The program will be managed by the Burnett Mary Regional Group  (BMRG) and will rehabilitate foreshore and tidal wetlands, address fish biopassage issues, organise marine debris clean-ups and conduct innovative community awareness campaigns to reduce threats to coastal and marine species such as dugongs and turtles.

This initiative will be rolled out in partnership with the Department of Environment and Resource Management, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Gympie and Fraser Coast Regional Councils, Oceanwatch Australia, WetlandCare Australia and local community groups.

BMRG’s new Coastal and Critical Aquatic Habitats Coordinator, Mary-Alice Swan, said the project recognises the values of the Great Sandy Strait Ramsar Wetland which also includes the patterned fens system in the Cooloola area.

“Aside from Fraser Island, these unusual wetlands are the only sub-tropical patterned fens and the only fens flowing into tidal wetlands in the world,” Ms Swan said.

“They have distinctive faunal inhabitants such as fish, crayfish and earthworms that aren’t normally found in such acid environments.”

 “As part of this program, we will be working with researchers and land managers to identify recommendations to improve fire management of these incredible fens systems.

“The coastal and critical aquatic habitats in the Wide Bay area are really unique and have to be looked after.”

 

The Wide Bay Burnett region is set to benefit from a newly announced resource recovery package for disaster-affected areas.

 

Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) is set to receive $100,000 from the $8 million Australian Government package.

 

Danny Green, General Manager of BMRG, said the funds will be used to undertake recovery works in the local region.

 

"We'll be using this money to do things like riparian work, riverbank stabilisation and weed control," Mr Green said.

 

"A total of $4.9 million from the package is going to regional natural resource management organisations in disaster-affected areas."

 

"As the peak coordinating body for natural resource management in the Burnett Mary area, we're uniquely positioned to get this money out the door and on the ground."

 

Further details on how the money will be used in the Burnett Mary region will be announced in the near future.

 

Keep an eye on www.bmrg.org.au for more details.

Kepnock State High School won the major prize at the Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) School Environmental Awards held last Friday night.

 

The school was crowned the Burnett Mary Sustainable School and netted $1,000 for their efforts in water reduction.

 

Kepnock State High School Principal Jenny Maier said the prize would go towards future environmental projects at the school.

 

"We now plan to extend our environmental awareness message into the wider school community through a new Visual Arts Department outdoor teaching space," she said.

 

Ms Maier said she was proud of the projects that were nominated which saw bore water usage reduced by an impressive 65%.

 

"We are very conscious of educating students about sustainable farming methods including water conservation using clever irrigation practices."

 

Kepnock State High School was not the only school to be presented with an award, eight other schools came away form the awards with $500 each for future projects.

 

Cam Mackenzie, acting principal of Stanley River Environmental Education Centre and guest speaker at the awards night, said it was important to recognise the environmental work schools are doing.

 

"Schools are putting in the hard yards, getting some real action going and teaching students the importance of looking after the environment," Mr Mackenzie said.

 

"These projects are engaging, practical lessons that students can really get into."

 

Alan Jamieson, acting CEO of BMRG, said it was important to recognise the environmental efforts of schools in the region.

 

"We have to acknowledge our region's schools and teachers and the work they have done in environmental educations, their students are tomorrow's future leaders in sustainability," he said.

 

The School Environmental Awards are supported by Burnett Mary Regional Group through the Australian Government's Caring for our Country.

 

 

Gympie Special School

Kingaroy State High School

 

 

Bundaberg West State School

James Nash State High School

 

 

Linville State School

 

 

Tingoora State School

Murgon State High School

 

 

Torbanlea State School

 

 

Kepnock State High School

Fitzroy Basin Association are holding a field day on biodynamics, soil carbon, long rest pastures and spotted gum forests.

 

Learn more about:

 

• Biodynamic trials on broad-acre grazing including soil and plant results
• Soil carbon 2 year trial results within CQ and Southern Queensland
• Managing Spotted Gum Forests: dynamics of tree and grass relationships
• Long rest pasture trial: changes to plant composition and species varieties
• Tree pea rmanagement: resultant changes in pasture performance.
• Local efforts to support landholders to undertake educational activities

When:  9 am to 4 pm

           Saturday 2nd April

 

Where: "Mounefontein", Chahpingah

 

For more information contact Scott Stevens on 0458 922 385 or by email at scott_farmingandbeyond@bigpond.com

 

 

Clearing native vegetation is not something an environmental organsation usually condones, but in this case it was for a good cause.

