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Masthead image rebirth after fire © Beth Kinsey The Challenges Ahead The environment in which Wildlife Queensland operates is constantly changing and delivering ever increasing challenges. Wildlife Queensland is certainly not immune from this onslaught. Government funding has ceased for Wildlife Queensland, except for the occasional grant for a specific project and usually with no salary component attached. Furthermore, competition for the philanthropic dollar has intensified. To deliver on the objectives of the What’s inside Society the challenges must be prioritised and action taken within the resources available. While there are many challenges facing Wildlife Queensland there are three that demand immediate The Challenges Ahead...... 1 attention. Recruitment for Council...... 2 President’s Report...... 3 1. Ensuring the gains achieved during this parliamentary term are locked into position and implemented. Annual Appeal...... 3 The heightened optimism when the Palaszczuk government eventually came to power following 31 Projects Report...... 4 January 2015 has failed to maintain its momentum as two elected members deserted the party to sit on the cross bench. Still, Labor has managed to deliver some of its pre-election commitments to Riders on the storm...... 6 benefit the environment and its wildlife. Some amendments to the Nature Conservation Act 1992 were Around the Tracks...... 8 enacted but until the clause dealing with Special Management Areas is deleted, the cardinal principle of Wildlife Land Fund news...... 10 management has not been restored, contrary to the belief of many. The action taken on North Stradbroke WPSQ in action...... 11 Island banning sand mining and setting a sustainable future for the island and its people also was Quoll conservation...... 12 a significant gain for our environment. Although Labor fought hard to at least reinstate appropriate vegetation management legislation, their efforts failed as the numbers in parliament were against them. Wildlife Queensland acknowledges that gains for the environment have been achieved in enhanced management of certain aspects associated with the mining industry. The support for renewable energy is to be commended but the ongoing commitment to new coal mines is extremely disappointing. Undoubtedly the biggest win for the environment is the bipartisan support for a ban on single use plastic bags and the container refund scheme. Wildlife Queensland has every confidence that the necessary legislation will be enacted prior to the end of this term of parliament. 2. Obtaining commitments for the betterment of the environment and its wildlife from the various political parties prior to the next election that must be held on or prior to 5 May 2018. Again, this challenge never becomes any easier. Commitments from political parties are difficult to obtain even when the outcome would make the government of the day look good, is cost effective and achievable. The conservation movement managed to obtain a significant number of commitments from Labor prior to the last election but very few have been delivered. Prior to the Newman government being swept to power, the LNP gave several commitments to the conservation movement, including that the vegetation management legislation would not be weakened and we all know what happened there. Still, endeavouring to obtain commitments for enhanced management of the environment and Suite 1, Level 1, 30 Gladstone Road, Highgate Hill QLD 4101 Australia its wildlife, additional protection for our biodiversity and arresting its decline both on the terrestrial and in the marine environments remain high on our priority list. A strong commitment to enforcement and Phone +61 7 3844 0129 Email [email protected] compliance with legislation would be a step in the right direction. www.wildlife.org.au ISSN 1835-7019 (print) ISSN 1835-7105 (digital) The Labor Party has always been generous in providing opportunities for Wildlife Queensland to present its views on issues. The current leader Mr Tim Nicholls and the opposition spokesperson on the environment Dr have also given Wildlife Queensland a fair hearing and support for some Don’t be afraid matters. This refreshing change is welcomed by Wildlife Queensland although certain topics are not on the agenda. to give up the good 3. Building a sustainable future for Wildlife Queensland. It is true that organisations that deliver more value than the to go for the great. competitors stay relevant. Wildlife Queensland during its 55 years of existence certainly has stayed relevant and is viewed by many as punching well and truly above its weight, winning many battles John D. Rockefeller along the way. These wins do not necessarily occur by accident. It is through the efforts and expertise of our members, dedicated volunteers and the small band of staff and contractors. For the success enjoyed in the past to continue, it is essential to review the activities in which Wildlife Queensland engages, determining the relevance, the internal functioning and operations of Wildlife Queensland itself and its governance. Is the current operating model contributing to a long-term sustainable future for the organisation? Sound business practice suggests that such reviews should take place at least every five years or so. This is not to say that the objects of the Society established back in 1962 are not relevant. Nothing could be further from the truth. However, the constitution certainly needs review even if it is just to address the language of a past era and modernise it to reflect advances in technology. A review will undoubtedly unearth other desirable changes as well. The current structure of Council needs to be reviewed to ensure it meets the needs of a modern small business — after all, that is what Wildlife Queensland is. It is essential to have in place a Council with relevant expertise or access to that expertise to ensure Wildlife Queensland is heading in the right direction. that the mission of Wildlife Queensland is more important than the Can we venture into other funding models? There is a need organisation itself. However, it is the view of Council and many to explore partnering with other organisations and appropriate supporters that Wildlife Queensland will be around to celebrate sponsorship from within the corporate sector. Perhaps there is a its 100th birthday in 2062. Change is constant and should be need to emphasise education of the broader community about welcomed not shunned. In the words of John D Rockefeller, ‘Don’t conservation of our wildlife and natural landscape. be afraid to give up the good to go for the great’. This will not occur overnight but it is essential that the first steps are taken along this long and challenging journey. There is no doubt Photo © Chris Grealy

