‘Tide to Table’ Project to Help Boost Fish Habitats

Funded through the Natural Heritage Trust program, BDTNRM is working with OceanWatch Australia to improve fish habitats in our region.  With $350,000 from BDTNRM, the Tide to Table Project Manager, Carla Wegscheidl will be supporting on ground works projects and providing educational resources about the program. Projects will include removing or modifying fish passage barriers, rehabilitating tidal lands, riparian re-vegetation, aquatic weed removal and water quality improvement.

If you are interested in participating in the project applications are now being sought from landowners, local governments, community groups or other organisations.

In the period to June 2008, the programme will fund at least five on-ground rehabilitation projects between Crystal Creek and Bowen. If successful, it could continue for a further five years.

It will also have a strong education component to increase public awareness of the importance of healthy fish habitats to ensure productive fisheries.

For more information, contact Carla Wegscheidl, on 4722 2528 or email carla@oceanwatch.org.au.

Coastcare Volunteers Acknowledged

Coastcare week celebrations included a tour (to a Creekwatch site along the freshwater reaches of Stuart Creek and a Coastcare site at Saunders Beach), lunch and presentations to 30 ‘Local Hero’ volunteers.
GBRMPA Chairman, Russell Reichelt presented medals and Federal Government Certificates of Appreciation to our Coastcare volunteers over lunch at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s conference room at the Reef HQ Complex on 9 December.

Coastcare is about finding practical solutions to local environmental issues and this focus on Local Heroes acknowledges their significant contribution. For more information contact, Adam King, BDTNRM Coastcare Facilitator on Mobile 04 2941 8884 or aking@cva.org.au

Welcome to New Staff

Lynda Hygate has been appointed as our Land Soils and Agriculture Programme Coordinator, commencing 10 December. She was a Senior Consultant with the Mackinnon Project, a self-funded group within the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Melbourne. This group has developed practical farming technologies to assist extensive livestock (sheep and beef cattle) producers in south-eastern Australia over the last 20 years. Previous roles include Livestock Geneticist and Senior Policy Analyst with the Victorian Department of Primary Industries. Linda has a BAgSc, and post-graduate qualifications in Agricultural Economics. She is currently part-way through an MSc. Lynda is also a Graduate/Fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Program. Contact email: lynda.hygate@bdtnrm.org.au

Paul Wuth moves across to take up the position of Community Support and Engagement Facilitator for Zone B with our Community Engagement team in January 2008. He brings a wealth of experience in community development and engagement as well as local knowledge and experience. He was working for BDTNRM, based at Burdekin Shire Council in Ayr, as our Atmosphere Programme Co-ordinator. He will now be based in our office in Townsville. Contact email: paul.wuth@bdtnrm.org.au

New Appointee to Land Protection Council

The Chairman of the Burnett Mary Regional Group, Mr Russell Stewart, has been appointed to the Land Protection Council for a three year term commencing 15 November 2007. Comprising 14 other members, representing agriculture, Local Government, conservation and State Government departments, the Council provides advice and recommendations regarding the management of pests and the stock route network.
Mr Stewart is also a member of the Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee, a member of the EnviroFund assessment panel, and is actively involved in community, environment and social issues.

Savannas Futures Forum

Tropical Savannas CRC extends an open invitation to its final forum on 28 February at Mal Nairn Auditorium, Charles Darwin University. The forum will review lessons learned over the last decade and assess how this knowledge can be applied in the years ahead. Talks will reflect the themes: Landscape ecology and health; Industry and community NRM; Regional planning and management; and Human capability development. There is no registration fee, but an indication of interest would be appreciated for planning purposes: contact David Garnett david.garnett@cdu.edu.au.

Greening Australia’s Hotspots Programme

With funding from the Australian Government’s Biodiversity Hotspots programme, Greening Australia is inviting expressions of interest from landholders to take part in a Stewardship Program to protect conservation habitat in the Northern Brigalow Belt. The particular areas targeted for this program are the coastal regions Bowen to Rollingstone and the Bowen, Broken and Bogie Catchments. For more information contact Greening Australia on 07 4796 0444 or email hotspots@qld.greeningaustralia.org.au to receive an information pack.

Position with Landcare

Landcare Queensland are looking for a Senior Project officer. Further details on the position are available at: www.landcare.org.au/default.htm.

Any queries, contact Rick Kowitz on 4699 5004 or rick@qldlandcarecoordinator.com.

Call for 2008 Events

Reminder to send details of appropriate activities for inclusion in our calendar of 2008 events to Deb.Cavanagh@bdtnrm.org.au Please note that for consideration for inclusion into the Burdekin Bites you will need to allow at least 3 weeks advance notice.

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

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 Kim Pritchard and Deborah Cavanagh.
We welcome your comments, ideas and contributions for future e-bulletins.