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Read about the next step on page 10 Pure Sands donation Tammy & Tony, business owners of Pure Sands, visited our office on 27 April to present Wildlife Queensland with a cheque for $1,000. Our president Peter Ogilvie was on hand to accept the cheque and thank them What's inside for their generous donation. Pure Sands makes an outstanding Pure Sands donation...... 1 collection of sterling silver and glass rings and Kroombit tinkerfrog breeding...... 1 pendants featuring sand from Sunshine Coast President’s Report...... 3 beaches (collected with permission). They Projects Report...... 4 hand craft their jewellery in Noosa Heads. - our living dragons...... 6 As Pure Sands shares our passion for raising awareness of the devastation micro Around the Tracks...... 8 plastics cause to our beaches and marine life, Wildlife Land Fund news...... 10 they kindly donate $1 to Wildlife Queensland WPSQ in action...... 11 for every ring sold! See our website for more Tony, Tammy and Peter with the large cheque information. Endangered Kroombit tinkerfrog Taudactylus pleione captive breeding In a 2011 edition of this newsletter Harry Hines introduced readers to the critically endangered Kroombit tinkerfrog. Harry is still working on bringing this frog back from the brink has provided the following report on a captive breeding project. The Department of Environment and Science’s Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) have commenced a collaborative project to undertake captive breeding of the critically endangered Kroombit tinkerfrog Taudactylus pleione. This comes on the back of a successful captive breeding trial using the closely related Eungella tinkerfrog T. liemi, by Professor Jean-Marc Hero (formerly of Griffith University), Dr Ed Meyer (consultant Suite 1, Level 1, 30 Gladstone Road, ecologist) and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Highgate Hill QLD 4101 In early February 2018, Ed Meyer and Harry Hines, Senior Phone +61 7 3844 0129 Conservation Officer QPWS, undertook a field trip to Kroombit The partially gravid female Kroombit Email [email protected] Tops National Park to collect a small number of tinkerfrogs tinkerfog at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, www.wildlife.org.au for captive breeding. Efforts were focussed on finding an Apr 2018. Photo: Michael Vella. ISSN 1835-7019 (print) ...continued page 2 ISSN 1835-7105 (digital) ...continued from page 1 adult female but they were unable to locate one (due in part to the very wet, cold and windy conditions prevailing at this time). They did however locate and collect an indeterminate, possibly sub-adult female and an adult male on this trip. A subsequent collecting trip in March 2018, with Saskia Lafebre and Kimberly Revelly from Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS), Harry Hines of QPWS and Ben Revelly (a QPWS volunteer), resulted in the collection of a second indeterminate individual and a partially gravid adult female. collected from the wild were carefully transported back to a dedicated husbandry facility at Currumbin within 48 hours of capture. They have all settled in to their new home and are eating well. It is hoped that the adult female will develop a full complement of over the coming months with a view to breeding in spring. A male Kroombit tinkerfrog, in the wild, Kroombit Tops National Park, Feb 2018. Photo: Ed Meyer Amphibian chytridiomycosis, a fungal treatment and in subsequent weeks, has project and other conservation work at disease responsible for declines and shown that all four animals collected from Kroombit Tops (in particular feral disappearances of frogs across the globe, the wild are now chytrid free. control) is critical to the continued survival is a major threat to the tinkerfrog Depending on the sex of the sub-adults of the Kroombit tinkerfrog. Other important both in the wild and in captivity. The collected, additional animals may be contributors to this project include present preceding work with the captive population collected from the wild this spring. The and former staff of CWS, including Michael of Eungella tinkerfrogs at CWS, developed Kroombit tinkerfrog husbandry team will Vella, Saskia Lafebre, Natalie Hill and regularly assess the progress of captive Matt Hingley. Department of Environment frogs and evaluate the need for additional and Science staff (past and present) and animals as required. In the longer term, it is numerous volunteers have also contributed hope to release captive bred animals back over many years to our understanding of the to the wild. distribution and abundance of the Kroombit tinkerfrog, its status, and the need for Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA) helped captive breeding. Thanks are also owed to finance this important project and have the local QPWS staff for use of the barracks supported survey and monitoring of (warm, dry and mostly leech free!) and their threatened frogs at Kroombit Tops over ongoing efforts in controlling feral animals many years. Their ongoing support of this at Kroombit.

