The Bugle - 20 March 2008
In news this week
Regional NRM group stories- Sawfish protection highlights NRM partnerships
- Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Improvement Plan now available
- Landscape Linkages wins environmental award
- FBA finds new uses for GPS technology
- Back on Track for Condamine plants and animals 'at risk'
- Southern Gulf Catchments welcomes new directors
- Luring small landholders into better land management
- Southern Gulf Catchments to face new challenges
- Frozen bait boost to battle feral beasts
- Breeder nutrition the key to success
- Careless dirtbike riders threaten fishing reserve
- Field days tackle the question: 'can grazing add profit to cropping?'
- Communicators gather to yarn
- Caring for our Country announced
- Premier announces new rural advisor
- Looking after country together in Queensland
- Reef water-monitoring network a world apart
- Green energy challenge for desalination plant
- Huge haul of fisheries information reeled in
- Native tree planting certified to cut carbon
- It's official – Australia is now a part of the Kyoto Protocol
- SEQ shires see end to drought status
- Multi-million dollar fishway project complete
- Queenslanders receive cash incentive to tackle climate change
- Little guardians aim to keep the Reef litter free
- Sharing snags, salty sea stories and fish tales to celebrate International Year of the Reef
- Our land: your story
- Farming seminar looks to the future
- Primary Industries Awards nominations now open
- Landcare conference promises to be very unique
- Water summit set for Sydney
- Save the bilby, eat chocolate!
- AgForward workshop update
- Get a job in NRM!
Regional NRM group stories
Sawfish protection highlights NRM partnerships
Queensland's NRM groups have welcomed the federal government's move to protect the green sawfish (Pristis zijsron).
Earlier this month, Environment Minister Peter Garrett announced that the green sawfish had been listed as vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The listing will make it illegal to kill, harm or take green sawfish in Commonwealth waters.
This particular issue is an excellent example where regional NRM bodies have demonstrated effective partnerships across all levels of government and community where they are implementing key Commonwealth priorities.
The Northern Gulf Resource Management Group (NGRMG), Southern Gulf Catchments (SGC) and Cape York Peninsula Development Association (CYPDA) NRM groups are working together with the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) and northern commercial and recreation fishers to protect the green sawfish and the federal government decision will be of great assistance.
In addition to the green sawfish, the NRM groups are interested in three other species: the protected freshwater sawfish (Pristis microdon), the dwarf sawfish (Pristis clavata), and the narrow sawfish (Anoxypristis cuspidata).
The sawfish project team includes DPI&F fisheries biologist Stirling Peverell, NRM project officers Matthew Vickers (SGC), Lisa Hamblin (NGRMG) and Ben Jones (CYPDA) and industry partners Cairns Marine, Queensland Seafood Industry Association, Gulf of Carpentaria Commercial Fishermen's Association, Sunfish Tablelands and InfoFish Services.
The sawfish project team has established partnerships with other research teams around the country which are investigating the status of sawfish, including Murdoch University and CSIRO Marine.
"The sawfish project team believes that education is the key to changing attitudes towards this fascinating creature," Ms Hamblin said. "The team is focused on delivering the sawfish story to community through various communication channels."
The national Marine Education Society of Australasia (MESA) webpage, Extinction a sawpoint, is a joint exercise involving DPI&F, NGRMG, and Cairns Marine as well.
Project highlights to date include the voluntary uptake of a tag and release program by commercial and recreational fishers, an interactive web based children's book, Adventures of Sonya the freshwater sawfish and the completion of an international sawfish documentary.
The documentary has been viewed in Germany and had attracted the best audience ratings for 2007 with more than 4.5 million viewers.
For further information contact Noeline Gross, NGRMG's general manager, on 4062 1330.
Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Improvement Plan now available
The latest draft of the Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Improvement Plan is now available for comment from the Mackay Whitsunday Natural Resource Management Group (MWNRM).
The draft plan, now in its second consultation stage, sets out a strategy for achieving healthy rivers and streams across the region to maintain the ecological and human use values for waterways.
The plan aims to ensure healthy waterways and protect the Great Barrier Reef within the Mackay Whitsunday Region.
The plan focuses on actions to improve water quality and promote sustainable communities and industries. It includes activities and investment that will achieve the goals of the Australian Government's Reef Rescue Plan.
Carl Mitchell, Research Officer for the MWNRM said, "The Water Quality Improvement Plan aims to clearly define a way forward for improving the water quality in our 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 estimated at $155 million, which includes rural and urban adoption of improved land management practices."
Visit the MWNRM website to view the plan and to download report cards detailing current water quality and future targets for streams located from Eden Lassie to Flaggy Rock.
Feedback should be filled in on the form located within the plan and posted to MWNRM at PO Box 815 Mackay 4740, or emailed to Will Higham, by Friday 4 April 2008.
The Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Improvement Plan has been developed by MWNRM with funding from the Australian Government's Coastal Catchments Initiative with assistance from state and local Government and agricultural industries.
Landscape Linkages wins environmental award
The Desert Uplands Build-Up and Development Strategy Committee (DU) were winners at the Central West Industry Excellence Awards held in Longreach on 8 March.
Their Landscape Linkages project won the Innovative Environmental Management Award sponsored by Desert Channels Queensland (DCQ) and the North Australian Pastoral Company.
The Landscape Linkages tender is an innovative project which uses a tender-based approach to reward land managers by paying them to maintain or improve country on their properties to keep it in good condition, providing benefits to land managers and the natural environment.
The DU conceived, developed and now runs this two year project with funding from Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM.
