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Regional natural resource management

The Bugle - 05 September 2008

Celebrating Landcare Week 2008

The 13th annual Landcare Week (1-7 September) is an initiative of Landcare Australia that aims to 'grow' the landcare movement by recruiting new volunteers and rewarding groups' hard work.

Research conducted by Landcare Australia earlier this year shows that 40 per cent of Australians want to volunteer on local environment projects. Landcare Week provides the perfect opportunity for existing groups to hold an event and get these people involved.

Check out this week's 'Landcare news' section.

In news this week

Regional NRM group stories

Government updates Reef updates Landcare news Natural resources news
Regional NRM group stories
FBA enhances opportunities

More than 30 landholders gathered at Jan and Ivan Stiller's 'Hilldale' property in Boyne Calliope recently to learn about opportunities to improve land management.

The Stillers hosted an information session and barbecue organised by Boyne Calliope sub-region of the Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA), which has chosen to work in the Ridler and Degalgil Creek catchment areas over the next year.

FBA Boyne Calliope field officer Rowan McKay encouraged landholders to take advantage of technical support, training, advice and funding incentives available to improve their properties.

Mr McKay said the catchments had been chosen because of high-priority natural resource issues, including weeds, sediment loading and high biodiversity values in the area.

"But in the end it comes back to community; we believe landholders in this area can effectively work together to make things happen," Mr McKay said.

Mr McKay added the FBA could assist landholders manage areas for plants and wildlife or help them access information and support in relation to farm forestry, which is a rapidly growing industry. The FBA would also like to hear from landholders with any ideas for holding field days, training or workshops.

For more information contact the FBA Boyne Calliope office on 4975 6555.

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There are plenty more fish in the catchment

Ecowise, on behalf of the Northern Gulf Resource Management Group (NGRMG), have just completed a survey of freshwater fish and aquatic bugs in the Staaten River Catchment.

Alf Hogan (fish ecologist), Terry Vallance (aquatic ecologist) and Adrian Dickson (environmental scientist) battled the bush to reach unexplored water holes and lagoons in the catchment area.

Using a technique known as 'electro fishing', they zapped the water around the boat with a 1000 volt charge that stuns the fish so they float to the top of the water. They can then be identified, measured and returned to the water to swim away unharmed.

The survey found:

Stakeholders contributed greatly to the scientific team with their local knowledge and showed tremendous interest in the results.

The commercial and recreational fishers in the region will appreciate the catchment has been maintained in such excellent condition because there is such a wide diversity and abundance of fish and prawns in the catchment.

For more information about the work of the NGRMG call 4062 1330 or email the group.

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Investment in farmers gives a great return

Farmers in the South Burnett have shown that small amounts of money can make big improvements to the environment.

Under a joint project between South Burnett councils and the Burnett Mary Regional Group, small grants were provided to farmers to utilise their skills and experience in restoring their land.

Program coordinator Erin Lawless said that funds would reach the people on the ground who knew what work was required and had the experience and commitment to use it effectively.

"The program has provided a rare opportunity for landholders and local government to work in a proactive partnership," Ms Lawless said.

Within the space of eight months, $332 000 was distributed, resulting in the environmental improvement of over 5500 hectares of land. Over 25 kilometres of riparian zone were enhanced either through revegetation, fencing, or removal of environmental weeds threatening important native ecosystems.

Several alternative watering points were installed to protect water quality and animal health, and an important wetland environment was also restored and revegetated.

Ms Lawless said that final reports proved that the grants to rural land holders presented an extremely good value investment. "When the in-kind contributions of landholders were calculated, their value averaged four times as much as the funding providing under this program. Some projects returned as much as 6:1 in total project value," she said.

The devolved grants also gave landholders greater access to local government land protection officers, including field days to share best-practice techniques on the management of various declared weeds within the South Burnett area.

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'Plant Me Instead' is a success

Gardeners from the Townsville district picked up some handy hints on avoiding weed menaces in their backyards, as well as attractive 'Plant Me Instead' shrubs and trees, at a special Weedbuster Week event held at Townsville's Bunnings store.

Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM (BDTNRM), the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F), Townsville City Council, and Greening Australia gave away over 200 plants, and shoppers were given information about invasive weeds and how native species can be planted to promote birdlife and help reduce the spread of weed menaces.

