May 2007 Issue No. 16 The CODLine

Incorporating NEWS of the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee

Dairying for sustainability Peter and Elke Watson Landholders, Conondale The Watson family bought their properties along the Mary River at Conondale in 1984. The land had been used for dairy production in the 1950s and 1960s and the dairy had been closed in the early 1970s when bulk milk was introduced. The property had been a busy and productive dairy in its time, growing lots of corn to feed the milking cows and pigs. However the property management had lost its direction by the time the property was purchased by Jeffrey Watson, with the help of his friend Harold Grigor. As was common practice in the era, the wide river flats (originally standing vine scrub) had been almost completely denuded of trees. Only a few large old blue gums remained, a symptom of continuous grazing regimes. The fertility inventory of the pastures was also limited; much of the Managing for sustainability is transforming the landscape for both business and wildlife farm was covered by ‘ oats’ at Peter and Elke Watson’s dairying property near Conondale. (blady grass), a species that flourishes in degraded pastures. stretch. This was in strong contrast great nesting sites for native birds. to the substantial losses suffered by Indian mynahs visit the property but are Over the next 23 years, a program of neighbouring farms and to losses that had exterminated as soon as they are noticed. pasture regeneration and tree planting occurred in earlier large floods. Being very intelligent birds, they move has been implemented. The place is now on to less dangerous places, leaving the a productive dairy again. A creek meandering through the property was fenced off in 1994. Trees planted farm for the native birds. The two kilometre stretch of Mary River along this riparian zone are now up to The natural swamps and shallow water frontage was fenced off in 1991. We 15 metres tall. Birds, snakes and other on the flats have been allowed to remain have enhanced the pioneer colonisation wildlife are protected in this area and do and are our next project. These areas by sheoaks by planting native trees in a indeed flourish. are already partly fenced, and we plan five to ten metre strip along the top of to plant them to native swamp trees and the bank. This vegetation has made the This zone now forms a two kilometre shrubs to increase the breeding grounds bank stable, even in very large floods. In corridor of trees from the road to the for the local wetlands birds. the record flood in 1999, only a minimal property boundary. amount of riverbank was lost – just a The old blue gums on the river flats strip 1.5 metres wide along a 10 metre are now in their dying years and are … Continued in Part 2 on Page 3

 The COD Line Northern Pipeline Interconnector sucks Obi Obi dry – and maybe Six Mile too! The lower reaches of Obi Obi Creek could species, particularly the Mary River cod, and climate change. It is quite possible be severely impacted in the near future by the Mary River turtle, the Australian that this would ensure the extinction of the construction of the northern pipeline lungfish and several threatened stream this species in the wild. Similar concerns interconnector which will divert ‘excess’ frog species. apply to other endangered species that water from Baroon Pocket Dam to supply The most severe risk is to the critically rely on continuous connected corridors the northern suburbs of Brisbane. endangered Mary River cod. The of suitable riparian and in-stream habitat So what’s wrong with that? It sounds importance of Obi Obi and Six Mile creeks for their survival. like a reasonable idea, if the water isn’t to the survival of the species is highlighted currently being used. Let’s investigate in the Mary Cod Recovery Plan prepared this further. by the State Government and registered Senate Inquiry th The major environmental impact of stage with the Federal Government Dept of 17 April 2007 saw a panel of Senators 1 of the pipeline proposal will be to allow Environment & Water. congregate at the DPI Conference Centre the level of water extraction from Baroon When the pipeline project was submitted in to hear from groups and Pocket Dam on Obi Obi Creek to go from to the Federal Government for its individuals that submitted comments on its current level of about 18 500 ML/ assessment there was no mention at all the proposed dam at . The room annum to its ‘full’ level of about 36 000 of likely impacts on these threatened was full to overflowing with media and ML/annum within about 18 months. species, and the assessor would have interested residents. The severe environmental implications had no idea from the documentation The Senate had received 187 submissions: of going to this level of extraction were submitted of the likely implications of 186 of these were against the proposal, well documented in the studies by the the project for the Mary River. and one was in favour of the dam (this scientific panel for theMary Basin Water In addition to the pipeline stage 1 and came from the State Government). Resource Plan. There is opportunity for stage 2, the proposed dam at Traveston Whilst it is true the Senate Inquiry cannot even further extraction from the Obi Crossing is also anticipated to have stop the dam, the Federal Government Obi Creek under the current Mary Basin significant environmental impacts on can stop the dam under Environment WRP. The impacts of this potentially the main trunk of the Mary River, and legislation. severe extraction scenario from the Obi to reduce the freshwater flows past the Obi Creek have not been assessed in any existing Mary River Barrage into Hervey studies available to the public. Bay. It is imperative that the cumulative Traveston Dam As part of a community-minded interest impacts of the operation of all these in preserving stream health, in line water infrastructure projects be taken proposal updates with the Obi Obi Creek rehabilitation into account in the Environmental Impact Studies for each project. scheme, downstream irrigators have Dam Proponents been historically conservative in using If the flow implications of the operation the water allocated to them, using only of stage 1 of the pipeline has severe Queensland Water about 700 ML/year of the 2000 ML/year habitat impacts on Obi Obi Creek and Infrastructure Pty Ltd allocated to them from flows in the creek. the operation of stage 2 has severe habitat Website: www.qldwi.com.au They are obviously concerned their impacts on Six Mile Creek, then this Phone: 1800 225 384 efforts at maintaining the ecosystems in leaves only one remaining large area of Email: [email protected] Obi Obi Creek will come to nought if suitable habitat identified in the Mary their unused allocation is extracted from River Cod Recovery Plan – in Tinana Dam Opponents the Obi Obi system via the pipeline. Creek, isolated from the remaining population in the main trunk of the Save the Mary River Stage 1 of the pipeline will result in Coordinating Group almost doubling the extraction of water river by the Mary River Barrage and the from Obi Obi Creek, with major impacts estuarine area of the Mary River near Website: www.savethemaryriver.com on the flow regime, riparian and in-stream Maryborough. Email: savethemaryriver@ habitats of that stream. Stage 2 will allow If the Traveston Crossing proposal gmail.com additional extraction from Six Mile Creek proceeds, then this would remove most Save the Mary Support Centre (at Lake Macdonald) and from the Mary of the remaining existing breeding habitat River at Coles Crossing. in the main trunk of the river as well, in Main St, Kandanga All of these areas are significant habitat addition to providing a major barrier to for a number of important EPBC listed migration in response to flow alterations

