Creek Rescue and Catchment Care CAPABILITY STATEMENT Philosophy We believe humans can and should sustainably coexist with wildlife refuge-corridors along waterways. We believe nature- friendly and sustainable human lifestyles are key elements for human health and happiness. We value clean water, clean air and natural areas where nature recreation is an essential part of life. We believe restoring native habitat is the best way to ensure resilient, healthy ecosystems. Business Details Creek Rescue and Catchment Care (CRACC) is a private business with professionals skilled in rehabilitating and restoring habitats in catchments by controlling erosion, PHOTO: ROBERT WHYTE improving vegetation health, removing weeds and replanting with locally-native species. We are affiliated with the Enoggera “We value clean water, clean air and catchment environmental organisation Save Our Waterways Now (SOWN). We donate a percentage cent of our billings natural areas where nature recreation to SOWN in exchange for plants, materials, advice and is an essential part of life.” equipment use. Creek Rescue and Catchment Care ABN: 63 073 488 114 2 Eton Street, Toowong, Q 4066 07 3335 4000 0409 055 325 [email protected],au CRACC’s self-assessed quality system conforms to AS/ NZS ISO 99002: 1994, specifically developed to cover all the work we do, upgrading to ISO 9001:2008 to conform AS1100 and for compliance with ISO 9001 series for project documentation. Professional indemnity insurer: AON Indemnity: $1,000,000 any one claim, $2,000,000 in the aggregate. Underwriter: Zurich Australian Insurance. PHOTO: ROBERT WHYTE Limited Public liability insurance Insurer: AON Policy Number: CPF7C012767QLD Limit of Indemnity: $10,000,000 any one occurrence (except Products risk which is any one “Our services cover the full range of period of insurance) Underwriter: Vero, CGU, Allianz environmental management tasks, WorkCover Insurer: WorkCover Queensland Policy Number: from planning and preparation to WAA870209191 planting and maintenance.” CRACC’s Workplace Health and Safety Policy ensures all directors, employees, visitors and contractors are provided with a safe and healthy work environment pursuant to Queensland law. Creek Rescue and Catchment Care Capability Statement 1 History CRACC was created as a trading name for Robert Whyte to pursue commercial bush revegetation activities as part of the funded Ithaca Intact project in 2011. CRACC soon found a demand for other commercial restoration work in the Enoggera catchment and elsewhere. In 2012 private works occurred on land in Bardon, The Gap, Fig Tree Pocket, Taringa, Ashgrove, Red Hill, Toowong and Pencil Creek, Sunshine Coast. Also in 2012 CRACC began work on a federally-funded project spanning six years to attempt eradication of Mother-of- Millions Bryophyllum delgoense at Myall Park Botanic Gardens. Initial surveys have been carried out and several treatment methods will be trialed over the next few years to determine MYALL PARK BOTANIC GARDEN PHOTO: ROBERT WHYTE the most effective and least environmentally-dangerous method. “…in 2012 CRACC began work on a major project to attempt eradication Workplace health & safety, risk management of Mother-of-Millions at Myall Park We place the greatest emphasis on avoiding harm to our Botanic Gardens, Western Darling personnel and the public by scrupulous attention to health and safety issues. Downs.” Risk of injury and illness are reduced by compliance with the current Workplace Health and Safety Act and Regulations. We carry out risk assessments on each project for conducting safe work practices and ensure our workers are provided with adequate training, protective clothing and equipment. Suppliers • ToadShow – design, content creation, print, web and multimedia • Technigro – weeds science • Kinnear Stacey & Sons Pty Ltd – Landscape Architecture and construction • SOWN nursery – plants • Queensland Museum – biodiversity surveys • Nick Rains – photography • Mark Crocker – photography • Greening Australia nursery – plants • Geckoes Wildlife – presentations, education, wildlife PHOTO: ROBERT WHYTE surveys • Crows Nest Community Nursery – plants “We protect the safety and well-being • Barb’s Trees – plants of our community and our personnel with scrupulous attention to health and safety considerations.” Creek Rescue and Catchment Care Capability Statement 2 Our services Site assessment and surveys Professional habitat quality, amenity and ecological evaluation and documentation for rehabilitation and maintenance, utilising: • botanical surveys, terrestrial and aquatic sampling including macro-invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds • hydrological assessments including water quality sampling and analysis. • weed mapping and control • identification