Archives for December 2015

Protecting sea turtles awareness day

Jaime · Dec 15, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Coast lovers met Theodore the turtle mascot at Reef Catchments final Coastcare event for 2015.

Do you get excited when you spot a turtle swimming along the Mackay coast?

Volunteer turtle-lovers came together this December at Harbour Beach to help protect our beautiful beaches and marine wildlife, taking part in the final Coastcare activity for 2015.

The event allowed participants to learn about the sea turtles nesting on our beaches and living off the Mackay Coast.

More than 25 volunteers took part in a clean-up, followed by a turtle talk and nesting presentation from Fay Griffin (Mackay and District Turtle Watch Association).

Together, the group removed over 50kg of litter – predominantly small pieces of plastic, cable ties, rope and fishing line.

Reef Catchments Coasts and Biodiversity Project Officer Jess Berryman said the clean-up and presentation event was well attended and gave participants the opportunity to better understand their local marine environment.

“Queensland is home to six of the world’s seven species of marine turtles and all species are considered to be endangered or vulnerable. Marine litter poses one of the greatest, but also most solvable threats to marine turtles.

“The debris items collected by our volunteers at this event were all things which turtles and other wildlife might eat or become entangled in,” she said.

“Being a part of Coastcare is a great opportunity to do something positive for our wildlife. At this final event for 2015, we were absolutely thrilled to have Fay Griffin from Mackay and District Turtle Watch Association volunteering her time and expertise to share her knowledge on marine turtles in Mackay.

“You have no idea how much there is to know about turtles until you’ve talked to Fay!”

Ms Berryman said major points reinforced during the presentation included the need for the community to keep dogs on leashes while walking and in yards at night.

“Fay also spoke about the need to keep vehicles off bridges and being aware around engine propellors on boats to prevent turtles accidentally hitting obstacles on surfacing. It’s also important to never leave your fishing line in or near the ocean, and remember that every small piece of litter makes a difference – if everyone picked up litter where they saw it, we would have a much cleaner Coast.”

Turtle enthusiasts also took part in a nesting demonstration and have the chance to meet and have a photo with Theodore the turtle mascot. The event included a fun sausage sizzle and colouring and DIY keychain making fun for young participants.

If you see a sick or injured turtle, call 1300ANIMAL (1300 264 625).

CLICK HERE to join the Coastcare mailing list and learn more about beach events in 2016.

CLICK HERE to download the 2016 calendar.

Grazing Land Management Field Day and Lunch

diana · Dec 15, 2015 · Leave a Comment

More than 43 people, representing 30 grazing enterprises from the Mackay, Whitsunday, and Isaac region attended the Reef Catchments Grazing Land Management Field Day in September (2015).

Land management expert and consultant, Bill Thompson, was the guest presenter. He drew on his depth of experience to provide practical advice to the participants.

The field component of the day included a site visit to Michael Shanks’ Palmyra Grazing property.

Throughout the day, graziers were able to focus on management tools to improve the resilience and productivity of their grazing blocks. They also had a chance to learn more about addressing key challenges, including

Managing erosion
Soil fertility
Lowering sediment and nutrient runoff
Dispersing grazing pressures – considering supplement and water point dispersal to help ensure cattle are not over-using or degrading one area.
Identifying priority and risk areas for physical intervention – intervention activities may include riparian and land type fencing, off-stream watering points, bank stabilisation, and revegetation.
Understanding the difference between breeding and grow out/fattening herds – adopting strategies appropriate to the herd and understanding the constraints different land-types place on each system.

Following the field visit, graziers enjoyed lunch where they had the opportunity to network with other landholders who faced similar challenges and to take away some practical tips for more effective grazing land management. Bill Thompson and staff from Reef Catchments Ltd were also available to consult with graziers.

New soil health group formed

diana · Dec 15, 2015 · Leave a Comment

A new group, Central Queensland Soil Health Systems (CQSHS) has been formed in recognition that soil is much more than just somewhere to stand your crop.

The group is open to membership from all sectors of agriculture, farming, and grazing and the wider community.

Major issues in Mackay soils are lack of soil carbon and plant available calcium as well as compaction in the field from heavy machinery resulting in poor soil microbial activity. CQSHS is currently auspiced by Pioneer Landcare Group but intends to form its own official entity.

The CQSHS group believes addressing soil health must take a systemic approach. Addressing one issue at a time is a lengthy procedure with resultant improvements from each trial often being too minuscule for farmers to warrant adoption of changed farming practices. Farmer driven research and trials can address multiple issues at any one time with multiple science disciplines working on the same project.

Currently, trials and practices to improve soil biology are being conducted which include

the multi-species planting of alternate crops
annual applications of calcium and the incorporation of other soil ameliorants
the inclusion of micro-nutrients in fertilising programs
the use of composting; and other forms of organic or biological farming

The desired objectives of these trials is to increase microbial activity and improved soil biology in order to achieve healthier soils, reduce inorganic inputs and increase yields, benefiting both farmers and the environment.