 The COD Line Healthy soils = Healthy profits Brad Wedlock A healthy soil is all about having the indicate a healthy soil are organic matter Projects Manager correct balance and interaction between content, water holding capacity, water Mary River Catchment Coordinating the physical, chemical and biological infiltration rate, electrical conductivity Committee components. (salt content) and pH. The soil health kit Professor Peter Grace from QUT said can measure these characteristics. The Graziers need it, dairy farmers need it, that the ‘key to soil health and sustainable kit is intended for use by graziers in the small croppers need it, cane-growers need profits is carbon, and this has become Gympie district. it, and the catchment needs it. It is no more important with recent political The soil score card was customised secret, but it is rarely thought about – until announcements concerning carbon by DPI&F and the MRCCC for use by now! What are we talking about? trading. Increasing soil carbon levels have graziers in south-east Queensland. The Healthy soils – and they are making a direct bearing on higher profit levels. soil health score card rates the condition a welcome return to centre stage. A Carbon is about 60% of the soil organic of a variety of factors which impact profitable and sustainable farming or matter which made up of decomposing on soil health, and provides an overall grazing enterprise relies upon healthy plant and biological material, as well as score of the health of the soil in your soils. still-living soil organisms. Basically the paddock. The soil score card takes about In January a pilot soil health program soil organic content is what gives the soil 15 minutes to complete. was commenced in the its structure. Poor structure results in poor During the field-day it was pointed out to district as part of the National Landcare pasture growth’. participants that many commercial soil Program funded project called ‘Western Once the soil health participants had tests show a low soil nitrogen level. It is Mary Catchments Grazing Landscapes attended the introductory night, a field- important to realise that in any pasture Project’. This pilot program shows day was organised which allowed the soil nitrogen will be low and that very property owners how to measure the participants to delve deeper into soil often an application of fertiliser wastes health of their soils using a ‘soil health health through the demonstration of money and releases greenhouse gases. kit’ and ‘soil health score card’. the use of the ‘soil health kit’ and the After the field day, two soil health groups The program commenced with an ‘soil score card’. The kit was developed were formed each consisting of eight introductory night, attended by 30 by QUT as part of an Australia-wide members. The soil health kit will rotate graziers, jointly run by Queensland ‘Healthy Soils, Healthy Farms’ Federal between these graziers, who will test the University of Technology, MRCCC, Government program. health of their soils on their properties. DPI&F and the Gympie District Beef But the single most important way to For more information about the Western Liaison Group. During this introductory test soil health is to dig a hole and Mary Catchments Grazing Landscapes session the participants were introduced observe root growth, feel and smell Project, contact Brad Wedlock at MRCCC to some basic soil health concepts. the soil. Characteristics which help to on 5482 4766.

Dairying for sustainability (Part 2) Peter B Watson plant winter feed. This technology greatly on the red side of the ledger. Stewardship Dairy Farmer, Conondale reduces tillage costs. Erosion risk is also by present day land use managers can be greatly reduced, as the soil is no longer both subtle and profitable. ‘Sustainable land use management’ does exposed at the end of summer and autumn not seem to be said in the same breath as when erosive rainfall events can occur. ‘exploiting a land use system’. The days Sophisticated electronics mean water Dairying when land use managers would blatantly use can be optimised. No longer are pillage the land to do what they liked are water tables overfilled by irrigating, Better & Better almost behind us… flushing nutrients from the pasture into Financial incentives available for Highly visible land use systems like the the watercourse. Now soil water holding NRM initiatives dairy industry employs subtle techniques capacity can be monitored electronically Contact BMRG Regional Liaison Officers to try to maintain a constant supply of to optimise plant growth. fresh green feed for milking cows. at These subtle ‘best management’ practices MRCCC Gone are the days of complete pasture available to today’s dairy managers allow ploughing and re-sowing and their for sustainable land use systems. These Brad Wedlock & Deb Seal subsequent soil losses in heavy rain. The systems show that best management 5482 4766 subtropical dairy industry uses perennial practice is environmentally sustainable. Barung Landcare species that regenerate in the spring after Environmentally sustainable activities winter feeds have senesced. Winter feeds show that management can operate on the John Muir are direct-drilled into the soil, avoiding black side of the ledger while pillaging of 5494 3151 or 0429 943 153 the need to completely plough pasture to the environment for short term gain shows