Harry Hines gently coaxes a Kroombit tinkerfrog from its antifungal bath into sterile housing for transportation to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Feb 2018. Photo: Ed Meyer safe treatment protocols to rid adult and subadult tinkefrogs of amphibian chytrid fungus. In keeping with these protocols, treatment of Kroombit tinkerfrogs for chytrid commenced in the field, 12 hours after capture. Pre-treatment chytrid infection status was assessed by carefully swabbing the flanks and ventral surfaces of the frogs and subsequent DNA analyses. After swabbing, each frog was treated with a 10 minute bath in an antifungal solution. This same treatment was repeated every 24 hours for 10 days after capture. Analysis of skin swabs of the frogs immediately post- The captive breeding facility at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Apr 2018. Photo: Saskia Lafebre

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President’s Report

It will be of little interest to most Each conservation group had an eight minute window to raise matters readers to know that I spent a large relating to one key topic. I highlighted our plastics campaign, and part of May in Japan. What may congratulated the government on the action it has taken to ban single use be of interest is that I visited the plastic bags and to introduce a cash-for-containers scheme (actions that beautiful Yakushima World Heritage were also supported by the Opposition). The Minister expressed her strong Area. Located on Yakushima Island support for action on plastics, highlighting the damage certain plastics are (a circular island with a diameter of having on our native wildlife. roughly 23 km located 60 km south of I stated our desire for clear and unambiguous legislation to ban the Kyushu Island), the property covers some 40 percent of the volcanic island. deliberate mass release of helium balloons, and that we also supported It contains mountains up to 2000 metres elevation and temperate rainforest the preparation of a Plastic Pollution Reduction Strategy, expressing our with Japanese cedar trees (Cryptomeria japonica), many of which are hope that a public discussion paper would be released later this year. We thousands of years old. My previous visit was in 2001 when I was a guest suggested that the Minister might also consider raising with her State and of the Japanese Government as a lead-up to a World Heritage Conference Federal counterparts at the end of June Meeting of Environment Ministers in 2003 which was held at the only other natural (as opposed to cultural) the possibility of phasing out polystyrene packaging in Australia. In addition, World Heritage site in Japan – Shirakami Sanchi. I stated our strong support for a significant portion of the income from the I mention this to reinforce the importance of World Heritage sites in the Waste Levy being allocated to nature conservation matters, particularly protection of unique segments of the natural environment. This recognition, protected area acquisition and management. The Minister advised that a which is difficult to achieve, adds a global dimension to the area as well as percentage of the levy income would be devoted to environmental matters, an invaluable additional level of protection beyond that which is already but exactly what that would encompass has yet to be determined. afforded under national and state laws. Queensland has all or part of five I will let you know more about the above issues as some fragments of World Heritage areas (WHAs) within its borders: (i) Fraser Island WHA, (ii) clarity emerge. Riversleigh section of Australian Mammal Sites WHA, (iii) Great Barrier Reef WHA (in part), (iv) Gondwana Rainforests of Australia WHA (in part), Best wishes, and (v) Wet Tropics of Queensland WHA. Wildlife Queensland has representatives on two World Heritage advisory committees. Des Boyland is appointed to the Fraser Island WH Scientific Advisory Committee, and I have been appointed to the Gondwana Rainforest WH Community Advisory Committee. The latter committee met on 21-22 June and is presently considering, amongst other matters, the implications of a development application inside Main Range National Peter Ogilvie Park which lies within the WHA. The matter is still being assessed by the President Commonwealth Government under the World Heritage provisions of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The Ministerial Roundtable, where conservation groups have an opportunity to question and raise issues with the Minister, was held on 20 June. I represented Wildlife Queensland at that function. This was the first Roundtable the present Minister for Environment and Great Barrier Reef, Leeanne Enoch, has hosted. She participated freely in discussion and displayed a keenness to come to grips with her large portfolio (which also includes ministerial responsibility for science and the arts), freely admitting she was on a steep learning curve. Constitutional Changes The proposed changes to the constitution of Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland were presented to a meeting of members held on 21 April 2018 at the Albion Peace Hall, 102 McDonald Road, Windsor. Changes proposed were adopted with two amendments made. An amendment was made to Clause 13 Membership of the Council, namely Clause 13.1.2 which now reads Should the immediate past president be invited by the incoming Committee to serve as a non-voting member. The other amendment was made to Clause 23.2. A semi-colon was inserted after the word persons so an extract of that Clause now reads ….by two of the following persons; Treasurer or Secretary or by such The approved changes will be sent to the Office of Fair Trading for their concurrence.