BDTNRM biodiversity co-coordinator Dr Bronwyn Houlden said, "There are so many great native Australian plants that look wonderful in the garden and attract native birds and bees. Weedbusters week is a great opportunity to promote these plants and make people aware of the invasive weeds they might not even realise they have in their gardens."

DPI&F Biosecurity Queensland extension officer Rosie Anderson said many of the district's weed problems were originally introduced as ornamental species.

"Lantana, singapore daisy and mother-in-law's tongue were all popular with gardeners last century, but are now proving that their beautiful appearance has a sting in the tail," Ms Anderson said.

"Landholders with any of these species will know how easy these spread and take over the garden, and how hard it is to control and remove them."

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River fish on the move again

Three new fish passage projects have been completed on the lower reaches of the Southern Gulf region's Nicholson and Gregory rivers, thanks to the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F), Southern Gulf Catchments, and the Burke Shire Council.

The completion of these fishways means the natural migration of fish in the lower reaches of the rivers has been enhanced.

DPI&F's senior fisheries biologist Tim Marsden explained, "While the freshwater rivers and streams of the Gulf region remain in a relatively undeveloped state, they are still under pressure from human activity that can affect the fish communities of the region."

For example, roadways have been built across waterways which can create barriers to migration for species that spend some portion of their life-cycle in freshwater.

"Whilst it is well recognised that some fish species move during the wet season with the flood flows in the rivers, there are many that move at the end of the wet season and into the dry season when the flows are lower, especially juveniles and smaller species," Mr Marsden added. "Road crossings and weirs which can create barriers to these migrations now have new fishways built to accommodate the movement of fish during these lower flows."

The construction of the new fishways on the Gregory and Nicholson rivers has opened up hundreds of kilometres of stream, ensuring free passage is available on all flows in the river.

Previous studies have shown that of the 50 species of native fish found in these rivers, 24 are migratory species requiring fish passages to maintain healthy population levels.

Southern Gulf Catchments' Kate Masters said, "This project is a great example of investment in the region that will have a significant impact on improvement to the natural environment whilst not impacting on the use of existing infrastructure."

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Carbon partnership to benefit landholders

South East Queensland is set to become one of Australia's hotspots for carbon sequestration following the new partnership between South East Queensland (SEQ) Catchments and Australia's leading not-for-profit carbon trading organisation, Landcare CarbonSMART.

SEQ Catchments has appointed the state's first 'super assessor', farm forestry officer Paul Daly, who will be responsible for assessing and registering carbon sinks based on biodiverse landcare revegetation plantings on private land.

"We believe the Landcare CarbonSMART model of assisting rural landholders to regenerate land parcels not being used for agriculture is excellent," Mr Daly said.

"It not only delivers the landholder an income stream from carbon credits, it also delivers the inherent benefits of revegetation including stock and crop protection, improvement of erosion and soil salinity problems and invigorated biodiversity, all of which promotes greater productivity on the land."

Landcare CarbonSMART provides financial incentives for landholders to maintain eligible carbon credit vegetation on their land. The amount of carbon absorbed by vegetation is calculated and sold to individuals and businesses to help them take responsibility for carbon emissions.

Landcare CarbonSMART operates as a carbon pool with a majority percentage of sales paid to the landholder, a percentage to a recovery fund (in case of vegetation failure or unavoidable destruction cause by fire or disease) and a percentage to the management and operation of the pool.

Landholders receive annual payments and when the price of carbon rises, so too will payments to landholders with the value of carbon trading estimated to be worth US$3.1 trillion by 2020.

For more information about the Landcare CarbonSMART contact SEQ Catchments on 3211 4404.

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Land for Wildlife celebrates 10th anniversary

Queensland Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara recently joined landowners and guests to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Land for Wildlife program, on the property west of Brisbane where it was first launched a decade ago.

Only four per cent of Queensland is protected under parks or reserves, leaving 96 per cent under freehold or leasehold land. This means that conservation on private land is vital in order to preserve the state's ecological diversity and integrity.

In total, more than 350 000 hectares of vegetation is safeguarded and its wildlife protected through the Land for Wildlife program. The 3300 members have all made a personal commitment to protect and restore natural habitat across South East Queensland. 

The variety of properties involved in the program range from the North Australian Pastoral Company, one of Australia's largest beef producers, through to individuals who own a few acres but are making an important contribution to protecting endangered flora and fauna.

