The Bugle - 06 February 2009
In news this week
Regional NRM group stories
- Northern graziers welcome return of monsoon
- New regional pest strategy available for comment
- New Alva fence, new Alva saltpan
- Naturally resourceful workshops at Mitchell and Bollon
- Roots prefer rest over rain
Government updates
- Plans cater for Gold Coast and Brisbane river area water use
- Minister visits flying fox affected farms
- Farm walks to feature feathertop Rhodes control trials
- Helping farmers to adjust to climate change
- Volunteers reel in a decade of service
- Massive interest rate cut for QRAA loans
- Two new grassland ecological communities protected by federal Environment Act
Reef updates
- Cane growers enthusiastically apply to adopt on farm practice changes
- Coral growth declines sharply on Great Barrier Reef
Wetlands updates
Natural resources news
- Grow Local SEQ forum to look at community gardening
- Summer crop conference a first
- Turtle hatching begins on Mackay beaches
- 2009 International Sea Turtle Symposium comes to Brisbane
- $100,000 in Coastcare Grants available
- Get a job in NRM!
Regional NRM group stories
Northern graziers welcome return of monsoon
The past eight days of monsoonal activity in north-west Queensland herald the return of a traditional wet season which graziers have not seen since the 1970s.
AgForce Cattle spokesman and Cloncurry grazier Peter Hall said the widespread steady rain would provide a brilliant start to the season and any loss and inconvenience would be more than compensated by the pasture growth it would generate.
Mr Hall said there have been heavier falls south of the line from Richmond to Julia Creek as well as north and west of Cloncurry.
He said there is a lot of water going down the Leichardt, Cloncurry and Flinders river system flowing north into the Gulf. There are also big river flows in the Georgina, Burke and Hamilton and where they come together south of Boulia in the Channel Country, there will be flooding but locals are prepared for that eventuality.
“The north-west has gone from one of its biggest droughts into flooding and wet conditions and inevitably there will be road closures, damage and some stock losses, but that is just a fact of life up here,” Mr Hall said, “It is important, however, that local government authorities have the wherewithal to repair road and infrastructure damage when the weather breaks and so that we can get back to business as quickly as possible."
For comment, contact Peter Hall on 4742 2474 or 0427 422 472.
New regional pest strategy available for comment
A draft regional pest management strategy for the Burdekin Dry Tropics region has been released and is open for comment from members of the public.
The Draft Regional Pest Management Strategy was developed in conjunction with industry stakeholder leaders and representatives of local and state government to assist with the co-ordination of a regional approach to pest management. This approach will lead to improved pest management environmentally, culturally and financially, and provide greater leverage for external pest management funding.
Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM (BDTNRM) Chief Executive Officer Bob Frazer said “This will be done by promoting education and awareness, improving the coordination of on-ground activities, developing partnerships, and managing pest and weed spread along transport and riverine corridors.”
The strategy is divided into three main areas: knowledge and planning; implementation and coordination; and, training and capacity building. Each of these strategies contains a list of actions and associated targets. Clear, achievable goals and targets underpinned by practical actions, for the period 2008-13 are included.
Members of the public can inspect the Draft Regional Pest Management Strategy and make written submissions to BDTNRM by 16 February 2009.
The draft plan is available from the Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM website and hard copies are available by phoning 4724 3544.
New Alva beach fence protects Alva saltpan
Burdekin Dry Tropics Natural Resource Management (BDTNRM) teamed up with Burdekin Shire Council to deliver around $70,000 of work to Alva Beach in an attempt to make the area more ecologically sustainable.
The works included removing the northern toilet block, cleaning up and revegetating the salt pan, and erecting 2.5 km of new fencing.
BDTNRM Coastal and Marine Program Coordinator Rachel Allan said the northern toilet block was erected in an inappropriate location on a sand dune which meant the constant prevailing sand accretion had to be moved by heavy machinery each year.
The salt pan clean up resulted in 110 tones of rubbish being removed and children from Kalamia State School then revegetated over two hectares of the salt pan with native plants.
Residents are urged to take their waste to the transfer stations in town and green waste can soon be disposed of through the new council waste service.