Wildlife Queensland 3 Projects Report

Access Community Services team members busily planting birdwing butterfly vines

Over the last six months the Projects Team has spent much time and effort developing the Richmond Birdwing Conservation Network’s habitat corridor along the Albert River and into Shailer Park. This achievement represents the first significant step in a long-term, multi- phase project to expand the range of the Richmond birdwing. This will involve facilitating the expansion of core butterfly populations on Tamborine Mountain, into the Albert River catchment and north to Mount Cotton. As it is going to take a lot of vines to achieve this ultimate goal, we figured it was best to get started! These are not the first birdwing butterfly vines to be planted in the As a direct result of Logan City Council’s support and involvement, Logan area, however. Wildlife Queensland established two sites in there are now 240 vines growing within these five sites. Not only Forrestdale in early 2014, and the Logan City Council then planted vines at the Griffith University campus at Meadowbrook. At both Suitable habitat for the birdwing vine is hard to find, but Wildlife Queensland was locations, the vines are growing steadily. able to locate small areas of wet forest to work with. Here, Access Community Service students get busy caring for planted vines This year, the RBCN has worked closely with Logan City Council’s Environment Team to identify and establish suitable vine planting sites on Logan City Council reserves. Shailer Park represents a vital link to habitat and vines previously planted in the Mount Cotton region, while the Albert River site will hopefully form the ‘highway’ of vines bringing the butterflies north from core birdwing populations on Tamborine Mountain. Planting locations were narrowed down using a process of overlaying GIS layers of essential habitat factors for vine growth - soil type, rainfall, regional ecosystem and aspect, etc – which resulted in a map of favourable areas given their biotic and abiotic factors. We then investigated reserves owned and managed by Logan Council within these identified favourable areas, and through a process of on-ground verification, selected five sites on which to begin planting.

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A newly planted birdwing butterfly vine beginning the slow climb into the canopy has the Council contributed financial support for the project, members of their Environment Team and Natural Areas Team utilised the project as a team-building event, working together to plant over 115 vines. The project has also provided an opportunity for Wildlife Queensland to work with Access Community Services, a Logan-based employment and training provider. This community- based not-for-profit organisation provided two teams of willing students to plant and maintain the vines at three of the five sites. The students, as part of the ‘Employment and training – creating pathways to employment’ program, were undergoing training in bush regeneration and horticulture. Their eagerness and enthusiasm to get stuck in was fantastic and we could not have completed the work without their help. The Projects Team has kept a close eye on the vines since planting to ensure they receive all the water and care essential for their survival, and we will continue to do so until they become established. Additional planting sites are required to continue the development of this corridor; plans are in place to work with Land for Wildlife properties and eventually suburban backyards will play their part. Further, sites within the Gold Coast Council LGA around upper Ormeau and within the Scenic Rim Council LGA will also significantly contribute to the corridor. It will take an enormous amount of effort, and the planting and establishment of many hundreds, if not thousands, of birdwing butterfly vines before we can consider the corridor complete. But everything has a beginning and it’s exciting to have made a start!

A female Richmond birdwing butterfly searching for nectar on Mount Tamborine

Birdwing butterfly vine in flower ©Jenny Thyne

Logan City Council Environment team personnel plant a birdwing butterfly vine as part of a team building event

Wildlife Queensland 5 Goannas usually get a reaction. A lace monitor being harangued by a sulphur-crested cockatoo. Carnarvon Gorge, central Queensland. Goannas — our living dragons Text and photos by Robert Ashdown