The council is responsible for the governance of the society and Recruitment for council must ensure its future viability. Members are invited and encouraged to stand for election WPSQ needs a wide range of experience and a diversity of to Wildlife Queensland council at the next Annual General backgrounds. We need people with business/management Meeting on 10 September 2017. backgrounds at least as urgently as anything else. We need people with skills in marketing and investment. We need educationalists, Question: What Qualifications are needed to be a teachers, political scientists, engineers, economists and people Councillor of WPSQ? with a background in public administration. We want people who understand other people and reflect the view of a cross section of Many people have the mistaken view that to be a councillor of the community In short, we want a good all-round multi-disciplinary WPSQ one has to be an experienced/eminent naturalist, biologist team. and/or well briefed in conservation matters. Some of the very best The demands are not great. Meetings are held monthly – usually councillors have had no such background. Over the years we have the fourth Wednesday of each month. Attendance may be in person been fortunate enough to have councillors with a variety of skills or by telephone. It would be hoped that councillors would also use including a real estate person, engineer, accountant etc. their skills to assist the society for more than just one evening and it would be expected that councillors would be available to attend and perhaps assist at events. How about it?

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President’s Report In light of our financial situation, it active and to fertilise the arguments and information it presents. If you is appropriate to contemplate the read this as yet another plea for financial assistance, then you haven’t reasons for Wildlife Queensland’s misread it. existence and why it is important Climate change issues are front and centre at the moment with the that we remain in the arena. unfortunate, verging on bizarre, withdrawal of America from the Paris Our mission statement establishes Agreement. This needs to be loudly condemned. There is, thankfully, that we are an organisation that an emerging public awareness that climate change is real and is advocates ‘protection and conservation of Queensland’s native something to be acted on and factored into decision-making. terrestrial and marine plants, animals and landscapes by educating I can’t stress too heavily the importance of being aware, as opposed to and engaging communities, influencing decision-making, advancing simply knowing about it. Awareness implies a level of understanding, solutions and connecting people with wildlife’. and that is essential to behavioural change. I’m reminded of the These are broad areas of responsibility, encompassing matters relating words of Aldo Leopold: ‘Is education a process of trading awareness to (amongst others): for things of lesser worth? The goose who trades his is soon a pile of • Threatened species (endangered and vulnerable; plant and feathers’. Leopold was one of the pioneers of wildlife conservation in animal) the 20th century and the ethic associated with it. His book, A Sand County Almanac, is a beautifully written and thought-provoking • Pest species (feral cats, foxes, pigs, wild dogs, rubber vine etc.) product of the 1940s in America. The quote appears on page 18 for • Species that interact with people (e.g. crocodiles, flying foxes, anyone who might choose to delve into his delicious prose. sharks) While acknowledging the importance of climate change awareness, • Vegetation clearing (which is also animal clearing) we need to be careful not to let the climate change debate totally • Protected areas on public land and water (national parks, subsume a wide range of conservation matters that have no direct conservation parks, marine parks including the Great Barrier connection with that issue. For instance, the dangers of unchecked Reef Marine Park, World Heritage areas) broad-scale vegetation clearing, which has undeniable relevance • Protected areas on private land (nature refuges) to climate change, still need to be argued in more pragmatic and • Wildlife corridors comprehensible terms for broader community consumption. • Land use practices that impact on native wildlife This prompts another recollection, this time of statements made by perhaps the greatest, and least recognised, environmental advocate • Recovery actions relating particularly to threatened species of the 19th century, Alexander von Humboldt. He argued the dangers • Mitigating damage or harm to wildlife (e.g. campaign to ban of human-induced climate change as a result of widespread forest certain plastics; cash for containers) clearing, particularly in America. He was, of course, not referring to • Legislation impacting on wildlife protection (including the climate change induced by greenhouse gases. Humboldt was an Nature Conservation Act 1992, Environmental Protection Act inspiration to many great minds in that century, not least of whom 1994, Vegetation Management Act 1999, Planning Act 2016, was Charles Darwin who acknowledged Humboldt as his inspiration Land Act 1994, Stock Route Management Act 2002 and for joining the voyage of HMS Beagle. others) If I can excite you to become slightly more aware of the natural world • Climate change, and a wide range of associated issues (and a couple of the prophets who advocated its protection), then the (habitat modification, coral bleaching, sea level rise and many above verbal ramble will not have been in vain. more) • Educating fertile minds about wildlife conservation (led by our esteemed magazine Wildlife Australia). As mentioned in our funding appeal letter, we have been active in all these areas. And we have, in my admittedly biased opinion, made a significant contribution to wildlife conservation in Queensland. Peter Ogilvie We provide an authoritative, credible and balanced voice that will President hopefully never be silenced. But we do need help to keep that voice Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland

Donations to our 2017 ANNUAL APPEAL education. If wildlife matters mean something to go to help Wildlife Queensland stay off the you, please consider giving generously to this appeal Endangered Species List, so that we may remain before the end of the tax year! credible and important advocates for our native To make a donation, please go to animals and plants, and the landscapes in which they http://wildlife.org.au/shop/donations/donations/ live, for generations to come. In the face of withdrawn or call us on 07 3844 0129 government funding at all levels, we continue to need your help to ensure Wildlife Queensland maintains its important role in wildlife conservation and public

Wildlife Queensland 3 Projects Report

PlatypusWatch Network Platypus conservation is gaining momentum across the country with a number of interstate universities and organisations conducting projects to learn more about the population status of the species. PlatypusWatch Network will continue its work in south-east Queensland to monitor our creeks for platypus activity and contribute valuable population information to a gathering body of data. The Network will continue to use eDNA analysis to search Left: Josh Griffiths from cesar Australia with a female platypus captured as for populations in the south east, but as always, is keen to hear part of annual platypus population surveys in the Wimmera Catchment about sightings in your ‘neck of the woods’. Please email platypus@ Above: Josh and Tamielle monitoring a fyke net used to conduct platypus wildilfe.org.au if you’re lucky enough to spot this elusive creature. population surveys Recently Tamielle Brunt, PlatypusWatch’s resident platypus both photos © Paul Carracher, The Weekly Advertiser ecologist, assisted Josh Griffiths from cesar Australia with the get hands on experience with the species, acquiring skills that will Wimmera Catchment Management Authority’s annual platypus certainly benefit PlatypusWatch in the future. monitoring program in the Grampians, Victoria. Tamielle was able to

Richmond Birdwing Conservation Network Control of the Dutchman’s pipe vine in the Redlands area has been underway since January and is largely complete. Contractors have been steadily working through thick stands of the invasive poisonous vine on properties in the Mount Cotton region. Now, with the hard work done, the Network can get on with the enjoyable task of planting birdwing butterfly vines to replace the Dutchman’s pipe and encourage birdwings back into the area.

Dutchman’s pipe vine control at Mount Cotton © Restore Nature’s Balance

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QuollSeekers Network The Quoll Seekers Network is steadily gathering spotted-tailed quoll scat will provide the hard evidence a list of spotted-tailed quoll sightings in south-east we need as proof that the species is persisting in such Queensland to investigate with scent detection dogs. This a highly modified environment. The Logan City Council is an exciting opportunity for the Network to actively region will be our focus area for 2017, however, we seek out the species, rather than waiting for a quoll to are very keen to hear of potential spotted-tailed quoll cross in front of a camera. While it is unlikely that we sightings right across the south east. Please email any will locate an individual animal, the identification of a information you have to [email protected].

