planning and programs.
She will also be offering her support and advice to Cape Yorkers about applying for grants for NRM and caring for country activities from Envirofund, Community Water Grants, and similar funding programs.
Contact Deb on 4031 3432 or by mobile 0429 385 567.
Teaching the world about north-west Queensland’s culture heritage programs
Southern Gulf Catchments Ken Isaacson has been invited to the World Archaeological Congress Conference in Catamarca, Argentina. The conference is being held 3-5 July.
With an audience of around 500, the World Archaeological Congress Conference will address the history and current developments in the intersections between cultural heritage and indigenous cultural, and intellectual property and archaeological theory.
The conference provides excellent opportunity for debate, discussion and information between Indigenous and non-Indigenous experts, academics and community representatives.
Part of the World Archaeological Congress’s role is to assist less fortunate countries by assisting local governments through providing support and advice on issues affecting their community and culture. Ken Isaacson in conjunction with Dr Claire Smith from the Flinders University of Argentina are producing a paper on teaching archaeology for the Conference in Catamarca.
Ken is a Waanyi Elder and has been with Southern Gulf Catchments for four years as a Cultural Heritage Officer. He has also been an executive member of the World Archaeological Congress for 12 years.
CEO of Southern Gulf Catchments Claire Rodgers said "Southern Gulf Catchments has supported Ken in attending the World Archaeological Congress Conference through sponsorship to assist his professional development and to enhance Southern Gulf's role in protection and management of indigenous cultural heritage".
This is a great opportunity to promote the advanced procedures north-west Queensland has in place to protect cultural heritage.
Visit the Southern Gulf Catchments website for more information.
Land managers wage war on weeds
Land managers along the Belyando River will reap the benefits from a weed eradication project initiated by local NRM groups. Central Highlands Regional Resources Use Planning Cooperative (CHRRUP), together with the Jericho and Belyando Shires, are working with property owners and Central Highlands NRM Group to control a rubber vine infestation in the Belyando catchment.
Rubber vine is recognised as a weed of national significance, due to the threats it poses to the economic viability of the landscape, and ecological values of the catchment system.
CHRRUP field officer Bronwyn Roberts said the project targeted a 5 kilometre stretch of the riparian area along the Belyando River.
Central Highlands NRM Group field officer Catrina Wolski says there are a lot of benefits for both NRM organisations and land managers to work together across the catchment.
"We were able to carry out an aerial survey of the shire and map the weed infestations with help from the Department of Natural Resources and Water, allowing us to better identify areas for strategic control. $16 000 was received in funding from CHRRUP and the Burdekin Dry Tropics, which was matched by landholders. A further investment was received from Desert Uplands as part of the Blueprint for the Bush funding,” Catrina Wolski said.
The funding was used to employ a contractor to carry out the work, via chemical control. Since January, CHRRUP has invested over $23 000 in weed control projects in the Jericho Shire, with matching contributions from land managers.
Land managers in the Central Highlands wishing to know more about the project, or controlling other sites of infestation, can contact a CHRRUP field officer on 4982 2996. For more information about this project visit the CHRRUP website.
Network agronomists to lead practice change
Conservation Farmers are running a $210 000 project for the Condamine Alliance to evaluate the effectiveness of 'distributor' agronomists in coordinating environmental programs with their farmer clients.
Conservation Farmers' Michael Burgis said "This client base represents a new opportunity for engagement of growers, who are not part of the traditional grower groups."
Jondaryan irrigator David Loughnan moved to the Darling Downs from Roma recently and credits a pilot program run by Landmark and funded by the Condamine Alliance, with helping him to optimise water-use efficiency on his property.
"It is important for farmers to integrate best management practices in their production systems and manage aspects of sensitive areas that impact on the community such as water quality," Mr Burgis said.
"During stressful economic times farmers are time poor and have little capacity to analyse on-ground work proposals. If they can’t determine the economic consequences, they will mostly disengage from such programs," Mr Burgis said.
