The Bugle - 12 September 2008
In news this week
Regional NRM group stories- DCQ gets a big bounce from its big ball
- Safe haven for Julia Creek dunnart
- Capricorn Coast dolphins at risk
- DCQ on show in Hughenden
- 'Black carbon' trials underway in Burdekin
- Have your say on draft Whitsunday water plan
- Tackling climate change with a Queensland first
- Analysing the practice of regional natural resource planning in Australia
- Queensland's Smart women shine!
- Threatened species - it's time to take action
- Irrigators save water by SMS
- Queensland's natural resources in good hands
- CSIRO takes holistic approach to water quality issues
- Minister visits key link in Reef protection network
- The best native plants are free
- See the latest digital case study and report on biodiversity and natural icons
- Queensland Conservation GROW LOCAL campaign
- Watch out for wild dogs in urban areas
- Inaugural Gold Coast Community Bush Restoration Fair in November
- Operation clean sweep a great success
- Water recycler offers grants for local projects
- Station bought to save bush
- Revegetation project greens Sahara
- Darling Downs landscapes under the spotlight
- AgForward workshop update
- Get a job in NRM!
Regional NRM group stories
DCQ gets a big bounce from its big ball
Judging by the response to its Westech celebration site, Desert Channels Queensland (DCQ) got a big bounce out if its big ball.
The two metre diameter helium balloon, flying 15 metres above their site at the tri-ennial Westech Field Day at Barcaldine, was a focal point for the 5000 visitors over Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 September.
People flocked to DCQ's site which they billed as a celebration of six years of work across one-third of Queensland, and the great successes they've had assisting the community during that time.
While the live snake display and the Aboriginal artist, musician and story-teller were very popular, there was also keen interest in the waterwise garden display, water telemetry, weed spray unit, weed control display, organic beef and bush tucker tasters, mapping and the regional image gallery.
Big ball or not, there was plenty of bounce in the DCQ site at Westech 2008.
For more information on the work of DCQ call 4658 0600.
Safe haven for Julia Creek dunnart
A fence to protect the endangered Julia Creek dunnart now encircles a 273 hectare reserve at Julia Creek aerodrome, keeping out cats and foxes that might eat the tiny marsupials.
Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Minister Andrew McNamara praised the efforts of Southern Gulf Catchments (SGC) and McKinlay Shire Council to build a 7.5km fence and create the Julia Creek Dunnart Habitat Sanctuary.
"This fenced sanctuary has the same goals as the bilby fence at Currawinya National Park and the wombat fence at Epping Forest National Park - preserving an endangered animal's habitat and keeping out predators," Mr McNamara said.
Found only in north-west Queensland's Mitchell grass downs, the Julia Creek dunnart has a body about 13cm long and a tail about 12cm long, and is one of Australia's most endangered mammals. A national recovery plan for the marsupial was produced in 2000; a revised plan is being prepared by the EPA.
McKinlay Shire Mayor Cr Paul Woodhouse said the project represented a unique partnership between all three levels of government, SGC, tertiary institutions, industry and community groups.
SGC's CEO, Donald Coventry, said the sanctuary was the result of the group's partnership with the Julia Creek community working through the council to protect the region's biodiversity.
With strong support from the local community, future stages of the program will focus on community awareness and education through an information centre at Julia Creek.
To find out more visit the EPA website or the Southern Gulf Catchments website.
Capricorn Coast dolphins at risk
A study funded by the Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA) has found dolphins along the Capricorn Coast may be in danger of disappearing from the region.
Every September, Threatened Species Week occurs across the nation to showcase and encourage greater community support for threatened species; a concept developed by the Threatened Species Network, a program of WWF-Australia and the Australian Government.
FBA's coastal and marine coordinator Shane Westley said it was the perfect opportunity to highlight the plight of the Pacific Humpback and Snubfin dolphins, both listed as rare under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992.
Mr Westley said, "A four-year study has confirmed there is a small and isolated population of around 50 Snubfin dolphins between the mouth of the Fitzroy extending to just above Yeppoon.
"While it's yet to be officially documented, it appears the species is not sighted again until north of Mackay and none are found south of the Fitzroy," Mr Westley said.
With such low numbers across such a small area, the dolphins' chances of survival in this region are seriously impacted by issues such as inbreeding, habitat degradation, poor water quality and food availability.