Would you like to learn more about this Queensland Glider Vulnerable butterfly? Join Network the Richmond Birdwing Conservation Network In recent months, greater gliders have and help this beautiful been the major focus of our activities. Following the species’ listing as ‘Vulnerable’ species survive into the under federal EPBC legislation, the future. Visit Queensland State Government has also http://wildlife.org.au/ reclassified greater gliders as ‘Vulnerable’ shop/membership/ under state legislation (Nature Conservation membership Act 1992). to complete your new This only adds to the significance of membership now! our current project on greater gliders and their willingness to use nest boxes. Wildlife Queensland and the Queensland Glider Network will run a series of spotlight walks in search of the greater glider during August, so please keep an eye on the my. Wildlife eBulletin for further information relating to dates and locations.

Greater Glider recently located during spotlighting Richmond Birdwing Butterfly © Jasmine Zeleny © Jennifer Broomhall

Wildlife Queensland 5 The light waits for no-one. I had the spot, balanced precariously with tripod and camera on a boulder on Mount Kiangarow, the highest point of Bunya Mountains National Park. Storms moved across the Darling Downs below. The setting regularly migrate to and from Australia. Australia’s largest sun lit clouds, rain and the grass trees in front of me with member of the Swift family (Apodidae), with sleek bodies up dramatic hues of red and purple. I was glued to the viewfinder, to 21cm in length and long, curved wings, these are birds locking the tripod, checking settings, aware that the scene superbly adapted to a life spent mostly in the air. was vanishing by the second. There was a half-decent After breeding in the rocky hills of central Asia, southern photograph here if I could get my act together. Siberia and north-eastern China, White-throated Needletails Distractions were not needed at this point. I was in the head south as the cold sets in, over-wintering largely in India, zone, one of those rare moments for a photographer when south-east Asia and Australia. It is thought that the entire things were working. Suddenly, a loud rippling, tearing, population of the caudacutus subspecies of this bird visits whooshing sound hit me. I looked up, startled. Nothing, I’d Australia during our summer. While their exact route south is missed it — peregrine falcon, some other kind of bird, a still a bit of a mystery, we know that they head south through UFO? I had no idea. Then it happened again and this time I eastern China and Japan, down the Korean peninsula, mostly caught it — a small squadron of White-throated Needletails, moving east of Borneo, through Papua New Guinea and on long wings curved back and tiny black eyes glinting, tore to Australia — arriving here about October. Once in Australia, through the air in front of me at terrific speed. I cranked my they slowly disperse along the continent’s eastern edge, head back as far as I could without falling off the boulder, mostly on or east of the Great Dividing Range. They eventually tracking the birds as they banked steeply like fighter planes reach Tasmania and even New Zealand, before heading back and shot skywards in one long sun-lit arc of rippling feathers, north the following May. disappearing east over the mountain in seconds. White-throated Needletails spend almost all of their White-throated Needletails (once known as Spine- migratory time in the air. Highly maneuverable masters of tailed Swifts) must surely be one of the most unusual and flight, they move from a few centimeters above to ground to mysterious of the more than 200 species of birds that over a kilometer in the air, reaching speeds of up to 130kph.

“Happier of happy though I be, like them I cannot Riders on the storm take possession of the sky, mount with a thoughtless by Robert Ashdown impulse, and wheel there, one of a mighty multitude whose way and motion is a harmony and dance magnificent.”