The initiative delivers practical on-ground and educational nature conservation advice and supports private landholders in running viable businesses, while managing their land sustainably.

Greening Australia coordinates the program, while the regional NRM bodies SEQ Catchments, Queensland Murray-Darling Committee and Burnett Mary Regional Group provide regional support through the training of officers, production of regional newsletters and coordination.

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Identifying hazardous plants just got easier

Garden weed identification has just got easier with the development of a new booklet launched recently at the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens as part of Landcare Week.

Margaret Lane, project coordinator, said the booklet Are your garden plants going bush? focused on the plants in gardens that are, or have the potential to be, a threat to the natural environment.

Are your garden plants going bush? identifies commonplace weeds found in gardens around the Mackay-Whitsunday region. These include trees, shrubs, climbers and palm plants that have been identified as threats to the region.

The new booklet also offers advice on native species which can be used to replace plants which are a threat.

The 34-page full colour booklet was produced by the Mackay Regional Pest Management Group. The publication was made possible with funding from Reef Catchments (formerly Mackay-Whitsunday NRM Group), the Queensland and Australian Governments, and the Society for Growing Australian Plants.

Ms Lane said, "We can all do our part to ensure we stop the spread of invasive weeds within our region by tending to our own gardens."

"The key is to identify the plants growing in your garden and if they are on the 'weed' list, to replace them with something native."

Story sourced from Rural Weekly

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Government updates
Keen interest in Caring for our Country

The Australian Government is assessing more than 1200 applications from groups across Australia seeking a share of the $25 million Open Grants fund under the Caring for our Country initiative.

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts Peter Garrett and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke called for applications in July this year. Projects to boost the sustainable management of Australia's farms, rivers and oceans and natural icons were invited to apply.

Given the strong response, it is expected to take some weeks to assess the applications, with an announcement on the successful applications expected later in the year.

The Ministers said it would be a competitive process and the success of the applications round meant it would not be possible to fund every project through the $25 million fund.

Mr Garrett said, "Under this year's Open Grants process we are particularly looking to fund larger-scale projects which have the capacity to bring together consortiums of specialists, interest groups, community members and investment partners to deliver projects that will significantly improve the environment across multiple regions and jurisdictions."

Mr Burke said he was encouraged to see that more than 65 percent of the applications were from community, regional and farming groups - many seeking funding to expand sustainable farming practices and to improve land management in a changing climate.

"Farmers will be among the first affected by climate change and the Australian Government is acting now to help them prepare," Mr Burke said. "One of the government's priorities was to fund projects that encourage primary producers to plan for and adopt new practices, techniques, technologies and products using the best science available."

For more information visit the Australian Government's Caring for our Country website.

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Get in quick to have your say on the RegionalNRM website

This is your last chance to have your say on the future of the RegionalNRM website.

The Department of Natural Resources and Water's Catchment Programs is revamping the RegionalNRM website to build a better online resource, and want to know how you think it could be improved.

Simply go to the online survey and follow the prompts. The questionnaire will take only a couple of minutes to complete and closes on 12 September.

With your help we will improve the way the website delivers information. Thanks for helping to develop a better RegionalNRM website.

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Hazard reduction burning planned for Sunshine Coast

Hazard reduction burning operations are planned for several national parks and forests on the Sunshine Coast during the next few months.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) parks operations manager Mick Cubis said the areas would include sections of the Maleny, Mapleton, Glasshouse Mountains, Kenilworth and Gympie national parks, forest reserves and state forests.

"By reducing the amount of fuel for wildfires, we can better protect the parks and surrounding private properties and also let the habitats regenerate and improve the diversity of the natural environment," Mr Cubis said.

"With the help of local rural fire brigades, the EPA will burn during the next few months, depending on suitable weather conditions.

"Neighbours of the particular parks and forests will be notified at least two days before any burns," Mr Cubis said.

For more information please call the EPA regional office on 5459 6110.

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Long-term plan underway to protect Cooloola Coast

A proposed management plan compiled after two years of community consultation on how to protect the Cooloola Coast recommends beach speed limits, caps on holiday camper numbers and protection for rare migratory birds.

Sustainability Minister Andrew McNamara has launched Strategic Directions for Cooloola, which sets out the long-term vision for protecting the region's unique ecosystem while maintaining public access to one of Queensland's most popular recreation areas.