Peter Douglas, chair of DCQ, presented the award to DU project officer Andrea Lingard who said, "This project is the first of its kind in Central West Queensland and we are extremely pleased with the results that we have seen so far.
"We hope that the recognition of this award will lead the way to future stewardship programs for environmental outcomes."
If you would like more on the Landscape Linkages project please contact the DU office on 4651 1002.
FBA finds new uses for GPS technology
Innovative use of GPS and computer mapping is helping Fitzroy Basin Association Inc (FBA) improve NRM in Central Queensland.
FBA geographic information systems (GIS) coordinator Kristian Smith said, "Field officers use GPS and computer mapping in the property planning process to help landholders get an accurate picture of their paddocks and landscape features so they can plan improvements."
"Property planning continues to be an important application of GPS, but staff are also applying these skills to new and exciting areas," he said.
FBA biodiversity field officer Rhys Kellow, based in Emerald, was using GPS and GIS to calculate and map vegetation of high biodiversity value.
He then incorporates information from the Vegetation Management Act to help property owners understand how they can better manage and protect areas with significant plant and animal species.
Trainee field officer Shannon Van Nunen used GPS to map areas of littoral rainforest on the Capricorn Coast, which is feeding into a project that aims to improve management of beach scrub.
He also used computer mapping software to compare a range of information about coastal catchments to help FBA prioritise areas where the organisation will focus its work over the next three years.
Water quality field officer Nick Kirby has used data from the Bureau of Meteorology, satellite imagery and his computer mapping skills to determine suitable locations for water monitoring stations.
This provided essential background information that helps ensure the success of FBA's Water Quality Monitoring Program, where landholders collect water samples during flooding events to help inform local water quality targets.
Mr Smith said FBA staff were able to advance their mapping skills through subsidised training provided by the Regional Groups Collective Satellite Imagery Project Team in 2007.
"Two workshops were held and around 40 people participated, including staff from FBA, its sub regional groups, and other partner organisations."
"Our field staff have embraced this technology as a tool to enhance the other work they are already doing with landholders and planning for better resource use across the Fitzroy Basin," Mr Smith said.
Back on Track for Condamine plants and animals ‘at risk’
Forty-two priority species have been identified in the Condamine catchment as part of the Back on Track Species Prioritisation Framework initiative of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that prioritises all Queensland native species to guide conservation, management and recovery.
Threatened species experts gathered in Toowoomba earlier this month to consider the ranking of these at-risk species of plants and animals within the EPA framework.
The 19 participants, including Mark Schuster and Jayne Thorpe from Condamine Alliance, represented a variety of sectors such as community, local, state government agencies, and other NRM organisations, contributing their knowledge and experience across the taxonomic groups to address the 42 identified priority species.
The Back on Track framework has assessed over 4000 of Queensland's marine and terrestrial species (flora and fauna) to better target scarce resources for biodiversity conservation.
The prioritisation process begins with technical experts assessing species against three sets of criteria as follows:
- probability of extinction
- consequences of extinction
- potential for successful recovery.
Species ranked as 'critical' or 'high' priority become priority species for further interrogation in the process.
This list of priority species is made specific to each natural resource management region in Queensland for assessment at the regional workshops.
The workshops aim to identify major threats for each priority species and formulate multi-species actions to address these threats. This information is then collated into a comprehensive Biodiversity Action Plan for each NRM region to guide investment over the next five years.
The information gathered at the workshop will be used to develop the Condamine Alliance Back on Track Biodiversity Action Plan. The action plan will provide a strategic tool to guide planning and investment within the Condamine Catchment on regional biodiversity and in particular, priority species.
Southern Gulf Catchments welcomes new directors
Southern Gulf Catchments (SGC) CEO Donald Coventry is pleased to announce the appointment of two new sector directors to the SGC board of directors.
Mr Coventry said, "I am very happy with the skills and enthusiasm these two new directors will bring and look forward to working with them to increase Southern Gulf Catchments' community profile."
John Swalling will take on the position of director (local government). John has been a councillor with Cloncurry Shire Council for 8 years, chairman of Cloncurry Tourism Advisory Committee, and involved with many associations and events in the Cloncurry and the North West. He loves the bush and has a passion to see the area grow and expand. He is excited to face the challenge to enhance lifestyles of all who live in North West Queensland.
Taking over as director (tourism & other industries), Brian Atherinos will continue the good works of Jo Start, previous director. He has a strong background in tourism and hospitality and has had some 20 years hands-on experience within the industry. Brian believes in good communication and looks forward to meeting all members and associated partners.
In other SGC news, the SGC board of directors agreed to change membership criteria for its conservation sector.
The membership base for SGC membership has been broadened by widening the eligibility criteria.
Membership criteria now allows individuals and organisations with an active interest in the protection and preservation of the natural environment of the region.
For more information on becoming a member visit the SGC website.
Luring small landholders into better land management
Designing incentive schemes to achieve better environmental management in rural residential sections of sensitive river catchment areas will be the theme of a workshop in Gympie on March 26 and 27.
Experts in land-use planning, environmental economics and extension of conservation in rural residential or peri-urban areas will meet with NRM regional bodies Burnett Mary Regional Group and Condamine Alliance, and Landcare groups to review a range of incentive methods.
The workshop is being funded by the Department of Natural Resources and Water under the Designer Carrots initiative.
Condamine Alliance program manager Penny Hamilton said the aim of the workshop is to design some practical examples for testing by NRM regional bodies in conjunction with Landcare groups, local government, and industry partners in South East Queensland.
"Both Burnett Mary Regional Group and Condamine Alliance have used incentive schemes as one of several techniques to persuade broad-acre farmers and graziers to adopt the best possible land management practices to conserve the environment," Mrs Hamilton said.