The shrieking sulphur-crested cockatoo clinging to a nearby fan palm had our undivided attention. It was a beautiful, sunny day at Carnarvon Gorge, and this dazzling explosion of white feathers was expressing its angst at the clinging to a nearby palm. As the cockatoo leaned over and cheekily nipped the ’s and sand, their black markings caused by the scorching of fire. wildly-twitching tail, a fellow photographer and I attempted to catch Stories from European settlers about these included their a photograph of the drama. Meanwhile, a colleague commented on ability to drag away sheep and even children. Goanna oil was how much, like the aggravated cockatoo, she disliked goannas. imbued with mystical healing properties and it was claimed that Goannas always goannas would eat a legendary plant to neutralise the venom of seem to attract any they ate (as immortalised in Banjo Paterson’s poem attention. Family Johnson’s Antidote). Goanna bites are said to be liable to break out picnics are disrupted annually, or every seven years, and in many cases never completely by the swaggering heal. approach of the But what exactly is a ‘goanna’? The word itself is thought to be tongue-flicking, scaly a corruption of ‘iguana’, used by European visitors to the continent monster in search when faced with the large reptiles that reminded them of another of a meal. Backyard group of (unrelated) from the Americas. We actually have chicken coops have more than one type of goanna, with Australia being home to 30 Goannas will eat just about anything they can catch or scavenge. This young lace monitor has been under siege by of the world’s 50 (currently) described species of what are more captured a large centipede. Cooloola National these -munching widely-known as monitors, all from the family . Park. opportunists. While all species have much the same general body shape, they Researchers and rangers work to stop them digging up the precious vary greatly in size. Some are enormous, with the ( eggs of loggerhead turtles from beach nests. Goannas are widely giganteus) thought to be the third-largest monitor in the world, at disliked for their aggro, sneaky, scavenging, thieving natures. They over two metres in length. Indeed, Australia once hosted a six-metre, are also admired, for their striking dragon-like appearance, survival 600-kilogram monster known as (Varanus or Megalania skills and cheeky, confident character. Indeed, this is a creature priscus) — the largest living land reptile since the dinosaurs. The adorned in Australian culture with a myriad of associations. lace monitor (V. varius), probably the monitor most associated with Goannas have a prominent place in the culture of Indigenous the term ‘goanna’, can also reach over two metres in length. In Australians, including in totemic relationships and through the contrast, other monitors are very small, with 18 species being less Dreamtime. Their different colours have been attributed to ochres than 80 centimetres long. The short-tailed monitor (V. brevicauda) is

6 www.wildlife.org.au/wqnews/223 2018 Issue 223 just 23 centimetres from nose to tip of tail. Monitors are all carnivorous, eating just about anything that can be caught or scavenged. They grasp food with long, curved teeth and swallow with jerking motions of the head and neck. While they have excellent eyesight and hearing, it’s their forked tongues that do the most in helping them find food. Using advanced Some monitors, such as this pygmy mulga chemoreception (also found in snakes), the monitor, are relatively small. This species goanna detects the slightest trace of food, reaches a maximum total length of about 38 with the difference in chemical trace found centimetres. Simpson . between the left or right side of their forked tongue assisting them in heading straight to the source. The tails of different monitor species are adapted for particular lifestyles, such as swimming or climbing. All species lay parchment-shelled eggs, with some, including the lace monitor, using nests in which to lay their eggs. The egg chamber is sealed over by the and the eggs are incubated within the mound. It is now thought that the mother lace monitor returns to the mound to expose the eggs just before they hatch. Photographing monitors is always interesting. As you attempt to get close enough to capture something of their character, you become aware that an intelligent animal One of Australia’s largest lizards, the lace monitor can reach over two metres in length. This is the banded is watching you back and thinking about ‘Bell’s form’ of this species. Expedition National Park. what you’re up to. After capturing a tiny, exquisite (V. gilleni) in a dry Simpson Desert creek bed at night, I had placed the animal back on a piece of wood to attempt a photo. After a few unsuccessful shots I reached out to try to The sand goanna is Australia’s most abundant coax a better position from my subject. and widely-spread species, being found over The tiny monitor looked up at me with most of mainland Australia. It shelters in deep . Rinyirru National Park, Cape York. a disapproving, exasperated look before leaning over and suddenly nipping me once on the hand. I got my shot and left it alone. Those studying goannas in detail have found them to be highly intelligent. They can memorise maps of their surroundings, returning directly to shelter after widely meandering about the place. Their intelligence has even been described as mammal-like, as they can recognise individual keepers and even have a limited ability to count. While I have yet to see the emerald monitor from the Torres Strait or the beautiful red pygmy desert monitor, I’ve had some memorable encounters with goannas. I’ve snuck up on a curious, strikingly-patterned freckled monitor (V. tristis) at Isla Gorge and at The beautifully-patterned freckled (or black-headed Expedition National Park I met a stunning monitor) shelters under bark, in rock crevices and in ‘banded phase’ form of the lace monitor (V. hollow timber. Isla Gorge National Park. varius). With photographer and writer Steve Wilson at Cooloola, I photographed a young lace monitor chomping on a huge centipede. Walking the red sand of a dune isolated by the floodwaters of Cooper Creek near Windorah, I marveled at the exquisite tracks left by a marooned monitor. I’ve watched a sand goanna (V. gouldii) sharing a dry-season A sand goanna on the prowl. Cooloola waterhole at Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park, National Park. and in far western Queensland wriggled into a narrow cave to attempt a shot of a large perentie, before being warned by (then) Queensland Museum curator of reptiles Jeanette Covacevich that I was about to get my fingers bitten off! While I’ve only seen a few of Australia’s 30 monitor species, every interaction has been enjoyable. I’ve seen enough to develop a deep admiration and respect for these Like snakes, all monitors have forked tongues. These astonishing reptiles — beautiful in form and pattern, remarkable in adaptation and play a crucial role in finding food. Lace monitor, attitude. Glasshouse Mountains National Park.

