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Regional natural resource management

The Bugle - 1 May 2009

In news this week

 
Regional NRM group stories Government updates Reef updates Wetlands updates Natural resources news

Regional NRM group stories
Scrap metal funds preservation efforts for an endangered butterfly

SEQ Catchments and Energex recently announced a major commitment to help preserve the threatened richmond birdwing butterfly, one of Australia’s largest and most spectacular native butterflies.

The iridescent green, yellow and black butterfly was once abundant from Grafton in New South Wales to Maryborough in Queensland, but due to habitat destruction only a few isolated remnant colonies remain on the Gold and Sunshine Coast hinterlands and in parts of northern New South Wales. 

SEQ Catchments CEO Simon Warner said the introduced Dutchman's Pipe vine was also contributing to the birdwing’s demise. It is toxic to the butterfly and lures them to lay their eggs on its leaves, quickly poisoning the emerging caterpillars. Protecting remnant habitat, planting richmond birdwing vines and eradicating dutchman’s pipe are essential to helping the butterfly fight back. 

Energex is funding selected sustainable projects across south east Queensland, and will raise the $25,000 for this project from recycling scrap metal from its electricity network upgrades.

Corporate sector investment is becoming critical to SEQ Catchments’ ability to assist local communities to undertake priority activities and NRM in the future.

Thanks to Energex there is now a real opportunity to preserve an iconic south east Queensland native species and revegetate biodiversity corridors.

For further information email Anthony Hill or telephone 3503 1425.

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New chairperson for Southern Gulf Catchments regional body

A new chairperson was recently announced for the regional NRM body, Southern Gulf Catchments.

Alison Bohannan replaces Paul Warren who has held the position for the past four years. Members of the catchment approved the new chair at the annual general meeting in Mt Isa in mid March.

Ms Bohannan has lived in Mt Isa for over 20 years and brings extensive not-for-profit experience, local knowledge, networks and enthusiasm to improve the region’s environment.

Previously she managed the Mt Isa Development Community Association and now works as a community services private consultant while assisting her partner Terry, to run a local car rental franchise. Ms Bohannan has also volunteered for many years in local Landcare, Rotary and the Laura Johnson home.

Paul Warren was thanked for his hard work in building the governance skills of the Board and recognised for bringing stability and strategic development to the organisation.

Ms Bohannan acknowledged the work done by the previous chair and said she wished to further develop the recognition of Southern Gulf Catchments as a provider of community based NRM for graziers, the Indigenous community, mining and the wider community.

For further information contact Southern Gulf Catchments on 1800 676 242.

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Reef Catchments host annual forum in Mackay

Reef Catchments were congenial hosts last week to the members of the regional NRM communicators network.

Reef Catchments Chief Executive Officer Rob Cocco welcomed the group and said he was impressed with the busy agenda.

The 17 attendees represented the eight regional NRM bodies, Landcare; Desert Uplands, Regional Groups Collective (RGC) and the Queensland Wetlands Program and Catchment Programs units of the Department of Environment and Resource Management.

The annual two day workshop focused on learning more about new communication technologies and social media channels that could be useful to better inform time-poor landholders in vast regional areas. 

The high calibre of attendees was obvious when they delivered presentations on the latest communication tools including: webinars; social media channels; placestories; video streaming; podcasting; keypad interactive and tips on getting a great NRM photograph.

Other segments focused on the Queensland regional NRM communication strategy, corporate sponsorship, wetlandinfo and a tour of the new RGC website. The team broke into several small group sessions to focus on practical ideas to develop cooperative projects and progress the communication strategy during 2009.

For further information email Carl Glen. 

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New ground cover manual is ideal for graziers

Landholders seeking productive paddocks and good land condition need to start from the ground up, that’s the message from a new booklet, produced by the Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA).

FBA’s Grazing Land Management Officer Gina Mace said the cornerstone of good land management is good ground cover. Without pasture plants, litter or other material covering the soil surface, moisture isn’t retained in the soil to sustain dry periods, and as a consequence there is a loss of top soil and nutrients, and therefore less grass is grown to fatten cattle.

Aiming for a level of 50 per cent ground cover is suggested as a starting point for graziers with an interest in maintaining both the short and long-term profitability and sustainability of their businesses.