 The COD Line The journey back to Nature Ben Risby-Jones put my hand up and said I was interested. My planting formula is like this: Landholder, Cedar Creek To my shock, there were only two other • 70% pioneer trees that will live for landholders who were also interested. only 5 to 20 years Back in 1999, my wife and I moved to our Since then we’ve received a steady stream • 15 % secondary phase tree species that beautiful property here on the Sunshine of support from local, state and federal may last for 50 to 60 years Coast, full of great ideas, high ideals, government for ongoing environmental • 10% tertiary phase tree species that fuelled with a healthy dose of naivety. works on this property. Many experts could last 100 to 120+ years When I say naivety, I didn’t even know have come to identify animal species • 5% climax phase tree species that the five to six acres of lantana we had and tree species throughout the property, could last for more than 150 years. was a ‘problem’. Our property is 127 and to advise on best practices for I plant at about 1-metre spacings and pay acres at the end of a no-through road revegetation works. surrounded on three sides by Mapleton particular attention to the spacing of the Initially, I was planting the trees by Forest Reserve – now National Park. tertiary and climax phase species. myself; putting in a few hundred felt There is about five acres of cleared grassy In our more mature plantings where the like a big achievement! Now, six years valley flats with the rest forested, some lantana has completely gone, the vines down the track, the project has gained with pristine Eucalypt open bushland need to be removed gently. I’ve try to momentum. We have put in around (the ridge tops) and some with good avoid approaching this as a battle – I see 12 000 trees, mostly on very steep slopes quality (some remnant, some regrowth) it more as changing the direction of the previously covered by thick lantana, rainforest. Between these two there was environment. with another 2000 going in this season. a great swath of lantana. Some of the first plantings are nearly Everything you do has impact: I liked the feeling that people hadn’t maintenance free and I am happy to say introducing an animal, removing an tamed this property. When we arrived, the end is nearly in sight. animal, introducing a species, removing a colony of micro-bats was living in the a species, introducing genetic material My main motivation is to recreate, as house (there were no flyscreens) along (where are your tree seedlings coming best as possible, the whole ecosystem, with, it seemed, everything else that from?), removing genetic material undoing the damage of the past, and allow crawls, flies, slides, climbs and bites. (clearing a remnant). It takes a very long the restructuring of a delicate balanced There was no electricity, and nobody time to be able to observe and understand network of flora and fauna to occupy the within hearing or sight. There was little the long-term implications of actions space it once did. It is one of my life- to give us the illusion of being separated such as these. long goals to extend the remnant that from nature. I loved it. It challenged my exists next door in the National Park all So instead of going to war with weeds, I comfort zone. the way to our front gate, and then to think in terms of shifting the direction in I began my country living education. I preserve this as best as possible with a which our environment is moving. My didn’t have a mower, so the neighbour perpetually binding covenant as a gift to property was moving steadily towards a was kind enough to let her horses in to future generations. monoculture of lantana; now it is moving keep down the grass. They had full range towards an incredibly intricate network As far as strategies go, I always go for over the place, including through the of diversification. This is the influence minimal impact and, if I can, I always turn creek. I had a sense that big hard-hoofed I have chosen to support. My intention a negative into a positive! For lantana, I animals in the creek wasn’t a good idea, is that this diverse network will be self- crush it down in winter to ground level but I didn’t know why. supportive in the years to come. using a brush hook and as many people Then in early 2000 fate took a hand. as I can find. Then, after it has regrown Identifying endangered species on our An unimposing advertisement for a in spring (to about 1-2 feet), I spray it property has opened many doors to workshop on healthy creeks appeared in with 1/100 glycophosphate (without environmentally supportive funding, as the Mary Valley Voice. Main Roads had surfactant). This creates a beautiful have the remnant rainforest and also the put a new bridge over one of the Belli blanket mulch to plant into. I have creek. Creek crossings and as a part of this they achieved great results with this process. The most valuable thing I have learnt had done an environmental impact study. Through the lantana mulch, the light and is this: if you want to revegetate your They had found two endangered frogs, warmth of the sun gets in to activate the property and you don’t know how or the cascade tree frog and the giant barred- seed bank in the soil. where to start – ASK an expert or frog. When they put in the new bridge We have a great seed source all around someone who has done it before. My they damaged these frogs’ habitat, and us so we plant predominantly pioneers: experience is that there is an enormous to make amends they were putting funds the secondary, tertiary and climax phase amount of support available, be it for towards rehabilitating habitat for these plants will come naturally from the funding, labour, trees, information, frogs elsewhere. Through the workshop, wonderful seed bank all around our whatever. It is all out there waiting for QPWS was looking for landholders who property. I like to plant (as opposed you to access it. were interested in rehabilitating the frogs’ to only waiting for volunteers/natural I also think it is critical to look at things habitat on their property. regrowth) to get a canopy up as quickly as with a long term vision, to see the impact I didn’t know much about how to possible. This reduces maintenance and that the choices you make today will have revegetate, or even where to start. So I reinfestation by weed species. on the environment in years to come.  The COD Line Dam those frogs! Eva Ford vine, Pararistolochia Catchment Officer, Mary River praevenosa, mainly Catchment Coordinating C’mtee along waterways and moist gullies. On balmy nights in spring and summer D i s c o v e r i n g a n y I, in the company of similarly strange of these species on volunteers, saunter through uncharted a patch of land can territory, along steep creekbanks covered initiate extension to in vineforest and treacherous obstacles, in land managers about search of a giant barred frog Mixophyes possible on-ground iteratus (Endangered under the EPBC Act works or protection 1999), sitting stoically with golden eyes arrangements. These a-staring, or a chocolate brown female species can swing the Good stream-frog habitat [Eva Ford] Stony Creek frog Litoria wilcoxii. funding punches and help decision- As Catchment Officer with the Mary River makers make wiser decisions! This year we also noticed the lack of insects – flying insects were noticeable Catchment Coordinating Committee This past frogging season has seen us by their almost complete absence. So (MRCCC), my work centres around venture into new territory within Cooloola what have the smiling ones been eating, research, protection and rehabilitation of Shire, between Kenilworth and Gympie. I wonder? Little to eat, little opportunity threatened species and their associated The driving force was the startling for breeding – not a good scenario. How habitat on private, council and road announcement, in May 2006, that the many harsh years can these species reserve land within the Mary River Mary River valley would be flooded by endure? catchment and coastal drainages. a dam constructed at Traveston, upstream We have concentrated on waterway- of Gympie. However our surveys did extend the known range of these threatened frogs. dependant flagship species, such as the Along with contractors collecting Surprisingly, giant barred frogs and Mary River cod and Mary River turtle, information for the dam’s Environmental cascade tree frogs were found at the Australian lungfish, giant barred frog, Impact Statement, we selected some confluences of some creeks with the Mary cascade treefrog and tusked frog. More critical areas to survey for frogs. recently, the vulnerable Richmond River and even along the main trunk of Unfortunately this frog-breeding season Birdwing Butterfly has joined the ranks the river, at altitudes much lower than has been one of the driest on record and as its recovery is intrinsically linked to the these species’ usual ranges. we have witnessed the creeks at their protection and re-establishment of its host Riparian vegetation is patchy along the lowest summer levels in the memory of Mary River and in many places the stable local landholders. bank structures necessary for breeding Typically by January/February the have been lost or are tenuous. creeks have good flows and amphibious What is of concern is that a large water breeding is well underway, but this year body with no riparian shelter or bank many normally permanent Mary River structure between tributaries is a sure fire tributaries were dried to isolated pools. way to stop the flow of genetic material We didn’t hear a single great barred frog upstream and downstream for many or cascade tree frog sending out its mating stream-dependant species. Such is the call, unless enticed by evening intruders scenario that will result if the Traveston Giant barred frog (juvenile) [Eva Ford] with CD players. Dam goes ahead as planned.