The Condamine Alliance has allocated $100 000 to the project, to work through the agribusiness networks of Landmark, Downs Fertiliser Co. and TAGS to develop their understanding of high-priority NRM issues and targets within the Condamine catchment.
The aim is to complete up to 20 projects, using on-ground incentive arrangements based on criteria such as leverage, links in the landscape, multiple issues, cultural site assessments and long-term management.
It will also link into the University of Western Sydney project on best management practice for herbicide application in riparian areas to protect water quality.
For more information please contact Penny Hamilton, Condamine Alliance, on 4620 0107
Condamine farmers have designs on landscape
Sixteen farming families on the eastern Darling Downs are adopting conservation farming systems on 7500 hectares of their adjoining properties in a 'landscape approach' aimed at preserving fragile areas in the headwaters of the Condamine River.
The $700 000 plus project links farms in the central downs, the Condamine's headwaters area, from Clifton and Allora to Killarney.
Condamine Alliance project delivery manager Penny Hamilton said "The area has a high priority because it is at the top of the catchment in a historically high rainfall zone."
Condamine Alliance is supporting the project with $192 000 from the Natural Heritage Trust as part of a catchment management program designed to reduce the risks to sustainability and provide the added benefit of increased production potential.
The farmers, all members of the Clifton-Allora Top Crop Group, are using $272 500 of their own funds, and the balance will take the form of in-kind support such as labour and resources.
Conservation Farmers' Mike Burgis says "These farms will demonstrate best management practice, improve their soil health, prevent salinity, and improve the quality of water running off their enterprises."
For more information please contact Mike Burgis, Conservation Farmers, on 4638 5356 or Penny Hamilton, Condamine Alliance, on 4620 0107.
From the top to the bottom, water is on everyone’s mind in Queensland
If you were living at the top of Queensland in one of the small island communities in the Torres Strait, having enough water would always be a priority. During the current drought in south east Queensland water is on everyone's mind, but once the rains come again this will pass and people will quickly forget about the drought.
With only a small land mass many islands have very limited water supplies, which is why the Torres Strait Islands' Land and Sea Management Unit has developed a Water Education Project to deliver a community education package and management tools for water conservation, recycling and reuse in small island environments.
The Water Education Project is working towards improving the sustainable use of water resources by improving community understanding of the water cycle and the capacity for management. In many local communities, the level of water consumption and in some instances wastage of water, may be minimised through changing household behaviour to improve sustainable water use, recycling and reuse of grey water by Councils, households, and community organisations.
These changes are critical to the sustainable management of natural resources in the Torres Straits and this project will not only raise community awareness and understanding of the need to save water, the cost of water and developing water saving approaches suitable for the needs of particular islands and households, but it will also provide assistance to these communities for accessing funding to implement these practices.
For more information about the Land and Sea Management Unit visit the TSRA website.
FBA answers land manager’s most frequently asked questions
Land managers in the Fitzroy area recently received some guidance on funding for specific projects under a Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA) grant.
Farmers in the region interested in finding funding for contour banks, dams, bores, pumps, boundary fences, Property Maps of Assessable Vegetation (PMAV) and Land and Water Management Plans (LWMP) were given the following advice.
The FBA will consider contour banks but feel it is better to fund planning of farming layouts rather than to fund specific earthworks; however earthworks can be used as an in-kind or matching contribution from a land manager for an FBA assisted project.
The FBA do provide funds for dams where they are functioning as an off-stream watering point instead of a tank and trough and where it is part of a riparian, biodiversity or salinity management project. Elsewhere they are considered part of normal property development.
The FBA considers bores and pumps as a normal property development and are therefore considered to be the land manager's responsibility. Similarly boundary fences are a legal responsibility of land ownership and public funding is not available to subsidise the costs of statutory requirements of land ownership.
The FBA has invested in satellite imagery which can be used for all property mapping requirements which include regulatory purposes. However, the cost of preparing an application to the Department of Natural Resources and Water is the land manager's responsibility.
