The Bugle - 27 July 2007
In news this week
- $6.3 million committed for better NRM
- Regional community engagers engage community engagement experts
- Boosting results for forest managers
- On-ground works funding for farms
- BDTNRM and Desert Uplands protecting biodiversity hotspots
- Central Queensland growers to pilot best practice in spray management
- Pests ignore shire boundaries (and so do councils)
Government updates
- Indigenous cultural heritage map a first for Queensland
- Queensland recreational fishing...for today and tomorrow
- Have your say when DPI&F's around your way
- Building a bridge between the present and the past agricultural knowledge
- Partnership provides more protection for Queensland's biodiversity
- QPWS survey shows no evidence of significant increase in croc numbers
Reef updates
Wetlands updates
Natural resources news
Regional NRM group stories
$6.3 million committed for better NRM
The Queensland Murray-Darling Committee (QMDC) recently approved five additional sub-catchment plans, totalling more than $2 million in funding for NRM projects.
QMDC's CEO Olwyn Crimp said, through funding from the Queensland and Australian governments, QMDC had now committed a total of $6.3 million since 2000.
"This investment will now support 22 groups of farmers in the Border Rivers and Maranoa-Balonne catchments to establish and implement the most sustainable management practices for their local area," she said.
Despite the dry times, Olwyn said the commitment from farmers has been growing.
"Our staff haven't been able to keep up with demand from farmers to be involved in sub-catchment planning, and we now have over 60 groups (some as yet unfunded) working through the program," Olwyn Crimp said.
Regional community engagers engage community engagement experts
Last Friday, several regional NRM representatives participated in the 2007 Community Engagement Showcase in Brisbane.
The Department of Communities held the engagement showcase as an opportunity for government and community groups to enhance their community engagement skills, develop strong partnerships and share good practice community engagement across a range of sectors.
Mike Bradby, Don Turner and Andrew Davidson did an excellent job at delivering one of the most interesting and highly attended sessions of the conference.
The session they delivered tied together all aspects of the regional NRM process and those in attendance gained perspectives from the government, Regional Groups Collective, and regional NRM bodies (SEQ Catchments and Condamine Alliance).
Their presentation was divided into three parts each starting with a short introductory video, followed by each group's perspectives of the regional NRM process, which has been put in place over the last seven years via the Natural Heritage Trust and National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality.
Mike Bradby represented the Department of Natural Resources and Water and also the perspective of two federal and five state government departments participating in this engagement process. He covered the overarching planning and community engagement approach for Queensland's regional NRM arrangements.
Don Turner representing both the Regional Groups Collective and the Condamine Alliance presented some on ground results achieved by the 14 regional groups. Finally, Andrew Davidson representing SEQ Catchments did a great job talking about his group’s engagement of the region's community through a community senate process.
Over 300 people attended the day and more than 60 people attended the regional NRM session. Feedback from the day showed how impressed people were with the processes' devolvement of power from government to the regional NRM groups for engagement. People were impressed at how community groups were responsible for engaging the rest of the community and how well this had been achieved resulting in increased local ownership of the regional NRM plans and increased implementation by local people of the regional investment strategies.
Other presentations on the day included Raelee Stewart from RSL Care on Engaging Seniors – Lifestyle aspirations of RSL Care retirement village residents and Engaging Indigenous peoples– You-Me Working Together – Lockhart River.
For more information please email Carl Glen.
Boosting results for forest managers
Landholders managing native forests have the opportunity to boost their results by attending the Native Forest Management and Harvesting Workshop Series.
Five different workshops will be hosted at properties in the Cooyar, Blackbutt and Nanango districts.
Hosted by SEQ Catchments, the first workshop will be held today (27 July) at Dave McCoy's property near Cooyar.
SEQ Catchments farm forestry extension officer Paul Daly said the workshop series provides a proactive learning opportunity for native forest managers.
"The workshop aims to provide people who are participating and interested in native forest management an opportunity to learn by doing. The field based sessions offer practical hands-on information from people with a wealth of experience in forest management and will provide plenty of opportunities for discussion," he said.
Questions about how to get better value for trees, how to improve timber management and other topics about improving native forest management will be answered during the workshops.