Fencing around the salt pan was implemented to stop vehicles being used on it, which kills vegetation and causes erosion. Vehicles are still permitted on the beach in designated access ways and drivers should avoid the sand dunes by staying between the low and high tide marks.
For more information visit the Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM website or phone 4724 3544.
Naturally resourceful workshops at Mitchell and Bollon
Women in the Maranoa-Balonne catchment are developing their leadership skills and knowledge of NRM, thanks to the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee (QMDC).
The Naturally Resourceful short courses are being delivered by QMDC in January and February in both Mitchell and Bollon. The course consists of four workshops covering topics such as local ecology, biodiversity, soil/water interactions and communication techniques.
The course also includes a 'stocktake' workshop, run by extension officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries in Roma, which covers pasture monitoring techniques and land condition assessment.
The first workshop in 2009 started in January and the remaining dates are:
- Mitchell- Tuesday 10 February
- Bollon - Wednesday 11 February.
Any interested women can visit the QMDC website to find our more or contact Pip Bagshaw on 4671 7900. Registrations can still be made for the remaining days.
Roots prefer rest over rain
The Department of Primary Industried and Fisheries (DPI&F) west region researchers have proved that one of Queensland's most important pasture grasses, Mitchell grass, responds better to a grazing spell than heavy rain during the wet season.
Research also showed that established Mitchell grass pastures need disturbances like grazing or fire to remain strong.
Mitchell grass is a native plant that continues to provide feed through the winter months and is the backbone of the beef and wool industries in western Queensland.
Recently, the DPI&F led by principal scientist Dr David Phelps, conducted the world's first research into studying the effects of rain versus spelling.
Dr Phelps said graziers have been asking for advice on how to replenish their Mitchell grass at DPI&F's workshops. Most graziers currently believe the next 'big wet' will fix all their problems.
However, after growing the Mitchell grass seedlings in huge, reinforced cardboard boxes that held a tonne and a half of soil and studying and comparing their growth rate, Dr Phelps says there is no doubt, resting the seedlings and spelling established grasslands is the most important factor for sustainable pastures.
All this hard work has been recognised within the DPI&F with the Mitchell grass recovery research team named finalists in the 2008 staff awards.
The Mitchell grass research was funded by Desert Channels Queensland (DCQ).
Government updates
Plans cater for Gold Coast and Brisbane river area water use
Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace is calling for public submissions on draft resource operations plans for the Gold Coast and Moreton areas.
The Gold Coast plan area covers 1302 square kilometres and includes the catchments of the Nerang, Coomera and Pimpama rivers, and Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks. The Moreton plan area covers 15,631 square kilometres and includes the catchments of the Brisbane River, Pine River, Caboolture River, Cabbage Tree Creek and the Pumicestone creeks.
Previous Water Resource Plans developed have established the maximum amount of water that can be extracted from the catchments for human needs and the draft resource operations plans now aim to put these water resource plans into practice, by breaking down how that water is extracted and used.
“These draft resource operations plans outline in detail the operating and environmental management rules, the water sharing rules, the water trading rules, and monitoring and reporting requirements for water supply schemes in both of the plan areas,” Mr Wallace said.
Submissions on the draft Gold Coast and draft Moreton resource operations plans are open until 18 March 2009.
Further information is available at the Department of Natural Resources and Water's website or by telephoning 1800 308 252.
Minister visits flying fox affected farms
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin has inspected stone fruit and apple farms in the Stanthorpe region that have lost between 20 and 45 per cent of their crop due to flying foxes.
A state wide research group will be established to evaluate national and international non-lethal methods of controlling flying foxes such as netting, sound and lighting deterrents and food attractants.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency shooting flying foxes does not provide an adequate solution for controlling them and the ban on shooting introduced on 1 September last year will remain in effect.
Growers in the region have asked the government to make available financial assistance packages to help cover their losses.
"Funding is available under the Queensland Government Productivity Enhancement Scheme (PIPES)," Mr Mulherin said, "fruit growers meeting need and financial viability criteria could access assistance for non lethal control methods such as netting. The maximum loan under PIPES is $500,000 which can be repaid over a 20 year period."
