Archives for December 2013

Feral pigs a high priority for Whitsundays

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Caption: Whitsunday Regional Council Technical Officer Pest and Vector Control Bren Fuller (right), and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Ranger (Airlie Beach, Central Region) Steve Moss prepare for aerial pig control as part of a large-scale pest management program in the Whitsundays. 

More than 72,000 hectares in the Whitsundays have been targeted for feral pig control in one of the region’s largest coordinated pest projects.

Cane farmers and graziers recently joined forces with Reef Catchments, the Whitsunday Regional Council, Whitsunday Catchment Landcare, the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing and CANEGROWERS to help address the issue of widespread damage caused by feral pigs in the Whitsunday area.

The large scale program involved ground and aerial baiting and trapping. Areas covered include the Clarke and Connors ranges, the Goorganga Wetlands, the Andromache and Lethebrook catchments and areas of the Whitsunday coastline.

Whitsunday Regional Council pest control officer, Bren Fuller, said the program was the part of a wider regional integrated program and was essential to managing feral pig numbers.

“At this dry time of the year pigs tend to accumulate in undisturbed areas where there are food and water sources remaining, so the lush Whitsunday hinterlands are a prime breeding and foraging site for them,” Mr Fuller said.

Feral pigs in the Whitsunday region typically average around 60-70 kilograms, but can reach up to 150 kilograms.

“Left unchecked, they can do a lot of damage – to the natural environment, agricultural areas, cane paddocks and grazing pastures. They also create water quality issues by disturbing river vegetation and sediment.

“Now is the perfect time to target a high density of pigs, before the wet season sets in, because they tend to cluster around water sources like swamps and dams.”

Reef Catchments land and water coordinator, Adam Folkers, said the program was an important collaboration between local organisations, businesses and landholders.

“Everyone involved has contributed funds and time to the project, with funding and support provided by both the Australian and Queensland Governments,” Mr Folkers said.

“Aerial and ground pig control is an essential part of pest management in the Whitsundays, with direct benefits for the local agricultural industry, the environment and the wider Whitsunday community in the form of reduced feral pig numbers.”

“We would like to thank all project partners for their support, in particular, local landholders. These types of partnerships allow us to coordinate a cost-effective pest management program on a large scale. We look forward to working together to continue to expand the program moving forward.”

Launch of Reef Rescue – the next step

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There was plenty to celebrate at the official launch of the next phase of Reef Rescue this October.

The popular program is once again set to provide Mackay and Whitsunday landholders with access to much-needed funds and expertise.

Reef Rescue funding provided by the Australian Government totals $200 million over the next five years. In the Mackay and Whitsunday region this will again be delivered by Reef Catchments in conjunction with local partners with $7.5 million available over the next three years for local cane and grazing enterprises.

Expressions of Interest remain open for farmers and graziers who want to find out more about participating in the next stage of Reef Rescue activities.

Project Officer Chris Dench said Reef Rescue continued to focus on improving land health and promoting the adoption of best-practice management that in turn would lead to real results for water quality.

“However, this new stage of Reef Rescue has changed significantly in its delivery,” Mr Dench said.

“Focus will be on planning for future farm success, including the development of detailed farm plans to drive productivity, profitability and more sustainable operations for the long-term.”

Farmers will have free access to critical land management resources, including EC mapping, soil testing and nutrient and chemical management advice specifically tailored to their property at a block-by-block scale.

“Once farm plans have been developed, landholders will have an opportunity to apply for further funding for equipment to help implement their plans for greater productivity, productivity and water quality outcomes,” Mr Dench said.

Growers in priority sub-catchments may also qualify for a System Repair project to help with bank stabilisation or construction of a sediment detention basin and wetlands.

“All sugarcane and grazing landholders in the Mackay and Whitsunday area who are interested in getting involved should contact us and lodge an Expression of Interest,” Mr Dench said.

For more information on Reef Rescue projects and activities or to find out how you can be involved, contact Chris Dench or Scott Underdown on (07) 4945 2321. 

