- 3 March: Natural Sequence Farming Field
Day
- 4 March: Thuringowa Better Earth Expo (BEE) at
Riverway
- 7 March: Climate Change Forum and Expo at Home
Hill
- 9 March: Australian Government Grants
Workshop
- 9 March: Applications close for Good Land
Management Awards
- 15 March: Call for papers closes Queensland
Landcare Conference and Awards, 22-25 August
- 16 March: Closing date for Defeating the Weeds
Menace Programme
- 19 March: Workshops to assess the impacts of
lantana on biodiversity, Townsville
- 20 March: Applications close for M.Sc. Support
- Remote sensing and the economics of fire management for
sustainable pastoralism
- 21-22 March: Local Government Public Relations
Conference
- 21-22 March: Northern Beef Research
Conference, Townsville
- 28-30 March: River Management in North
Queensland Workshop
- 27 April: Applications close for
Envirofund
- Identifying Cane Toad tadpoles
- New newsletter for FarmBis
Queensland
- Weeds and Problem Plants of the Channel
Country
- Landcare bookshop launched
- Grader Grass management under
scrutiny
- Drought Assistance
- National Action Plan for Education for
Sustainable Development (NAP ESD)
- Sediment travels further to reef than
previously thought
- EMS Pathways to Sustainable Agriculture
Programme
- Prime Minister's Environmentalist of the
Year Award
3 March:
Natural Sequence Farming field day
North Queensland grazing land managers will take another
practical step towards managing climate change and improving the
water quality leaving their properties at a Natural Sequence
Farming field day. Conducted by the Three Rivers Landcare Group,
Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM and Dalrymple Landcare Committee, it
features Peter Andrews, an innovative ecological land manager from
the Hunter Valley. The field day will be held at the Ewan
Racecourse, (120km North of Charters Towers on the Lynd Highway)
and nearby demonstration sites, commencing at 7.30am.
Contact Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM office on 4724 3544 or John
Nicholas of the Dalrymple Landcare Committee on 4754 6120. To learn
more about Peter Andrews, visit www.abc.net.au/austory/content/2005/s1383562.htm
4
March: Thuringowa Better Earth Expo (BEE) at Riverway
This event will be a first for the region and will showcase the
environmental industry, service providers and NRM groups from
throughout North Queensland. BDTNRM is sponsoring Thuringowa City
Council’s Weed Swap and hosting Peter Andrews at the Expo so,
if you would like to speak to him, come along and say hello.
For more information go to: http://www.thuringowa.qld.gov.au/thuringowa/info/calendar#167
7
March: Climate Change Forum and Expo at Home Hill
Sunwater is a major sponsor for the Burdekin Climate Change
Forum and Expo hosted by the Burdekin Bowen Floodplain Management
Advisory Committee (BBIFMAC), along with Lower Burdekin Landcare,
Burdekin Shire Council and Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM. Leading
scientists and local experts will present the latest information
about climate change and discuss measures and efficiencies we can
adopt, at home and on our properties for a more sustainable future
in the Burdekin Region.
The Forum and Expo will be held at the Home Hill Memorial Hall:
the expo will be held from 12 noon and the forum (bookings
essential) from 6pm. For more information please call BBIFMAC on
(07) 47834344.
9 March: Australian Government Grants
Workshop
An information session for Regional NRM and Local Government
staff directly involved in providing assistance in developing grant
applications under the Natural Heritage Trust will be held in
Townsville. Arranged by Rachel Allan from BDTNRM, the information
session will include presentations on Envirofund 2007, Community
Water Grants, Recreational Fishing Grants, the Green Corps Program
(managed in Qld by Job Futures and Conservation Volunteers
Australia - CVA), and the Threatened Species Network Community
Grants.
For more information please contact Rachel Allan at BDTNRM by 6
March Ph 4724 3544 or email rachel.allan@bdtnrm.org.au
.
9
March: Applications close for Good Land Management Awards
As part of National Landcare week, the Dalrymple Landcare
Committee Inc., in conjunction with BDTNRM and the SPIRAL project,
are holding the second annual Good Land Management Awards. This
year, funding for the awards has increased to $20000. The focus of
the awards remains on improvements made by landholders and landcare
groups for their work towards improving and implementing
sustainable land use and improving natural resource condition. The
Awards now include separate categories for landholders and landcare
groups, while the rural blockholder and effective weed management
categories remain.
