News archive - 2011
December
15-Dec-2011
Salvinia Busters Trial
What is that in our waterways? Oh no, it’s Salvinia molesta.
Salvinia sp. is a Class 2 declared pest plant under Queensland legislation and a Weed of National Significance as it causes major impacts in our natural waterways. Salvinia is a small floating aquatic plant which is present in a large proportion of water bodies on the Gold Coast especially lakes and slow flowing waterways.
Read more…
08-Dec-2011
SEQ Catchments provides water quality monitoring training to it 400th participant!
SEQ Catchments held its bi-annual water quality monitoring training session for community groups earlier this week, and were proud to announce that they have now successfully trained over 400 participants since the program started in 2004. Read more…
November
30-Nov-2011
SEQ Catchments 2011 AGM
SEQ Catchments and the SEQ Catchments Member Association (SEQCMA) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday 25th November at the Park Regis Hotel in Brisbane. Read more…
30-Nov-2011
SEQ Catchments lead successful cattle nutrition sessions for beef producers
Cattle nutrition workshops run by SEQ Catchments had a successful turnout last week, with over 80 landholders attending three workshops across the western catchments of South East Queensland. Read more…
30-Nov-2011
Using "Elastocast" for gully erosion control
Elastocoast is a polyurethane product used in Europe and developed by BASF principally for coastal seawall protection. It is used to bind hard rock aggregate together to form a solid surface. In 2009 it was introduced to Australia for the first time for erosion control purposes in South East Queensland (SEQ). Read more…
23-Nov-2011
Managing Horses on Small acreage
Local landholders are invited to attend a free Managing Horses on Small Acreage workshop at Pinjarra Hills in early December . The workshop will help horse lovers and horse owners alike learn about the best ways to manage pasture and manure to improve their horse’s health and well-being whilst also ensuring ensure long term pasture health. Read more…
15-Nov-2011
Free cattle nutrition sessions for beef producers
Beef cattle nutrition will be the topic for a series of one day workshops being run across the region by SEQ Catchments during late November. Presented by Russ Tyler, the sessions will give producers the opportunity to increase the profitability of their beef production enterprises by adopting tailored nutritional strategies. Read more…
10-Nov-2011
Government announces 5 year vision for Flinders Karawatha Corridor
On the 9th November, the Queensland Government and Minister Nolan released an announcement regarding the plan to secure the long-term protection of the Karawatha-Greenbank-Flinders Peak corridor. Read more…
09-Nov-2011
Straddie’s Beaches Respected by Four Wheel Drivers
Some of South East Queensland’s most beautiful beaches are often explored with a four wheel drive vehicle, but without adequate training this can often result in injury or badly impact upon wildlife and vegetation. Read more…
07-Nov-2011
Biofertile Farms course provides new options for farmers
SEQ Catchments’ Regional Landcare Facilitator, Apanie Wood, supported a Biofertile Farms course on the sunshine coast from 30 Oct – 1st Nov. Read more…
07-Nov-2011
Kalbar Soil Health Day attracts farmers looking for information
A two hour session was held at the Kalbar showgrounds last week to provide Fassifern farmers with information about pasture nutrition, forage and fodder cropping and soil test interpretation. Read more…
02-Nov-2011
Is your life too plastic?
Plastic. It is all around us. We use it every day in many ways… from our disposable morning coffee cup to our trusty mobile phone to life-saving medical supplies… but just how much is too much? Join Redland City Council, Reef Check Australia, SEQ Catchments and Sunshine Coast Council to take a closer look at the impacts plastic waste has on our environment and even our health. Read more…
October
31-Oct-2011
Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Tour in the Lockyer
SEQ Catchments were joined by Jagera Traditional Owners on the 27th October for an Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Tour with local landholders in the Lockyer Valley. Read more…
26-Oct-2011
Local landholders Tackling Weeds to Support Flying Fox Habitat
Works were underway at a property on Coochiemudlo Island at then end of October, to control the spread of a number of weeds within a wetland area with the aim of improving the habitat of a large colony of flying foxes. Read more…
24-Oct-2011
Managing Horses on Small Properties
Local landholders are invited to attend a free Horse Property Management workshop near Mt Cotton in early November to learn about the best ways to manage horses on their properties. Read more…
21-Oct-2011
Local landholders invited to learn how to manage native forests
Local landholders are invited to attend a free Native Forest Management field day near Hampton in early November to learn how to best manage native forest country. Read more…
20-Oct-2011
SEQ Catchments CEO Simon Warner on ABC Queensland County Hour
SEQ Catchments CEO Simon Warner talks to the ABC Queensland County Hour on the results of the Healthy Waterways 2011 Ecosystem Health Report Card. Read more…
20-Oct-2011
SEQ Catchments Working with Youths to Support Land Care Groups
