The Bugle - 18 April 2008
In news this week
- Proposed Great Sandy Biosphere
- Peter Andrews to visit Desert Uplands region
- GLM update from DCQ
- New tree and shrub guide available from DU website
- GIVE Day a huge success
- SWNRM to hold a community forum field day
- Updating SWNRM’s Pasture Recovery Initiative
- Native Title capacity building in the Torres Strait
- Women empowered in short course
- Gundy set to bust some carp
Government updates
- Carbon credits, environmental offsets and Designer Carrots
- Gladstone EPA getting out amongst the people
- $10.6 million buy-back of non-Indigenous fishing licences in the Torres Strait
- Public comment welcomed for state leasehold land rent review
- Gamba grass to be declared a Class 2 weed
- NRW natural resources conference in the north
- State of Environment report highlights challenges ahead
Reef updates
- Applications now open for GBRMPA Graduate Program 2009
- Coral change the key to climate change monitoring
- Reef recollections commence
Natural resources news
- Mental health to feature at Landcare conference
- Threatened Species Network Community Grants round 11 open
- Community benefits from Landcare work with schools and green corps
- Building a positive future for regional bodies and local government
- Irwin’s turtle to pay visit to field days
- Get a job in NRM!
Regional NRM group stories
Proposed Great Sandy Biosphere
The Wide Bay region could soon achieve international recognition for an area extending from Bundaberg south to Gympie which is being nominated by the Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) as a Biosphere Reserve under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
BMRG chief executive officer David Brown said they had decided to nominate the Great Sandy Straits and adjoining hinterland because it has outstanding biodiversity values. He is seeking support from all levels of government and has contacted politicians, community and industry representatives.
"It will help develop ecotourism, attract international funding and raise awareness throughout the world of our high biodiversity, beautiful landscape and relaxed lifestyle," he said.
A Biosphere Reserve is an international conservation designation given by UNESCO which demonstrates innovative approaches to conservation and sustainable development. There are 507 sites in 102 countries across the world. They go beyond confined protected areas, and include zones where sustainable economic development is fostered.
Public information sessions are being held to explain the project, including a session at Hervey Bay CWA Hall on 23 April at 7.30 pm.
For further information about the project visit BMRG's website or contact communications officer Carl Moller on 0447 550 199.
Peter Andrews to visit Desert Uplands region
The Desert Uplands are bringing Peter Andrews to the region to hold a Natural Sequencing Field Day on 28 May at Lake Dunn Recreation Club, Aramac.
Natural Sequence Farming (NSF) is a rural landscape management technique aimed at restoring natural water cycles that allow the land to flourish despite drought conditions.
NSF offers a low-cost, widely applicable method of reducing drought severity and boosting productivity on Australia’s farms and landscapes. The technique is based on ecological principles, low input requirements and natural cycling of water and nutrients to make the land more resilient.
Peter Andrews is a grazier and race horse breeder from Bylong in the Upper Hunter Valley. Peter has gained fundamental insights to the natural functioning of the Australian landscape and has applied these insights in restoring his and other properties to fertility levels that he says existed upon European arrival in this country.
For more information or to register to attend the field day please contact the Desert Uplands office on 1800 007 807.
GLM update from DCQ
The Desert Channels Queensland (DCQ) region based Grazing Land Management (GLM) project teams will be revisiting workshop participants to provide follow-up support and compile case studies.
These case studies will enable both Department of Primary industries and Fisheries and regional NRM bodies to promote sustainable production practices as well as productive and profitable primary industries.
The team will also be following-up with GLM graduates to progress towards the implementation of projects identified during the workshops. The follow-up can involve the original GLM group meeting at a specific location, preferably on a property, to go through their projects as a group, or through one-on-one catch-ups.
The Sustainable Management of Grazing Lands in Queensland’s Rangelands Program has achieved across the project area to date: 565 people trained through the project; over 1700 training days delivered through 60 workshops; and 235 primary producers completed GLM workshops.
If you would like more information on GLM contact the DCQ office on 4658 0600.
New tree and shrub guide available from DU website
The publication A guide to trees and shrubs of the Desert Uplands has recently been added to the Desert Uplands website.
The guide will assist visitors and Desert Uplands residents alike, identify some of the more common and spectacular plant species. It provides people interested in the Desert Uplands unique flora an opportunity to further consider the relationship between soil, vegetation and land use.