The distinctive tracks of a monitor in red sand. Windorah

Wildlife Queensland 7 ks Trac the Around

Townsville Branch Celebrates 50 years In April 1968 a small group of birders, amateur naturalists and biologists from the newly founded University College met in Townsville to establish the second WPSQ branch in North Queensland. They had been encouraged by Society president Judith Wright, secretary Arthur “Taff” Fenton, and by that pioneer of conservation activism, John Büsst, who had founded the Innisfail branch two years earlier. field outings. And, perhaps appropriately in such a significant year, a Queensland Government Community Sustainability Action grant has enabled us to start a major mahogany glider monitoring project on The celebration cake © Liz Downes land 65km to our north. The project will run till mid-2020. So, in celebration of our special birthday, we climbed to the Picnic behind the beach, Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park © Julia Hazel spectacular Tegoora Rock lookout on one of the many trails that have been created in what is now the fully protected Town Common Fifty years on, today’s members marked our half-century with a Conservation Park. After recent long-awaited deluges it was looking return to the city’s iconic Town Common which had been a major wonderfully refreshed and following our walk we found our own focus of Townsville branch’s early years. Back then, these -rich refreshment at a bush picnic in the adjoining Cape Pallarenda wetlands had become a neglected pasturage reserve, stocked with Conservation Park. Here a cake was cut, a toast was raised, “Happy cattle, infested with weeds and used as a dumping place for old Birthday” was sung and some documents and photos from earlier car bodies and other unsavoury rubbish. The fledgling branch held days were on display. Among those present was a former member regular clean-ups, led excursions for schools and the wider public who had re-joined just a few days earlier and another brand new and lobbied for proper protection. member delighted to be present at the start of our next fifty years! Today, with the active presence of the North Queensland But perhaps we’ll concentrate on the next five before we begin Conservation Council, Landcare, and several smaller natural history preparing for the centenary. and environmental groups, we are no longer the lone voice for Liz Downes conservation and environmental education in a city that has almost trebled in size. But we continue to make ourselves heard on local, regional and state-wide issues and to introduce people to the beauty and value of our natural heritage through our program of monthly

Entranced by the beauty of Acacia flavescens © Julia Hazel View across Town Common Conservation Park from Tegoora Rock © Julia Hazel

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Fraser Coast Branch This branch has a busy round of activities as satellite tracking of turtles and dugongs. and president Audrey Sorensen makes which includes monthly nature walks There was well-attended Butterfly excellent use of the branch’s 10-minute slot and talks in the Hervey Bay Library plus Identification and Butterfly Plants afternoon on local community radio on the second workshops and other events. at Tinana State School, with Kelvin Nielsen Tuesday of each month. One of the recent nature walks was from as the guest speaker. The branch has recently instigated a three- Gatakers Bay through the mangroves at The branch recently held its first Wildlife year annual prize of $500 for a student the mouth of Eli Creek, then returning via Friendly Gardens afternoon for 2018. This is undertaking studies in Endangered Animals Parraweena Park. Another was along the a partnership between the branch and Fraser and their Conservation (part of a degree in newly opened section of the Walligan Rail Coast Regional Council, with four speakers Wildlife and Ecology) at the University of the Trail, and the most recent one was on The from the two organisations. Two more Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast campus. Wild, a stunning 100-acre private property Gardens afternoons are planned for the year. Submissions to Queensland and Federal owned by a member on the Mary River Members spent a morning with visiting governments have also been completed. at Gundiah. The walks have been very Gympie Field Naturalists at Arkarra Lagoons Vanessa Elwell-Gavins successful in attracting new participants, as and Mungomery Vine Forest. This was an well as new branch members. excellent 'networking opportunity'. Recent Nature in the Library talks at the The branch continues to produce Hervey Bay Library have included topics such Wambaliman, our regular newsletter/journal,

