Archives for April 2017

5 things you can commit to this Earth Day April 22

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Earth Day April 22

 

5 things you can commit to this Earth Day April 22

1 Sign up to volunteer

Environmental volunteerism is a way meet new people, learn new skills and to give back to the planet that supports you. Conservation Volunteers Australia, Landcare groups and Turtle Watch are just a few in our region. See a list of volunteer activities in our region.

2 Buy local food.

Every Wednesday the Greater Whitsunday Farmer’s Market is on at Bluewater Quay 8am to 1pm. See what food is available and try something new for the health of you and the planet.

3 Walk

Need to pop up to the shop? Ditch the car and go for a walk, it has positive impacts for both your brain and the environment. Alternatively you could ride your bike.

4 Plant a veggie garden

After Easter is the perfect time to plant your winter veggies. Lessen your food miles, need for packaging and get the maximum nutrients from your food by eating it straight away.

5 Buy a coffee reusable cup and commit to using it.

There is enough plastic in about 20 takeaway coffee lids to make one reusable cup. Benefits may include discounts at your fav coffee shop and feeling a little better about your commitment to our planet.

 

 

 

 

 

Carbon, the problem and the solution

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We are on the cusp of an uncertain but exciting time in agriculture. Farmers are at the coalface when it comes to climate variability and carbon. However successful business strategies identify threats and apply problem solving to drive opportunity. Could carbon be both the problem and a solution? The research is confirming carbon held in soil is the key to fertility and water holding capacity. It also provides a buffer in times of variability of climate change.

The destruction from recent Tropical Cyclone Debbie exemplifies predictions of increased significant weather events and increased severity of events. Preparation to handle such events has been underway for some time. The Mackay Whitsunday Isaac Climate Sustainability Plan 2016-2020 was a highly collaborative partnership with CISRO, James Cook University and Reef Catchments, thanks to funding through the National Landcare Program. The Plan identifies some of the main risks associated with projected climatic conditions such as predicted temperatures, rainfall and freshwater availability. As well as regional actions, which cover strengthening ecosystem health and biodiversity, community education, risk management and economic sustainability.

The plan also explores the opportunities for farmers to tackle this global problem through local solutions. Not just though increasing their soil carbon asset but strengthening local markets and economies, biodiversity, crop diversification and potential bio-based industries.

Development of adaption resources can be strengthened through farmers’ localised observations of the effects of climate variability, given their ongoing relationship with the land. Leaders using best management practice and pushing the boundaries of our current knowledge provide a guide for the other adopters of new farming practices.

Improved farming practices are an unintended consequence of meeting the challenge of climate uncertainty. Reef Catchments is supporting farmers in this time of change through Landcare initiatives in our region.

Message from Rob Cocco, CEO

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Our region has been battered by Cyclone Debbie, leaving a trail of destruction throughout the region and with many homes and properties still without access to power and running water. Our thoughts are with the many people impacted and we hope to see you all back on your feet as soon as possible.

Reef Catchments Proserpine Office remained closed without access to power until Friday 7th April. Our Mackay office has fortunately been unaffected. Throughout this time our staff have shown great resilience and support of each other, with some suffering considerable damage to their homes and property.

Preliminary surveillance of the regions natural landscapes highlights a significant level of damage to coastal foreshore areas, and riparian areas and water ways within the region. Reef Catchments is actively exploring options with state agencies and local government to ensure the recovery and restoration of these natural areas is undertaken.

I would also seek to offer a grateful thanks to all those that have and continue to be involved in the clean up and recovery actions, while frustration are evident in regard to time required to undertake recovery, the efforts from these individuals and groups in restoring the region should be commended.

Rob Cocco, CEO

Assistance is available for small businesses and primary producers in our region that have been impacted by Tropical Cyclone Debbie.

Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) have been activated. Low interest loans have been activated for small businesses in the Mackay and Whitsunday Regional Council areas and for primary producers in the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday Regional Council areas. Please find the full information here http://www.qraa.qld.gov.au/

Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) provides income support payments to employees, primary producers and sole traders who can demonstrate they have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the tropical cyclone. Please find the full information here. https://www.humanservices.gov.au/…/tropical-cyclone-debbie-…

Catchment loads monitoring

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The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) Catchments Loads Monitoring Program, monitors the annual loads of pollutants (sediments, pesticides and nutrients) generated from terrestrial runoff in the GBR catchments. The monitoring is undertaken at 26 sites across 14 drainage basins. The data is then used to model annual loads across the 35 drainage basins which is used in the development of the annual Paddock to Reef report cards which measure and report on progress towards Reef Plan (2013) targets.

In the Mackay Whitsunday region there has been an increase in the number of sites being monitored in 2016/17. Previous monitoring has been undertaken on the O’Connell and Pioneer Rivers and on Sandy Creek. In 2016/17 this has been increased with three new sites including a new site on the Proserpine River, an additional site on the O’Connell River and a (to be established site) on Plane Creek.

Currently all six sites are monitored with ambient sampling being taken on a weekly basis. The ambient sampling is used to identify the range and concentrations of pollutants within the rivers and creeks on a day-to-day basis. Of these sites, five currently have automated samplers set up with the sixth site to be set up later this year. The automated samplers enable continuous sampling during high flow events providing samples along the hydrograph (rate of flow vs time of event) and are stored until collected.

From all of the collected samples the concentrations are determined, with the volume of water flowing in the river used to determine the load (either Tonnes or kg’s depending on pollutant) of each of the pollutants.

Each year the monitoring program releases a report detailing the results from each of the sites monitored.