It complements the government's application to have the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy Park World Heritage-listed, which will be lodged early next year.

Mr McNamara said the plan also recommended the introduction of vehicle access permits among a raft of measures to address overcrowding and safety.

"Cooloola, along with Fraser Island, present the world's oldest dune formations. They're a living snapshot of history spanning more than 700 000 years," Mr McNamara said. "But increasingly it's bursting at the seams, particularly in the school holidays. This plan sets sensible limits so people can continue to enjoy themselves in safety while we protect the environment."

The proposed plan will go back before Cabinet after further consultation with the Sunshine Coast and Gympie councils, public scrutiny and negotiation with landowners. That process is expected to be finalised before the end of the year.

Read the full media release on the Queensland Government media statement website.

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Greener neighbourhoods a click away

A new interactive web portal, launched by federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett, will provide urban developers with valuable information, including fact sheets and national and international case studies, on the creation of greener neighbourhoods.

Your Development, produced in partnership with the CSIRO, will help shape more sustainable neighbourhoods across the country, delivering expert and up-to-date advice for private and public developers, government agencies, designers, planners and builders.

"Your Development is a unique opportunity for the urban development industry to share best practice ideas about the creation of more sustainable neighbourhoods and get access to information on topics ranging from water and energy efficiency to climate change adaptation and site ecology," Mr Garrett said.

"Better planning and the smarter use of our natural resources in the design of our neighbourhoods can significantly reduce their overall environmental impact, and Your Development will help ensure that cost-effective energy and water saving designs are 'built-in' from the outset," Mr Garrett said.

The website contains more than 60 fact sheets, providing information on all stages of the development process, from planning and design through to construction.

To find out more visit the Your Development website. Read the full media release on the Australian Government's Environment website.

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$277.7m in home waterwise rebates paid to Queenslanders

The state government has paid more than $277.7 million in rebates to Queenslanders saving water around their home, Water Minister Craig Wallace has said.

"We started the Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme in July 2006 to reward Queenslanders who save water at home by installing rainwater tanks and water efficient appliances," Mr Wallace said.

"The rebate scheme is the largest and most successful scheme of its type in Australia, and it continues to be an integral part of the Queensland Government's efforts to save water and ensure sustainable water supplies for Queensland communities.

"I'm pleased to report the scheme has already paid out in excess of $277.7 million in rebates to Queenslanders."

This includes rebates for water efficient products such as rainwater tanks, four star water-rated washing machines, dual flush toilet suites, efficient shower heads, swimming pool covers and rollers.

Mr Wallace said that as at 25 August 2008, the scheme has received applications for rebates worth over $292.8 million, and is still receiving between 3000 and 4000 applications each week.

Read the full media release on the Queensland Government media statement website.

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Australia's priority assessment list announced

The koala has been included in a list of 27 animals, plants and important habitat areas to be assessed as a priority for their conservation status under the Australian Government environmental legislation.

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett has announced this year's finalised priority assessment list, following advice from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee.

"This year, 20 species, seven ecological communities and two key threatening processes have been included for priority assessment. They will now be thoroughly assessed to determine their national conservation status," Mr Garrett said.

"Those species identified as threatened will be listed as matters of national environmental significance under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, which will give them increased protection and the chance to be considered for conservation and recovery programs."

The federal Environment department is also reviewing the National Koala Conservation Strategy with the Australian Koala Foundation and the states and territories.

"The koala is one of our greatest and most loved national icons and the government is committed to ensuring its ongoing conservation," Mr Garrett said. "Two years ago koalas were assessed and did not, at that stage, meet the criteria for listing under the Act. However, I've made a commitment to reassess the koala for listing and its conservation status will be thoroughly assessed."

Mr Garrett added, "The public has an opportunity to nominate the species, ecological communities and key threatening processes it would like to have considered for the list. Then an independent body of experts, the Threatened Species Scientific Committee, assesses those nominations before recommending the final list to me."

The full 2008 Finalised Priority Assessment List can be found on the Australian Government's Environment website.

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Reef updates
Praise for protected areas on the Great Barrier Reef

Research announced last week that praises Australia's approach to protecting the Great Barrier Reef through no-take areas has been welcomed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA).

Scientists from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Newcastle University and Wildlife Conservation Society say Australia's protected areas on the Reef were a model for how to protect large reef systems under climate change.