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F's) has already committed $50,000 for transition assistance, with some of the money used to purchase 12 gauge Bird Frite cartridges for former Damage Mitigation Permit holders.
For more information visit DPI&F's website.
Farm walks to feature feathertop Rhodes control trials
Field walks highlighting research trials demonstrating herbicide and adjuvant technology to control feathertop Rhodes (FTR) grass were held on Dysart and Comet district properties in mid-January.
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) Field Crop Extension Officer Max Quinlivan said the department´s Emerald-based weeds team led by principal weed agronomist Vikki Osten, had ramped up the FTR field trials using knockdown and residual herbicides.
Mr Quinlivan said FTR grass was proving to be a vigorous and prolific seeding grass that had invaded central Queensland´s lighter loam and alluvial cropping country.
The FTR field trials have incorporated a range of herbicide treatments including spray-adjuvant in the mix at various growth stages. The control objective is to stop seeding occuring and to break the cycle to reduce the weed burden, then spot spray to eliminate the survivors.
Ms Osten´s weed team has been examining seasonal timing of herbicides; screening grass-active Class A herbicide efficacy; assessing rotational crop management in combination with competitive narrow row crop spacing and high plant populations; and clarifying the effects of water volume and droplet size on herbicide efficacy.
For more information please contact Max Quinlivan at Emerald DPI&F on 4983 7424 or 0418 708 252.
Helping farmers to adjust to climate change
Applications are now open for the first round of the $26.5 million FarmReady Industry Grants, part of Australia’s Farming Future, with grants of up to $80,000 available to primary industries groups and NRM groups.
Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said the funding would encourage farming, fisheries, forestry and NRM groups to be involved in collaborative projects which help them adapt to climate change.
This will be achieved by funding projects that:
- promote awareness of strategies for dealing with climate change
- accelerate the uptake of climate change adaptation, mitigation, education and training activities
- encourage the uptake of best practice management techniques and strategies to reduce the gap between climate change research and practical measures
- complement other government and industry programs and initiatives by delivering integrated solutions to the impacts of climate change.
Mr Burke said the FarmReady funding followed $46.2 million announced under Australia’s Farming Future for research and development to help our primary industries adapt to climate change.
The closing date for FarmReady Industry Grant applications is 17 February 2009.
For more information visit the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website.
Volunteers reel in a decade of service
Twelve volunteer fishing enthusiasts are celebrating 10 years of service in the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) Fishcare Volunteer Program helping other fishers understand and apply fisheries´ legislation, fish identification and measuring as well as conservation practices.
DPI&F Fishcare Volunteer Program co-ordinator Brendan Johnson said the volunteers´ contribution to Queensland fisheries had helped boost awareness of rules, regulations, and best fishing practices by promoting catch-and-release fishing, good fish-handling practices and sustainable fishing practices.
Fishcare program volunteers are asked to commit to one field activity a month, and occasionally attend events such as boat shows, fishing competitions and kids´ fishing clinics.
A full training course is supplied to prospective volunteers before undertaking the role.
The DPI&F Fishcare Program volunteers who have reached 10 years service are Brian and Christine Kuhn, Lorraine Hooker, Terry Mead, Vince Collis, Bastian Spirenburg, Scott Meanwell, Les Ryan, Shane Smith, Dick Sloper, Terry Walters and Ray Hastings.
For more information about the program contact Mr Johnson on 1800 659 861 or 3224 2291, or go to the fisheries section of the DPI&F website.
Massive interest rate cut for QRAA loans
Primary producers and commercial fishers in rural and regional Queensland will benefit from the interest rate cuts of up to 3.62 per cent for QRAA loans that improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of their enterprise, or assist them to recover from drought.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said the new fixed interest rates are 4.98 per cent for one year, 5.24 per cent for three years, or 5.6 per cent for five years, will be effective from 1 January 2009 on new loan applications for QRAA's Development, First Start, Resource Management Loans and Drought Carry-On and Recovery Loans.
"This is the first time the rates have been cut since January 2005, and brings much-needed relief to rural and regional Queenslanders,” Mr Mulherin said.
