Welcome to this edition of the Burdekin Bites, which you will notice has switched to a Wednesday mail out: we hope this timing proves more useful to you.

Summary of forthcoming events over the next two weeks:
27 April-05 May: Primary Industries Week
02 May: Forum ‘Green Dollars-Driving Agricultural Profitability along Environmental Highways’, Canberra
06 May: International Composting Awareness Week “It's Time to Celebrate & Cultivate!”
07 May: RCS field day
08 May: CHRRUP Board Meeting
08 May: Banksia Environmental Awards
11 May: Consultation closes, Reef Plan Nutrient Management Discussion Paper
12 May: Wambiana Field Days
14 May Community Water Grants Workshop
16 May: CRCA Conference, Perth

Recent additions to our “What’s On” web page:
3 May: Applications close, Company Secretary for Burdekin Solutions Ltd
9 May : Nominations close for World Environment Day Awards
10 May: Nominations close for nominations close for category listings, EPBC Act
25 May: Nominations close for the Recreational Community Fishing Grants
1 June: Applications close, Round 10 of the TSN Community Grants Program6-8 July: Country Week Expo, Brisbane

For more information on the events above and more, go to www.bdtnrm.org.au/news/on/index.html

1. Mark Stoneman - New Chair for Burdekin Solutions Ltd
2. Thanks to Mike Cannon
3. Proceedings of the River Management Workshop
4. Managing & Preventing Salty Spots
5. Giru Soils
6. Welcome to recently appointed Staff
7. BDTNRM: Out and About
8. BMP Workshop, Townsville 6-7 June
   
9. $13 million Environment Package
10. Important Bird Areas
11. ALGA's State of the Regions Report
12. National Sea Change Taskforce
13. Farmers Info Newsletter
14. Traditional Knowledge Revival Pathways
15. Feral Camels
16. Carbon Neutral

Mark Stoneman - New Chair for Burdekin Solutions Ltd

Burdekin Solutions Ltd, trading as the Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM, has appointed a new Chairman following Mr. Mike Cannon’s retirement. Mr. Stoneman comes to the Chair with an extensive background in public life as the State Member for Burdekin for fifteen years; a period during which he held numerous senior positions in both government and opposition. He retired from State Parliament in 1998. He guided the development of the Wetlands and Grasslands Foundation, now acknowledged as a unique environmental concept in world terms. Mark has also re-established his Brahman Stud while fully developing his farm in the Giru district.

Mr. Stoneman views the Board of Directors’ primary roles as policy development, governance issues and providing support for the CEO and Staff who are delivering the Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM Plan created by the Burdekin Regional Community.

Thanks to Mike Cannon

The retiring Chair, Mike Cannon, is to be commended for his dedication and hard work over the past three years in pushing Burdekin Solutions through the transition from a planning organisation to a Regional Body responsible for implementing over $20 million dollars worth of NRM activities throughout the region. Since Mike took on the role of Chair in BDTNRM has grown from five to eighteen staff and our activities in the region have increased exponentially.

Proceedings of the River Management Workshop

The Proceedings of the River Management Workshop are now available on the BDTNRM website. Please go to www.bdtnrm.org.au/projects/rmworkshop_april07.html .

Note that the front page of our website provides links to all Our Latest Publications which can be found in the right hand column.

Managing & Preventing Salty Spots

BTNRM are funding a project to better understand potential threats posed by dryland salinity in the Burdekin River catchment: by conducting a series of on-farm case studies to investigate salinity processes and discover how landholders manage salty patches and the country on which they occur. Our home page www.bdtnrm.org.au/index.html provides more information on this project.

Giru Soils

In 2006 Jim McClurg undertook numerous soil samples for BDTNRM, gathering data for the only area in the Lower Burdekin which had not been mapped. This month (on 23 April) he conducted a free 2 hour practical session on these Giru soils at Dino Palleto's shed to a number of property owners and other agencies (BSES, NR&W, consultants and the Burdekin Productivity Services). He provided information how the Giru Survey was undertaken and how soils were sampled throughout the region. Jim went on to explain the Australian Soils Classification coding and what each of the numbers and letters in these codes actually represented. Each of these soils codes were then explained in terms of their suitability for productivity especially in relation to sugarcane.

Doug Willis from BDTNRM then described how each landholder could obtain these maps through BBIFMAC as part of the Giru Soils project, as well as how satellite imagery can assist with property management.

For background information to to: www.bdtnrm.org.au/initiatives/0004.html ,or for more information phone Amanda Laurie at BDTNRM.

