Archives for June 2012

Moving forward in 2012/13 | Update from the Reef Catchments CEO

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Reef Catchments is planning for the future. Here is overview of key actions to take place in 2012/13:

Corporate Services Program

  • Development and implementation of a new project and accounts management system which allows for more detailed recording and reporting of operational outputs and financial performance.
  • The development of new Reef Catchments Strategic Plan 2013 – 2019, Operational Plan 2013 – 2016 and Communications Plan.
  • Investigation toward a potential new place of residence for Reef Catchments post 2012/13 for both Mackay and Proserpine Centres.
  • A review of the Reef Catchments constitution and the employment of two independent skills based directors to the board of Reef Catchments.
  • The development of a new NRM plan for the region actively aligned to the overview and guidance provided by the recently formed partnerships committee.

Biodiversity, Coasts and Marine

  • Creating a new project proposal along the entire GBR aligned to the Commonwealth Government Biodiversity Fund and seeking to support the implementation of coastal bio-diverse carbon stores. This project offers potential for a strong collaboration with local government.
  • The development and delivery of fire management guidelines for much of the region and more broadly key priority areas throughout the state. This work builds on the IP and knowledge within Reef Catchments pertaining to fire management across the landscape and its impact on natural resources, business viability and human risk.
  • The continued development of ecological entrepreneurship.
  • The continued development of national Islands program and set of prioritised initiatives.

Land Water and Waterways

  • The development of a new Water Quality Improvement Plan for the region and the continued support and delivery of the Healthy Waterways initiative.
  • The delivery of a rural futures strategy in the region in cooperation with Regional Development Australia.
  • The continued delivery of regional pest management strategy and continued partner support of this strategy and aligned actions.
  • The submission and development of a new Reef Rescue program.
  • Continued input toward innovation in sugarcane and grazing farming system.
  • The development of new rural biodiversity proposal focus on the GBR catchment and supporting connected landscapes.

Climate futures

  • The development of Climate Change-Carbon-Biodiversity Plan for the region.
  • The development of rural industry partnerships program offering extension service support aligned to the Carbon Farming Initiative.
  • The delivery of a soil carbon project which seeks to better understand the role of farm practice impact on soil carbon.
  • The development of user friendly carbon calculator for rural enterprises in the region.
  • The development of carbon emission calculator for fire and its link to enhanced fire management and hence reduced carbon emissions.

Rainfall simulation tests runoff in coastal grazing

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Infiltration and runoff rates in coastal grazing land were tested through a rainfall simulation arranged by the Reef Catchments Paddock to Reef program in Proserpine this past April. This is the first trial to examine infiltration and runoff on the Mackay Whitsunday coastal grazing land.

The trial was designed by Michael Boyd and Belinda Billing from Reef Catchments along with DERM rainfall simulation lead, Bruce Cowie, to measure infiltration rates on alluvial flats and plains as well as eucalypt hills and ranges. Trials were carried out at the end of the wet season on both A/B class and C condition pastures within both land types. The trials also looked at nutrient loads in runoff. Fertiliser (DAP) was applied three weeks prior to the simulation, which replicated very heavy rain over a prolonged period of time.

Initial results showed that infiltration on alluvial flats and plains (cane soils) was rapid, with very slow to almost zero runoff. Conversely the hills and ranges run-off almost immediately showing poor infiltration, despite high levels of ground cover. Further information will come following analysis of the samples collected, including nutrient loads in runoff. The results will be used to better inform models that represent our coastal grazing land, which has seen very little research to date. “I think we will get a lot of good information out of these trials,” said Michael.

The Paddock to Reef Program has commissioned numerous rainfall simulation trials, on cane, grazing, grains and horticultural production systems across the Great Barrier Reef catchments. The trials look at various herbicide, soil and nutrient management practices across a variety of soil, climate and land types. Rainfall simulation imitates a heavy rainfall event giving an indication of how much runoff will leave a property, how quickly the runoff event will be generated and what loads (herbicide, nutrient and/or soil) will be carried away in the runoff.

For more information contact Paddock to Reef Regional Coordinator Belinda Billing on phone (07) 4968 4228, mobile 0488 730 021 or email belinda.billing@rc2019.thedma.com.au.

Funding available for environmental projects

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Rejuvenate wetlands, protect marine wildlife and improve habitat connectivity in Mackay, the Whitsundays and Isaac with help from the Reef Catchments Public Fund.