Dr David Wachenfeld from GBRMPA said the research confirmed Australia was a world leader in marine conservation.

"It is fantastic that Australia has been recognised as a world leader in marine conservation and that our approach to protected areas has been highlighted as a best practice model in this research," he said.

"Protected areas on the Reef have made an amazing contribution to protecting plants and animals, ensuring this great Australian icon is protected for the future."

This latest research comes on the back of other research released in June this year that also praised the biodiversity benefits of protected areas on the Reef.

Research findings confirmed a spectacular recovery in coral trout numbers in protected areas on the Reef. They found coral trout numbers rebounded by 31 to 75 per cent on a majority of reefs closed to fishing for as little as one and half to two years.

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Landcare news
Celebrating Tableland land carers

Started in 1982 by ecologist Geoff Tracey and botanist Joan Wright, the Trees for the Evelyn and Atherton Tableand (TREAT) group is now one of the biggest volunteer NRM organisations in Queensland.

TREAT members work voluntarily throughout the year with Queensland Parks and Wildlife at their Lake Eacham Nursery, rearing trees to rebuild the framework of the tropical rainforests of the Atherton and Evelyn Tablelands. In the past 26 years, more than half a million native plants have been propagated.

TREAT projects have ranged from the revegetation of 7ha on the shores of Lake Tinaroo to planting 70 trees in a kindergarten school yard. Two significant wildlife corridors have been established (they can be seen clearly on Google Earth).

Donaghy's corridor now connects the Lake Barrine Section of the Crater Lakes National Park with Gadgarra State Forest which is continuous World Heritage Area.

This 1.2km corridor involved planting 18 000 trees over four years and is now protected in perpetuity by a Nature Refuge Agreement under Queensland's Nature Conservation Act.

TREAT's current long-term project is building a 5km wildlife corridor along Peterson Creek to connect the Lake Eacham Section of the Crater Lakes National Park with the Curtain Fig National Park, an isolated but significant forest remnant.

If you would like find out more about TREAT, contact Terrain NRM's landcare project officer Helen Irwin on 0439 076 626 or TREAT president Barbara Lanskey on 4091 4468.

Story sourced from the Atherton Tablelander

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TV star visits Monto for Landcare Conference

Jerry Coleby-Williams, a Gardening Australia presenter and passionate organic gardener, visits Monto this month as a keynote speaker at the 2008 Queensland Landcare Conference.

Jerry's presentation at the conference will explore the role that home gardeners have in a low carbon economy. He uses his own home, 'Bellis' as a case study for how every home gardener can make a difference. He says the most significant step forward in his own home was switching to renewable energy.

"Using renewables, occasional nudity and a pedestal fan help us avoid the need for air conditioning," Jerry said. "At 'Bellis', all of our appliances use renewable energy, including the brushcutter, mulcher and mower."

But the use of renewable energy is just the tip of the iceberg for Jerry's home in Brisbane. The three residents of 'Bellis' are mostly vegetarian and grow 70 per cent of their own fresh food. They use a rainwater tank and intercept their own stormwater which is used for deep watering. Jerry says his presentation will touch on these, as well as a number of other strategies people can use in their own homes and gardens. 

This year's Landcare Conference, which takes place in Monto from 21–24 September is expected to attract 300 people. Jerry's presentation takes place on Wednesday 24 September after lunch and is open to members of the public.

Tickets to hear Jerry speak are $16.50 (inc GST). For information about tickets, contact Samantha Morris from Wombat Creative on 0421 709 519. General conference information is available online on the Landcare Queensland website.

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Desert Channels engagement methods on show in Monto

Desert Channels Queensland (DCQ) faces unique challenges in managing the natural resources for a region that covers some 33 per cent of the land area of Queensland. 

And this month, their engagement methods will be on show as they join landcarers from across the state at the 2008 Queensland Landcare Conference in Monto, from 21-24 September.

The DCQ region boasts a diverse bioregional landscape. Steve Wilson, who leads DCQ's on-ground team and coordinates NRM activity across the region, will speak at the conference about the unique challenges the organisation faces in engaging people across that landscape.

Steve says his presentation will look at engagement strategies that have worked from an environmental and social point of view. "Our key engagement focus has been on networking, developing partnerships, and communicating about project management," he added.

For conference registration information visit the Landcare Queensland website or contact event manager, Samantha Morris, on 0421 709 519.

