Archives for January 2013

Mackay says goodbye to pond apple

Jaylan · Jan 25, 2013 ·

In 2011 Reef Catchments received funding through the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country program to eradicate pond apple from the Mackay Whitsunday Region over a period of three years. The project, which is actively supported by Mackay Regional Council, the Queensland Government, Pioneer Catchment Landcare and the Mackay Regional Pest Management Group, has entered the final six months of operations.

The Mackay Whitsunday Region is currently dealing with two infestations of pond apple. Interestingly, pond apple seems to behave differently in this region compared to more northerly regions, with normal prolific and dense stands growing upstream but stands downstream thinning and dying before reaching the mangrove systems of Reliance Creek and the Pioneer River catchments.

This unusual behaviour has aided control efforts, with about 21 ha successfully treated. Control methods include ‘cut and paste’ with either Round-Up Bio-Active or Vigilant for mature trees, and hand removal for seedlings. This has been highly successful, and all that remains of the control effort is to follow up on reshooting stumps and germination of the seed bank. Currently follow up occurs every six months, although this will drop back to once a year after the project’s completion. This will continue for three years in an attempt to ensure the complete eradication of the species from the area.

Unfortunately, as a consequence of the successful eradication of pond apple from a 2 km stretch of creek bank (a tributary of Lelia Creek), large gaps in vegetation have allowed those areas to become infested with other weeds. To reduce this secondary impact on plant biodiversity and water quality, weed removal and vegetation efforts are now underway in conjunction with Pioneer Catchment Landcare. It is hoped that through these efforts the creek system will be fully restored to its original state prior to the invasion of pond apple.

Reef Catchments is also working with the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to develop pond apple DNA detection in water bodies to aid on-ground survey efforts. This is being done in conjunction with work on DNA detection of Mimosa pigra. This work has only just begun, and we expect the results will be highly sought after.

Engineered logjams put to the test

Jaylan · Jan 25, 2013 ·

The wet season has commenced in typical tropical-climate style with Healthy Waterways staff keen to see how the engineered logjams constructed on the O’Connell River demonstration reach will protect the stream bank and change the behaviour of the water as levels rise over the coming weeks.

Heavy rain hampered the efforts of the team to get onsite during the first flows of the wet season, however time-lapse cameras installed onsite are expected to have captured all the action – check out the Reef Catchments website next week for up-to-date images.

So, what’s so good about Engineered Logjams?

Engineered logjams use natural materials to create structures that stabilise areas of failing stream bank, protecting valuable production land and reducing the amount of sediment in waterways. They also provide critical habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms.

Pre-construction ecological monitoring

The Department of Natural Resources and Mines has completed the first report on ecological monitoring for the O’Connell River logjam demonstration project. The following 11 fish species were recorded over the sampling period, which included both pre-wet season and wet season monitoring:

Purple-spotted gudgeon – Mogurnda adspersa
Gudgeon – Hypseleotris spp.
Spangled perch – Leiopotherapon unicolour
Mouth almighty – Glossamia aprion
Agassiz’s glassfish – Ambassis agassizii
Fly-specked hardyhead – Craterocephalus stercusmuscarum
Marbled eel – Anguilla reinhardtii
Pacific blue-eye – Pseudomugil signifer
Eastern rainbowfish – Melanotaenia splendida
Hyrtl’s tandan – Neosilurus hyrtlii and
Bullrout – Notesthes robusta

Observations made to date indicate a general pattern of higher species diversity around structures and in areas of complex bank.

Successful grant bid allows more logjam work

Pioneer Catchment Landcare, in partnership with Reef Catchments and Pioneer River Improvement Trust, have been successful in obtaining funding through the Queensland Government’s Everyone’s Environment Grant program. This will allow more logjam work to be undertaken, this time in the Upper Pioneer catchment management area.

NRM planning for climate change

Jaylan · Jan 25, 2013 ·

The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities last month released funding guidelines for NRM groups to assist with planning for climate change impacts and maximising the environmental benefits of carbon farming.