Farmers in the region were also interested in how much funding they could apply for from the FBA. The FBA has developed guidelines for funding NRM activities, which are available by contacting the FBA. FBA field officers can assist land managers to develop projects within these guidelines. The FBA uses sub-regional assessment panels to determine funding allocations for individual projects.
Finally, land managers wanting to know if they can apply for more than one category of funding, will be pleased to know they can as the FBA is aware that multiple activities may be required to achieve whole of property NRM outcomes. In relation to other funding sources (such as Envirofund and drought funding) however, land manager should not apply for funds for the same activities twice.
For more information visit the FBA website.
Competition winners are WaterWise
A free sausage sizzle, competitions and giveaway plants encouraged people to learn about water conservation in Cunnamulla recently.
The event, put together by South West NRM and Paroo Shire Council as part of a community water grant, proved popular and drew a healthy crowd.
$50 worth of WaterWise equipment was up for grabs, with entrants tested on their knowledge of water conservation.
South West NRM's grazing and production systems specialist Robyn Haig said the competitions made people a little more aware of water conservation in their own lives.
"That made people think a little about the water they waste, and how they can conserve it," Ms Haig said.
South West NRM's local government and pest officer Linda Durham said children seemed to get the most involved.
"We had kids asking lots of question, like 'what does conserve mean?', so it was good to be able to teach them a little about being water wise," Ms Durham said.
"It's important to teach kids about conservation, and what they learn, they will pass on to their parents," Ms Durham said.
South West NRM's district project coordinator Rhiannon Hindmarch said there was a lot of knowledge to be gained at the event.
"The people who stopped and thought about water conservation are the ones who got the most out of it," Ms Hindmarch said.
Hundreds gather for state rainforest forum
Hundreds of dedicated rainforest enthusiasts from Queensland, New South Wales and as far away as New Caledonia came together to share valuable knowledge and experiences at the Queensland Rainforest Forum last week.
More than 250 people attended the three-day event at Griffith University’s Nathan Campus, Brisbane. The forum comprised over 40 presentations on two days, with four interactive forums and a poster session. Forum participants also visited the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast hinterlands on the third day of the Forum. Tours provided opportunities to examine on-ground projects and conservation management strategies to conserve high priority rainforest ecosystems and threatened species in the region.
The forum was inspired by the SEQ Rainforest Recovery Cross-regional Implementation Program and was an initiative of SEQ Catchments, the Australian Government, WWF and Griffith University's Centre for Innovative Conservation Strategies (CICS). Landcare Queensland was commissioned to look after registrations, the program and a number of other vital components. The Ecological Society of Australia also provided support.
The forum featured a keynote presentation from Bruce Boyes, convenor of the 1998 conference. Bruce's presentation reviewed the outcomes and recommendations of the original 1998 forum, explored what had been achieved and provided perspectives on what we still need to do. Other keynote presentations included Cr Mike Berwick (Mayor of Douglas Shire Council), Prof. Roger Kitching (CICS, Griffith University), Brendan Stephen and Jolyon Froude (Barung Landcare) and Phil Moran (Noosa and District Landcare).
The forum ended with a lively discussion on the critical issues facing rainforest conservation and management and recommendations of how we can best mitigate against ever increasing threats to our rainforest ecosystems.
For more information contact Samantha Lloyd, SEQ Catchments Environment Partnerships Manager.
Government updates
Barramundi in hot water over climate change
Warmer water may drive north Queensland's best known fish, the barramundi, further south and reduce wild barra numbers, according to new research project underway at the Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence (QCCCE).
Barramundi are traditionally found in rivers and along coastlines in tropical and subtropical areas. They are an important part of Queensland's fishery, with 800 to 900 tonnes (whole weight) of wild barramundi caught each year.
QCCCE researchers have found projected rises in sea water temperatures due to global warming may affect the distribution of wild barramundi. They have indicated several factors including rainfall, freshwater flows, evaporation and sea surface temperature may all impact on the distribution and commercial catch of wild barramundi in north Queensland.