Four members of CQSHS have been sponsored by the Reef Catchments Regional Landcare Facilitator (RLF) program to attend the Biological Conference in Lismore in early November to assist with improving knowledge and networks. The group considered there were four recurring themes that were important take home messages.

These were:

The importance of calcium, not only for plant nutrition but also for biological function
The importance of carbon in all its forms from plant exudates to organic matter to humus
Understanding how plant diversity plays a key role in all aspects of carbon building
The value of compost for both plant health and biological function
The value of biochar and how it can be used and applied, including how it can be fed to animals for increased animal health and soil health

Central Queensland Soil Health Systems group will be open to membership from all sectors of agriculture, farming and grazing, and the wider community. It is believed that practical and science based research trials driven and owned by membership will be able to achieve the CQSHS stated objective of restoring and building soil health through combining practical knowledge and science.

The overall result should see a reduction in the sodicity of the soil, with increases in water storage and reduced water logging.

Funding obtained was able to support John and Phil in the purchase of their banded ameliorant applicator and in the purchasing of parts to construct their furrowing implement.

Support for this project is provided by Reef Catchments through the Australian Government Regional Landcare Facilitator (RLF) program.

Planning for Climate Change

diana · Dec 15, 2015 · Leave a Comment

New projections which are regionally specific about potential climate changes for the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac NRM region, have been released by the CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology as part of the national NRM Planning for Climate Change program funded by the Australian Government.

Changes to the ‘average climate’ occur every 10-12,000 years, with cycles between warm periods and Ice Ages.

We have been in a warm period for over 11,000 years, in the geological epoch called the ‘Holocene’. The global climate change issue is a result of the planet ‘warming’ rather than cooling which may have been expected from historical climate change patterns.

Levels of certainty varies dependent on the climate variability being examined. The certainty around future projections include:

Substantial increases in average, maximum and minimum temperatures
Very high confidence
Substantial increases in the temperature of hot days, as well as in the
frequency and duration of extreme temperatures
Very high confidence
Average sea level and height of extreme sea level events will continue to
rise
High confidence
Increases in evapotranspiration in all seasons
High confidence
Increased intensity of extreme rainfall events High confidence
Less frequent but more intense tropical cyclones Medium confidence
Changes to rainfall are possible but unclear due to disagreement between model simulations Low Confidence

Future projections about the climate are dependent on greenhouse gas emissions into the future with the IPCC and international research community establishing Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP’s).

These RCP’s focus on concentrations of greenhouse gases, emissions trajectories and radiative forcing (energy absorbed and retained in the lower atmosphere). The current trajectory for greenhouse emissions is RCP8.5, which is the worst case or Business as usual scenario.

The latest report indicates that Australia could have an average temperature increase of up to 5.1°C by 2090, as the worst case scenario. Implications for the local region are discussed in the ‘Wet Tropics Cluster report’ that can be found on the Climate Change in Australia website.

Temperature increases by the end of the century may be of little consequence to some people, however the implications of other changes within the climate system are having, and will continue to have, effects on the natural environment and society into the future.

A plan comes together at Little McCreadys Creek

diana · Dec 9, 2015 · 1 Comment

From left Natasha Gellatly (Green Army) with Stefanie Wabnik in blue (Reef Catchments) and Sue McCormack (MRC Nursery manager).

Reef Catchments and Mackay Regional Council have teamed up to help improve the condition and health of Little McCreadys Creek, located in the Mackay urban area.

The Little McCreadys Creek rehabilitation project received an exciting boost in November (2015) thanks to the addition of 5000 plants from council’s Mackay Natural Environment Centre nursery.

The plants are mostly grasses and sedges that help filter stormwater before it reaches the Great Barrier Reef.

This riparian vegetation was planted by the Australian Government Green Army Riparian Team in a mammoth three-day planting operation.

The Grean Army riparian team hard at work - Hayden McFaul, Erin Jeppesen, Tarquin Irving, Sr. Tate Fuller, Jake Taylor, Bon Young, Brendan Cook and Maria Ferraro and (opposite side) Aaron Vick and Peter Vatas-Simpson. — The Australian Government Green Army riparian team hard at work – Hayden McFaul, Erin Jeppesen, Tarquin Irving, Sr. Tate Fuller, Jake Taylor, Bon Young, Brendan Cook and Maria Ferraro and (opposite side) Aaron Vick and Peter Vatas-Simpson.

The project area is 720 m in length, beginning at Mackay-Bucasia Road and extending through to Dawson Boulevard.

Reef Catchments coast and biodiversity coordinator, Stefanie Wabnik, said the project was an exciting one that would make a big difference to both the local environment and the reef.

“The project will rejuvenate the natural values of the waterway, which has lost much of its environmental worth due to development in the area,” Ms Wabnik said.

“The design will create habitat for native fish species that would usually migrate up the creek, such as tarpon, empire gudgeon and barramundi,” she said.

“We’ve also cleared the creek of weed species, such as para grass, Singapore daisy and penny leaf.

“Water quality is a major focus of the works, which will reinstate a natural system that is able to more effectively remove pollutants from our waterways.