Plants are an exciting and interesting way to interpret landscapes. Identifying a plant often gives clues about the whole ecosystem, its geology, soils, fauna and other flora.
Six major soils are referred to in the booklet. They are presented as two letter codes indicating the soil profile with which the plant is most commonly associated.
If you would like more information or would like to receive a hard copy of this booklet please email the Desert Uplands office.
GIVE Day a huge success
Over 250 growers and industry staff attended the second Grower Innovation Virtual Expo (GIVE) conference held in Mackay on 28 and 29 February.
GIVE 08 was organised by cane farmers. Their presentations focused on new technology, experiences and innovation in a variety of projects funded by the Sugar Research and Development Corporation.
Topics were varied and included:
- developing compost as an alternative fertiliser source
- the economics of controlled traffic versus conventional systems
- variable planting rates and pre-planting application of fertiliser
- fallow crops as supplementary income sources
- new technology in herbicide application.
The Mackay Whitsunday NRM (MWNRM) group showed its continued commitment to support the local cane industry by being one of the major sponsors for the conference.
One of the highlights of GIVE 08 was the involvement of MWNRM’s Sustainable Landscapes participants, with many of the group providing presentations during the two days or demonstrations at their farms, during the conference field trips.
For more information visit the MWNRM website.
South West NRM holding a community forum field day
South West NRM will be holding a community forum on Holly Downs, near Augathella, on 21 April. The day will run from 9 am to 3 pm with morning tea and lunch provided.
The forum will provide attendees with examples of Futurescapes project work and projects from other funding sources. There will also be presentations, and question and answer sessions on a number of topics including water monitoring, Landcare and Planscapes.
Everyone is welcome to come along. If you are a Community NRM Forum Member, or join up to become a Community NRM Forum Member on the day, you will be in the running to be sponsored to attend the ‘Healthy Rivers – Healthy Communities’ Conference to be held at Windorah on 6 and 7 May.
South West NRM will sponsor two people to attend the conference including accommodation and travel expenses.
For more details please contact South West NRM on 4654 7382.
Updating South West NRM’s Pasture Recovery Initiative
Three properties have been approved for South West NRM Pasture Recovery Initiative.
The properties’ areas marked for pasture recovery cover 24 991 hectares in total.
A total of $167 500 will be invested across the properties for an average of 36 months.
The Pasture Recovery Initiative sees land managers paid a fee to spell their country.
Many tenders were received and South West NRM would like to thank those who supported and showed an interest in this pilot program.
Some assessments are still being carried out at the present time.
For more information on the initiative visit South West NRM's website.
Native Title capacity building in the Torres Strait
Twenty Torres Strait Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBC) are entering a second year of a regional project aimed at building their capacity in the management of Native Title.
The PBC Capacity Building Project is being delivered through the support of the Torres Strait Regional Authority's (TSRA) Native Title Office (NTO) and the Land and Sea Management Unit (LSMU) and is being funded through the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust (NHT).
As the representative body for traditional owners, PBCs are the formal contact point for all parties interested in consulting and discussing matters that fall within a particular native title claim area.
In 2006 the TSRA developed the “PBC Capacity Building Project,” which consisted of two stages: 1. researching PBC capacity building needs and issues; and 2. implementing appropriate capacity building strategies.
Stage one began in 2006 and involved extensive consultation between the TSRA and four PBCs to determine issues that affect the role of PBCs and possible capacity building strategies to address these matters. A primary outcome from this stage was the need for increased knowledge in governance.
Stage two commenced in mid-2007 with the launch of a business plan pilot project and the roll-out of governance training.
The Mualgal PBC is participating in the pilot project and if successful, the outcomes of the project can be used as a model for other PBCs to utilise when considering economic development projects in their claim area.
For more information about this project or to find out where and when the next governance training workshop will be, please contact Ms Mary Bani, project officer at the Native Title Office on 4069 0700 or toll free 1800 079 093.
Gundy set to bust some carp
The Goondiwindi Carp Cull, third in a six part series of Carp Busting competitions, will be on again this Anzac Day long weekend.
