The Bugle - 12 October 2007
In news this week
Regional NRM group stories- The figures are in: regional body achievements reported in 2006-07
- Envirofund boosts war on weeds in central Queensland
- Maximise stock performance with improved water quality
- Fight to control belly ache bush begins
- Time to give it a rest in the south west
- Community Cabinet heads north west
- Reining in equine influenza
- New provisions for overland flow in Burdekin Basin
- Boost for Indigenous environment projects
- Farmers' guide: less can mean more
- Climate change 'a big win for weeds'
- It’s time to shake it
- AgForward workshop update
- Get a job in NRM!
Regional NRM group stories
The figures are in: regional body achievements reported in 2006-07
The data collected from regional NRM groups during the recent performance reporting period has been collated at a state level for inclusion in the National 2006-07 Regional Programs Report.
Preliminary analysis of this data reveals impressive achievements during 2006-07 in the delivery of the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality, Natural Heritage Trust and National Landcare Program.
Some key outputs reported by Queensland regional bodies in 2006-07 include:
- 327 018 ha of native vegetation protected, enhanced, rehabilitated or revegetated (Note: this figure does not include 7 806 131 ha by improved fire management practice reported by Cape York)
- 1 429 690 ha of pest plant and animals controlled
- 26 283 ha of land where improved irrigation practices have been adopted by 88 landholders
- 723 new or enhanced natural resource monitoring programs
- 414 conservation agreements negotiated protecting 46 144 ha
- 1023 biophysical studies completed surveying 770 939 496 ha
- 1879 sub-regional plans completed
- 1703 awareness raising events conducted with 58 504 participants
- 2150 training events conducted with 29 808 participants
- 3829 community groups or projects assisted
- 2253 collaborative arrangements developed.
Queensland's performance data will shortly be approved by the Joint Queensland Australian Government NRM Steering Committee (JSC).
Watch this space for further updates and products to promote these remarkable achievements.
For more information contact Claire Carter, Community Partnerships, on 07 3224 2323.
Envirofund boosts war on weeds in Central Queensland
The war on weeds in central Queensland has been boosted by $130 000 from the Australian Government Envirofund for weed eradication projects.
Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA) strategic facilitator Jill Lyons said of the 21 successful Envirofund applications in the region, 10 were for weeds projects.
"The FBA received a huge number of enquiries about round nine of Envirofund, and it was great to see around one third of applications were funded," Ms Lyons said.
"Local projects received $432 692, with $130 275 of that for projects designed to eradicate and manage invasive weeds that choke our native vegetation and threaten farming productivity.
"The large number of projects aimed at weed control shows that landholders are serious about combating this significant environmental issue.
"However, it will take lots more money, and a continuous commitment from landholders, before we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel and weeds are fully under control in our region."
For more on Envirofund round nine results head to the Natural Heritage Trust website.
Maximise stock performance with improved water quality
Research from Canada has provided interesting findings on the effect of water quality on cattle weight gain.
A recent study quoted in the Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, has shown that as the quality of the drinking water available to cattle improved so did cattle weight gains.
Local natural resource management group, the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee (QMDC), said that this research will have interesting implications for Queensland beef producers.
"This research supports what many landholders are already starting to see – that environmental projects are leading to longer-term economic benefits," said QMDC's Kate Reilly, from Roma.
A range of studies found improvements of between 3% and 20% on average daily weight gains from increased water quality. The most recent study conducted found that an additional 0.08kg improvement could be gained per day by improving water quality.
This research may provide an added incentive for community members already working towards improving stream health and water quality, with improvements already being noticed by graziers working with QMDC.
Beef producers can contact QMDC on 07 4622 8446 for more information about improving water quality and the benefits this can achieve.
Fight to control bellyache bush begins
The fight to eradicate bellyache bush from central Queensland has begun with a new project in the Ogmore region.
The Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA) together with Fitzroy River and Coastal Catchments (FRCC) Incorporated have initiated the project to help property owners control the invasive weed.