Bayside Branch Members of Bayside branch participated in the Garden Expo held at the Redlands IndigiScapes Centre. The Expo had a focus on sustainability, breaking the cycle of waste and reducing single use plastic. Environmental and horticultural experts were on hand to demonstrate sustainable lifestyles and alternative products plus there were environmental and sustainable product stalls. Bayside branch president Steve Homewood gave a presentation on local frogs and demonstrated how to build a quick and inexpensive frog pond.

Steve and his quick frog pond

Moreton Bay branch We need your help! The Wild Koala Day held at Old WPSQ will run a BBQ at Bunnings Manly West Petrie Town was a great success on Saturday 1 September. with lots of people and stalls plus activities to keep them interested. If you can spare a couple of hours to help Moreton Bay branch stand please call Janelle on 3844 0129 attracted a fair share of interest and they were able to encourage many to purchase a Richmond Birdwing vine to help create a corridor in the Petrie /Dayboro area. Richmond Birdwing © Albert Orr

Wildlife Queensland 9 WILDLIFE LAND FUND LIMITED leaf privet has been controlled. This is encouraging news for a site so heavily dominated by this weed. WLFL would like to take this opportunity to thank Gael Paul for her many years of assistance with the organisation. During this time, Gael has voluntarily carried- During this reporting period the Wildlife out the majority of our administration Land Fund Limited has continued to work workload including management of the on the organisation as a whole, as well as membership process, company reporting, our land under management. Encouragingly, audit preparation and communications. progress has been made on both fronts. Unfortunately for us, the demands of Gael’s The WLFL board has begun a process of professional life have increased, making re-evaluating and refreshing its mission regular visits to the WLFL office more and statement, vision, goals and priorities as more difficult, and Gael has decided to step part of preparing a strategic plan. This plan back from her administrative volunteer work will become an important ‘road-map’ for the with WLFL as a result. The board is incredibly organisation to follow in a consistent and grateful for Gael’s contribution and support, progressive direction. To ensure our ability to and we wish her all the best into the future. actively conserve important habitat well into This has created an opportunity for someone the future, sustainable growth is a priority. similarly keen to step in and help out with Members will be provided the opportunity some of our administrative duties. If you feel to give input on the strategic plan and the this is something you would enjoy, please WLFL board looks forward to receiving it. email [email protected]. All WLFL land under management has With the closing of another financial year benefitted from rainfall over the summer/ comes the opportunity to re-new your autumn season. The 2017-2018 weed membership with the Wildlife Land Fund. management contracts issued for Witta It also presents the chance to encourage Nature Refuge and Neil Holloway Reesville friends, family members and colleagues to Nature Refuge have been completed, take part in actively conserving Queensland’s

and reports so far indicate that both sites natural environment by becoming a WLFL Top & bottom: continue to gain from the consistent efforts member, the cost of which remains $20 per Tube stock planted in the Neil Holloway Nature Refuge Reesville in 2016 as part of a regeneration project are growing quickly as a result of good undertaken. News from the Neil Holloway annum with a one-off joining fee of $5. rainfall over the growing season. Photo Credit Brush Turkey Enterprises Reesville Nature Refuge suggests that Wildlife Land Fund Limited is on Instagram - the assisted revegetation area is growing be sure to follow us! strongly. Further, the natural recruitment WLFL of natives is taking off where the broad-

