Coastal Forum – beyond the fringe

Nearly forty participants joined a range of presenters at Burnett Mary Regional Group’s (BMRG) fourth Coastal Forum for community groups undertaking research, monitoring and on-ground work in the region’s coastal zone. The day long forum was held at Elliott Heads Community Hall on Saturday 19 April.

“It’s always exciting to meet with groups that are trying to achieve the same goals as you are,” said Sue Sargent, BMRG Coastal and Marine Coordinator, adding “but what makes the coastal forums really exciting is how high our region’s Coastcare groups have been able to push the bar.”

“Five years ago, groups were operating in isolation barely aware of each other’s projects. Now we have a cohesive network of individuals, groups and researchers collaborating in ways that we could never have imagined. It’s been a fantastic success.”

David Scheltinga, of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided the keynote address on the Burnett Mary’s State of the Estuarine Environment reporting which is leading the way nationally with estuarine assessment underway at 15 estuaries between Eurimbula Creek in the Deepwater National Park and Snapper Creek in Tin Can Bay. The project, a collaboration between the EPA and BMRG, is part of the National Indicators trial.

Participants heard from Bec Nichol of Oceanwatch Australia about the highly successful Tide 2 Table project – cleaning up, protecting and enhancing fish habitat in places like Splitters Creek, Norval Park and Pulgul Creek in Hervey Bay.

Fiona Hawthorn, President of Cooloola Coastcare talked about the Cooloola Mapping project where local volunteers have been mapping threatened vegetation communities for future seed collection as well as weed infestation and Pandanus trees that are infected with the planthopper, Jamella australiae, which the group have also been treating.

Dr Ashley Bunce, Central Queensland University described his work to develop a species recovery plan for the Green Sawfish which once may have been a frequent visitor to our shores. The fish, which is a modified ray can actually grow to over 7 metres and lives on muddy or sandy-mud soft bottom habitats in our coastal and estuarine waters.

Dr Tamara van Polanen Petel, also of Central Queensland University, spoke about the successful ‘Feathering the Future’ trial looking at techniques for community groups to raise awareness about shorebirds and protecting their habitat. Locals from Elliott Heads locals may remember the temporary signage and recent “Dog’s Breakfast” where local dog walkers were encouraged to keep their dogs on a lead with free information and leads given out on the morning.

Jim Buck from the Lady Musgrave Turtle Monitoring Program then put 20 years of field work and data collection in perspective. Jim provided his insight to just where our local turtles go once they leave Lady Musgrave Island and the role of the island in the bigger picture of turtle conservation.

Finally – the group went on a short field trip with Liz Tanner, Woongarra Coast Monitoring & Education Project to the local rocky foreshore off Elliott Heads.

For more information please contact Sue Sargent, Coastal and Marine Co-ordinator on (07) 4181 2999 or e-mail sue.sargent@bmrg.org.au.

Jenni Thomson (QPWS), Dr Ashley Bunce (CQU), Tamara van Polanen Petel (CQU), Dr Kevin Wormington (CQU), Teresa and Chris Wilkie (Tannum Boyne Coastcare)

Chris and Teresa Wilkie of Tannum Boyne Coastcare with Jim Buck (centre) of the Lady Musgrave Turtle Monitoring Project