The Bugle - 5 June 2009
In news this week
Regional NRM group stories
- Your help is needed for a national knowledge management workshop
- Terrain launches Barron-Trinity Inlet Water Quality Improvement Plan
- Land condition booklet a boon for northern graziers
- Hinchinbrook Shire Council sign MOU with Terrain
- Native fish given a better chance of survival
- Cattle nutrition focus of field day
- Biosphere application becomes reality
- Quoll a screaming hit at show
- Dewy the dugong visits schools in the NQ Dry Tropics
- Planning for the future of our water quality
Government updates
Reef updates
- Environmental law declares Coral Sea a conservation zone
- Eye in the sky catches thieves on the Reef
- LEGO conference in the Whitsundays
Wetlands updates
Natural resources news
- Looking at a sustainable population for SEQ
- Computer mapping workshop in Injune
- It's natural, and at long last it's in the limelight
- Giant biscuit cutter drills into water secrets
- Planting power poles of the future
- Whales share their secrets
- Sediment control wins major prize in waterway awards
- Junior Landcare program comes to life
- Get a job in NRM!
Regional NRM group stories
Your help is needed for a national knowledge management workshop
Regional workshops will be held in Roma and in Cairns for Catchment Program’s Data Hub project
If you have ever experienced the frustrations of not knowing where the information you need resides to support informed NRM decision making we are seeking you to participate in your closest regional workshop.
By attending a workshop you will be able to help map the NRM knowledge landscape across your region and identify areas of improvement and linkages to develop regional recommendations for future work in knowledge brokering in the area.
The workshops will also provide information on the progress of the two pilot projects, one with the Queensland Murray Darling Committee (QMDC) and the other in north Queensland with Terrain NRM. Both groups have been working with other regional stakeholders including local and state government and adjacent regional NRM bodies.
The QMDC workshops will be held in Roma on the 18 June and the Terrain NRM workshop will be in Cairns on the 25 June. Please register your interest as soon as possible.
For more information about the Terrain regional workshops please email Reuben Sinclair or call Terrain NRM on 0407 403 296. For the QMDC regional workshop please email Brett Coppard or call QMDC on 4637 6220.
Terrain launches Barron-Trinity Inlet Water Quality Improvement Plan
The new Barron-Trinity Inlet Water Quality Improvement Plan (WQIP) was launched this week.
The Barron-Trinity Inlet WQIP has been produced by Terrain in partnership with local community organisations and key water management agencies. It identifies issues and management solutions to address key pressures on in-stream water quality affecting the Great Barrier Reef.
The good news is some of the solutions have the potential to lead to more profitable industries, better urban and infrastructure design, and new approaches to waste management in the region. Improved water sensitive urban design, for example, could help consumers to reduce their water use. In a potential cost reduction for industry, Terrain is also involved in scientific trials for more efficient use of nutrients in crops. This will result in both improved profitability and reduced environmental damage by nitrate in particular.
In 2008 Terrain hosted workshops for community members in Atherton, Mareeba, Kuranda and Cairns, followed by further meetings with key stakeholders and Traditional Owners regarding the environmental values of the WQIP area. Interviewees and workshop participants included councillors, local (non farming) residents, sugarcane farmers, tropical fruit growers, banana growers, graziers, foresters, tourism operators, government and conservation representatives. Based on the geographic information provided by participants, draft environmental values were identified for each of the 65 freshwater reaches, estuarine and marine areas within the Barron-Trinity Inlet WQIP area.
The WQIP has recommended nutrient, pesticide and sediment monitoring and evaluation, research to determine the efficacy and cost benefits of adopting best management practice in agriculture, refined modelling protocols to estimate the fine sediment export onto the Reef, nutrient partitioning to establish sources and sinks, and the completion of acid sulphate soil mapping.
Terrain is now seeking input from the community, you can download the WQIP from the Terrain website. The submission period closes on 29 June.
Land condition booklet a boon for northern graziers
Northern graziers now have a handy reference tool to optimise their land management strategies. The Queensland Government and NQ Dry Tropics have launched a booklet that describes the condition of grazing land types found in north Queensland.