— William Wordsworth

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needle-like spines that project up to 6mm beyond their normal tail feathers. These are thought to provide increased stability in flight and to assist with clinging to vertical surfaces on the rare times they touch down on cliffs or trees. Like all migratory birds, these animals face many challenges. They fly for thousands of kilometers over some of the most densely populated areas of the world, where the huge human population places enormous pressure on natural resources. It’s difficult to monitor numbers of such a bird — they’re usually not even seen unless you spend most of your time looking skyward or are messing about on top of hills. In Australia they are usually seen in flocks of around 100, but sometimes up They feed on the wing — diving repeatedly through swarms to about 2000, birds. In Victoria in 1958 a flock of between of insects, scooping them up with their wide beaks. As I’d 50,000 to 100,000 birds was seen. just seen, the birds streak past in long, curving rushes, with While they are not thought to be globally threatened, there bursts of quick wingbeats or fast raking glides. Their eyes are is some evidence that the population of the subspecies that protected from insects and debris by a special clear membrane visits Australia has declined by at least 30%, probably due to and fine protective hairs. habitat loss in their northern breeding grounds. They usually forage in areas of rising air, such as ridgelines, The sun had gone and the needletails had vanished with cliffs, sand-dunes, whirlwinds and bushfires. As with my Bunya the light. As I walked back down the track in the dark, lit by Mountains experience, they are spotted moving ahead of lightning and shaken by distant thunder, I thought of the low pressure fronts and associated storms, which lift both Needletails. Where were those tiny bundles of frantic feathers the insects and the birds, and it is said that they follow these now? They were somewhere out there in the night beyond my systems across Australia. knowing, riding the storm-winds, hanging together in the dark And what’s with the ‘needletails’? These unusual birds have — travelers on an epic eight-month cross-planet journey.

Main photo: A lightning-lit storm heads across the Bunya Mountains, driving insects and migratory needletails high into the air ahead of it. Photo © Robert Ashdown Inset: Photo courtesy Tom Tarrant (www.avideca.org)

Wildlife Queensland 7 ks Trac the Around

but the internet fallout afterwards. The reaction online wasn’t the The Ibis Walk: same as if he had killed a dog or a cat but many people actually Raising awareness of and support for this much maligned bird found the event humorous. It was this that sparked the creation of By Sarah Mitchell the ibis event - I want people to love the ibis and understand that it is only in urban areas due to habitat loss, and that it is actually a Australia is one of the driest continents on earth and many native highly intelligent and wonderful animal. waterbirds, like the Australian white ibis (Threskiornis molucca), The Ibis Walk at New Farm Park, Brisbane on Saturday April 22 travel great distances in search of suitable freshwater wetlands brought together around 150 people in support of the Australian and mudflats. Ibis respond to the cycles of climate by adapting and bird. We discussed stories and facts about the ibis - including the breeding when conditions are right, and are known to be heavily different species resident in Australia. A shirt fabric paint endeavour reliant upon the floodwaters of inland rivers. But what happens raised $120 in donations for Wildlife Queensland. The Ibis Walk is when drought strikes and habitat is built on? The only thing that can looking to be a yearly event with next year’s planned to be bigger happen – they move in search of a new home. While the number and better, and hopefully incorporating local music and art - watch of ibis has increased in urban areas, their number in marshes and this space! wetlands has severely declined in the waterways of New South Wales and Queensland. In January of this year a man captured and killed an ibis in George Top left: Participants in the Ibis Walk Street, Brisbane. I have thought about this event a lot since it Top right: Australian white ibis © Matthew Binns happened. It wasn’t just the initial event that affected me so much

successfully relocated, fell victim to feral cats. The fence is now Meet a Bilby Event being repaired, using different materials purchased with a grant On Saturday 13 May, the Moreton Bay branch of Wildlife from the government, and it is expected that the area will soon be Queensland hosted an event to learn about bilbies and the work ready for bilbies again. being carried out by the Save the Bilby Fund in the conservation of Peggy then introduced her beautiful bilby and wandered around this beautiful animal. Forty one adults and a dozen children met at the room allowing all to get a close view. Following the presentation CREEC (Caboolture Region Environmental Education Centre), eager morning tea was served on the veranda of the centre and attendees to catch a glimpse of the promised bilby. received a free plant from the CREEC community nursery. While welcoming the attendees, President Helen Thomas mentioned that Wildlife Queensland had been involved in the conservation of the bilby since 1992, when it campaigned for the protection of a population of bilbies located in an area being used as a cattle store paddock by a large pastoral company. Peggy Mucci, Projects Officer for the Save the Bilby Fund, talked about the bilby, its appearance, habitat and diet as well as the threats it is facing. It is estimated that there are 400-600 bilbies left in the wild in Queensland, and they are listed as endangered in this state. Peggy spoke about the early days of the Save the Bilby campaign and the drive to raise funds to build a fence to surround a 25 square kilometre area in Currawinya National Park, eradicate all feral animals and release captive-bred bilbies. Following the 2011 floods, the fence was breached and the bilbies, which had been Bilby event was well received