The Goondiwindi Fishing Club is one of six clubs to have joined forces with the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee (QMDC) to coordinate one of the biggest community awareness programs for European Carp in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Surat, Thallon, Goondiwindi, Mungindi, St George and Dirranbandi will all host linked Carp Busters fishing competitions over 2008, with local event prizes, and a grand prize of $2000 in cash for those who catch and destroy the most carp over all six competitions.
Locals and visitors alike have been invited to register at the Goondiwindi Bowls Club from 5 pm Friday, 25 April for the local Carp Cull, which will run on 26 and 27 April. People registering will need to purchase a three day NSW fishing permit, which costs $6, from the Gundy Sports Centre in Marshall Street.
Megan Purvis, QMDC Riverine Technical Officer said “Carp is one of the world’s most widely distributed freshwater fish and has invaded a large section of southern Queensland’s rivers, creeks and dams.”
People interested in finding out more, or who would like to register, can contact John Billsborough from the Goondiwindi Fishing Club on 07 4671 4117.
Women empowered in short course
A group of 24 women from the Border Rivers region recently participated in a short course that aimed to increase their knowledge of natural resource management issues and improve their communication and leadership skills.
The Naturally Resourceful course, organised and run by the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee (QMDC) was held at Moonie and Nindigully over a four week period. Workshops covered topics such as climate change, soil conservation, biodiversity, succession planning, and communication techniques.
Women were encouraged to share their experiences on the land and play an interactive part in the workshops.
Julia Telford, QMDC staff member and course facilitator, said that she enjoyed working with the women as they often under-estimate their own contributions to their properties and communities. “Naturally Resourceful provides women with an opportunity to learn about relevant topics in a supportive environment,” she said.
This is the third round of Naturally Resourceful short courses. QMDC hopes to run more Naturally Resourceful courses in the future.
For more information, please email Pip Bagshaw at QMDC’s Goondiwindi office or call on 4671 7900.
Government updates
Carbon credits, environmental offsets and Designer Carrots
The new Designer Carrots fact sheets and case study series are helping to build the capacity of regional NRM groups to get them involved in carbon credit, environmental offset and other market-based instrument (MBI) programs.
Designer Carrots MBIs are incentive tools used by regional NRM groups and government to encourage land managers to adopt more sustainable practices for managing our rivers, forests, soils and wetlands.
The Designer Carrots case studies and fact sheet series are one of a number of projects developed as part of the $1.18 million Market Based Instruments Capacity Building Program (Designer Carrots) funded by the Australian Government’s National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAPSWQ).
The Designer Carrots program is being coordinated nationally by Community Partnerships in the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water.
The Designer Carrots fact sheets include:
- market-based instruments—frequently asked questions
- cap and trade mechanisms
- environmental offsets
- conservation tenders
- running a conservation tender
- market friction approaches
- using existing markets for NRM outcomes
- optimising participation in market-based instruments programs.
The Designer Carrots case studies include:
- cap and trade mechanisms
- conservation tenders
- using existing markets for NRM outcomes.
Other products being developed by the Designer Carrots program include a decision support tool, metric tool and training modules which will be delivered through a series of 19 workshops starting in April.
For more information visit the Designer Carrots website or you can email or phone Community Partnerships on 3239 3875.
Gladstone EPA getting out amongst the people
Gladstone locals have a chance to meet their Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rangers and share their ideas.
Rangers will be at several local events with displays and brochures in the coming months.
So bring your questions and tell them about your experiences in national parks in the area
- 3–4 May, Ubobo Mountain Challenge
- 1 June, Gladstone Ecofest
- 6–8 June, Boyne–Tannum Hookup.
For more information about parks in your area visit the EPA website or contact the EPA in Gladstone on 4971 6500.
$10.6 million buy-back of non-Indigenous fishing licences in the Torres Strait
The Australian Government and the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) have recently completed a $10.6 million buy back of 100 percent of non-islander finfish fishing licences in the Torres Strait.
The buy back scheme, an initiative of the Protected Zone Joint Authority (PZJA), will provide for greater economic and employment opportunities for Torres Strait Islanders in the Protected Zone and will reallocate finfish resources to provide for the Papua New Guinea catch-sharing arrangement under the Torres Strait Treaty.
A process for leasing back Spanish Mackerel and Coral Trout resources will ensure that 75 percent of the region’s fishery will be held by the Traditional Inhabitant Boat (TIB) sector and 25 percent of the fishery will be held by the Commonwealth Government, on trust, for Papua New Guinea.
