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Burdekin Bites 26 September 2008

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What's happening in our region :

  1. Is community capacity building working?
  2. Town Common Research Celebrated
  3. Reef Extension Project
  4. New Coastal Education Officer for CVA
  5. CDTLI Annual General Meeting
  6. Environmental Values of Waterways
  7. Extra Federal Funding to Reduce Nutrient Runoff
  8. Change of Name
  9. $50 Million national database on Australia's water resources
  10. Australian Pest Animal Management Program (APAMP) Funding
  11. New EO for CHRUPP
  12. Forum: The Carbon Market
  13. National Landcare Awards live online
  14. Bridging Funding for Savanna CRC
  15. New Weeds Publication
  16. Climate Movement Website
  17. AgForward workshop update
  18. 29th Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation
  19. Water Information Research and Development Alliance
  20. Nominations close for Green Ambassdors
  21. WetlandCare National Art Competition 2009
  22. Grants Information
  23. Graduate Course in Water Planning
  24. Changes at Ecotourism Australia
  25. Reef Check Australia Vacancy
  26. Newsletters

 

Send your news items to deb.cavanagh@bdtnrm.org.au

Is community capacity building working?

Burdekin Dry Tropics Natural Resource Management (BDTNRM) spent around $3 million on capacity building for NRM in our region in 2007/08, but it is working? 

In a report released by BDTNRM this month, Dr. Jeff Coutts, of Coutts J&R and BDTNRM’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Dr. Chloe Schauble found that our capacity building work has a significant impact on the knowledge and awareness of NRM issues in the region.  Dr Schauble said that capacity building “increases peoples’ motivation to seek funding and actively participate in NRM activities”.  She went on to say that, “the investment fosters networking, develops partnerships and improves relationships across organisations and communities.”

Drs. Coutts and Schauble explored the effectiveness of BDNTRM’s capacity building activities by looking at four case study projects to learn what has and hasn’t worked well in different situations, and why. The projects were:
The MAFIA (Mulgrave Area Farm Integrated Action) project, which uses commercial level demonstrations to develop farmer confidence in more environmentally focused irrigation approaches. 
The Local Government Coastal Support project, where staff helped councils and NRM groups determine where and how to direct their coastal management efforts.
The Gudjuda Capacity Building Coordinator project, which focused its efforts on developing stronger partnerships for NRM between traditional owners, the community, organisations and business. 
The SPIRAL project (Strategic Partnerships Incentives for Revitalising Active Landcare in the Burdekin Rangeland), which provided knowledge and support to help land managers make changes on the ground.

Capacity building activities implemented by the projects ranged from newsletters and media, training, helping with funding proposals, providing technical advice, liaising and negotiating between groups and running field days and cultural awareness activities.

Dr. Schauble explained that, “connecting groups and building networks was an extremely valuable aspect of the capacity building work. The MAFIA cane farming group in the Lower Burdekin, for instance, met a wide range of people, they discussed new ideas and talked about future challenges and their successful community engagement activities enabled them to take a positive, proactive approach to future changes in their industry.”

Having a project officer on the ground was also a very successful approach for the four projects. Dr. Schauble said, “the project officers for the Local Government Coastal Support project were regarded as an independent interface between local councils and community groups.  They made an excellent contribution to the project because they had strong local knowledge and they were a dedicated point of contact.”  

The SPIRAL project officer was considered, “a positive influence on landholders’ decisions to apply for funding and to incorporate into their property management plans important issues such as pests, weeds, erosion, biodiversity and water quality.”

The existence of strong community NRM groups and the support of industry, local government and the media were also important factors for projects in gaining acceptance and awareness of natural resource management among land managers.

Much of the flow-on benefits from successful capacity building centered on the benefits of improved relationships (social capital).  For example, the Local Government Coastal Support project enabled community groups to meet each other and local government. Local coastcare groups are now planning joint projects with each other (e.g. in the Burdekin) and are working more closely with councils (e.g. in Bowen).  The Gudjuda project increased participation of the younger generation and the Peter Andrews field day held by SPIRAL has made it more acceptable to talk about new/alternative ideas.

While capacity building proved an effective means of improving our Natural Resource Management activities, Dr. Schauble stressed that, “a major issue was the reliance on the project officer and the problems that arose because these positions and projects usually only receive short term funding”.  To have a more positive, long term impact, “new project officers should be mentored so they see the value of instilling local leadership into community NRM groups beyond their employment, “ she said.