"We hope to work collaboratively with groups involved in managing our marine areas to get a plan up and running that could address things such as boating and fishing practices," he said.
Daniele Cagnazzi, a PhD student with Southern Cross University Whale Research Centre, undertook the study, which involved collecting skin samples from both the Pacific Humpback and the Snubfin dolphins to help determine the genetic make-up of the populations.
He studied the distribution, social structure and abundance of the dolphins, which was made difficult by the elusive nature of the species and weather conditions in the Capricorn region.
DCQ on show in Hughenden
Desert Channels Queensland (DCQ) broke new ground recently with its presence at the inaugural Hughenden Arid Lands Festival and Camel Endurance Race.
Although Hughenden is just outside the DCQ boundary, it is the main centre for many DCQ residents in the far north. Accordingly, Ron Beezley (pest management officer), Colleen James (industry liaison officer) and Roelie Hartwig (public relations officer) mounted a display on pest management, industry support and general DCQ activities.
They were kept busy talking to land managers, locals and travellers with over 400 people patronising the Diggers Hall where the DCQ display was located.
The display was complemented by Ron Beezley's address to the Arid Lands Summit where he outlined the latest in weed control and how DCQ runs its funding program. All in all, it was a successful promotion of regionally-based NRM.
For more information on the work of Desert Channels Queensland, call 4658 0600.
'Black carbon' trials underway in Burdekin
Agrichar is a 'black carbon' product, produced by heating crop residues in the absence of oxygen. This process is called pyrolysis and generates renewable energy as well as agrichar. The agrichar can be applied to soil to increase soil fertility and used as a means of removing carbon from the atmosphere.
The Burdekin Bowen Integrated Floodplain Management Committee, Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM, Canegrowers Burdekin, the North Queensland Area Consultative Committee, Burdekin Shire Council, CSR Sugar, and the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) have partnered in a project to test the feasibility of a Burdekin pyrolysis industry.
Late last year samples of sugarcane trash, bagasse, mill mud and infield juicer fibre were sent from the Burdekin to BEST Energies Australia to be turned into agrichar through batch pyrolysis. All four materials were found to be suitable for pyrolysis.
The sugarcane trash requires hammer milling to improve handling in a full scale plant. The mill mud requires extra energy for drying, but the energy produced during the pyrolysis process is not enough to cover the energy requirements of drying the mill mud. The other two materials were found to be net exporters of energy and therefore a source of renewable energy.
NSW DPI will conduct pot trials with the four different agrichars to determine what effect each of them will have on greenhouse gas emission when incorporated into Burdekin soil.
If the results of the pot trials are positive, the next steps are to produce larger quantities of agrichar for field trials and conduct a scoping study.
For more information about the trials visit the Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM website or the NSW DPI website.
Government updates
Have your say on draft Whitsunday water plan
Whitsunday land managers and residents can find out the latest details on the draft Whitsunday water resource plan at this month's information sessions.
Queensland's Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said the draft Whitsunday water resource plan aims to secure existing water supplies and provide for growth by introducing water trading to drive efficiency and innovation.
The Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt said the draft plan was developed in close consultation with the community and she encouraged residents to comment prior to finalisation.
"I encourage all members of the Whitsunday community to take a look at the draft and have a say on the final plan through the submissions process, which closes on 27 October 2008," Ms Jarratt said.
Minister Wallace said the draft Whitsunday water resource plan addressed surface water, including overland flows, and groundwater in an area that includes the catchments of the Proserpine, O'Connell and Andromache rivers, and Thompson Creek.
The Department of Natural Resources and Water (NRW) staff will detail the draft plan and the associated submission process during information sessions at:
- Proserpine RSL: Wednesday 17 September, 5pm-7pm
- Bloomsbury Community Centre: Thursday 18 September, 11am-1pm
Further information on the draft Whitsunday Water Resource Plan is available from the NRW website.
Tackling climate change with a Queensland first
Tarong Energy has joined forces with CSIRO on a pilot project to capture greenhouse gases at Queensland's biggest power station.
Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said the $5 million carbon capture pilot was a first for Queensland and had the potential to capture around 1500 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year.
"Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing Queensland and the world. While we push ahead with renewable energy solutions and gas-fired power, coal will continue to play an important role in providing our power," Mr Wilson said.