Under the program, $24.16 million will be provided to the 56 regional NRM groups around Australia to support climate change planning and the updating of regional NRM Plans to guide mitigation and adaptation activities in the landscape. It is expected that funding may be available to commence the planning process as early as April 2013, with submissions closing on 26 February.

Reef Catchments has been working with other regional NRM groups within the Wet Tropics Cluster to define issues and concerns for the successful research institution that will support planning and development of regional-level scenarios for the impacts of climate change. The research institution consists of a consortium of partners, led by Professor Steve Turton from James Cook University, who successfully tendered for Stream 2 funding. The first planning meeting with JCU will be held at the end of January 2013. ‘Stream 2 funding’ supports research institutions to develop regional-level information in the form of scenarios about the impacts of climate change (water, temperature, storms), which can be used for medium-term regional NRM land-use planning.

Reef Catchments is currently working on the proposal to access funding to support the update to the Mackay–Whitsunday–Isaac NRM Plan. Under the proposal, spatial analysis of existing land uses and remnant vegetation are considered highly important in helping to define areas for carbon plantings. However, additional benefits such as protecting or improving the integrity of remnant ecosystems, biodiversity hotspots and coastal and marine communities are also a priority. The planning process also needs to incorporate local knowledge and community aspirations, and ensure there are no adverse impacts on water (surface or underground) or productive agricultural land.

Reef Catchments will be seeking input from the community and our stakeholders to ensure that we capture the required information and develop a plan that will improve the resilience and integrity of the natural assets of the Mackay–Whitsunday–Isaac region.

Grants for healthier central Queensland catchment

Jaylan · Jan 25, 2013 ·

Run-off and pollution levels at the Upper Pioneer Catchment will be significantly reduced thanks to the Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Group’s successful bid under the Queensland Government’s Everyone’s Environment grants.

Local Member for Mirani Ted Malone announced the group had been awarded almost $63,000 to improve the health of the catchment near Gargett.

“The water quality in the Upper Pioneer Catchment is particularly important as it feeds into the Pioneer River and ultimately the Great Barrier Reef,” Mr Malone said.

“The project involves stabilising the stream bank which will reduce the amount of run-off and contaminants entering the catchment.

“The group will restore environmental values in the area by revegetating and fencing riparian habitat to protect threatened species and controlling weeds on properties surrounding the catchment.

“This project also encourages community groups, land managers, school students and volunteers to get involved and work together to improve water quality.

“By building knowledge and skills to help further improve their local area, these groups can become environmental leaders in their communities.”

Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection Andrew Powell said the Everyone’s Environment grants would provide $12 million in funding to practical environmental projects over the next three years.

“We received more than 200 submissions for round-one grants,” Mr Powell said.

“More than $1.6 million has been allocated in this phase of the grants program, part of $3 million committed to projects across the state in round one.

“We are excited to see the benefits that will come through these projects and look forward to seeing more applications for rounds two and three in coming years.”

Applications for round two of the grants will be called for in mid-2013.

Community Landcare Grants on offer

Jaylan · Jan 25, 2013 ·

The Australian Government has announced it is seeking grant applications for its Community Landcare Grants under the Caring for our Country initiative.

Grants of between $5000 and $50,000 are available to help build skills and capability and encourage community participation in the Landcare movement. The funds will also target pests and weeds, encourage community participation and engagement in Landcare, and encourage the adoption of improved sustainable land management practices.

The government says the grants are designed to support the natural resource management community to ensure Australia’s agricultural base is sustainable, productive and resilient. As such, the Community Landcare Grants will build on the success of the previous Community Action Grants program, with a renewed focus on sustainable farming and fisheries, agricultural innovation and community capacity building.

Local community groups and professional farming systems groups involved in sustainable agriculture are encouraged to apply.

For further details, visit www.nrm.gov.au.

A tale of too many pigs

Jaylan · Jan 25, 2013 ·

Feral pigs didn’t stand a chance last month with the Rocky Dam Creek Catchment Annual Pig Shoot bringing more than 20 landholders together for an aerial offensive against the damaging pests.

