Burdekin Bites 31 August 2006

Burdekin Bites 31 August 2006

A regular e-bulletin update about BDTNRM activities throughout the region.Please forward to your networks

1. BDTNRM/Canegrowers/BBIFMAC Water Quality Forum a great success

2. Sustainable House Day

3. Someone you know deserves an Environment and Landcare Award

4. 11 September Maranoa-Balonne Catchment Management AssociationAGM

5. 3 October Comments due on Water and Wastewater Services

6. 21-23 November First National Workshop for Regional NRM

7. One plan streamlines regulations for landholders

8. Push to rehabilitate rivers

9. Land for Wildlife

10. Weeds Australia website update

11. Best practice guidelines for urban and home garden irrigation

1. BDTNRM, Canegrowers and BBIFMAC Water Quality Forum a great success

Over 115 canegrowers and industry representatives turned out for dinner and a discussion with researchers at the joint BDTNRM and Canegrowers Water Quality Forum in Ayr. The evening was very successful with growers, researchers, industry and management people having the opportunity discuss a range of issues. For more information contact Tom McShane phone: (07) 4783-4344 email: tom@bbifmac.org.au

2. Sustainable House Day

Members of the public are invited to inspect sustainable houses, check out some great energy and water efficient ideas and speak directly with home-owners. This year six homes in Townsville and Thuringowa are participating.

Entry fees apply (to cover promotional costs) allowing visits to one or multiple homes. Full / Concession entry fees are: Family: $30 (Concession: $15); Single: $20 (Concession: $10) For more information go to www.sustainablehouseday.com

3. 8 September Environment and Landcare Award nominations due

Someone you know deserves an Environment and Landcare Award. It aims to acknowledge individuals and organisations showing passion and dedication to reducing environmental impacts to ensure a sustainable environment in rural and regional areas. The Prize is a $2,500 Commonwealth Bank AwardSaver Account, a trophy and a certificate. Go to www.awardsaustralia.com or contact the Awards Office at 5531 1541 email qld@awardsaustralia.com

4. 11 September Maranoa-Balonne Catchment Management Association AGM

To be held at the Roma Bungil Cultural Centre. For more information and to RSVP please contact Angela on (07) 4622 8446 or AngelaB@qmdc.org.au

5. 3 October Comments due on Water and Wastewater Services

A discussion paper was released on Monday 21 August 2006 to seek the views of the public and industry sectors on the role of the private sector in the supply of water and wastewater services in Australia. The Discussion Paper includes questions and provides several opportunities for comment throughout. The Paper will be open for comment for six weeks from Monday 21 August 2006 until close of business on Tuesday 3 October 2006. For further information visit http://www.dpmc.gov.au/nwi/index.cfm#discussion

6. 21-23 November 2006 First National Workshop for Regional NRM Gold Coast,

The program is designed for all Regional NRM Bodies and their supporters. The call for papers is now open, with expressions of interest closing on 30 August 2006. For further information visit http://www.astmanagement.com.au/nrm6/

7. One Plan to cut red tape for rural landholders

One Plan is a $3 million to streamline regulatory requirements for property planning. It will coordinate and standardize existing regulatory and government financial support programs, producing a consistent and coordinated set of guidelines to facilitate regulatory property level planning and minimise duplication.

Initially, OnePlan will provide guidelines for accessing resource management loans, pest management planning and, eventually, land and water management plans, as well as vegetation and wildlife management.

Go to: http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/oneplan/

8. Push to rehabilitate rivers

A partnership between Greening Australia, corporate sponsors, including Alcoa, and catchment management authorities and the Federal Government will rehabilitate nine of Australia's icon rivers. The 10-year national River Recovery program will coordinate rehabilitation activities along the: Coliban (NT), Katherine (NT), Burdekin (Qld), Hutt (WA), Yarra (Vic.), Hawkesbury/Nepean (NSW), Boorowa (ACT / NSW), Derwent (Tas.), Lower Murray (SA). For more information go to

http://www.greeningaustralia.org.au/GA/NAT/OnGroundAction/River+Recovery/

9. Land for Wildlife Position Paper

The Land for Wildlife program is highly valued by landholders and the other stakeholders who believe it meets their goals and achieves environmentally sustainable outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to provide a structure for a review of the present situation and to develop an outlook on future arrangements. It is a work in progress which will hopefully trigger imaginative solutions to the present situation. For more information contact Lesley Hale, State Coordinator for Land for Wildlife lhale@qld.greeningaustralia.org.au Phone: 07 4923 7543.

10. Weeds Australia website update

The Weeds Australia web site has been updated to enable searching of their weed identification tool by NRM region. For more information go to http://www.weeds.org.au/ntmap.htm

11. Best practice guidelines for urban and home garden irrigation

The Water Services Association of Australia and Irrigation Association of Australia have funded the development of best practice guidelines for urban and home garden irrigation. For further information visit http://www.irrigation.org.au/standards.html#qi_stds_03

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