"However, we now recognise that population growth is exploding on the outskirts of towns and cities, often from 'tree-changers' or 'sea-changers' living on a few hectares in rural or coastal areas for lifestyle reasons. It is time for natural resource managers and environmental bodies to turn their attention to these landholders as they often occupy significant or sensitive parts of catchment areas."
Mrs Hamilton said that small landholders were a diverse group, with many and varied reasons for choosing their lifestyle or the type and level of enterprise conducted on their properties.
"This makes the rural residential areas challenging to communicate with, and also to draw into land conservation groups. We know that many have little land management experience and they are hungry for information tailored for their needs. This makes us think that incentive schemes aren't necessarily about money, sometimes it could be providing the access to information and skilled advisers."
The workshop will use examples, such as the horse industry, to design a mix of incentive schemes as part of the overall aim of achieving sustainable adoption of better land management practices in rural residential areas.
More information contact Penny Hamilton at the Alliance on 4620 0107.
Southern Gulf Catchments to face new challenges
The Australian Government has announced through their new Caring for our Country Program that regional NRM bodies will receive no less than 60 per cent of the average annual allocation that they formerly received.
This may mean reduced operational funding for Southern Gulf Catchments (SGC) and may in turn affect SGC's on-ground activities within the regional community.
SGC CEO Donald Coventry stated, "We are very grateful that the government has finally made an announcement as it has stopped rumours and our uncertainty. Now we have to consider how we will maximise opportunities the new funding program offers whilst dealing with funding shortfalls in the interim."
SGC is Queensland's second largest catchment area covering over 215 000 square kilometres. SGC includes the Gulf of Carpentaria and its catchments which are iconic and of national significance.
"We look forward to the new government's priority to the protection of the Gulf, its ecosystems and its catchments," Mr Coventry said, "however, implementing our projects is becoming more and more difficult to fund due to ever increasing prices of fuel, supplies and accommodation."
SGC will be entering discussion with the federal and state governments on how best it can maintain and further develop its capacity to both deliver on-ground activities for local communities and maximise the pressing needs to protect the Gulf region's unique natural environments.
"To further achieve this," Mr Coventry said, "we will be looking at new ways of expanding beyond government investment in the region by the establishment of a tax deductible environment fund, producing fee for service work and looking at ways that carbon produced in this region can be offset regionally to enhance the region’s economic, social and environmental status."
"The nation has benefited from the development of this region's natural resources and it is timely that we begin to reinvest some of this back into our local environment to further benefit our community for the future."
Frozen bait boost to battle feral beasts
Baiting programs in the Tambo Shire will get a boost with a cool new piece of equipment.
A meat freezer funded through South West NRM's Futurescapes program will help make pest animal control a simpler and more streamlined process.
Anthony Griegg, Tambo Shire Council's Stock Routes Supervisor, said the freezer would ensure baiting programs could be carried out more often.
"The freezer means that we can have a continuous supply of meat for our baiting programs and for landholders to carry out baiting of their own," Mr Griegg said.
"If landholders have animals that need to be destroyed for whatever reason they can drop the meat off to us for storage to be frozen or pickup can be arranged if need be.
"The idea being that there is a constant supply of meat at a central point for landholders throughout the year."
The freezer is now available for the storage of meat for bait.
"This will prevent wastage and alleviate the problem of catering to the high demand for meat when people want to bait," Mr Griegg said.
Mr Griegg said pest animals such as feral pigs are a 'major problem' for the Tambo Shire causing loss of wildlife and livelihood.
Gary Butler, South West NRM's programs manager, said the freezer will benefit feral animal control in the long term.
"By having that constant supply of meat available for use, it will cut down on costs and those savings can be invested into researching other effective methods of control," Mr Butler said.
For more information please contact Anthony Griegg on 4654 6133.
Breeder nutrition the key to success
The three key factors that drive the economics of a successful breeding enterprise are: fertility, weaner weight for age, and identification and marketing of "slow performers".
This was the message hammered home to producers by Felicity Hamlyn-Hill and Rob Rebgetz at Charters Tower last week at a forum for graziers involved in Research for Reality, a project modelled on the nationally successful Beef Profit Partnerships.
Thirty graziers from Collinsville, Belyando and Northern Spear grass regions, many of them neighbours, have been working with the project sponsored by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) and Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM for the past two years.
It is a highly unique concept with the sole aim of providing producers with the skills and modern technology to improve their product and financial viability. And importantly, to share experiences.
Beef Profit Partnerships has been quite a success story in the south and confidently hopes to boost Australian Cattle Industry annual profits by $179 million by 2012.
Ms Hamlyn-Hill was one of several presenters at the forum. Others included industry leaders and financial and marketing advisors.
She told producers it was imperative to keep their breeders in good condition after the dry season, as it impacted on their breeding cycle.
"A cow is preparing its next potential pregnancy during her current pregnancy. The biggest fertility problem in the north is failure to reconceive. And it's largely due to nutrition," she said. She also cited the lack of phosphorous in this part of the world as another critical concern producers must be aware of, particularly in the wet season.
Rob Rebgetz from Thalanga station spoke of his experience with the High Input Management project. In this project molasses was used to supplement animals in order to reach high levels of fertility and growth. "Producers should do their sums before implementing high input management with either the breeder herd or larger steers," he said.
He outlined the importance of molasses based supplements for weaners and appropriate weaner husbandry as well as breeder management including pregnancy diagnosis, seasonal mating and genetic improvement. Rob's view is that the management system is made up of a number of components and each of these are linked and equally important.
