The Bugle - 24 October 2008
In news this week
Regional NRM group stories Government updates- National Water Week a time to value most precious resource
- Carbon measuring system receives another award
- Moreton Bay Marine Park goes green
- Grants open for Voluntary Environment and Heritage organisations
- Funds for eco-efficient Queensland businesses now available
- 'Generation Green' encouraged to have their say online
- Protecting fisheries for the future
- "Thumbs up" for the Dugong and Marine Turtle Management Summit
- Asian honey bees spread into Cairns suburbs
- Huge water efficiency gains achieved for Condamine Catchment project
- Sensor cameras tackle weeds
- Aerial baiting planned to stop fire ants spread
- 'Trial by fire' hopes to eradicate Siam weed
- Get a job in NRM!
Regional NRM group stories
ART on show at technology field day
Animal Recognition Technology (ART) will be the central attraction at a technology field day at Tomoo Station, Mitchell, on Monday 27 October, hosted by Adam and Renae Bradshaw.
The field day will include a paddock tour as well as a series of other speakers featuring different technologies available for grazing businesses, including telemetry, water medication systems and drafting equipment.
David McLean from Resource Consulting Services (RCS) will give a presentation on developing watering points on a property and Terry McCosker will discuss the future of soil carbon trading in the region.
Neil Finch from The University of Queensland Gatton campus will speak about the development and implementation of the new animal recognition technology.
The Bradshaws have been trialling machine vision technology with funding support from South West NRM. Mr Bradshaw said the trial was monitoring the impact gates could have on decreasing the grazing pressure from feral animals.
"This new technology lets us decide which animals can go into different fenced off areas," Mr Bradshaw said. "We can use it for different watering holes and different paddocks".
The fencing boundary was completed last November and the waterholes were fenced in July this year. The machine vision was erected in August.
Participants are asked to bring their own chairs and an open mind, with morning tea, lunch and an evening barbecue all catered for by the Nebine community. To register or for more information, call RCS on 1800 356 004.
BMRG partners present weeds and pest management
Weren't able to attend the Burnett Mary Regional Group's (BMRG) Partnership Showcase? Interested in hearing about some of the activities carried out in the region?
Over the coming weeks BMRG will be making presentations from the showcase available for viewing online.
Each week there will be a focus on a particular NRM topic.
The focus of week four is weeds and pest management, and includes presentations on feral animal control, weed eradication on Fraser Island and weed management as a component of integrated NRM.
Visit the BMRG website to view the presentations.
Government updates
National Water Week a time to value most precious resource
Queenslanders have celebrated National Water Week with a range of activities to highlight the need to preserve the precious resource.
As part of the celebrations from 19-25 October, the Minister for Natural Resources and Water, Craig Wallace, visited Blackall, 1120km north-west of Brisbane, to view an artesian bore which will be capped and piped under the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative (GABSI).
"The GABSI program is approaching a milestone for the 10 000th kilometre of piping which is being laid to replace open bore drains which lose millions of litres of water through evaporation," Mr Wallace said. "Capping and controlling these artesian bores and wasteful bore drains with efficient schemes is a win-win for the environment."
Other highlights of the week-long calendar included:
- Waterwise at the Museum – (open until tomorrow) a Waterwise Museum display shares the adventures of Whizzy the Water Drop. The public can view some of the films and animations from the recent 2008 Liquid Lens Short Film Competition. For more information visit the Queensland Museum website.
- Launch of the Waterwise Bucket loads of savings! package; a new water education resource promoting waterwise behaviours inside and outside the home.
- Launch of the Healthy Waterways Ecosystem Health Report Card in various locations around the state.
- Launch of the Waterwise Schools Recognition Program; a program that recognises and rewards primary schools that demonstrate waterwise attitudes and behaviours.
- Australian Centre for Lifestyle Horticulture Smart Gardening Day – 25 October (tomorrow), 8am–3pm – the Department of Natural Resources and Water (NRW) will showcase a Waterwise display at the Australian Centre for Lifestyle Horticulture (ACLH) Smart Gardening open day at the Redlands Horticultural Research Station, Delancey Street, Cleveland. For more information visit the Lifestyle Horticulture website.
To find out more about being waterwise visit the NRW website.
Carbon measuring system receives another award
An Australian technology developed to measure greenhouse gases emitted from forestry, land clearing and farming has received another award - the CSIRO Partnership Excellence Award.
The National Carbon Accounting System, developed by scientists from the Department of Climate Change, CSIRO, and the Australian National University, provides Australia with a world-leading tool to measure greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sinks across the country's landscape.
The system underpins Australia's national emissions accounts and assists in devising ways to reduce emissions from land management activities.