The awards are open to all industries in the Dalrymple Shire,
and are not specific to commercial grazing enterprises. Nominations
will be accepted in both self-nominations and third-party formats.
People who have not been involved with landcare are eligible and
are invited to nominate. Applicants are welcome to nominate works
completed with assistance from funding bodies or works completed
through their own initiatives. This year, all landcare groups are
being asked to nominate one or more landholders based on the works
that the individual has completed. In addition to this, the
Dalrymple Landcare Committee is asking each landcare group to
submit an entry based on what the group has achieved.
Successful applicants will be contacted by phone and mail by
Friday 23 March. The awards ceremony will be held in Charters
Towers on Friday 30 March at a venue to be determined. For further
details or information please contact John.Nicholas@dpi.qld.gov.au
.
15 March: call for papers closes Queensland Landcare
Conference and Awards, 22-25 August, Mackay
Papers should be short presentations (10 - 20 minutes) and be
related to water quality, and water and biodiversity. For more
information contact Margaret Lane, mlane@orion.com.au . For all the
latest news on the conference, registration, bursaries and
associated events, visit www.landcare.org.au/Conference.htm
.
16
March closing date for: Defeating the Weeds Menace Programme
– second round call for research
Land & Water Australia is currently inviting submissions for
the Australian Government's Defeating the Weed Menace programme.
The programme aims to identify Australia's most threatening weeds
and implement measures for management, including strategic
on-ground control and eradication at regional level, research into
cost effective management techniques and biocontrols for key target
weeds, and awareness raising campaigns.
Further information including guidelines and application forms:
www.lwa.gov.au/Apply_for_Funding/index.aspx
19
March: Workshops to assess the impacts of lantana on biodiversity,
Townsville
Lantana ( Lantana camara ) is one of 20 Weeds of
National Significance and is acknowledged as a major threat to
biodiversity. However, information on the native species and
ecological communities at risk from lantana invasions has not been
collated and assessed. A series of workshops are being held across
lantana’s distribution to improve our knowledge of species
and ecological communities that are affected by it. A national plan
similar to the Bitou TAP (see
www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/content/bitou_bush_tap )
is now being developed for lantana with the view to targeting
control programs for biodiversity conservation.
The workshops gather small groups of people together who have
either been managing lantana or native species in lantana infested
areas. Those attending should have a good knowledge of their local
biodiversity and have an understanding of the species that are
likely to be affected by lantana. Participants include bush
regenerators, landholders, council pest and environmental officers,
national park staff, NRM staff, landcare officers and scientists.
If you would like to attend email PeteTurner: pete.turner@environment.nsw.gov.au
For more information go to: http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/content/lantana_ktp
20 March: applications close for M.Sc
Support (DAFF, National Landcare Programme) Remote sensing and the
economics of fire management for sustainable
pastoralism
Charles Darwin University (CDU) and the Cape York Peninsula
Landcare Committee, in conjunction with their project partners
(Mitchell River Watershed Management Group, Peninsula Cattleman's
Association and the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and
Fisheries), are offering a M.Sc. student the opportunity to
contribute to a study that will model and investigate the economics
of fire management on the Cape York Peninsula.
Applicants must be Australian or New Zealand citizens and should
hold at least an Honours IIB degree or equivalent in a relevant
discipline (e.g. agriculture, livestock agriculture, natural
resource management, natural resource economics). A current
driver's licence, preferably with four wheel drive experience, is
required for this position. Previous experience living in remote
locations and working in challenging field conditions as part of a
field-based team would be to your advantage. Experience in the use
of survey techniques, communicating with pastoralists, report
writing and basic computer skills would also be desirable.
General information and application forms: Rachel Mayhead ph 08
8946 6548 email rachel.mayhead@cdu.edu.au
21-22
March: Local Government Public Relations Conference
Communication in a Climate of Change, Gold Coast
21-23 March http://www.lgpra.com.au/
21-22 March: Northern Beef Research Conference,
Townsville
Hosted by the North Australia Beef Research Council (NABRC) the
conference is an opportunity for northern researchers, extension
officers and producers to get the latest technical information from
some of Australia's best researchers on both recently completed and
ongoing research projects in the areas of genetics and genomics,
reproduction and breeder management, sustainable grazing, animal
welfare and ruminant nutrition. As well as the technical
presentations, the conference will include a choice of two field
trips inspecting research activities in the nearby Burdekin
catchment at either Swans Lagoon or Wambiana.
