The Bugle - 19 September 2008
In news this week
Regional NRM group stories- River project funds available
- Expanding environmental education in the Townsville region
- Valuable ecosystems get a boost
- Kids discover fun at the forum
- Vision for Queensland's future unveiled
- Schoolkids met Biosecurity Queensland's canine 'detectives'
- State gifts 10.6 billion litres to the Murray-Darling
- Prime Minister discusses progress of National Drought Policy Review
- Penny Wong to attend Carbon Market Expo
- 'Extinct' frog found near Cairns
- 2008 Queensland Landcare Conference starts next week
- Yelarbon students a hit as Weed Warriors
- Innovation award finalists announced
- Landcare Leadership Finalists announced
- Get a job in NRM!
Regional NRM group stories
River project funds available
Southern Gulf Catchments (SGC) is calling for expressions of interest for projects focusing on the protection and management of the Leichhardt River catchment.
Limited funding is available for projects that seek to manage, protect, restore and promote sustainability of the Leichhardt River catchment landscapes.
Projects that manage degradation, restore waterway vegetation, promote sustainable use or raise community awareness are encouraged.
Land managers, community groups or individuals in the Southern Gulf region may be eligible to apply for grants.
An expression of interest application form is available from SGC on 1800 676 242 or the SGC website.
Expanding environmental education in the Townsville region
Schools in the Townsville region got a boost with two environmental agencies officially joining forces to expand an innovative environmental education program.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM (BDTNRM) are working together to support more schools getting onboard with the Reef Guardian Schools program in the Townsville region.
The partnership was launched when the organisations welcomed Mundingburra State School as the newest recruit to the Reef education program.
GBRMPA chair Russell Reichelt said, "We're delighted to work with Burdekin Dry Tropics Natural Resource Management to give more schools in the Townsville region the opportunity and support to get involved in on-ground Reef protection projects."
BDTNRM CEO Bob Frazer said working with GBRMPA to get students involved in Reef protection was an important way to ensure the great Australian icon is protected for the future and to help them understand that community actions throughout the entire Burdekin Dry Tropics region have an impact on the Reef.
The Reef Guardian Schools program is an education initiative of GBRMPA. Now in its fourth year, the action-based education program involves more than 61 000 students in 148 schools across Queensland. As part of the program, schools develop on ground projects that actively help to protect the Reef.
Visit the BDTNRM website for more information.
Valuable ecosystems get a boost
Nine landholders from the southern Brigalow Belt bioregion have received $380 000 to manage 4500 hectares of high value remnant vegetation for the next 10 years.
Twelve 10-year agreements have been signed as part of the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee's (QMDC) Bush Tender scheme, funded through the Australian Government's Maintaining Australia's Biodiversity Hotspots program.
QMDC's Bush Tender project manager Kate Steel said that the scheme had been very successful.
"The great success of this project is that land managers are paid to manage the sometimes forgotten aspects of production – that is a healthy functioning natural ecosystem," she said.
Thirty-five bids were submitted and assessed earlier this year, after a call was put out last December.
"About 4500 hectares of really valuable ecosystems will now be managed, not just locked up, for the next 10 years," she said.
"This funding will support a range of management activities, including low to zero stock grazing, weed and pest control, fire management and long-term monitoring of ecosystem change," Ms Steel said.
Kids discover fun at the forum
Over 300 students from across southern Queensland converged on the Goondiwindi Cultural Centre for the annual Discovering Landcare Forum, organised by the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee (QMDC).
Forum organiser Renee Fletcher, from QMDC, said that she was very happy with the event, and that she hoped the students all learned something about science and sustainability from the activities.
"It was great to see the passion and enthusiasm students show for improving our environmental sustainability," she said.
"And it was very rewarding for QMDC that we were able to reach the smaller, more remote schools, and give them opportunities that often only exist in larger, metropolitan areas," Renee Fletcher said.
The two-day event, themed Science to the Rescue, was the fourth Discovering Landcare Forum hosted by QMDC in the region.
