The Bugle - 14 September 2007
In news this week
Regional NRM group stories- Good pest control news for macadamia growers
- Booklet helps us enjoy and protect our beaches
- Privet on the menu for Christmas in Condamine parks
- Science symposium a success
- Collars cramp stray cats' style
- BDTNRM celebrates Biodiversity Month
- Threatened Species Week in the Fitzroy Basin
- Equine influenza
- Applications for 2008 Community Acitivty Grants now open
- Greater security for koalas in SEQ
Natural resources news
- Weeds costing Queensland $600 million a year
- Goanna species nearing extinction in NT: study
- You're invited to...
- AgForward workshop update
- Get a job in NRM!
Regional NRM group stories
Good pest control news for macadamia growers
Bundaberg's macadamia producers are thrilled with the early results of a local project designed to reduce dependency on pesticides, funded through the Burnett Mary Regional Group for NRM (BMRG).
Pesticide used to control the macadamia nut borer moth was reduced by almost 35 percent last season at Bundaberg's Hinkler Park Macadamia Nut Plantation. For the plantation's general manager, Adrian van Boven and 10 other producers in the Bundaberg area, the dream has become a reality.
"We have been working through the Australian Macadamia Society and with industry development officer Patrick Logue to tackle the pesticide reduction," Mr van Boven said.
"If left undetected, these moths can have a significant impact on the crop yield and quality, and when controlled traditionally, require regular spraying of pesticide.
"This adds to increased production costs and reduces the market appeal of the crop in a world which is becoming more aware of the benefits of no pesticide or low pesticide cropping."
BMRG CEO David Brown said the increased support for the local industry is just one of the positive results of the project.
"The benefits are significant for macadamia nut marketers with a reduced dependency on pesticides, enhanced market appeal, increased scientific knowledge and improved biodiversity," he said.
Another pest control problem for growers is caused by rats which have developed a liking for the nuts. Hinkler Park has introduced owl roosts and breeding boxes adjacent to the macadamia orchard to encourage owls back into the area to keep the rodents at bay.
The owl boxes were manufactured locally through Salvation Army workshops using recycled marine ply.
Booklet helps us enjoy and protect our beaches
The most enjoyable way to gain local knowledge about the Capricorn Cosat's great beaches is to visit them, and Livingstone Shire Council (LSC) and the Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA) have just helped us towards greater awareness of features of our very special coastline.
The Guide to Livingstone's Beaches has been launched as a community awareness and information booklet for the local community and the visiting public.
The booklet has been produced as a community service project by LSC, supported with funding from the Natural Heritage Trust through the FBA, and published by Capricornia Newspaper.
FBA coastal and marine coordinator Shane Westley said it would become an invaluable document.
"It's been designed for those who are keen to gain some local knowledge about the coastal foreshores which are such a valuable asset to this area, and help educate people on their conservation," he said.
LSC vegetation project officer Tracy Richards, who compiled the booklet, has included photographs contributed by LSC coastal rehabilitation officer Paddy Delalande.
Tracy sees the booklet as part of a larger project which includes the Shoreline Management Plan, a vegetation marker system, the installation of gross pollutant traps and socks, and dunal rehabilitation, revegetation and fencing to protect sand dunes.
"The key to protecting our beaches and dunal areas is eradication," she said.
"It is hoped that by improving the knowledge of beach users, less damage will occur to these areas."
Privet on the menu for Christmas in Condamine parks
Broad-leafed privet, the bane of many a gardener's life, will be on the menu by Christmas for a machine that literally eats it up and spits it out.
A 'privet muncher' is on its way from the United States to Toowoomba, and should be here in time to make a Christmas gift for Toowoomba City Council and the city's precious range escarpment reserves.
The carbide cutter, mounted on a skid-steer machine capable of working on the slopes, will mulch the privet and other key weeds, beginning in bushland parks managed by Toowoomba City Council within the Condamine River and Lockyer Creek catchments.
The two-stage cutting action begins with the rotor picking up material and forcing it to pass between the moving carbide teeth and the stationary counter teeth.
Best of all, the maker claims carbide teeth never need sharpening.
"This is the only way to control really heavy infestations, where privet and other weeds, such as lantana, have taken over the slopes and where fire is no longer a control option," says Condamine Alliance project manager Mark Schuster.