The Minister said a post combustion pilot plant would be built at Tarong power station, the state's biggest power station.
"The pilot project is expected to demonstrate how to capture carbon dioxide at a large plant like Tarong. It's part of a broader research program to find ways to reduce dangerous greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector," Mr Wilson said.
The two-year pilot plant project is expected to be up and running in the first half of 2009.
"Post-combustion carbon capture offers real potential for coal-fired power stations everywhere to reduce their carbon footprint," Mr Wilson said.
"We all know that coal will continue to play a role in the global electricity mix, well into the future. And that's simply because we have over 32 billion tonnes of high-quality, low cost, easily accessible black coal, sufficient to last more than 300 years. Our key challenge is to use it in a responsible, smarter and environmentally-sustainable way," Mr Wilson said.
Read the full media release on the Queensland Government media statement website.
Analysing the practice of regional natural resource planning in Australia
A workshop to review regional NRM planning under the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAP) and Natural Heritage Trust (Trust) was recently held in Brisbane.
Convened by CSIRO and the Department of Natural Resources and Water (NRW), the workshop provided a forum for constructive and critical discussion to review regional natural resource planning and delivery over the past decade under the NAP and Trust.
The purpose of the workshop was to reflect on the past to determine future research questions and regional planning directions. The participants included selected government, regional NRM body and non-government practitioners.
A workshop summary report has been developed by NRW's Catchment Programs' Learning and Evaluation unit. It shows some of the key messages from workshop participants including capturing practical expertise, engagement and participation, delivery and governance, stakeholders on the border of regional NRM, and learning and improving.
For more information or a copy of the workshop summary contact Claire Carter on 3224 2323.
Queensland's Smart Women shine!
Some of Queensland's most innovative women have shone at the prestigious Smart Women - Smart State Awards 2008.
The awards recognise outstanding Queensland women achieving results in non-traditional areas such as science, engineering and information communication technology.
This year, outstanding women who have made innovative achievements in Indigenous communities were also awarded.
Contributions to environmental sciences were also recognised with a new Green Award, won by Amanda O'Malley for her investigation into a newly described fresh water turtle found in the Johnstone River.
Other project winners included research on impacts of dust on phytoplankton growth in the Great Barrier Reef; an investigation into domestic water consumption in Toowoomba to educate and promote participation in water conservation; and development of a money saving range of on-line water quality monitoring sensors that adjust to the conditions for their environment automatically.
Minister for Women Margaret Keech presented the awards at a ceremony attended by Premier Anna Bligh and other leading Queensland women.
"Congratulations to these amazing women for being innovative and excelling in their chosen fields," Ms Keech said.
Read the full media release on the Queensland Government media statement website.
Threatened species - it's time to take action
Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett joined WWF-Australia Threatened Species Network program manager Kat Miller to urge Australians to learn more about Australia's threatened species and how they can be protected.
Mr Garrett said, "Introduced species, environmental degradation and habitat destruction through land clearing and development all pose a significant threat to native wildlife. But by working together we can make a difference."
Ms Miller said, "Australia has the worst record of mammal extinction in the world. Incredibly, half the mammals that have become extinct globally in the last 200 years have been Australian species. We cannot afford to let more of our unique plants and animals disappear forever."
Mr Garrett has also announced this year's recipients of the Threatened Species Network Community Grants Program.
"This is the eleventh year the grants program has been run and this year $500 000 from the Australian Government's Caring for Our Country initiative will go towards 25 projects around Australia," Mr Garrett said.
"More than 40 nationally threatened plants, animals and ecological communities will benefit from this funding, including the southern bell frog, Carnaby's black-cockatoo, the bridled nail-tailed wallaby and several Tasmanian orchid species."
There are fact sheets available on eight species and ecological communities chosen for the focus of this year's National Threatened Species Day. These provide information about how people can get involved in protecting Australia's threatened species. Visit the Australian Government's Environment website of WWF-Australia's website.
Irrigators save water by SMS
The text message is about to become an important tool for Queensland irrigators concerned with improving their water use efficiency.
Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace has launched a new mobile phone messaging system developed by the Cooperative Research Centre for Irrigation Futures (CRC IF) that advises farmers how much water their crops require each day.