Land condition photo standards for the Burdekin Dry Tropics Rangelands – a guide for practitioners is produced by Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries senior grazing land scientist Bob Karfs and colleagues.
The guide provides photographs and descriptions of each land type, divided into ABCD land condition categories (A being the optimum for productive grazing, D being the most degraded) for commonly occurring land types found within the region.
Land condition underpins the productivity and profitability of the beef industry. Understanding land condition, and how land reacts to changing factors such as stocking rates, spelling regimes and weed infestations, forms the basis of good business management for any grazing enterprise.
The booklet provides information that can help to produce a successful enterprise, such as providing information on the right time to reduce stocking rates during prolonged dry spells to allow a speedier recovery in land condition and return to profitability once the drought breaks.
The new booklet joins a suite of tools available to northern land managers to help them run their business more efficiently. Many land managers have now accessed training programs such as the Grazing Land Management Education package.
The new booklet can be downloaded from the NQ Dry Tropics website or for more information about the suite of new grazing land management information tools contact Bob Karfs via the QPIF Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.
Hinchinbrook Shire Council sign MOU with Terrain
On Friday 29 May, Hinchinbrook Shire Council signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Herbert River Catchment Group and Terrain NRM.
The purpose of the MOU is to establish a partnership for sustainable and effective on-ground delivery of projects in the Hinchinbrook and Lower Herbert Catchment Area.
Terrain Executive Officer Dr Allan Dale said “This partnership arrangement brings the three main players together singing from the same song sheet. It also helps us share limited resources to get the job done.”
Council’s current work unit is involved in pest and weed management, biodiversity conservation, wetland management and rehabilitation, but requires additional capacity to do these activities on a larger scale.
The aims of the new work unit arrangement are to provide substantially upgraded capacity for the Catchment Group, Council and Terrain to work cooperatively to implement integrated on-ground works to achieve targets in the regional NRM plan and the Regional Pest Management Plan.
This will ensure on-ground works within catchment and shire boundaries are prioritised effectively and include targeted catchment rehabilitation.
There is potential for this work unit approach to be applied as a flexible model for Natural Resource Management in other regions, both state-wide and nationally.
For further information visit the Terrain website.
Native fish given a better chance of survival
Native fish will have a better chance of survival with over 100 kilometres of river now opened for migrating fish with the official launch of the reconstructed vertical slot fishway at Loudoun Weir, near Dalby last week.
Murray Darling Basin Authority General Manager of Water Policy Coordination Jason Alexandra officially launched the reconstructed fishway before a crowd of almost 50 people, as last week was Native Fish Awareness Week.
The launch was a culmination of years of planning on behalf of Condamine Alliance plus the hard work and dedication of all the project partners.
CEO of Condamine Alliance Phil McCullough said the launch was as much about celebration of partnerships as it was about the launch of the reconstructed Loudoun Weir Fishway. For without the collective partnerships the project would not have been possible.
Partners in this project included Dalby Regional Council, Murray Darling Basin Authority, Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries, Ostwald Brothers, GHD and Arrow Energy.
Loudoun Weir was designated a high priority for fish migration by the Murray Darling Basin Authority. Fish passage at this site presented a complex problem to the River Rescue team at Condamine Alliance and they responded with a gutsy and innovative solution made possible by collaboration with multiple partners.
The reconstruction of the fishway forms part of Condamine Alliance’s River Rescue strategy to rehabilitate and protect riverine environments in the Condamine River catchment.
For more information email Katie Ferguson or call 4620 0106.
Cattle nutrition focus of field day
Colin and Marg Kirby of Kotri station in Springsure have shared their experiences to improve cattle nutrition at a CQ BEEF field day held on their property in April which was attended by around 25 central Queensland beef producers.
CQ BEEF is an initiative of the Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA) and the Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries (QPIF) to help beef producers to improve the profitability and sustainability of their businesses.
A number of experts provided information at the field day and the Kirby’s demonstrated their use of water medication, including the gains in water quality, when to use, and the products and mixture of medication they use on their cattle. They also raised the importance of testing water quality, treatments available for unsuitable water, and the equipment needed.