Field officer Murray Bullock said there were eight known outbreaks of the bellyache bush in the shires of Banana, Bauhinia, Belyando, Broadsound, Duaringa, Fitzroy, and Livingstone and Rockhampton City.
"The major problem is a 123 hectare outbreak in Livingstone Shire affecting six properties and about 10 km of river area along Barrack and Deep Creeks," Mr Bullock said.
"With funding assistance from the FBA, the FRCC will provide practical support to this group of landholders to implement control measures on the ground.
"We'll use fire initially in the heavier outbreaks to reduce the weed level to where they can be controlled by physical removal and chemical application.
"The project will also conduct workshops to help landholders develop property pest management plans that will support them to manage weeds in the long-term.
"It could take many years to fully deal with bellyache bush, but this project is a great start and will make a real difference on these properties."
Time to give it a rest in the south west
South West NRM has launched a new scheme called 'Pasture Recovery' by which a fee will be paid to landholders to keep stock off the land until it fully recovers from the drought.
South West NRM has reserved $200 000 through its Futurescapes program of funding for on-ground works to pay landholders in an innovative way. Landholders will be invited to submit bids for the amount of fees they wish to be paid to remove stock from parts of or all of their properties, to allow the grasses to set seed and replenish the pasture.
Successful landholders would grant to South West NRM a lease for between one and five years in return for a regular monthly payment that is guaranteed, regardless of rain, stock prices or continuing drought.
"We are deeply sympathetic to the pressures the situation of graziers who are faced with making difficult decisions every day: whether to sell or keep stock, whether to invest or not invest in waters and other works, whether to stay on the property in hope of a good run of seasons or to call it quits," said Mr Tom Garrett, chair of South West NRM.
"Our new scheme respects the role of graziers as custodians of the land resource that provides Australia with its food and fibre. It is intended to compensate them for their stewardship in a way that offers dignity and reflects the importance of their role as custodians."
Visit South West NRM's website for more information.
Government updates
Community Cabinet heads north west
Queensland's 107th Community Cabinet and Premier Anna Bligh's first as leader will be held in north west Queensland next month.
The entire Queensland Cabinet will meet with interested community members in Cloncurry on Sunday November 4. The following day Cabinet will hold a formal meeting in Mount Isa before meeting with representatives of the community during a Community Cabinet luncheon.
Community Cabinets are unique to the Smart State and provided Queenslanders and the Government with an invaluable opportunity. They give ministers and the heads of government departments first hand experience of the problems and opportunities that exist in the community.
Anyone with a concern or an idea about how to improve life in their community is encouraged to come along to the Community Cabinet meeting.
Advertisements will be placed shortly with details on times and venues for the meeting or check the Premier's website for updates. People wanting delegations with Ministers will be able to register to do so at the Cloncurry meeting.
Reining in equine influenza
Continued cooperation from horse owners and horse industry workers in South East Queensland has helped keep equine influenza (EI) control measures on track.
Biosecurity Queensland's chief veterinary officer Ron Glanville said Queensland's plan, which has been endorsed nationally, has successfully contained the disease within 'the Red Zone' - a large buffer zone around the known areas of horse flu infection.
Dr Glanville said the eradication strategy was based on the pre-existing plan for this disease, in the Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN). The implementation is supervised by the joint chief veterinary officers from each state.
Queensland received an additional 4800 vials of ProteqFlu equine influenza vaccine on Saturday with another shipment on Monday, which will allow a further expansion of the vaccination program to create a buffer zone in the state's south east.
But continued vigilance is necessary in order to achieve the plan's goal of eradication. Dr Glanville said that if the restrictions were adhered to by all horse owners, and people follow recommended decontamination and biosecurity procedures, the disease should die out.
Visit the DPI&F equine influenza page to view the buffer zone maps, register your horse, apply for a movement permits, or to subscribe to the e-newsletter for regular updates.