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Mackay gardens a feature of Landcare Conference

Luke Matthews works at the Mackay Community Garden, establishing a demonstration model of sustainable urban land management based on permaculture principles.

Luke has had more than 20 years experience working with Landcare and permaculture groups on the east coast of Australia including three years establishing demonstration models at Bill Mollison's Permaculture Institute.

Luke's presentation at this year's Queensland Landcare Conference will give participants an overview of permaculture principles and will provide case studies from his work at the Bill Mollison Institute and the Mackay Community Garden.

The conference takes place from 21–24 September and will focus on topics such as peak oil, climate change adaptation, low carbon living, sustainable agriculture, local food production systems, soil carbon, rural mental health, wetland management, peri-urban futures, and education and awareness raising.

More information is available online from the conference website or from Landcare Queensland. Event manager, Samantha Morris from Wombat Creative, can be contacted on 0421 709 519.

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Landcarers leading the way

Landcarers who are leading the way with innovative NRM practices will be recognised at this year's Queensland Landcare Gala Awards dinner, where one lucky group will be awarded the Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) Landcare Innovation Award.

The SKM Landcare Innovation Award, a biennial award sponsored by SKM, a consulting group, will seek out and reward a Landcare group with an innovative approach to environmental issues in Queensland with a prize package worth $12 000.

In 2006 the SKM Landcare Innovation Award was jointly awarded to two groups in Queensland - Tiaro and District Landcare Group and Save Our Waterways Now (SOWN) - with each receiving $6000 worth of SKM consultancy services towards their project.

Tiaro and District Landcare were awarded the SKM Landcare Innovation Award in recognition of their work with the endangered Mary River Turtle. The award has allowed the Tiaro and District Landcare Group to produce the publication 'The Mary River Turtle: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow'.

SOWN were selected as a winner in recognition of their innovative SOWN TV initiative. SOWN utilised the award by working with SKM to prepare the report, 'Carbon sequestration opportunities in the Enoggera Creek Catchment from revegetation projects'.

Landcare Queensland is encouraging applications for the 2008 SKM Landcare Innovation Award from any group involved in NRM in Queensland who are looking to build on an existing or start a new ground-breaking project which could be enhanced by the award.

Selection criteria and guidelines are available now and nominations close Thursday 11 September 2008. The winner will be announced at the 2008 Queensland Landcare Conference on Tuesday 23 September to be held in Monto.

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International case studies showcase the landcare approach

The 2008 Queensland Landcare Conference will shine a spotlight on developing communities using landcare principles to move towards sustainability.

Chair of Landcare Queensland Geoff Penton says the landcare movement is honoured to be joined by three speakers with a wealth of knowledge about working with grassroots communities in developing countries.

"We are thrilled to be playing host to speakers of this calibre at our state conference," Geoff said. "Belen Andrade, an Agricultural Engineer from Ecuador is going to speak about achieving food security through rescuing genetic variability in crops that have been cultivated by aboriginal people in Ecuador for hundreds of years. Belen's research is the first of its kind in Ecuador."

Ms Andrade is joined by Shafaq Masud who is studying in Queensland after working on the Parkistan Wetlands Programme and for an NGO – Leadership for Environment and Development – where she was responsible for training and capacity building.

Mr Penton says landcarers in Queensland have had a long held interest in, and involvement in sustainable agriculture and production in developing countries.

Belen and Shafaq will speak in an international landcare session at the conference. For information about registrations visit the Landcare Queensland website or contact the event manager, Samantha Morris, on 0421 709 519.

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Mayor to welcome conference

North Burnett Regional Council mayor Cr Joy Jensen will welcome more than 300 people to Monto later this month, when the 2008 Queensland Landcare Conference takes place.

The conference, this year celebrating its 19th anniversary, comes to the Burnett for the first time in more than 10 years.

Conference convenor, Michelle Gleeson said the conference was a boon for Monto and surrounding towns.

"This event has significant benefits for our community," Michelle said. "Apart from the environmental and sustainability benefits of an event such as this, we have estimated that the financial benefit to Monto is more than $300 000.

"North Burnett Regional Council is a major sponsor of our conference. 

"They have provided generous support through cash sponsorship and assistance with managing our venues and amenities. This event would not be possible without their support," Michelle added.

More information is available online from the conference website or from Landcare Queensland.

