Catching Up

In the Stanley & Upper Brisbane Catchments

NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2013

LOCAL NEWS and EVENTS

Connecting a Critically Endangered Rainforest

Despite the challenges of reduced timeframes, significant flooding and wet weather during 2013, strides have been made to enhance the condition and connectivity of lowland subtropical rainforest across 44 properties in the Stanley and Mooloolah River headwaters. This rainforest is home to a wide diversity of animal and plant species and many native animals under threat of extinction rely on these subtropical habitats, including the Giant Barred Frog and the brightly coloured Richmond Birdwing Butterfly. The recently completed Caring for Our Country funded project coordinated by SEQ Catchments in partnership with community groups and Sunshine Coast Regional Council, was able to support on-ground works such as fencing and weed control to allow natural regeneration and revegetation. The project received tremendous interest from local landholders, including a mixture of landholders experienced in restoration as well as engaging many news landholders.

Getting a bit wild at your place?

Don't miss out on vital information about how you can get involved in a community strategy for controlling wild dog, pigs and foxes in your region. 9th October, 10am - 2pm Boonah "The Outlook" 4001 IpswichBoonah Rd, Boonah (smoko from 9.15am) or 10th October, 10am - 2pm Mulgowie Mulgowie Hall, Gatton-Laidley Rd smoko from 9.15am) Lunch and smoko provided. Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter. http://www.seqcatchments.com.au/ media-centre-enews-subscribe.html

Plantings at project site

The Sunshine Coast World Environment Day was an opportunity to share with others the importance of this rainforest community in the region. Landholders also shared their restoration experiences during a bus trip in the Mooloolah valley in June. The Qld Herbarium provided assistance in developing a benchmark for conservation activities. Gubbi Gubbi representatives also put together a plan to help manage remaining patches of this rainforest on their Dyunungoo property in Diamond Valley, as well as carrying out recording of ecological and cultural knowledge. One of the lasting legacies of the project is increased landholder understanding of species and restoration techniques, refreshed enthusiasm and a general appreciation of the significance of the lowland subtropical rainforest and the fauna it supports. SEQ Catchments would like to extend their thanks to all our partners, particularly participating landholders for their efforts in helping achieve a great outcome and is keen to work with landholders, local community groups and Council over the next few years to continue with restoration of this unique rainforest.

How Interesting Lowland subtropical rainforests occur along the coast from Maryborough in QLD to south of the Clarence River (near Grafton NSW), located in high rainfall zones between the coast and the mountains of the Great Dividing Range.

Looking downstream along the Stanley River

RESOURCES - GRANTS - EVENTS

SEQ Catchments Community Grants - Pocket Money Every year SEQ Catchments offers small grants of up to $500 to groups aimed at helping volunteers continue achieving great environmental outcomes. Now is your opportunity to get creative and think about how these grants could benefit your group. By keeping the grants small, the amount of paperwork needed is minimal. Groups need to fill in a one page Expression of Interest. Funds are delivered immediately to community volunteers. Previous grants have supported things like: Purchasing hand tools - hoes, trowels, forks etc. Maintaining small power tools e.g. chain saws First aid kits or training for volunteers Cameras and GPS equipment Practical on-ground training Interpretive signs

UBRCN - GROUPS CORNER Meetings - Functions Events - News

Upper Brisbane Region Catchment Network Group www.upperbrisbanecatchment.com.au

BARUNG LANDCARE
AGM 12TH OCTOBER Ph: 5494 3151 E: info@barunglandcare.org.au Barung Landcare Nurseries Porters Lane, Nth Maleny 135 Forestry Road, Landsborough

BELLTHORPE PROGRESS ASSN/ ENVIRO GROUP

Ph: 5496 5002 Enviro Group meets 1st Sat each month 8am at Reserve E: jabercrombie@skymesh.com.au

For more information contact Bruce Lord from SEQ Catchments on blord@seqcatchments.com.au or 0427 013 284 Soil Carbon Information Day, Saturday 12 October, $5 This is one of an on-going series of information days by Ravensbourne and District Landcare on managing soil carbon on farms and is part of an exciting trend for property owners who want to manage soil for the future, maintaining fertility without the addition of expensive and disappearing resources. This is a rare opportunity to talk to sustainable farming experts. Presenter: Dr Judi Earl (Agricultural Information and Monitoring Services, Guyra) Soil carbon what is it? What makes a healthy soil? How to manage soil carbon Farm management practices for sustainable healthy soil Registration commences at the Perseverance Hall 8.30 am for a 9.00 am start Transport to local farms, morning tea and lunch included. Bookings essential - Contact Kym Sparshott 4697 8047 or Ian Eustace 4697 8058 Flood Assistance Deadline Extension The State Government has announced that it has extended the deadline for assistance measures under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA). The assistance, which includes grants and loans through the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority, had been due to expire at the end of August, but will now expire on November 29. Primary producers, small businesses and not for profit organisations should contact QRAA on 1800 623 946 to discuss eligibility or visit www.qraa.qld.gov.au. Living in Somerset Handbook Somerset Regional Council has launched a property management handbook for residents, Living in Somerset. The publication is specifically designed for landholders and covers a variety of topics including soil erosion, grazing management, water supply, fire management, pest management, remnant vegetation and much more. Limited free copies are available via the Council on: 5424 4000 . Developed by Somerset Regional Council and SEQ Catchments Want to Promote an Event? Community groups are invited to submit their events to the SEQ Catchments calendar. http://www.seqcatchments.com.au/submit-an-event.html
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BRISBANE VALLEY-KILCOY LANDCARE

AGM: 9TH OCTOBER VENUE:: KILCOY MEMORIAL HALL DISCUSSING COAL SEAM GAS Ph: 5497 1253. E : bvklandcare@caliph.net.au

CROWS NEST CREEK CATCHMENT GROUP

Ph: Frank Burgess 4698 4161 E frankb4@bigpond.com

EMU CREEK CATCHMENT LANDCARE GROUP

Ph: 4698 4748. E: frankb4@bigpond.com AGM 23rd November

FEAT (Friends of Earth, Animals &

Trees) Blackbutt and Benarkin Ph: 4170 0070. E : aliceob@bigpond.com

Friends of Cahills Scrub

Ph 5494 9061 E pumpkintimers@gotalk.net.au

Friends of Yarraman Creek

Ph 41638567 E: mammalid@people.net.au

RAVENSBOURNE & DISTRICT LANDCARE GROUP

Ph: 4697 8058

ROSALIE NORTH LANDCARE GROUP

NEXT MEETING: 8TH OCTOBER AT 7.30PM VENUE: COOYAR HALL Ph: 4170 0158. E: rosalienorthlandcare@hotmail.com

UPPER BRISBANE REGION CATCHMENT NETWORK

Next Meeting: 28th November Venue: TBA

SEQ Catchments Office - Upper Brisbane

The Hub, Shop 1, 47 Mary St, Kilkoy 4515 Ph: 54220516 Fax: 54220515

Cheryl McLeod
Community Water Quality Monitoring Officer E: cmcleod@seqcatchments.com.au M: 0400919250

Bruce Lord
Community Partnerships Manager E : blord@seqcatchments.com.au M: 0427 013 284