For more information call DPI&F on 13 25 23 (8am-8pm).
New provisions for overland flow in Burdekin Basin
New provisions have been introduced, as part of the recently released Water Resource (Burdekin Basin) Plan 2007, to manage the taking of overland flow water in the Burdekin Basin in north Queensland.
The new provisions replace an existing moratorium on overland flow works in districts covered by the Burdekin Basin Water Resource Plan. Similar rules for managing overland flows already apply in the Border Rivers, Moonie, Calliope, Fitzroy, Condamine-Balonne and Warrego/Paroo/Bulloo/Nebine catchments.
NRW regional manager water services, north region, Nigel Kelly said the overland flow rules had been developed in consultation with the community representative panel, which represented landholders, industry and the wider community in the Burdekin Basin.
"We need to strike a balance between how much overland flow water we can afford to take and how much we must leave to flow naturally into watercourses," Mr Kelly said.
"This is all about ensuring long-term security of supply to water users as well as adequate environmental flows to protect the health of our rivers."
Information sheets, notification kits and codes for overland flow works were available from NRW customer service centres, or from the NRW website.
Copies of the Burdekin Basic Water Resource Plan are also available on the NRW website.
Boost for Indigenous environment projects
Funding of $2.3 million for four new projects was announced by the Australian Government in the latest round of Indigenous Working on Country contracts.
The four-year programme creates paid jobs for Indigenous people to continue valuable environmental work caring for country.
Combating weeds of national significance, improving habitat for threatened and endangered flora, reducing soil and water salinity and protecting important Aboriginal art sites are just some of the latest activities being funded nationally through the innovative programme.
These new contracts cover environmental work from Australia's far north right down to Tasmania.
In Queensland the project will include mapping and control of weeds and pests, including the invasive pond apple and pigs, both of which are contributing to the decline of native plants and animals in the Lockhart River area.
More information on the Working on Country programme can be found on the Australian Government website.
Farmers' guide: less can mean more
Queensland's environment and the state's capsicum and sweet corn growers are being helped through free pocket guides on crop nutrient uptake so farmers can maximise yields and profits while preserving the environment.
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) senior agronomist Dr Peter Stork said that the guides developed by DPI&F researchers at the Bundaberg research station show how much nutrient a crop can expect to use during different stages of its growth.
"Nutrient use by crops remains a major issue for our catchments and the health of the Great Barrier reef.
"The pocket guides are a win-win result for growers and the environment through DPI&F research programs working to assist primary producers to increase their profitability in a sustainable way by using less fertiliser, while the environment is maintained," Dr Stork said.
He said forecasting nutrient uptake allows growers to apply the right amount of fertiliser at the right time. This helps prevent excessive applications and reduce grower costs.
Copies of the guides are available from DPI&F's Bundaberg research station on 07 4155 6244, or Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers 07 4153 3007.
Reef updates
New chair for Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
The appointment of a new chair of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority was announced this week. Dr Russell Reichelt will take up the appointment in November 2007.
Dr Reichelt says climate-change is the biggest threat the Great Barrier Reef with coral bleaching increasing. Reichelt highlights other threats to the reef such as water quality issues and farm run-off nutrient reduction. Reichelt says it is also important in his new role to ensure we all have a role to play in protecting the reef.
He will lead the Authority through a challenging and exciting period. Implementing recommendations from the recent review of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 is a priority to strengthen the future governance framework, increase transparency and engagement with stakeholders, and build on the collaborative arrangements with the Queensland Government.
Dr Reichelt brings with him a wealth of experience in fields related to the functions of the Authority such as marine science, industry and oceans policy. He has been the managing director of the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre since 2006. Previously he was also the CEO of the CRC Reef Research Centre and CEO of the Australian Institute of Marine Science.
Dr Reichelt has previously been chairman of the Board of Seafood Services Australia Limited, the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, the Great Barrier Reef Consultative Committee and the National Oceans Advisory Group.