Technical advice about water medication systems and the economics of using water medication versus other methods of supplementation was provided by Adam McEvoy of Norprim at the field day. Water medication and faecal near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) were also showcased on the day with Rob Dixon from QPIF speakng about faecal NIRS sampling to indicate diet quality and when to supplement.
Studying cattle dung with NIRS is an area of current research by QPIF to help producers identify when diet quality falls short of the animal’s requirements. The discussion about faecal NIRS also covered when to sample dung and the cost of analysis versus unnecessary supplementation or loss of production.
More information about the CQ BEEF project can be found on the QPIF website or by contacting Gina Mace on 4987 7904.
Biosphere application becomes reality
The Great Sandy region has been declared as a Biosphere reserve.
At its meeting in Korea, UNESCO’s International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere program resolved on 26 May to accept the nomination.
The decision means residents of Gympie, Maryborough, Hervey Bay, and nearby areas including Fraser Island now live in the Great Sandy Biosphere reserve.
The 370 page nomination was submitted to UNESCO in September 2008 by the Burnett Mary Regional Group after approval from all levels of government.
Chairman of the Group Russell Stewart said “It gives worldwide recognition of the outstanding natural beauty and high levels of biodiversity that we sometimes take for granted.”
“We now have to keep our promises and make sure the Great Sandy Biosphere becomes a model for sustainability,” Mr Stewart said.
For further information visit the Burnett Mary Regional Group website.
Quoll a screaming hit at show
Most people visiting the Fraser Coast show did not know what it was. “It must be a tiger” said one man, “No I think it’s a fox” his son said. Eventually they learned the orange coloured animal with white spots and sharp teeth was the rare spotted-tailed quoll.
The stuffed specimen of the animal, also known as a tiger quoll, formed part of a display by the Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) at the annual show.
BMRG’s Chief Executive Officer David Brown said the Quoll used to be much more common but they have suffered badly from loss of habitat, being killed at poultry yards and being poisoned by eating cane toads.
Mr Brown said it was the world’s largest marsupial carnivore, eating only meat and had a screaming call. Most people never see them as they are nocturnal as well as rare.
The display also included information on funding programs for landowners, and thousands of free native seedlings.
For information about the BMRG and their programs please visit the BMRG website.
Dewy the dugong visits schools in the NQ Dry Tropics
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As part of their partnership with Reef Guardian Schools, NQ Dry Tropics have employed Dewy the dugong to visit schools in the region and educate students about the impacts of rubbish on marine habitats and the species that live there, like dugongs and turtles.
This is being carried out in conjunction with Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries, Sea Turtle Foundation, OceanWatch Australia and Marine Wildlife Australia.
NQ Dry Tropics are also running an ad campaign to help educate the public on the impacts of rubbish on marine life.
For further information visit the NQ Dry Tropics website.
Planning for the future of our water quality
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, NQ Dry Tropics is set to release the region's first Water Quality Improvement Plan.
A draft of the Water Quality Improvement Plan was published earlier this year for public comment and many comments were received from interested parties and the public. NQ Dry Tropics is currently integrating these comments into the final draft - which is due for publication by 30 June.
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 region.
Dr Ian Dight, author of the Burdekin Water Quality Improvement Plan and Manager of Planning and Integration with NQ Dry Tropics, said, "sediments, nutrients and pesticides lost from agricultural land not only represent a loss of productivity and a cost to landholders, but also result in environmental degradation. Ultimately, they impact on important aquatic habitats and ecosystems downstream and enter the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area."
For further information on the Water Quality Improvement Plan please visit NQ Dry Tropics website.
Government updates
Government commits to reforming water
The Queensland Government has committed to providing a reliable, safe and cost-effective model for water distribution and retail services in south east Queensland.
The government is considering an alternative model for water reform put forward by Council of Mayors - South East Queensland (CoMSEQ), which they claim will save rate-payers money.
Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Minister Stephen Robertson said if there are genuine savings to be made without compromising the reform objectives, this is something we will consider. The Government is acutely aware of the economic challenges faced by all levels of government, and if there is the opportunity to save money, we will welcome it.