The six-year study still in its early stages, is also finding changes in fish habitat brought on by climate change may reduce wild barramundi numbers in areas where reduced rainfall and freshwater flows combine with higher evaporation to reduce the area of shallow wetlands where the fish breed.
This QCCCE research could help the fishing industry plan for the future and avoid losing income as fish numbers change. Once the study is completed, the information could also be included in conservation and NRM programs.
For the full media statement visit Queensland Government's media statements.
Queensland climate scientists working to better predict the wet season
Queensland climate scientists are working to provide better estimates of when north Queensland's wet season will begin and finish each year and how frequent and heavy rainfall will be.
A team of seven scientists from the new Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence (QCCCE) are working on a two-year, $1.2 million research project examining north Queensland's dominant weather pattern.
The study also will look at how the wet season is likely to be affected by climate change. The wet season in north Queensland runs from approximately November to April, however the onset and duration of the wet can vary greatly from year to year - with rainfall differences of up to 700 mm depending on the location.
As part of the project, researchers will study and compare the length of dry periods between rainfall events and forecast these with the Madden-Julian Oscillation, which is the main intra-annual fluctuation that explains weather variations in the tropics.
Climate analysis from the QCCCE team will provide valuable information to sectors dependant on accurate weather forecasts, such as agriculture, health, infrastructure development and tourism.
The $1.2 million project is a joint initiative between the centre and the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology. It is partly funded by Land and Water Australia under its 'Managing for Climate Variability' program.
For the full media statement visit Queensland Government's media statements.
Torres Strait waste management pilot program begins on Warraber Island
Work is about to start on a waste management project that could help Torres Strait island communities maintain their pristine environment.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has provided $93 500 to the Torres Strait Regional Authority to help fund a pilot waste management project on remote Warraber Island in the Torres Strait.
Warraber Island is a 38 hectare low lying coral island, 87 kilometres north-east of Thursday Island, with a population of 237.
Like the other 16 inhabited islands in the Torres Strait, Warraber Island has a serious waste disposal problem, with the current options for disposing of garbage including crushing, burning and burying. Because of a high water table and soil permeability there is a risk that high tides will wash the waste into the sea.
Before construction begins later this year, a study will be carried out to determine how much waste is produced on the island and how it can best be reduced, collected, stored and removed.
The waste management pilot project, estimated to cost $330 000, will be funded by the EPA, the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Water Resources, the National Packaging Covenant and the Torres Strait Regional Authority.
It is expected that the project will provide a new waste oil facility, upgraded fuel/oil storage area, a new garbage compactor and a bailer and storage area for recyclable materials.
For the full media statement visit Queensland Government's media statements.
Cheque of approval for Brisbane environment groups
Eight Brisbane-based conservation groups are sharing in a total of $1 million funding over four years from the Environmental Protection Agency to acknowledge the valuable contribution they have made to local and regional conservation and rehabilitation.
The eight groups have received $108 000 under the Queensland Government's Conservation Grants program. The recipients are:
- Queensland Conservation Council ($15 000)
- Australian Rainforest Conservation Society ($15 000)
- Environmental Defenders Office of Queensland ($13 000)
- Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland ($15 000)
- Australian Marine Conservation Society ($15 000)
- National Parks Association of Queensland ($5 000)
- Brisbane Regional Environmental Council ($15 000)
- Wilderness Society of Queensland ($15 000)
They are among 17 conservation groups statewide that have shared in $250 000 funding annually for four years. Other successful recipients of the grants included regional bodies from the Gold Coast, Darling Downs, central Queensland, north Queensland and Wide Bay.
The dedicated people in these organisations contribute their time and expertise to raising community awareness about key green issues. They undertake key conservation work on the ground, work with government, and campaign to help protect Queensland's valuable natural environment.
These organisations are involved in a range of environmental disciplines including marine, coastal and waterway issues, wildlife and fauna conservation, and environmental law and planning.
The EPA funding supports these groups' community involvement and education campaigns to change attitudes and behaviour towards the environment.
For the full media statement visit Queensland Government's media statements.