Contact: Jackie Kyte Email: jkyte@bigpond.net.au . For more
information go to: www.nbruc.org.au/
28-30 March: River Management In North Queensland
Workshop
This Workshop in Best Practice Management for NRM Organisations,
River Improvement Trusts and Local Government will be held in
Townsville. It will provide the opportunity to hear about the
latest in river management practices, share experiences and develop
partnerships that could aid in the more effective delivery of river
management projects. The workshop is aimed at all Queensland NRM
bodies, River Improvement Trusts (RITs) and LGAs from the Fitzroy
Basin to Cape York Peninsula. Jupiters Townsville Hotel &
Casino, Sir Leslie Thiess Drive, Townsville.
For more information and to register please contact: David.Reid@bdtnrm.org.au
phone: (07) 4724 3544.
27 April: applications close for Envirofund
Individuals and community groups are invited to apply for up to
$50,000 for natural resource management projects from Envirofund
Round 9. Projects that have been funded in the past include:
fencing, erosion control, off stream stock watering points, habitat
protection, awareness raising activities and pest and weed
control.
Envirofund is the local part of the Australian
Government’s Natural Heritage Trust program. It provides
funding direct to community groups and individuals to carry out
on-ground natural resource management projects that can show a
public benefit. Projects can be on public or private land, and can
be submitted by individuals, partnerships, companies and community
groups.
Application forms and Guidelines can be downloaded from the
Envirofund website www.nht.gov.au/envirofund or
by contacting the Natural Heritage Trust on 1800 065 823.
Identifying Cane Toad tadpoles
Cane Toad tadpoles are shiny black on top and have a plain dark
belly and a short thin tail. They swim close to the surface and
sometimes gather in huge numbers in shallow water. They are smaller
(less than 3.5cm long) than many native tadpoles. The eggs can be
identified from eggs of native Australian frogs by their typical
appearance like black beads in a string of jelly. Large females can
lay up to 20,000 eggs in a spawning. If in doubt, ask for an expert
opinion before disposing of them.
New newsletter for FarmBis Queensland
Topics this month include: Industry Case study (Creating Safer
Workplaces); Primary Producer Case study (Improve your business
through training); Targeted Industry Initiative Updates; Calendar
markers (FarmBis Forums, FarmBis Online training); New FarmBis
Accommodation Subsidy; Pathways to Rural Leadership – DAFF
youth leadership program; DPI&F Skills Telegraph; NCVER
Research Tenders; Vocational Graduate Qualifications – DETA
Courses; Co-create guide – managing collaborative projects
for sustainable outcomes.
Download it from: www.farmbis.qld.gov.au
Weeds and Problem Plants of the Channel
Country
This 135 page booklet is designed to fit in the glove box has
sections covering trees, shrubs, grasses, forbes, cactus and water
plants. Information includes description, habitat, palatability,
nutrition, toxicity notes on the plant, pest eradication status and
prescribed treatment.
Contact: Desert Channels Queensland Regional Resource Centre, Ph
4658 0600 Fax 4658 0122
Landcare bookshop launched
Landcare Queensland has launched its virtual bookshop with 17
Landcare related titles. It will focus on publications about the
Queensland landscape, sustainable land management and community
engagement. The latest titles, catalogue and order form are
available from: http://www.landcare.org.au/Bookshop.htm.
Proceeds from the bookshop are directed towards the mission of
Landcare Queensland: Landcare Queensland members receive a discount
on most publications.
For more information about the virtual bookshop or other
Landcare Queensland services email Kerri Woodcock kerri@landcare.com.au or phone
07 3211 4413.
Grader Grass management under scrutiny
The Department of Natural Resources and Water, Tropical Weeds
Research Centre at Charters Towers is conducting a two year
research project into the ecological aspects of grader grass to
improve management techniques of this high priority pest. The
project is funded by the Burdekin Dry Tropics, Northern Gulf and
Southern Gulf Catchments Natural Resource Management bodies.
Grader grass ( Themeda quadrivalvis ) a native of
India, is a significant and increasing weed problem in northern
Queensland. Grader grass forms tall thickets which may cover large
tracts of land, smothering native plants, reducing biodiversity and
increasing fire hazards. This project will provide both economic
and environmental benefits through the development of management
recommendations so that land managers can reduce the economic and
environmental impacts of this weedy grass.