In August, the National Carbon Accounting System won the Sherman Eureka Prize for Environmental Research.
Senator Penny Wong, Minister for Climate Change and Water, said, "The National Carbon Accounting System was also selected from an international search by the Clinton Climate Initiative to be the basis for a Global Carbon Monitoring System, which aims to use carbon trading to benefit the environment and help alleviate poverty in the developing world."
The highly sophisticated system involves remote sensing, information from thousands of satellite images, greenhouse gas accounting methods, and modelling of changes in our environment to monitor and account for emissions from land-based sectors.
Moreton Bay Marine Park goes green
Premier Anna Bligh and Sustainability Minister Andrew McNamara have announced a massive expansion of the green zones in the Moreton Bay Marine Park.
Sixteen per cent of the marine park, which stretches 125km from Caloundra to the Gold Coast Seaway, will be protected by green zones, up from the current half a per cent.
Ms Bligh said, "With this plan we protect more of Moreton Bay, we protect marine habitat and therefore marine species, and we protect the legitimate rights of recreational and commercial fishers."
Mr McNamara said, "The science told us that we had to protect a portion of every type of ecosystem in the bay - from the corals to the mangroves to the shorelines.
"Every decision we have made has been shaped by feedback we've received from the local communities, businesses and individuals. There has been a lot of give and take to get a sensible balance."
The new zoning plan, which takes effect on 1 March 2009, is based on extensive scientific research followed by months of consultation and negotiation with bay users and interest groups.
Fishing will not be allowed in the green zones, but is still permitted in eighty-four per cent of the park. The green zones will be open to boats and activities such as snorkelling and scuba-diving, and boaties can go anywhere.
Moreton Bay is home to 750 species of fish, 120 species of coral, an abundance of dolphins, migratory whales and the world's largest population of dugong next to a capital city.
Read the full media release on the Queensland Government media statement website.
Grants open for Voluntary Environment and Heritage organisations
Applications are open for 2008-09 grants under the Grants to Voluntary Environment and Heritage Organisations (GVEHO) program.
Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett said, "Volunteer organisations make an important contribution to the protection and conservation of Australia's environment and historic heritage. This program provides assistance for their day-to-day running.
"Non-government organisations have a crucial role to play as advocates for our environment and heritage. These organisations help involve all Australians in caring for and conserving our natural and historic heritage," Mr Garrett said.
Mr Garrett said not-for-profit organisations provide valuable input to public debate and policy development on environmental and historic heritage matters; rehabilitate natural assets of local, national and international significance; restore and conserve invaluable heritage places and artefacts; and have been the vehicle through which environmental and heritage skills are learnt and refined.
The multi-year grants cover day-to-day running costs such as office rental, utilities, office supplies, staff and volunteer training and are open to national, state/territory, regional and local organisations geared towards:
- the protection and/or enhancement of the natural environment; or
- the protection and /or conservation of Australia's historic heritage
Applications are available from the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts website, by email, or by calling 02 6274 2422.
Applications for the 2008-09 round of GVEHO close at 5pm (AEDST) Friday 28 November.
Funds for eco-efficient Queensland businesses now available
Funding of up to $150 000 is available for Queensland businesses with innovative plans to reduce water and energy consumption, carbon output, and waste generation.
The ecoBiz program is a partnership program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), designed to help Queensland businesses adopt eco-efficient practices.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara announced Round 4 of ecoBiz rebates open for applications.
"Projects supported by ecoBiz demonstrate their ability to reduce their water and energy consumption, and carbon and waste output," he said.
"There have been some positive environmental outcomes through the ecoBiz partnerships to date. For example, Reef Casino in Cairns introduced a carbon monoxide monitoring system to control ventilation in an underground carpark. They achieved a 96 per cent reduction in electricity use, the equivalent of taking 325 cars off Queensland roads.
"The ecoBiz program helps place businesses at the forefront of eco-efficient practices and will ultimately help reduce greenhouse emissions and mitigate global warming," Mr McNamara said.
Rebate applications must be received by Friday 31 October with eco-efficient initiatives expected to commence by mid-2009. More information is available from the EPA website or by contacting the ecoBiz call centre on 1300 369 388.
'Generation Green' encouraged to have their say online
The Queensland Government is tapping the minds of 'Generation Green' to find out their views on the environment and how to protect it through the online Youth and the Environment Survey.
Everyone aged between 12 and 24 living in Queensland is encouraged to get online, complete the survey, and have their voice heard.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change, and Innovation Minister Andrew McNamara said, "This age bracket is really switched on and concerned about environmental challenges like climate change."