The system, irriGATEWAY:SMS, uses weather station data to calculate how much irrigation is needed by plants on individual farms and then sends subscribers a text message each morning outlining an irrigation plan for that day.
Mr Wallace said, "It will let irrigators know exactly how much and how long to irrigate their crops, and they can access the information quickly and easily, even while they are in the field.
"Recommendations are tailored for each farm and will take into account a range of data including recent rainfall levels, evaporation, temperature and sunshine, plus basic information about crop types.
"At a time when we're all concerned with best practice, maximum efficiency and sustainable water use, this system is a real breakthrough," Mr Wallace said.
The CRC IF toolkit also includes:
- a dam evaporation calculator to enable irrigators to decide when to use evaporation mitigation technologies
- an on-line indicator that determines the amount of moisture loss from soil and plants.
"This last tool can predict past and current water vapour loss generated from automatic weather station observations to a five kilometre square grid," Mr Wallace said. "When combined with the new SMS technology, irrigators can build a clear, effective irrigation plan for their property, and update their information at the touch of a keypad."
Find out more on the CRC IF website.
Queensland's natural resources in good hands
Queensland's regional NRM bodies have been hard at work during 2007-08.
With the wrap-up of another annual performance reporting season, some impressive achievements were made during the last financial year:
- over 256 000 hectares of native vegetation were protected, enhanced, rehabilitated or revegetated
- over 573 00 hectares of pest plant and 638 000 hectares of pest animal control were implemented
- 441 new or improved natural resource monitoring programs were established
- 1874 sub-regional plans were developed
- 2284 awareness raising events with 110 137 participants
- 1982 training events were held with 26 107 participants
- 4106 community groups or projects were assisted
- 1916 collaborative arrangements were made
- 4122 biophysical studies were conducted.
Performance reporting is an opportunity for regional bodies and other proponents to report their achievements, their performance against milestones, request any variance to funded projects, and identify any risks associated with project completion.
Performance reports submitted in July were assessed at the August Joint Queensland-Australian Government Steering Committee (JSC) meeting. Further information about achievements will be reported in The Bugle as it is collated.
Reef updates
CSIRO takes holistic approach to water quality issues
CSIRO researchers are consulting with Queensland communities about their water uses and values, determining the cost-effectiveness of land management options, and conducting extensive environmental monitoring and modelling.
Dr Iris Bohnet, from CSIRO's Water for a Healthy Country Flagship said, "We are taking a holistic, participatory approach to find a solution to water quality issues on the Great Barrier Reef catchment.
"We worked with the community and local industries to develop future visions which aim to achieve improved water quality as well as having multiple environmental, social and economic benefits."
The research underpins the recently released draft Tully Water Quality Improvement Plan which is currently open for public comment.
Through the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan the Australian and Queensland Governments identified a number of catchments, including Tully, where developing water quality improvement plans was a high priority.
The water quality improvement plans provide sustainable solutions for future development to address economic and social change while enabling water quality improvement, remediation of ecosystem degradation and preservation of environmental values.
The project is being conducted under the CSIRO's Water for a Healthy Country Flagship in collaboration with Terrain NRM and the Cardwell Shire Floodplain Program.
For more information visit the CSIRO website.
Minister visits key link in Reef protection network
Queensland Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace has inspected one of the key links in efforts to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
Speaking after a visit to the Clare Stream gauging station on the Burdekin River, one of the Queensland Government's stream monitoring stations which supports the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan, Mr Wallace said the Reef Plan brought together people and projects to help improve the quality of water entering the Reef.
"Many of our investments are a key part of delivering on the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan," Mr Wallace said.
"Queensland Government scientists have installed complex monitoring equipment at numerous collection stations along 1500 kilometres of Queensland coastal catchments in the past three years.
"Thirty-two active collection stations have been installed to measure sediment and nutrients washing from the land into coastal waters, especially the Great Barrier Reef. It will help our researchers to better predict how much sediment and pollutants are travelling from our catchments into the Great Barrier Reef," Mr Wallace said.
Monitoring stations accurately record sediment, nutrient and chemical levels in rivers and creeks. To date, over 200 samples have been collected from rivers in the Burdekin catchment.
"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," Mr Wallace said.
The Reef Plan is a 10-year project between the Australian and Queensland Governments to improve water quality in the Reef catchments.