If you would like to attend the Native Forest Management and Harvesting Workshop Series or are interested in more information please contact Paul Daly on 0429 003 556, or Bruce Lord on 0427 013 284
On-ground works funding for farms
Central Downs Landcare, in partnership with Pittsworth Landcare, are calling for expressions of interest for the next round of Condamine Alliance's regional investment strategy funding.
The Condamine Alliance's regional investment strategy provides funding for on-ground work demonstrating sustainable NRM.
Condamine Alliance prioritises funding activities according to the targets outlined in the Condamine Catchment NRM Plan.
Activities receiving high priority for funding include activities to help improve water quality such as: fencing to protect creeks; planting native vegetation for bank stability; installing off-stream watering points to reduce stock impacts; and pesticide reduction to improve water quality in waterways. Other activities focus on pest management, such as weed control in riparian zones and the control of Weeds of National Significance (WONS), especially on small acreage blocks.
The protection of remnant vegetation for habitat improvement in riparian zones, planting native vegetation for connectivity, habitat enhancement fencing to protect native vegetation from stock or the establishment of perennial pasture and native vegetation on slopes and old cultivated land to improve water cycles, are also highly desirable activities.
To learn more, please contact Kellie Goodhew, Central Downs Landcare, on 4696 1543.
BDTNRM and Desert Uplands protecting biodiversity hotspots
The Landscape Linkages project rewards land managers who are actively preserving the biodiversity on their properties. Land managers submit a proposal to improve or conserve an area for biodiversity on their properties and in return they receive financial assistance to achieve their proposed goal.
The Landscape Linkages project is one of six collaborative projects in Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM's (BDTNRM) Biodiversity Program. The Desert Uplands Build-Up and Development Strategy Committee, with funding from BDTNRM, are implementing this project to protect significant habitats across the southern Desert Uplands region.
The Desert Uplands have been identified as a national biodiversity hotspot by the Australian Government. Hotspots are characterised by the species of flora and fauna they support. The Desert Uplands has 22 rare or threatened animals and 29 rare or threatened plants. Current threats to these species include unsustainable grazing pressure, feral animals, tree clearing, fire regimes and exotic weeds.
The Landscape Linkages project aims to maintain and enhance biodiversity values and attributes of the Desert Uplands region.
The project hopes to improve land condition through protecting habitat trees, regenerating vegetation, weed control and creating connecting habitat for threatened species, such as bushland corridors, to allow for movement through properties.
The project is currently operating in 80 000 hectares and several workshops have been conducted, presenting information to land managers about the tender system. Currently there have been fifteen tenders approved.
Proposals are assessed in accordance with a biodiversity index to determine what is cost effective and going to provide the most benefit to the environment. Ideas which have won approval include: changing stock rotation regimes, reducing grazing pressure, introducing additional watering points and photo monitoring of changing land management practices.
Visit the Burdekin Dry Tropics website to learn more.
Central Queensland growers to pilot best practice in spray management
A collaborative project to develop a 'best practice' farm management aystem for the grains industry involving growers, Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA), AgForce Grains and the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has been progressed with the announcement of $150 000 of federal National Landcare Programme funding to pilot spray management.
FBA's Technical Manager Gavin Peck said the spray management module was specifically chosen to lead the pilot and was delighted that the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Peter McGauran had endorsed the project in the 2007-08 funding round.
"Herbicide application is critical for growers who employ Zero Till farming techniques to reduce erosion, increase moisture infiltration and increase production in central Queensland," said Mr Peck.
Over the next twelve months groups of growers will compare their current spray management practices against industry best practice.
From these assessments growers will be able to benchmark their practices and identify areas for improvement.
Mr Peck believes that growers will nominate their own skills development as well as improvements to farm equipment as the key areas for spray management improvement.
Workshops and on farm consultation will be provided to assist growers with skills development and FBA's sub-regional group, the Central Highlands Regional Resources Use Planning Cooperative (CHRRUP), will assist growers to apply for funding to modify or purchase spray equipment.
Feedback from growers involved with the pilot will be critical for improvement of the spray management module and development of the modules required for a single broadacre cropping best practice Farm Management System.
Growers interested in learning more about the pilot should contact Gavin Peck on 4999 2800.
Pests ignore shire boundaries (and so do councils)
Despite the looming threat of amalgamations, four councils in the central Darling Downs region are joining forces to combat major pests.
