The Bugle - 12 December 2008
In news this week
Regional NRM group stories- AgForward and BMRG deliver for the Burnett
- Wet tropics farmers can log on for 'carrot'
- Burdekin Dry Tropics region receives over $820 000
- Bush tucker gardens open in Inglewood
- Pasture field day at Roma boosts resource management outcomes
- Community Coastcare projects funded
- Carbon pollution reduction scheme white paper to be released
- Ten thousand people now on the lookout for fire ants
- Fresh approach builds skills, research and modernises services
- Caring for our Country road show in second week
- Catch the right jewfish or catch a fine
- Grain legumes fit into summer crop options
- New land for conservation
Regional NRM group stories
AgForward and BMRG deliver for the Burnett
Burnett region landholders have successfully undertaken biodiversity and sustainable productivity improvement works across more than 800 hectares of rural land during the past year.
The biodiversity values have been enhanced by restoring the forest structure to a more original condition, allowing the understorey to increase and create an ‘open forest’ ecosystem.
Fifteen primary producers boosted the sustainability of their operations through a partnership program offered by AgForward and the Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG).
AgForward’s agforests advisor Rohan Allen, said sustainable native forest management on freehold land is an important component of many rural properties in Queensland.
“However, at present many of these forests and woodlands are in a ‘thickened’ condition with too many trees which causes biodiversity loss and soil erosion,” he said.
AgForward and the BMRG ran an incentives project in the Burnett region aimed at thinning overgrown forests to kickstart better environmental and economic outcomes.
Mr Allen said proposals needed to demonstrate a reasonable producer contribution and show that biodiversity would be enhanced by the work. All proposals had to comply with the Queensland Vegetation Management Act and the Native Forest Practice Code if a 'remnant'.
For more information please contact AgForests advisor Rohan Allen on 3236 3100.
Wet tropics Farmers can log on for 'carrot'
The Federal Government has injected $23 million into a major Reef Rescue program as part of its Caring for our Country initiative.
The funds have been allocated across regional NRM groups and industry bodies within reef catchments.
The program will subsidise land based activities that help to improve the quality of water entering the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.
In the wet tropics region Terrain NRM and its industry partners have secured $6.8 million Reef Rescue funding for 2008-09.
In the wet tropics, the program is being delivered via Terrain in partnership with industry groups.
In part, the funds will support the region's Water Quality Improvement Grants for land managers to fund activities that further reduce nutrient, sediment and pesticide loads to the reef.
Eligible activities include, but are not limited to, nutrient management, soil management (including ground cover, soil health and erosion management), riparian management, water management, reducing pesticide use, training and farm action plan development.
Applications close Friday 13 February 2009. Program information and funding guidelines are now available on the Terrain website.
Burdekin Dry Tropics region receives over $820 000
The Burdekin Dry Tropics region has received over $820 000 as part of the Federal Government’s Caring for our Country Community Coastcare program.
It brings the total of recently-announced federal funding to over $5.5 million to deliver NRM outcomes in the Burdekin Dry Tropics region, including over $3 million for the Reef Rescue initiative and almost $2 million in Open Grants funding.
The Community Coastcare grants form part of the Caring for our Country business plan. Proposals for funding were sought from May to July this year. A focus was placed on projects protecting and rehabilitating coastal environments and critical aquatic habitats; as well as enhance community skills, knowledge and engagement with Indigenous Australians, volunteers and coastal communities.
Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM Coastal and Marine Program Coordinator Dr Rachel Allan said that the Community Coastcare funding will greatly benefit the local region.
“The community coastcare grants provide a further boost to our region. It enables us to carry out much needed on-ground natural resource management and enhance the community’s involvement throughout the Burdekin Dry Tropics coast,” Dr Allan said.
For further information please contact Lesley McMahon from Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM on 4724 3544.
Bush tucker gardens open in Inglewood
It was a very hot day on 2 December in Inglewood, when more than 120 schools students came together for the official opening of two bush tucker gardens in the town.