"However any alternative measures need to be as robust as the current model we are implementing. I need to stress no decision has been made to change the framework of water reform in South East Queensland,” he said.
"Once we have received information from the CoMSEQ on their alternative approach, the Queensland Government will be in a position to comment on the matter further," Mr Robertson said.
For the full media release visit media statements.
Destructive deer declared a pest species in Queensland
The Queensland Government has declared four deer species Chital, Rusa, Red, and Fallow as pest species because of their growing numbers and the increasing damage they are causing to agriculture, forestry and the environment.
There are about 30,000 feral deer in at least 20 locations in the State. They are large animals which damage native vegetation, cause ecosystem degradation, and compete with native animals for food and habitat.
They also cause damage to agricultural crops, forestry plantations and fences, foul water holes, spread weeds, and compete directly with cattle and other livestock for pasture. They help spread cattle ticks and can carry diseases such as Johnes Disease and Leptospirosis (which can infect humans).
Chital and Rusa are now Class 2 pests, while Fallow and Red deer are Class 3 pests in Queensland. The aim of the declaration is to restrict the movement of deer to prevent their further spread in Queensland, and to minimise their negative impacts through tighter control.
The different classification is based in part on the ability for the species to colonise new areas. Chital and Rusa are tropical breeds and climatic modeling shows these species could expand in most areas of Queensland.
Landowners will be required to control any Chital and Rusa deer on their properties, while Fallow and Red deer will only require control if they are in or adjacent to environmentally significant areas. Control means reducing the impact of deer through reduction of numbers by trapping or shooting and also preventing their spread. Landholders are reminded that any control of feral deer must continue to meet animal welfare guidelines and requirements.
For more information contact the Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries (QPIF) Business Information Centre on 13 25 23 or visit the QPIF website.
Reef updates
Environmental law declares Coral Sea a conservation zone
The establishment of a Coral Sea Conservation Zone under national environmental law, will protect the unique characteristics of the Coral Sea while an assessment is undertaken.
Environment Minister Peter Garrett said the Coral Sea Conservation Zone (Conservation Zone) will protect this environmentally significant area from increasing pressures while the marine bioregional planning process is undertaken. The final plan is scheduled for completion in 2010.
The Conservation Zone covers 972,000 km2 of Australian waters and seabed east of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, out to the edge of Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
The announcement was made at the East Marine Bioregional Profile, the first stage of the marine bioregional planning process for the region. This Bioregional Profile identifies key habitats, species, natural processes, heritage values and human activities in the area.
The East Marine Region covers 2.4 million square kilometres from the Torres Strait to southern New South Wales, and east to Norfolk Island. The region encompasses the Coral Sea, but does not include the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park or the Torres Strait Protected Zone.
The East Profile shows that the environmental significance of the Coral Sea lies in its unique array of coral reefs, atolls, deep sea plains and canyons, and the extent to which the region’s natural and heritage values have remained relatively undisturbed by direct human impact.
For further information visit the Coral Sea Conservation Zone website.
Eye in the sky catches thieves on the Reef
Aerial surveillance by Border Protection Command has been praised for its role in helping protect the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Four fishers pleaded guilty and were fined a total of $14,000 in the Cairns Magistrates Court after Border Protection Command detected them collecting marine animals in a protected area at the Swains Reefs last year.
The fishers were found to be collecting beche-de-mer (sea cucumber) in the Green Zone, a protected area where no fishing activities are allowed.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) Chairman Russell Reichelt said illegal collecting and fishing could have a serious impact on the entire ecosystem.
Sustainable use of the Marine Park is critically important to the future of the marine environment and the many communities and industries that depend on the Reef for their livelihoods.
A healthy reef is important for the Australian economy – Great Barrier Reef industries generate $5.4 billion each year. In the face of threats like climate change, everyone needs to ensure the ecosystem remains as healthy as possible for future generations to enjoy.
Dr Reichelt said Border Protection Command is one of its partners, helping to keep an eye on the Reef. This is a great example of marine management and enforcement agencies working together to detect and stop illegal activity in the World-Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef.