On the wings of a Birdwing by Eva Ford Recent drought has seen the possible The caterpillar relies on only one vine Property owners can assist by planting demise of a Richmond birdwing butterfly species, Pararistolochia praevenosa, more vines and reporting known vine colony at Kin Kin, one of the few which grows in association with lowland locations and butterfly sightings. remaining colonies of this species. A rainforests of the coastal plains. For information about vine identification, few decades ago the striking emerald The Mary River Catchment Coordinating to submit vine and butterfly sightings or green and black patterns of the Richmond Committee and the Richmond Birdwing to plant vines, contact Eva Ford at the birdwing butterfly could be seen in large Butterfly Network – with assistance from Mary River Catchment Coordinating flocks along the coast from River Heads Maroochy, Noosa and Cooloola Shire Committee on 5482 4766 or mrccc@ near Hervey Bay to Grafton in NSW. The councils – are working to collect records ozwide.net.au. The Richmond Birdwing current distribution is just one third of of vines and butterflies and to distribute Butterfly Network can be contacted at the previous range. Today the butterfly is vines for planting to interested property [email protected] only seen south of Cooroy/Kenilworth. owners in some shires.

 The COD Line Only her memories Cod Contacts ... Beverly Hand Barung Landcare Group Aboriginal Indigenous Coordinator Office & Resource Centre Burnett Mary Regional Group 17 Bicentenary La, Maleny 5494 3151 Often when I read history I feel separate [email protected] from it. It is just dates and facts that Barung Nursery we rattle off. Information in the back 5494 3151 of our minds. In traditional Indigenous [email protected] times, memories were more active and Barung Contracting Services history was handed down by oral means. 0429 943 156 Information regarding creation, laws, [email protected] beliefs, genealogies, ecosystems, natural resource management, customs and Lake Baroon Catchment protocols were delivered and maintained Care Group by oral means. This aspect of Indigenous Office & Resource Centre society endures until today … 19 Coral Street, Maleny Now, in the glorious tradition of my 5494 3775 ancestors, I want to tell you all a story as [email protected] Penny Bond (nee Embrey), Beverly I understand it to be. There may be some Maroochy Landcare Group readers who know this type of history as Hand’s mother. 5447 0135 my mother told it to me. on it because Grandfather did so much [email protected] ‘When I was a young girl, about seven work for them and they were friends Noosa & District Landcare or eight, I lived with my Uncle Kenny, with Grandfather anyway. He could go Aunty Lucy, and their children for a anywhere, but some of us couldn’t. Group while. First, we worked at Kenilworth for ‘One time Grandfather and Uncle Kenny Office & Resource Centre Mr Peters. I don’t remember much there had to go somewhere special near Station Street, Pomona except it was really beautiful. Glastonbury. When they came back they 5485 2468 ‘Then we went to Glastonbury where took us all to a place past Manumbar. [email protected] Uncle Kenny and Aunty Lucy worked When we got there Grandfather told us Riparian Nursery for Mr and Mrs McCarthy. I remember children to wait at the top of this big gorge 0429 950 416 us kids were allowed to go to school with while him and Uncle Kenny went down Farm Forestry Nursery all the other kids. And that was fun. It was to take the old man turtle there further 0427 567 930 the war in those days and we used to do down the stream so we could swim and Conservation Services drills. When the siren went, all the girls not disturb him. Grandfather said this was 5485 2468 or 0429 950 416 and little children would run to this sort the old turtle’s home and we could use it [email protected] of ditch that was made behind the school. for a little while but to look after his home Farm Forestry Program And all the big boys and teachers would while we were there.’ 5485 2313 or 0407 167 739 [email protected] go and pretend to put holes in the tank Today my mother lives in Cherbourg and burn the school. But the best thing Aboriginal Community, spending most Lake Macdonald Catchment I remember was when Mrs McCarthy of her time in the Cherbourg Hospital. Care Group would send her son John down after She suffers from many ailments that keep c/- 5482 4766 school sometimes with cakes or biscuits her moving from the Respite Centre to [email protected] for all us children to share for afternoon Hospital. She no longer seems to have tea. They were nice people them. her memories set in place like she used Gympie & District Landcare ‘Uncle Kenny and Grandfather helped to, though she does still have them. Group them get good timber out of that country As for that turtle, one year I visited that Office & Resource Centre so they could have good land for their same waterhole with an anthropologist. 5 Groves Rd, Gympie children … They reckon the timber they As we walked down the track to the gorge, 5483 8866 took out of that country was really good lo and behold, there was an old turtle [email protected] hardwood, tall and straight … And a lot basking in the sun on a rock in the middle Gympie Landcare Nursery of the timber went to make the many piers of the waterhole. As we approached, the 0704 821 100 along Queensland’s coast. They tell me turtle slid off the rock and into the water, ekotek Environmental Consultancy & that much of it is still standing. never to be seen again. Contract Services 5483 8866 ‘When we were small we used to take This is only a story that I am telling you, [email protected] that road right through to Kilkivan. I as I understand it to be. There are no dates wonder if you can today? … Back in or facts that are freely rattled off. Only ... Continued on Page 7 those days I think that it was on Mr her memories. McCarthy’s property but we were allowed