"Chemical control is very difficult – and expensive – where privet has become established: some of the plants can have trunks six to ten inches in diameter."
Privet can grow up to 10 metres tall, with closely packed branches. As well as crowding out fragile native vegetation, it is also known to cause irritations to sufferers of hay fever. It is an escapee from ornamental gardens throughout south east Queensland, originating in Japan and China.
Toowoomba's Gessner Industries is supporting the privet-munching project by supplying the US-made carbide cutter at a significant discount. Neighbouring natural resource bodies Condamine Alliance and SEQ Catchments are jointly funding the $100 000 purchase.
Science symposium a success
An enthusiastic group enjoyed the Mulga Lands Giving Effect to Science Symposium held last Thursday at the Charleville Race Course.
South West NRM organised the symposium as part of Endangered Species Week.
Geoff Edwards, CEO of South West NRM, said the event was a great opportunity to gain insight into the natural resource management issues facing South West Queensland.
"The speakers were a diverse group and they each brought their own perspectives to the symposium," Mr Edwards said.
"It gave those present a lot to think about and plenty to chew on after the symposium."
Guest speakers took to the stage to talk about natural science issues in South West Queensland.
Topics included bilby conservation, biodiversity in south west Queensland and how to make science accessible to landholders and residents.
Mr Edwards said the symposium demonstrated the interest in natural science in the local area.
"Science is alive and well in this area," Mr Edwards said.
"Not only are long-term experts such as Dr Ian Beale and Chris Evenson still in touch with this community, but there is a vigorous program of research that is highly relevant to current questions being run out of the University of Queensland at Gatton and within the state departments."
Rachel Greenfield, South West NRM's science consultant, said it was great to see such a healthy turnout for the symposium.
"It was really good to have the wide range of speakers and the wide range of attendees there," Ms Greenfield said.
"There was a lot of knowledge shared between everyone with those in the audience willing to share their own views and ideas on the topics at hand."
Collars cramp stray cats' style
Moggies make great pets, but their secret lives have been exposed: Toowoomba owners have reported a 60% drop in the number of animals killed by cats that wear dual-bell collars, given away by Condamine Alliance and Toowoomba City Council.
Cat-owners have enthusiastically embraced the campaign, with more than 1020 out of 8000 registered cat owners responding to a survey to receive free collars with their registration papers.
The dual-bell collars help to foil the would-be hunters by warning vulnerable wildlife of impending attack, more effectively than single-bell collars.
"The project aimed to have a further one hundred cats registered in Toowoomba Shire and wearing dual-bell collars by August this year, so we were delighted to have more than a thousand owners sign up," said Condamine Alliance chief executive officer Phil McCullough.
Before-and-after comparisons for the dual-bell collars show they have had a big impact on predatory behaviour.
The collars have had the greatest benefit for birds, with a 75% drop in the number killed. The number of mice being caught fell by 59%, and small mammals, lizards, frogs, skinks and snakes, by 56%.
Wildlife, such as the endangered swift parrot, speckled warbler and other birds, lizards and small animals remain vulnerable in the city. Condamine Alliance allocated $50 000 of Natural Heritage Trust funds last year to provide the collars and information kits free of charge to raise awareness of their plight.
"The majority of the cats in this study wore a dual-bell cat collar, were de-sexed, and were always kept inside at night. Overall, respondents reported a 60% reduction in the number of animals being caught after using a dual-bell collar," Mr McCullough said.
Toowoomba is one of only three councils in Queensland with local laws covering cats, and it is the only shire that enforces cat registration.
BDTNRM celebrates Biodiversity Month
Biodiversity means biological diversity, or 'the variety of all life forms'. During Biodiversity Month, Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM's (BDTNRM) Biodiversity Programme coordinator, Dr Bronwyn Houlden, is highlighting BDTNRM activities that contribute to a biologically healthy and diverse region.
Dr Houlden explained that, "BDTNRM is addressing a number of environmental strategies to maintain and improve our region's biodiversity. We are focussing on maintaining and rehabilitating habitat, protecting threatened species and regional ecosystems, linking conservation and land management and controlling pests and weeds".
Threatened Species Month is a chance to focus on Queensland's aquatic and coastal threatened species. To highlight these species, BDTNRM will be sending out a threatened species kit to all the primary schools in the region, which will contains lots of resources including a free DVD One in a thousand: the miraculous life of the sea turtle.