“The instream grasses and sedges we are planting over the next few days actually feed off nutrients in the water, so they will help to improve water quality by filtering out fertilisers and chemicals that run off lawns in the area before they reach the reef.

“Their roots, along with the roots of some melaleuca trees the nursery is providing, will also help minimise erosion.”

Mackay Regional Council Parks and Environment portfolio councillor Theresa Morgan said council was extremely pleased with how the project was coming together.

“Mackay Regional Council and Reef Catchments have undertaken works for a jointly funded rehabilitation project that has cleared out and widened the old creek bank and has created four small wetland pools adjacent to the creek,” Cr Morgan said.

“The first section of the site is ready for planting after initial earth works with some direct seeding, and our nursery supervisor Sue McCormack has 5000 local provenance trees, grasses and sedges ready to plant out,” she said.

“The plants have been specifically grown for the revegetation of local waterways and are ready for planting.

“By June next year, there will be more than 25,000 plants at the site.

“The plants need to be planted, so we’ve arranged for the Green Army team to come on board to rehabilitate Little McCreadys Creek as part of their training program.

“This has been a great use of council’s Mackay Natural Environment Centre nursery and the Australian Government Green Army Riparian Team, and has achieved an ideal low-cost solution.”

Regional coordinator of Conservation Volunteers Australia, Martina Bennett, said nine Green Army participants had been improving catchment management within important riparian areas throughout Mackay for the past five months.

“The supervisor and team are very excited about the opportunity to learn more about urban stormwater development,” Mrs Bennett said.

“The Green Army is a Australian Government initiative open to young people aged 17 to 24, who are looking for employment to develop skills, undertake training and gain experience in the delivery of conservation.

“They’ve also spent one day a fortnight at the nursery learning about seed-raising and propagation of species endemic to this area, so it’s excellent they get to see the project to fruition.”

For more information on the Australian Government Green Army, Mackay Region Riparian Scheme, go to conservation volunteers.

Mackay ‘paves the way’ in environmental innovation

diana · Dec 9, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Litter baskets which have been installed around Mackay by Reef Catchments — Forty-one (41) litter baskets are set to be installed in the pavements and streets of the Mackay City Centre.

Reef Catchments has partnered with Mackay Regional Council to pave the way in environmental innovation, with forty-one (41) litter baskets set to be installed in the pavements and streets of the Mackay City Centre.

Located at stormwater drainage points, the litter traps will dramatically reduce levels of rubbish and organic matter entering our waterways and the marine environment.

Reef Catchments coasts and biodiversity coordinator, Stefanie Wabnik, said the traps would benefit both the environment and the community.

“This is a exciting initiative from Mackay Regional Council and Reef Catchments to help protect Mackay’s waterways, river and Coast from pollution,” she said.

“Reef Catchments is pleased to be able to fund the litter traps through the Australian Government Reef Programme, as part of a wider Urban System Repair project for Mackay.

“These traps will capture litter generated in urban areas, for example shopping areas, that is otherwise washed or blown into stormwater drainage systems, leading to the accumulation of non-biodegradable litter on our Coast.

“By installing these traps, we are helping secure the future health of our beaches, waterways and marine environment, including the adjacent Great Barrier Reef.”

The traps are designed to retain pollutants at entry points to the drainage network. Litter that would otherwise flow into our waterways as stormwater runoff is instead captured in a filter mesh liner in a basket fitted below the road invert.

Importantly, the baskets also feature an overflow mechanism that reduces the risk of roadside ponding and flooding in rainfall events.

Ms Wabnik said the traps would target the identified ‘Top 10’ street pollution items for the Mackay region.

“We are expecting to see a major reduction in debris entering Mackay’s water system, primarily soft plastics like wrappers, food packaging and plastic bags, as well as cigarette butts. Other targets include foil and aluminium cans, bottle tops and lids and plastic drink bottles,” she said.

“This kind of litter, left unchecked, has the potential to damage and disrupt our valuable aquatic ecosystems and water supply.”

The 41 new baskets are expected to capture around 1 cubic metre of litter each quarter.

This project is a joint initiative of Reef Catchments and Mackay Regional Council, through funding from the Australian Government Reef Programme.

Climate Change Workshop with MWI Traditional Owners

diana · Dec 9, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Reef Catchments joined with with CSIRO, BOM and the National Environmental Science Program (NESP) Earth Systems and Climate Change Hub to hold a two day workshop with the Traditional Owners Reference Group (TORG) in December (2015). The workshop was held to form partnerships to share western knowledge about climate change and traditional knowledge about weather and climate.

Traditional Owners were provided with information about the current understanding of what drives the region’s weather and climate and how future climate is projected through various global climate models. Auntie Carol Prior (Ngaro) shared stories about how reading signs helped them to understand weather changes that has been passed down by Elders. ‘The information you have provided us with is about the why, we never questioned that but it has been interesting to learn about’.

All of the Traditional Owners discussed different signs in the environment that were indicators of weather changes but all agreed ‘its all mixed up now – it can be really hard to work out the changes that are going on’.