Mackay region boosted by property management systems
A Property Management Systems Initiative (PMSI) project was announced this week for the Mackay/Whitsunday area to help boost profitability in the cane industry.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said "The successful project proposal was submitted by the Mackay-Whitsunday NRM Group to foster improved management practices across the catchments."
To support the project's implementation, the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries is appointing an officer to work with cane growers in the O'Connell River and Bakers Creek catchments.
The officer will roll out a three-year project from August to help a further 70 growers adopt best management practices in areas such as nutrient management and water use efficiency.
These new farm management practices will boost the profitability and sustainability of the cane industry through improved on-farm productivity and careful management of our natural re sources.
The project will support the Farm Management Systems Memorandum of Understanding with the Queensland Farmers' Federation to support and promote the adoption of property management systems by Queensland's intensive agriculture industries.
The new project for the Mackay-Whitsunday region will give growers the support they need to adopt improved management practices.
"Negotiations are continuing between the department and other industry organisations and regional natural resource management groups on projects under the PMSI," Mr Mulherin said.
For the full media statement visit Queensland Government's media statements.
Fifteenth meeting of Environment Protection and Heritage Council
Key environmental priorities relating to climate change, air quality, chemicals management, nationally protected areas and heritage conservation were on the agenda at the recent meeting of the Environment Protection and Heritage Council.
Australian environment Ministers agreed to pursue a national strategy for reducing transport associated greenhouse gas and air pollution levels, and to encourage the purchase of more fuel efficient vehicles.
Council also determined it would lead the development of national guidelines for carbon capture and storage. They acknowledged the importance of working closely with the Ministerial Council on Mineral and Petroleum Resources and agreed to establish a Joint Officials Working Group.
Ministers also approved a draft set of national guidelines dealing with recycled drinking water for release for consultation. The draft recycled water for drinking guidelines describe how to apply the risk management framework to specific use of recycled water for drinking.
For more information visit Department of the Environment and Water Resources website.
Reef updates
Coral culls can occur due to extreme low tides
A recent paper published in the Marine Biology journal by Ken Anthony and Ailsa Kerswell, of James Cook University (JCU) and the University of Queensland, said corals can be wiped out by nothing more sinister than an extremely low tide coinciding with a clear, sunny day.
"Really low tides, where the local sea level gets to its extreme low for the year, can occur at different times of the day," Dr Anthony said.
"In years where this occurs during the middle of the day when the sunlight is at its most intense and the reefs are almost fully exposed, there is a real risk of severe coral stress and death in the shallow reef zone."
Such an event occurred in September 2005 when Dr Anthony and Dr Kerswell were taking JCU students on a field trip to Orpheus Island, east of Ingham in north Queensland. Their observations led them to investigate mysterious coral deaths on the island the extent of which had not been recorded on the Great Barrier Reef.
"At first we thought it was a major outbreak of disease," Dr Kerswell said.
Having established it was not disease, the pair looked through records of tidal patterns over the previous eight years and analysed the risk of corals being out of the water and exposed to the sun. They found that in September 2005 the Reef suffered from an extremely low tide during the daytime. Dr Anthony said such an event might have been nature's way of culling corals that were taking over.
Wetlands updates
A NSW permit to kill weeds has allegedly been used to clear a wetland
In NSW a farmer has allegedly bulldozed an important water bird breeding habitat using a NSW Government permit which allowed him to clear Lippia weed on the property.
An official confirmed a permit had been granted but it is unclear how much clearing this allowed.
NSW Environment Minister, Phil Koperberg has said "I find it very hard to understand how anyone could think it was acceptable to mow down a large tract of native vegetation at a time when climate change is so crucial."
His department is investigating what happened at the local level.
"We understand the issue of the Catchment Management Authority involvement is part of the investigation," Mr Koperberg said.
Mr Koperberg said he remained very concerned about this case, that is why the NSW Department of the Environment and Natural Resources is continuing its detailed investigation.
Federal authorities are also investigating the case.
The clearing is believed to have flattened more than 500 hectares where hundreds of thousands of birds breed.