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Clean Up Australia The branch nevertheless feels Clean Up Australia remains a This year Kedron Brook Catchment branch cleaned up positive and proactive day when people can enjoy making a little a site at Kalinga Park and had a fair turn out, mostly from difference for the environment. the local bushcare group but others too, including Councillor Note: The comment about no recent flooding was interesting David McLachlan. It was a steamy hot morning when they took when you consider that less than four weeks later south-east instructions and then spread out to pick up. Queensland was inundated by the remnants of Cyclone Debbie. Branch President Robert Standish-White explained that several Bayside branch also participated in the clean-up but the area factors reduced collection amounts this year, the major one being they chose was at Redland Bay, along the edge of Moreton Bay. no recent flooding which tends to sweep truckloads of garbage into They were assisted by a group of scouts from Mount Cotton. Much the creek. Another was the increase in invasive weeds, particularly the same type of rubbish was collected as by Kedron but there were the large grasses which form almost impenetrable thickets. If some other interesting items such as the large tyre pulled from the you can get through and find the small dumping spots that high mud. waters leave then there is still a slew of debris to collect, and bank “remediation” with large rocks renders many slopes inaccessible. Collected rubbish included many plastic objects – bags, bottles, Left: Mt Cotton Scouts’ collection straws, pool toys, spray and beverage containers, as well as cigarette Right: Megan, Steve and Debra remove tyre butts, packing and building materials, balloons etc.

Bundaberg Farewell Extract from item submitted by Pam Soper Sadly, the Bundaberg branch of Wildlife Queensland has closed. A major win for the branch occurred in 1992 when Kinkuna Formed in 1968, the branch was a strong voice for the protection of National Park (subsequently amalgamated into Burrum Coast native wildlife and their habitats in the Bundaberg region for almost National Park) was declared after a long campaign to stop a major 50 years. Its achievements were many, including the declaration of road being put through this very sensitive coastal wallum area to Kinkuna National Park, and its lasting legacy to the area is a funded service a proposed resort development. koala project. Other major campaigns included seeking full protection for areas The branch had input into a number of groups such as Bundaberg such as the Pasturage Reserve at Bargara (now formally renamed Regional Council’s Community Conservation Advisory Group, and at Barolin Nature Reserve) and Baldwin Swamp Environmental Park. GBRMPA’s Reef Guardian meetings. It was also a strong voice for the Recently, Bundaberg branch funded a koala project to raise future of Mon Repos turtle rookery. The need for protection of turtles awareness of the plight of the koala throughout Queensland, and to at Mon Repos was a major issue for the branch in 1968, continuing gain better knowledge of how many remain within the Bundaberg through the 1970s and 1980s with two appeals in the Planning region. and Environment Court (spearheaded by Wildlife Queensland’s head office in Brisbane), and finally achieving recognition and protection Thank you, friends, for all you have achieved for wildlife! for the turtles and Mon Repos turtle rookery.

Wildlife Queensland 9 WILDLIFE LAND FUND NEWS

Wildlife Land Fund Limited (WLFL) members recently visited the Neil Holloway Reesville Nature Reserve. As many readers will be aware, the major management issue facing WLFL on this holding is the infestation of broad-leaf privet (Ligustrum lucidum). WLFL has, over the years, outlaid many thousands of dollars toward control of this invasive weed, and will continue to do so. The regeneration of rainforest species where privet has been removed is encouraging. However, the process is appreciably slow and no doubt something that the WLFL will be dealing with well into the future. It isn’t all bad news though — many areas on the property were found to contain a high level of floristic diversity with few weeds. Recent revegetation work by Brush Turkey Enterprises is coming along well and, given a few seasons of rain, the plants will be well on their way to creating a diverse ecosystem for native wildlife. The Witta Nature Refuge has again been the recipient of the majority of our organisation’s physical effort. Accordingly, the property is looking great. The site-based Environmental Management Plan is complete; this document identifies the environmental management issues and actions required to continue moving forward with the rehabilitation of the property. It will allow our organisation to streamline working bees and contractor work to ensure coordination is achieved. We are keenly awaiting the outcome of a Landholder Environment Grant application submitted to the Sunshine Coast Council to fund a project tackling a large lantana thicket near the shelter shed. This will be a fantastic project for members to spend time re- WLFL conserving threatened species. planting natives and keeping the lantana at bay. Should the organisation be Members have spied Richmond birdwing larvae on a successful with this grant, we will dedicate a number of working bees to the number of the young birdwing vines planted by the project, so keep your ears to the ground and a sharp eye out for invitations to join in the fun. CVA Green Army team in early 2016. Bukkulla received much rainfall from Cyclone Debbie earlier this year. The rain was very welcome and, fortunately, the property did not suffer Recruiting new members is as always a challenging task, so at this any major damage from the strong winds. Currently the organisation has time of year when current membership renewal is upon us I ask that you not received any indication that the Queensland government has plans to consider talking to friends and family and encourage others to not only join sell the property to the Department of Defence as part of the Shoalwater WLFL, but participate in the organisation’s activities. Please keep an eye Bay Military Training Area expansion. However, this represents a period of out for your membership renewal and help build the strength of this great uncertainty and the board will continue to manage the site well as possible. organisation.