SEQ Catchments’ Regional Landcare Facilitator, Apanie Wood, is supporting the Landcare movement through a new partnership between young business students from Ipswich’s Challenge Employment and Training and local Landcare groups. The Ipswich’s Land Carer’s Project, with support from the Australian Government’s National Green Job Corps (NGJC), launched on Tuesday at Westfalen Parklands in Collingwood Park. Read more…
17-Oct-2011
Locals support Swamp Tea tree Forest Conservation Project in Jimboomba
Locals in Jimboomba attended a SEQ Catchments led field day on Saturday to find out more on how they could protect endangered Swamp Tea-tree Forest in their backyards. Read more…
07-Oct-2011
Grants available to protect endangered Swamp Tea-tree
SEQ Catchments is calling on expressions of interest from landholders in Jimboomba, Harrisville, Gatton, Toogoolawah and surrounding areas to join the cause to help conserve one of South East Queensland's most critically endangered ecological communities – the Swamp Tea-tree forest Read more…
September
30-Sep-2011
Draft Noosa Climate Action Plan out for comment
For the last year and a half, SEQ Catchments has been helping facilitate a community based climate adaptation plan for the Noosa Biosphere in partnership with Noosa Biosphere Ltd, Noosa Residents & Ratepayers and the University of the Sunshine Coast. Read more…
30-Sep-2011
SEQ Catchments attend Landcare Conference 2011
SEQ Catchments were well represented at the 2011 Queensland Landcare Conference last week, providing an opportunity for information sharing and learning among other landcare groups, community groups, NGO’s and industry on land management issues across Australia. Read more…
30-Sep-2011
Sunshine Coast takes out top catchment award
The Sunshine Coast Rivers Initiative was awarded the 2011 Australian National Riverprize worth $195,000 at 14th International River Symposium this week. Read more…
28-Sep-2011
International Delegates join the Healthy Country Study Tour
SEQ Catchments showcased its work in the Logan, Bremer and Lockyer catchments to 50 scientists and professionals from Australia and around the world when it hosted the International River Symposium Healthy Country Study Tour yesterday. Read more…
20-Sep-2011
Lockyer Valley farmers one step closer to production
For farmers severely impacted by the January floods in the Lockyer cathment, getting their land back into production as soon as possible is at the top of their minds. Read more…
16-Sep-2011
Environmentally friendly moorings key for protecting local marine habitat
Boaties are being urged to swap conventional mooring for an environmentally friendly alternative to protect Moreton Bay’s seagrass. Reducing impacts to seagrass beds is vital to protecting the habitat of key species such a turtles and dugongs. Read more…
15-Sep-2011
Healthier waterways help reduce flood impacts
Healthier water courses are vital for reducing the most damaging impacts of flooding – this was the main message at the SEQ Post Flood Science Review and Planning Forum held in Brisbane earlier this month. Read more…
07-Sep-2011
SEQ Catchments named Australian Government NRM Award winner
SEQ Catchments has taken out the Australian Government Natural Resource Management (NRM) Award at the 2011 Queensland Landcare Awards for its work with the Landcare community in delivering the South East Queensland NRM Plan 2009-2031. Read more…
06-Sep-2011
SEQ Catchments, WetlandCare Australia and OceanWatch Australia committed to improving the Moreton Bay and the Redlands environment
Improving the environmental status of Moreton Bay will be the key focus for SEQ Catchments, WetlandCare Australia and OceanWatch Australia, three not-for-profit organisations which recently established a central office in the Redlands. Read more…
August
01-Aug-2011
SEQ Catchments Welcomes New Regional Landcare Facilitator
Apanie Wood has recently taken on the role of Regional Landcare Facilitator for SEQ. Based in Ipswich at SEQ Catchments, Apanie works to support Landcare, production groups and other land managers to adopt sustainable farm and land management practices and to protect our landscape. Read more…
July
26-Jul-2011
Carbon tax unveiled
The federal government released the details of the new Clean Energy Plan this month.
Land use is one of the four key platforms identified within the Clean Energy Plan, along with carbon pricing, renewable energy and energy efficiency. Read more…
26-Jul-2011
SEQ Catchments Supports Grant Workshops
The Regional Landcare Facilitator at SEQ Catchments has joined forces with Landcare Queensland and solar company Nickel Energy to run a series of workshops for landcare volunteers to learn how to write a successful grant submission. Read more…
19-Jul-2011
2010 Annual Stakeholder and Funders’ Survey
SEQ Catchments has conducted two surveys with both our stakeholders and our funders. Read more…
13-Jul-2011
SEQ Catchments accepts Nissans for flood recovery effort
SEQ Catchments CEO Simon Warner has accepted five Nissan vehicles from Queensland Reconstruction Authority Chair, Major General Mick Slater to help in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the natural environment around south-east Queensland. Read more…
14-Jul-2011
Towards Sustainability program helps jobs and the environment
The first of two Green Jobs Corp teams who have been busy at Springbrook and Beechmont clearing weeds, undertaking erosion control and establishing wildlife corridors on private land are set to complete the Towards Sustainability program next month. Read more…
May
16-May-2011
Shakin’ it for the DUGONG YouTube – Win $500!