Mrs Mace also said high levels of ground cover reduces runoff and erosion, which improves water quality by ensuring less sediment and other contaminants enter local waterways and reach the Great Barrier Reef.

Mrs Mace said graziers could learn more about the benefits of ground cover and how to assess their paddocks using the free, glove box sized booklet ‘Ground Cover Standards for Central Queensland Grazing Lands’.

It includes valuable information on maintaining ground cover and the factors influencing ground cover levels, as well as a series of photographs to give graziers a visual reference point for measuring ground cover levels.

For further information visit the FBA website. 

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The ‘barra’ are back in the Sandringham lagoon

Platypus, large numbers of barramundi and birds are once again thriving in Sandringham lagoon.  Previously this 2.1 kilometer lagoon had been choked with water weeds had depleted the water of oxygen, making it uninhabitable for fish.

Queensland Department of Primary Industries Project Coordinator Darren Jennings said the major challenge was to remove the weeds. 

Excavators with special extension arms were used for the difficult job.   Silt retention ponds, a rock ramp fishway, weed control and re-vegetation were then carried out and completed last October. It is now being maintained by the 15 landholders whose properties adjoin the lagoon.

Mr Jennings also said an elderly resident who had spent a lot of time in his youth at the lagoon, was thrilled to see the lagoon brought back to its former glory. 

The project began through a partnership between Reef Catchments, Queensland Primary Industries & Fisheries, Mackay Regional Council, Green Corps and the adjacent landholders.  

For further information contact Darren Jennings on 4967 0724.

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Busting carp’s hold in the Balonne River has been a huge success

The successful 2009 Carp Buster fishing events continued during April when more than 200 anglers and their families descended on Surat.

Carp Buster Coordinator Nikki Pilcher said the second event of the series was a resounding success with anglers coming from as far away as the Gold Coast, undeterred by the wet weather during the Easter long weekend.

The Surat Fishing and Restocking Club hosted the event and anglers worked a 20 kilometer stretch of the Balonne River to catch 139 carp. The largest carp was 4.65 kilograms and 70.3cm long, however the average carp was 1kg which was good news for the 88 junior anglers.

The 2009 series is supported by the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee (QMDC) and the six fishing clubs involved offered a prize pool of $3000 with points awarded for the number of carp caught as well as the number of events entered.

Anglers are also better informed about how to maintain riparian health and encourage native fish populations. QMDC Weed & Pest Animal Technical Officer Lavinnia Fiedler said each competition is an important opportunity to raise awareness of the range of issues associated with the decline of native fish populations.

Erosion, salinity, riparian clearing, contaminated run off (chemical, storm water), de-snagging (loss of fish habitat), introduced pest species (weeds and animals), dams and weirs (impacting fish passage), irrigation, fouling of the water by introduced animals, urban pollution and illegal fishing all impact on native fish.

Pest fish are just one of many factors which influence water quality and aquatic biodiversity but the good news is everyone can help, by removing rubbish from camp sites, abiding by bag limits and sizes, or protecting habitat in the riparian areas.

The next carp catching opportunities in the 2009 series are:

For further information visit the QMDC website or contact Nikki Pilcher on 0428 981 224.

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Regional NRM showcase in Townsville

To celebrate five years of regional NRM in Queensland, the Queensland Regional Group’s Collective (RGC) is hosting a two day forum in Townsville.

The showcase and celebration will run from 20–21 May 2009 and will feature 32 presentations from Queensland’s regional NRM bodies. 

Topics include:

Registrations are open until 15 May and free to all staff of Queensland’s regional NRM bodies. Everyone is welcome, however there is a fee for others to attend.

For further information visit the RGC website email Lane Pilon or telephone 4699 5000.

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QMDC win the annual Bugle award for the fourth time

After a closely fought battle between several regional NRM bodies throughout 2008, the highly sought after Bugle Award has gone to the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee (QMDC) who just beat NQ Dry Tropics across the line.

The Bugle award is presented to the regional NRM body that provides the most articles for the year. In 2008 QMDC provided 41 stories and NQ Dry Tropics provided 40 stories. The Bugle published more than 869 stories in 2008 and 298 of the stories were provided by regional NRM bodies.

This is a far cry from the 57 articles provided in 2003, the first year of the Bugle.  Since then, more than 2900 articles have appeared in the Bugle. The huge number of articles in 2008 reflects the vast amount of activity now occurring on the ground in Queensland thanks to the contributions of regional NRM bodies, Caring for our Country and Queensland’s complementary program.