The survey is a joint initiative of the Queensland Youth Environment Council (QYEC), Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Education, Training and the Arts, and the University of Queensland.
QYEC representative Tony McCarthy said the survey was an easy way for all young people in Queensland to have their say and make a difference.
"It's a chance for us to say what we really think about the environment, what drives us to act sustainably or otherwise, and what we think the government should do about the environment," he said.
The survey can be accessed via the new QYEC website. The survey will close on 5 December.
Reef updates
Great Barrier Reef hotspots targeted
The Great Barrier Reef will benefit from water quality improvements and reduced run-off with the allocation of $23 million in Australian Government funding to natural resource and industry groups, announced today.
The funding is part of the $200 million Reef Rescue package and aims to continue work to reduce the amount of fertilisers, chemicals and sediments entering waterways that drain to the Great Barrier Reef. Details were announced yesterday by Australian Government Environment Minister Peter Garrett and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke.
"The Rudd Government recognises that many farmers have already carried out great work on their properties to improve land management practices," Mr Burke said.
"Most of this $23 million will help farmers in the sugar, horticulture, grazing, cropping and dairy industries to continue that good work, which will boost productivity and reduce costs.
"Projects will include the use of GPS-guided farming to reduce soil compaction and erosion; managing and re-vegetating cane drains and converting machinery to use fertilisers and herbicides more efficiently.
"The funding will also help research and development to improve Reef lagoon water quality," Mr Burke said.
Under Reef Rescue, regional and industry organisations work with private landholders and land managers to help the Great Barrier Reef resist the impacts of climate change.
The money will roll out in the next few weeks throughout Queensland coastal catchment groups and to industry.
"Improved land management can have a real impact on the health of this internationally renowned, World Heritage listed natural wonder. Through Caring for our Country the Rudd Labor Government has set a clear objective of reducing nutrient and chemical discharge from land to the Reef by 25 per cent by 2010," Mr Garrett said.
"I am very pleased that this program is bringing together farmers, land managers, environmental groups and the industry in an unprecedented way to ensure that the Great Barrier Reef has the best chance of survival, particularly in the face of dangerous climate change," he said.
Five regional organisations will each receive up to $7 million to work with industry organisations, land managers and landholders to give the Reef a better chance to survive climate change impacts. In addition, just over $1 million will support a partnership between five primary production industry organisations, the Queensland Farmers' Federation and the Regional Groups Collective to raise awareness of the need for land management changes.
The Ministers said that land managers and landholders are also being supported to manage stock access to waterways, to prevent stock from trampling river banks and helping to reverse instability and erosion.
Find out more on the Australian Government's Caring for our Country website.
Innisfail high school adopts Reef island
A group of far north Queensland teenagers keen to do their bit for the environment have 'adopted' a tropical island in what is believed to be a world first.
Twenty students from Innisfail State High School have begun a project with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) where they will develop a baseline assessment of Russell Island, south-east of Cairns.
Most of the previous data collected on the island, part of the Frankland group, was destroyed during Cyclone Larry. Kathleen Swalling, from GBRMPA, said the environmental data collected by students at the school would become part of a future plan for the Great Barrier Reef.
Students have also cleaned up rubbish on the island, conducted beach profiles, studied sea cucumbers and corals, and worked with park rangers to remove invasive weeds.
Elly Inoke and her friend Kari-Ann West were among the 20 teens taking part in the project. They insisted adopting a tropical island was not as idyllic as it might seem.
"We have witnessed first hand the impact we are having on the fragile beauty of these ecosystems," Ms West said. "We have seen coral bleaching and the impact of rubbish and sediment run-off. We have pulled weeds, counted coral, clams and sea cucumbers, and spotted sea eagles."
Innisfail principal Julie Pozzoli said the school had a 15-year link to the island. Teacher Tanya Martin, described the coral-fringed atoll as "our classroom". "This is hands on. This is what helps make the kids connect the dots," Ms Martin said.
Wetlands updates
Kids get passionate about protecting wetlands
Kids who are passionate about the environment converged on Townsville this week for the 2008 International Youth Coastal Conference.
The Queensland Wetlands Program (QWP) funded the Townsville Central State School (TCSS) to develop and pilot a 10-week wetland school curriculum. The students used the course work to develop the conference workshops.
TCSS students highlighted the importance of wetlands to the health of the Reef through a multi-media presentation on Monday. Townsville-based QWP project manager Donna Audas said the students' messages were drawn from the QWP curriculum, which saw them spend time in the field examining wetland wildlife, water quality and threats.
"The work undertaken by this school has been outstanding - the students have visited the reef and put their knowledge to the test during a two-day canoe trip on Ross Creek," Ms Audas said.
