Coastal and Marine Network Meeting
On 1- 2 April, BDTNRM hosted regional body coastal and marine
representatives from the entire Queensland coastline for the
biannual Coastal and Marine Network meeting which included
discussions about Regional Investment Strategy Development and
presentations by DPI&F and the Fishing and Fisheries Research
Centre.
‘Fishing for Engagement’ Forum
This forum, hosted by the CAM Network and organized by BDTNRM,
was conducted for the first time in Townsville. Around 40
recreational and commercial fishers and industry body
representatives came together to brainstorm issues surrounding our
precious fisheries resources and how we can better engage to
improve NRM outcomes.
Nutrition a Key to Success
A recent forum at Charters Towers for graziers involved in
Research to Reality (a project modelled on the nationally
successful Beef Profit Partnerships) emphasised three key factors
that drive the economics of a successful breeding enterprise -
fertility, weaner weight for age, and identification and marketing
of ‘slow performers’.
Thirty graziers from Collinsville, Belyando and northern spear
grass regions, have been involved in this project sponsored by the
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) and
BDTNRM for the past two years.
It is a highly unique concept with the sole aim of providing
producers with the skills and modern technology to improve their
product and financial viability, and to share experiences.
Presenters at the forum included industry leaders and financial and
marketing advisors. Felicity Hamlyn-Hill told producers it was
imperative to keep their breeders in good condition after the dry
season, as it impacted on their breeding cycle. The biggest
fertility problem in the north is failure to reconceive, largely
due to nutrition. She also cited the lack of phosphorous as another
critical concern, particularly in the wet season.
Graziers wanting to learn more about nutrition or breeding, or
to sign up for MLA Edge Workshops being held in Charters Towers and
Ayr over the next few months, can contact Felicity Hamlyn-Hill,
Charters Towers DPI&F on 4754 6108 or felicity.hamlyn-hill@dpi.qld.gov.au
Better Earth in Bowen
With funding from BDTNRM a Better Earth team has helped local
Coastcare groups repair native vegetation and remove guinea grass
from public areas of Queen’s Beach. They also assisted the
Burdekin Coastcare group in attacking Singapore daisy, replacing
fencing at the beach access and removing rubbish at Alva Beach.
Better Earth is an award winning program managed by Conservation
Volunteers Australia (CVA) since 1982. Each year its volunteers
plant more than a million trees, collect 1000 tons of native seed
for revegetation and reforestation projects, and build more than
300 kilometers of walking tracks and boardwalks. CVA provides a
qualified team leader for the volunteers for each project. Among
others, projects have included biodiversity, carbon offset and
wetland health.
Landscape Linkages wins Environmental
Award
The Desert Uplands Build-Up and Development Strategy Committee
Landscape Linkages project won the Innovative Environmental
Management Award at the Central West Industry Excellence Awards
held in Longreach in March.
The Landscape Linkages project uses a tender-based approach to
reward land managers by paying them to maintain or improve country
on their properties to keep it in good condition, providing
benefits to land managers and the natural environment.
Desert Uplands conceived, developed and now runs this two year
project with funding from BDTNRM.
If you would like more information about the Landscape Linkages
project please contact the Desert Uplands office on 4651 1002.
Community Landcare Coordinator on Leave
Gale Duell, Community Landcare Coordinator,
will be on extended leave from April to June 2008. In Gale’s
absence other staff in the Community Engagement Section of BDTNRM
will take on her role as required. Community Support and Engagement
Facilitators are based at Townsville, Charters Towers, Bowen and
Emerald and are able and willing to provide support to Landcare
groups of the region, you can find contact details on our
website www.bdtnrm.org.au/about/staff/index.html
Fishing and Outdoor Expo, Townsville Turf Club,
Cluden
Saturday 31 May (8:00am - 5:30pm) and Sunday 1 June 2008 (8:00am
- 3:00pm). General Admission $6.00, Under 14 free. This event
organized by the Townsville Sportfishing Club brings together
products, latest ideas and information about fishing and outdoor
recreational lifestyle. Other organizations (including BDTNRM) are
participating in the Expo in keeping with the recreational
theme.
Coastal Conferences
Planning for the 2009 Queensland Coastal Conference is
underway.
Registrations for the National Coast to Coast Conference (18-22
August 2008 in Darwin) are now open – go to: www.coast2coast.org.au/
Finally, BDTNRM is sponsoring the 2008 International Youth
Coastal Conference 19-22 October in Townsville. Details can be
found on: http: www.onelifeoneworldourfuture.com/index.php?pageid=301
CHRRUP NRM Expo, 30 April, Emerald
Hosted by CHRRUP for primary students of the region this expo
will be attended by a range of organisations including BDTNRM.
Reef Plan Partnership Progressing
Queensland Farmers’ Federation and the Regional NRM Groups
Collective recently met with senior officials of the Federal
Environment and Agriculture Departments by teleconference to report
progress on the development of the proposed partnership approach to
delivering the $200 million five year Reef Rescue Plan. The Plan
seeks to improve the uptake of good farming practice across Great
Barrier Reef catchments as a means of improving water quality in
the Reef lagoon.
The Reef Partnership, involving QFF members, AgForce and the six
regional NRM bodies in Reef catchments, represents a new mechanism
for delivery of sustainable agriculture programs that seeks to draw
on the networks, programs and expertise of both industry and
regional bodies to promote better practices.
Feedback on the progress the partnership has made was very
positive, and government, industry and regional bodies will
continue to work on developing the proposals.
New Fisheries Regulation 2008
The new Fisheries Regulation 2008 is revised legislation
featuring clearer language and descriptions, and incorporating the
use of maps to demonstrate some regulated waters.