The event was a great success and Reef Catchments will continue to forge partnerships with scientists and Traditional Owners about sustainable use and management of our natural resources.

Local farmers help Coca-Cola to meet its goal

diana · Dec 9, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Project Catalyst growers from Queensland have helped Coco-Cola, one of the world’s largest multinational companies, track towards vital goals to improve water quality and sustainability.

Project Catalyst farmers Scott Simpson and Tony Jeppesen with Coca-Cola's Bea Perez — Coca-Cola’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Bea Perez with Project Catalyst cane farmers Scott Simpson (right) and Tony Jeppesen (left).

This October, Coca-Cola representatives toured the Mackay Whitsunday region and visited local sugarcane farmers as part of an announcement that Coca-Cola Company and its Australian bottling partner, Coca-Cola Amatil, are on track to meet their 2020 water replenishment goal by the end of 2015.

Based on global water replenishment projects to date, Coca-Cola operations in Australia are supporting the Coca-Cola system’s global progress toward its goal to replenish 100 percent of the water it uses by 2020. In Australia, Coca-Cola’s water replenishment progress is a direct result of Project Catalyst and the efforts to improve the quality of more than 100 billion litres of water flowing into the Great Barrier Reef.

Project Catalyst, a program that enables sugarcane growers to develop innovative and sustainable farming practices, helps reduce the level of sediment and chemical run-off from farms into river catchments that connect to the Reef.

In Australia, Project Catalyst is balancing the equivalent of 100 percent of the water used in Coca-Cola’s finished beverages, giving back to the Great Barrier Reef via the implementation of farming innovations, such as targeted soil analysis, digital mapping and precision farming practices.

Visitors to the Mackay Whitsunday area included the Coca-Cola Company’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Bea Perez.

“Water is a shared resource essential to our business and communities we serve,” said Ms. Perez. “Project Catalyst is one of the many water projects and partnerships supported globally by Coca-Cola, and we are proud of their leadership and achievements made in sustainable agriculture and watershed protection.”

WWF CEO, Dermot O’Gorman said, “Project Catalyst is making a valuable contribution to the effort to preserve the Reef. The lessons learnt are being passed on to the rest of the industry, with the aim that these become the best practice of tomorrow.

“These growers are taking responsibility and doing their part to safeguard and conserve one of the world’s natural wonders. Widespread adoption of best practice is a priority for the cane industry if we are to achieve the nutrient load reductions required to conserve the reef. Best practices such as those trialled by Project Catalyst, if widely adopted, will deliver a more efficient, profitable and sustainable cane industry; WWF will continue its support for the industry to make this transition,” he said.

Reef Catchments Manager, Katrina Dent said, “The primary purpose of Project Catalyst is to reduce the environmental footprint that sugarcane has on our waterways and the Great Barrier Reef, supporting a network of innovative farmers who are leading the way in adopting changed farm practices that improve water quality. Project Catalyst farmers are reducing agricultural runoff to the Great Barrier Reef by more than 180 tonnes each year and have improved soil, nutrient, pesticide, irrigation and storm water management on over 20,000 hectares of farm land – a terrific outcome.

“Project Catalyst growers, who are championing this sustainable initiative, are paving the way for change, thinking outside the box and taking action, which not only generates environmental outcomes, but also increases business profitability,” Ms. Dent said.

Speaking on her visit to Australia, Ms. Perez said, “It’s wonderful to see so many dedicated sugarcane growers band together to make a difference. Part of meeting our replenishment goal is engaging in diverse, locally focused community water projects, which work towards set objectives such as providing or improving access to safe water and sanitation, protecting watersheds, supporting water conservation and raising awareness on critical local water issues.

“We aim to ensure those projects remain sustainable within communities over time and continue to replenish water. Our commitment to water demonstrates how investing in nature can produce very positive returns for businesses and local communities,” she said.

Since 2004, Coca-Cola has replenished water back to communities and nature through 209 community water projects in 61 countries. The Company and its bottling partners plan to maintain 100 percent water replenishment as its business continues to grow.

About Project Catalyst

Now in its seventh year, Project Catalyst is a pioneering partnership between 78 innovative Queensland cane growers and major program partners – Reef Catchments, Catchment Solutions, NQ Dry Tropics, Terrain Natural Resource Management, the Australian Government, WWF and The Coca-Cola Foundation.

Project Catalyst is the first extension of The Coca-Cola Foundation’s global partnership with WWF into the South-Pacific.

The program aims to test, validate and promote the rapid adoption of innovative farm practices that improve water quality from cane farms impacting the Great Barrier Reef. Project Catalyst supports a network of sugarcane farmers from the Mackay Whitsunday, Burdekin and Wet Tropics region who are leading the use of cutting-edge practices for a more sustainable farming future.