The Wildlife Land Fund Limited (WLFL) is a non-profit, limited guarantee, public Left: Weed control volunteers Right: Results can be seen after a day’s work company established in 2001. Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland founded, fostered and promotes WLFL. While WLFL is a separate legal entity, it maintains strong links to, and receives ongoing support from, Wildlife Queensland.

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Comments on draft MOU between DEHP, DAF, DNRM with regard to Draft WPSQ in Action Queensland Protected Area Strategy lodged with the Department of Environment A snapshot of advocacy work on your behalf and Heritage Protection May Submissions & Significant Correspondence Submission on Walker Group Holdings Pty Limited/Residential Development/L58 February on SP115554, L1 on RP145396, L33-35 on C618, L20 on SP153278, L79 on Copies of policies on Vegetation Management and Wildlife Human interaction to SL7088, L119 on SL9713/Queensland/Toondah Harbour Development lodged Premier Palaszczuk, Minister Dr Steven Miles, Minister Dr Lynham, Mr Tim with Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy Nicholls, Leader of the Opposition, Dr Christian Rowan, Opposition Spokesperson for the Environment. Meetings have included March February Submission on Plastic Waste discussion paper lodged with the Department of Department of National parks, Sport and Racing re Policy on the Draft Environment and Heritage Protection. Queensland Protected Area Estate Strategy Submission on Container Refund Scheme lodged with the Department of University of Queensland School of Earth and Environmental Sciences concerning Environment and Heritage Protection. Industry Placements for Wildlife Queensland Submission on the Draft Queensland Protected Area Strategy lodged with the March Department of Environment and Heritage Protection. Fraser Island Scientific Advisory Committee re policies and field inspection of Comments on the Review of Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity to the Fraser Island independent commonwealth appointed Review Panel chaired by Dr Wendy Craik Cash on Containers with Department of Environment and Heritage Protection – joint submission together with Invasive Species Council (primary submitter) plus several other organisations David Wright re building a sustainable future for Wildlife Queensland April April Submission on National Environmental Biosecurity Response Agreement to Draft legislation on private conservation reserves discussed with Department of Australian Dept of Agriculture and Water Resource s- joint submission together Environment and Heritage Protection with Invasive Species Council (primary submitter) plus several other Conservation Groups associated with the Round Table meeting prior to meeting organisations to Commonwealth Department of Agriculture and Water Resources the Minister. Submission on the draft Commonwealth Threat Abatement Plan (TAP) for the Ministerial Round Table 18-20 April-with Minister Dr Steven Miles emphasis was Impacts of Marine Debris on Vertebrate Marine Life to the Australian Government on Climate Change, Great Barrier Reef – Adani Carmichael Mine and funding of Department of the Environment and Energy the rail line, renewable energy and Social –liveable communities- eg North Submission on draft Recovery Plan for Grey Headed Flying fox lodged with Stradbroke Island transforming from mining to tourism. Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy May Flying foxes and the number of lethal Damage Mitigation Permits issued in 2016 with Department of Environment and Heritage Protection. Wildlife Queensland HQ: Meeting re launch of the 1:100 000 Regional Ecosystem mapping of Queensland Who’s who and information systems State Council President: Peter Ogilvie June Vice-Presidents: Steve Homewood, Andrew Dinwoodie, Joanne Towsey Wildlife Advisory Committee meeting re Review of Wildlife Regulation.WWF and Secretary: Des Boyland AMCS re Coordinator General Evaluation Report on the Environment Impact Treasurer: David Keogh statement on the Nathan Dam and Pipelines project to determine ongoing Councillors: Keith McDonald, Helen Thomas, Sally Spain, Lynn Ogden, Robert strategy. Standish-White and Nina Hardie Council Observer: Paul Sutton Regular volunteers: John Hutt, Warren Johnson, Joan Macdonald, Beth Adopt a Glider Pegg, Jenny Thynne, Maryann Kennedy, Linda Sulakatku and Rensche Schep. Home is where Plus the wonderful teams who help with mail-outs, projects and surveys the hollow is Staff: Join the Adopt a glider Policies and Campaigns Manager: Des Boyland program or give Operations Manager: Janelle Devery a gift adoption to Membership Support Officer: Doreen Payne support our work for Projects Officer: Matt Cecil the survival of gliders Communications Officer: Natasha Bryant and their habitat. Book-keeper: Madeleine Hodder http://wildlife.org.au/adoptions/ Newsletter: conceptual designer: Kath Farley; graphic designer: Joy Hinckley Photo © Chris Pollitts editor: Doreen Payne; printer: Eckersley Group (TPO)