Proposed changes to fishing rules which have been outlined for
the Inshore Fin Fish Fishery currently under review, have NOT been
incorporated in to the new regulations.
For more information visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb
Australian CReefs Expedition
The first CReefs Australian expedition, a team of 25 from AIMS
and some of Australia's natural history museums and herbaria, has
headed to Lizard Island, for a three-week survey. Similar
expeditions later in the year will go to Heron Island on the Great
Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef off the coast of Western Australia.
Specimens collected from the sites will be analysed by taxonomic
experts who will describe and name new species, publishing their
results in global, publicly available databases and scientific
publications.
CReefs is the coral reef component of the Census of Marine Life,
a global network of hundreds of researchers from more than 80
nations engaged in a 10-year scientific initiative to assess and
explain the diversity, distribution, and abundance of life in the
oceans. The world's first comprehensive census will be released in
2010. For more information, go to www.creefs.org/
Rain Enhances Noxious Weed
The National Parthenium Weed Management Group has warned that
recent rain and flood events across Queensland have provided ideal
germination conditions for parthenium weed seedlings not only in
known areas, but they may also appear in new areas. The plant
responds quickly to rain and has the ability to flower within four
weeks of germination - the critical time to find and treat plants
is before they set seed. For more information on parthenium weed,
look at
www.dpi.qld.gov.au/cps/rde/xchg/dpi/hs.xsl/4790_7334_ENA_HTML.htm
or visit the Weeds Australia website on www.weeds.org.au/
Quick Exotic Pest Facts
An exotic pests fact sheet for quick grower (and others)
reference has been developed by Plant Health Australia and the
Grains Research and Development Corporation as part of the National
Grains Industry On-Farm Biosecurity Program. It describes eight
exotic pests considered to represent medium, high or extreme risk
to the Australian grains industry. Each pest profile includes a
photograph, risk category, its likely impact on the grains industry
if it becomes established, and a description of key features to
help identify and control it.
View the sheet at:
www.grdc.com.au/uploads/documents/Exotic%20Pests%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
Premier announces new rural advisor
Wally Kearnan has been appointed to the new position of Rural
Advisor in the office of Director-General in the Department of
Premier and Cabinet. This appointment aims to speed up access and
response by the State Government on agriculture and rural
issues.
CFISH Information Milestone
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries’
Commercial Fisheries Information System (CFISH) reaching has
reached 20 years of operation. More than 10 million records
outlining commercial fishing activity and catch in Queensland have
been entered through commercial fishing logbooks which record daily
fishing locations, catch by species and types of fishing gear used
by each boat operating in the fishery.
The information is used extensively by industry and the
government to assess the condition of Queensland's fisheries and in
developing fisheries management plans to ensure future
sustainability.
Summaries of commercial catch and effort information are available
on the Coastal Habitat Resources Information System website,
http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au/CHRIS/,
and further information on logbooks or commercial fishing is
available on http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/cps/rde/dpi/hs.xsl/28_140_ENA_HTML.htm
Queensland Landcare Conference, 21-24 September,
Monto
Keynote speakers have been announced and registrations for the
conference open at the end of April. A very limited number of motel
rooms are available so interesting alternatives are on offer.
For more information, visit www.landcare.org.au/Conference.htm
QRAA Natural Disaster Assistance
On 18 March 2008, Premier Anna Bligh announced an
increase to the lending limit for Natural Disaster Relief
Assistance loans to $250,000. Further details are available
on: www.qraa.qld.gov.au/productitem.jsp?product=85
Grants and Funding Opportunities
- 2008 Westpac Community Idol Entries close 9
May: Westpac wants to find a community group in Australia
that stands out from the pack: a community group that is an
innovative, vibrant, effective, representative and participative
leader. Nominate your own community group by filling out the entry
form at:
www.ourcommunity.com.au/control/control_article.jsp?articleId=2155.
- Queensland Country Credit Union Community Grants
Scheme, Applications close 16 May: Funding is available to
communities in which Queensland Country Credit Union operates, to
support the work and projects of community groups. To find out
more, visit www.qccu.com.au/community-grants/community-grants.html
- Foster's Group Community Grants Program, Applications
close 23 May: Now in its third year, the Foster's
Community Grants Program has awarded over 70 grants to the value of
$2million to Not for Profit organisations across Australia and
North America. Mirroring Foster's core focus themes of wellness,
culture and the environment, the program enables a diverse mix of
community groups to apply for a cash grant. There is no maximum or
minimum dollar value on the grants and there is no limit on the
number of applications an eligible group may make. For further
information, visit: www.fosters.com.au/about/fosterscommunitygrants.htm
- Dilmah Water Quality Funding-Best Tea, Best
Water, Applications close 30 May: Funding
is available to Landcare community groups and schools to improve
water quality in their local area. Schools and community groups are
able to apply for: a water quality testing kit, water quality
testing training, water quality testing kit consumables and
additions. For further information, go to:
landcareonline.com/news_details.asp?news_id=93&p=Dilmah
- Telstra Environment Awards: In partnership
with Channel Ten, Telstra are offering a monthly prize of $2,000 in
each state and an annual award of $5,000 in each state as part of
their Environment Awards. Telstra are looking for initiatives such
as recycling programs, water conservation, bush and waterway
regeneration, protection of wildlife, energy saving programs, waste
clean-up, and carbon reduction strategies.
- For more information, visit http://ten.com.au/environmentawards.
For more information on the events above and more, go to
www.bdtnrm.org.au/events/
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.
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