Graziers wanting to learn more about nutrition or breeding are encouraged to sign for the upcoming MLA Edge Workshops being held in Charters Towers and Ayr over the next few months. Please contact Felicity Hamlyn-Hill at the Charters Towers DPI&F on 4754 6108.
Careless dirtbike riders threaten fishing reserve
Careless motorcycle riders have returned to do more damage at the popular Clifton district Passmore Road fishing and picnic spot on the Condamine River.
The riders are putting at risk recently completed works to assist recreational fishers and campers to enjoy their visits to the reserve and help to improve native fish and wildlife habitats.
Clifton Shire Council and catchment care body Condamine Alliance, with the assistance of a project funded by the Australian Government’s Recreational Fishing Community Grants Programme, have built shelters, tables and BBQs in the reserve. Revegetation work to stop soil erosion and re-snagging of the river reach has been completed to encourage native fish.
An earlier plea from the project partners for motorcyclists to stop using the reserve was heard by local riders and they acknowledged they were unaware of the damage being caused to the soil and groundcover in and along the river and its banks.
It appears riders are now coming from other nearby centres, according to Condamine Alliance project coordinator Kevin Graham.
Mr Graham inspects previous damage by vandals at Passmore Reserve
"I can't understand is why they need to destroy native trees, signs and infrastructure," he said.
"When riders use a small area like this reserve, they go over their tracks time and time again, cutting deep furrows into the river bed and banks. Soil erosion affects riverbank stability and water turbidity."
These sites were designated for use as recreational fishing and camping reserves and the riders' actions have a flow-on effect. When the water starts to become muddy, the food chain for native fish is put at risk destroying the very things the reserves were set aside for.
"Recreational motorcycle riding forms an important part of life for many people and the project partners acknowledge this, but we wish to reinforce that this site is not for riders' use. We ask riders who have used the site in the past to look elsewhere to ride their bikes," Mr Graham said.
Field days tackle the question: 'can grazing add profit to cropping?'
Five Grain & Graze field days will be held on properties across the Queensland Murray Darling Committee (QMDC) region between 31 March and 4 April, addressing the question: can farmers become more profitable and sustainable by introducing a grazing phase into their cropping systems?
The 'Grain & Graze Roadshow' will be a chance for farmers to come and see first hand how those involved in Grain & Graze have been improving their mixed farming systems. Chair of the Border Rivers Grain & Graze Steering Committee, Robert Webb, said that the roadshow will have a practical focus, demonstrating how to apply the collected wisdom of researchers and collaborating farmers from Grain & Graze, and presenting farmers with useful tools they can use immediately.
The five field days will include presentations by experts and fellow farmers in pasture management, biodiversity, soil compaction, grazing cereal crops, the economics of mixed farming, and the principles of feed base and how to use the MLA feed demand calculator.
The roadshow will be visiting properties near:
- Moree, NSW, on 31 March
- Warialda, NSW, on 1 April
- Toobeah (near Goondiwindi), QLD, on 2 April
- Nindigully (near St George), QLD, on 3 April
- Roma, QLD, on 4 April.
For more information, please contact Kathryn Taylor for Queensland events on 4671 7900, or Carol Harris for NSW events on 02 6730 1900. In order to attend, please RSVP to Kathryn or Carol by 25 March.
Communicators gather to yarn
Desert Channels Queensland (DCQ) hosted this year's annual get together and workshop for Queensland's regional NRM communicators. Twenty communicators, hailing from regional bodies, NRW's Community Partnerships and the Regional Groups' Collective, landed safely in Longreach last week to savour and delight in the warm hospitality of the West, meet the mob at DCQ, and network about common 'communication' issues.
For one and a half days, the communicators listened, learnt and conversed on 'getting the message across'. Representatives from the local paper, The Longreach Leader, and from ABC Regional Radio shared their experiences and knowledge of working with the media in rural areas. A thank you must go to DCQ's Dave Thompson for a tour of the Iningai Keeping Place and Mike Chuk for a tour of the Iningai Nature Park.
NRW's Community Partnerships kept brains ticking and energy up by putting in for the tucker and communicators took the chance to show off some of their wares. It was not all hard work; a night on the Thomson River gazing at the stars and enjoying a hearty meal was the highlight for many visitors who had not been to the Central West before. Enthusiasm was high, excitement contagious and everyone had a bonza beaut time.
Government updates
Caring for our Country announced
The Australian Government has announced a new natural resource management (NRM) program - Caring for our Country.
Caring for our Country will commence on 1 July 2008 and will integrate delivery of the existing NRM programs, the Natural Heritage Trust, the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality, the National Landcare Program, the Environmental Stewardship Program and the Working on Country Indigenous land and environmental program.
For more information on the program visit the Australian Government's NRM website.
To read the full media release visit the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry's website.
Premier announces new rural advisor
Premier Anna Bligh announced the appointment of a new senior advisor in her own department to speed up access and response by the state government on agriculture and rural issues.
Wally Kearnan has been appointed to the new position of rural advisor in the office of Director-General in the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
"Mr Kearnan will be a direct conduit to key decision makers within government and to myself as Premier," said Ms Bligh, while addressing the Emerald Flood Response Roundtable Meeting in Brisbane.
"The role, and Mr Kearnan's selection, has at all stages been developed in consultation with AgForce.
"He will act as a point of contact for representatives of Queensland's rural communities, rural and regional industries, local government bodies and state agencies.
"Mr Kearnan is to provide first-hand advice on the impact on rural communities and regional and rural industries of initiatives such as; the Blueprint for the Bush, the Rural Economic Development and Infrastructure Plan, the State Infrastructure Plan and other state and federal government initiatives.