BDTNRM is working with farmers, scientists, government and non-government organisations to help save a number of endangered species including Irwin's Turtle.
Elseya irwini is a rare species of turtle, discovered by Steve and Bob Irwin, and found only in a 100km stretch of the Broken-Bowen River system west of Mackay. BDTNRM is committed to helping with a comprehensive James Cook University study of this poorly known species by funding the tracking equipment used to determine its breeding and nesting patterns.
Weeds and pest animals are also significant natural resource management issues in the region. BDTNRM is working with major stakeholders and local government to develop a region-wide pest management strategy and to undertake on-ground works to manage pest and weeds.
"Biodiversity is essential for sustainability," Dr Houlden said.
"Biodiversity underpins the processes that make life possible. Healthy ecosystems are necessary for maintaining and regulating atmospheric quality, climate, fresh water, marine productivity, soil formation, cycling of nutrients and waste disposal. Biodiversity also has spiritual and recreational significance for most people and our region’s biodiversity values and services extend well beyond the regional boundary to include national and international benefits."
Threatened Species Week in the Fitzroy Basin
The Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA) brought the plight of threatened species to the forefront of students' minds with recent visits to two Rockhampton primary schools.
A group of four researchers spoke to students at Frenchville and Mt Archer State Schools on 6 September as part of Threatened Species Week.
The FBA's regional biodiversity coordinator Graham Lightbody accompanied by coastal and marine coordinator Shane Westley coordinated the day.
Graham said "It is vitally important to educate the children in our community about threatened species and regional projects which help to prevent further extinctions.
"The FBA as the regional natural resource management group is developing plans for sustainable targets to prevent any further extinction of species in the Central Queensland area. We provide funding for research projects and work on a regional management plan to protect species in the future."
While the researchers opened students' minds with overviews of their projects, it was Wiggles, a southern hairy nosed wombat, that opened their hearts to the plight of threatened species.
"Wiggles is a great teacher," said Tina Janssen, senior keeper at the Rockhampton Zoo. "Direct contact with just one native animal really helps youngsters to connect to the plight of many other threatened species."
Sue Bruce told students about her work on a captive breeding program with bridled nailtail wallabies at Marlborough and also spoke about the northern hairy nosed wombat. "It is the most threatened mammal, with less than 100 individuals left in the wild, living at Epping Forest National Park near Clermont," she said.
Wayne Houston, a research officer from Central Queensland University shared his passion for saving local threatened bird species with the students. "The yellow chat is a critically endangered subspecies and my work involves describing the habitat and populations of these birds," Mr Houston said.
Daniele Cagnazzi, a PhD student from Southern Cross University, gave the students an insight into his work on the snub-fin and humpback dolphin. He collects data to assess the dolphin populations along the Capricorn coastline. "I identify individual dolphins by photographing the dorsal fin, as each one is like a fingerprint with individual markings.
"I study the movement of the different species of dolphins and the interaction between populations. In a marine environment it is very difficult to help threatened species directly. To improve their chance of survival we can only work on improving their environment and by limiting human impact."
Lesley Hale from Greening Australia spoke about her role in organising volunteers to help protect nest sites of the threatened Fitzroy River turtle. "During the nesting period, we patrol the nesting sites to protect them from potential damage with plastic mesh. We also do weed control and fencing."
Government updates
Equine influenza
Equine influenza is currently present in the south east corner of the state and the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) is acting to contain the disease.
Equine influenza has an effect on the whole community. It is a concern for everybody, not just horse owners. There may be access restrictions or other delays within your community if Equine influenza becomes established. Information on measures to lessen the impact of Equine influenza on horse owners and members of the local community is available on the DPI&F website.
If you own or care for a horse, please don't ride, walk or transport the horse from your property. Observe instructions for disinfecting yourself, your clothes and your vehicle if you have been handling horses or other animals from the equine family (ponies, donkeys or mules).
Any signs of illness in horses should be reported to your vet or the DPI&F by phone to 13 25 23. For more information on stopping the spread of Equine influenza or managing impacts on your community, please visit the DPI&F website or call 13 25 23.
Applications for 2008 Community Acitivty Grants now open
Community natural resource management (NRM) groups are encouraged to send in their applications for project funding under the Community Awareness Grants 2008.