The gardens were built and planted by community members, students and teachers from Inglewood State School and St Maria Goretti Catholic School, sponsored by the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee (QMDC), Inglewood Landcare Group and Australia Post.
QMDC Regional Aboriginal Program Coordinator Tim Knox officially opened the bush tucker gardens, recognising the traditional owners of Inglewood, and thanking both schools for the hard work they had put into ensuring the gardens were created.
Various businesses and individuals in and around Inglewood donated materials and time to assist in the construction of the gardens which include native ‘bush tucker’ plants, such as wild lime (Citrus glauca), old man saltbush (Atriplex nummularia) and native leek (Bulbine bulbosa).
Inglewood Landcare Coordinator Veronica Aster said the bush tucker gardens were more than a fantastic way to get students outdoors, they were also a great learning resource.
“It is great to see the students become more aware of Indigenous culture through this project,” Ms Aster said, “The children started on the gardens back in February this year and both schools have been working hard to finish them, in fact, the students from St Maria Goretti Catholic School are continuing their project by fundraising to buy more bush tucker species.”
Ms Aster said a book about the gardens had also been produced, Australian bush tucker and other cultural uses, which contained information about the Inglewood bush tucker gardens, the processes involved in their construction, Aboriginal history and plant profiles.
For more information, please contact Inglewood Landcare Coordinator Veronica Aster on 4652 1610 or QMDC Regional Aboriginal Programs Coordinator Tim Knox on 46376 201.
Pasture field day at Roma boosts resource management outcomes
Queensland Murray-Darling Committee (QMDC) Grazing Lands Coordinator Sid Cook said yesterday’s field day, a collaborative effort between QMDC, the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) and Landcare, covered issues such as pasture selection and management in the Maranoa.
“Pasture management is the key to longer term production and sustainability and we know producers are keen to find out how to not only halt land decline, but improve their pastures for the future,” he said.
“Research has shown that boosting groundcover from 20 per cent to 70 per cent can reduce water runoff from 160mm down to 10mm a year and obviously this has major beneficial impacts such as reducing erosion and increasing water infiltration and storage in the soil, all of which leads to better pasture growth,” Dr Cook said.
Speakers on the day included DPI&F grazing lands principal extension officer Col Paton and plant science principal experimentalist Brian Johnson on topics including revegetating old cultivation and grass and legume variety selection.
The field day started at the Packer family’s 'Kurrajong' 120km from Roma on the Southern Road and moved onto the Johnson family’s 'Coogoon' later in the day.
For more information about the day, please contact QMDC Grazing Lands Coordinator Sid Cook on 4637 6223 or 0427 500 184.
Government updates
Community Coastcare projects funded
As part of Coastcare week, the Federal Government announced $22.5 million in funds to benefit more than 400 local and community groups on the nation’s coastline.
The Community Coastcare program funding is part of the $2.25 billion Caring for our Country initiative and will support projects including reducing threats to fish habitats in Queensland’s Burdekin Dry Tropics.
Federal Minister for the Environment Peter Garrett, and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Tony Burke said the package includes more than $10 million for 349 small grants worth up to $50 000 each and more than $12.5 million for 72 larger-scale projects targeted to national environmental priorities.
Further information and a full listing of successful Community Coastcare grants is available on the Federal NRM website.
Carbon pollution reduction scheme White Paper to be released
The Federal Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) White Paper and medium term target range for reducing carbon pollution will be released on Monday 15 December 2008.
The White Paper outlining the final design of the scheme and medium term target range will be released following Senator Wong's return from the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznan, Poland.
Draft legislation incorporating the policy approach outlined in the White Paper will be released in early 2009.
For more information visit the Climate change website.
Ten thousand people now on the lookout for fire ants
South East Queensland now has 20 000 extra eyes on the lookout for fire ants after the 10 000th fire ant trainee attended the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) fire ant training last Monday 8 December.
Ten thousand fire ant trainees is an amazing response from the public. It was recognised early on how important it is to have the whole community involved in the fight against fire ants and all these trainees are a great boost in DPI&F’s efforts to eradicate this pest.