"At the conference, the students challenged the 300 delegates to protect wetlands because they are the 'kidneys' of the Great Barrier Reef.
"Through their experiences, they have seen that their local wetlands are nursery grounds for reef fish such as barramundi, as well as a habitat for other wildlife,” Ms Audas said.
More than 300 environmentally-committed primary and secondary students and teachers from around Australia and from overseas visited Townsville for the conference.
Natural resources news
Protecting fisheries for the future
The Queensland Seafood Industry Association (QSIA) has developed three Environmental Management Systems (EMS) that outline steps to ensuring commercial fishing is sustainable.
QSIA senior vice-president Robin Hansen said sustainable fishing was important to both fisheries resources and the industry itself.
"The EMS allows industry to identify activities that impact on the environment, document and assess risks, and look at ways to reduce that risk to the environment," Mr Hansen said. "The aim is to increase community involvement and consumer confidence in the seafood industry and enhance the co-management capacity of fishers in fisheries resources and management.
"The EMS revealed just how pro-active fishers have been by voluntarily contributing to government research initiatives," Mr Hansen said.
This includes the development and implementation of by-catch reduction devices, turtle excluders and studies into maximum gear selectivity such as mesh size and crab pot design. Mr Hansen said developing the EMS has enabled fishers to recognise the many ways they are already operating in an environmentally secure way.
The available EMS include:
- Hinchinbrook Region Net/Line/Crab EMS
- Wide Bay Burnett/ Great Sandy Straits Net/Line/Crab EMS
- Sunshine and Cooloola Coasts Net/Line/Crab EMS and Trawl EMS.
Within each fishery there are multiple sub-fisheries prescribed by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) defined by gear type, target species and or region as listed.
As part of the process, QSIA have also developed a voluntary program Let's Talk Professional Fishing modelled on DPI&F's recreational Fishcare program. This volunteer program is promoted by wearing a t-shirt that identifies that the wearer is happy to talk about commercial fishing to anyone. If you’re interested in participating in Let's Talk Professional Fishing, please contact QSIA's Ashleigh Hoffman 3262 6855.
"Thumbs up" Dugong and Marine Turtle Management Summit
"Thumbs up!" said the participants of the recent Dugong and Marine Management Summit held by the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Authority (NAILSMA).
The summit, held from 6-10 October, brought together Indigenous rangers and facilitators from as far away as Zenadh Kes (Torres Strait), Cape York, the Gulf of Carpentaria, and the Top End of the Northern Territory to One Arm Point—a small community on the Western Australian coast that is home to the Bardi Jawi Rangers.
The summit comes at the tail-end of the first phase of the Dugong and Marine Turtle Project and was an opportunity for rangers and communities involved in the project to look back and share their successes over the past three years. It also provided opportunities to discuss issues and brainstorm new activities and aspirations that could be included in a future phase of the project.
Most significantly, all participants gave their overwhelming support to continue the project with a focus on increasing the capacity of ranger programs so that they can take their regional activity plans to the next level. The participants showed enthusiasm for the network to develop and see the opportunities for collaboration and sharing ideas across the regions as an important aspect of the project.
Federal and state governments gave a strong show of support with representatives from the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (from the Working on Country project), the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (Northern Territory), and the Department of Indigenous Affairs (WA).
Asian honey bees spread into Cairns suburbs
Public reporting of Asian honey bees has become more crucial to the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) since the battleground has expanded into the suburbs of Cairns.
Biosecurity Queensland is fighting the pest bee on more than one front. Teams are continuing to monitor rural areas around Gordonvale, while others are following up reports of bee nests in the homes and backyards at Parramatta Park and Bungalow.
A fifteenth nest was detected and destroyed in a container at a Portsmith business, the industrial suburb where Asian honey bees were first detected in May last year.
Biosecurity Queensland operations manager Ian Rodger said reports from city residents have led to the immediate destruction of nests in residential areas within the city limits.
"We fear there are more out there," Mr Rodger said.
"The bees are often difficult to locate so it is important residents become increasingly vigilant around their own homes and report any suspicious bees or swarms," Mr Rodger said.
Asian honey bees (Apis cerana) are slightly smaller than the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) and its abdomen has a more distinctive brown and yellow stripes. Residents who believe they have Asian honey bees on their property are urged to contact Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.
Huge water efficiency gains achieved for Condamine Catchment project
A 12-month project aimed at improving efficiency and sustainability of growers in the Condamine Catchment has resulted in huge water efficiency gains of approximately 1000 megalitres.