 The COD Line Storm means broodstook needed Vince Collis Noosa District Community Hatchery Association

We are still going after the storm in December. Everything was going fine until a couple of trees decided to get into the building out of the wind, well, that upset things a bit. The exotic pines along the lakeside landed in the ponds, and the resin from these caused so much pollution that it killed the broodstock that were in the ponds at the time. We also lost about 10 000 fingerlings because power was lost and then we couldn’t get into the hatchery for twenty- four hours after the storm. The rearing tanks made it in, but no room for the trailer (foreground & right). You could say fair bit of work was done to storm to clear the road so that we could we have just two fish as broodstock. get the hatchery up and running again. get home from the hatchery after yet more We are hoping to have a successful Thanks to Geoff Black and his crew and a trees fell down. Thanks to everyone who breeding season this year. helped. lot of other Council people who helped us If you can help out the Hatchery by – your help is very much appreciated. We have finished rebuilding the hatchery sourcing Mary River cod broodstock, Thanks also to the Council people who and are now chasing broodstock which please contact Vince Collis on 5485 2334 had to come out at night weeks after the we desperately need now! At the moment or [email protected]

Cod Contacts ... Fish survival school ... Continued from Page 7 Dr Michael Hutchison Our studies and other research indicate Mary River Catchment Senior Fisheries Biologist, DPI&F that if hatchery-reared fish escape predation in the first 24 hours, their Coordinating Group Teaching survival skills to threatened survival rates go up tremendously. We are Resource and Information Centre species of fish is a new and unusual project looking to reduce hatchery domestication 37 Nash St, Gympie being undertaken by the Department of effects by training threatened species 5482 4766 Primary Industries and Fisheries at the such as Murray cod, silver perch and the [email protected] Southern Fisheries Centre, Deception eel-tailed catfish to recognise predators Tiaro Landcare Group Bay. and to react to them. The training of larger 4129 6206 The $400 000 study, funded by the fish will also teach them how to recognise [email protected] Murray-Darling Basin Commission’s wild and live foods. Native Fish Strategy, is looking to We will be looking to develop a series of Lower Mary Riparian develop techniques to boost the chances techniques where we can successfully train Landholders Group of survival of threatened species when pond-reared juvenile fish to seek shelter 4129 2773 or 0417 722 184 they are released into the wild. to hide themselves from predators. [email protected] Hatchery-reared fish are generally The project may have application to Lower Mary River Land & protected from attack by predators as other threatened fish species such as Catchment Care Group part of the rearing process in ponds and trout cod and Macquarie perch which are 4128 1750 tanks. Fish reared to large sizes may found in the Murray-Darling Basin and [email protected] also become used to a diet of pellets. the Mary River cod found in south-east Fish don’t have to fight that hard to Queensland, as well as benefits for local survive in hatcheries which provide stocking groups. ideal growing environments. However For more information on this project, this dramatically changes once they are contact Michael Hutchison on 3817 9590 released back into the wild and have to or [email protected] fend for themselves.