Wetlands updates
Conserving Normanton's Muttonhole wetlands
The Northern Gulf Resource Management Group (NGRMG), in partnership with the Carpentaria Shire Council, is developing a management plan for the future of the Muttonhole wetlands.
NGRMG's project manager Vickie Jones said, "Currently the major reason for tourists visiting the area is for recreational fishing at Karumba. This project aims to increase sustainable tourism in the region and develop environmental management of this wetland of national significance."
The project, funded by the Australian Government's Caring for our Country initiative, will contribute to:
- diversifying the tourism industry
- employing the local community
- learning about fish fauna through research by Ecowise Environmental
- discovering the plant biodiversity through a CSIRO research project
- recording the variety of bird life with Wetlands International
- identifying and managing damage by feral animals
- raising awareness of the importance of the wetland - locally, nationally and internationally.
The project will consult with the community and indigenous groups as well as scientists and other field specialists. There is already an indication of the need for a bird hide and tours to capture the many bird watching tourists to the region.
The project will also link to the developing Monsoon Interpretive Centre in Normanton. Many social and economic benefits to the region will be initiated by the project along with the sustainable management of the Muttonhole wetland.
Calling for wetland inventory
Natural resource managers are invited to upload new or existing wetland inventory into a new online data capture system developed by the Queensland Wetlands Programme.
The Programme has developed a proforma that allows registered users to collect and upload bulk inventory into the system.
The system offers:
- a single repository for wetland information across Queensland
- a resource that can be used to make natural resource management decisions (all decisions would be based on the same information)
- quality assurance of information
- a free, maintained inventory system for all projects.
For more information about the system, contact project manager Noleen Kunst on 3404 3351.
Natural resources news
The best native plants are free
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) is inviting the community to bring a weed from their backyards to the Weed Swap at Belmont State School in Brisbane this Sunday and receive a free native plant.
The Weed Swap will see native plants exchanged for weeds and a complimentary sausage and piece of fruit will be provided to all participants. DPI&F weed experts will be on hand to give advice on what weeds to pull out of the garden and which native plants are most suitable to grow.
Biosecurity Queensland's weed awareness coordinator, Dr Petra Skoien, said the Weed Swap was designed to increase community awareness about weeds, and encourage people to plant local species in their gardens.
"Weeds cause a lot of damage to our native plants and animals, primary industries and human and animal health, and cost the Australian economy $4 billion every year in lost agricultural production," she said.
"We're urging families and the wider community to come down to the school to show their support for the environment and learn how to best deal with invasive weeds."
The Weed Swap is being jointly organised by the DPI&F and the Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee. The event runs from 10 am to noon this Sunday 14 September at the Belmont State School oval, Scrub Road, Belmont.
For more information on the weed swap go to the DPI&F website or call the Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.
See the latest digital case study and report on biodiversity and natural icons
A new digital case study showing how regional bodies and partners are protecting and enhancing significant biodiversity and Queensland's natural icons is now available.
Visit PlaceStories to see the second digital story of regional NRM partnerships across the state: Enhancing and Protecting Queensland's Biodiversity and Natural Icons. For full details on this digital story see the Chairs' Report on the Collective's website.
PlaceStories is hosted by Landcare Queensland in partnership with Feral Arts who are working with Landcare groups and regional NRM bodies from across the state in developing a PlaceStories digital storytelling system customised for the specific needs of the NRM network.
Watch this space for each month's collaborative state stories showing how regional bodies and partners are addressing the six national priorities under the Caring for our Country initiative.
Queensland Conservation GROW LOCAL campaign
Join ABC Gardening Australia presenter, Jerry Coleby-Williams for the launch of Queensland Conservation's timely Grow Local SEQ Campaign.
The innovative new campaign is focused on helping people get involved in growing food in backyards and community gardens and will include community education resources and backyard demonstrations.
Grow Local is about helping people get involved in growing food locally, reducing the need for transportation, reconnecting people with the landscape, and ensuring healthy, active communities.
The launch takes place on Wednesday 8 October from 6.00–8.30pm at Footsteps Gallery, 166 Ann Street, Brisbane. The launch includes a one hour documentary on Seed Savers and catering using local produce. For more information or to RSVP email the Queensland Conservation Council or call 3211 0188.