Community groups, schools, not-for-profit organisations and sole proprietors interested in caring for our local environment are invited to apply for the Reef Catchments Public Fund. Round 2 of the 2011/12 Public Fund opens today and runs until 31 July.

Project applications need to focus on the sustainable management of a natural resource in Mackay Whitsunday Isaac and deliver a tangible difference to the region. A natural resource can be land, water, plants and wildlife, coasts or marine asset.

The Reef Catchments Public Fund was established in 2008 to enhance the capacity of the community to become involved in natural resource management.

Over the years the Reef Catchment Public Fund has supported many successful projects, such as the Pioneer Environmental Area Project conducted by Pioneer State High School, which aimed to rejuvenate a wetland, increasing biodiversity and improving water quality.

The Public Fund has also supported Conservation Volunteers Australia, who conducted weed control and revegetation on the Morag McNicol and Slade Point Reserve grounds.

Applications for Round 2 of 2011/12 close on 31 July 2012. Click here for application details.

Draft Environmental Values for Mackay-Whitsunday region waters

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The Queensland Government has established draft environmental values and water quality objectives for the waters of the Mackay-Whitsunday region under the Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009. These are derived from information in the Mackay–Whitsunday Region Water Quality Improvement Plan (Reef Catchments; 2008), available local water quality data, Great Barrier Reef water quality guidelines, and the Queensland water quality guidelines. Interested parties are invited to have their say on the draft documents. Submissions close on 31 August 2012. For more information go to http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/water/environmental_values_environmental_protection_water_policy/mackay_evs_wqos.html

Recapping the Healthy Waterways Symposium and Awards

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More than one hundred and fifty delegates attended the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac Healthy Waterways Symposium and Healthy Waterways Alliance Awards three-day program at CQUniversity. Delegates represented state and local government, industry groups, research institutions, environmental consultants, community and non-profit natural resource management organisations from the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region, Brisbane, Rockhampton and Townsville.

Seventeen presenters contributed to the Speakers Program bringing the latest in research, monitoring, management, reporting and extension for improved water quality in the Great Barrier Reef catchments to the Mackay Whitsunday region. Dr Siwan Lovett opened the program with her keynote talk on promoting resilience in ourselves and our community. Her reminder to all to reflect on ‘why we do what we do’ inspired several presenters to share their own stories of the passion that led them dedicate their professional life to help manage our natural environment.

Reef Catchments Phil Trendell commented, “In natural resource management, I find that sometimes I focus on why people aren’t working with me or the program (and then try to change to suit them!).  Siwan’s presentation made me think about focusing on the people that do want to work with me and channel that positive energy and participation. I also tend to focus on presenting outputs and processes without engaging the listeners and letting them know why I want to work in natural resource management or why I am here telling them about it. “

The inaugural Healthy Waterways Alliance Awards created opportunities for local schools and community organisation with outstanding water quality initiatives to enter for a share in the $2000 cash prize money. The Awards also offered peer recognition for efforts to improve water quality in the region.  Sustainable agriculture as well as exemplary water quality monitoring and management programs from industry and government were also awarded.

The 2012 Healthy Waterways Symposium was possible with the support of our sponsors:

Gold Sponsor

ANZ

Silver Sponsor

Queensland Government

Bronze Sponsor

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

And our sponsors for the inaugural Healthy Waterways Alliance Awards:

Community Award

Canegrowers Mackay

Urban Business Award

North Queensland Bulk Ports

Rural Industry Award

Reef Water Quality Protection Plan

Schools Award

Reef Catchments

We look forward to joining our regional NRM community again for Healthy Waterways Symposium and Healthy Waterways Alliance Awards in 2013.

Winners of inaugural Healthy Waterways Awards announced

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The Healthy Waterways Alliance Awards winners for the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region were announced last week at the Healthy Waterways Symposium. The Awards celebrated the positive difference we can all make to keep our rivers and streams healthy.

The Community Award sponsored by Canegrowers Mackay was a hotly contested category with a finalist pool that included Sarina Landcare and Catchment Management Association, Wetland Walkabout and Eco Barge Clean Seas.

When the winner was announced as Eco Barge Clean Seas, founder Ms Libby Edge was thrilled. “It has been the effort of over 300 volunteers that have helped Eco Barge Clean Seas to collect more than 60,000 kilograms of marine debris from the islands and beaches of the Great Barrier Reef. Without their effort we would not be able to do the work we do,” said Ms Edge.