To date, Project Catalyst growers have proven the effectiveness of innovative practices that can deliver significant water quality improvements to the Great Barrier Reef. Reductions of chemical, nutrient and sediment runoff from farms into freshwater estuaries, which connect to the Great Barrier Reef catchment, includes the following estimated total load reductions in 2014:

Decrease of 72 tonne/year for particulate nitrogen
Decrease of 34 tonne/year for particulate phosphorus
Decrease of 64 tonne/year for dissolved inorganic nitrogen
Decrease of 13 tonne/year for filterable reactive phosphorus
Decrease of 551 kg/year for pesticide

About Coca-Cola’s Water Replenishment Projects

In 2007, The Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partners set an aspirational goal to safely return to communities and nature an amount of water equivalent to what is used in its beverages and their production by 2020. The water footprint of growing agricultural ingredients sourced by the Coca-Cola system is not included in this goal. However, sustainable water practices are part of Coca-Cola’s Sustainable Agriculture Guiding Principles required for suppliers. The replenish projects are the result of partnerships with governments, civil society and other members of the private sector. Coca-Cola only calculates replenishment credit for the portions of the project that are directly funded or instituted by the Coca-Cola system.

Launch of first report card for Mackay-Whitsunday Waterway Health

diana · Dec 9, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership Panel members, from left: Matthew Fullerton (Department of Environment and Heritage Protection), Katrina Dent (Partnership deputy chair and Reef Catchments), David Wachenfeld (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority), Partnership Chair Di Tarte, Kevin Kane (North Queensland Bulk Ports), Dan Staley (Whitsunday Regional Council , Kerry Latter (Canegrowers), Lance Murray (Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance), Samarla Deshong (Koinjmal Traditional Owner), David Brewer (CSIRO), Partnership executive officer Charlie Morgan and Ellen Roberts (Mackay Conservation Group). — **Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership Panel members, from left:**
Matthew Fullerton (Department of Environment and Heritage Protection), Katrina Dent (Partnership deputy chair and Reef Catchments), David Wachenfeld (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority), Partnership Chair Di Tarte, Kevin Kane (North Queensland Bulk Ports), Dan Staley (Whitsunday Regional Council , Kerry Latter (Canegrowers), Lance Murray (Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance), Samarla Deshong (Koinjmal Traditional Owner), David Brewer (CSIRO), Partnership executive officer Charlie Morgan and Ellen Roberts (Mackay Conservation Group).

A new pilot report on the health of Mackay-Whitsunday waterways has highlighted data gaps and the need for more action to be taken to secure the long-term health of our basins, estuaries and the Great Barrier Reef.

The Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership pilot report card launched in Mackay this October (2015). Still in the early phases, the report clearly highlights missing links in water quality monitoring and research, while also identifying regional strengths and key areas of concern.

Partnership Chair, Di Tarte, said importantly the new initiative would help prioritise where efforts should be directed to improve waterway health.

“Thanks to the pilot report card, the community is provided with ongoing, relevant information necessary to secure a strong future and the long-term health of the Mackay-Whitsunday waterways and the adjacent area of the Great Barrier Reef,” Ms Tarte said.

The Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership represents the first collaboration of diverse sectors focused specifically on waterway health in the Mackay-Whitsunday area, consisting of 28 organisations working together to share leading and transparent independent science.

Collectively, the group has access to regional data and information representing over $4M of investment in monitoring and research programs.

“For the first time, the Partnership brings together organisations and information from a wide range of sectors for a collaborative approach to assessing the health of our waterways and identifying management priorities – from government, mining and ports, to agriculture, fisheries, tourism, traditional owners and environmental and NRM groups,” Ms Tarte said.

“This approach ensures insight into whole-of-catchment waterway health, from basin to estuary and out to the marine environment and adjacent Great Barrier Reef. With diverse organisations coming to one table, it is also testament to a high level of commitment to waterway health from the Mackay-Whitsunday region.

“The pilot report card is a first step towards tracking trends in waterway health and the progress of management activities to respond in areas where improvements are needed.”

It includes results on environmental and community social values of waterways, as well as stewardship by industry.

Results demonstrate a clear need for more action and investment into the Mackay-Whitsunday region to effectively improve water quality in the future.

“While there are certainly areas in the region with encouraging results, there are also clear areas where improvement is needed, and some areas where we have no data at all,” Ms Tarte said.

The condition of the region’s waterways ranged from B’s (Good) to D’s (Poor). Of the Mackay-Whitsunday region’s five major freshwater basins, just one reported a grade of B (the O’Connell), two scored C (Don and Proserpine) and two scored D (Pioneer and Plane).

Major estuaries rated more positive overall water quality scores of B for the Gregory River, Vines Creek, and Carmila Creek; C for Rocky Dam Creek, Plane Creek and Murray and St Helens Creek; and D for Sandy Creek.

The marine results were mixed, from D for the Inshore Central region, to a C for the Northern and Whitsunday regions, to a B Offshore.

There was no data available for the southern inshore reporting zone (east of Carmila), flagging a critical need for monitoring programs to be established in this area.

Contaminants have been identified as a key issue in the Pioneer and Plane basins. Wetland extent and riparian vegetation also appear to be a key concern within the region’s basins and estuaries. The condition of the Whitsunday inshore marine area (C) is also of concern given this area’s importance to the tourism industry.