 The COD Line Mary’s missing quolls Scott Burnett have only three sighting Wildlife Preservation Society of Qld reports of spotted-tailed quolls in the past 10 Quolls represent the last gasp of years. Researchers from Australia’s pouched carnivore lineages. QPWS and WPSQ have Two quoll species are known from the also made concerted but Mary Valley: the spotted-tailed quoll and unsuccessful attempts the northern quoll. These two species are to find quolls, so it is readily distinguished by size (ST quoll obvious quolls are very >2kg; N quoll <1kg) and the pattern of scarce in the area. There spots. As the name suggests, ST quolls is still plenty of bush have large and conspicuous spots on out there, so where are the body and tail; the northern quoll has the quolls? Northern quoll. [Photo: B. Thomson/Scott Burnett] smaller spots on the body only. Land-clearing has had a big effect on population paradigm are genetic drift, The two species differ in ecology too. forest species such as quolls. Clearing loss of heterozygosity, and inbreeding Spotted-tailed quolls are hypercarnivores, removes shelter and the habitat of many depression. Genetic drift occurs in eating other vertebrates. They are heavier- prey species. Quolls are more susceptible small populations and is a numerical built than the finer northern quoll, which to predators such as dogs, foxes and birds phenomenon, whereby random genetic can appear almost squirrel-like. Northern of prey in cleared country. events take on greater power than the forces of natural selection and quolls eat rodents, small birds and Cane toads swept through the area decades consequently animals become less and reptiles, insects and fruit. ago and most probably decimated the less adapted to their environment. Loss quoll populations around that time. Quolls It’s notoriously difficult to collect data on of heterozygosity or genetic diversity is are very susceptible to the toad’s poison, quoll populations. Quolls are solitary and a consequence of population bottlenecks, but don’t recognise it as dangerous. roam over large distances, so the chances and limits the genetic responses of Strychnine baiting also decimates quoll of one happening across a biologist’s live- organisms to changing conditions, and populations, unlike 1080-bait to which trap are slim. Despite their scarcity and hence the species’ evolutionary potential. quolls have a high natural immunity. (mostly) nocturnal habitats, quolls are Inbreeding depression is a catch-all adventurous and opportunistic creatures, Killing at poultry yards and roadkill term for a syndrome in which inbreeding so they can come to light when raiding have no doubt added to the pressure on within a species leads to a reduction poultry pens or scavenging roadkill. dwindling populations. A single hostile in reproductive or survival via any of With the help of groups who collect poultry yard owner could potentially several genetic malfunctions. Increased data on fauna (Queensland Museum, exterminate all the quolls from an area inbreeding is a consequence of small 2 QPWS and Quoll Seekers Network), of 110 km . populations, where animals don’t have we have compiled 357 spotted-tailed Through the Mary River catchment the choice to breed outside of their family. quoll sightings records in south-east (and much of south-east Queensland), Most wildlife species have behavioural Queensland. Only about 20 of these sizable natural areas remain, so where strategies to reduce this under normal records are from the Mary River are the quolls? Intermittent sightings conditions. For example, in quolls all catchment. suggest there are small pockets of quolls young males leave the mother’s home Looking over the data it is clear both out there, but there is little doubt they range at independence; females stay species of quoll have declined within have disappeared from many areas of closer to home, and so the chances of the catchment. Perhaps they are even apparently suitable habitat. inbreeding are reduced. on the brink of extinction? Northern This is a danger in itself, termed the ‘small Of course, not just quolls are threatened quolls, recently listed as Endangered population paradigm’. The inherent by the small population paradigm. Most of by the Commonwealth Government, dangers of being a small population are our wildlife today finds itself occupying haven’t been positively encountered in so great that any animal population of less smaller, more fragmented patches of the catchment for nearly 50 years. We than 1000 individuals is automatically habitat, which starts the process that can considered to be Vulnerable to Extinction lead to species disappearing from patches Spotted-tailed quoll. [Photo: R. Jackson] b y t h e Q u e e n s l a n d of apparently intact habitat. a n d C o m m o n w e a l t h The solution is to retain or re-establish governments. Small vegetation corridors between good quality populations are much more habitat, so that all species of native fauna sensitive to genetic defects have room to range and survive. and random events such as You, readers, are the key to mapping intense wildfire, drought, quolls in the Mary catchment. Please flooding or disease. email [email protected] or call the Among genetic effects Quoll Seekers Network on 3221 0194 to associated with the small report quoll sightings.