Supported by $165 000 in funding from the Blueprint for the Bush, Condamine Alliance and the Clifton, Cambooya, Pittsworth and Millmerran shires will launched the second stage of an integrated weeds project yesterday 26 July.
Cr Ian Jones, Mayor of Clifton and the chair of the Darling Downs Regional Organisation of Councils, launched the project, and representatives of Landcare and Biosecurity Queensland attended.
Despite the looming threat of council amalgamations, this project will build on the excellent working platform and partnerships established between Condamine Alliance, Clifton Shire Council, Cambooya Shire Council, Pittsworth Shire Council, and state agencies such as Biosecurity Queensland. Millmerran Shire has signed on for the second stage of the project.
This stage of the project, worth at least $484 000, was on track to involve 10 and possibly all 12 councils in the Condamine River catchment in a coordinated assault on key pests, before the latest round of shire amalgamations was announced.
"As weeds are spread and pest animals move irrespective of administrative boundaries, it is only logical to approach pest management in a coordinated manner within a naturally defined region," said the Alliance's program delivery manager Penny Hamilton.
Government updates
Indigenous cultural heritage map a first for Queensland
Premier Peter Beattie and Natural Resources Minister Craig Wallace have released Queensland's first statewide map of indigenous cultural heritage sites.
The map lists more than 200 landscapes, places and objects considered significant by Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The map includes the state's oldest known cultural heritage site, quarries, rock shelters, carved trees, engravings, paintings, travel routes and grinding grooves.
"Queensland has a rich indigenous heritage stretching back tens of thousands of years," Mr Beattie said.
"The Cultural Heritage Map of Queensland will help all Queenslanders appreciate the history and traditions of our state,” Mr Beattie said.
"It will be an eye-opener to many Queenslanders who may not be aware of the great number and importance of Queensland sites," Mr Beattie said.
Mr Wallace said the Cultural Heritage Map of Queensland would be distributed to Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups, libraries, local councils and Department of Natural Resources and Water (NRW) regional offices.
"However, the map does not show exact locations due to the fragility of some sites," Mr Wallace said.
Individuals found guilty of damaging cultural heritage sites face up to two years imprisonment and fines of up to $75 000, while corporations face fines of up to $750 000.
Mr Wallace said Queenslanders wishing to report cultural heritage places in their area to NRW's Cultural Heritage Coordination Unit can call 3238 3836.
For the full media statement visit Queensland Government's media statements.
Queensland recreational fishing...for today and tomorrow
Anglers can help improve an understanding of recreational fishing activities by participating in the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries' (DPI&F) upcoming recreational fishing diary program and boat ramp surveys.
DPI&F senior fisheries scientist, Len Olyott said since recreational fishing is so popular in Queensland, the information collected will be of great benefit to anglers, the community and the state's economy.
"Diary participants will be recording information about their fishing activities over a 12-month period, including what fish they catch and how long they spend fishing," Mr Olyott said.
"In addition to contributing to the better management of recreational fishing, all participants who submit their forms will go into regular draws to win great prizes such as fishing magazine subscriptions, fishing tackle vouchers and charter fishing trips.
"Being a diary participant is completely voluntary and costs nothing but a small amount of your time.
"The process will be made even easier by allowing participants to submit their information online."
Survey results will assist DPI&F in managing Queensland's recreational fishery resources for current and future generations.
DPI&F will also conduct boat ramp interviews with anglers throughout south east Queensland over the coming months.
To become involved contact DPI&F on 13 25 23 for more information.
Have your say when DPI&F's around your way
Commercial and recreational fishers and other stakeholders will be encouraged to have their say when the proposals for the future management of the Queensland East Coast Fin Fish Fishery are released around August this year.
Proposals will involve changes to bag and size limits, shark management, netting arrangements, closures and Dugong Protection Areas.
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries' (DPI&F) general manager Jim Gillespie urged all members of the public to keep an eye out for meeting dates and venues in their local areas to explain the proposed changes.
"While commercial and recreational fishers are expected to make up most of the attendees at the consultations, all stakeholders who have an interest in this fishery are invited to attend to explain future management arrangements," Jim said.
The East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery is the largest and most diverse in Queensland with more than 750 000 recreational fishers and approximately 500 commercial operators accessing this fishery throughout the state.
DPI&F is now preparing a regulatory impact statement and other materials which outline the proposals. These materials are due for public release in August 2007 (subject to government endorsement).