The Bugle is a weekly e-newsletter providing updates on the latest news on regional NRM and features articles about regional NRM bodies, government, the reef, wetlands and general natural resource management and is distributed to more than 14,000 readers every week.

During the last six years the Bugle Award has been won by SEQ Catchments in 2004, and twice by Condamine Alliance in 2007 and in a three way tie with Fitzroy Basin Association and QMDC in 2003.

This year it’s a very close battle between a number of regional NRM bodies once again.

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Government updates
Bright future for Queensland's agricultural research

A new partnership announced recently between the Queensland Government and the University of Queensland (UQ) is set to deliver more powerful research on Queensland agriculture.

Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries, Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin said the partnership brings together these two organisation’s research expertise, expanding the scope and quality of research within Queensland's agricultural sector.

  The partnership is based on a Statement of Intent signed between Mr Mulherin and UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield ensuring the specific research needs of Queensland's primary industries will be addressed by the most progressive science capability that can be created in this state or internationally.
It also presents exciting opportunities to improve the productivity and profitability of Queensland agriculture by linking cutting edge farming practices and applied science to ensure the State's industries remain internationally competitive.

Scientists from both parties will work together utilising new expertise and technologies to boost research outcomes, with real benefits for Queensland farmers and producers.

The Minister said the partnership will forge a new high-profile alliance within the University of Queensland and help Queensland attract and retain the best scientific staff. It will also address the skills shortage in agricultural science by increasing the specialist teaching capacity at the UQ.

For the full media release visit the media statement website.

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Solar testing centre open for business

Australia’s capacity to develop advanced solar thermal technologies took another step forward recently with the opening of a solar testing centre at the University of South Australia’s Sustainable Energy Industry Support Centre in Adelaide.

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett said the cutting-edge testing centre is now available for industry use and to support the research and development of solar hot water, solar heating systems and other solar technologies

The Australian facility will encourage industry innovation and improve solar technologies, delivering better quality products to Australians sooner. This comes at an opportune time, with the Government’s $3.9 billion Energy Efficient Homes Package set to assist more than 300,000 households to install solar hot water systems, bolstering the solar hot water industry.

Minister Garrett said the Sustainable Energy Industry Support Centre’s key focus is on solar hot water applications in Australia through independent testing, product development and monitoring services to support local manufacturers and suppliers of solar hot water systems.

Solar thermal technologies are put to the test in a range of ways, including measuring thermal performance of solar collectors, checking the impact of rainfall and large hail stones, evaluating safety and performance during extended periods of no hot water draw-off and protection against freezing temperatures.

The Australian Government has contributed $410,000 towards the development of the testing centre to invest in research facilities that directly benefit Australia’s solar industry, which in turn supports jobs at a critical time.

For the full media release visit the media statement website.

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Rural finalists announced in top environmental business awards

The conservation of more than a million hectares of land across rural Queensland has earned two major pastoral bodies a place in the finals of the state's top environmental business awards, the 2009 Queensland Sustainable Industries Awards.

AgForce and the North Australian Pastoral Company (NAPCO) join 18 other finalists. They have achieved outstanding results in terms of sustainability and support for the Government's Q2 aims of promoting a strong, smart and green Queensland.

The finalists have been selected from more than 100 entries - from small business to large companies - showcasing Queensland's diverse range of sustainability champions.

Entries for the awards have increased each year since the launch in 2006, showing an increasing appreciation by Queensland companies of the economic and environmental advantages of sustainable business practices. Award winners will be announced on 12 June 2009.

For further information visit the Department of Environment and Resource Management website.

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Award recognises Queensland’s youthful volunteers

Young Queenslanders who help others without looking for glory now have a chance to step into the spotlight with the launch of the 2009 Queensland Young Volunteer Awards.

Department of Communities Director-General, Linda Apelt recognised the Queensland Young Volunteer Awards provides an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of young volunteers aged 12 to 25 who make the world of difference within a community.

Ms Apelt launched the Awards during Youth Week and stated the significant contribution of young volunteers, with approximately one third of Queenslanders aged 12 to 25 volunteering across a broad range of sectors including international aid, sports and fitness, disability and aged care. 