 The COD Line One Stop Conservation Shop Open for business in the Mary catchment Landowners in the Mary River catchment interested in protecting biodiversity on their properties now have access to a One Stop Nature Conservation Shop through the Conservation Partnerships Program. Private landholders are custodians of significant areas of habitat. While much of our valuable biodiversity is protected in National Parks or other government reserves, more than 70% of remnant bushland is on privately owned land. Many species of flora and fauna are unique to this region and some are Project Officers (from left): Marc Russell (Cooloola Shire Council), Melanie Mott considered rare or threatened with (Hervey Bay City Council) and Roger Currie (Maryborough Shire Council). extinction. As pressures increase from on-site advice, educational workshops, approved for a protective covenant and population growth and human activities, obtaining grants, Land for Wildlife (LFW) 12 properties have Nature Refuge status, we need to preserve adequate habitat for registrations, Voluntary Conservation similar in protection to a National Park. our native flora and fauna’s survival. Covenants, or Nature Refuge status, Nick Clancy from Caloundra Council The Conservation Partnerships Program depending on landowners requirements. finds the community is eager for the (CPP) aims to advise and support Caloundra City Council’s CPP, running advice, education and support delivered landholders who volunteer to protect and for several years now, has been so by the Conservation Partnerships Program enhance bush on their own properties. successful that it has been used as a model for ecological issues on their properties. Cooloola, Hervey Bay, Maryborough, for the consortium of Councils listed Program Officers contacts are: Caloundra, Woocoo, Tiaro and Kilkivan above. Several councils in the Burnett Cooloola Shire Councils, with support from Burnett catchment are also watching the project – Marc Russell on 5481 0805 Mary Regional Group, Natural Heritage with interest and we hope the program Maryborough and neighbouring shires Trust, Water and Salinity Action Program, soon move further north. – Roger Currie on 4190 5806 Environmental Protection Agency and Over 300 properties are involved with Hervey Bay City Greening Australia, are offering a range LFW in Caloundra City Council’s area. – Melanie Mott on 4197 4583 of exciting options for landholders to This equates to a property area of over Caloundra City protect and enhance wildlife habitat. 5000 ha, with 2900 ha of retained habitat – Nick Clancy on 5439 6433 Three council-based officers have been (remnant vegetation) and 200 ha under BMRG Biodiversity Conservation appointed to assist landowners with restoration. Fifteen properties have been – Rachel Lyons on 5483 7718 Climate-conscious Council & community Kamal Singh sustainable transport. Participants are strategy for its fleet of vehicles. Noosa Shire Council encouraged to display their progress From driving our cars, running our with signs on their properties, indicating houses, to producing, processing and Australia is the highest per capita GHG their achievements. It is a very easy and transporting the goods we consume, emitter in the world, so Australians have direct way to play a part in the global nearly every aspect of our lives is a global responsibility to act to mitigate solution. dependent on fossil fuel-based energy climate change. Through its Cities for Climate Protection which is the main source of human GHG Noosa Shire residents can participate (CCP) program, the International Council emissions. The single most important in the ‘Living Smart Homes’ program for Local Environmental Initiatives has thing that we as a community can do in (supported by Noosa Council, provided Noosa Shire Council with a response to the issue of climate change is Caboolture Shire Council, Queensland’s framework to identify, manage and reduce to be more energy and resource efficient Environmental Protection Agency, South its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. in our actions. Wasting less makes sense East Queensland Catchments and the Another of Noosa’s GHG emissions not only environmentally and socially, but Queensland University of Technology). reduction initiatives is a program to it will also save you money. Remember Program participants help deal with the encourage Noosa businesses to take up you can and do make a difference. climate change crisis by incorporating eco-efficiency and sustainable practices For further information, please contact ecological sustainability into their whilst improving their bottom line. Noosa Council’s Cities for Climate lifestyle in the areas of energy efficiency, In addition, after a successful trial Council Protection Officer, Kamal Singh, on water efficiency, waste reduction and is preparing a biodiesel substitution 5449 5130.  The COD Line Bio-control: Cats Claw bug breeding Kevin Dailly, CCC Bamro Officer why & how Gympie & District Landcare Group John Wightman Blackall Range Weeds Task Force Gympie & District Landcare Group is undertaking to breed up the selected Most overseas plants that become weeds bio-control agent for cat’s claw creeper. here have come without their natural This project is called the Cats Claw enemies and haven’t been found by new Creeper Bio-control Agent Mass Rearing ones. One tool available to our natural Operation, or CCC-Bamro for short! resource managers is to create a cadre Scientists at the Alan Fletcher Research of natural enemies that can exploit the Station have completed host-specificity weed as a food source. When this is trials on the leaf-sucking tingid bug successful, we call it biological control. Carvalhotingis visenda. They tested the Biological control is most likely to bug on 37 species of plants, and it only succeed when integrated with other feeds on cats claw creeper. This tingid resource management tools, such has bug is native to Brazil and Argentina and strategic herbicide application, grazing has been in quarantine since 2004. The management, and prevention of spread. bug has been approved for release, and Biological control projects are lengthy is now out of quarantine. The leaf-sucking tingid bug Carvalhotingis and expensive processes and are the Gympie & District Landcare Group visenda (approx. 2 mm) will be taking on realm of the public sector, such as CSIRO is currently constructing extensive cats claw creeper in the Mary catchment. and various State Departments. Once a infrastructure to house and breed these [Photo courtesy of CSIRO] project is commenced, continuity needs bugs on a large scale and expect to take to be guaranteed until it is clear the project possession of the first breeding colony BMRG have part-funded the project for has succeeded or will not succeed. in approximately six weeks, with the the 07/08 and 08/09 financial years, with The first job is to trace the weed’s centre first field releases anticipated in August/ the shortfall in funding being generously of origin and then to investigate the life September 2007. contributed by local government system of the target species in its native Stage 1 of the releases will encompass authorities and Government Agencies. country in climate zones akin to where it Cooloola, Noosa, Kilkivan, Tiaro If you want more information or are has established in Australia. and Woocoo Shires. Negotiations are interested in participating in the Cat’s Any diseases or herbivores that appear currently underway with other Shires and Claw Creeper Bio-Control Project, to keep the target in check in its native private landholders who will be invited contact Kevin Dailly on 5483 8866 or environment are classified as a ‘potential to participate in Stage 2. 0417 724 542. biohazard’. Then these species are subjected to intensive checks to ensure they will have no deleterious effect Cabomba bio-control reprieve on native flora and fauna if they are Phillip Moran When permission is obtained, CSIRO can introduced. Some conservationists feel Noosa & Dist. Landcare Group begin host-specificity testing to ensure no no species should be introduced, because detrimental off-target damage will occur it is not possible to test widely enough The biological control programme to our environment. to guarantee safety. This is so, but the for Cabomba Cabomba caroliniana CSIRO have also developed aquaria risk is balanced against the benefit to the suffered a setback recently when the needed to test this aquatic species. It is common good of reducing the impact of Federal Government decided not to fund necessary to inject carbon dioxide into a weed species. These tests are carried out future work through its ‘Defeating the the water for the cabomba to grow well. overseas or in quarantine in Australia. Weeds Menace Programme’. Community Significant OH&S issues dealing with the groups, water authorities and councils Once a potential biocontrol agent has use of compressed gasses in an enclosed had all contributed to this project, lead by been deemed safe for release, it has to space had to be overcome for this to work. Dr Shon Schooler of the CSIRO. be multiplied, distributed and monitored. The development of this process will be At this point the ownership of the project With the research in danger of being described in the book Biological Control passes from government bodies to halted, the Burnett-Mary Regional Group of Tropical Weeds, to be published by interest groups within the regional natural threw the project a lifeline with the Cambridge University Press. resource management administrations injection of $150 000, enabling Shon to Further good news was received recently (RNRMA). Hopefully, support for continue this vital work. when it was announced that the Federal training and facility development is being Application has been made to the Government had decided to change its taken on board by the RNRMAs, so that Australian Quarantine & Inspection original decision and fund the project the final stage in these long and expensive Service (AQIS) to import a promising after all. I think all the letters the Minister processes is in the hands of the people on biological control agent, the stem boring received made him realise what a valuable the land who will benefit most. weevil Hydrotimetes natans. project this is! 10 The COD Line Noosa High visits Lake Noosa Festival Macdonald Phillip Moran of Water Noosa & District Landcare Group Ruth Hutchison In April 2007 biology students from Coordinator Noosa & District High School enjoyed On Sunday 3rd June the Lake Macdonald a day at the Lake to learn about aquatic Catchment Care Group will host the weeds. The day started with a PowerPoint Noosa Festival of Water at the Lake presentation at the school where students Macdonald Amphitheatre and the Noosa saw slides of aquatic weeds from around Botanic Gardens to celebrate World Australia and their effects on our Environment Day in Noosa Shire. This waterways. Two of these weeds, cabomba year’s Festival will begin at 10.00 am Committee’s display, where water can be Cabomba caroliniana and glush weed and finish at 3.00 pm. tested (free) from 10 am until 2 pm. Hygrophila costata, are serious pest The Noosa Festival of Water highlights There will be a range of displays from plants in and around our Lake. issues relating to our most precious organisations featuring alternative water This was followed by a trip to Lake natural resource – Water – particularly treatment/storage solutions. Macdonald, Noosa’s main potable water conserving and protecting water supplies Other displays include the Burnett supply, where the students were able for current and future generations. Mary Regional Group, Noosa Council’s to look at these two pests and see The Festival, now in its third year, Sustainable Housing Program, ‘Living what is being done to try to control will again showcase some of Noosa’s Smart Homes’, Wilvos, Treemax, the them. Ross Paulger of Noosa Council greatest attractions together with a variety Camphor Laurel Group, Noosa Integrated demonstrated the Council’s aquatic weed of activities. Festival organisers are Catchment Association, Healthy harvester. The harvester removes up planning musical entertainment at the Waterways, Sunshine Coast Environment to 10 tonnes of cabomba from the lake amphitheatre including live music from Council, Dilly Bag and Water Aware. each day. Vanessa Moscato (Landcare’s local entertainers Giants over the Falls, The Noosa Regional Gallery will host Waterwatch coordinator) demonstrated the ever-popular Barleyshakes, the Noosa its very popular family day in the Botanic the water quality equipment used by Pipe Band and much more. Gardens, providing an opportunity for Noosa & District Landcare’s Waterwatch budding artists young and old to produce volunteers to test water quality across There will also be the opportunity for their own works of art. This year’s theme the shire. Noosa Council’s Environment young people to learn how to fish is ‘The Floating Land’. services crew provided students sustainably with the ‘Take a Kid Fishing’ and teachers with a barbeque lunch, program under the expert guidance of At the Lecture Tent, a program of appreciated by all. David Whelan, Bush ‘n’ Beach Fishing presenters will provide information on Magazine’s journalist. Bookings for a range of wildlife and sustainability Then we headed off to Sivyer’s Rd Park this program can be arranged by ringing issues, including the Richmond Birdwing to look at a glush weed control project, 5482 4766. Butterfly, Climate Smart Living, Aquatic funded by the Burnett-Mary Regional Weeds and Installation of Water Tanks. Group (BMRG) and carried out by Noosa The Festival will also offer free boat Ron West from the historic Majestic & District Landcare and Noosa Council. tours to the Gerry Cook Fish Hatchery, Theatre will also present a glimpse of the A gas burn treatment is used to remove home of the endangered Mary River cod, world of silent movies. the bulk of the weed, and the remainder and tours of the Noosa Water Treatment is treated using Glyphosate 360 (Bi- Plant. A range of refreshments will be available. active Roundup). The treated area is then Canoeing activities will take place on the Admission to the Festival is free. replanted with native vegetation to create Lake to coincide with the opening of the The Lake Macdonald Catchment Care dense shade to suppress weed growth. new Canoe Trail (bookings preferred to Group gratefully acknowledges the The students were attentive, keen, and Queensland Canoeing on 3278 1033), or support of the following sponsors: asked lots of questions. Their teachers bring your own canoe! The Department of Natural Resources and (Annie Bailey and Tim Schnitzerling) Valda McLean from Noosa Parks Water; The Burnett Mary Regional Group, are a great example to the students. Their Association and Cecily Fearnley will host Noosa Shire Council, Australian Water passion for the environment is obviously the popular hourly birdwatching tours. Services, Veolia, Pristine Water Systems, rubbing off on these kids. Noosa Landcare will be giving out two Treemax, ABC Coast FM, Mary River Thanks go to Noosa Council (Geoff free trees to every Noosa ratepayer who Catchment Resource Centre, Cooroy Black in particular) for their continued produces a current rates notice. Mountain Springwater, Noosa & District support of environmental education in Locals will be able to have their dam, Landcare Group and Cleanaway. our Shire. bore or creek water samples tested at For more information, contact Ruth on the Mary River Catchment Coordinating on 5482 4766.