Ms Tarte said importantly, the pilot report also showed that the Mackay-Whitsunday community placed an exceptionally strong value (‘A’ Score) on waterways for the lifestyle and social benefits provided.

“From fishing, snorkelling and diving to simply enjoying a walk on a beautiful and pristine beach – these results show the region strongly values the lifestyle its waterways provide, and are committed to ensuring they remain intact for the next generation to enjoy.”

She said responsibility for water quality improvements did not fall on any one industry or sector, but required a partnership approach.

“We are seeing evidence of good work and on-going improvements across the board, for example by farmers, ports, recreational fishers, the tourism sector, local government and individuals.

“Responsibility for waterway health cannot be charged to any one sector alone. When it comes to the future of our waterways and the Great Barrier Reef, we all have an important part to play,” Ms Tarte said.

The Partnership welcomes comment and feedback from the community on the pilot report card.

To view and download a full copy of the pilot report and for further details on the breakdown of results, values and grades visit www.healthyriverstoreef.org.au

The Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership is hosted by Reef Catchments (Mackay Whitsunday Isaac) natural resource management group.

Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership partners contributing to the pilot report card include
Central Queensland University, Conservation Volunteers Australia, CSIRO, Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Growcom, Isaac Regional Council, Mackay Canegrowers Limited CANEGROWERS Mackay, Mackay Conservation Group, Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance, Mackay Regional Council, Mackay Sugar, Mackay Tourism Limited, North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Ltd, NQ Dry Tropics Ltd, Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Inc, Queensland Farmers’ Federation, Queensland Resources Council Ltd, Reef Catchments Limited, Regional Development Australia Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday Inc, Resource Industry Network, Sarina Landcare Catchment Management Association Inc, State of Queensland acting through the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Whitsunday Catchment Landcare Ltd, Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry Association, Whitsunday Regional Council, Whitsunday Regional Organisation of Councils (ROC) and Whitsundays Marketing and Development Ltd

Morning of fun for young coastcarers

diana · Dec 9, 2015 · Leave a Comment

More than 220 people took part in a morning of Coastcare fun and learning at Bucasia in September, 2015. — More than 220 people took part in a morning of Coastcare fun and learned more at Bucasia in September, 2015.

Coastal conservation, turtle talks, marine debris removal and weed walks kept more than 150 children and their families busy at Bucasia Beach as part of the Coastcare School Holidays Program in September.

The highly successful event saw a total of 152 children and 76 adults take part in a morning of educational fun at an important flatback turtle nesting ground.

Mackay Regional councillor Theresa Morgan said the activity morning was a joint initiative of Reef Catchments and Mackay Regional Council with support from the Australian Government.

“This is a prime example of how council’s Natural Environment Levy is making a real difference to our local community and our flora and fauna,” Cr Morgan said.

“Our children are very much our future and by offering initiatives like this we are helping to foster a conservation mindset that will ensure many generations to come will be able to enjoy our pristine, beautiful beaches.

“Also, this is an excellent cost-free option for parents who want to keep the kids busy in a fun and educational setting these school holidays.”

Reef Catchment’s coasts project officer Jessica Berryman said Bucasia Beach was specifically chosen as it is an important nesting beach for the flatback turtle.

“An average of 16 turtle nests have been recorded each year along the Bucasia Beach foreshore,” she said.

“The beach itself is threatened by a number of pressures including weed invasion, the impacts of coastal development and recreational use.

“Coastcare aims to address these impacts through volunteer-based action.
“We look forward to promoting hands-on conservation learning and challenging our young volunteers with more great activities and events planned ahead.”

Holistic Management in Grazing Systems

diana · Dec 9, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Brian Wehlburg of Inside Outside Management delivered a workshop at Proserpine to more than 20 interested graziers on the principles of holistic management. Brian has been a holistic management certified educator for nearly 15 years and comes from a diverse background as a farm manager in Africa and Australia.

In the workshop Brian raised and questioned the issue of conventions, beliefs, and paradigms that have been taught about land degradation, and potential causes of certain grazing practices. He emphasised that to be a sustainable grazier it was necessary to focus on what was free which includes sunlight, minerals, biology, and water. To reduce costs and make better use of the free resources it was important to think of better ways to manage them. A prime example, in particular with forecasts for reduced rain due to the El Niño, was to focus more on how to manage the rain that was available.

“Its not about how much rain that we get its about how we manage that rain to make the most of it for us, our farming system and the environment,” he said.

Participants on the day enjoyed the presentation and considered the concepts interesting, informative and thought provoking. The majority of graziers were keen to undertake further training in holistic management. Sharon Dallas, a grazier near Yalboroo said they had been introduced to holistic management a few years before at an Allan Savory seminar and the latest workshop presented a wealth of information which was very enjoyable.

Kids and barra make a splash at Reef Catchments Family Fishing Fun Day

diana · Dec 9, 2015 · Leave a Comment

More than 140 eager young anglers and their families enjoyed a day of fish focused fun at the Reef Catchments Family Fishing Fun Day, in September (2015).