Natural resources news
Climate change 'a big win for weeds’
Scientists from CSIRO and the the Weeds CRC predict many of the 3000 foreign plants species now established as weeds in Australia could explode into new areas as the climate changes.
Weeds already cost the Australian rural economy $4 billion every year. While climatic restraints have kept many potential weeds under control in their gardens, changes could result in a number of them becoming seriously invasive in farming systems leading to serious economic impacts if ways to control them are not found.
Addressing the Greenhouse 2007 Conference in Sydney last week, CEO of the CRC for Australian Weed Management, Dr Rachel McFadyen said that climate change will open new windows of opportunity for weeds to do what they do best – invade. Although most plants will retreat in the face of changed conditions, the weedier ones will thrive and rapidly invade any new available space.
Increased temperatures associated with climate change will not only allow northern weeds to move south, such as the frost-intolerant species rubbervine and siam weed, but lowland weeds will also do better at higher altitudes where conditions have previously been too cold for them.
This means we can also expect more weeds to do better in the heritage lands of the Australian Alps, which will place more pressure on already threatened alpine ecosystems. Worse still, some plants that are present in Australia but have not yet behaved as weeds, the so-called 'sleeper weeds', could burst onto the weeds scene and cost millions to control.
For more on the Greenhouse 2007 Conference visit the Weeds CRC website.
It’s time to shake it
Want to be a part of a new world record? This is your chance! An attempt to establish a new Guinness World Record for "Most People Performing a Raindance" will be staged on 11 November 2007 from 12pm at the RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane.
Queenslanders have been living with the drought for some time and have made great progress in cutting water usage amid challenging natural conditions. The World's Biggest Raindance is a great way to celebrate that achievement and sense of community.
Led by the Nunukul Yuggera Aboriginal dancers, a traditional rain dance will be performed giving participants the opportunity to 'shake it till we make it' into the record books.
This event is organised by Rotary Club of Brisbane Planetarium Inc, with proceeds to benefit Rotary charitable programs. It's free to watch, or to dance $10 per person or $30 for a group of four, children under six years-old are free.
For more information and pre-registration check out the Rotary website or contact Yuki Takano on 0419 669 or Col Beardmore on 0438 701 384869 for more details.
AgForward workshop update
Every month, AgForward runs a number of workshops across the state. Upcoming workshops include:
- 14 November : Barcaldine - Computer mapping
- 14 November : Sarina - GPS essentials
- 15 November : Barcaldine - Computer mapping
- 15 November : Proserpine - GPS essentials
- 20 November : Surrat - Computer mapping
- 20 November : Woolooga - AgForests field day
- 21 November : Meandarra - Computer mapping
- 22 November : Moonie - Computer mapping
- 22 November : Monto - AgForests field day
The cost of the workshops are:
- Computer mapping - $100 per enterprise
- GPS essentials - $50 per enterprise
More information on these workshops can be found on the AgForward website (under 'Workshops').
Get a job in NRM!
Are you interested in working with Queensland's regional natural resource management bodies? Then head to the Regional Groups' Collective website where current job opportunities are now available. Be sure to check back regularly to ensure you don't miss out on the job of a lifetime!
Here's a sample of what's on offer:
Regional group: Desert Channels Queensland Inc. (DCQ)
Title: Information systems officer (GIS)
Tenure: This position is to 30 June 2008 with a possible extension depending on funding.
Salary range: $40 000 to $50 000
Location: Longreach - occasional travel, including remote areas, will be required.
Closing date: Monday 29 October 2007.
The purpose of this position is to assist the information systems coordinator with managing DCQ's information system including GIS data, software and projects to maintain a well structured and documented system. Appropriate tertiary qualifications is desirable; knowledge of GIS, western Queensland land management and community are essential.
For a full position description and selection criteria contact Brittany Wakefield at DCQ on telephone (07) 4658 0600.
Thought for the week
One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man.
Elbert Hubbard
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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 22 January 2009