Training programs for volunteers have been run since 2001. Many community groups and locals who want to help eradicate fire ants attend the training to become volunteer fire ant rangers.
Another incentive for the high number of volunteers comes from the need in fire ant areas to have soil being disturbed in excess of one cubic metre inspected for fire ants. Councils and public utilities send staff in to be trained to carry out these inspections. High risk businesses like nurseries and landscapers also send employees in for fire ant training.
Whenever fire ants are found, DPI&F officers are sent in to destroy the nest.
The lucky 10 000th person received a special certificate at the completion of the training at Biosecurity Queensland Control Centre.
For the full media release, visit the state government media statement website.
Fresh approach builds skills, research and modernises services
Queensland’s primary industries sector is changing. The global financial crisis, world-wide food shortages, rising food prices, a changing climate, skill shortages and increasing biosecurity threats are issues at the forefront of modern agribusiness.
To meet these challenges and capitalise on the opportunities the Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries, Tim Mulherin, has announced a 'fresh approach' to growing Queensland’s primary industries.
The fresh approach initiative refocuses the way the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries ( DPI&F ) will work to achieve the vision of a $34 billion industry by 2020, almost three times today's value.
The DPI&F is developing a plan with industry, education providers and research organisations for a fresh approach to accelerate growth.
The fresh approach involves partnering with schools, colleges and universities to create and market rewarding and attractive career paths in all aspects of primary industries. It will develop tailored services that maximise the department’s contribution to accelerated growth for primary industries.
Finally, the fresh approach will progress the national research, development and extension framework by establishing proposed 'Centres of Excellence' to better partner industry with education, attract the highest level of domestic and international investment possible and ensure investment in research and development to provide greater productivity for industry.
Since the fresh approach was announced in June 2008, key progress has included the announcement of a new Agri-science hub in Mareeba to focus on Research, Development and Extension (RD&E), education and training on the Atherton Tablelands; the launch of DPI&F's mobile office; and signing a Statement of Intent with James Cook University to create the Australian Institute for Tropical Agricultural Sciences.
Caring for our Country road show in second week
The Australian Government recently released its Caring for our Country Business Plan 2009–10 that sets out a new approach to protecting and sustainably managing Australia’s natural environment.
The Australian Government is now looking to work with partners across the country to help achieve the Caring for our Country five year outcomes on the ground. Investment will be linked to a series of targets to help achieve a real and measurable difference in protecting and managing our natural resources.
To find out more about the Caring for our Country investment priorities, what this means for organisations and how to submit an investment proposal, the Australian Government is running a series of Caring for our Country information sessions where people can find out more details about the 2009–10 business plan and ask questions of the Australian Government.
Successful workshops have already been conducted in Brisbane, Cairns and Townsville, with the fourth workshop to be conducted in Longreach at the RSL on Duck Street today from 9am to 12pm.
Information sessions are being held in the following Queensland locations next week:
| Date |
Time |
Location |
Venue |
|
Mon 15 Dec |
1pm–4pm |
Bundaberg |
Old Bundy Tavern |
|
Mon 15 Dec |
1pm–4pm |
Mackay |
Azure Function Centre |
|
Tue 16 Dec |
1pm–4pm |
Rockhampton |
DPIF Conference Centre |
|
Wed 17 Dec |
9am–12pm |
Toowoomba |
James Taylor Room, Clifford House |
|
Thur 18 Dec |
1pm-4pm |
Mount Isa |
Billabong Lounge, The Buffs Club |
Before attending the information session, further information can be sought from the Caring for our Country business plan which can be found on the Australian Government NRM website.
Catch the right jewfish or catch a fine
Queensland recreational fishers are being reminded of the different bag and size limits that apply to the various fish species, particularly silver jewfish.
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F), Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) officer Meagan Hepworth said there had been a rise in the number of fishers mistaking silver jewfish for other jewfish that are not covered by the same regulations.
"The silver jewfish has a minimum legal size catch of 45cm and any undersized catch should immediately be returned to the water," Ms Hepworth said.