Ms Jenny Kent, Principle of Beaconsfield State School accepted the Reef Catchments sponsored Schools Award. Earlier in the day Year 6 and 7 students Benjamin Mandall, Jayden Aay, Ruby Sharam, Yolanda Moore, Alexi McFadzen, Cara Pace and Jessica Andersen wowed the Symposium audience with their role-play performance about the work they do in their Curriculum Connections program. The $500 prize they received is a welcome contribution to supporting their exciting environmental program.

The Rural Industry Award sponsored by the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan was shared by two of our region’s most innovative and inspiring farmers, Mr Lee Blackburn of North Eton and Mr Tony Jeppesen of Bloomsbury. Both these sugar cane growers are leading the way in the development of the most sustainable agriculture technology for improved water quality.

Their cutting edge on-farm initiatives include the latest in GPS guidance tractors, controlled rate nutrient application technology, specially modified shielded sprayers and zonal offset units. They also designed their farm with grassed drains, sediment basins and constructed wetlands that improve the quality of water. The proven water quality benefits of these works are outstanding. Both Mr Blackburn and Mr Jeppesen work to share their successes and experience with science and importantly the cane communities through involvement in Project Catalyst and Paddock to Reef.

North Queensland Bulk Ports Urban Business Award also attracted excellent entries. The two most notable shared the winner’s podium, Department of Main Road and Transport East West Connector Levee System and Water Quality Monitoring Program and Mackay Regional Council Waterways Monitoring and Laboratory Testing Program.

The Awards were judged by science and industry experts of the Healthy Waterways Alliance – Mackay Whitsunday Isaac. Winners shared in the $2000 cash prize pool. Read more about the Healthy Waterways Alliance.

First coasts volunteer day for winter

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Saturday 16 June marked the first Coastal Community Activities volunteer day for the winter months. Volunteers at Shoal Point and Bucasia removed weeds and planted nearly one hundred native seedlings in the Bucasia dunes.

“It was great to meet local residents and provide them with an opportunity to help care for our local beaches” said Ms Noni Zahmel, Reef Catchments Project Officer.

The revegetation area at Bucasia coincides with the installation of a new section of coastal fencing which will direct pedestrians to the beach access track and define the dune rehabilitation area. Having a continuous zone of coastal vegetation on our sand dunes also reduces light pollution which impacts on nesting and hatching marine turtles.

The aim of Coastal Community Activities is to improve the condition of our coastal environments while allowing for appropriate recreational use.  Staying on the pedestrian access tracks, removing weeds and planting local native species are simple ways that we can protect and restore the condition of the sand dunes.

“There is always room for more volunteers at the community activity days. We are looking to spread the word and get more locals to join their neighbours in looking after the beach” Ms Zahmel said.

The next Coastal Community Activities will be held on Saturday 7 July at Ball Bay and Halliday Bay. The next activities at the Northern Beaches will take place on Saturday 28 July at Bucasia and Eimeo.

The full program of Coastal Community Activities can be found on our calendar. Alternatively, contact Noni Zahmel at noni.zahmel@rc2019.thedma.com.au or 4968 4215.

Mackay Coastal Community Activities are an initiative under the Coasts and Communities Project, which is supported by Mackay Regional Council and Reef Catchments through the Natural Environment Levy and Australian Government’s Caring for our Country program.

Project Catalyst nominated for Queensland Premiers Sustainability Awards

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In early June 2012, Project Catalyst was lucky enough to be recognised in 3 different categories for the Queensland Premiers Sustainability Awards. These categories were Partnerships, Leadership and Rural and all had a focus on how projects used these themes to promote or implement actions with regards to environmental sustainability. These 3 categories fit in very well with Project Catalyst as some of the key aspects of the project are:

  • The partnerships that have been developed between farmers, agronomic advisors, NRM groups, government, a conservation group and a global corporate identity.
  • The leadership role it plays with innovation in the sugar industry and promoting local champions
  • An end result of wanting a sustainable rural sugar industry within the Great Barrier Reef catchment.

On Friday 8 June at the Brisbane Convention Centre , the Project Catalyst team was represented by Rob Cairns (WWF), John Reghanzani, grower Michael Reinaudo (Terrain), Paul Duncanson, grower Chris Hesp (NQ Dry Tropics), Phil Trendell, Will Higham, Milena Gongora and grower Tony Jeppesen (Reef Catchments).