For more information about the project and to download the report go to www.bdtrnm.org.au

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Town Common Research Celebrated

EPA celebrated five years of research into para grass control on the Townsville Town Common last Wednesday with a gathering of scientists, community groups and industry involved in the project. The day was a success with a good turn out and very informative talks from Dr. Lin Schwartzkopf from JCU, and Mike Nicholas from CSIRO. Sam Savage, BDTNRM’s Aboriginal Land Management Facilitator, gave the traditional owner welcome for the event.

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Reef Extension Project

Supported by BDTNRM and Terrain, this project was a joint Queensland and Australian Government funded Reef Plan initiative to improve the quality of water entering the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. Over the past three years more than 100 cane farmers from Cairns to Home Hill have been working with an extension team to adopt management practices supporting profitable sugar production while at the same time improving the quality of water leaving their properties. Services ranged from on farm demonstration trials, workshops and economic assessments promoting best practice nutrient, soil health and irrigation management, controlled traffic, legume crops and computer based software tools for improved record keeping and decision making.

An agreed set of best management practices emphasising reduced nutrient, sediment and agri-chemical loss was tailored to the Lower Burdekin sugar sector . These agreed practices provided the foundation for an allied market-based incentives project funded by BDTNRM.  We worked with more than 30 producers to incorporate improved practices (e.g. tail-water recycle pits, shielded sprayers, legume fallow crops for improved nutrient management and improved irrigation systems) into their farming systems.

This project will provide an excellent reference and guide for future project initiatives such as the Producer Demonstration Farms Initiative, which is focusing on quantifying the biophysical (water quality) and economic benefits of improved management practices. For more information, contact the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.

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New Coastal Education Officer for CVA

Scott Fry has taken up the position of Coastal Education Officer for Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) recently vacated by Adam King. Scott can be contacted on his mobile 0410 703 014. Until his email is set up, Scott will be using Adam’s email address: aking@cva.org.au

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Out and About

Noelene Ferguson talked about the National Parthenium Weed Management Group and Linda Hygate presented information about upcoming projects in the Burdekin Rangelands – Reef Rescue Package and its potential involvement/opportunities for landholders at the DLC meeting on 19 September.

BDTNRM was a proud partner in the International Clean up Day Clean up event on the 20th September with the Sea Turtle Foundation. Close to 100kgs of rubbish was removed from Pallerenda and Ross Creek Jetty.

Peter Arthofer has been representing BDTNRM at the Landcare Conference, which concluded this week.

BDTNRM is a Sponsor for the Australian Rangeland Society conference 28 September to 2 October, Charters Towers, Queensland.

BDTNRM is a Silver Sponsor of the 2008 North Queensland Economic Development Conference, the Mercure Inn, Townsville, 2-3 October. For more information see the Ed Australia website

BDTNRM is a silver sponsor for the International Youth Coastal Conference on the 20-21st October.

What's On

For more details go to : www.bdtnrm.org.au/events/

Coming up in 2008

September

26: BBIFMAC General meeting

28– 2 Oct: Rangelands Conference, Charters

Towers

 

October

1: CDTLI Annual General Meeting

2–3: NQ Economic Development Conference, Townsville

11:Threatened Bird Network National Waterhole Count

14: Future Leaders Eco Challenge

17: Burdekin Solutions AGM

19–22:Pest and Animal Symposium, Cairns

International Youth Coastal Conference

20–23:Veg Futures, Toowoomba

24: Forum: The Carbon Market

Nominations close for Green Ambassdors

30-31: Carbon Market Expo, Gold Coast

 

 

Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare (CDTLI) Annual General Meeting, 1 October

At Pimlico TAFE – Horticulture Unit (off De Sailley Street), 6pm. There will be CDTLI updates, guest speakers and the new board will be elected. Refreshments after the meeting and the opportunity to meet volunteers and members. To nominate to be on the CDTLI board, please contact Leigh. Please RSVP to Leigh on 4721 4322 or landcare@bigpond.net.au by 29 September.

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Environmental Values of Waterways

Results from community workshops held in July to identify draft Environmental Values of waterways in and around Townsville are now available for viewing and comment on the Creek to Coral website: www.creektocoral.org.au.

Contact Chris Manning for information on: 47278660 or chris.manning@townsville.qld.gov.

 

 

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Extra Federal Funding to Reduce Nutrient Runoff

On 14 September, the Environment Minister Peter Garrett announced Federal Government will pump an extra $7.5 million into programs that will reduce nutrient runoff on to the Great Barrier Reef. The funding is in addition to $23 million announced last month for the Reef Rescue scheme and will be used to monitor water quality, improve land management techniques and trial new technologies to improve water quality.