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Natural resources news
Health-e-Waterways project tackles water challenges

A new University of Queensland (UQ)-led research project will streamline access to the data that underpins decisions about water management in south east Queensland and globally.

The $1.5 million Health-e-Waterways information management project, funded by the Queensland Government, Microsoft Research, UQ, and South East Queensland Healthy Waterways Partnership (HWP), will give resource managers a better system for tackling challenges such as water shortages and water health. 

Microsoft Research's involvement is a spin-off of a memorandum of understanding between the Queensland and Washington State governments, signed in 2006. Health-e-Waterways also includes relationships with the International Water Centre, the Digital Yellow River Project in China and groups in California, Texas and Florida.

Project leader, UQ Professor Jane Hunter, said that the secure system would enhance water and waterways management by integrating the various data sets overseen by an array of government agencies and research organisations.

"We need this system to streamline access to water data and models and to enable more effective water resource management.

"It will give us the knowledge management and ICT infrastructure to manage appropriately the new multi-billion dollar water infrastructure underway in South East Queensland and elsewhere," Professor Hunter said.

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Calling all community groups: Contribute to topics for Land Cafés

This year's Queensland Landcare Conference offers community groups and their members and volunteers a chance to have a say about issues, opportunities and plans for the future. 

The statewide survey of landcare groups, which closes Friday 12 September, offers landcare and other community groups a chance to contribute to topics for discussion at the conference. 

Those topics will be discussed in workshop sessions called Land Cafés. Outcomes from these workshops will then be brought before the entire conference delegation with comments and commitments to action being made by Queensland Water and Landcarers, the Queensland Regional NRM Groups' Collective and Landcare Queensland. 

The survey is available online from the Landcare Queensland website or by emailing Samantha Morris.

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Smiths get serious about weeds

Targeting weeds through a 'big picture' approach to total land management has seen Rolleston farmers, Howard Smith and Gail Godwin-Smith nominated as one of three finalists in this year's Environmental Protection Agency Rural Sustainability Award.

Controlling a major parthenium problem and improving pastures has been achieved through a combination of controlled-traffic and zero-till farming practices, biological weed control, rotational grazing, and fencing based on soil types to limit the spread of weed seed. As a result of their combined assault on parthenium, the Smiths haven't had to spray for it for more than seven years.

The property, which sits on the Comet River, also features wildlife corridors, and the family has doubled the area under cultivation on the alluvial floodplains. More than 2800ha of the property is under cultivation, with winter wheat and chickpeas currently planted, rotating to sorghum in summer, and the Smiths also run 2500 to 3000 Brahman-cross bullocks.

The Smiths are passionate about sharing information with other landholders, and are both heavily involved with the Parthenium Action Group. Mr Smith is on the Cattle Council of Australia and the AgForce Cattle Board, working closely with MLA, and the family is proactive within the Every Family Needs a Farmer campaign. Mrs Godwin-Smith said their willingness to innovate and be proactive in the farming community has always been a priority.

The two other nominees for the Rural Sustainability Award are Ian and Sandi Groves of Groves Grown Tropical Fruit, on the northern outskirts of Yeppoon, and the Maryborough Advanced Growers Group (MAGG), one of Australia's most progressive cane growers.

The EPA Sustainable Industries Awards, held since 2006, recognise Queensland's best and most innovative sustainability practices in business and industry. Find out more on the EPA website.

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Having a blooming good time among the wildflowers

The Granite Belt's unique flora was the focus of a wildflower walk held last month, the first of a series being held over the next four months by the Stanthorpe Rare Wildflower Consortium.

Walkers traversed the Amiens section of the Passchendaele State Forest, examining rare and threatened plants among the more common, particularly the granite boronia plant.

Consortium spokeswoman Liz Bourne said a crowd of about 70 people attended the walk and plenty of flowers were blooming. "We try to take the walkers to places where there are rare and threatened plants, and it was great to see stacks of flowers out.

"The walks aimed to show people some of the diversity of the flora of the Granite Belt as well as help them to identify local species and learn more about their ecological requirements," Ms Bourne said.

Other walks will be held on September 7 along Bald Rock Creek in Girraween National Park, October 5 at Donnelly's Castle at Pozieres, and November 2 in the Mt Norman section of Girraween National Park.