 

Shane Coulton, Burnett Mary Regional Group's (BMRG) Information Technology Officer, had clippers put to the overgrown brush atop his head as part of the Leukaemia Foundation's World's Greatest Shave.

 

Mr Coulton said his new look felt strange but it felt good to help out, raising over $500 for the charity.

 

"I'd been growing my hair for about a year and it feels so weird to have it all gone suddenly," he said.

 

"It's all for a good cause though and thanks to family, friends and colleagues I managed to raise a decent amount."

 

"It's going to take a bit of getting used to, my head feels so light now."

 

BMRG put on a barbecue in conjunction with the shave with support from Hot Oven Bread and Saywell's Quality Meats to encourage staff, friends and family to donate.

 

"It was really good to have BMRG help out like that and for the other businesses to chip in as well."

 

"I think the fact that they got lunch and a show may have helped a few more dollars make their way into the donation box."

 

 

The Bunya Mountains Elders Council (BMEC) has signed a commitment to protect and preserve the natural environment, wildlife and cultural integrity of the iconic Bunya Mountains.

 

Mal Collinge, Chair of the BMEC and Traditional Owner Director of Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG), said the Bunya Mountains Murri Rangers Program, BMEC and Bunya Mountains Aspirations and Caring for Country Plan were formall launched alongside the commitment.

 

"These projects are about achieving sustainable land management outcomes for the Bunya Mountains and strengthening our partnerships with all levels of government and other stakeholders," Mr Collinge said.

 

"It's with the Bunya Mountains Aspirations and Caring for Country plan that we will be able to protect the values and integrity of this iconic and rare landscape as well as its sustainable future economic value."

 

The Bunya Mountains Murri Rangers project will help implement the plan and ensure on-ground activity is carried out.

 

"Some of their recent projects include major track upgrades, weed management and trapping of feral pigs."

 

The Bunya Mountains have an important place in Indigenous culture.

 

"Large gatherings of many Traditional Owner groups took place at the Bunyas on an average of every three years when the Bunya Pines were most heavy with fruit."

 

"Traditional stories, artefact finds and historical writings of early colonists suggest that Traditional Owners travelled to these gatherings from as far away as South Australia and Victoria."

 

Mr Collinge said the gathering formed the basis of Aboriginal society and was only one of many throughout Australia.

 

"It was an opportunity for our people's respected elders to discuss law, share knowledge, showcase arts and crafts, trade, socialise, share song and dance and conduct ceremony that was integral to our communal structures."

 

The projects are supported by Burnett Mary Regional Group, Condamine Alliance, South East Queensland Catchments and the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.

 

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, with Burnett Mary Regional Group, will be holding a Reef Guardian Networking Meeting in Bundaberg.

 

 

The session will focus on water and wetlands by providing participants with the following:

 

To get the most out of the session, be sure to bring along:

 

 

School Environmental Awards

Has your school been working hard to look after the environment?

 

If you have a worm farm, recycle, are into conserving water and energy, have native plants in your school grounds or have adopted an area to look after, then you should nominate for Burnett Mary Regional Group's School Environmental Awards 2011.

 

Schools in the Burnett Mary Region are invited to nominate for the School Environmental Awards 2011 by completing a nomination form and submitting it to BMRG by the 11th March 2011.

 

The awards are divided into four categories: water. waste, energy and biodiversity.

 

Each category has a primary school and a high school division.

 

One school will be presented with the Burnett Mary Sustainable School major award.

 

Winning schools will share in $5,000 of prize money to assist with future projects within their school.

 

Download the nomination form here.

 

BMRG would like to thank the Glasshouse Country Schools Sustainability Awards for developing the award criteria and categories.