Government updates
Vision for Queensland's future unveiled
Premier Anna Bligh recently presented the Toward Q2: Tomorrow's Queensland plan, which she stated, is the next phase of Queensland's transformation, to a modern, growing, progressive state, well prepared and ready for anything.
The plan outlines the government's priorities for the future and outlines 10 critical targets for 2020 under five big ambitions for the Queensland of tomorrow, a strong, green, smart, healthy and fair state.
Targets include cutting Queenslanders' greenhouse gas emissions by one third, protecting 50 percent more land for nature conservation and public recreation, building Australia's strongest economy with infrastructure that anticipates growth and increasing by 50 percent the proportion of Queensland businesses undertaking research and development.
For more information or to view a video of the Premier's speech visit the Premier's website.
Schoolkids met Biosecurity Queensland's canine 'detectives'
Brisbane school kids had the chance to meet with Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) biosecurity officers and their specially skilled canine investigators at Belmont State School this week.
This was an opportunity for the Belmont State School students to get to understand more about animal welfare and how they can properly care for pets.
Dogs also play an important part in tackling biosecurity battles against pests like fire ants as some are specially trained to sniff out fire ants and their nests.
Labrador Jake, chocolate labrador Breeze, and labradoodle Smiley were the stars of the day and treated the years three, four, and five students to a 20-minute demonstration of their skills.
The Belmont State School visit was part of the Animal Smile Program which teaches children a duty of care to animals. Visit the Biosecurity Queensland website for more information or call 13 25 23.
State gifts 10.6 billion litres to the Murray-Darling
The Queensland Government has announced it will gift the Australian Government with 10.6 billion litres of water from the Queensland Murray-Darling catchment.
The water will come from across the Queensland section of the Murray-Darling Basin and includes allocations from the Nebine, Moonie, Warrego, and Border rivers.
The Department of Natural Resources and Water (NRW) will ensure existing unallocated reserves of water are made available to achieve this historic measure.
Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said the volumes will include 1.1 billion litres of unallocated water from the Moonie River, 1 billion in the Nebine River and 500 million litres in the Border Rivers.
Read the full media release on the Queensland Government media statement website.
Prime Minister discusses progress of National Drought Policy Review
Last week the Prime Minister visited Emerald in Central Queensland to discuss interim findings from the national review of drought policy.
The Australian Government commissioned the social panel report in June, along with an economic assessment by the Productivity Commission and a scientific report from the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO.
The Prime Minister discussed the panel's initial findings about the impact of drought on individuals, families and rural communities.
The panel held 25 public meetings across the country with more than 1000 people attending the meetings. Additionally, the panel received more than 236 public submissions.
According to the panel's early findings, the current system of drought support is failing farming communities because it is too heavily focused on supporting businesses, rather than people.
Key early findings included:
- an absence of coordination
- support services often overlap
- a need to plan for better social wellbeing and encourage personal development training
- a need to plan for 'dryness' as a permanent condition in many parts of Australia.
The panel is expected to provide a final report to the government within a few weeks.
Penny Wong to attend Carbon Market Expo
The Carbon Market Expo organisers are pleased to announce that federal Minister for Climate Change and Water Penny Wong will address the inaugural Carbon Market Expo Australasia being held on the Gold Coast from 29-31 October.
This expo will be a wonderful opportunity to hear the latest information on global carbon markets and how they are likely to interact with the emerging Australian market.
Queensland Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Andrew McNamara, the British High Commissioner to Australia Helen Liddell, and Professor Tim Flannery will also attend the expo.
The Queensland Government is hosting this event and workshop sessions will cover the Australian emissions trading scheme, financing and investing in carbon projects, carbon market infrastructure, and energy and forestry industries efficiencies.
The event program is ideally suited for anyone who wants to know:
- how to prepare a greenhouse footprint assessment and who can do it
- which carbon offsets are worth buying and who sells them
- how to create carbon credits from your projects and who can help
- how to finance your carbon projects and who can help
- how to achieve energy efficiency in your business and who can help
- how an emissions trading scheme will affect your business.
