The Bugle - 16 November 2007
In news this week
Regional NRM group stories- Aboriginal community asked to review 'Caring for Country' plan
- Esk Shire NRM Plan sets new standard
- FBA project key to survival of endangered wallaby
- Draft Condamine catchment targets available for comment
- Capturing Mackay Whitsunday Catchment water quality
- Community groups praised for mega water savings
- Plant the seed to greater returns on your RIS investment
- No tall tales for anglers' diaries
- Ghost net hooked off NT coast
- Using auctions and competitive tenders to encourage change
- Gulf and Mitchell water plans allow communities to grow while protecting the environment
- Free manual targets pest weeds
- New test to weed out problem plants
- Fun and facts for friends of Toohey Forest
- Search for marine facts about climate impacts
- Get a job in NRM!
Regional NRM group stories
Aboriginal community asked to review 'Caring for Country' plan
The Queensland Murray-Darling Committee (QMDC) has invited members of the Aboriginal community to participate in the review of their Caring for Country Aboriginal NRM Plan.
Public meetings will be held in Goondiwindi on 20 November, St George on 21 November and Roma on 22 November.
QMDC's Aboriginal Program Regional Coordinator Tim Knox said "This is an opportunity for community members to have input to the Caring for Country Plan, which will deliver vision and direction for the planning, and management of Aboriginal cultural and natural resources throughout the region."
"The Caring for Country Plan is a recognition of the need to protect important cultural, ecological, social and economic values in the region and will outline the strategies and a framework to care for Country," he said.
The meetings will run from 9am till 2pm and morning tea will be provided. People wishing to attend can contact Tim Knox for more information on 4637 6270.
Esk Shire NRM Plan sets new standard
The combined efforts of Esk Shire Council, SEQ Catchments, SEQ Water and HLA-Enviroscience were recognised last week with the awarding of an Encouragement Award (Certificate of Merit) by the Planning Institute of Australia (Queensland) for the Esk Shire NRM Plan.
The award recognised the diverse and effective approach to community consultation undertaken in developing the plan.
The nomination was noted for its display of a sound understanding of the legislative and policy frameworks necessary for implementation as well as a sound understanding of stakeholders and community expectations for NRM outcomes.
The judging panel was delighted to observe that the implementation of this planning vision is likely to create unique forms and places to meet the needs of the community.
Details of all award recipients is available on the Planning Institute's website.
Draft Condamine catchment targets available for comment
Outcomes from the review of the Condamine Catchment NRM Plan have been collated and included in a revised plan.
The revised plan integrates water, land and nature conservation themes, as well as looking at the impacts these themes have on other NRM issues such as salinity, land use management, biodiversity and community needs.
It establishes a basis for public and private investment in the public good as well as encouraging all stakeholders across the catchment to work together to achieve a more sustainable and profitable future in NRM and to set a precedent for future generations to do the same.
Recommendations from recent workshop have been considered in the reviewed Management Action Targets and Resource Condition Targets. Gaps identified at the workshops also have been included where applicable.
Draft targets for the new plan and the background on how they were drafted are available on the Condamine Alliance website.
If you have any comments or concerns about the revised Condamine Alliance NRM Plan targets, please call 1800 181 101.
FBA project key to survival of endangered wallaby
A project supported by the Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA) to save the bridled nailtail wallaby from extinction has won a state-wide environment award.
‘Project Kial: Bridled Nailtail Wallaby Recovery’ won the Environment and Landcare category of the Queensland Regional Achievement and Community Awards.
FBA's involvement helps support around 60 wallabies in a captive breeding facility at the Kial Sanctuary near Marlborough.
The wallaby was once common west of the Great Divide, but their numbers have dramatically declined since European settlement and they are listed as extinct in both Victoria and New South Wales. Now the only known significant wild population of the wallaby occurs at Taunton National Park near Dingo.
The FBA believes this project is essential to help enhance the biodiversity of the region, and protect this unique animal for the future.
For the more detail on Project Kial visit the FBA website.
Capturing Mackay Whitsunday Catchment water quality
Mackay Whitsunday Natural Resource Management Group (MWNRM) has released a series of report cards which detail the water quality in 33 freshwater catchments in the Mackay Whitsunday region.
Reports highlight current water quality in each of the catchments and set targets for water quality improvement by 2014 and 2050. The reports also identify the cost of improvements in land management practice which will deliver these targets.
MWNRM is seeking to secure funding to ensure implementation of improved management practices in partnership with all of the regions’ land managers.
The Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Improvement Plan is being developed by MWNRM using funding from the Australian Government’s Coastal Catchments Initiative with assistance from state and local government and agricultural industries.
The reports aim to clearly define a way forward for improving the water quality in creeks rivers and in the Great Barrier Reef. Over the next seven years the total cost for water quality improvement in the Mackay Whitsunday region is $116 million, which includes all cane, horticulture and grazing industries.
Community feedback and comments are welcome on the Draft Regional Report, Draft Catchment Management Area Reports and any of the supporting technical reports available on the MWNRM website. Please fill out the feedback form and email Will Higham or post it to MWNRM Group PO Box 815, Mackay Queensland 4740, by 30 November.
Community groups praised for mega water savings
Almost 40 local groups in the Fitzroy Basin region will share funding of more than $1.6 million to help conserve one of our most precious natural resources, water.
Central Queensland's peak NRM body, the Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA), congratulated the 39 successful applicants under the Community Water Grants for their water-saving efforts.
Improved water-use efficiency will benefit the entire community with the total water saving delivered to the Fitzroy region through the funded projects expected to reach a massive 159 mega litres.
People could apply for up to $50 000 for projects to conserve or recycle water, and improve water quality. This included installing rain water tanks, upgrading amenities with dual flush toilets, and improving irrigation systems.
Groups who received funding included schools, childcare centres, churches, sports clubs and facilities.
Visit the Community Water Grants website for details on other successful applicants.
Government updates
Plant the seed to greater returns on your RIS investment
The coordination team of the national MBI Capacity Building Programme (Designer Carrots) is inviting regional natural resource management (NRM) bodies from around Australia to add an exciting new approach to the array of incentives they use to generate positive NRM change.
Regional NRM bodies can apply now for up to $20 000 to enhance their group's capacity to incorporate market-based instruments (MBIs) into the array of incentives they are using.
The funding is available through the Designer Carrots Seed Money, a component of the MBI Capacity Building Programme, which is funded by the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality through the MBI Pilot Programme.
The Designer Carrots Seed Money funds can be used to run an MBI capacity building activity such as an MBI training course or conference, or to enhance a group's expertise in the design of MBIs through access to information, mentoring, master classes, peer review, and guidance and support.
Regional NRM bodies will need to ensure their application reaches the program coordinator by 20 December.
The Designer Carrots Seed Money is one component of the products being developed by the MBI Capacity Building Programme under the banner Designer Carrots: market-based instruments for NRM change. Other products include the delivery of MBI training workshops, and the production of a range of MBI fact sheets and case studies, a decision support tool to assist in MBI planning, a metric framework to aid MBI implementation and a website where MBI practitioners and implementers can network and engage in further collaboration and learning.
Please email Carl Glen or the coordinator Claire Heath, or phone 07 3239 3875, if you have any questions about the seed money project or the MBI Capacity Building Programme.
No tall tales for anglers' diaries
While tall tales of spectacular fishing adventures and giant catches are always entertaining, the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) is aiming to gain a more accurate picture of recreational fishing through its new and improved diary survey.
DPI&F is seeking recreational fishers to join the program with the aim of having 5000 participants enrolled. Diary participants will be asked to record information about their fishing activities over a 12-month period, including what fish they catch and how long they spend fishing.
While people love to tell stories about their fishing trips and the one that got away, DPI&F hope those anglers who have agreed to take part in the diary survey will give us an accurate account of their recreational fishing activities.
The information collected will help to build a picture of Queensland anglers such as how often they fish, where they fish, and what they fish for. It will also provide more of an insight into the size of the current recreational catch in Queensland which is particularly useful when developing and reviewing recreational fisheries management arrangements.
Other information such as how much anglers spend on bait, fishing equipment and fuel to travel to their fishing spots will highlight the economic impact of recreational fishing in the state.
This year the process will be made even easier as participants will have the option to submit their information online.
To take part in the Recreational Fishing Diary Program, send an email to RFISH or visit the DPI&F fish website. Alternatively phone the Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.
Ghost net hooked off NT coast
A massive 10 tonne ghost net has been found by Bawinanga Djelk Sea Rangers 2km off the Northern Territory coast.
The net was brought to Darwin's Coonawarra Naval Base by the Royal Australian Navy's Heavy Landing Craft HMAS Tarakan. The ghost net was so large and heavy that it took HMAS Tarakan more than a day to haul the net onboard using its hydraulic bow door, which has a 7.5 tonne capacity.