"Every Cabinet briefing submission will still continue to have a Rural Impact assessment," said the Premier.
Looking after country together in Queensland
The Queensland Government is implementing the Looking After Country Together Strategy which aims at improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander access to land and sea country, stronger involvement in the management of land and sea country, and stronger influence on broader natural resource planning and policy development.
Part of the strategy is improving government engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on natural resource management.
To help achieve this the Government has consulted the State-wide Indigenous NRM Network (Murri Network) which has kindly provided the information on the Murri network which is now available on the Queensland Regional NRM website.
Many thanks to those involved (especially Melissa George, Stefan Preissler and Shona Strachan) for making it happen.
Reef water-monitoring network a world apart
The Queensland Government has established the world's longest water-monitoring network, covering 1500 kms of coastline, to help protect the Great Barrier Reef.
Scientists from the Department of Natural Resources and Water (NRW) have installed complex monitoring equipment at 30 collection stations over the 1500 kms in the past two years.
The network can more accurately track sediment, nutrient and chemical levels in the rivers and creeks which send water out to the reef. It will monitor very large flow events such as the recent floods.
It will allow Queensland scientists to better predict how much sediment and pollutants are travelling from Queensland river catchments onto the Great Barrier Reef.
While NRW has been monitoring water quality for a long time, it is stepping up monitoring efforts as part of the Queensland Government's commitment to the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan. The Plan is a 10 year project between the Australian and Queensland governments to improve water quality in Great Barrier Reef catchments.
This project is a key part of the Reef Plan because it will help NRW researchers to better predict how much sediment and pollutants are travelling from catchments into the Great Barrier Reef.
New and upgraded water monitoring sites included Kalpowar, Mareeba, the Herbert River near Ingham, Pioneer River, the Fitzroy River near Rockhampton, and several locations across the Burnett region. Most monitoring locations are on the coast or near to it, however, several are well inland monitoring water quality in the higher reaches of some rivers.
The information from the network will be used to prepare catchment models, which determine trends and can work out how increasing ground cover or revegetating waterways improves water quality. Scientists are now collecting data from the new monitoring sites.
For more on water monitoring in Queensland visit the NRW website.
Green energy challenge for desalination plant
In what could become Queensland's largest single renewable energy deal, Premier Anna Bligh has challenged Australia's green energy industry to completely offset carbon emissions from the $1.2 billion Gold Coast desalination plant.
Ms Bligh said she wanted to see the drought-proofing plant powered by 100 percent carbon neutral energy and the Government would seek expressions of interest in coming weeks.
"Once complete, the Gold Coast desalination plant will produce up to 125 mega litres of water every day, which is enough water for close to 900 000 people," Ms Bligh said.
As the highest producer of greenhouse gas emissions in the country, the Premier has put out the challenge to the green energy industry to think outside the square and put forward viable ‘green’ options to power the desalination plant.
The plant is expected to use up to 200 000 mega watt hours of power each year, the equivalent household-use of a town the size of Mt Isa.
Making the plant carbon neutral will save 207 000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year, which is equivalent to emissions from 46 000 cars.
Read the full media release at the Queensland Government website.
Huge haul of fisheries information reeled in
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) has reached a milestone this year with its Commercial Fisheries Information System or CFISH clocking up 20 years of operations.
Since starting in 1988, more than 10 million records outlining commercial fishing activity and catch in Queensland had been entered into the CFISH system through commercial fishing logbooks.
The first logbooks were issued in January 1988 to the commercial industry which at that stage totalled some 2000 operators.
When the program began just two logbooks were used by the industry, one for otter trawl fishery and one for all the other fisheries. Now some 1600 commercial operators are required to fill out logbooks covering 20 different fisheries throughout Queensland.
The logbooks record daily fishing locations, catch by species and types of fishing gear used by each boat operating in the fishery. Facts gleaned from this information includes:
- the total value of Queensland managed fisheries is just over $200 million
- the total seafood catch in 2006-07 was 25,000 tonnes
- the top three species in catch were: king prawns at 2700 tonnes, scallops at 3000 tonnes and mullet at 1300 tonnes
- the top three species in value were king prawns at about $32 million, coral trout at $29 million and tiger prawns at $26 million.
"The information also feeds into national statistics and provides information such as the value of individual species, fisheries and the industry as a whole in Queensland,'' Mr Williams said.
The program has expanded to such an extent that it is now one of the most comprehensive fisheries information systems in Australia.
Summaries of commercial catch and effort information are available on the Coastal Habitat Resources Information System website and further information on logbooks or commercial fishing is available at the DPI&F website.
Native tree planting certified to cut carbon
Minister for Climate Change and Water, Penny Wong, has congratulated forestry organisation, Greenfleet, for becoming the first not-for-profit 'offset provider' to be approved by the Australian Government.
Greenfleet will help businesses and individuals reduce the impact of their vehicles on the environment by planting native trees to absorb carbon emissions.
In the coming months Greenfleet's customers will have the option of offsetting their emissions with Greenhouse Friendly™approved offsets.
"Greenfleet have received Australian Government approval to provide offsets under the Greenhouse Friendly™initiative," Senator Wong said.
"Greenfleet's biodiversity forest projects will not only result in a reduction of greenhouse gases, they will also provide valuable habitat for native fauna and assist in the regeneration of the Australian landscape."
Greenhouse Friendly™ creates an opportunity for Australian companies to work with Government to reduce the environmental impact of their products or services. Now that Greenfleet is an approved offset provider they will be able to help, by providing high quality offsets to companies who wish to reduce their carbon footprint.