Current non-Indigenous licence holders are still legally permitted to fish until 30 June 2008, after which date they will be required to surrender their licences and enter into individually negotiated lease agreements and conditions with Torres Strait Islanders in order to continue fishing in the Torres Strait.
The buy-back and leasing arrangements acknowledge the importance of the region’s fishery to the livelihood of the Torres Strait people and help to protect their traditional way of life.
For further information in relation to the buy-back scheme, please contact the TSRA fisheries coordinator, Toshie Nakata on 4069 0700.
Public comment welcomed for state leasehold land rent review
The Queensland Government is inviting public comment on proposed changes to rents charged for the use of State leasehold land.
The review of rents is part of a larger review of the Land Regulation 1995. The rents are being reviewed to better reflect their current uses and to ensure a fair return for Queenslanders.
A Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) for the proposed Land Regulation 2008 has been released as required by legislation.
Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said, "we have already undertaken significant consultation with key stakeholders. Through this RIS we are broadening the consultation to include all stakeholders and invite public feedback to the proposed regulation changes."
Mr Wallace said that with the changes many community-based organisations could expect their rents to fall.
He said the proposed changes would not affect long-term grazing and agricultural rentals which were settled last year.
"The changes suggested will mean increased rents for some commercial operations but significant decreases for those lands used by community organisations for the public benefit," Mr Wallace said.
For more information on the review, visit the Department of Natural Resources and Water website.
Gamba grass to be declared a Class 2 weed
Gamba grass is to be declared a Class 2 weed in Queensland. Gamba grass has the potential to become a major weed if not controlled but it also provides valuable cattle fodder, particularly in drought conditions.
Gamba grass is native to tropical Africa and can grow up to 4m tall. It exists in scattered areas, primarily across the Cape York and Gulf regions. It is estimated that it has been planted on around 18 000 hectares, based on the quantity of seed sold.
The decision will stop the sale of gamba grass seeds, require land managers to control it and require local governments to include it in their pest management plans for all areas.
The decision does not force land managers, who had already planted the seed to provide fodder for their cattle, to immediately eradicate it from managed pastures.
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries will produce guidelines and an enforcement policy for land managers, information on management and if necessary, research on control practices.
While the regulatory steps necessary to enact the Class 2 declaration are carried out, an emergency pest notice preventing the further sale of gamba grass seed will be in place from mid-April.
NRW natural resources conference in the north
The Department of Natural Resources and Water (NRW) will host the 2008 NRW Natural Resources Conference as part of natural resources week, in Townsville on 21 May.
The conference theme is ‘perish or prosper: balanced management of North Queensland’s natural resources’ with presentations that will focus on how we can manage our natural resources sustainably to ensure a prosperous future for North Queensland.
Renowned speakers, including Tom Calma, from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and Dr John Radcliffe, from the National Water Commission, will cover topics including:
- the challenges of Indigenous land tenure
- carbon offset trading
- environmentally sustainable tourism
- farming without harming
- water recycling from wastewater, stormwater and seawater.
Television personality James O’Loghlin will act as MC, and facilitate a panel discussion on the conference topics.
Visit the NRW website to download the conference program, or for more information on sponsorship proposals, or register your interest by completing an expression of interest form.
If you have any further queries or to register for this event, email NRW communications services. Alternatively you can phone the conference coordinator, NRW on 3224 7786.
State of Environment report highlights challenges ahead
A new report on the state of the environment in Queensland identifies climate change as the next challenge facing our environment.
The State of the Environment Queensland Report 2007 contains the most comprehensive information on environmental performance available.
The report, presented by more than 100 experts across government and academic institutions, identifies climate change as an issue of international significance and local consequences.
The potential impacts of climate change on Queensland's natural environment presents challenges for the state's biodiversity, lifestyle and economy.
Since the previous State of the Environment Report in 2003, the state government has implemented several key policies to address these challenges.
However, our environment is under increasing pressure from a rapidly growing population that is consuming more land, more energy and more water, generating more waste and impacting on the natural systems that support life.
Addressing the potential impacts of climate change is the big challenge facing all individuals, organisations and communities, so that we can preserve both our lifestyle and the environment.
Our future depends on building resilience into our systems so that the environment, society and the economy are all in good condition and work in harmony together.