To register as an exhibitor or delegate visit the expo website.
Reef updates
Reef's rescue ramped up
The Great Barrier Reef will benefit from an additional $7.5 million in funding through the Australian Government's Caring for our Country initiative.
Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett and Agriculture Minister Tony Burke said, "The $7.5 million in funding we're announcing is on top of the $23 million we announced last month for Reef Rescue, and will provide a further boost to efforts to protect the health of the Reef, particularly as it battles the impacts of a changing climate."
Mr Garret said up to $4.5 million would go towards monitoring water quality in rivers and wetlands, monitoring and encouraging improvements in land management and land condition throughout the catchment, and looking at marine water quality and ecosystem health.
"A further $2 million will go to trialling new technologies that improve water quality in the catchment and for developing and applying new water quality monitoring techniques for nutrients, chemicals and sediments," Mr Garrett said.
"Partnerships with traditional owners will see up to $1 million over this financial year go towards improving sea country management, helping to conserve such species as turtle and dugong."
Mr Burke said, "Other Australian Government projects funded in the Reef catchment through Caring for our Country include catchment improvement works on farms and their associated catchment areas.
"These works will see land managers from all areas including primary producers from the sugar, grazing, horticulture and dairy sectors working with industry groups, regional natural resource management groups and conservation organisations to improve water quality flowing into the Reef.
"They range from improving grazing management on farms through enhancing wetlands functionality and improving waterway health, to raising community understanding and use of coastal fish habitats and other coastal environmental assets," Mr Burke said.
The Australian Government has earmarked $200 million for Reef Rescue, out of the $2.25 billion committed over five years for Caring for our Country. For more information visit the Australian Government's NRM website.
Wetlands updates
Queensland Wetlands Program evaluation underway
Halcrow Pacific and the Institute for Sustainable Futures have been commissioned by the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water to undertake an end-of-program evaluation of the Queensland Wetlands Program (QWP).
The QWP is a joint initiative of the Queensland and Australian Governments that supports projects and programs that will result in long-term benefits to the sustainable use, management, conservation and protection of Queensland wetlands.
Halcrow and the Institute for Sustainable Futures are conducting a survey on the QWP, and will also be meeting with a number of key stakeholders.
The survey is being sent out by email. If you do not receive the survey but would like to be involved, or would like to express your interest in meeting to discuss the QWP, call David Somek on 03 9899 9777.
Basin wetlands checked for acid sulfate soils
More than 1000 wetlands throughout the Murray-Darling Basin are being assessed to determine the risk posed to them by acid sulfate soils, the Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) has announced.
Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik AM said the project was assessing the extent of, and risk posed by, acid sulfate soils at key wetlands in Queensland, News South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
Dr Craik said the problem has been identified as an issue for decades in coastal areas but the risk has only recently become apparent in inland wetlands and rivers.
"The sites have been selected because of their environmental significance. They include the sixteen Ramsar listed wetlands in the Basin, as well as those listed on the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia and other environmentally significant wetlands," Dr Craik said.
Acid sulfate soils are soils containing iron sulfide minerals. These soils form naturally when saline groundwater or other water containing sulfate mix with sediments which contain ironoxides and organic matter.
When undisturbed and not exposed to air these soils pose little threat. However when exposed to oxygen, these sediments have the potential to form sulfuric acid, cause deoxygenation and release contaminants such as heavy metals.
"This can cause significant harm to fish and other aquatic organisms, impact on water quality for potable water supplies, and in some cases corrode metal, concrete and other structures," Dr Craik said.
The MDBC established this project in March 2008 and will be carried out by state agencies.
Natural resources news
'Extinct' frog found near Cairns
A tiny frog species thought to be extinct has been rediscovered alive and well in a remote area of Australia's tropical north, researchers.
The 1.5 inch-long armoured mist frog had not been seen since 1991, and many experts assumed it had been wiped out by a devastating fungus that struck northern Queensland.