The project, funded under the National Landcare Program (now the Caring for Our Country initiative), saw 29 horticulture growers in the catchment undertake works on their farms to address sediment loss, reduce the effects of wind erosion, improve on-farm water use efficiency, improve soil health, and increase ground coverage.
Growcom land and water field officer Anna Geddes said the project aimed to improve production based outcomes through the implementation of practical on-ground techniques, addressing sustainable agriculture, natural resource management, and enhancing horticulture growers' knowledge of these issues.
Toowoomba Landcare coordinator Rachael Pignat said working with horticultural growers in the catchment provided the opportunity to achieve significant water use efficiency outcomes, resulting in changes in land management practices for long-term sustainability.
Working in partnership with Growcom were the Chinchilla, Condamine Headwaters, Central Downs, Millmerran, and Toowoomba Landcare groups.
Technical advice for the project was supplied by Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Condamine Alliance, Australian Centre for Sustainable Catchments, and Natural Solutions Environmental Consultants.
Sensor cameras tackle weeds
Farmers across Australia are taking up new weed management technology which they claim saves them large amounts of money.
The WeedSeeker technology developed by a United States company uses infra-red cameras which sense green foliage, targeting chemicals directly at weeds.
Walget (west of Tamworth, New South Wales) grain grower, David Ricardo, says he's more than happy with the development.
"The WeedSeeker's changed our whole management on the farm now," Mr Ricardo said.
"We're able to manage our paddocks better, I think, but the savings are enormous, when you look at the chemicals used before, the manpower used on extra spraying. Now we're just going straight to the target," Mr Ricardo said.
Sourced from ABC News
For more information visit the Crop Optics Australia website.
Aerial baiting planned to stop fire ants spread
Aerial baiting for fire ants will be expanded in south-east Queensland in a bid to stop the pest spreading further west.
Helicopters will begin dropping bait across large areas near Ipswich.
New nests were recently discovered at Rosewood, Thagoona and Willowbank.
Biosecurity Queensland spokeswoman Cara McNicol says Willowbank and Amberley, near Ipswich, will be targeted following recent discoveries of nests.
"To ensure that we've covered any potential spread from those areas, we are applying a low-toxic ant bait further afield so we can ensure we have covered all areas and make sure we get any nests that might be in those areas," she said.
Ms McNicol said the ongoing baiting program is slowing the spread of fire ants.
"The recent detections we've had have been fairly close to our previous restricted areas so it gives us good confidence to know that we are getting on top of the ants because there hasn't been a huge spread west and certainly the approach we're putting in with these buffer zones is to contain them," she said.
Sourced from ABC News
'Trial by fire' hopes to eradicate siam weed
Fire rained from the sky earlier this month as authorities attempted to destroy a vile weed that had infested bushland west of Townsville.
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) took to the sky in a helicopter to firebomb siam weed in the Pinnacles in the Upper Ross area of the city. It is the first time the weed, one of the most destructive and invasive weeds in North Queensland, has been targeted by fire.
Biosecurity Queensland project co-ordinator Kim Erbacher described the operation as a `trial by fire', to test the fire bombing’s effectiveness against Siam weed infestations.
Siam weed quickly invades and smothers existing vegetation, and out-competes pastures, crops and native vegetation. It can also cause skin problems and asthma in allergy-prone people, and can poison stock.
The weed grows as a dense, tangling bush to a height of between 2m and 3m. It can scramble up trees to 20m.
Five new infestations were discovered in Townsville in the past 12 months including areas of the Ross River catchment, Oak Valley, the Bohle and Black River.
Anyone who believes they may have sighted siam weed is urged to contact the DPI&F on 13 25 23.
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/organisation: Kowanyama Shire Council
Title: Natural resource management coordinator
Location: Kowanyama (west coast of Cape York Peninsula)
Closing date: COB Wednesday 12 November
The Kowanyama Aboriginal Land and Natural Resource Management Office (KALNRMO) is seeking the services of a NRM professional with experience, passion and drive in Indigenous Land Management to undertake the role of NRM coordinator.
If you think this is the job for you or would like some further information please email Kristine Japp.
Regional body/organisation: Qld Regional NRM Groups Collective
Title: State communications coordinator
Tenure: Two-year contact (subject to ongoing funding)
Salary range: Competitive salary package
Location: Brisbane or Toowoomba
Closing date: COB Friday 7 November
For more information or to obtain a position description visit the RGC website or email Lane Pilon.
Thought for the week
There is only one success - to be able to spend your life in your own way.
Christopher Morley, American author and journalist, 1890–1957
***
We welcome your contributions and feedback. If you have any comments or suggestions for The Bugle please contact Carl Glen or Shona Strachan.
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 24 October 2008