Staff

BDTNRM would like to welcome a number of recently appointed staff:

Peter Arthofer is our new Community Support and Engagement Facilitator (NRM Facilitator) based in the Bowen Broken Catchment. Peter’s role is to promote greater understanding about BDTNRM, its role and activities in the Region. He will also be building relationships with stakeholders, working with the BDTNRM community engagement team and supporting program and project coordinators in the region. Until Peter is settled into his new desk with the Bowen Shire Council, you can contact him through our Townsville office at PH: 4724 3544

Michelle Warrington, our new Financial Manager, will be designing and implementing our financial systems, ensuring that we are looking after our budgets and advising the CEO on the organisation’s financial status. Michelle will also be working with the Burdekin Solutions Board of Directors. You can contact Michelle on: michelle.warrington@bdtnrm.org.au .

Jenni Edmonds joined BDTNRM staff in mid-March as the NRM facilitator for the Upper Burdekin Rangelands catchment. She will be working with our stakeholders (including landholders; Traditional Owner groups; Local Government, Industry and Community NRM groups) to broaden our understanding of Natural Resource Management and support Best Management Practices throughout the region.

Funded by the NLP Programme through BDTNRM, John Nicholas started with the Dalrymple Landcare Committee Inc. in November 2006 as their SPIRAL Project Officer to assist landholders in tackling problems on their properties. John can be contacted on: (07) 4754 6120 john.nicholas@dpi.qld.gov.au

Bronwyn Roberts has recently taken up the position of Belyando Suttor Field Officer, funded by BDTNRM and employed by CHRRUP. The role involves being the on-the-ground provider of funding and support for landholders in the uptake of sustainable Natural Resource Management. Bronwyn Roberts can be contacted on (07) 4983 1211 bronwyn@chrrup.org

BDTNRM’s manager for Community & Engagement Dr Rachel Allan has resigned from her recently appointed position to take up the role of BDTNRM’s Coastal and Marine Program Coordinator as of 1 ^st May 07. Rachel will however, continue her strategic regional facilitation role (SRF) with the Australian Government until a new Community Engagement Manager is appointed. If you are interested in applying for the role of Community Engagement Manager please keep an eye on our web site http://www.burdekindrytropics.org.au/opportunities/employment/employment.html

David Reid, our former Coast and Marine Coordinator will be working on Special Projects and can be contacted at his usual email david.reid@bdtnrm.org.au

Sari Mangru’s contract as Coastal Planning Officer based in Thuringowa has come to an end and Sari intends to travel overseas for a while. We would like to thank Sari for her dedication and enthusiasm over the past 13 months and we wish her all the best in her new adventure.

BDTNRM: Out and About

BDTNRM staff Diana O'Donnell, Ian Dight, and Sarah Connor attended the theme ‘Halting and Reversing the Decline of Water Quality’ at the Marine & Tropical Science Research Facility Conference on Wednesday 18 April.

Dr. Bronwyn Houlden attended a Regional Pest Management Forum in Charters Towers on 18 April and reached agreement with Local Government personnel about how to progress the production and implementation of a regionally focussed pest management strategy with funding and support from BDTNRM.

Leonie Maddigan and Rachel Allan are attending a 2 day training session for coastal and marine managers/officers on Physical Coastal and Marine Processses, on the 1&2 May. Following this they will be attending a 2 day training session on Coastal Management and Planning, also in TSV on the 8&9 of May This training should bring together many coastal managers from a multitude of stakeholder groups who all have a role to play in coastal management including local government, EPA, regional body staff etc

Leonie Maddigan, Burdekin Shire Council hosted Coast and Marine officer, and Rachel Allan, Coast and Marine program coordinator, as well as 13 other regional body staff from across the state who play a role in coastal management, are attend a twice-yearly Coastal Forum, this time held in Mackay on the 9-10 May. Discussions will include Indigenous involvement in Reef Water Quality, Wetlands protection, Burdekin Shire Community Values survey, and a Coastal Scrub Project that spans the Burdekin Dry Tropics, Mackay Whitsundays and the Fitzroy Basin Association regions

David Reid is attending an invitation only seminar held by Wetland Care Australia in Townsville on the 11 ^th May. Attendees will share with project partners, lessons learnt during the GBR Coastal Wetlands Protection Pilot Programme which was conducted at 21 wetland sites between Bundaberg and Port Douglas.

Rachel Allen will be attending: Coastal Wetlands Workshop, 11 May; a Water Grants Workshop, 14 May;

Sarah Connor will be attending the BSES Burdekin Pesticides workshop in Townsville 6-7 June; Canegrowers BMP Field Days; WQIP Steering Committee Workshop. Diana O'Donnell will also be attending the Pesticides workshop.

David Reid will attend Community Water Quality Monitoring Workshop; and a Cross Regional Project meeting (Coastal Scrub.).

Jenni Edmonds will be present at the Wambiana Field Days 12 May.

Leonie Madigan will be holding a “Coast Day” at Alva Beach. Leonie’s last two Coast Day’s were rained out so we are hoping for good weather this time around – date yet to be announced, the event will be held sometime in mid May.

Meetings Peter Arthofer will be attending include one with Jon Grafdyk from Mackay Whitsunday regarding a Sustainable Landscape Project; the LMAG Meeting ar Collinsville; and the Wambiana Field day on 12 May.