For more information visit the NSW Department of the Environment and Natural Resources website.
Natural resources news
Regional bodies throw weight behind Landcare conference
Queensland's regional NRM bodies have set a new standard for supporting capacity building of grassroots Landcare groups by collectively throwing their weight behind the 2007 Queensland Landcare Conference.
The event, which takes place 22–25 August in Mackay and hosted by Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Group, is expected to attract between 350 to 400 delegates.
The Regional NRM Groups' Collective is the premier sponsor of the 2007 conference, with nearly every region contributing to the conference in some way. This support value-adds to the capacity building and community development activities already being undertaken by regions across the state.
Landcare Queensland's Samantha Morris said "As well as promoting regional body activities and outcomes throughout the concurrent sessions, one of our program highlights is a plenary session focusing on how regional bodies are making a difference to the Queensland landscape. The Honourable Sussan Ley, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry will be a keynote speaker during that session."
While individual regional NRM bodies have always supported the annual event, the 2007 conference is the first Landcare conference where regions have collectively pooled their resources. For more information about how regional NRM bodies are supporting Landcare groups through this event, email Emma Trigg.
Visit the Landcare website for registration information.
The LGAQ Environment Conference meeting the Environmental Challenge
The fifth annual LGAQ Environment Conference will be held in Hervey Bay from 11-13 July.
Local governments increasingly face significant challenges on the environmental front, both from existing issues such as pest and waste management through to emerging issues such as climate change and the impacts of significant water shortages.
The theme for this year isLocal Governments meeting the environmental challengeand this event will provide a great opportunity to hear from national experts and listen to ground-breaking case studies from councils across Queensland.
Topics for the 2007 conference include profiling energy efficient councils, climate change, environment protection, waste management, pest management, and peri-urban impacts on natural resource protection.
Conference delegates will also have the chance to experience a field tour to World Heritage listed Fraser Island and inspect some of the innovative approaches that Hervey Bay City Council is undertaking to manage its rapid population growth. There are many other natural assets of Hervey Bay to explore including the Great Sandy Strait, the Bay and the wetlands, and Lady Elliot Island.
Registration details are available on the LGAQ website (under 'Key Events'). For further information contact the LGAQ Conference coordinator Bron Browning on 3000 2220.
Register now as the sands are quickly running through the hour glass
Time's running out for early bird registration at the Queensland's Inaugural Coastal Conference - Shifting Sands - being hosted in Bundaberg by the Burnett Mary Regional NRM Group on 17-19 September.
The 2007 conference program will feature a number of outstanding speakers including Cr Mike Berwick, mayor of Douglas Shire Council and a representative on the National Sea Change Task Force; Mr Tony Roberts, executive director of the Planning Division, EPA; Professor Bruce Thom, inaugural chairman of the Australian Coastal Society and a member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists; and Dr Neil Lazarow from the Griffith Centre for Coastal Management.
Also on the program are field trips to Agnes Water, Hervey Bay and the option to dive or snorkel in the Woongarra Marine Park. There will be over 40 concurrent presentations, workshops and action planning sessions. The conference will provide a great opportunity to network, share stories and socialise with Queensland's coastal experts at one of the planned social events, such as the welcome reception or the formal conference dinner.
Delegates are expected to include representatives from federal, state and local government, regional NRM bodies, leading research and education organisations, coastal and marine industries, coastal and marine consultants, managers, planners and engineers, non-government organisations, user groups, indigenous groups and many other community organisations.
So if you haven't registered already, check out the conference website. Early birds can save themselves an additional $50 if they register before 12 July 2007.
Ghost Net prize winner shares skills
Recently the Carpentaria Ghost Nets Programme hosted Chantal Cordey last year's Design for a Sea Change competition winner to share her skills in weaving at Yirrkala in the Northern Territory (NT).
Chantal will be travelling to Queensland to run a similar workshop with the locals in the Torres Strait.