Closing date extended now to 20th June.
Check out SEQ Catchments and Healthy Waterways staff shakin’ the bridge for the dugong
Did you know the vulnerable dugongs that live in Moreton Bay are closely related to the elephant? That’s why they’re such good dancers, just like you and your friends and workmates. You can win $500 and other great prizes by dancing to Dugong Rock down by your own stream, beach, or in a public space. Read more…
09-May-2011
Submission to the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry
The basic premise put forward in this submission is that poor floodplain and environmental management over the past one hundred and fifty years has decreased the environmental resilience of catchments and contributed significantly to the velocity and poor quality of flood waters. Read more…
03-May-2011
Workshop helping horse owners to save time, money and the environment.
A sustainable horse property management system saves time and expense while at the same time is good for the environment. Read more…
March
25-Mar-2011
Workshops lead to productivity increases for beef sector
Rising production costs means grazing land managers in the beef industry are constantly looking for new ways to increase their productivity and profitability.
Read more…
21-Mar-2011
Creeks, Weeds and Cows – workshops for rural landholders.
Weed infestations, soil erosion and pasture degradation are costly problems for rural landholders whether they run commercial enterprises or simply want to enjoy the rural lifestyle.
Advice and information on how to reduce these problems and at the same time enhance the environmental values and productive capacity of their properties will be provided during the ‘Creeks, Weeds and Cows’ workshops to be held at The Centre, Brisbane Street, Beaudesert on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd April. Read more…
02-Mar-2011
Assessment teams hard at work in flood affected SEQ.
A steady stream of landholders is taking advantage of help being offered by SEQ Catchments to assess flood damage landholdings. The assessment teams in the Lockyer, Bremer, Logan and Mid and Upper Brisbane rivers are assisting landholders with erosion and land management problems in the flood affected areas. Read more…
February
01-Feb-2012
Protecting Swamp Tea-tree Forest: a wetland unique to SEQ
World Wetlands Day is celebrated around the globe every February to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands with many of us still unaware of what we can do in our own backyards to help. Read more…
18-Feb-2011
Recovering SEQ calls on Canberra for surge of flood funds
The flow of flood recovery discussion in federal parliament has been steady since it resumed in early February, but a flow of funding has been less than forthcoming for devastated South-East Queensland. Read more…
07-Feb-2011
SEQ Catchments mobilises to help landowners
SEQ Catchments has mobilised assessment teams to assist landholders with erosion and land management problems in the flood affected areas of South East Queensland. The teams will be able to provide advice and assistance to landholders whose properties experienced severe erosion during the floods. Read more…
01-Feb-2011
Creeks, Weeds and Cows – a program you can’t miss.
The heavy rain and flooding across the district has led to increased infestations of problem weeds and the erosion of valuable soil from paddocks and streambanks.
Scenic Rim landholders can obtain information and advice on how to mitigate these and other land management issues during the ‘Creeks, Weeds and Cows’ event to be held at the Boonah Cultural Centre from Thursday 17th to Saturday 19th February.
Read more…
January
24-Jan-2011
SEQ Rural Futures Strategy – an update
SEQ Catchment’s Planning and Investment Advisory Committee recently debated the importance of the South East Queensland Rural Futures Strategy as a way of coordinating action to achieve a sustainable rural economy in SEQ. The RFS contains actions that support the achievement of the SEQ NRM Plan. Read more…
24-Jan-2011
SEQC and partners receive a Merit Award for Planning Excellence
SEQC and partners received a Merit Award at the recent Planning Institute of Australia Awards for the development of Implementing SEQ Regional NRM Plan Targets through Planning Schemes: A Decision Support Tool For South East Queensland Local Government Planners. Read more…
24-Jan-2011
SEQC receives accolades for a rapid landscape assessment of the Flagstone Urban Development Area
SEQC continues to play an active role in the incorporation of the SEQ NRM Plan targets in the development scheme for Flagstone, a new suburb being developed from the ground up in the Logan local government area. Read more…
24-Jan-2011
Springbrook Landcare’s “Towards Sustainability” program
Following the highly successful introduction of Springbrook Landcare’s Towards Sustainability program, it has now been extended into Phase 2. Read more…
24-Jan-2011
Working towards planning that supports NRM outcomes
A unique and not to be missed opportunity exists over the next five years for the community to support and influence planning in SEQ to achieve proactive natural resource management at a scale not possible through repair activities alone. Read more…
17-Jan-2011
SEQ Catchments to assist with flood clean-up
SEQ Catchments will provide its 45 plus staff with two weeks paid leave to assist with clean-up operations across flood affected South East Queensland. Read more…
10-Jan-2011
SEQ Catchments announces new Chairman, COO
Mr Robert Smith has been appointed to the role of Chairman of SEQ Catchments Ltd following the retirement of long-serving Chairman Gordon French in December 2010. Read more…