James Cook University frog expert, Professor Ross Alford, said the frog has been found thriving in rainforests to the north and west of Cairns.
"It turns out that these frogs are living in an area that we wouldn't have expected them to be living at," he said.
The chytrid fungus was blamed for decimating frog populations worldwide, including seven species in Queensland's tropics between the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Most of the armoured mistfrogs that Professor Alford's group has found are infected with the fungus, but the disease does not appear to be making them sick, he said.
Professor Alford and his team plan to study the creatures to try and determine how they managed to coexist with the fungus, in a bid to aid future conservation and management of vulnerable frogs.
2008 Queensland Landcare Conference starts next week
The biggest Landcare and community NRM event on Queensland's calendar is on next week from Sunday 21 September to Thursday 24 September in Monto.
The program is available online from the Landcare Queensland website as are full abstracts and biographies and general conference information general conference information.
For more information about the conference contact Samantha Morris, event manager, on 0421 709 519.
Yelarbon students a hit as Weed Warriors
During this year's WeedBuster week the Yelarbon State School students gave a very entertaining presentation in regards to the biological control of harrisia cactus.
Additionally, a wealth of information on a number of biological control agents that are being developed to combat some of our most ferocious weeds.
This information was given by Biosecurity Queensland's Dr Bill Palmer, senior scientist at the Alan Fletcher Research Station.
An update on council work and new weed infestations was also delivered by Andrew Granzotto from the Goondiwindi Regional Council, and a regional update on current work in regards to Lippia and Harrisia was presented by Renee Stephensen from the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee.
The day was hosted by the Inglewood Shire Landcare Group.
Innovation award finalists announced
Landcare Queensland Limited today announced the finalists for the biennial SKM Landcare Innovation Award, which offers $12 000 worth of consultancy services as a prize.
The finalists are:
- Toowoomba Landcare Group
- Desert Uplands Build-Up & Development Strategy Committee
- Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee.
Chloe Tanner, manager of Landcare Queensland said, "Nominations were received from across the state and were of a high calibre.
"Each of the three finalists has demonstrated an innovative approach to natural resource management and were chosen for the great outcomes and community engagement demonstrated through the implementation of their projects."
The winner will be announced at a gala awards ceremony taking place in Monto as part of the Queensland Landcare Conference on 23 September. The Landcare Innovation Award is an initiative of Landcare Queensland Limited sponsored by Sinclair Knight Merz.
Landcare Leadership finalists announced
Three rising stars working in the landcare and natural resource management (NRM) industry have been selected from nominations across the state as finalists for the 2008 Landcare Leadership Bursary coordinated by Landcare Queensland Limited.
Chloe Tanner, manager of Landcare Queensland said, "Each nominee demonstrated true commitment to the landcare community and ethic.
"As workers in the NRM industry they have consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty in support landcare and community groups both in their local area and on a larger scale."
The finalists are:
- John Nicholas, Charters Towers
- Veronica Aster, Inglewood
- Natasha Wright, Brisbane
The winner will be announced at a gala ceremony being held in Monto as part of the Queensland Landcare Conference on 23 September. The Bursary winner is awarded a cash prize as well as a handcrafted trophy.
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 body: Queensland Murray-Darling Committee (QMDC)
Title: Regional Communications Officer
Location:Toowoomba, Queensland
Closing date: Friday 26 September 2008
QMDC is offering an attractive salary package that includes professional development, superannuation and personal well being allowance. To obtain the position description call Tanya McKechnie on 4637 6201.
Organisation: University of Queensland
Title: Station Manager - Heron Island Research Station
Location: Heron Island
Salary: Total package will be in the range of $70 950-$77 601 p.a. This is a full-time, fixed term appointment for five years, with the possibility of renewal.
Closing date: Friday 10 October 2008
Contact: Obtain the position description and selection criteria online. To discuss the role call David Clyde on 3346 9418.
Thought for the week
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
Theodore Roosevelt
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Last updated 22 January 2009