Following an inspection for marine pests by NT Fisheries department staff the net will be cut up and taken to Shoal Bay dump where Australian Quarantine Inspection Service staff will give it an unceremonious deep burial.
Fisheries Minister Chris Natt praised the operation by Fisheries, the Navy and Customs saying, "This is a great example of inter-agency co-operation to rid our natural environment of these ghost nets, which endanger marine life and public safety.
"Marine debris such as these ghost nets is a major threat to marine wildlife in northern waters and is linked to the mortality of turtles, dugongs, crocodiles, sharks, seabirds, and fish," he said.
"It is also a vector for marine pest introductions, and we should all appreciate the work of the people and organisations who have removed this particular threat to our environment.
"The retrieval of this massive ghost net is a perfect example of the good work our indigenous rangers perform on a daily basis," Minister Natt said.
To see a picture of the ghost net visit the Northern Territory Primary Industries and Fisheries website.
Using auctions and competitive tenders to encourage change
Of all the types of market-based instruments (MBIs), auctions and competitive tenders are best known by regional NRM bodies.
Auctions have been trailed successfully by several regional bodies throughout Australia. People use MBIs every day, though they may not realise it. For example, if you have ever attended an auction, you were probably there in the hope of getting a better price.
MBI reverse auctions operate in a similar way and are so successful because they are perceived to provide better value for money to both the buyer and the seller than other options, such as grants. The regional NRM body hopes to gain the greatest amount of benefit to the management of natural assets for the funding they are providing, while land managers are hoping to get the funding they require to undertake environmental management work on their property.
Auctions can also be used to encourage several land managers, for example neighbouring farmers whose properties are along a stretch of river, to undertake work that protects the whole river together.
Competitive tenures, which are similar to auctions, have also been widely used because they offer a number of advantages to the regional NRM body for strategic implementation of their regional NRM plans.
With auctions and tenders, land managers submit bids to undertake environmentally beneficial activities on their property for a nominated price. Examples of desired outcomes (the 'product' being bought and sold) are improved water quality and biodiversity. Winning bids are the ones that offer the best ecological value for money.
Queensland's regional NRM bodies can use these and other market based incentives to encourage land managers to engage in beneficial environmental practices. Incentive mechanisms have the potential to achieve NRM outcomes more efficiently than some of the more traditional policies and laws.
The national Market Based Instruments Capacity Building Programme has commenced and will help to build the capacity of regional NRM bodies to undertake market based processes for NRM.
For more information email Carl Glen or Claire Heath or call 07 3224 7763.
Gulf and Mitchell water plans allow communities to grow while protecting the environment
Water resources in the Gulf and Mitchell areas will be better managed following the completion of water resources plans (WRP) for the region.
The WRPs will establish a water management framework for industry, communities and the environment across the Gulf and Mitchell catchments.
The plan will allow communities to continue to grow while protecting the area's unique environmental and ecological assets as it sets sustainable management goals for the allocation and management of water in watercourses, lakes, springs and overland flow.
These goals will maintain the health of the rivers and related aquatic ecosystems and will ensure that, on average, 98.5 percent of flows across the two plan areas will reach the Gulf of Carpentaria.
The Gulf WRP covers the catchments of the Staaten, Gilbert, Norman, Flinders, Leichhardt and Nicholson rivers and the Morning Inlet and Settlement Creek. The Mitchell WRP covers the Mitchell River catchment.
The plans sets aside up to 178 900 megalitres of unallocated water in the Gulf and 70 000 megalitres in the Mitchell to provide for growth in irrigation, mining and towns.
Water supplies for Mount Isa and surrounding mining areas will be secured through the establishment of water allocations for the Julius and Moondarra dams.
Unused entitlements in the Mount Isa area will be able to be traded to ensure the effective use of water for the community's ongoing needs.
The water needs of indigenous communities have also been considered in the plans as water has been reserved to assist indigenous communities to achieve their social and economic aspirations.
The plans can be viewed on the Department of Natural Resources and Water's website.
Free manual targets pest weeds
A new manual explaining how to control weeds that cost the pastoral industry $60 million a year will be available free to all land managers.
The Best Practice Manual for the management of weedy Sporobolus grasses with emphasis on giant rat's tail and giant Parramatta grass, will provide extensive grazing land managers with up to date, well planned control guidelines.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin will launch the 38-page full colour manual at the AgForce Nebo Branch meeting on 3 November.