Watch out for wild dogs in urban areas
With wild dog nurturing pups at this time of the year, the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) has warned South East Queensland residents to take precautions against these pest animals.
Urban residential areas, especially those backing onto large tracts of land, are at just as much risk as rural areas, according to Biosecurity Queensland principal land protection officer Clyde McGaw.
"The wild dog whelping season means wild dogs will have pups on the ground," Mr McGaw said. "Wild dogs roam up to 12 kilometres and have territories that vary from 10 to 70 square kilometres, depending on food and water availability.
"In the highly residential South East they don't need to travel far to find food. Wild dogs can kill and maim livestock and pets such as ducks, chickens and sheep, so protect your animals and pets from the threat," Mr McGaw said.
Control programs are limited in urban areas, and while some techniques such as preventing wild dog access to livestock, pets and domestic food and rubbish work, a more cooperative effort is needed.
"Isolated control campaigns can increase wild dog attacks as they create recolonising opportunities for younger, inexperienced hunters. These younger wild dogs are much more likely to attack easier prey, such as livestock, than native animals like kangaroos that are harder for them to catch," Mr McGaw said.
He said advising neighbours prior to any baiting programs was critical as it allowed precautionary steps to be taken to ensure domestic pets are restrained from straying into baiting areas.
Fact sheets on wild dog management in urban areas are available to download from the DPI&F website. For information on the dates of coordinated rural baiting campaigns or to join a coordinated baiting campaign, contact your local regional council pest management officer or DPI&F land protection officer on 13 25 23.
Inaugural Gold Coast Community Bush Restoration Fair in November
Gold Coast Catchment Association is hosting the first Community Bush Restoration Fair on the Gold Coast, focused on giving landcare and bush restoration workers an increased understanding of contemporary methods, issues and resources for bush regeneration works.
The event, which takes place on Saturday 15 November, features a full day speaker program, interactive exhibitors, a working catchment model, talks with Geckoes Wildlife and wildlife displays, contractor displays, face painting, and plenty of activities for families and children.
Attendance is free and further information is available by contacting event manager Samantha Morris on 0421 709 519.
Operation clean sweep a great success
Carpentaria Ghost Nets Program project officer, Gary Luchi recently organised 'Operation Clean Sweep' on the Pennefather Beach near Weipa to minimise the incidence of turtle strandings in ghost nets on the beach next wet season.
Gary worked with Napranum Shire rangers, Conservation Trust volunteers, and Ghost Net volunteer Martin Angle to remove as many ghost nets from the area as possible. The aim of the operation was to clean up a minimum of 10 kilometres of coastline, clean up a suitable area where monitoring sites can be set up, strengthen a working relationship with Conservation Trust volunteers, and assist the Napranum Shire Rangers in finalising areas previously cleaned.
Over a total of nine days, 470 nets were removed and processed with a combined length of 3615.39 metres (or 11 860 feet). Around 13 kilometres of previously uncleaned coastline was cleared of ghost nets, and a further 10 kilometres of coastline already 75 percent clean already was totally cleared. Forty bags (weighing 656.5 kilograms) of other marine debris were also removed.
Ghost nets are fishing nets that have been lost accidentally, deliberately discarded, or simply abandoned at sea. Up to the end of June this year, 4766 nets or pieces of net have been removed from the Gulf of Carpentaria coastline.
For more information about the program visit the Carpentaria Ghost Nets website.
Water recycler offers grants for local projects
Community groups along the route of the Western Corridor Recycled Water (WCRW) project can now apply for funding through WCRW's $120 000 community grants program. This is the second time the WCRW project, an integral part of the South East Queensland Water Grid, has offered grants to support communities near its project works.
WCRW chief executive Keith Davies said the program was a great way for the company to give something back to communities affected by the project's construction works.
Mr Davies said, "Our first grants program helped groups protect local lands and waterways, remove weeds and plant trees, improve sporting facilities, promote local history and provide services to disadvantaged people. I'm keen to hear from local groups in our project areas with good ideas for improving their local community."
Not-for-profit, incorporated, environmental, sporting or other community based organisations can apply for grants of between $5000 and $15 000. Applicant organisations must service communities near one of WCRW's three advanced water treatment plants at Luggage Point, Gibson Island and Bundamba, or communities along the pipeline route, which runs from Myrtletown at the mouth of the Brisbane River to the upper reaches of Lake Wivenhoe at Esk. Successful applicants should demonstrate how their project satisfies a need or contributes to social, cultural or environmental sustainability.