Wildlife Queensland HQ: Who’s who State Council President: Peter Ogilvie Our 2018 ANNUAL APPEAL asks you to help us take the next step. Vice-Presidents: Andrew Dinwoodie, Robert Standish-White, and Michael Lusis Secretary: Des Boyland We have achieved a ban on the use of single-use lightweight plastic Treasurer: David Keogh shopping bags beginning 1 July 2018. This will reduce the impacts littered plastics have on our environment and especially our marine life and . Councillors: Keith McDonald and Nina Hardie Council Observer: Paul Sutton But we knew it was only the first step. Regular volunteers: John Hutt, Warren Johnson, Beth Pegg, Jenny Thynne, Now we must take the next step to Maryann Kenny, Linda Sulakatku, Rensche Schep, Steve Homewood and Diane 1. Stop the continued use of thicker single-use plastic bags, and have them Lam. Plus the wonderful teams who help with mail-outs, projects and surveys removed from circulation in the future and Staff: 2. Achieve a ban on the deliberate mass release of helium balloons in Policies and Campaigns Manager: Des Boyland Queensland and Operations Manager: Janelle Devery 3. Target and reduce other single-use, non-biodegradable plastic items Membership Support Officer: Doreen Payne Help Wildlife Queensland achieve these goals by making a tax-deductible Projects Officer: Matt Cecil donation today. Go to Communications Officer: Natasha Bryant http://wildlife.org.au/shop/donations/donations Book-keeper: Madeleine Hodder Newsletter: graphic designer: Joy Hinckley; editor: Doreen Payne 10 www.wildlife.org.au/wqnews/223 2018 Issue 223

WPSQ in Action A snapshot of advocacy work on your behalf » WQ forwarded a submission in February on the draft EIS for Walton Coal Project adjacent to Taunton National Park, home to the endangered nailtail wallaby. The Submissions final terms of reference for the EIS were issued to the proponent on 10 May 2018. The proponent has up to 2 years to submit an EIS or maybe longer depending on March Department of Environment and Science approval. When the EIS is submitted it The National Biodiversity Strategy Secretariat, Commonwealth Department of will be made available for public comment. Environment and Energy called for comments on Australia’s Strategy for Nature June 2018-2030. Wildlife Queensland (WQ) advocated that a revision of the Strategy was essential if the decline in biodiversity was to be arrested, let alone reversed. » Submission to the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Energy There was a need for key performance indicators so progress could be evaluated, on amendments to the Wildlife Trade Management Plan (WTMP) – Queensland responsibility for actions assigned and accepted, legislation strengthened and Crocodile Farming 2018-2022. This plan allows for the commercial harvest of adequate resources allocated. crocodile eggs from the wild. WQ consulted with world recognised experts on crocodiles and based on that, and an examination of a report prepared by Dr L Submission forwarded to the Queensland parliamentary State Development, Taplin on a pilot project on Cape York, supported the amendment to the Natural Resources and Agricultural Industry Development Committee on the Queensland Crocodile Farming WTMP. Vegetation Management and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018. WQ strongly supported the Bill that afforded protection to high conservation » Submission to Agricultural Review (an independent reviewer) on concerns WQ regrowth and better protection for catchments that will enhance water quality has about the interaction between the Environment Protection and Biodiversity for the Great Barrier Reef; strengthened compliance and removed high-value Conservation (EPBC) Act and the agriculture sector. The review was commis- agricultural cropping and high-value irrigation as valid reasons for broadscale sioned by the Commonwealth Government to identify regulatory and non-regu- clearing. WQ also indicated that further enhancement of vegetation manage- latory improvements to assist the sector while maintaining environmental ment was required and opposed continued reliance on self-assessable codes. standards. One of its aims is to practically improve how the agricultural sector is regulated under the EPBC Act and to reduce regulatory burdens faced by farmers. April Submission to Minister Trad, Treasurer and Minister Enoch regarding waste levy Meetings of note funds allocation. When the waste levy was in existence prior to its removal by the April May & June Newman government, significant funds raised from the levy were directed to waste management and recycling, the management and acquisition of national » Attended meetings and teleconferences of the Nature and Wildlife Queensland parks and koala research. A submission was made advocating that once again a Alliance — a group of conservation organisations including Wildlife Queensland portion of the funds raised from the new waste levy be directed to national parks (WQ) with interest in the Protected Area Estate (PAE). The aim is to develop a and wildlife rescue for fauna impacted by plastic waste. position paper outlining strategies to enhance the management and expansion of the PAE. Several draft documents have been circulated. State Council has A response from Minister Enoch in May indicated that the waste disposal levy considered the drafts and unless particular sections are amended WQ will not be will underpin the implementation of a new comprehensive resource recovery, a signatory to the document. At this stage WQ has difficulties with the desire to recycling and waste strategy and will provide funds to support waste and emphasise recreation on national parks detracting from the principal purpose for recycling industries to develop local markets for recycled and recovered materials. national parks of conservation of our natural and cultural heritage. Park visitation May and passive recreation is a legitimate purpose but must be secondary to the prime purpose. Another key concern is the push to have tenure resolution as » Submission to the Queensland parliamentary Innovation, Tourism Development applied on Cape York expanded state-wide. WQ is not opposed to joint and Environment Committee on the Safer Waterways Bill 2018. The bill aims to management with First Nation Peoples but does not share the view that national create a Cairns-based advisory board called the Queensland Crocodile Authority parks become aboriginal freehold land state-wide. Discussions are ongoing. and would allow hunting of crocodiles, egg harvesting and culling of crocodiles by landholders on their own land. This private member’s bill allegedly places » WQ was invited to a Stakeholder Forum outlining the National Red Imported greater value on human life than that of crocodiles. WQ opposed the bill on the Fire Ant Program, introducing the 10 year eradication plan underpinned by $411 grounds that it is not underpinned by science and has the potential to introduce million focussing on south-east Queensland. A National Committee has been adverse animal welfare issues. Dealing with rogue crocodiles already occurs. The appointed to overview the project. More details about the Red Imported Fire Ant government is endeavouring to introduce an egg harvesting pilot project subject and the eradication program are available on our website. to various conditions to which WQ is not opposed. Should government establish » Ministerial roundtable with Minister Leeanne Enoch scheduled for such an authority it could be achieved by amending the Nature Conservation Act Wednesday 20 June. Conservation organisations are limited to one attendee and legislation designated to manage wildlife. one topic. WQ will be raising waste related issues, allocation of the waste levy » The Queensland government has responded to the Queensland Koala Expert and a ban on mass release of helium-filled balloons. Panel’s report to which WQ made a submission. There are 6 recommendations: Your Voice for Your Wildlife Awards • A strategic, coordinated approach to koala conservation Wildlife Queensland recognises the achievements and efforts of • Protection of koala habitat our members through a special award presented in September. • Strategic and landscape scale restoration of habitat The categories for the awards are based on the period July to • Coordination of threat reduction and koala population management June. Categories are: • Strong community engagement and partnerships A new and successful Wildlife Qld campaign in your region • Targeted mapping, monitoring and research. A new or ongoing Wildlife Qld project involving the community The government is committed to all recommendations and these will be The Margaret Thorsborne Award for an outstanding contribution implemented in 3 phases: immediate, within 3-6 months and within 12 by a financial member. months. WQ commends the government on its action but has grave concerns For a full explanation of the categories and nomination forms, go that it is too little too late. to http://www.wildlife.org.au/awards/