A Greenhouse Friendly™ forest sink used to generate offsets must have been planted by human induced methods and results in 'additional' greenhouse gas reduction; that is, it must have been planted specifically for the purposes of carbon sequestration. Greenhouse Friendly™ projects are rigorously and independently assessed to achieve a globally recognised standard.
It’s official – Australia is now a part of the Kyoto Protocol
Australia's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol came into force last week, officially making Australia a full party to the Kyoto Protocol.
"From today, Australia is officially part of the global solution on climate change," Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong said.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd signed Australia's instrument of ratification in December as the first act of the new government. However, under Kyoto rules, it takes 90 days before the ratification 'comes into force'.
"We are sending a clear signal to the world that Australia is taking responsibility on climate change," she said.
Also today, the Government released Australia's Initial Report under the Kyoto Protocol, 365 days earlier than the United Nations' deadline requires. The report demonstrates how Australia is able to measure the reductions in emissions that are required under Kyoto.
"The Australian Government is moving quickly to meet its Kyoto Protocol obligations. Countries have 12 months to submit this report, we are releasing it on day one," she said.
This new report follows the Rudd Government's first report card on climate change, Tracking to the Kyoto Target, showing that we are now on track to meet our Kyoto target. Under Kyoto, Australia is obliged to limit its greenhouse gas emissions in 2008-2012 to 108 per cent of its emissions in 1990.
Senator Wong said the Kyoto Protocol was just the first step and that much more needed to be done.
"That's why we have a comprehensive plan for responding to climate change based on three pillars – helping to shape an international solution, reducing Australia’s emissions, and adapting to the climate change we cannot avoid.
"To help Australia reduce its emissions and make the switch to a low-emissions future we have announced that 20 per cent of Australia's electricity will come from renewable sources by 2020.
"We will also implement emissions trading, which will place a limit – or a 'cap' – on the emissions we will allow to be produced. Emissions trading will make us responsible for the greenhouse gases we put into the atmosphere," Senator Wong said.
While Australia’s ratification of Kyoto only comes into effect today, the Australian Government is already engaged in international negotiations for a post-2012 agreement.
SEQ shires see end to drought status
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin, has revoked the drought status of the Brisbane, Pine Rivers, Redcliffe, Caboolture, Caloundra and Maroochy shires effective March 1, following recommendations from the Local Drought Committee (LDC).
The North Brisbane LDC assessed these shires based on criteria such as the amount of rain received, the impact on crops, and stock and pasture growth.
"It's great to see that all of these shires benefited from the recent above average rainfall in the South East with the majority of pasture going to seed and producing adequate bulk," Mr Mulherin said.
"The great majority of property dams are also full and water supply dams have experienced good run off," he said.
"While it is still early for winter crop plantings to take place, current conditions indicate that producers have the potential to experience good conditions for crop growth over the coming season," Mr Mulherin said.
All LDCs across the state will meet by the end of the summer rainfall period (March/April) and provide recommendations to Minister Mulherin about the drought status of their areas.
The LDC is made up of local producers and staff from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries to give first-hand advice on the seasonal situation.
These changes are encouraging news for Queensland's primary industries, but we still have 62.1 per cent of the state officially drought declared and producers in those areas that remain drought declared following LDC meetings need our support.
Producers who have not received adequate rainfall to alleviate drought conditions can apply to their local biosecurity inspector for an Individually Droughted Property declaration which will give them the same access to Queensland Government drought assistance as a shire declaration.
"Eligible primary producers who had their drought declaration revoked will have access to freight subsidy assistance for restocking and returning from agistment during the recovery phase for up to 24 months."
For further information on drought assistance in Queensland, contact the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries on 13 25 23.
Multi-million dollar fishway project complete
Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace today announced the completion of SunWater's new multi-million fishway on the Claude Wharton Weir near Gayndah.
Minister Wallace said the $4.5 million Queensland Government-funded environmental project had been successfully commissioned and was now operating.
"This fishway is an important environmental project that will restore balance in the Burnett River eco-system and ensure normal breeding and feeding cycles of fish species continue," Mr Wallace said.
The fishway will work on the same principle as the boat locks used on the Murray River, which lift or lower water levels to enable boats to continue their journey. On a similar basis, this fishway has a lock chamber where water levels are raised and lowered so fish can continue their up or downstream journey.
"This project is a clear cut example of the importance the Queensland Government and SunWater place on responsible environmental management," Mr Wallace said.
Mr Wallace said he had been advised by SunWater that extensive consultation had been carried out between the water supplier, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI&F), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure the fishway achieved all environmental targets.
"SunWater, DPI&F, and EPA have worked together from the early planning stages right through to construction and this will continue now the fishway is complete through the on-going monitoring program that will be put in place," he said.
DPI&F research on fishways already in operation on the Burnett River show up to 20 different species regularly used them, including lungfish, yellowbelly, mullet, bass and bream.
The Department of Infrastructure has also provided funds for the project under its Burnett Program of Actions, which was developed to focus on environmental works for the Burnett River.
Queenslanders receive cash incentive to tackle climate change
The Bligh Government today announced a new scheme to pay Queensland households for solar electricity they generate and contribute to the electricity grid.
Premier Anna Bligh said from July 1 this year the Solar Bonus Scheme would pay households and business 44 cents for every kilowatt-hour generated from solar power systems at work and at home and fed into the grid.
"We want Queenslanders to cash in on our reputation as the Sunshine State," Ms Bligh said.