For further information visit the GBRMPA website.
LEGO conference in the Whitsundays
Building for the future includes a strong foundation of education in marine studies.
Linking Estuaries of the Great Barrier Reef and Oceans (LEGO) is the annual conference of the Marine Teachers Association of Queensland (MTAQ) to be held at Airlie Beach in September.
The MTAQ is an association of Queensland teachers of marine studies in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. MTAQ is a non-profit organisation with more than 400 teachers throughout Queensland, which co-ordinates marine education activities, teachers of marine studies and students.
Interested speakers and industry representatives are encouraged to submit information for the conference, including any marine career opportunities for students to consider, such as: marine pilots, deck hands, ships captains, stewardesses, marina employees, super–yachts, marine surveyors and many more.
Other topics of interest are: marina development; scientists monitoring water quality and waste from areas around the region, island resorts and marinas.
Industry representatives from the commercial fishing seafood industry, tourism, charter operator, sailing, recreational fishing, diving, organisations would also be very welcome.
For further information email Dedan Daniel, conference organiser and a Marine teacher at Mackay North High School.
Sourced from Whitsunday Guardian.
Wetlands updates
Mackay residents walk in the wetlands
People in the Mackay area are gaining a new perspective on what use to be referred to as swamps. About 150 people ventured into a secluded Mackay wetland area, to learn about the mysteries of its fragile ecosystem.
The Wetland Walkabout on Keeleys Road opened its doors and volunteers provided a guided tour of the former grazing land, which has now become a pristine nature reserve.
These wetlands are home to a wide variety of frogs, birds, butterflies, dragon flies and other interesting creatures. Tall paperbark trees abound in the wetland and they produce a tannin which darkens the water producing a mirror surface which reflects the sky and trees above helping to produce some great photographs.
The free open day was organised by the Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Group, with residents being taught about the native birds, wetland fish and other creatures that have made their home there.
Pioneer Catchment and Landcare group co-ordinator Tessa McDonald said the event went really well and people left with a new interest in protecting wetlands.
For more information about Queensland's wetlands visit the Wetlandinfo website.
Kick-start for Killala Creek
Last month Killala Creek, just outside of Mundubbera, received an extreme makeover.
The degraded wetland, also known as Red Gully, had been run down with weeds and litter in the past, but an initiative of the North Burnett Regional Council together with the Central branch of Burnett Catchment Care Association has resulted in the facelift of a lifetime!
The site has many qualities that were identified as being a priority for investment by Wetland Care Australia. This includes the ephemeral creek line provides drainage for surrounding grazing lands and the urban environment. It has been in moderate condition in this time, but with support from the Burnett Mary Regional Group, the creek will soon be ‘kicking along nicely’.
Almost 200 trees were planted along the riparian zone of the creek after the exotic grasses and other weed species were chemically treated and then burned. Assisting Council to plant these trees were over 80 students and teachers from Mundubbera State School (years seven to 10). The students had a short lesson in the importance of the species being planted and then it was straight to work.
The effort of all involved has resulted in a new revitalised Killara Creek and a community that can be proud of the work they’ve done and can see every day.
Please check it out next time you travel into Mundubbera from Gayndah or Eidsvold.
For more information about Queensland's wetlands visit the Wetlandinfo website.
Natural resources news
Looking at a sustainable population for SEQ
With the support of SEQ Catchments, Queensland Conservation presents the third in its Business Sustainability Breakfast Series – sustainable population. The breakfast takes place on Friday 17 July from 6.50 am – 9.00 am, and is expected to attract more than 100 business leaders from across the region.
Andrew McNamara, former Environment Minister will be the keynote speaker at the breakfast and will be joined by a dynamic panel of experts who will discuss the ins and outs of population sustainability for SEQ.
The panel includes Brian Stewart, CEO Urban Development Institute of Australia; Melva Hobson, Mayor Redland City Council; Simon Baltais, Sustainable Population Australia; Glen Elmes, Member for Noosa and Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability; and Stirling Hinchliffe, Minister for Infrastructure and Planning.
