The Bugle - 02 November 2007
In news this week
Regional NRM group stories- Please keep your soil at home…and out of the dam
- Envirofund delivers for conservation and biodiversity in south west Queensland
- Word spread about weed spread
- Agreement forges ties between producers and conservationists
- FBA celebrates its tenth birthday in style
- Desert Uplands fondly farewells their founder
- South East Queensland waterways report released
- Graziers learn how pastures can benefit from a drink of tea
- Learning to control lantana
- AgForward workshop update
- Get a job in NRM!
Regional NRM group stories
Please keep your soil at home…and out of the dam
This is the request that Toowoomba Landcare Group (TLG) and Condamine Alliance have made to residents around Cooby Dam, to help protect the quality of water in one of the main reservoirs supplying Toowoomba and surrounding areas.
The city's water supplies come from a large web of waterways, including a tributary of the Condamine River, Cooby Creek, which feeds into Cooby Dam. Completed in 1941, Cooby Dam was the first of the three dams built to supply Toowoomba and regional areas.
The Cooby catchment, situated north north-west of Toowoomba city, was recently identified as a high priority area by the Condamine Alliance and Toowoomba Landcare group, due to population and development growth in the area, a diverse range of land uses and peri-urban expansion.
Condamine Alliance has allocated $300 000 for the project to fund a series of tenders to enable the landholders to carry out "environmental work on their property for the benefit of better water management". These tenders will include fencing 5.5 km of creek banks and provide alternate watering points for stock on 800 ha in the catchment area by June 2008.
This will improve the quality of water in the dam by restricting stock access to the banks of the waterways that feed it, allowing vegetation to flourish along the banks and act as a filter, trapping or slowing the flow of sediment and nutrient loads in the waterways.
TLG coordinator Kellie Goodhew says the target group is "largely grazing land managers as they make up about 70% of land use in the catchment, but we are also targeting peri-urban areas".
For more information contact Mark Schuster, Condamine Alliance, on 4620 0131.
Envirofund delivers for conservation and biodiversity in south west Queensland
Almost 1000 projects across Australia have shared in $20 million recently announced by Australian Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, Senator Eric Abetz and Assistant Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, John Cobb MP.
Over $471 000 has been allocated to successful Envirofund Round 9 applicants for projects to be undertaken within the South West NRM region.
Keith Walker, strategic regional facilitator based within South West NRM said it was a fantastic outcome.
"This is a great result for conservation and biodiversity in line with production for south west Queensland," Mr Walker said.
"Our landholders have been successful with a greater number of projects, and a 33 per cent increase in overall funding from that of Round 8."
Since 2003, South West NRM has been actively involved in either sponsoring or assisting landholders with their Envirofund applications and project undertakings, culminating in a suite of 130 projects completed or underway across the region.
"Company investment has assisted towards a total Envirofund investment in the Region of $3.27 million. This is a substantial injection into our rural economies when flow on effects are also taken into account," Mr Walker said.
"Conservation and biodiversity opportunities are being factored into successful grazing operations in south west Queensland. Through Envirofund we are seeing more and more landholders taking up the challenge towards environmental sustainability – even in the face of one of our worst droughts."
For more information on Envirofund and other South West NRM projects contact the group on 4654 7382.
Word spread about weed spread
Working together is the key to halting the spread of Noogoora Burr.
That was the message at South West NRM's Noogoora Burr Field Day held in Toompine on October 24.
Stephen Downey, land protection officer from the Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries in Cunnamulla, addressed those in attendance about how best to control the weed.
"Much like coordinated baiting campaigns for feral animals, the best outcomes are achieved by working together," Mr Downey said.
"Weed control is a huge task and you should consider specific areas to be targeted, otherwise it is too daunting."
Kylie Rutledge, South West NRM's district project coordinator for Quilpie, said a lot of knowledge was gained from the field day.
"From here, we can start to really tackle this problem," Mrs Rutledge said.
Mr Downey said there were several ways to control Noogoora Burr.
Puccinia xanthii, known as 'rust', is a plant pathogen that infects and destroys Noogoora Burr. However, it is not very effective in temperatures over 35 degrees, making it problematic for the south west Queensland region. Spraying, exclusion fencing, Stem Moth (Epiblema strenauana) and fire are other methods of control.
Agreement forges ties between producers and conservationists
A groundbreaking memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between Queensland's 14 regional natural resource management groups and the world's largest private conservation organisation, the WWF-Australia (WWF).
Andrew Drysdale, Queensland Regional NRM Groups Collective chief executive officer, said the partnership effectively brings landholders and conservationists to the table to discuss issues vital to the future of the state's primary production.
"Future discussions between the two organisations are likely to focus on protection and enhancement of 'ecosystem services' such as clean water and air, climate security, fertile soils, mitigation of environmental hazards; and pest and disease control," Mr Drysdale said.