 

Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac community invited to develop the region’s plan

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Caption: Reef Catchments CEO Rob Cocco and NRM Plan coordinator Alice Spencer will work with groups in the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac Region to help manage natural resources for the future.

What do you want our region to look and be like in 50 years time?

The community is being asked to have a say and help develop a new Natural Resource Management Plan (NRM Plan) for the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac Region.

The new NRM Plan will be a key regional planning tool and provide a platform for those who live and work in the region to be involved in managing precious natural resources moving forward.

From December 2013 into 2014, plan coordinators from Reef Catchments will be arranging meetings including with residents, local councils, business and industry, landholders and other groups across the region to discuss values, priorities and ideas.

NRM Plan coordinator, Alice Spencer, said the plan would capture the community’s vision for the future and highlight NRM priorities for the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac Region.

“It is a strategic plan which will spell out the best way to manage the region’s resources including our productive and natural lands, water, coasts and islands,” Ms Spencer said.

“For this reason it is important people, groups and businesses from all areas of the community are involved. With a diversity of people participating, we can expect a richer understanding of the community and the issues that are most crucial when it comes to our region’s resources.

“The plan will guide government and others to manage the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac Region in a way that ensures future generations can continue to use and enjoy our region’s natural assets.”

For more information and planning meeting dates visit www.reefcatchments.com

To find out more contact Alice Spencer on 0428 955 490 or alice.spencer@reefcatchments.com

 

Coastcare week celebrates Mackay’s coastal achievements for 2013

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2012_12_01-Bucasia-(16)-(1)With more than 12 tonnes of rubbish removed from local beaches, over 5000 native seedlings planted to stabiles dunes and an area greater than 240 football fields cleared of invasive weeds, it’s been a good year on the coast.

This December, Reef Catchments launched official figures confirming the good work done on Mackay beaches throughout 2013.

Reef Catchments coastal systems coordinator Kerri Woodcock said the efforts of volunteers and involvement from the local community had been outstanding.

“More than 15 organisations and 100 volunteers have been working together across the region to achieve some terrific results,” Ms Woodcock said.

She said keeping the coast in good health was vital.

“Directly or indirectly, the health and state of our coast affects us all. The Mackay community has a great love of the coast, including for recreation. The beaches and dunes also remain an important buffer between the land and sea environment,” Ms Woodcock said.

“It all comes back to how we want our beaches and coast environment to look and be like for the future. While there is plenty more work to do, it is heartening to see such good progress being made this year toward improving our coast’s condition and a huge thank you goes to the volunteers and community members involved.”

Coasts and Communities is a joint initiative between Reef Catchments and the Mackay Regional Council in partnership with the local community.

 Coasts and Communities achievements for 2013 include:

  • 168 hectares of coastal environments cleared of invasive weeds to promote native rehabilitation across an area the size of 247 football fields
  • 15 organisations working together to deliver integrated coastal management in the Mackay region
  • 19 Coastcare activities held across 7 beaches to provide opportunities for local residents to care for our coast
  • 144 beach access tracks maintained to ensure safe public access to the beach
  • 9 Council staff working on-ground committing resources to protecting our coastal environment
  • 5,312 native seedlings planted to improve the condition of the coastal environment, replace removed weed species, stabilise dune systems and provide habitat for native animals such as marine turtles and shorebirds
  • 12 tonnes of rubbish and marine debris removed from our beaches and coastal reserves to prevent rubbish from ending up in our waterways and ocean – the equivalent of the weight of 133 adult Flatback Turtles
  • 106 volunteers attended Coastcare activities to make our beaches better
  • 6 Council and Reef Catchments staff working in coastal management in planning, compliance, community engagement, monitoring and managing external contractors on our coast
  • 770 metres of coastal fencing installed to protect dune rehabilitation areas and define pedestrian access tracks to protect Nationally threatened coastal vegetation
  • 2 new beach plans developed for Blacks Beach Spit, and Town and Far Beach to protect and restore the natural environment values of the coast

Traditional Owners gather on Scawfell Island to help map future plan for Mackay & Whitsundays

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Caption: Traditional Owners gather on Scawfell Island to have their say on how to manage islands in the Whitsunday and Mackay region. From left: Carol Prior, Clifford Prior, Lynette Pryor, Roscoe Pryor, Gerard Pryor, Jennifer Emily Stewart, Adrena Pryor, Moarna Pryor and Nicky-Bidju Prior.

