The Bugle - 13 February 2009
In news this week
- Performance reporting best practice
- Management of menacing weed, grader grass
- Exciting NRM opportunities on revamped website
- DCQ dishes the dirt on soils
- Blackwater’s budding ideas on show
- Quality water in the future
- Recreational fishers receive reprieve on bream
- Screen saver calendar hooks keen fishers
- Funding for rural women to tackle climate change challenges
- Funding for ‘Gen Y’ farmers
- $32 million to research soil carbon and emissions
- Healthy cash rewards for entrants in waterways awards
- Waves of change beckon on the Gold Coast
- Get a job in NRM!
Regional NRM group stories
Performance reporting best practice
Queensland regional NRM bodies have reported impressive outcomes for the period July to December 2008 as captured in the latest NRM performance reporting by the Department of Natural Resources and Water’s Catchment Programs.
Data collected during the recent performance reporting period has been collated at a state level and it indicates impressive achievements. Some of these include 132,267 ha of native vegetation protected, enhanced, rehabilitated or revegetated; 1,559,589 ha of pest plant and animals controlled; 4875 biophysical studies completed surveying 73,919,036 ha; 601 awareness raising events conducted with 28,025 participants; and 1676 community groups or projects assisted.
Performance reporting is conducted six monthly to indicate outcomes for investment, ensure governance and accountability and to capture achievements.
Catchment Programs’ Learning and Evaluation Senior Project Officer Claire Carter said these results demonstrate the strengths of the Queensland process of using the enQuire contract management and reporting tool, which provides customised access to data, comprehensive quality assurance, multiple layers of approvals and uses the data to produce customised reports.
For further information please email Claire Carter.
Management of menacing weed, grader grass
An easy to understand guide of options to control and manage the pest weed grader grass, was recently released for all Queensland graziers.
Grader grass is a significant threat to native and introduced pastures. Because grader grass is unpalatable it often remains ungrazed, which can generate large fuel loads that increase the risk of wildfires.
Dr Wayne Vogler, based at the Tropical Weeds Research Centre in Charters Towers, is an authority on grader grass control and management. Dr Vogler said the guide sets out the extent of the grader grass problem and describes the various control options available to graziers, as well as hints to stop its spread to non-effected areas.
The timely release of this management guide will help all graziers but particularly those in northern Queensland, as grader grass can thrive following significant rainfall.
For further information or a copy of the management guide, visit Burdekin Dry Tropics website.
Exciting NRM opportunities on revamped website
The Regional Groups Collective website has been redeveloped with the support of the Department of Natural Resources and Water’s Catchment Programs, to provide a broad range of products and networking services for regional NRM.
More opportunities are now available for information about jobs, news, resources and to showcase NRM projects.
One of the website’s highlights is the community of practice online forums. The forums have been established across theme-based areas and include Indigenous engagement, coastal management, communication, regional body CEOs, business managers, social and economic workers.
Staff from regional bodies and partner organisations will be invited to join these online forums in the coming months.
For further information or to just check out the website, visit Regional Group Collective website or email Samantha Morris.
DCQ dishes the dirt on soils
Leading soil experts are digging deeper into the science of soils and coming up with the goods on how the health and type of soil can impact on ground cover and production.
Local landholders will have the chance to gain expert advice on the issues, limitations and benefits associated with particular soil types at upcoming soil information days hosted by Desert Channels Queensland (DCQ).
The information days will be held in three locations, Muttaburra, Longreach and Jericho, and include talks from soil experts and demonstrations on run-off characteristics with a rainfall simulator.
Landholders are encouraged to bring along soil samples from their property to discuss with the key presenters including Department of Natural Resources and Water soil scientists Peter Burger, Peter Muller and Ray O’Grady.
The days are open to all landholder-based community members with an interest in production and offer a unique opportunity to gain information that isn’t often available in the region.
For further information email Colleen James or call 0428 580 998.
Blackwater’s budding ideas on show
Landholders looking to discover new approaches to farming are encouraged to attend an information sharing day on 19 March in Blackwater.
Budding ideas, emerging practices and projects will be on show including compost tea, natural sequence farming, controlled traffic farming, biodynamics, a parthenium competition trial and more.
The creative team at the Dawson Catchment Coordinating Association (DCCA) is running the event between 10am and 4pm at the Blackwater International Coal Centre, with generous funding from the Fitzroy Basin Association Inc’s Innovation Fund.