The silver jewfish can be identified from other jewfish by its silver coloured body, dark lateral line, 10 or 11 hard dorsal spines and two hard anal spines.
Ms Hepworth said fishers should be familiar with fishing rules and regulations and have a good-quality identification guide.
"QBFP will continue to conduct regular patrols in the area to ensure the continued sustainability of local fisheries stocks," she said.
"Fishers who do not observe Queensland´s fishing regulations are warned that fines of up to $75 000 can apply," Ms Hepworth said.
For more information on recreational fishing rules and regulations contact DPI&F by calling 13 25 23 or look on the DPI&F website.
Grain legumes fit into summer crop options
Recent rain has presented growers with the opportunity for further summer crop plantings through the December-January period, and flexibility in regard to which crops are most profitable and will best suit individual farming systems.
This is the message from Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) pulse and grain legume industry development officers, Jayne Gentry and Julie Ferguson, who recommend farmers should now be considering growing mungbeans (dryland or irrigated) and soybeans (irrigated) when they make their planting decisions.
Ms Gentry said current changing commodity and input prices spelt a challenging time for farmers, particularly as coarse grain prices had fallen and fertiliser prices were still relatively high.
Optimal planting time for both these crops is from December through to mid-January.
Mungbeans and soybeans are a legume and fix nitrogen, but need to be closely monitored for insects to maximise yield and quality. They provide a weed and disease-break and have low fertiliser requirements. Soybean water requirements are high, so in situations where water availability is limited, mungbeans could be considered.
"November 2008 gross margin figures demonstrate mungbeans compare favourably with sorghum on an economic basis, however, mungbeans have the capacity to offer a lot more than purely monetary return," Ms Gentry said.
For further information visit the DP&F website, the Australian Mungbean Association website or the Australian Oilseeds Federation website.
New land for conservation
Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said the Government was working to identify opportunities for protection of the environment right across Queensland.
"The Department of Natural Resources and Water is currently assessing more than 19 000 parcels of unallocated state land across Queensland, totalling over one million hectares, to identify and protect areas with high conservation values," Mr Wallace said.
"Under this program we are already delivering benefits for the protection of endangered animals and ecosystems, with land being transferred to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in all parts of the state," he said.
In Southern Queensland:
- 53 lots of unallocated state land, totalling more than 16 300 hectares, are being transferred to the EPA.
- This transfer will ensure the protection of an internationally significant listed wetland near Cunnamulla and endangered and of-concern ecosystems north of Toowoomba, which are home to the vulnerable black breasted button quail.
In Central Queensland:
- Nine lots of unallocated state land, covering 4000 hectares have been transferred to the EPA.
- This transfer will extend wildlife corridors, protect scenic integrity, rare plants and the endangered Proserpine rock-wallaby, in the Mackay area.
In Northern Queensland:
- 29 lots of unallocated state land, covering 7300 hectares are being transferred to the EPA.
- This includes land around the Halifax Bay Wetlands and the Hervey Range scenic rim near Townsville. The transfer is helping to connect remnant ecosystems and protect endangered fauna such as the black-throated finch.
For more information visit the Department of Natural Resources and Water website.
Reef updates
Final coral reef fin fish spawning closure lifted
Fishers will be able to enjoy catching coral reef fin fish during the Christmas holidays with Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin confirming that the last of three spawning closures for 2008 has now been lifted.
Mr Mulherin said the lifting of the December spawning closure is now official following an amendment to the fisheries regulation to remove the December closure.
The final nine-day closure for coral reef fin fish, which was due in December, was lifted after the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) received independent scientific advice.
Mr Mulherin said that the scientific review found that the biological effectiveness of closures was higher in October and November than in December.
“During these seasonal closures large numbers of mature fish gather in certain locations on the reefs to spawn, generally corresponding with the new moon phase,” he said.
“Two spawning closures have already been completed this year and I would like to congratulate fishers for their adherence to the two nine-day closures held from 22 to 30 October and 21 to 29 November. There will need to be further consideration of potential closure regimes for 2009 onwards,” Mr Mulherin said.