Public meetings will be held in over 20 towns and cities along the Queensland east coast during August and September to explain the proposed future management of the fishery and allow all stakeholders to gain a better understanding in order to fill out the statement response forms.
For regular updates on the progress of the proposals, meeting times and other information on the fishery subscribe to the Inshore Fin Fish Update below.
If you are not already subscribed simply send a blank email to your-say-subscribe-request@lists.dpi.qld.gov.au.
Building a bridge between the present and the past agricultural knowledge
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries' alumni is off to a flying start with more than 60 former staff registering to ensure their knowledge is not lost to Queensland's producers.
DPI&F's chief scientific advisor Dr Joe Baker said "Employees in all sectors of the department have so much knowledge and experience that it's a shame to see it disappear when those staff move on. This alumni program will provide a forum whereby that knowledge can be retained, enriched, and shared with current staff."
The alumni will provide networking, support and interaction for retired staff who want to maintain close links with their colleagues and the work of the department.
"Alumni will help to build a bridge between the past and the present, and maintain the value of that bridge for all of Queensland," Dr Baker said.
DPI&F provides policy leadership, knowledge based on smart science, technological, trade and business development services to Queensland's primary industries.
Alumni membership includes a quarterly e-newsletter on the latest DPI&F and industry news, arrangements for local alumni events held throughout each region, opportunities to be involved in a mentoring program and a network of contacts to facilitate a broad range of enquiries and interactions.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said "One of the biggest benefits is that alumni members will provide mentoring and coaching to our younger staff and becoming a critical source of advice and guidance to them as they start their careers in DPI&F."
The DPI&F alumni network is a free service and is supported around Queensland by DPI&F alumni contacts in each region. For more information visit the DPI&F website.
Partnership provides more protection for Queensland's biodiversity
Queensland's Nature Refuge program has grown considerably over the past nine years from 29 refuges covering 11 261 ha in 1998, to 252 refuges covering 561 871 ha in 2007. Which means a significant part of Queensland with excellent conservation value is protected for future generations.
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said a sustainable management approach was required across the entire landscape, including privately managed lands as while National Parks are important in protecting our unique biodiversity, they alone can not ensure the rich biodiversity we have today will be available for future generations.
Many important areas in Queensland that are critical for ecological function across the landscape are privately owned and managed. Increasing numbers of private land managers are recognising the contribution they make towards the protection of biodiversity and are taking proactive steps to conserve these values through the Nature Refuge Program.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the success of the Nature Refuge Program demonstrated that individuals had the power to protect the diverse range of natural and cultural values on their properties as well as returning a profit.
Protecting the environment and running a sustainable rural enterprise can go hand-in-hand and any land manager considering making a lasting commitment to conservation by committing part or all of their property to a nature refuge can visit the EPA website.
QPWS survey shows no evidence of significant increase in croc numbers
A survey of north and central Queensland's east coast river systems has found no evidence of an increase in the estuarine crocodile population.
QPWS surveyed 47 rivers, covering 767 km, along Queensland's east coast from the Endeavour River in the north to the Burnett River in the south, using internationally accepted vessel based survey methods.
QPWS were looking for indications of a population increase in response to claims of a population 'explosion' from a small but vocal section of the community.
The extensive survey, conducted at night over a three-week period in April and May, recorded a total of 289 crocodiles, including 112 hatchlings. Such an extensive survey of this area has not been conducted before and hence a direct comparison with previous surveys is not possible however, surveys of 14 rivers from Proserpine to Gladstone in 1999 found an average of one non-hatchling crocodile every two kilometres.
In 2000, 12 rivers from Tully north to Cooktown were surveyed and a crocodile was sighted on average every 1.7 kilometres.
What was found in this recent survey was a low density of crocodiles, certainly no higher than previous surveys in these areas and much lower than those in the Northern Territory, where it is not uncommon to find crocodile population densities that are 10 to 20 times higher than this.
The survey also found no evidence that the habitat range of crocodiles has increased, with none being found south of the Fitzroy River.
The estuarine crocodile is a vulnerable species that has been in recovery since crocodile hunting was banned in 1974. This survey indicates that the population is having difficulty recovering from hunting, especially in the more intensely developed areas from Cooktown south.
While the survey showed crocodile populations were not exploding, it is important to emphasise the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service is anything but complacent in relation to protecting human safety.