"By providing this financial incentive we hope to encourage greater use of solar energy systems and boost our renewable energy market," she said.
Solar panel systems on a home often produce more power than a household requires. Under the scheme consumers will receive credits on their electricity bills for any additional power they generate through their solar systems and are able to contribute to the grid.
Ms Bligh said it is estimated the Solar Credit Scheme or feed-in-tariff could save consumers more than 25 per cent on their annual electricity bill depending on the energy efficiency of their home.
"It will put money back in family pockets," Ms Bligh said, "It will also provide an opportunity for households to play a direct role in tackling climate change.
"We already know Queenslanders are keen to play their part. We have received a staggering 5 230 expressions of interest in our new Solar Homes trial," Ms Bligh said.
Registrations had to close due to the unprecedented demand. However, anyone with a solar power system will be eligible to participate in the Solar Bonus Scheme.
The Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson Mr Geoff Wilson said the scheme would commence on July 1 and be guaranteed for 20 years.
Read the full media release on the Queensland Government's website.Reef updates
Little guardians aim to keep the Reef litter free
The Whitsunday region can now officially claim to have the youngest Reef Guardians in the state, with 150 tiny tots aged from 6 weeks to 6 years taking up the challenge to be guardians of the reef in their own special way.
Reef Guardian Schools Programme Coordinator, Ms Megan Sperring, said that 121 Childcare in Airlie Beach is the first Reef Guardian Childcare Centre.
"We were really surprised when the 121 Childcare Centre approached us about being a Reef Guardian, but after seeing what the centre has planned for the children in helping them to appreciate and learn about the plants and animals of the Great Barrier Reef we could see that it was a fantastic idea," Ms Sperring said.
"While these children are a little younger than our usual Reef Guardian School participants, they are just as enthusiastic about being part of the program.
"It is wonderful that they will not only learn to connect with their local environment, but will be able to share what they learn with their parents, their brothers and sisters and the members of their community to protect the future of the Reef."
121 Childcare Director, Ms Jodie Travers, said that children felt a particular connection to the animals that live on the Reef and would fully immerse themselves in the program.
:Our children are passionate and excited about everything they do and while they may not yet grasp complex concepts, they are very attached to animals and want to help care for them.
"Living in the Whitsunday region and being surrounded by the wonderful sea and National Parks, we believe it is important to educate children from a young age about how they can look after their environment."
The 121 Childcare Centre intends to implement sustainable activities in its daily routine and talk to children about things that they can do as part of their everyday lives to help protect the Great Barrier Reef.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority will formally welcome 121 Childcare to the programme with a Reef Guardian School sign and presentation at 9:00 am at 121 Childcare in Airlie Beach.
Sharing snags, salty sea stories and fish tales to celebrate International Year of the Reef
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is celebrating 'International Year of the Reef' by holding fun community workshops called 'Reef Recollections'.
The Authority will be inviting members of the public to come along to the 'Reef Recollections' events to share their memories about living alongside the Great Barrier Reef and enjoy a free sausage sizzle.
The events will be a great way for the Authority to learn about the history of the Great Barrier Reef, first hand, from community members by listening to people's stories of the past.
In total there will be 11 community events held up and down the coastline of the Great Barrier Reef. There are still a few coming up check the GBRMPA website for details.
For further information about the events contact GBRMPA on 4750 0700.
Wetlands updates
The Paroo River Wetlands gain Ramsar recognition
The Paroo River Wetlands in NSW are the latest addition to the list of internationally important wetlands recognized under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. These magnificent wetlands become Australia’s 65th Ramsar site.
The Paroo Ramsar site is in far northwest NSW within the Murray-Darling Basin and the Great Artesian Basin. The Ramsar wetland site does not encompass all of the Paroo country, but includes the Nocoleche Nature Reserve (approximately 180 km west of Bourke) and part of the Paroo-Darling National Park (240 km south west of Bourke). Its total area is 138 304 ha.
The Paroo River wetlands are an integral component of the Paroo River catchment, a unique system in its own right. The river is the last remaining free-flowing river in the northern Murray-Darling Basin and much of the time it is dry, connected only by a series of turbid pools. During flood events the river and its floodplain are covered with water and the system explodes with life, supporting a high diversity of water dependent plants and animals.
The Paroo River Ramsar Site is one of the most important wetland systems for waterbirds in eastern Australia – supporting threatened species including painted snipe and freckled ducks.
Ramsar sites are protected as matters of national environmental significance under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, and any new activity that might affect the ecological character of the site must be referred to the Minister for Environment and Water Resources for consideration.
The new Water Act 2007 also gives effect to Australia's Ramsar Convention obligations, and Ramsar sites in the Murray-Darling Basin will be high priorities for the use of environmental water managed under the Act.
The New South Wales and Queensland Governments have also signed an agreement to manage the Paroo River cooperatively. Under this agreement, both Governments will work together to maintain the natural water flows in the Paroo River system.
Natural resources news
Our land: your story
With the assistance of a Natural Resources and Water Community Awareness Grant, Landcare Queensland were able to provide a free Landcare PlaceStories training workshop to nine volunteers from different Landcare and Catchment groups based in and around South East Queensland.
During the PlaceStories training workshop held last week in Brisbane, participants learnt how to use PlaceStories software, which has been developed by community cultural development and media organisation, Feral Arts. Using simple technology the PlaceStories software allows participants to use digital photography and record narration and music to make short digital stories about their work in Landcare and natural resource management (NRM) in Queensland.
Following the PlaceStories training workshop, stories produced by the participants will be loaded on to the Landcare PlaceStories webpage for online viewing. These stories will be judged during Natural Resources Week in May, with the winning story producer receiving a small cash prize for their group, sponsored and presented by Natural Resources and Water.