 

 

Traditional Owners from across Queensland gathered on Scawfell Island this October to provide input into a plan to manage and protect the Mackay and Whitsunday region.

Ngaro Traditional Owners from Palm Island, Cherbourg and Townsville spent five days with Wild Mob and senior officers from Reef Catchments Ltd to outline their aspirations and vision for the future of the region’s islands.

Their views will be represented in a Natural Resource Management (NRM) plan for Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac region.

Ngaro elder Auntie Carol said the preservation of the Whitsunday Islands was incredibly important to Traditional Owners.

“This is Ngaro country and these islands are an important part of our culture, our identity and our spiritual connection. Ngaro people looked after this land for thousands of years and we want to make sure the islands are here and healthy for the next generation,” she said.

Reef Catchments senior officer for planning, Alice Spencer, said traditional values played an important part of regional planning for the future.

“It comes back to how people value the land and that is different for everyone. The NRM plan will cover a wide range of views from the community – from farmers to miners, tourism operators and urban populations. It is incredibly important that the cultural and spiritual values of the island’s indigenous peoples are represented.”

Ms Spencer said the Ngaro had highlighted their concern for the preservation of resources that were significant and symbolic in traditional culture.

“For example, sea turtles, dugongs and sea grass.”

The NRM Plan for Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac is being developed by Reef Catchments in consultation with the regional community as a planning tool, including for government at all levels. It is a strategic plan, led by input and guidance from local people, industry and organisations. For more information or to learn how to contribute to the plan visit www.reefcatchments.com

Mackay farmers embrace Engineered Log Jam

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Caption: Engineered Log Jam designer, Dr Andrew Brooks (right) from Griffith University and Dr Kate Steel from the Pioneer Catchment & Landcare Group prepare to construct three  log jams in Owens Creek, near Gargett.

 

 

Mackay landholders recently donated more than 270 logs to create some of the region’s first ‘Engineered Log Jams’ (ELJs) and help restore life to local rivers. 

A series of three log jam constructions were completed in October at a badly eroding stretch of Owens Creek, near Gargett.

The log jams utilised 8 metre hardwood logs from local properties in Bloomsbury and Mirani. Leading the construction activities was noted Australian river expert and ELJ designer, Dr Andrew Brooks, from Griffith University.

Reef Catchments’ Water and Waterways Project Officer, Iona Flett, said the ELJ installation was an exciting concept designed to help restore the Mackay region’s riverine health.

“The logs were arranged in an engineered man-made ‘jam’ – essentially a criss-cross stack to slow and control water flow. This will now change the behaviour of water flow and, over time, will create pools and direct the channel away from the bank,” Ms Flett said.

“The logs also provide a more natural river environment for native fish, including barramundi and jungle perch, who need snags and woody debris to hide under.

“The structures will stabilise the river bank, which means less sediment going down-stream and into the reef. Native trees and bank revegetation will now also play a key part in reducing erosion.”

Gargett property owner, Andrew Meredith, said he was looking forward to seeing the results after trials with rocks had proved limiting. He said sitting back and doing nothing was not an option.

“The creek would only continue to widen and erode the bank, which on a personal level means a real loss of property. There would also be negative impacts further downstream,” Mr Meredith said.

“We really want to see the river banks and fish habitat looking healthy and there is a lot of interest in seeing how log jams will work in the Mackay area.”

The project was delivered by Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Group in partnership with Reef Catchments, and follows the success of a similar project in the O’Connell River near Bloomsbury last year. The project is funded by the Queensland Government as part of the Everyone’s Environment Grants program.