"Our joint aims are to reduce the environmental, social and economic impacts of invasive species; address climate change; protect, manage and restore Queensland's biodiversity; and maintain and enhance resource capacity.
"The MoU will advance biodiversity conservation and ecologically sustainable management of the state's natural resources – both essential elements of natural resource management in Queensland," Mr Drysdale said.
"We now have a shared commitment to maintain and enhance the long-term viability of Queensland's rich and diverse ecosystems through the sustainable management of its natural resources."
FBA celebrates its tenth birthday in style
The Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA) annual general meeting last Friday was cause for nostalgia as the organisation celebrated its tenth birthday.
FBA chief executive officer Suzie Christensen said the AGM covered the results of the last financial year, and enabled reflection on the association's 10 year history.
"Those pioneering few who paved the way for FBA's formal incorporation in 1997 could not have envisioned the growth, success, influence and credibility that FBA has since achieved," Ms Christensen said.
"FBA has grown from one staff member and a budget of a few hundred thousand dollars to an organisation with a highly skilled technical workforce and expenditure this year of $9.3 million.
"With 88 percent of those funds going directly towards delivering on-ground natural resource management projects, FBA can be proud of its contribution to developing a more sustainable central Queensland."
In addition to the meeting formalities, the event included information displays, a presentation of the annual report, and a birthday cake-cutting ceremony.
Federal Member for Capricornia, Kirsten Livermore, officially opened the AGM and Charles Brass, chair of the Futures Foundation, delivered the keynote speech.
Desert Uplands fondly farewells their founder
After more than a decade of inspirational leadership, energy and commitment, the Desert Uplands Committee earlier this month farewelled one of their co-founders, Lesley Marshall.
Chair of the committee for eight years, Lesley co-founded the Desert Uplands in 1993, and had worked tirelessly to nurture and guide, grow and elevate the organisation to the benefit fo the region, its people and their lands.
Over the last 13 years, Lesley worked tirelessly representing the Desert Uplands region; sourcing funding; acting as a member on the Desert Channels board of directors, Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM board, and the Community Advisory Committee for the Lake Eyre Basin.
In 1996, Lesley won the ABC Rural Women's Award for Western Queensland and came second in the state competition. She received the Churchill fellowship in 1998 which allowed her to travel to Canada and study the Prairie Lands Rehabilitation Programme.
Congratulations on all your achievements Lesley, and good luck for the future.
Government updates
Best management practice boost for Queensland's grain industry
A project to develop best management practice tools for Queensland's grain industry has been approved under the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries' Property Management Systems Initiative.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries, Tim Mulherin, said the successful project was submitted by AgForce Grains in partnership with the Fitzroy Basin Association and Queensland's Regional NRM Groups Collective.
"The grains BMP tool will be a voluntary, online and paper-based information tool for producers to use for self-assessing and benchmarking their operations," Mr Mulherin said.
"The project will draw on the experiences of the cotton BMP program, and gives producers a user-friendly system that value-adds to their grains enterprise.
"The grains BMP tool will document key BMPs for growers to compare their performance and further improve their systems.
"The BMP tool will be linked to the targets and incentives funding of regional NRM groups and engage with these groups and other stakeholders to support the rollout of BMP at the farm level.
"It builds on existing initiatives such as the Sustainable Farming Systems projects supported by DPI&F and funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation.
"These projects achieve more economically and environmentally sustainable grain production systems.
"The Property Management Systems Initiative is a key project for the department under the Queensland Government's Blueprint for the Bush to support rural Queensland.
"This is the sixth PMSI project approved so far for Queensland primary industries, and others are in negotiation," Mr Mulherin said.
Reef updates
Council becomes new Reef guardian
Livingstone Shire Council is among the first four local government bodies to join the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's Reef Guardian Councils programme, an innovative environmental program that encourages councils to get involved in environmental projects and protection.
GBRMPA executive director Andrew Skeat said the programme was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the good environmental work council was already doing
and work with them to expand their projects.
"Reef Guardian Councils recognises existing positive actions taken by the Council to manage coastal resources and raise awareness in the community of issues affecting the environment and the Marine Park," he said.
"This includes working together to address pressures from land-based activities like climate change and declining water quality entering the reef from local catchment areas that connect the land to the ocean."
Mayor Bill Ludwig said the Council was delighted to be amongst the first councils to join the programme.
"Livingston Shire Council has had a long-standing commitment to protecting our environment and promoting sustainability through involvement in a broad range of regional and national programs," Cr Ludwig said.
The other councils involved in the programme so far are Hinchinbrook Shire Council, Townsville City Council, and Burdekin Shire Council.
To find out how to get involved, visit the Reef Guardian Councils programme website.
Natural resources news
South East Queensland waterways report released
The overall health of Moreton Bay in 2006–07 has remained steady compared with last year, according to the latest South East Queensland Healthy Waterways Ecosystem Health Report Card.