The PlaceStories software has been developed and will be further adapted to assist the Landcare and NRM community to document digital stories, supported by Landcare Queensland through training and development. If you would like to find out more about Landcare PlaceStories contact Chloe Tanner on 3211 4413.
Farming seminar looks to the future
The Queensland Farmers' Federation (QFF) will host the 2008 Future of Farming Seminar-Farming Past 2020 on 23 April in Brisbane.
The seminar will feature experts and rural industry leaders discussing major global and sectoral economic and environmental trends, their impact on agriculture and the challenges and opportunities farmers will face over the next decade.
With agricultural commodity prices at record highs, and climate change at the forefront for governments, the Future of Farming has never looked more interesting.
Be quick, limited seats are available. RSVPs need to be received by 11 April 2008.
For more information visit the QFF website, or contact Jamie O’Brien on 3837 4747.
Primary Industries Awards nominations now open
Nominations are now being called for the 2008 Queensland Primary Industries Achievement Awards.
The 2008 Queensland Primary Industries Achievement Awards recognise excellence in various fields of the State’s primary industries.
An independent panel of industry representatives will judge the nominations according to the criteria listed under each category.
Applications are invited from producers, individuals, groups and agribusinesses involved in Queensland’s primary industries.
The awards are a highlight of Primary Industries Week (May 8 to 16), which recognise and reward outstanding Queensland based achievers in agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.
Self-nomination or nomination by someone else in all categories will be accepted. The categories are:
- Primary Industries Young Farmer Award
- Sustainable Primary Production Award
Nominations close 5pm 24 April. For more information and a nomination form, please visit Primary Industries Week website or contact 0417 626 420.
Landcare conference promises to be very unique
Holding an event the size of the Landcare conference in a town like Monto brings with it some very unique challenges for the Landcare conference this year.
Delegates joining the conference will experience some of the finest Queensland country hospitality on offer!
Accommodation will be available in a range of styles. A very (very) limited number of motel rooms are available so a special conference tent city complete with beds (but BYO linen) will be constructed, and organisers are currently seeking expressions of interest from local families to host delegates in their homes. More information about accommodation will be available in the next conference newsletter.
The conference venues will also offer delegates a real taste of the Burnett. The Monto Showgrounds will be used for conference sessions - venues like the Woodchoppers Bar and the Stud Cattle Arena will be utilised for plenary and breakout sessions and you'll be greeted each day with a real bush breakfast.
Sound tempting? Please visit Landcare Queensland's website to ensure you're subscribed to the conference newsletter for more information.
Water summit set for Sydney
The Australian Water Summit 2008 is shaping up as the biggest event for water stakeholders.
The summit is a flagship forum for Australia's $90 billion water industry and will be held on 29 to 30 April and 1 May this year at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.
More than 250 senior executives are expected to attend. Speakers and case studies have been handpicked from Australia and North America.
Keynote speakers will include Penny Wong, Minister for Climate Change & Water, Nathan Rees, Minister for Water Utilities (NSW), Tim Holding, Minister for Water (Victoria), and Ken Matthews, Chairman and CEO of the National Water Commission.
Visit the summit website for more details.
Save the bilby, eat chocolate!
Saving the bilby is one of the most delicious things to do. Australian chocolate manufacturer and retailer Darrell Lea has been making chocolate Easter bilbies since 1994.
Darrell Lea has been supporting the Save the Bilby Fund since its inception in 1999, raising in excess of $225 000 for the Fund, through the sale of chocolate Bilbies, to date. In fact in 2003, bilbies outsold bunnies by eight to one! Only Darrell Lea bilbies help save the bilby.
Easter bilbies are available from Darrell Lea outlets and stores in two yummy sizes. You can choose from: large bilby (160g) which is priced at $8.95 of which 50c is donated directly to the Save the Bilby Fund. Large bilby comes in dark, milk and white chocolate. The small bilby (90g) retails for $5.95 of which Darrell Lea makes a 30c donation to the Save the Bilby Fund. The medium sized bilby comes in milk chocolate.
Why would anyone buy an Easter bunny when they could buy an Aussie Easter bilby?
You can buy chocolate bilbies from more than 1000 Darrell Lea outlets nationwide. Visit the Darrell Lea website to find your nearest store or outlet.
AgForward workshop update
The AgForward team present a range of workshops to landholders, including GPS essentials, computer mapping, vegetation management, and AgForest's native forest field days.
Between March and June this year AgForward will conduct around 107 workshops throughout Queensland. Upcoming workshops include:
- 27 March: Lowood - AgForests Field Day
- 27 March: Eidsvold - Computer mapping workshop
- 28 March: Gayndah - Computer mapping workshop
- 1 April: Charleville - AgForests Field Day
- 1 April: Goondiwindi - Vegetation Management Workshop
- 2 April: Texas - Vegetation Management Workshop
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: Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM
Title: Corporate Services Manager
Tenure: Permanent, full-time
Location:Townsville
The purpose of the position is to assist in the delivery of the company’s corporate governance and Natural Resource Management related activities by designing and/or maintaining the organisation’s financial, administrative, human resource and contract management processes and services and by providing leadership and support to a multidisciplinary team of staff engaged in delivery of those services.
Visit the Regional Groups' Collective website for the full position description.
Thought for the week
In Australia the rabbit is a pest, and celebrating it in any form denies the reality of Australia's rabbit plague and the damage rabbits do to Australia's fragile environment.
State Library of Queensland website
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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.
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Last updated 27 March 2008