The children took part in hands-on pest fish education and angling event, learning more as they helped release 1000 tagged barramundi fingerlings into the Mackay Gooseponds.

Event coordinator, Trent Power, said the barramundi release was part of on-going predatory control trial focused on the noxious pest fish, tilapia. But he said the major benefit of the day was raising community awareness.

“Mackay is an avid fishing community and we want the next generation to have a good awareness about how to keep our fish and waterways healthy,” Mr Power said.

“As well as being a fun day out, this event will help kids learn more about what they can do to protect our waterways and fish habitat, the kinds of fish to avoid, and the benefits of looking after our local native species, like barramundi.”

Trent Power and Luke Galea with the big draw prize winner of the day, young Malachai Davidson. Malachai won a fishing charter with thanks to Lake Proserpine Fishing Charters.

The barramundi release is the second phase of a research trial to investigate the potential of using native predatory fish to help control tilapia, a classified invasive pest species posing a significant threat to Queensland waterways and aquatic ecosystems.

Mr Power said the fish release and Reef Catchments Family Fishing Fun Day were both collaborative events and would not be possible without significant support from the local community.

“In particular, we would like to thank the Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance Inc for assisting with coordination of the fishing day and Mackay Area Fish Stocking Association (MAFSA) for providing the group’s hatchery to hold the fingerlings prior to the release”, he said.

Michael Wynn from Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance Inc. said the day was a great chance for young anglers to learn first-hand from the experts.

“We are proud to utilise our angler education team and teach junior fishers the finer points on how to land that prize catch,” he said.

Kieron Galletly from Mackay Area Fish Stocking Alliance said the initiative was an important one for the Mackay community.

“MAFSA is proud to assist again in the release of the fingerlings and to be able to use our recently upgraded hatchery facilities for housing and tagging of the barra prior to their release,” he said.

Congratulations to the major lucky prize winner of the day, Malachai Davidson, who was very excited to win a fishing charter donated by Lake Proserpine Fishing Charters.

Those involved included Reef Catchments, Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance, Mackay Area Fish Stocking Association, Catchment Solutions, Conservation Volunteers Australia, Mackay Regional Council, Debbie’s Seafood, Tackle World Mackay, Nashy’s Compleat Angler, Lake Proserpine Fishing Charters and Pioneer Catchment Landcare.

Reef Catchments announces successful projects for $135,000 of NLP funding

diana · Dec 9, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Successful funding recipients are all smiles, from left Janice and Graham Armstrong (Chair, Whitsunday Catchment Landcare) with Jacki Smith from Eco Barge. Reef Catchments has announced $135,000 in funding for projects in the Mackay Whitsunday region, through the Federal Government’s new National Landcare Programme (NLP). — Successful funding recipients are all smiles, from left Janice and Graham Armstrong (Chair, Whitsunday Catchment Landcare) with Jacki Smith from Eco Barge.
Reef Catchments has announced $135,000 in funding for projects in the Mackay Whitsunday region, through the Federal Government’s new National Landcare Programme (NLP).

Seventeen (17) new environmental projects will have the resources and support they need to go ahead, thanks to a new round of funding provided by Reef Catchments through the Australian Government National Landcare Programme (NLP).

Reef Catchments has provided 11 local Mackay Whitsunday Isaac groups with $135,000 for on-ground projects, rolled out regionally under the Looking After Local Landscapes program.

From marine and island debris removal, to fish tagging and research, pest and weed mapping, development of a community garden and waterway and creek rehabilitation – successful project applicants cover a diverse range of high priority issues relevant to our region.

Reef Catchments manager, Katrina Dent, said the focus of the funding was on community projects that allowed local groups to work within their own landscape, needs and priorities.

“This really is about groups in the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac region having access to funds for projects that are directly connected to the local community. Funding also targets key Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES), with a focus on inland and coastal areas,” she said.

“We would like to say a big congratulations to all our successful applicants. Reef Catchments looks forward to working with the community together on projects that continue to contribute to the improved environmental health of our region.

“Regardless of the size and scope of projects, it is essential our local groups are supported to implement activities that can make a difference.”

Lance Murray, president of Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance, received funding for baseline Data collection for net-free fishing zones.

Community groups were invited to apply for grants of between $2,000 and $15,000 with successful activities covering projects of all sizes. Many of the projects are being rolled out in collaboration with farmers and landholders across the region.

Dave Hunter, Chair of Pioneer Catchment Landcare Group (PCL) said the funding would support a wide range of new activities for the group, including significant restoration, erosion, bank stability and habitat works at St Helen’s Creek.

Thanks to NLP funding, the group will also work with landholders to install a series of nest boxes for native wildlife.

“Natural tree hollows for some of our native species, for example sugar gliders and microbats, can take decades to form. Obviously when trees are cleared these important nesting areas disappear, so the installation of nesting boxes is vital for the life cycle of our local wildlife,” Mr Hunter said.