The Joint Queensland Australian Government NRM Steering Committee (JSC) will be holding their 32 ^nd meeting in the Burdekin Region in late May. The JSC holds four meetings annually, two of which are held in the NRM regions. The JSC appreciates interaction with the local regional body and regional coordination group. BDTNRM will be hosting a field trip which will include visits to project sites and other areas were JSC representatives can view first hand the work within the region.

The JSC was established in 2002 under the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality and Natural Heritage Trust extension bilateral agreements. The JSC coordinates Queensland and Australian Government investment in regional natural resource management and recommends proposals and decisions to state and federal Ministers for approval. To find out more about the JSC, its roles and responsibilities go to http://www.regionalnrm.qld.gov.au/about_new/news_events_publications/jsc/index.html

BMP Workshop, Townsville, 6-7 June

This workshop has been instigated following discussions between Burdekin BSES staff and researchers from The Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research (ACTFR ) regarding the impact of common agricultural practices on our immediate environment. These industry bodies identified a need to inform the sugar community of the potential effects that common agricultural chemicals have on the environment. This information may well be utilized to determine current and future Sugar Industry practices. The aim of the workshop is for the Sugar Industry to promote and investigate practices, both current and into the future, that will reduce its environmental impact. Burdekin Dry Tropics is sponsoring the workshop.

$13 million Environment Package

Dealing with feral pigs and the devastating impact of weeds are two projects being funded under a $13 million package to tackle some of Queensland’s significant environmental challenges. A wide range of initiatives in six regions (the Fitzroy Basin, the Southern and Northern Gulfs, the Condamine, Wet Tropics and Torres Strait) will address issues ranging from pests and endangered species to salinity and harmful marine debris. Programmes announced in this funding package are: to help reduce and control the spread of weeds, including Lantana; $500,000 to be directed towards managing the feral pig problem in North Queensland; and new initiatives to tackle marine debris in the Torres Strait.

Important Bird Areas

With unexplained declines in populations of once common birds, monitoring of changes in the populations of North Queensland’s rarest or threatened birds and also of changes in concentrations of seabirds, shorebirds and waterbirds is underway. National Parks and nature reserves were chosen to protect and conserve viable populations of our native plants and animals but species may need to shift ranges. Birds Australia North Queensland Group is proposing to monitor the birds in as many IBAs as possible. For more information follow the link to Birds Australia from: www.bdtnrm.org.au/links/nongovernment.html

ALGA's State of the Regions Report

ALGA's State of the Regions 2006-07 report highlights the widening gap between rich and poor regions. The resource boom means that there is accelerating population growth and a housing affordability crisis in some regions whilst others are experiencing population drift and an erosion of their skills bases. For a copy of the report follow our link to ALGA from www.bdtnrm.org.au/news/links/index.html

National Sea Change Taskforce

According to the National Sea Change Taskforce, Australia's coastal areas are struggling to cope with a large influx of new residents. The taskforce says that, based on latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, the population of non-metropolitan coastal areas swelled from 4.9 million to 5.9 million from 1996-2006, but this was not matched by services and infrastructure. Further, by the end of this decade, another million are estimated to start migrating to the coast as the baby boomer generation hits retirement. Use our links page www.bdtnrm.org.au/links/nongovernment.html to find out more information about this body or the report.

Farmers Info Newsletter

Features this month include RIRDC (Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation); Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Private Native Forestry Act; and a Squid, Bugs, Cuttlefish And Scallops study. Follow our link from www.bdtnrm.org.au/news/links/index.html for more.

Traditional Knowledge Revival Pathways

This 12 month project was designed by Aboriginal elders from Cape York. It is being run on a regional basis with participation of local elders and funded by National Heritage Trust through the State’s Strategic Reserve. Traditional stories will be recorded (audio and visual) and put into a secure database. It is anticipated that a lot of the information will relate to natural resource management. More information can be found in our link to the Basin Bullet from: www.bdtnrm.org.au/news/links/index.html

Feral Camels

The Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre (DKCRC) has developed a 3 year project entitled ‘Cross-jurisdictional Management of Feral Camels to Protect Natural Resource Management and Cultural Values’ funded by Natural Heritage Trust. The nationwide network includes representatives of government, natural resource management boards, the camel industry, the pastoral industry and Aboriginal land owners. The overall goal of the project is to produce a practical management plan with a package of acceptable control options and a business case to justify investment in camel management. For more information follow our link to DKCRC from www.bdtnrm.org.au/links/nongovernment.html

Carbon Neutral

This organization is changing the way it calculates carbon sequestration using trees. For more information, go to our links page www.bdtnrm.org.au/links/nongovernment.html .

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This edition as well as past Burdekin Bites can be found on our website: www.bdtnrm.org.au/news/burdekinbites/index.html

Burdekin Bites is produced by BDTNRM, compiled and edited by Deborah Cavanagh and Kim Pritchard.

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