Young volunteers bring a passion and dedication to volunteering work which is now being valued and publicly recognised through the Young Volunteers Awards program.

Community leaders, organisations and teachers are encouraged to nominate a young volunteer or group of volunteers within their community who do exceptional work.

The Awards program recognises 10 winners from two age groups including green volunteers; young entrepreneurs; school action volunteers; community volunteers; and volunteers in the arts and culture.

Entries close on 10 June, for further information about the awards or to download a nomination form, visit Get involved website. 

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Reef updates
Reef named after Australian marine science pioneer Isobel Bennett

A passionate and dedicated marine science pioneer has been recognised for her contribution to the field, with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) recently naming a reef in her honour.

GBRMPA Chairman Russell Reichelt said Isobel Bennett made an immense contribution to coral reef research and marine science. Isobel was a quiet achiever but her impact on Australian marine science cannot be underestimated.

Isobel spent 40 years with the University of Sydney where she was involved in teaching and fieldwork and naming a reef after her is a fitting way to ensure her important legacy to marine science lives on, long after she passed away in 2008.

Her extensive field experience along the east coast and in the laboratory helped her assist the university’s students, many of whom have gone onto become leading scientists.

Isobel was well regarded for her knowledge and achievements. She was innovative and dedicated to her work and paved the way for other women in a very male-dominated field.

Isobel Bennett Reef is located in the Mackay/Capricorn Management Area of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park – Reef No 21-505 located at Lat -21.708°S Long 152.355°E.

For further information visit the GBRMPA website.

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New appointment to GBRMPA board

The new appointment of Daniel Gschwind as a member of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) was recently announced.

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett said Mr Gschwind has extensive knowledge and experience with the Great Barrier Reef tourism industry and is well respected within the industry. His knowledge, experience and connections within the tourism industry will be invaluable in this context.

Tourism is the single largest industry operating in the Great Barrier Reef and generates around $5.1 billion in economic value each year. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and other Legislation Amendment Act 2008 requires that one member of the GBRMPA have knowledge of or experience in the tourism industry associated with the Marine Park.

Mr Gschwind is currently the CEO of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council and is involved in a number of Great Barrier Reef-related boards and committees including the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre and the Queensland Environment Minister’s Tourism Forum.

His four year appointment recognises that the tourism industry, as a key user of the Marine Park, has an important role to play in protecting the Great Barrier Reef so future generations may also experience this incredible environmental asset.

Mr Gschwind joins Mr Russell Beer, Ms Melissa George, Mr Ken Smith and Dr Russell Reichelt as members of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

For further information visit the GBRMPA website. 

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Wetlands updates
Free training sessions in wetland technical tools 

Free one-day training sessions on the use of wetlands spatial, scientific and inventory information will be held this month in Townsville, Cairns and Brisbane. 

The sessions are being run by the Queensland Wetlands Program—a joint initiative between the Australian and Queensland governments—and funded through Reef Rescue Partnerships. 

The sessions would suit local government, Australian Government, consultants and water management bodies.  All training is hands-on, so places are limited.

The focus will be on wetland management and planning in the Great Barrier Reef catchment and complement on-ground workshops being run by WetlandCare Australia. Training sessions focusing on other parts of the state will be held later in the year.   

Workshop dates:

Townsville—12 May, 2009

Cairns—15 May, 2009

Brisbane—20-21 May, 2009

Participants will learn:

For further information email Claire Bodenstein.

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Sign up for training in wetland rehabilitation

WetlandCare Australia has been commissioned by the Queensland Wetlands Program to conduct a series of workshops to roll-out their suite of resources developed for those working on and rehabilitating wetlands.           

Free two-day workshops will be held in Cairns, Rockhampton, Mackay, Bundaberg and Townsville, from mid May to early June 2009 with both field-based and computer-based training.

WetlandCare Australia, who have been instrumental in the development of a number of the on-ground tools for the Queensland Wetlands Program will train workshop participants on:

The Queensland Wetlands Program is a joint initiative of the Queensland and Australian governments to protect and restore wetlands across the state.

For further information or to attend a workshop, email Jenni Edmonds. To view the resources that will be used through out the workshops, visit the Wetlandinfo website.

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Natural resources news
Waves of Change conference to focus on oil spill cleanup

Coastal management has been thrown into sharp focus following the devastating oil spill on the coast of south east Queensland in early March and will be the focus of a coastal conference.