Wildlife Queensland 11 $15A BOTTLE Raise a glass to Wildlife Queensland’s crucial work!

Goodwill Wine is a social enterprise dedicated to sourcing quality boutique wines from independent wineries across Australia and supporting Australian charities and NPOs. With over 50% of Goodwill Wine’s profi t – $2 from every bottle you purchase – going to Wildlife Queensland to help fund vital conservation projects, you can relax in the knowledge that your dollars are making a difference to Australian wildlife.

Wildlife Queensland’s mission is to advocate for 6-BOTTLE CASE COSTS the protection and conservation of Queensland’s JUST $99 AND CONTAINS: native plants, animals and landscapes 1. Sauvignon Blanc 2016 by educating and engaging communities, (Coonawarra) infl uencing decision-making, advancing solutions 2. Riesling 2015 (Eden Valley) and connecting people with wildlife. 3. Chardonnay 2016 (Limestone Coast) 4. Shiraz 2015 (Barossa) ‘These are seriously good 5. Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 (Coonawarra) wines, sold in 6 or 12 bottle 6. Merlot 2013 (Coonawarra) cases at below retail prices.’ A 12-bottle case contains 2 of each variety and costs just $180. Freight for all cases Epicure Magazine – The Age is $9 Australia-wide* and if you select 2 x 6 bottle cases of different varieties, we will . package them up as a single 12 bottle case to save you on postage.

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