Copies of the key findings, the Queensland Government response and the full report are available on the EPA website.
Reef updates
Applications now open for GBRMPA Graduate Program 2009
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) 2009 Graduate Program has been developed to target highly talented people with specific tertiary qualifications to join their team in February 2009.
The program is seeking people with the following academic backgrounds: marine environmental science; social sciences; corporate management; tourism; business; and law. Graduates with double degrees are highly encouraged to apply. Relevant work, volunteer and travel experience are also highly regarded.
Successful graduates will be subject to a six-month probation period with a commencing salary between $49 209 and $60 200 (plus superannuation and benefits).
For more information visit the GBRMPA website.
Reef Recollections commence
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is in the process of completing its first oral history study called Reef Recollections. The oral history study is a qualitative study based on local experts sharing their knowledge and stories about environmental change on the Great Barrier Reef.
Dr Madeline Fernbach, the Project Manager who is responsible for the research project, said the study was a great way to describe environmental, social and cultural change through the recollections of individuals who’ve lived along the Great Barrier Reef.
"Recollections of locals can supplement both historical records and scientific understandings of the changing state of the reef, and will assist in building a more comprehensive picture of these changes over time," she said.
"Participants in the study were chosen based on their long association with the Great Barrier Reef and had stories of historical significance about the region," she said.
For more information visit the GBRMPA website.
Coral change the key to climate change monitoring
Geoscientist with Brisbane's Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Luke Nothdurft says climate change could be measured on a daily basis, not just in the long term, by monitoring changes in coral.
Mr Nothdurft said coral was a good indicator of changes in water temperature over time and the rate of global warming.
But conventional measurement techniques studied coral in a similar way to a tree being examined for annual growth rings and this could lead to inaccuracies, Mr Nothdurft said.
"In the past, we could only see the annual density bands of coral, which are superficially similar to tree rings, but now, powerful microscopes have made it possible to see seasonal, weekly and even daily variations in coral growth."
Over the past five years, Mr Nothdurft has examined through a high-powered electron microscope coral samples from four common species found at Heron Island, in the southern Great Barrier Reef. His research has greatly improved the accuracy of coral analysis, keeping it up-to-date with recent advances in technology.
A single colony of coral could grow for several hundred years, recording changes in concentrations of trace elements as sea temperatures rose and fell, he said.
For more information visit the Science Alert website.
Natural resources news
Mental health to feature at Landcare conference
Mental health expert, Fay Jackson will be a keynote speaker at the 2008 Queensland Landcare Conference to be held 21 – 24 September in Monto.
Fay, a multi award winning national motivational speaker, educator, advocate and voice for mental health, will address delegates on rural mental health.
The theme of this year’s conference is sustainability by design, and sustaining rural communities is as much about keeping people’s minds healthy as it is about looking after the land.
Fay will challenge delegates to look at whole of community well-being as well as traditional environmental issues as we grapple with a rapidly changing society.
More than 300 delegates are expected to attend the conference, which comes to Monto for the first time in its 19 year history.
As well as her keynote commitments, Fay will also run an interactive workshop for conference delegates and a public forum on mental health.
More information is available from Samantha Morris at Wombat Creative on 0421 709 519. Registrations open 1 May.
Threatened Species Network Community Grants round 11 open
Community conservation groups are invited to apply for up to $50 000 in round 11 of the Threatened Species Network Community Grants program.
The Threatened Species Network (TSN) is a partnership between WWF-Australia and the Australian Government. TSN manages the grants which opened on 28 March and close on 30 May.
The grants program was established to support and inspire communities to conduct on-ground work for the ongoing health of our natural environment, specifically targeting the needs of nationally threatened species and ecological communities.
More than 380 conservation projects have been funded through the program so far, to a total value of more than $4.9 million.
Grants are provided for activities such as:
- enhancing, restoring, and establishing key habitat
- weed and feral animal control
- monitoring and surveying species populations
- fencing to protect populations and key habitat
- fire management.
Anyone interested in applying for a grant should note that all applications must be discussed with the TSN coordinator for their region before submission or they will not be assessed.
The TSN Community Grants Program guidelines and application forms may be obtained from the TSN website, or by calling 1800 032 551.