The Waves of Change conference is to be held at Seaworld on the Gold Coast from 12 to 15 May with a balanced discussion of practical, on-ground coastal management and the policies and programs that inform coastal zone management in Queensland.

Department of Environment and Resource Management Senior Director Conservation, Strategy and Planning Clive Cook coordinated the environmental recovery program and will discuss the recovery phase of the cleanup.

Another keynote speaker at the conference will be the Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Kate Jones.

Rising sea levels is another item on the conference agenda. At a recent Climate Change Congress in Copenhagen the world's sea-level experts said they believed projected sea level rises will have profound implications for low-lying areas of the Queensland coast.

The conference is expected to draw 250 delegates from Australia and overseas including leading research and education organisations, coastal and marine industries and consultants, indigenous groups and community organisations.

For further information email Waves of Change conference.

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Weevils wage war on invasive aquatic weed

The humble weevil is helping to fight an outbreak of the invasive aquatic weed, salvinia (salvinia inolesta) at Leslie Harrison Dam.

Salvinia weed is regarded as one of the most invasive aquatic weeds in Australia and causes considerable environmental and economic impacts. It floats on still or slow moving water, growing rapidly to cover the surface like a thick mat which blocks sunlight getting to submerged plant life and limits the transfer of oxygen, making water unsuitable for fish and other animals.

Seqwater spokesperson Dr Adrian Volders said weevils attack salvinia by eating the leaves and stems, destroying the roots and causing the weed to sink. Weevils were successfully eliminating salvinia in many of the region's dams as part of an integrated control program.

Keeping weeds under control without damaging the catchment is a delicate battle. Weed outbreaks cause water quality problems which inturn increase the cost of water treatment.

Recognising the success and cost savings of biological control Seqwater has established a weevil breeding facility at the Capalaba Water Treatment Plant and also supports a similar breeding facility managed by the Brisbane City Council.

Weevils are currently reared in large aboveground breeding pools and when an outbreak occurs, large containers are filled with weevil infested salvina from the breeding pools and placed at the outbreak site.

Plans to upgrade the Capalaba facility this year mean an expanded program will enable Seqwater and its team of 'tiny assistants' to more quickly and efficiently respond to salvinia outbreaks across the region with significant benefit to the water quality of dams and waterways in Queensland.

For further information visit the Seqwater website.

Sourced from the Bayside Bulletin

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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: DHI Water & Environment Pty Ltd

DHI is the world's leading supplier of specialist engineering and scientific services in water and environment within the Marine, Water Resources and Urban sectors.

We provide hydraulic and environmental modelling software and services to clients in government and the private sectors. Our software modelling systems hold the reputation of 'industry standard' in the water resources, sewer and marine sectors. Our culture ensures that we operate in a rewarding, challenging and dynamic workplace which can adapt to dynamic market and client needs.

The successful applicant will have a demonstrated ability and willingness to solve challenging problems, and will have up to 5 years experience in water related fields. Research-based postgraduate qualifications and a demonstrated capability to use, develop, modify and calibrate network hydraulic models would be highly regarded.

Title: Project Water Engineer (Network Modelling)

Essential Criteria:

* Water industry experience.
* Under graduate degree in Environmental or Civil Engineering or Science equivalent.
* Demonstrated experience or knowledge in one or more of the following areas:
- Hydraulic modelling in urban or water resource sectors.
- Hydrologic flood and drainage management processes.
- Water resources engineering and planning.
* Current A class drivers license.
* Demonstrated skills in oral and written communication.

Desirable Criteria:

* Postgraduate or research experience with associated refereed publications.
* Experience in a consulting environment.
* Knowledge of DHI's MOUSE or MIKE URBAN modeling systems.
* Geographical Information System (GIS) experience.

Location: Gold Coast, Queensland

Contact: Written applications (no more than 3 pages) with a current CV and referees should be sent to: mfb@dhigroup.com or to:

Mark Britton
DHI Water & Environment Pty Ltd
PO Box 3596
Southport QLD 4215 website: http://www.dhigroup.com

Closing date: 15 May 2009.

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Thought for the week

It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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We welcome your contributions and feedback. If you have any comments or suggestions for The Bugle please contact Carl Glen or Ruthie Adams.

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.

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Last updated 01 May 2009

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