QRAA Chief Executive Officer Colin Holden said primary producers looking to implement new farming initiatives, improve their natural resource practices or continue to carry out activities during the drought, can take advantage of QRAA's low interest rates.
Activities include purchasing additional property, adopting value adding activities, establishing additional water points, succession planning, and upgrading farm plant and machinery.
For more information visit QRAA's website.
Two new grassland ecological communities protected by federal Environment Act
The Federal Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett, on consideration of advice from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee, has recently listed two new threatened ecological communities under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999).
The Natural grasslands of the Queensland Central Highlands and northern Fitzroy Basin and the Natural grasslands on basalt and fine-textured alluvial plains of NSW and Queensland have been listed in the category of critically endangered.
The purpose of listing these two ecological communities under the Act is to help prevent their decline and provide support to on-ground efforts that ensure their long-term survival. The listings mean any new activity having a significant impact on either of the ecological communities should be referred to the Department of Environment, Heritage and the Arts (DEHA) for assessment and approval. Information regarding the referrals and assessment process can be found at the DEHA website.
Funding to protect and restore threatened ecological communities will be available to landholders and the community through the Australian Government’s ‘Caring for our Country’ package.
The listing of these two new ecological communities supersedes the listing of the bluegrass (Dichanthium spp.) dominant grasslands of the Brigalow Belt Bioregions (north and south) ecological community.
Information guides are currently being prepared on reasons for the listings; how to recognise and manage the ecological communities; and, the Act implications for landowners.
If you have any queries about these ecological communities email Paul Barraclough from the Department of Environment, Heritage and the Arts.
Reef updates
Cane growers enthusiastically apply to adopt on farm practice changes
More than 250 applications have been submitted after approximately $5 million dollars of Reef Rescue federal funds were released in the Reef Catchments region, in December 2008 for farmers who are voluntarily working on projects to improve their farming systems.
Canegrowers Mackay Key Contact Officer John Eden said that the response has shown a real enthusiasm to adopt on farm changes and participate in projects designed to decrease nutrient, sediment and herbicide run-off.
So far seven sugar industry projects have received a total of $1.113 million, with around $750,000 going to 65 group or individual farm projects with 97 landholders involved and $25,000 allocated to 18 grazing projects.
Most of the approved projects were those already prepared under Reef Catchments' former Sustainable Landscapes project and included the purchase of GPS equipment for use in controlled traffic farming, shielded sprayers and variable rate fertilizer applicators.
Reef Catchments Chief Executive Officer Rob Coco said to ensure there are more funds available in the next funding round $4 million will need to be spent before June this year.
There are federal funds still available for the voluntary adoption of best practice programs and growers who have not done so should contact Key Contact Officer John Eden at Mackay Canegrowers for an expression of interest form.
For more information visit the Caring for our Country- Reef Rescue website or phone Mackay Canegrowers on 4944 2600.
Coral growth declines sharply on Great Barrier Reef
New research says the decline in coral growth on the Great Barrier Reef is unprecedented and has fallen to the slowest rate in more than 400 years.
The Australian Institute of Marine Science's (AIMS) Dr Glenn De'ath says banding like tree rings on the giant porites coral reveals a massive decline in the growth history.
"Around about 1990 things have changed and coral calcification - that's a measure of how corals grow - has decreased by about 14 per cent since then," he said.
Dr De’ath says growth has been relatively consistent over the last 400 years or so and now we are experiencing growth which is consistently declining due to increased acidity levels in the ocean.
Dr De'ath says a rough estimate suggests coral growth could hit zero by 2050.
For more information visit the AIMS website.
Wetlands updates
Kalamia Lagoon weed removal underway
Approximately $70,000 of funds from both Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM and Burdekin Shire Council is being spent on the removal of weeds from Kalamia Lagoon, located on Kalamia Creek in the Burdekin delta.
The weeds are being removed as part of a five-year vision to restore fish passage between Lillesmere Lagoon and Kalamia and to improve the water quality for fish and habitat for birds.
WetlandCare Australua Senior Project Officer Nic Cobcroft is based at Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM. Nic Cobcroft said that it is important to keep in mind the importance of wetlands, as well as their conservation and how they are used.