Community benefits from Landcare work with schools and Green Corps
The aim of the Breakaway Creek rehabilitation project was the revegetation and rehabilitation of the park area along Mount Isa’s Breakaway Creek behind Saint Kearins School in order to establish a venue for information and education for schools and community use.
Mount Isa Skills Association – Green Corps students installed a cement path, built timber observation decks for bird watching and erected interpretation signage for birds and plant species that appear throughout the park area.
They also planted native plants and grasses with the help of year four students from Saint Kearins Primary School, under the supervision of Alistair Cameron – Endemic plants.
Southern Gulf Catchments has funded $10 000 of Landcare funds towards the Breakaway Creek rehabilitation project.
Southern Gulf Catchment Landcare coordinator Therese McElligott said, “We have also engaged the community in a Clean-up Australia Day early in March, which involved weed eradication, rubbish clean up and more revegetation activities."
The overall concept was to provide the community with an educational environment which not only schools but also families could enjoy, while also providing a sense of ownership of an important local asset. By planting trees, they hope to encourage birds and small animals back to the area to contribute to the precious ecosystem along Breakaway Creek.
People interested in getting involved or learning more about the Breakaway Creek Landcare Group should contact Therese McElligott or freecall on 1800 676 242
Building a positive future for regional bodies and local government
The current time of change with regional arrangements and local government amalgamations poses opportunities for the future of natural resource management (NRM).
The NRM Futures Initiative: Local Government and Regional Bodies Partnerships has been established to take advantage of these two main events affecting NRM in regional and local government contexts. This initiative aims to ascertain local government’s current involvement in NRM and record these achievements in order to build upon this foundation as new local government organisations and regional arrangements are established.
Whilst all regional NRM bodies engage with local governments, it is difficult to gain a clear picture of how far their work has come. Local government and regional NRM bodies will benefit from a better understanding of current local government NRM arrangements, and the development and dissemination of a local government NRM framework.
The Regional NRM Groups Collective has endorsed the NRM Futures Initiative, which is being carried out by the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ), Griffith University, SEQ Catchments, Burnett Mary Regional Group, Condamine Alliance, Terrain NRM, Burdekin Dry Tropic NRM and South West NRM.
For more information contact Darryl Low Choy at Griffith University.
Irwin’s turtle to pay visit to field days
A turtle named after the Crocodile Hunter will be surfacing in Townsville next month. The Irwin turtle, a bizarre reptile with the ability to breathe through its butt, will be one of the star attractions at the North Queensland Field Days on 14 May.
The elusive turtle was named after the late Steve Irwin and his father Bob. The pair filmed and photographed the turtle during a trip to the Burdekin in 1990.
After seeing the photos, renowned turtle biologist John Cann visited the area to prepare a formal scientific description.
Dr Ivan Lawler from James Cook University had been trying to track the reptile in order to find and protect its nesting areas. It is estimated that only 5000 of the turtles remain in the wild.
Dr Lawler, who this week returned from tracking the reptiles, said he discovered a large number of juveniles, a contrast to past findings.
‘‘This time we went to a slightly different spot, and there’s been a massive flood,’’ he said.
‘‘We found substantially more juveniles than we have in the past. We don’t have great confidence in saying this, but we’re kind of wondering whether Irwin’s turtles are sensitive to water quality,” he said.
The large freshwater turtle has a short neck and distinctive white or yellow head, and can have a rosy pink tinge to its nose area. It has the ability to stay underwater for long periods of time by breathing through its anal opening, or cloaca, absorbing oxygen across the wall of its body cavity.
Irwin’s turtle has been spotted in the Broken River and tributaries downstream of the Eungella Dam through to the Burdekin River. It is not known whether the turtle lives outside the Burdekin River catchment.
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: South West NRM
Title: District project coordinator
Tenure: Full-time, 12 months from 1 July 2008, with possibility of extension
Location: Based within Cunnamulla Shire
Closing date: Thursday 24 April 2008
The purpose of the position is to:
- promote and represent the organisation and its mission to the community through providing advice and assistance to landholders concerning natural resource matters
- coordinate and manage the implementation of South West NRM projects in defined portions of the Nebine/Mungallala and Warrego catchments
- feed information and insights about natural resource matters from the community back to South West NRM and other public and private organisations.
For further information contact South West NRM's programs manager on 4654 7382 or visit the South West NRM website.
Thought for the week
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.
Albert Einstein
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Last updated 08 May 2008