Registration for the event is essential. For further information email Samantha Morris or phone 5538 5109.
Computer mapping workshop in Injune
Injune grazier and former Cattle Council of Australia chairman Wally Peart is encouraging producers to attend computer mapping workshops to learn more about modern technologies to improve farming practices.
Mr Peart says his property Sunny Holt has been improved by using computer mapping to create a successful cell-grazing system.
Computer mapping can be very useful to develop a property. Planning cell grazing allows graziers to keep a track of all the paddock sizes - it helps with cell grazing to keep them the same size - and isolates soil types
Free computer mapping workshops are being held by AgForce for all producers at Surat on 23 June and Roma on 24-25 June.
Be sure to register early by phoning 3238 6039 to ensure officers the time to organise individual property's spatial data and moratorium map for the workshop.
For further information about planning and mapping paddock boundaries, watercourses, grazing land types, phone 3238 6039.
It's natural, and at long last it's in the limelight
Two of Australia's most iconic farming industries, cotton and wool, have been recognised.
For more than 200 years farmers have been producing wool and cotton through implementation of the most innovative farming practices in the world.
The United Nations (UN) has declared 2009 the International Year of the Natural Fibre and recently UN Director-General Dr Jacques Diouf joined by the Federal Agriculture Minister, Tony Burke, to launch the Australian campaign.
The UN’s acknowledgement underpins the importance of these two industries. The wool and cotton industries tell a complex story of farming development and innovation to deliver economic, environmental and social sustainability.
Natural fibre production earns about $4 billion in exports and employs nearly 50,000, yet both industries continue to face mammoth challenges that will be met in different ways.
In the future we will not only need to secure our capacity to feed a growing population but of equal importance will be our ability to clothe them.
Register today for the Queensland Farmers Federation’s Sustainable Agriculture Forum on 9 July at the Sebel and Citigate Hotel in Brisbane.
To register or for further information visit the Queensland Farmers Federation website or phone 3837 4747.
Giant biscuit cutter drills into water secrets
A giant biscuit cutter is giving Toowoomba scientists insight into water evaporation from the famous Darling Downs soils.
The cutter takes deep cores of soil, about the size of a 44 gallon drum, taking a sample that has exactly the same profile as in the field. Delicate weighing devices log the changes in weight day and night to measure evaporation.
Department of Environment and Resource Management scientist Jenny Foley said research results will contribute to greater accuracy in planning, climate forecasting and better land management practices.
Most soil samples were coming from dryland grain cropping and grazing areas. Wallumbilla, Mulga View, and Nindigully, were recently visited.
The Toowoomba team will monitor samples from the eastern and western Darling Downs at two research stations, Kingsthorpe, near Toowoomba, and Roma. This will allow scientists to compare how different soil samples perform in the eastern climate and in the western climate.
Evaporation is the largest single cause of water loss from farms in the region with 60-70 percent of summer rainfall lost. Small differences in a large component can cause large differences in other, smaller aspects of the water balance in farming systems, such as runoff or deep drainage.
The resulting information will underpin planning work and the assessment of groundwater in aquifer systems on the Darling Downs. Project partner is CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems with funding from the Grains Research and Development Corporation as part of the Southern Queensland Farming Systems project.
For further information email Jenny Foley.
Planting power poles of the future
An environmentally friendly solution to ensure there is no shortage of timber power poles in the future, has resulted in an Australian first for Queensland.
One million seedlings have been planted in a forest near Esk to be harvested as power poles in 15 to 20 years' time.
The Queensland government and Ergon Energy have embarked on this ambitious project to plant forests and grow one million hardwood trees that will become the power poles of the future.
Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Minister, Stephen Robertson recently launched the innovative project and said it was the first of an ongoing project.
Ergon aims to acquire 10,000 hectares throughout Queensland for power pole forests over the next five years.
Ergon Energy has more than one million power poles supporting more than 150,000 kilometres of electricity cable in its network spread across 97 per cent of regional Queensland.