The Consortium was formed in 2004 by a number of local groups and individuals with a mutual interest in conserving threatened plants on the Granite Belt. They include the Stanthorpe Field Naturalists Club, Granite Borders Landcare Committee, Southern Downs Regional Council, Queensland Murray-Darling Committee, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

For more information, contact Liz Bourne on 4683 6374.

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Half Australia's plants from overseas

The number of plant species now growing in Australia has more than doubled since European settlement in the 1780s due to new plants introduced from overseas, according to a new publication from Australian weed scientists.

And thousands of them are 'weeds in waiting', say the researchers.

Launching the 'Introduced flora of Australia and its weed status' at the National Botanic Gardens in Canberra, Tasmanian Senator Christine Milne said the 28 000 species brought in from overseas in merely 200 years was many more than the number of native species.

"Scientists estimate that the original pre-European rate of plant introductions was as little as one to five species per century, a rate which the native flora was able to cope with," Senator Milne said. "However, in the last 200 years the average rate of introduction rocketed to 14 000 per century. In many places this has simply overwhelmed the adaptive capacity of Australian ecosystems."

Compiled by Rod Randall of the Western Australia Department of Agriculture and Food and the Cooperative Research Centre for Australian Weed Management (Weeds CRC), the 'Introduced flora of Australia and its weed status' lists 2739 foreign species that have become weedy, and a further 5907 that are here, not yet weedy, but have a history of becoming weeds overseas.

"This is basic 'weed risk' information that people have lacked up till now," Mr Randall said.

The publication can be downloaded for free from the Weeds CRC website (under 'Weed management'). Flora can be searched online via the University of Queensland website.

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Water weeds threaten southern Queensland waterways

The discovery of another water weed infestation in southern Queensland has prompted Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) officers to ask people to remain vigilant when it comes to new weed outbreaks.

Biosecurity Queensland principal land orotection officer, Graham Hardwick, said it was everyone's responsibility to identify and report water weeds they find after a recent infestation of water hyacinth had been confirmed in a tributary of the Condamine River.

"Water hyacinth is an exotic and declared class two weed in Queensland that can threaten the aquatic habitat for fish and other fauna, and reduce the recreational value of our waterways," Mr Hardwick said.

Mr Hardwick said Biosecurity Queensland land protection officers, local government officers and landholders are battling to eradicate multiple infestations of water lettuce, water hyacinth, salvinia and hymenachne in rivers and creeks all across southern Queensland.

Water lettuce, salvinia and water hyacinth are all floating weeds that multiply quickly; hymenachne is a grass that grows in shallow water and around water edges.

"We use a combination of manual removal and herbicide spraying - using water safe herbicides, in an effort control these infestations," Mr Hardwick said.

"Anyone who has an unknown waterweed on their rivers, creeks or dams should get in contact with a Biosecurity land protection officer or their local government weeds officer to have the plant identified."

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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.

Upcoming workshops include:

To register for the workshops contact Bree Robertson on 3238 6039. To register for the AgForests Field Day contact Rohan Allen on 0408 769 918.

More information on these workshops can be found on the AgForward website (under 'Workshops').

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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 or NRMjobs website where current job opportunities are now available. Be sure to check back regularly to ensure you don't miss out on the job of a lifetime!

Here's a sample of what's on offer:

Regional group: Pioneer Catchment & Landcare Group

Title: Catchment Coordinator

Tenure: Full-time to 30 June 2009 (subject to funding post-30 June)

Salary range: $55 000-$62 000, plus travel expenses and superannuation

Location: Mackay

Pioneer Catchment & Landcare Group, based in Mackay, is seeking an enthusiastic individual to work with volunteers, community groups, and a wide range of other stakeholder organisations to promote and implement natural resource management projects and events.

The coordinator should have a sound understanding of the urban, peri-urban and rural environmental issues affecting catchments and should be outgoing with good communication, organisational, project management, computer and administration skills.

For a position description and selection criteria contact Margaret Lane on 4951 4327, or Fiona Loft on 4944 1979.

Closing date: Friday 26 September

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Thought for the week

If we open a quarrel between the present and the past, we shall be in danger of losing the future.

Winston Churchill

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We welcome your contributions and feedback. If you have any comments or suggestions for The Bugle please contact Carl Glen, Shona Strachan or Aleisha Domrow.

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The Bugle is a weekly newsletter published by Catchment Programs, the Department of Natural Resources and Water, highlighting regional NRM activities around Queensland.

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Last updated 22 January 2009

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