The manual takes a strategic approach to weed management by weighing up the situation and taking a best bet strategy based on the latest research and a focus on achieving cost-efficient, effective weed control.
Meat and Livestock Australia funded the four-year project supported by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) and NSW DPI to publish the best practice guidelines which will be available free to all land managers.
DPI&F grazing systems senior scientist Dr Steven Bray, Rockhampton, who co-authored the revised WSG manual with NSW DPI pastures research officer David Officer, Grafton, said dense infestations can halve both stocking rates and annual beef production per hectare.
Dr Bray said this valuable 'how-to' guide is available free through the DPIF Business Information Centre by calling 13 25 23.
Natural resources news
New test to weed out problem plants
A new test, based on a South Australian model, is being developed by researchers to identify plants that have the potential to become environmental weeds.
This poses a risk that could be on the increase - as farmers search for new pastures that are hardy and drought-tolerant.
Future Farm Industries CRC (FFI CRC) researcher, Dr Lynley Stone, says it's been hard, up until now, to predict precisely what plant will become a weed.
Dr Stone said, "This new test, known as the Weed Risk Assessment Protocol, will make that task a lot easier."
The test works by calculating a risk score derived from asking a series of questions about a plant’s biology and ecology that looks at its invasiveness, potential environmental impacts and suitable growing conditions.
Most of the plants to be assessed using the protocol, are already in Australia with the concern focused on their introduction to new areas or land uses.
There is also a range of native species, however, that show great promise as fodder plants but little is known of their weed potential.
"The term 'weed' is a non-scientific word for a plant in the 'wrong' place', so we are applying the test to find the worst potential offenders," Dr Stone said.
"That way, if a plant is identified as a suitable forage species and has a minor weed potential, we can start looking at how the risk can be managed," he said.
"Other species with significant weed potential will not be introduced to new areas," Dr Stone said.
Once the test has been fine tuned, the CRC will release its weed risk assessment information to a wider audience, including farmers and natural resource managers.
Fun and facts for friends of Toohey Forest
You're invited to a community information day on 1 December for friends of Toohey Forest in Brisbane.
The event is an informal gathering of community leaders, stakeholders and friends of Toohey Forest offering an opportunity to hear from managers and ground staff.
The day's program includes a welcome by Councilor Steve Griffiths, information sharing on recent developments, future management issues and the launch of Rob Simson’s recently published novel Banksia a Kangaroo’s Tale.
A light lunch will be served from 12 noon and with discussion underway from 12.30pm until 3.30pm at Griffith University EcoCentre at Nathan Campus.
For catering purposes please RSVP before 28 November by emailing Delwyn Langdon at Griffith University or phoning 07 3735 7992.
Search for marine facts about climate impacts
The In Hot Water symposium saw scientists and marine managers come together in Brisbane this week to evaluate and prepare for future impacts of climate change on Australia's marine ecosystems.
The symposium will look at ways to accelerate Australia's capacity to assess, predict and adapt to the impacts of climate change on coastal marine life, fisheries and marine ecosystems.
CSIRO's Dr Anthony Richardson says science is starting from scratch when it comes to understanding climate change impacts on marine ecosystems in the Australian region.
"Almost all the recorded significant changes linked to warming temperatures are from the Northern Hemisphere terrestrial systems, with very few from marine systems and almost none from Australia," Dr Richardson says.
Scientists from the Wealth from Oceans National Research Flagship have recently completed reviews for the Australian Greenhouse Office on observed and potential future effects of climate change on fisheries and marine biodiversity.
"Although we could find few reported changes in life cycles or species abundance we feel this is more likely to be a consequence of the lack of long term monitoring rather than evidence of no change," Dr Richardson said.
Speakers came from Australia, UK, US, France and Spain and participants include scientists working in temperate, tropical and polar ocean environments, as well as planners and managers from federal and state marine agencies.
For more information head to the CSIRO's Wealth for Oceans National Research Flagships 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 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 (QMDC)
Title: Information Technology Trainee (Cert II/III)
Tenure: Full-time
Location: Roma
Salary: approximately $20 000 (based on current Training Award Rates)
Applications close: 29 November 2007
The purpose of this position is to assist with Information Technology support to QMDC staff and landholders undertaking NRM projects. This position is also to assist with administrative services for QMDC staff and Landcare Coordinators.
A full position description can be obtained from the QMDC website or by contacting Angela Betts on 4622 8446.
Thought for the week
"Eighty percent of success is showing up."
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