Every year, Ergon requires 12,000 new poles to replace ageing poles and for network expansion. Growing its own trees will help overcome a looming shortage of supply of suitable hardwood timbers.
For the full media release visit the media statement website.
Whales share their secrets
Environment Minister Peter Garrett recently visited the Australian Antarctic Division’s Marine Mammal Centre to gain first hand experience of some of Australia’s innovative non-lethal whale research.
For the first time Australian scientists have recorded the path of humpback whales from the Australian coast to their feeding grounds near the Antarctic continent.
In October 2008, 16 whales were tagged near Eden in New South Wales and their route tracked for almost six months over 4000 kilometres. Scientists discovered new information about these whales: that they disperse more widely than previously thought and outside the area traditionally identified by the International Whaling Commission.
The study leader Australian Marine Mammal Centre Director Dr Nick Gales suggests the whales spend more time feeding in temperate waters than earlier believed, they found the whales were in areas east of Flinders Island off northeast Tasmania, and west of Fiordland in New Zealand.
The tagged humpback whales will provide important information on the feeding distribution and behaviour of whales in Antarctica and the relationship between their food source, krill, and retracting sea ice during the summer melt.
Mr Garrett said that whale tagging was one of a number of ways the Australian Government was studying whale populations, their distribution and migration habits to maximise conservation outcomes of Southern Ocean whales.
For the full media release visit the media statement website.
Sediment control wins major prize in waterway awards
Sunshine Coast Regional Council won both the ‘Government Award’ and the Minister’s Grand Prize for their Erosion and Sediment Control Program at the Healthy Waterways Awards.
The Minister’s Grand Prize of $10,000 is presented to the ‘most innovative’ winner of the evening.
Designed to minimise the impact of the Sunshine Coast’s most controllable source of water pollution, the Sunshine Coast Erosion and Sediment Control Program started with an investigation of the nature and extent of erosion, sedimentation and turbid water pollution associated with construction activities.
The program is a collaboration of over 450 people and has achieved a range of outcomes including the demonstration of an Australian ‘first’ in sediment capture technology to reduce the volume of mud and silt flowing into waterways from building sites.
Other outcomes to assist in improving the health of local waterways, include improved Sunshine Coast Regional Council policy and planning provisions, new decision support tools, and Council and industry training.
Now in its ninth year, the annual Healthy Waterways Awards recognise the outstanding contribution of groups and individuals working to improve the health of South East Queensland’s waterways and catchments.
A total of $22,000 in prize money was awarded, with individual category winners each receiving a cheque for $1500 and a Healthy Waterways trophy.
For further information or a list of this year’s Healthy Waterways Awards category winners visit the Healthy Waterways website.
Junior Landcare program comes to life
Landcare Queensland and ENERGEX announced a new program which will see both organisations working to deliver important environmental messages to a new generation of Landcarers. The south east Queensland Junior Landcare project will see nearly 900 students across the region involved in revegetation in their local catchment.
Over each year of the three year partnership, 10 schools in south east Queensland will partner with their local Landcare group to spend a day in a living classroom participating in on-ground projects and learning about the value of the natural environment.
Chair Landcare Queensland Geoff Penton says the program will allow young people an opportunity to participate in real environmental projects being carried out by voluntary landcare groups.
Mr Penton said that working with corporate partners has allowed Landcare Queensland to develop programs and support mechanisms for the landcare network that are beneficial to the partners of both organisations, and the sustainable outcomes they are trying to achieve.
“This year Landcare Queensland has helped secure over $300,000 worth of corporate support for the landcare network in Queensland. This demonstrates the business communities growing commitment to supporting sustainability initiatives which, has become critical to the survival of the self-driven network,” Mr Penton said.
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 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: Queensland Murray-Darling Committee Inc
Title: Technical Officer, Water & Wetlands (Border Rivers)
Tenure: Full time
Location: Goondiwindi
Contact: The position description and application cover sheet can be obtained from the QMDC website or by emailing Paul Webb at QMDC or call 4637 6235 or 0429 644 421.
Closing date: COB Monday, 29 June 2009
Thought for the week
Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.
Demosthenes
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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 09 June 2009