For further details email Wayne.Vogler@nrw.qld.gov.au
or phone 07 4761 5707.
Drought Assistance
For information about help available to rural communities
affected by the drought, go to
Drought Assistance for Farmers, Small Businesses and Farm Hands
or call the Drought Assistance line on 13 2316 or the
Farmer Assistance line on FreeCALL™ 1800 050 585.
Drought Buses will be travelling around the worst
drought-affected areas in rural New South Wales, Victoria, South
Australia and Queensland to let rural communities know about the
services the Australian Government is providing. People will be
able to speak to someone about the assistance available - an expert
who knows about working on the land - from financial counsellors to
social workers and everyone in between. Check the schedule on:
Australian Government Drought Assistance Bus
Three schedule - QLD
National Action Plan for Education for Sustainable
Development (NAP ESD)
The Australian Government has begun the process of
developing this plan. The objective of the Plan is to contribute to
the achievement of a more sustainable Australia through community
education and learning. The NAP ESD will supersede the existing
National Action Plan for Environmental Education, released in July
2000.
The development process will run over three phases:
Phase One – Scoping December 2006 - February 2007;
Phase Two – Consultation March - May 2007
Disseminate discussion paper, conduct State and Territory
workshops, present feedback from discussion paper and workshops to
Steering Committee; Phase Three – Drafting of National Action
Plan May - June 2007.
For more information visit : www.urbisjhd.com/nap
Sediment travels further to reef than previously
thought
New satellite imagery released from CSIRO shows sediment from
the mainland can travel up to 130 kilometres out into the reef
during large rainfall events. It was previously believed that most
sediment traveled no more than up to 15 kilometres offshore.
EMS Pathways to Sustainable
Agriculture Programme
A new one year $3.9 million funding programme was launched on 22
February. There are two categories of funding - Regional bodies ($1
million) and Industry ($2.9 million) for projects that achieve the
objectives of strengthening their capacity to lead the
implementation of management systems for producers; building and
strengthening linkages between regions, industries and research
organisations to support industry and farmers to report their
contribution to regional NRM targets; and increasing on-ground
uptake of EMS approaches to maintain and improve the
productivity and profitability of producers, in particular by the
mixed farming sector.
Funding is available for a twelve month period from 1 July 2007.
Detailed information is available on the DAFF website at www.daff.gov.au/emsfunding
.
Prime Minister's Environmentalist of the Year
Award
Submissions are now invited either from yourself or on behalf of
another individual or organisation, for any project, program or
other activity by an individual, organisation or group in Australia
or overseas that, included in its outcome, has: made a sustained
contribution to the environment; influenced understanding or
appreciation of the environment and our place in it now and for a
sustainable future in Australia or overseas, and/or; provided
leadership or inspiration in environmental management or
protection.
For further information visit http://www.banksiafdn.com/
*******************************************************************
This edition as well as past Burdekin Bites can be
found on our website: /news/burdekinbites/index.html
Burdekin Bites is produced by BDTNRM and compiled by
Deborah Cavanagh, BDTNRM Communications. Opinions expressed in the
e-bulletin are not necessarily those of BDTNRM. While every effort
has been made to check the accuracy of articles, BDTNRM cannot
accept any responsibility for errors and omissions. Any comments
and ideas for future e-bulletins are welcome. All material in this
e-bulletin may be reprinted unless it has been sourced from an
unidentified publication whereby no reprint is authorised except by
permission from the source publishers.
News articles are posted as a free community service for the
purposes of non-commercial education, research and study; review
and the reporting of news; and archived for reference of students
and researchers as a 'fair dealing' activity under Australian
Copyright Law.
Privacy Policy
BDTNRM assures you that your personal information will not be
given or sold to any individual or organisation. The Privacy Act
entitles you to access information about yourself held by
BDTNRM.
If you consider this information to be incorrect, incomplete or
in need of adjustment, you may request that it be adjusted. Unless
the information is required to be held for statutory reasons, you
may request that it be removed.
For more information or to access your information, please
contact our office (07) 4724-3544 or Deb.Cavanagh@bdtnrm.org.au
To subscribe to Burdekin Bites or the Burdekin
Bark newsletter go to our website www.bdtnrm.org.au . To unsubscribe to this newsletter
contact Deb.Cavanagh@bdtnrm.org.au