Last year's Design for a Sea Change competition received some wonderful and inventive ideas for reusing ghost nets including fruit bowls, carry bags, hammocks and as stabilisation in mud-brick walls for earthquakes. Chantal won the competition with her original guitar strap design made from ghost nets.
She visited Yirrkala in late May and taught staff from the Women's Resource Centre, Landcare and other interested community members, how to make handbags from ghost nets. After two days of unravelling and weaving the old nets collected by the Dhimurru rangers, two gorgeous handbags were completed. With their newly learnt skills, locals now intend on making many more hand bags which will be available for purchase.
NT project facilitator for the Ghost Nets Programme Jane Dermer said "It's great to see such beautiful and useful products coming from ghost nets."
The Carpentaria Ghost Nets Programme is an alliance of Indigenous rangers and community groups working together to remove and reduce the large amount of ghost nets (old discarded fishing nets) that currently float around in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
There are currently 18 groups involved from NT and Queensland and they have removed over 64 000 metres of net.
Visit the Ghost Nets website to learn more
Ghost Nets Programme finalist for two Banksia Awards
Last year's winner of the Banksia Awards Water Category, the Carpentaria Ghost Nets Programme have been nominated for two categories this year. The first category is new, Caring for Country, which recognises the important work rangers are doing.
The second category is the People's Choice Award and people wanting to vote for the Ghost Net Programme can visit the Banksia Awards website. People who vote can also win a prize.
Since their inception in 1989, the Banksia Environmental Awards have earned the reputation as the most prestigious environmental awards in Australia. The awards acknowledge excellence, dedication and leadership in various areas which contribute to the environment and a sustainable future.
Ghost nets are fishing nets that have been lost either accidentally or deliberately and drift with the ocean currents continually catching and killing fish and other marine life. Pulling nets out of the sea or off the beaches and putting them onto landfill sites is currently one of the most effective ways to deal with the problem.
In the Gulf of Carpentaria and Torres Straits, rangers from 18 indigenous communities participating in the Carpentaria Ghost Nets Programme have removed over 60,000 metres of net from a coastline as vast as the distance between Adelaide and Perth.
All the people associated with the Ghost Net project can be justifiably proud of the results of their hard work and one day the Gulf may finally be free of these lethal floating environmental disasters.
Visit the Ghost Nets website to learn more.
"Buy the bush and save it" say Rainforest Rescuers
Rainforest Rescue, a not-for-profit organisation, has purchase its ninth rainforest property in the Daintree region in north-east Queensland. Thanks to donations from members of the public and businesses, another piece of tropical rainforest has been saved from development.
A large part of the Daintree area is protected by its National Park and World Heritage listing, however in the 1980s a rural residential development comprising more than 1100 private blocks was established over much of the Daintree's lowland rainforest.
Rainforest Rescue has set its aim on buying those blocks of freehold Daintree rainforest having the highest conservation values in areas where development is still permitted. The land is bought and placed in purposely created and gazetted nature refuges.
The new property purchased is a rectangular block of 2.12 hectares located one block away from the national park. The main ecosystem within this block is listed as 'of concern', with a nearby area listed as 'endangered'.
The new award-winning Douglas Shire Planning Scheme is also helping to protect rainforest in the area by declaring a number of Rainforest Conservation Precincts.
With the support of everyday Queenslanders, Rainforest Rescue is now looking forward to purchasing a tenth property.
To contribute to the Daintree Buy Back and Protect Forever Project with your tax-deductible donation, please contact Rainforest Rescue on 1300 763 611 or visit the Rainforest Rescue 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 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:
Regional group: Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM
Title: Regional Pest Management Coordinator
Tenure: Full-time position, contracted until 30 June 2008 with potential for extension with the roll-out of future Commonwealth funding.
Location:Far North Queensland
Closing date: 9:00 am, 16 July 2007
Thought for the week
We are all molded and remolded by those who have loved us and, though that love may pass, we remain, none the less, their work. No love, no friendship can ever cross the path of our destiny without leaving some mark upon it forever.
Francois Mauriac, French novelist (1885-1970)
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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 04 December 2007