and assessment of weed threats, including: • species mapping on and around project sites MAP: SARAH-JANE ABBOTT • treatment and control with a focus on protecting existing desirable native vegetation • mulching, matting, meshing and earthworks. Revegetation and restoration works Well-planned, cost-efficient restorations, utilising: • site safety assessments, removal of dangerous materials, and safety barrier installation • planned site preparation, planting and maintenance, matching methods with sites to ensure appropriately scaled weed removal • erosion control with a combination of barriers, planting and earthworks • proven, locally-native habitat plants for initial control of the site, establishment, then an ultimate biodiversity infill PHOTO: NICK RAINS phase towards a self-sustaining site “Our strengths include local • maintenance works include mulching, watering and weeding, monitoring of erosion control and water quality knowledge, community support, devices, biological surveys mapping terrestrial and aquatic event management and ongoing fauna health, abundance and diversity • community engagement to advise local neighbourhoods of maintenance.” projects and their benefits. Project management • Smooth, coordinated planning and implementation of projects, including: • feasibility studies, consultation with land managers for the site and its adjacent areas, alignment with regulatory frameworks and local laws • expert documentation with high-impact communication design • event planning and catering for community and corporate working bees and bushcare events. PHOTO: ROBERT WHYTE Creek Rescue and Catchment Care Capability Statement 3 Personnel Robert Whyte Project planning and management including surveys, mapping and on-ground work. Robert is an Australian writer and habitat restoration consultant. His works include a practical guide to creek restoration The creek in our backyard, 2011, published by Save Our Waterways Now. Rob has extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in bushcare gained from years working in the field with Save Our Waterways Now (SOWN). He is currently SOWN’s Director. Licences, qualifications and permits: • Research Associate (honorary) Queensland Museum PHOTO: ANNE JONES • Permit to collect from National Parks and other reserves, Dept of Environment and Heritage Protection • Certificate in Horticulture, Support Natural Area Conservation TAFE • Postgraduate Diploma Professional Art Studies, University of Western Sydney • Brushcutting training • Fire hydrant, standpipe use permit • Herbicide ACDC commercial operator’s licence for use of a mechanical spray unit • Current blue card THE CREEK IN OUR BACK YARD BY ROBERT WHYTE, DESIGN: TOADSHOW Sarah-Jane Abbott Communications Sarah-Jane assists in all areas of communication including planning and policy development, with specialist skills in school and community education. She has excellent people and risk-management skills gained from eight years working with staff and children in primary schools and a good understanding of sustainability issues gained through volunteering at Northey Street City Farm. Sarah-Jane is passionate about introducing children to Australian bush foods through school gardens. • Licences, qualifications and permits • Bachelor Arts, Chinese & English, University of Queensland • Cert IV Small Business Management • Cert III Children’s Services “CRACC’s dedicated professionals • Senior First Aid have extensive on-ground experience in • Current blue card environment and project management.” Creek Rescue and Catchment Care Capability Statement 4 John Marnane Planning, strategy, scientific surveys, on-ground works John’s lifelong interest in environmental management has been informed by his experience in country North Queensland where he lived, studied and worked in the 1960s and 70s. As a secondary school teacher John taught science, a career path aligning with his interests in nature conservation, biodiversity and the study of evolutionary processes in our environment. He currently manages 230 acres of sub-tropical rainforest in a nature reserve near Mapleton Falls. Licences, qualifications and permits • Bachelor of Arts, University of Queensland • Postgraduate Diploma, Industrial Relations • Science Teacher, Education Queensland • Chainsaw operations (Levels 1 & 2) PHOTO: MARK CROCKER Dick Harding Resource management, on-ground works Dick Harding helps manage SOWN’s nursery in The Gap, propagating locally-native plants for habitat restoration. Dick has been part of the leadership group managing SOWN’s Arthur Gorrie Plant Propagation Partnership, a program helping SOWN double its output in 2012. SOWN will soon surpass 60,000 locally-native plants per year for creek rehabilitation in the Enoggera catchment. Licences,