 

 

Biosphere needs community input

7 February 2011

The Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation (BIEDO) is offering assistance to people affected by the recent flooding.  BIEDO is offering the following support:

0. Help in filling in recovery and grant forms: BIEDO Grant Angels will be ready and available to help anyone (primary producer, business or community) to fill in any of the flood recovery forms or grants.  BIEDO are also offering this support service to adjacent regions and towns, including Biloela, Theodore, Cracow, Bundie, Fraser Coast, Mary Valley, Brisbane and Lockyer Valleys, Toowoomba and surrounding townships, Gin Gin, Tiaro, Gympie, Chinchilla, Dalby, Condamine and anywhere else that may have need of this kind of support.  If anyone is interested in accessing this kind of assistance, they can contact Belinda on 4169 7851 or biedoadmin@burnett.net.au.  
   
0. BIEDO website has a flood support page listing all support numbers, grants, and other assistanceand it is being updated all the time.  If you have any contact numbers, links or assistance ideas please let BIEDO know and we will also post these on the site.  Go to www.biedo.org and the link to the flood support page is the first item at the top of the home page in the Current News section.  Alternatively click straight through to www.biedo.org.au/article/37/floodsupport. 
   
   
0. Matching those who need help and those who want to offer help in the Inland and adjacent areas:  BIEDO will be hosting an informal How Can I Help Page for the Inland and adjacent rural areas.  The page will be posted by Friday.  In the meantime, people and communities can register their needs on this page by phoning Belinda on 4169 7851 or emailing biedoadmin@burnett.net.au.  Equally, people who want to help can contact Belinda to let her know the ways in which they can help.  Their offers will be listed on this page with their contact details.  Alternatively, people can go to this page to look at the things (services, support, items) that flood affected people need and know exactly how they can be of assistance.  People can offer things as simple as their time to help clean up, or a cooked meal to help a family who doesn’t have time (or the kitchen) to cook as they deal with the flood impact.   
   
   
0. Community-based information sessions on flood recovery funds and programmes:  Subject to confirmation from QRAA, BIEDO will co-ordinate information sessions for any communities or groups across the region to ensure business and property owners have access to all the information they need on flood recovery assistance.   Dates will be supplied on BIEDO's website and by newsletter, when QRAA has confirmed.  Any interested groups or locations should give BIEDO a call to register their interest on 4169 7851. (Belinda our Admin officer will register you).
   
   
0. One-on-one Information, Referral and Counselling:  The Rural Services Officer, Karen Seiler, hosted by BIEDO and Centrecare as part of the Beating the Blues programme, is available to all property owners and businesses in the South Burnett, Eidsvold and Biggenden / Coalstoun Lakes.  Karen Seiler can provide support information, referral to financial, legal or other services and counselling.  Karen will be focused on flood recovery for the foreseeable future.  BIEDO Sustainability Officer, Grace Gibson, will provide information and referral support to the remaining North Burnett towns and districts.  Grace will be mentored and managed by Karen to provide additional ‘manpower’ and service capacity in flood support across the region.   Karen Seiler’s contact details: Mobile – 0488 723 130   Email - biedorural@burnett.net.au.   Grace Gibson’s details: 4169 7851 or biedoeco@burnett.net.au.  
   
   
0. Information and Rejuvenation Days: Karen Seiler has co-ordinated Pamper Days as a form of drought-stress management for the last four years. Now, Karen has supplied dates for information, re-connection and de-stress days, with a flood support focus throughout the North and South Burnett.   Dates and locations are supplied on the BIEDO website – on the Flood Assistance page. Go to BIEDO home page (www.biedo.org.au) and click on the flood support link in the news stories at the top of the home page; or go straight to www.biedo.org.au/article/37/floodsupport.  For more information call Belinda on 41697851
   
   
0. Re-fencing:The Silver Lining Contractor Team (part of Murri Network) may be able to assist with re-fencing properties damaged by flood water, or other agricultural or forestry recovery work.  Please contact Andrea McGee on mobile 0400 723 970 or email: biedomurrinetwork@burnett.net.au or Danny Hoogstraten (Silver Lining) to explore what options may be available on Mobile:  0429 490 596 or email: danny.hoogstraten@silverlining.net.au.

 

Fencing Recovery

19 January 2011

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