11 The CODLine is hosted by Barung & District Landcare Group. Additional support from the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee Burnett Mary Regional Group WORKING FOR OUR Woocoo Shire Council FUTURE Wide Bay Water Corporation is gratefully acknowledged.

Editor, The CODLine Eve Witney PO Box 755 MALENY QLD 4552 Ph:  4005 Fax: c/- 5494 3141 email: [email protected]

This issue ... Landholders’ experiences Water sharing Weeds Dairying for sustainability (1)...... 1 Northern Pipeline Interconnector .....2 Bio-control: why and how...... 10 The journey back to Nature...... 4 Cats Claw bug breeding ...... 10 Historical tales Cabomba bio-control reprieve...... 10 Practical advice Only her memories...... 6 Healthy soils = Healthy profits...... 3 Community group projects Dairying for sustainability (2)...... 3 Cod research and restocking Noosa Festival of Water ...... 11 Storm means broodstock needed ...... 7 Wildlife features Fish survival school ...... 7 Environmental education Dam those frogs! ...... 5 Noosa High visits Lake Mac ...... 11 On the wings of a Birdwing ...... 5 Opportunities Mary’s missing quolls ...... 8 One Stop Conservation Shop ...... 9 Cod Contacts Climate-conscious Council ...... 9 Land & Catchment Care Groups ...6,7

The CODLine PO Box 755 SURFACE POSTAGE MALENY QLD 4552 PAID MAIL AUSTRALIA Print Post Approved PPP# 440524/00004

Issue 16: May 2007