The event augmented the extensive trapping and baiting work already done by a regional partnership involving Reef Catchments, Whitsunday Catchment Landcare, Whitsunday Regional Council, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and regional landholders, as they worked to rid the Rocky Dam Creek and Gregory River Creek catchments of feral pigs.

With funding from Caring for our Country to assist with on-ground control works, the groups conducted aerial baiting across inaccessible areas earlier in December to complement trapping that had occurred throughout the year.

Landholders meet their pilot and shooter

The aerial shoot began on 12 December and ran for one week, with the searing temperatures making radio contact difficult. While initial pig numbers were low due to the heat, evenings proved fruitful with the week yielding 232 boars, sows and suckers from 25 hours of flight time. Local landholders assisted with directing the pilot and shooter and with area coordination activities.

Word spread of the group’s success, prompting interest from landholders across the four catchments south of the Rocky Dam Creek Catchment, from Ilbilbie to Carmila. With funding limited to covering the Gregory River and Rocky Dam Creek catchments, the Ilbilbie and Carmila landholders went to work contacting neighbours, drawing maps and pooling their own funds. The group conjured contributions from 19 landholders who contributed $385 each to fund an additional ten hours of flight time, resulting in an additional 60 pigs.

Regional Pest Management Officer for Reef Catchments Michelle Field called the event a success thanks to the support and determination of the project partners.

“I would like to thank the all the landholders involved,” Michelle said.

“This project wouldn’t have been possible without them. They have taken ownership of the project and the results speak for themselves.

“I would also like to thank Sarina Landcare Catchment Management Association, the Mackay Regional Council and Plane Creek Productivity Services for their hard work and much needed assistance with the project.”

For more information visit the Reef Catchments website.

Reef Rescue helps more than the reef

Jaylan · Jan 25, 2013 ·

Each year thousands of native animals are caught in barbed wire fences around Australia, leading to permanent injury or death. Animals like birds, bats, sugar gliders and wallabies easily get snagged on the top row of barbed wire fences as they fly or jump their way from one paddock to the next.

Through the Reef Rescue program, however, Reef Catchments has been working with farmers to make a difference by replacing the top fence strand with plain wire, saving potentially thousands of native animals.

Reef Rescue projects show benefitsSince Reef Rescue started, over 100 fencing projects have been completed in the Mackay–Whitsunday–Isaac catchment. While some graziers were initially concerned about removing the top row of barbed wire for fear of cattle leaning against fences and causing damage, most reported no negative impact on either fence integrity or instances of cattle escape.

One grazier whose property backs onto Eungella National Park had reported up to 17 native animal entanglements per day along their barbed fence line.

Reef Catchments suggested replacing the top barbed wire with high-tensile plain wire because most of the entanglements occurred on the top wire. The move resulted in a significant reduction in the number of entanglements.

The use of high-tensile wire means cattle can’t loosen the top wire by leaning on it, which can happen with low-tensile alternatives. This means cattle escapes were no more common with high-tensile plain wire than with an equivalent barbed fence.

If you would like to talk to Reef Rescue about fencing projects on your property please contact Scott Underdown on 0437 344 851 or visit the Reef Catchments office at 172 Victoria Street in Mackay to lodge an expression of interest.

FENCE FACTS

Cattle are no more likely to break through a plain wire fence than a barbed fence, as long as high-tensile wire is used.
Native wildlife fatalities are greatly reduced using a top strand of plain wire.
Even though you will see animals entangled on lower barbed strands, the use of a top plain wire will minimise the impact that fence has on local wildlife.
Over 100 fencing projects have been conducted through the Reef Rescue program using a plain top wire, with few examples of cattle pushing through the fence.
An Eastern grass owl caught in barbed fence on property near Proserpine. Source: Whitsunday Catchment Landcare.
Sugar glider caught in barbed wire on a local property. Source: Saskia Von Fahland.

Archives for January 2013

So, what’s so good about Engineered Logjams?

Pre-construction ecological monitoring

Successful grant bid allows more logjam work

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