Wildlife Queensland 11 Left: Quoll at Mt Carbine Tableland © Conrad Hoskin Top: Trap located at Mt Spurgeon © Conrad Hoskin Bottom: Male quoll caught on camera Conservation of the Spotted-tailed Quoll across the Wet Tropics Mountaintops Adriana Uzqueda (honours student, James Cook University) Supervisors: Dr Conrad Hoskin (James Cook University) & Dr Scott Burnett (University of the Sunshine Coast) Australia has a shocking history of mammal extinction and decline, and this continues to the present across the tropical north. These declines have occurred largely due to human-induced changes, such as habitat loss and change, and invasive species. Top-order predators are particularly vulnerable to human disturbance because they occur at low densities, need large areas, and can be impacted by any changes in the food chain below them. They are also more likely to venture beyond protected areas and into conflict with people (e.g., preying on livestock or chickens). The spotted-tailed quoll (STQ) is largely remaining subpopulations. To do this I am: In combination, the results of this a predator of small and medium-sized (1) using distributional modelling to identify research will be directly useful in guiding mammals, like possums, bandicoots and areas of quoll loss/persistence and assess conservation actions. For example, findings native rodents. It belongs to the family possible reasons for the decline, and 2) will allow us to identify: (1) patterns Dasyuridae, a diverse family ranging from using genetics to determine structuring and and drivers of decline; (2) key areas of mouse-sized planigales up to the Tasmanian connectivity between subpopulations. persistence; (3) current isolation and devil. The STQ has two subspecies: Dasyurus Our first task was to obtain small connectivity between populations; and (4) maculatus maculatus is found from tissue samples from individuals from particularly important populations in terms Tasmania to southern Queensland, while as many subpopulations as possible. of persistence and genetics. This is all vital Dasyurus maculatus gracilis is restricted After a couple of months of fieldwork knowledge to facilitate the survival of this to the Wet Tropics region in north-east on some of Queensland’s highest peaks, amazing animal. Queensland. The northern subspecies is we obtained genetic samples from most Note: This research has been assisted smaller and genetically divergent, and of the subpopulations. The samples are by a research grant from Wildlife is highly isolated from the southern currently undergoing preparation for subspecies. It is restricted to high elevation genetic analyses that will assess thousands Queensland. rainforest areas of the Wet Tropics and is of genetic markers across the whole listed as endangered at the state (NCA) and genome. This genome-wide data federal (EPBC) levels. will allow me to assess population The Wet Tropics STQ has declined structure and connectivity across the substantially over recent decades and it now subpopulations. appears to survive in only five small, disjunct In the meantime, I am in the process areas across the central and northern of creating past and contemporary Wet Tropics mounattains. A population STQ distribution models based on assessment about 15 years ago estimated occurrence records, climatic data, a total of 400 to 540 individuals left in and proxies for human impact. I will the wild. The cause of this decline remains use these models to explore how unresolved and this hampers management. distributions have changed through My honours research project aims to time, find factors that correlate with understand the decline of STQs in the Wet distribution change, and identify areas Tropics, and assess connectivity between the of quoll persistence.

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