The 2007 report card graded 18 catchments and 18 estuaries in South East Queensland as well as nine zones within Moreton Bay. It involved an analysis of data from 127 freshwater and 254 estuarine and marine sites (381 in total).
It showed an overall improvement in ecosystem health from June 2006 until June 2007, attributing the result to reduced inputs of sediment and nutrients from rivers through lower rainfall and run-off.
Key findings of the 2007 report were a grade increase for southern Moreton Bay from a D+ to a B- however the overall health of the Bay remained much the same as last time (B-) with four of the nine reporting zones receiving a decreased mark and three receiving an increase.
With the adoption of more stringent Queensland Water Quality Guidelines, report card ratings were lower for Coomera, Tallebudgera and Currumbin estuaries however ecosystem health had improved in the Bremer, Brisbane, Logan, Maroochy, and Noosa River estuaries.
The report commends an estimated $500 million spent on upgrades to wastewater treatment plants, reducing nitrogen loads to waterways by approximately 40 percent in the past six years with a further 20–30 percent reduction expected.
However, it urges continued attention to addressing pollution or 'diffuse' loads in the catchment through riverbank protection and restoration, good land management practices and management of urban stormwater run-off.
The report again warns of the pressures of increasing population in South East Queensland – the projected increase from the current population of 2.67 million to four million by 2026 could result in estimated increases of up to 50 percent in point sources and up to 20 percent in diffuse sources of pollution across the region's waterways.
Download the 2007 Healthy Waterways Ecosystem Health Report Card.
Graziers learn how pastures can benefit from a drink of tea
It's not the brew we're used to, but tea is proving the perfect way to improve pastures for central Queensland grazier Peter Attard.
Mr Attard believes using compost tea, a concentrated microbial solution extracted from compost, has increased grass production and animal weight gain on his property 'Shingle Hut' in Moura.
More than 50 landholders attended a field day hosted by Mr Attard to learn more about compost tea and its potential benefits to the grazing industry.
The field day was supported by the Fitzroy Basin Association, Fitzroy River and Coastal Catchments (FRCC), and the Mornish and Wycarbah Landcare groups under the Australian Government's National Landcare Programme.
FRCC field officer Murray Bullock said the day was made possible through $120 000 in NLP funding for the 'Reinvigorating the CQ Landcare Network' project.
"Field days are an excellent way to bring landholders together to learn new things and share ideas with each other," Mr Bullock said.
"There was a lot of enthusiasm generated by Peter Attard's presentation, and we are looking at forming a special interest group to help advance the use of compost tea in our region.
"Any farming practice that has the potential to reduce the use of harmful chemicals in our natural environment and increases water use efficiency needs to be investigated further."
Learning to control lantana
Do you live in north Queensland and want to find out the latest tips and techniques for getting rid of lantana?
Then come along to one of three field days being held by Biosecurity Queensland.
The field days are being held at:
- Malanda - Tuesday 13 November - starting at 10.00am
- Glen Ruth Station - Wednesday 14 November - starting at 10.00am
- Abergowie State Forest - Thursday 15 November - starting at 11.00am
Participants will have the opportunity to:
- see recent control work undertaken
- learn about integrating lantana controls
- speak to members of the National Lantana Management Group
- speak to representatives from council, government, herbicide companies and local contractors
- find out the latest research on lantana
- pick up a copy of the Using Herbicides with Lantana booklet.
Lunch will be provided, and the days should finish by 3.00pm
If you would like to attend you must RSVP by today (Friday 2 November) to Daniel Stock, Biosecurity Queensland, on 3406 2099.
AgForward workshop update
Every month, AgForward runs a number of workshops across the state. Upcoming workshops include:
- 22 November: Moonie - Computer mapping
- 22 November: Monto - AgForests Field Day
- 22 November: Muttaburra - Follow up day for past workshop participants
- 27 November: Alpha - GPS essentials
- 28 November: Aramac - GPS essentials
- 29 November: Longreach - GPS essentials
- 30 November: Yaraka - GPS essentials
- 4 December: Biloela - Follow up day for past workshop participants
- 5 December: Eidsvold - Follow up day for past workshop participants
- 5 December: Prairie - GPS essentials
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 body: Queensland Murray-Darling Committee
Title: Landcare Coordinator
Tenure: 12 months full-time
Salary range: $38 000 to $50 000
Location: Tara
Closing date: Friday 9 November 2007
The successful applicant will coordinate the formation of and ongoing facilitation support for sub-catchment scale planning and implementation groups aimed at achieving integrated and sustainable land management practises.
A formal qualification in agriculture science, natural resource management, environmental science or other appropriate NRM discipline, or extensive relevant experience is desirable.
Thought for the week
I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose.
Woody Allen
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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