Mr Cobcroft said World Wetlands Day, held on 2 February, is a good time for landholders to consider researching options for conserving any lagoons on or adjacent to their property.
Landholders who would like to talk about co-operative weed options for lagoons on or adjacent to their property can email Nic Cobcroft at Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM or phone 4724 3544.
For further information please contact Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM Communications Manager Lesley McMahon by email or phone 4724 3544.
Natural resources news
Grow Local SEQ forum to look at community gardening
Grow Local SEQ is a regional strategy under development by Queensland Conservation Council that aims to increase the production and consumption of locally grown food across southeast Queensland. A full day forum will take place on 27 February to discuss this strategy and a whole-of-region approach to local food production programs.
The forum, supported by Griffith Ecocentre, will feature an overview of the campaign by Toby Hutcheon, Executive Director Queensland Conservation, and presentations by Cam Walker (Friends of the Earth) discussing food labeling; Merv Moorhead, an organic banana grower from Wamuran; Dick Copeman (Northey Street City Farm) and Rob Pekin from Food Connect. The forum concludes with a facilitated workshop.
The forum costs $50 to attend, which includes appropriate resources and local catering and runs from 9.30 am to 3.00 pm.
For more information, or to register, please email Event Manager, Racquel Lyons or phone 0419 789 574.
More information about the Grow Local SEQ Campaign is available by emailing Campaign Manager, Samantha Morris or calling 0421 709 519.
Summer crop conference a first
The first ever Australian Summer Grains Conference, bringing together the sorghum, maize, sunflower, soybean and mung bean industries, is being held at the RACV Royal Pines Resort in Ashmore from 21 to 24 June 2010.
Organisers decided on a conference due to the growing recognition of the importance of summer crops as a disease break and for fixing nutrients in the soil.
The conference has the backing of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), which invests in and manages research for all five industries, including areas such as the breeding of new varieties, pest and disease control, and better management practices.
For more information visit the GRDC website.
Turtle hatching begins on Mackay beaches
The Mackay and District Turtlewatch Association says baby turtles are beginning to hatch on the north Queensland region's beaches.
Beach Coordinator Fay Griffin says the numbers have bounced back from last year's poor season and almost all beaches in the Mackay, Sarina and Seaforth areas have turtle nests on them.
Ms Griffin says people should not interfere with baby turtles heading for the sea, as the females must cross the beach so they get a magnetic imprint of where to come to lay, when they mature in around 30 years time.
2009 International Sea Turtle Symposium comes to Brisbane
The 29th Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation, to be held in Brisbane from 17 to 19 February 2009, aims to bring people together to promote the exchange of information and advance the knowledge of sea turtle biology and conservation.
The symposium will explore themes such as building communication and networking at local, regional, and global scales. It aims to create linkages between communities and to connect policy-makers at all levels with the latest information coming out of sea turtle research and conservation programs.
A number of associated meetings are to be held in the days prior to the main symposium. Many of these will be regionally focused.
The symposium is of interest to delegates from many professions and backgrounds. Attendees at past symposia share stories of their experiences here.
For more information visit the International Sea Turtle Society website.
$100,000 in Coastcare Grants now available
In partnership with a private company Coastcare has launched the Barefoot Radler Coastcare Grant Scheme, offering Coastcare groups state-wide the chance to receive a share of $100,000 to preserve and restore their local coastline.
Dune stabilisation, human traffic control, biodiversity retreat corridors, community engagement and awareness, and monitoring and research activities are eligible for funding.
If you belong to a Coastcare group, simply submit your application by 28 February 2009. Each project can receive up to $10,000.
For further information email Gisselle Firme or phone (02) 9412 1040, or access via the links that follow:
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: Lake Baroon Catchment Care Group (LBCCG)
Title: Catchment Coordinator
Location:Maleny, Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Contact: For further information or to submit an application email Hinterland Employent Service or send applications by mail to: PO Box 671, Maleny Qld 4552.
Closing date: 20 February 2009
Thought for the week
If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else.
Yogi Berra
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The Bugle is a weekly newsletter published by Catchment Programs, the Department of Natural Resources and Water, highlighting regional NRM activities around Queensland.
Last updated 05 February 2009