Applications must be received by Tuesday 30 September. Successful applicants will be advised by Friday 24 October.
For more information about the community grants program or to obtain an application pack please email WCRW or freecall 1800 997 464.
Station bought to save bush
Conservation group Bush Heritage Australia has purchased Edgbaston in central Queensland, a viable cattle station with some of the rarest ecology on earth.
Allocating between $3.5 million and $4 million to set up and buy the 8100 hectare property, Bush Heritage Australia chief executive Doug Humann said the purchase was about "building resilience" in the bush.
"We have such unique biodiversity in Australia that we have to protect the best of what is left and it makes much more sense to do the protection rather than the restoration," Mr Humann said.
The Edgbaston property is considered a rare treasure. There are four plants and two fish species on the property that cannot be found anywhere else, including the red fin blue-eye, Australia's smallest freshwater fish.
Bush Heritage has purchased a total of 31 properties or "reserves" for about $24 million over its lifetime, covering almost 1 million hectares. There are reserves in every state of Australia except the Northern Territory.
Eleven of these purchases have been under the National Reserve System (NRS), a co-contribution program where the Australian Government puts in $2 for every $1 NRS partners contribute towards a property purchase.
Revegetation project greens Sahara
While climate change scientists warn of the increased desert in Africa in the future, researchers working with communities near the Sahara have managed to turn parts of the massive desert green.
Australians are part of the project which has seen hundreds of millions of new trees take root over the last couple of decades.
Project managers say it is no surprise that the West African region is capable of being revegetated, but even they are surprised by the scale of their success.
Australian aid worker Tony Rinaldo has been there from the start, working with farmers in Niger since 1980.
"It's the difference between night and day because it was a barren wind-swept plain, and it was a very unpleasant landscape because it is extremely hot; there's no shade," he said.
"Even though I was involved in that process over 17 years I can't believe what I see, because as you travel through the countryside there's trees everywhere."
The project has been so successful that 5 million hectares of once marginal desert country is now productive land. They hope another 2 million hectares of desert land will be protected over the next decade.
Story sourced from ABC online
Darling Downs landscapes under the spotlight
Darling Downs and Lockyer landscapes will be under the spotlight when Veg Futures 08 comes to Toowoomba in October.
The conference, which is expected to attract 500 delegates from across Australia, explores the role and value of vegetation in the regional landscape as well as the competing demands for conservation and production.
The format of the event includes a broad range of keynote speakers and practical workshops, a hypothetical, forums and paddock sessions and should appeal to all those with an interest in practical native vegetation management.
Local landscapes feature in five paddock sessions, which give delegates the opportunity to explore vegetation management issues in the field. Paddock sessions focus on peri-urban issues, biodiversity, multiple landscape use, water in the landscape, and Indigenous interpretation in the Bunyas.
The event takes place from 20–23 October. More information about Veg Futures 08 is available from the Greening Australia website or by contacting event manager, Samantha Morris on 0421 709 519.
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:
- 30 September: Charleville - Abridged vegetation management workshop (for service providers and other interested parties)
- 7 October: Taroom - GPS essentials
- 8 October: Injune - GPS essentials
- 9 October: Roma - GPS essentials
- 14 October: Belyando, 'Dawson Vale' - Computer mapping essentials
- 15 October: Belyando - GPS essentials
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').
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:
Organisation: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Title: Project manager (Climate Change)
Tenure: Contract to 26 June 2009
Salary range: $66 901-$89 987 + super and benefits
Location: Townsville
The project manager (climate change) will work in collaboration with a range of stakeholders, clients and service providers concerning tourism and recreation management issues with a specific emphasis on climate change and water quality issues.
Closing date: Monday 15 September 2008
Thought for the week
Never trust a computer you can't throw out a window.
Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computer
***
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.
View past issues of The Bugle.
The Bugle is a weekly newsletter published by Catchment Programs, the Department of Natural Resources and Water, highlighting regional NRM activities around Queensland.
If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, or it has been sent to you in error, you can unsubscribe. If this newsletter has been forwarded to you, you can subscribe to receive future issues directly.
Last updated 12 September 2008