“We are proud to work with Reef Catchments on these and other projects. This funding will enable us to extend our on-ground activities far beyond what we previously could – a great opportunity for us to expand environmental works in the local catchment.”

This is the full list of projects

Airlie Beach Aquatic Reef Club: School holiday education program

Eco Barge: Eight (8) marine debris removal trips

Isaac Regional Council: Coastal connectivity and rehabilitation along the Clairview foreshore reserve

Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance: Baseline Data collection for net-free fishing zones

DNRM: Fish Tagging in the O’Connell River (quantifying flow requirements necessary for breeding stimulation and/or migration to estuarine and marine spawning grounds for diadromous fish species)

Reef Check Australia: RCA Reef Health surveys

Wild Mob: Percy Island- reduce weed infestations and marine debris on turtle nesting beaches

Finch Hatton Community Garden Inc: Community garden development

Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Group: Seed collection

Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Group: St Helen’s Creek rehabilitation including erosion control and bank stability and habitat improvement

Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Group: Development of community education material

Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Group: Cats Claw Creeper mapping – pest mapping

Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Group: Owens Creek – weed management and watering (revegetation maintenance)

Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Group: Installation of habitat nest boxes in collaboration with landholders

Sarina Landcare and Catchment Management Association: Community awareness raising events including grazing land management, native vegetation and biodiversity, weed identification and management, native flora and fauna and public natural areas e.g. coastal esplanades

Sarina Landcare and Catchment Management Association: Weed mapping

Whitsunday Catchment Landcare: Conway Beach – weed management

Mackay welcomes leading soil celebrity at the Soil Health Symposium

diana · Dec 9, 2015 · Leave a Comment

One of Australia’s most renowned soil scientists, Dr Maarten Stapper, was a key speaker at the Soil Health Symposium which marked the International Year of Soils.

The symposium, which was held at the MECC in December (2015), attracted 55 participants and the following day 45 interested people took part in the hands on field day at Simon Mattsson’s property, near Marian.

Symposium coordinator and Regional Landcare Facilitator, Reef Catchments’ Dr Robyn Bell said participants considered the information provided was highly relevant.

“The diversity of speakers from inside and outside of the region was excellent including on-the-ground application of monitoring, and ways to improve soil health,” she said.

Dr Stapper was featured on Australian Story and is prominent through his work helping farmers harness the power of natural soil processes.

Daniel O'Keeffe with key note speaker, Dr Maarten Stapper, and Symposium organiser Dr Robyn Bell — Daniel O’Keeffe with key note speaker, Dr Maarten Stapper, and Symposium organiser Dr Robyn Bell

As a result of working for 30 years as a research agronomist in four continents, Dr Stapper became an advocate of biological-organic farming systems.

During his presentation he shed light on the links in soil health from a plot to catchment scale; that delivered results in terms of better yields, reduced costs, and improved animal and human health.

He said it was necessary to look at the whole farming system, where everything was linked to everything else.

“A healthy soil produces better crops and pastures, requiring less fertilisers and agro-chemicals for similar productivity, and resulting in healthier feed for animals and healthier food for humans,” Dr Stapper said.

“The idea is to replace our chemical addiction to solve problems on our farms. So instead of chemicals we use the soil organisms, the microbes. Biology and diversity in soil microbial systems is the key to aligning all the cogs in a healthy soil system.”

Dr Stapper also discussed the potential to sequester long-term carbon in the soil.

The Healthy Soils Symposium is an annual event coordinated by Reef Catchments, through funding from the Australian Government Regional Landcare Facilitator (RLF) program.

Dr Bell said the symposium, which was free, attracted a variety of people, all with an interest in soil health, including farmers and gardeners.

“Building biological activity in soils has become a major focus for agricultural producers and gardeners in recent years,” Dr Bell said.

“Through the symposium we endeavoured to equip our farmers and the wider community with the information they needed to improve their soil health. The aim of the field day was to impart knowledge and understanding to those who sought to improve or find a new direction in their farming operations.”

Featured guest speakers included:

Dr Maarten Stapper, BioLogic AgFood
David Hardwick, Ecological Agriculture Australia Association
St John Kent, Darling Downs grain grower
Nuffield Agricultural scholars and growers Simon Mattsson and Bryan Granshaw (sugarcane)
John Markley, Farmacist
Gavin Kay, Terrain NRM

Topics covered everything from soil biology to improving soil health in cropping systems, and from soil carbon in sugarcane to better understanding soil microbial activity.

The field day included a demonstration from David Hardwick on Assessing Soil Health – how to do it on-farm. David is an agricultural ecologist who specialises in soil fertility.

The field day also featured an overview of trial findings from the crop diversity trial being conducted at local landholder Simon Mattsson’s property, near Marian. As part of this, Simon planted sunflowers to investigate the potential for reduced soil compaction, improved potassium cycling, and removal of soil toxins. His latest sunflower crop targets the birdseed market that can pay up to $1500 per tonne.

CLICK HERE to read Simon’s soil health case study.

Archives for December 2015

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