Regional Landcare Facilitator
SEQ Catchments has received funding from the Australian Government for the Regional Landcare Facilitator (RLF) position for South East Queensland for a period of three years (2010-13).
As Regional Landcare Facilitator, Apanie Wood supports community, Landcare and production groups to adopt sustainable farm and land management practices and to protect the South East Queensland landscape.
Promotion of opportunities for groups to access funds, and information resources to facilitate the adoption of sustainable land management are delivered to groups and communities by Apanie. Updates on the latest news and events on the challenges of food security, climate change and the protection of biodiversity are also provided by this role.
Current funding opportunities
Carbon Farming Futures - Action on the Ground grants
Action on the Ground is a component of the Australian Government's Carbon Farming Futures and will invest up to $99 million of grant funding over six years to assist individuals and groups of landholders and research, industry and farming organisations across Australia to demonstrate on-farm ways of reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and/or increasing or maintaining carbon stored in soil. Guidelines for the grant program are out now, and the online application process will be available from January 11, 2012. Funding proposals are due February 8th, 2012. More information.
Caring for our Country Open call funding open
The Open call funding for projects under the Australian Government's Caring for our Country are currently open. Proposals for projects of more than $20,000 and up to $500,000 which work towards the targets of the 2011-12 Caring for our Country Business Plan are sought. Investment priorities include Sustainable Agriculture, Coastal Environments and Critical Aquatic Habitats, Community Engagement and Biodiversity and natural icons. The Open Call application period closes Feb 9th, 2012 More Information
The Biodiversity Fund 2011-12 application round open
The Biodiversity Fund will invest $946 million over the next 6 years to help land managers undertake activities which enhance, protect and restore biodiversity on public and private land. The fund will support the establishment of new forest carbon stores or better management of existing forest carbon stores into the future. Applications close January 31st, 2012. More information.
Coles Junior Landcare Grants available
Since 2008 Coles has been providing School Garden Grants of up to $1,000 to schools and youth groups to help create gardens in their grounds or community, such as bush tucker gardens, water wise gardens or veggie gardens. These programs encourage students to learn about the environment through “outdoor learning” and interaction in developing their own school gardens. Funding rounds close Friday Feb 17, Friday May 4, and Friday July 27. More information.
Gambling Community Benefit Fund
The Gambling Community Benefit Fund provides one-off grants of up to $35,000 to approved not-for-profit organisations to help them provide services or activities that benefit the community. There are four annaul funding rounds, closing 28th February, 31st May, 31st August and 30th November each year. More information.
Jupiters Casino Community Benefit Fund
Jupiters Casino Community Benefit Fund provides one-off grants of up to $150,000 to approved not for profit organisations to provide services or activities that benefit the community. The fund has four annual funding rounds closing 28th February, 31st May, 31st August and 30th November. More information.
Information resources
Property Management Planning factsheet (1141 KB)
Latest news
Carbon Farming Initiative update
The Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) is the Australian Government scheme designed to help farmers, forest growers and landholders earn income from reducing greenhouse gas emissions. On-farm projects that reduce carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide or methane emissions through changed management practices can qualify for carbon credits under the scheme. Visit the Australian Governments website for more information here. Legislation to underpin the CFI has now been passed through parliament, and the scheme will be up and running from December. Landholders participation in the Carbon Farming Initiative is entirely voluntary. Landcare Facilitators will play a key role in providing information to farmers and landholders regarding how they may be able to benefit from the CFI. Apanie, SEQ’s Regional Landcare Facilitator, will be providing information to landholders and SEQ Catchments staff to help them to understand the opportunities offered to farmers under the CFI. This will include providing information sessions for landholders over the coming year. If you have any questions regarding the CFI, or would like to express your interest in attending an information session about the scheme, contact Apanie. Further information about the Carbon Farming Initiative can be found here.
Carbon Farming in Rural Queensland
The Queensland Government released an excellent document titled “Carbon Farming in Rural Queensland” at the end of last year. The paper provides a good run down of the Australian Government program and the potential avenues available for Queensland farmers to adopt Carbon Farming practices over the coming years. The full report can be downloaded here. Or you can ring 07 3227 8311 to request hard copies.
Short term effects of the carbon pricing scheme on agricultural industries
ABARES recently released a report titled “Possible short-run effects of a carbon pricing scheme on Australian agriculture”. The report is not focussed on the Carbon Farming Initiative, but on the broader implications to agricultural industries resulting from the introduction of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) in July this year. Despite agricultural emissions not facing a carbon price penalty, in the short term ABARES predicts impacts to various agricultural industries as a result of increased farm input costs (primarily fuel and freight) or costs passed on to farmers from processors. The full report can be downloaded here.
Newly published data on Drivers of practice change in land management in Australian agriculture available
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) recently released preliminary findings of a national survey of farm managers in 2010-11. Results indicate that the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices differs between industries, with the adoption of minimum till practices in cropping management having the highest reported rate of adoption, 59%. The full report can be found here.
Global food security paper published
Global food security: facts, issues and implications is a recent publication by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), providing information on global and Australian food security prospects. With global population growth combined with rising incomes, demand for food will continue to increase. But while many developing countries have growing middle-classes with changing diets, there remains a significant core of food deficit countries with, in many cases, populations that continue to expand. The paper discusses various challenges facing Australia in the food security context, including the availability of resources for food production, climate change, and productivity in agriculture. The full report is available here
Long-awaited weed management book out at last
The third edition of Weeds of Southern Queensland was launched by the Honourable Mike Horan at Picnic Point, Toowoomba on 1 June. Weed Society of Queensland President Rachel McFadyen said the publication had pictures and identifying information for 132 common weeds of southern Queensland, with information on their management including the herbicides registered for use. “This update contains information on more weeds, and caters for a wider audience including farmers, contractors, service providers and peri-urban dwellers,” Dr McFadyen said. Copies are available from SEQ Catchments. Email awood@seqcatchments.com.au or phone 0457 106252 to request a copy.
Koala Nature Refuges Program
The Queensland Government is looking to partner with landholders to revegetate and manage koala habitat on their properties. Landholders interested in managing all or part of their property for koala conservation can apply to establish a Koala Nature Refuge. The Koala Nature Refuge must cover at least two hectares of the property and contain at least one hectare of land available for rehabilitation with koala habitat trees. Funding can be applied for to revegetate the cleared or degraded land nominated as well as other activities that will improve koala habitat such as fencing and weed control. More Information
Myrtle rust in Queensland
Myrtle rust is a serious fungal disease caused by Uredo rangelii that affects plants in the Myrtaceae family. Myrtle rust has recently been found in a small number of production and retail nurseries in South East Queensland. If you suspect myrtle rust on your property, notify Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. More Information
Upcoming events
| Date | Title | Location | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11th Feb |
ACDC Chemical Accreditation course |
Beechmont | More information. |
Contact details
Apanie Wood
Regional Landcare Facilitator
PO Box 13204, George Street Q 4003
Tel: 07 32114404
Mob: 0457 106252
E: awood@seqcatchments.com.au