The QPWS responds to all reported crocodile sightings and has removed 44 problem crocodiles over the past three years.
For the full media statement visit Queensland Government's media statements.
Reef updates
Save the Reef and save our heritage
Professor Malcolm McCulloch of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (CoECRS) feels protecting the Great Barrier Reef from the impacts of climate change, natural disasters and rising human pressures will be a key test of Australia's ability to keep the natural environment healthy and resilient.
Professor McCulloch gave this message at last week's gathering of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), in Cairns.
"If Australia can't save the [Reef], then no-one anywhere in the world can save their coral reefs," Professor McCulloch warned.
"We know the threats posed by coral bleaching, ocean acidification, rapid sea level rise and increased coastal erosion. It's about what we can do in the way we manage the reef and look after it that will mitigate those threats," Professor McCulloch said.
"People often don't realise how important heritage is to them. We reference ourselves against it and from it we develop the values that define us," says Dr Susan McIntyre-Tamwoy of CoECRS.
The global impacts of natural disasters, climate change, globalisation and conflict are recognised as real risks by governments worldwide. However, their impact on the world's natural and cultural heritage sites has not been well considered.
Another speaker at the conference Dr John Hurd, director of conservation for the Global Heritage Fund, explored how climate change is affecting the human heritage in the deserts.
"Deserts are normally great places for preserving things, but recent heavy floods have totally destroyed ancient archaeological sites," Dr Hurd said.
"The deserts are changing and are especially vulnerable to the increased rainfall expected in some areas under climate change."
The ICOMOS conference focused on developing strategies and awareness for the management and mitigation of the risks facing heritage sites.
The conference included speakers and representatives from the heritage profession, industry, government and research institutes from Australia, Europe, USA, Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
For more information about the conference visit the AICOMOS website.
Wetlands updates
Wetlands keep Redbank eco-friendly
A new wetlands area has been proposed for Queensland Rail's Redbank Railway Workshops site.
Tenders have been called for the construction of artificial wetlands, a key element of Rollingstock and Component Services (RACS) Redbank's water conservation and treatment strategy.
Queensland Rail has said they were responding to the drought conditions in south-east Queensland, and implementing a wide range of measures to minimise the site's environmental impact.
Queensland Rail said RACS Redbank already treated water used on-site before releasing it onto adjacent farmland and then into the Brisbane River.
Once the new project was completed, treated water would be further filtered as it flowed through the wetlands, the spokesperson said. It will then be collected in a dam to be built at the rear of the site.
The dam will serve as a water source for use on-site and stormwater will also be collected and reused in this system. In keeping with RACS' environmental values, Queensland Rail said solar-powered pumps would drive the water from the dam to the water tower where it would be used for non-potable applications.
Queensland Rail said the Redbank heavy industrial facility was committed to water conservation and minimising the risk of environmental pollution.
Natural resources news
Record number of nominations for the 2007 Queensland Landcare Awards
Queensland Water and Land Carers (QWaLC) has announced a record number of nominations for the 2007 Queensland Landcare Awards. This year has seen an increase of 15% on entries received for the previous Awards in 2005. The standard of the nominations has also been very high, with the Westpac Education Award and National Landcare Programme Individual Landcarer Award proving the most popular.
QWaLC chair Esma Armstrong said "I'd like to thank everyone who showed their appreciation for the work of Queensland's landcarers and put in a nomination.
"And congratulations to all our nominees," Mrs Armstrong said.
The goal of the 2007 Queensland Landcare Awards is the generation of quality candidates to take to the 2008 National Landcare Awards. With record entries, and nominees representing the excellent work of Queensland landcarers, QWaLC have achieved this goal.
"QWaLC is committed to promoting the achievements of the groups and individuals who volunteer to conserve and improve our environment," Mrs Armstrong said.
"QWaLC has had a 130% increase on new group registrations since January compared to the entire previous year, demonstrating our work as peak body for natural resource management volunteers is increasingly relevant to the community," Mrs Armstrong said.
A full list of 2007 Queensland Landcare Awards nominees is available from QWaLC 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: Cape York Peninsula Development Association
Title: Chief executive officer
Tenure: Full-time
Location:Cairns
Closing date: COB 31 July 2007
Thought for the week
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.
Anthropologist Margaret Mead (1901-1978)
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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