More information on Queensland's fishing regulations can be found on the DPI&F website or by calling 13 25 23.
Wetlands updates
Transfer of state land near Mackay to protect native breeding habitats
Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace has announced the expansion of the Sandfly Creek Environmental Reserve near Mackay.
Mr Wallace said the addition of eleven hectares of state land to the existing reserve will ensure the protection of more of the region's bird and fish breeding habitats along the Pioneer River.
"The Sandfly Creek Environmental Reserve is an important wetland area, home to a significant wader bird and fish breeding habitat,'' Mr Wallace said.
"The Bligh Government allocated approximately 46 hectares of land as a reserve two years ago, to protect the unique biodiversity and conservation values of the area,'' Mr Wallace said, "This additional transfer of 11 hectares of land is a further boost to the local environment, and will ensure it can be effectively managed as part of the larger environmental reserve."
Mackay Regional Council has accepted trusteeship of the additional land, immediately east of the existing reserve, allowing the Department of Natural Resources and Water to formally include it in the reserve.
For more information visit the NRW website.
Natural resources news
Working bee puts all hands on track
The Conondale Range Committee (CRC) gathered on 29 November to complete the 'first day section' of the Conondale Range Great Walk in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Senior Ranger Mark Cody said work had been ‘stepped up’ to ensure 12km of track along the lower Booloumba section of the Conondale Range Great Walk was completed before Christmas.
“This section will make up the first section of the 60km loop-track on the multi-day walk through the Conondale Range," Mr Cody said.
Mr Cody said the help of the CRC had been invaluable in delivering a first-class long distance walking trail in the Conondale Range and 16 local members put in a big morning’s effort to deliver another 100 metres of completed walking track in difficult terrain.
“The work included moving large rocks, constructing steps and retaining walls to create the finished track," Mr Cody said.
Conondale Range Great Walk, with three walkers’ camps, showcases the rugged natural features of the area, including waterfalls, tall forests and expansive views over the range. The lower Booloumba Creek section includes rainforest sections and waterholes before climbing through open forest to Booloumba Falls and the Breadknife lookout.
Visit the great walks section of the EPA website to learn more.
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.
AgForward and AgForce have launched AgEssentials. Participants who successfully complete an AgForward/AgForce workshop receive a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment. The skills from AgForward workshops can be used to gain a Certificate IV in Conservation and Land Management through the AgEssentials program.
Upcoming workshops include:
- 16 December: Rosevale - GPS essentials
- 16 December: Nebo - Computer mapping
- 16 December: Ivanhoe Downs - Complex PMAV Field Day
- 17 December: Boonah - GPS essentials
- 18 December: Esk - GPS essentials
- 18 December: Calliope - Computer mapping
To register for the workshops contact Bree Robertson on 3238 6039. To register for the AgForests Field Days 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:
Regional body/organisation: Southern Gulf Catchments
Expressions of Interest
Expressions of interest are being sought from people who have qualifications, experience or an interest working in the natural resource management field.
Southern Gulf Catchments are interested in hearing from people with some or all of the following attributes:
- Positive communication skills with many different groups and stakeholders relevant to community engagement and consultation
- Large and/or small project management skills including report writing
- Experience and skills in GPS, computer mapping, GIS, ideally ArcGIS/ArcView.
Your details will be kept on file for 12 months for future full-time, part time or temporary opportunities as they arise. Please feel free to update your information throughout the year.
Please phone 1800 676 242 or 47431888 or go to Southern Gulf Catchments website for information on the group.
To express your interest please send a brief letter outlining your experience and why you are interested in working in the NRM field and a succinct resume addressed to Mr Donald Coventry, Chief Executive Officer:
Mail: PO Box 2211
Mount Isa QLD 4825
Fax: 4749 4887
Email: ceo@southerngulf.com.au
Thought for the week
"Life's more amusing than we thought."
Andrew Lang
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Last updated 11 February 2009