The grants are used to help groups develop small, innovative and creative projects in partnership with community, school, youth/business groups or local government.
Grants of up to $5000 have been made available to community NRM groups. For projects that are a genuine collaboration between two or more organisations, grants of up to $10 000 will be considered.
The aim of the program is to help groups taking an entertainment, educational or cultural approach to strengthening the community's awareness of, and involvement in, sustainable management of Queensland's natural resources.
Guidelines and an application form are available to download from the Department of Natural Resources and Water website.
For more information contact the grants coordinator on 07 3238 3187.
Greater security for koalas in SEQ
Koalas in South East Queensland are well on their way to scoring greater protection as the Queensland Government's $2.1 million Koala Conservation Plan reaches its one year mark.
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr has hailed as a milestone, completion of the first development application by a local council following Environmental Protection Agency assessment under the Koala Conservation Plan which came into effect last October.
"Development of five rural residential lots in Pine Rivers Shire to the north of Brisbane is being undertaken with a number of koala-specific conditions required by the EPA," Ms Carr said.
"Essentially, the Koala Conservation Plan enables state and local governments and developers to work together to secure positive outcomes for koala protection by taking the cuddly marsupials and their habitat into account.
"A further six development applications considered by the EPA are being finalised by the relevant councils."
Ms Nelson-Carr said another benefit of the Koala Conservation Plan is the focus on reducing the threat from dogs.
"Many Queenslanders don't realise that dog attacks are the fourth most significant cause of death for koalas behind car strikes, habitat clearing and disease. And worse still, koalas that are stressed, such as through a dog attack are more prone to disease.
"However as part of the Koala Conservation Plan's ongoing education program, approximately 1000 people have signed 'pledges' to become koala-sensitive dog owners.
"This includes simple actions such as keeping your dog inside or housing it in a kennel at night, or keeping koalas out and away from your dog with a koala exclusion fence around your property. By doing this we can enjoy our pets and our native animals too.
"Schools have also become involved with Slack's Creek State School and Emmaus College, Jimboomba recently establishing Koala Fodder Plantations.
"Implementing the Koala Conservation Plan has built on the ongoing research in collaboration with the University of Queensland and industry partners and continuing a strong commitment to first class rehabilitation of sick and injured koalas at the Moggill Koala Hospital," Ms Carr said.
To read the full media release, visit the Queensland Government media statement website.
Reef updates
Reef Plan raised at Riversymposium
Among the myriad of international river and water management issues discussed at last week's Riversymposium, the Reef Plan dominated the Agriculture session held on Wednesday 5 September.
While international speakers addressed issues relating to challenges and successes in agricultural production within their countries (Uganda, Belarus and India), the three Australian based speakers presented on issues highly relevant to the Reef Plan.
Dr Tim Wrigley, CANEGROWERS, highlighted the work of over 90 farmers in the Wet Tropics who have constructed or restored wetlands on their sugarcane farms. Dr Wrigley explained that cane farmers in the Wet Tropics have spent considerable amounts of money over the last 10-15 years in establishing these wetlands, which were carefully designed with complex plans and correct drainage.
The presentation outlined the benefits of the wetlands for water quality, diversity of fish and bird species, and wetland connectivity.
Also highlighting the Reef Plan was WWF representative Mr Nick Heath, who for the benefit of the international and national audience highlighted the importance of the Great Barrier Reef and the joint Australian and Queensland Government Reef Plan. Mr Heath emphasised the importance of supporting the Reef Plan through the fast uptake of good management practices on the ground.
CSIRO's Dr Freeman Cook presented on irrigation mosaics, a concept being investigated in northern Australia.
A Reef Plan display booth profiling the Queensland Wetlands Programme was well attended, particularly by interested international delegates. For more information visit the Reef Plan website.
Natural resources news
Weeds costing Queensland $600 million a year
Landcare Australia has launched a dramatic new campaign warning that Australia is literally being swamped by a weeds epidemic costing the country billions.
Landcare Australia is urging people to visit the Landcare website to find out how to tackle the epidemic in their own back garden or property.
Current figures show 15% of plants in Australia are now weeds. The problem is costing the country a staggering $4 billion a year.
Australia's worst 8 weeds have now taken over 20 million hectares of Australian country-side. Research shows that 65% of our major weeds are garden escapees - which is why people are being urged to visit the website to find out how they can tackle the epidemic.