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Change of Name

Mackay Whitsunday NRM Group has changed its name to Reef Catchments. It also has new office premises. For further details go to: www.mwnrm.com.au

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$50 Million national database on Australia's water resources

A new, $50 million joint initiative between the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO is the largest water information research project in the southern hemisphere. The Water Information Research and Development Alliance (WIRADA) is a five-year, research programme aiming to provide a state-of-the-art, national database on Australia's water resources. More information can be found at:
http://wiki.bdtnrm.org.au/index.php/Water_Information_Research_and_Development_Alliance

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Australian Pest Animal Management Program (APAMP) Funding

Funded under the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country initiative, the APAMP programme aims to reduce damage to agricultural production caused by pest animals by supporting the development of  effective, economic and humane control techniques; monitoring techniques to provide more reliable information on pest animal numbers and damage; demonstrating 'best practice' management strategies at a regional scale;
producing national extension materials to facilitate adoption of 'best practice' management;
Applications are invited from local and state government agencies, incorporated community groups, universities and other organisations. Projects are generally in the range $10,000-$100,000 a year. Funding for more than one year cannot be guaranteed. Successful projects will require a substantial recipient contribution (from the proponent and/or third party collaborators).

To discuss your idea and obtain the expression of interest proforma, contact Jeanine Baker on (02) 6272 4220 email: jeanine.baker@brs.gov.au. If your project is of interest to APAMP you will be invited to submit a 2-4 page expression of interest by Friday, 3 October 2008 for initial assessment, followed by a full application process for successful preliminary proposals. Projects are expected to commence in early 2009.

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New EO for CHRUPP

Rolfe Ellem has taken over from Anna Cochrane, who finished her tenure as Executive Officer at CHRUPP. He recently returned from some years overseas working on international development projects throughout Central and South East Asia. A native of Barcaldine, this position gives him the opportunity to return to his roots in Western Queensland and to update his skills and knowledge in a dynamic environment and contribute to a broad array of endeavours.

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Forum: The Carbon Market – Friend or Foe for Agriculture, 24 October

Rockhampton Plaza Hotel, George Street, Rockhampton, commencing at 10.00 for a 10.30 start
Hosted by the Fitzroy Basin Association, further details will be provided once arrangements have been finalised with guest panelists for the event. RSVP by 17 October to Karlee Goodsall on 4999 2827 or Karlee.Goodsall@fba.org.au The Forum will be followed by lunch at a cost of $30 each. FBA members free. Following lunch FBA will conduct its Annual General Meeting. Enquiries regarding membership should be directed to Janeen Whiting on 4999 2800 or Janeen.Whiting@fba.org.au.

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National Landcare Awards live online

Held every two years, the awards recognise environmental achievements. This year, Landcare Australia is considering running a live web cast of the awards on 23 October at Parliament House. People with internet access would be able to watch the event on the web and email questions to presenters and leave messages of support, which may be displayed on the big screen. People can register their interest in using this service by filling in a short survey on the Survey monkey website. The People's Choice Award goes to the finalist who receives the most votes from the broader community at the Landcareheroes website www.landcareheroes.com/.

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Bridging Funding for Savanna CRC

Funding secured for Savanna CRC until the end of 2009, will give stakeholders the opportunity to contribute to the development of guidelines for a new Cooperative Research Centre. A workshop, or series of workshops, is planned and a number of potential participants have registered their interest. Meetings have taken place with the Office of Northern Australia and also with a broad cross-section of representatives of the Northern Territory Government.  Similar meetings are planned for Western Australia and Queensland. At present there are no guidelines for the application process in the next funding round (to be released once the Innovation Review has been completed later this year), however, a draft can be found at: www.innovation.gov.au/innovationreview/Documents/CRCReviewReport.pdf
If you have any comments on the above, or would like to be involved in a workshop, please contact Dr David Garnett, CEO, TS-CRC david.garnett@cdu.edu.au.

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New Weeds Publication

‘The introduced flora of Australia and its weed status’, released by Weeds CRC, has information on the weedy status for every introduced plant species in Australia. The resource is available as both an online database and a downloadable PDF, see: www.weedscrc.org.au/weed_management/intro_flora.html

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Climate Movement Website

An updated website for all climate action groups in Australia, see: www.climatemovement.org.au/

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AgForward workshop update

The AgForward team present a range of workshops to landholders, including GPS essentials, computer mapping, vegetation management, and AgForest's native forest field days. Upcoming workshops include:

  • 30 September   Charleville                       Abridged Vegetation Management Workshop (for service providers & other interested parties)
  • 7 October         Taroom                           GPS Essentials
  • 8 October          Injune                              GPS Essentials
  • 14 October        “Dawson Vale” Belyando  Computer Mapping Essentials
  • 15 October        Belyando                        GPS Essentials
  • 16 October        Proserpine                      Computer Mapping Essentials
  • 28 October        Georgetown                    GPS Essentials
  • 29 October        Mount Surprise                GPS Essentials
  • 29 October        Charleville                       Vegetation Management Essentials
  • 30 October        Greenvale                       GPS Essentials
  • 30 October        Cunnamulla                     Vegetation Management Essentials

Participants who successfully complete a workshop can now receive a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment. The skills from AgForward workshops can be used to gain a Certificate IV in Conservation and Land Management through the recently launched AgEssentials program. For more information visit the website.
To register for the workshops contact Bree Robertson on 3238 6039. More information can be found on the www.agforward.org.au

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29th Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation

People from more than 40 countries have registered so far! For more information go to: www.turtlesbrisbane2009.org.

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Water Information Research and Development Alliance

Largest water information research project in the southern hemisphere is a new joint initiative between the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO, the Water Information Research and Development Alliance (WIRADA) is a five-year, $50 million research partnership. It aims to provide a state-of-the-art, national database on Australia's water resources. More information can be found on: http://wiki.bdtnrm.org.au/index.php/Water_Information_Research_and_Development_Alliance

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Nominations close for Green Ambassdors, 24 October

The 2008 Commonwealth Bank Green Ambassador Awards launched today, looking for young people who are determined to make a difference. Now in its fourth year, the program acknowledges Australians aged 16 to 30 who are championing green initiatives.  Nominate a Green Ambassador online now at  www.commbank.com.au/greenambassadors, or call Conservation Volunteers on 1800 032 501 for more information.

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WetlandCare National Art Competition 2009

To celebrate World Wetlands Day 2009, WetlandCare Australia has organised an Australia-wide art competition offering categories for both Children and Adults, and also a Primary School Prize. Entry forms are available at www.wetlandcare.com.au

 

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Grants Information

  • Australian Government Grants: Find out more about the range of grants available and their closing dates at: www.business.gov.au
  • Telstra Environment Awards: $2,000 given away each month, in every state, to groups doing environmental activities. Schools & community gardens are eligible. Find out more: http://ten.com.au/tv_environmentawards.html

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Graduate Course in Water Planning

This new course, funded by the National Water Commission (NWC), will commence in Semester 1, 2009. The International Centre of Excellence in Water Resources Management (ICE WaRM) will be coordinating the course as a part of their masters program. Contact For further information on the programme or the domestic scholarship go to: ICEWaRM,or email waterplanning@icewarm.com.au or phone (08) 8236 5200.

 

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Changes at Ecotourism Australia

CEO, Stephen Pahl has announced his pending retirement from Ecotourism Australia.
Ecotourism Australia has over 1,000 ECO Certified products nationally and is active in the provision and management of certification programs. It will shortly be offering a variant of its highly successful ECO Certification Program to overseas countries, to be known as ECO International. It is also in the final stages of the development of an innovative Climate Change solution for Australia’s Tourism industry – Climate Action Australia, which is currently being piloted in Queensland and South Australia and will be launched at the inaugural Conference on Green Travel, Climate Change and Ecotourism in November. For more information, go to: www.ecotourism.org.au.

 

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Reef Check Australia Vacancy

For a full position description, Science Operations Manager and Business Manager, go to: www.reefcheckaustralia.org/about/employment/index.cfm The application closes 15 October.If you have any questions about this position please contact Jos Hill on jos@reefcheckaustralia.org or 07 4724 3950.

 

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Newsletters

  • QueenslandConservation Council newsletters: Spinifex, Seagrass Watch, Rivers Alive and Changing Gear. To subscribe and or have a look at past issues go to: www.qccqld.org.au/Newsletters.html
  • Tropics Savannas and Savanna Links: The latest edition of Savanna Links features articles on Kimberley fire research, Savanna Knowledge for Schools and the Doctorate of Tropical Environment Management. There is also a series of articles on the Future of northern Australia.To see current and past issues or to subscribe, go to: www.savanna.cdu.edu.au/news/topical_savannas_public.html.
  • Get Farming newsletter: The diverse range of article in a recent issue includes: government leasehold strategy; the Department of Natural Resources and Water’s National Conference; and surveys that reveal stocking golden perch is boosting native fish populations. Go to www.getfarming.com.au

 

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

Your feedback and contributions are welcome
Please forward to the Editor – Deborah Cavanagh em: deb.cavanagh@bdtnrm.org.au or send a text message to mob: 0427 243 001 and we can add it to our notice board


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.

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.

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.

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