DCCA Coordinator Kellie Nilsson said the aim is to encourage people to share their knowledge and learn from each other to save duplication of effort in spreading new and useful ideas within our region.
The idea for an information sharing day came about from local landholders' curiosity about new methods to improve productivity and sustainability and since they don’t always have the time or resources to investigate new information independently. With over 10 presenters from across the Fitzroy Basin region, the information day will provide a lot of information to landholders in a short period of time.
For further information email Dawson Catchment Coordinating Association.
Quality water in the future
After three years of gaining knowledge and understanding of the condition of our land and water resources, as well as consultation around land management practices, Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM has released the region’s first draft Water Quality Improvement Plan for public comment.
The Plan aims to reduce the loss of sediment, nutrients and pesticides from agricultural (sugar and grazing) land. This is the first time that a clear strategy and set of scientifically valid water quality target reductions have been developed for the Burdekin Dry Tropics region.
Dr Ian Dight, author of the plan and Manager of Planning and Integration with Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM said implementation of its actions and strategies will deliver more than better water. It will underpin a better quality of life and development of a more socially resilient community in the face of uncertain social, economic and climatic change.
The Burdekin Water Quality Improvement Plan was developed in collaboration with landholders, industry groups, the scientific community, government and Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM.
For further information please visit the Burdekin Dry Tropics website.
Government updates
Recreational fishers receive reprieve on bream
Recent changes in the new bag and size limit for bream species are designed to enhance the quality of the fish taken and ensure a sustainable catch for the whole community.
The new legislation came into place on 1 March 2009, however it will not be enforced until 1 March 2010 to allow the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol to educate recreational fishers and give them time to adjust to the changes. These legislative changes came about as a direct result of extensive consultation with the community.
Bream is one of the most important fish species caught by Queenslanders who engage in the relaxing sport of recreational fishing. However, there is no sustainability concerns associated with leaving the current rules in place for a further 12 months.
The current size limit for bream is 23 cm and this will increase to 25 cm. Legislation for the combined bag limit of 30 for bream species, including pikey, tarwhine and yellowfin will begin on 1 March 2009, but will not be enforced until March 2010.
For further information please visit Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries’ website.
Screen saver calendar hooks keen fishers
An online fishing calendar that can double as a screen saver means it's never been easier to add a few fishing hours into busy schedules, using the newly released 2009 electronic desktop fishing calendar.
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) Resource Protection General Manager Mark Doohan, said the online calendar allows fishers to spend more time fishing and less time organising.
The calendar also contains useful messages about sustainable and responsible fishing practices, moon phases and school holidays.
Anglers are advised to familiarise themselves with the new rules before adding ‘gone fishing’ in the new calendar.
Visit the DPI&F website for an outline of all the rules and regulations related to fishing in Queensland including those that came into effect from 1 March 2009.
Funding for rural women to tackle climate change challenges
Rural women are encouraged to play a central role in helping local communities prepare for the biggest challenge of all, climate change. Funding of up to $50,000 is available to recognise women’s role in this challenging area and applications from rural organisations need to be in by 9 April.
The Australian Government is investing in research and training to help the farming sector adapt to climate change and recognises the hard working and innovative role that rural women play in the community.
Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said that women are seriously under-represented on boards and industry groups that influence government policy and in other leadership and management roles.
The aim of the grants is to build the leadership capacity of women in primary industries, to make rural and regional areas more resilient in a changing climate.
For further information visit the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry website or call 1800 638 746.
Funding for ‘Gen Y’ farmers
Young people in primary industries are encouraged to apply for grants worth up to $50,000 by the Australian Government. The aim of the grants is to support future industry leaders who can help local communities meet the challenges of climate change.
The grants are an excellent opportunity for rural youth to gain exposure on the issues facing our rural, regional and remote communities now and in the future. But young people need to act now as applications close on 9 April.
Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said the Australian Government wants to encourage agriculture as a career of choice for young people, and the projects funded under the Next Gen Farmers grants round will help make this happen.
“The median age of farmers is now over 50 and we’re seeing falling numbers of farmers aged under 35,” Mr Burke said.
For further information visit Commonwealth Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry website.
$32 million to research soil carbon and emissions
Research announcements of nearly $32 million were recently made to research soil carbon and nitrous oxide emissions in Australian agriculture as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to address climate change.