Speaking about Queensland's problems with weeds Dr Bruce Wilson, general manager of Invasive Plants and Animals, Biosecurity Queensland, said "Weeds are estimated to cost Queensland $600 million annually in lost production and control costs, plus environmental and social impacts.
"Preventing new weeds from establishing is critical. The Queensland Government is leading the national eradication of five weeds species and the eradication from Queensland of a further eight species.
"At the same time it is important to reduce the impact of established weeds. The Queensland Government supports the national action on the weeds of national significance. These include lantana which costs the Queensland grazing sector $70.8 million annually and parthenium which affects human health."
Landcare Australia chief executive Brian Scarsbrick said, "We just have to do more.
"Ten new weed species are now appearing in Australia every year. Of the 20 worst weeds in Australia, 16 were deliberately introduced."
Amongst the weeds causing the most damage nationally are blackberry, gorse, lantana, mimosa, rubber vine, serrated tussock, bitou bush, and bridal creeper.
Goanna species nearing extinction in NT: study
New studies on the yellow-spotted goanna suggest populations across the Northern Territory are nearing extinction.
Research group Frogwatch is reporting there has been pockets of localised extinctions of the goanna species since the invasion of cane toads across the Top End.
Frogwatch habitat researcher Ian Morris says tradiational owners in the Arafura Swamp region say they have not seen a goanna in two years.
"No species disappears by itself in a shower of blue sparks, these yellow-spotted monitors seem to be coming pretty close to that," he said.
"We are getting odd sightings in some places of younger animals but it does appear that the bulk of the population is gone, perhaps 90 per cent of the populations are gone, and it may take another two generations of breeding and we'll lose the remainder."
Mr Morris says the possible extinction of the species will have a significant impact on local Indigenous communities.
"It's probably of no great consequence to us non-Aboriginal people who get all our meat in the supermarket, but this is a primary food source," he said.
"It's equivalent to the cattle industry going down for us, people who live in quiet little outstation areas who eat these things."
Story sourced from ABC News.
You're invited to...
A prickle bush busters field day in Julia Creek.
The field day is being held on Friday 21 September from 9am, and will consist of a field-based tour of prickly acacia, mesquite and parkinsonia - all Weeds of National Significance.
Participants will also discuss the impacts and threates of these weeds, best practice control methods (mechanical, chemical, biological control, and grazing integration), and have the chance to display their own weed management innovations.
Lunch will be provided.
If you'd like to attend, please contact the McKinlay Shire Council on 07 4746 7166 to RSVP.
AgForward workshop update
Every month, AgForward runs a number of workshops across the state. Upcoming workshops include:
- 25 September: Marlborough - AgForests Field Day
- 26 September: Toowoomba - Extension vegetation management workshops
- 27 September: Dingo - AgForests Field Day
- 8 October: Eungella - Computer mapping
- 9 October: Collinsville - Computer mapping
- 9 October: Prairie - Vegetation management
- 9 October: Monto - GPS essentials
- 9 October: Ravenswood - AgForests Field Day
- 10 October: Belyando Crossing - Computer mapping
- 10 October: Julia Creek - Vegetation management
- 10 October: Eidsvold - GPS essentials
- 11 October: Charters Towers - Computer mapping
- 11 October: Cloncurry - Vegetation management
- 11 October: Gayndah - GPS essentials
- 11 October: Mossman/Mareeba - AgForests Field Day
The cost of the workshops are:
- Vegetation management/Computer mapping - $100 per enterprise
- GPS essentials - $50 per enterprise
More information on these workshops can be found on the AgForward website (under 'Workshops').
To register interest for the Brigooda workshop, contact Rohan Allen on 0408 769 918. For all other workshops, contact Bree Robertson on 07 3238 6039.
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 body: Terrain Natural Resource Management
Title: GIS planner
Salary range: $56 186 to $68 972 (to be negotiated dependant on qualifications and experience)
Location: Cairns
The purpose of the position is to plan and manage the delivery of GIS within Terrain and collaborate with other regional organisations to deliver relevant information for state of region reporting, resource condition assessment, and regional plan review and implementation.
Selection criteria and a position description are available from the RGC website.
Thought for the week
Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.
Anne Morrow Lindbergh
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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