It was a very enjoyable night where we all got to find out more about a range of projects that also have a sustainability focus in mind and appreciate that there are plenty of people out there now part of the solution.

While we were lucky enough to be a finalist in the Partnership section, we unfortunately didn’t take out the top prize. That being said, it is still recognition of all the great work being done by the different partners that make up Project Catalyst and can make us strive to do even better work into the future.

Seeds, Weeds, Soils and Feeds Workshop well received

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The first Seeds, Weeds, Soils and Feeds Reef Rescue Grazing Forum hosted by Reef Catchments in Mackay was hailed as a great success by all who attended. Feedback from participants indicated that all topics were important,  the quality of speakers was excellent and the MECC was an ideal venue.

More than 120 people attended the forum that dealt with issues like breeding and feeding management of cattle, weed and pest control, pasture improvement and grazing systems. Graziers attending encouraged Reef Catchments to conduct further grazing forums that focus on coastal grazing systems.

More than 200 graziers in the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region have received more than $3million to assist them implement water quality improvement projects in the last 4 years. Expressions of Interest for Reef Rescue Grazing projects next financial year are now being called for.

Read more about the Reef Rescue Grazing Program.

Finalists announced for regional waterways awards

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After receiving entries from across the region from business, local government, community groups and schools, the Healthy Waterways Alliance has announced the finalists for their inaugural Awards. The Awards are celebrating the positive difference we can all make to keep our rivers and streams healthy.

We often hear of the impacts of floods, development and industry on waterway health. The range of Award entries show that anyone and everyone can help.

Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc. is one of the Canegrowers Mackay Community Award finalists for their Whitsunday Marine Debris Removal Program.  “Our dedicated committee and volunteers have helped remove over 60,000 kilograms of potentially devastating marine debris from the Whitsunday region. It has been a fantastic effort and we are very honoured to have been selected as finalists”, said Libby Edge, who heads up the Program.

Joining Ecobarge Clean Seas on the finalist podium for the Community Award are Sarina Landcare Catchment Management Association and Mackay Wetland Walkabout.

Sarina Landcare Catchment Management Association has worked with more than fifty people across the community on their blue green algae management program at Middle Creek Dam. The dam is used as a town water supply and is a popular recreational destination, so protecting the water quality helps everyone.

Mackay Wetland Walkabout’s Mark Gallate sees their vision to restore the 30 hectares of the Walkabout land in Andergrove as a “great example of working together for the benefit of the whole community.”

Finalists in the other Award categories are Beaconsfield State School’s Curriculum Connections program in the Reef Catchments Schools Award.

Cane growers Lee Blackburn from North Eton and Tony Jeppesen from Bloomsbury are both finalists in the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan Rural Industry Award for their Innovative sugar cane farming for water quality improvement.

Mackay Regional Council’s Urban Waterways Monitoring Program and Department of Transport and Main Roads Joint Levee Road Stormwater and Road Run-off Quality Monitoring were shortlisted in North Queensland Bulk Ports Urban Business Award.

Winners will be announced at the Healthy Waterways Symposium, CQUniversity, on 14th June.

Judging of the Awards was by the science and industry experts of the Healthy Waterways Alliance – Mackay Whitsunday Isaac. For further information about the Awards or the Healthy Waterways Symposium, please contact Sal Gray at sally.gray@rc2019.thedma.com.au.

Reef Rescue MERI Summit

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Our annual Reef Rescue MERI Summit was held at the Eimeo Hotel on May 31st with around 35 cane growers, graziers and industry representatives from the cane, beef and horticulture industries present.

The MERI (Monitor, Evaluate, Review and Implement) Summit is held each year to allow Reef Rescue participants to provide feedback on their own experiences with the Reef Rescue program. Participants were both Reef Rescue Water Quality Improvement grant recipients and industry partners involved in rolling out the program.

The day was a positive and constructive experience with all participants reporting that they are impressed with the way the program is run and the impact it has had on creating change in the region’s major agricultural industries to not only improve water quality entering the Great Barrier Reef but also move towards more profitable farm practices. We also received some helpful feedback on how we can improve the delivery and communication of the program which will be reviewed and where possible incorporated into our 2012/13 Reef Rescue delivery strategy.

Reef Rescue Year 5 grants will be available from July 1st but with interest still strong, we encourage people to register their interest with their Key Contact Officer now.