Scientists believe soil can store more carbon than forests. Finding a way to boost carbon storage in Australia’s vast pastures and farming land could significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
Nitrous oxide accounts for almost one quarter of Australia’s agricultural emissions, or almost four per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2006. Nearly $12 million has been committed to nitrous oxide emissions research and $20 million has been committed to soil carbon research.
Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said it would be the most comprehensive research effort into soil carbon and emissions ever seen in Australia. For the first time, the work will create national standards for sampling and analysing soil carbon and nitrous oxide emissions in projects carried out in all states and territories.
For further information visit the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website.
Reef updates
Comments requested on coastal guidelines for Mackay
Coastal Management Guidelines for the Mackay region have been developed by a partnership between Reef Catchments, Mackay Regional Council, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and local Landcare groups. The draft guidelines identify proposed conservation and management practices to be implemented throughout the Mackay region’s coastal zone and are now available for community feedback.
Establishing Coastal Management Guidelines for the region is the first step towards engaging the community in coastal management activities and developing a prioritised plan for future management of the Mackay coast.
Reef Catchments Coastal Coordinator Kerri Woodcock said the Coastal Management Guidelines provide clear and responsible directions for the future management of the coastal zone. Issues include the protection of native vegetation, wildlife conservation and erosion prevention strategies. The Coastal Management Guidelines aim to restore and protect beaches, dunes and coastal wetlands in the region without hindering recreational access and use.
For further information or to find out how to provide comments, visit the Reef Catchments website.
Wetlands updates
Control methods to combat parkinsonia in Aurukun wetlands
A team of traditional owners and Department of Natural Resources and Water’s (NRW) staff conducted a parkinsonia control and training program in the Aurukun wetlands on the western coast of Cape York Peninsula. Funded by the Australian Government as part of the Cape York Land and Sea Management program the control is coordinated by NRW Senior Project Officer Gordon Johnson.
The Aurukun wetlands cover 1.1 million hectares around the Archer, Love, Kirk and Kendell rivers on the western coast of Cape York Peninsula. Nearly five times the size of the Kakadu wetlands, the Arukun wetlands support rich natural vegetation of rain forest and woodlands containing species rarely found on the Peninsula. They are also an important breeding area for waterbirds.
Due to lengthy wet seasons and the remoteness of the area, parkinsonia is difficult to control and therefore a major land management issue in the Aurukun wetlands.
Working in temperatures exceeding 35 degrees, the team hand sprayed more than 10 critically important hectares of a parkinsonia infestation. Access was difficult and conducted on foot using machetes to clear paths through thickets to aid spraying. This labour intensive technique was slow but highly successful.
For further information email Gordon Johnson.
Natural resources news
Healthy cash rewards for entrants in waterways awards
The Healthy Waterways Awards are on again for the ninth year! On Wednesday 20 May join in to celebrate and honour the outstanding achievements of the champions who have devoted their time to the health of the waterways of South East Queensland.
The Awards are open to anyone whose work contributes to achieving the South East Queensland Healthy Waterways Partnership's vision including individuals, schools, community groups, students, government, industry, researchers, planners and designers.
Over 400 of the Partnership's key stakeholders will be there including state and local government, industry, community, researchers and sponsors Channel 7, Radio 4BC, and Oatley Wines.
The eight award categories offer each winner $1500 and eligibility in the Minister's Grand Prize of $10,000, but you have to be in it to win!
For further information on award categories, entry forms, award night tickets or venue details email Carla Mathisen or download the 2009 Healthy Waterways Awards brochure.
Waves of change beckon on the Gold Coast
The 2009 'Waves of Change' Queensland Coastal Conference is on again from 13-15 May. An exciting opportunity to learn about new developments in NRM, including a balanced discussion of practical, on-ground coastal management and more information about the policies and programs that inform coastal zone management in Queensland.
The conference is open to coastal and marine managers and practitioners from the grass roots communities and promises an exciting program including a social and field trip.
For further information or to register for the conference visit the ICE Australia website.
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: CSIRO Land & Water
Title: Senior Research Scientist (Integrated Water Systems)
Salary range: $91,000-$106,000 plus superannuation
Location: Brisbane
Contact:For selection documentation and details on how to apply click this direct link or visit CSIRO's website.
Closing date: 18 March 2009
Thought for the week
"Don't wait for extraordinary circumstance to do good; try to use ordinary situations."
Charles Richter
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Last updated 20 March 2009