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Noosa & District Landcare Group - Celebrating 21 Years Since Incorporation
What is Best for the
Koala? 1-2
Chairman’s Report
Management
Committee / Staff
3
Members’ Bits and Pieces
4
Annual General Meeting 5
Waterwtach News 6-7
Community Nature
Conservation Program
News
8-9
Contractors’ Workshop a Success
11
Five Little Boys and One
Little Girl 12
Noosa Christian College
Helps the Environment 13
Molly and Kim to the
Rescue … Again! 13
Local Business Ads 14
Ornithological Swearing? 15
Noosa Landcare
Services 16
Inside this issue: Summer Issue December 2013
Conservation
&
Sustainability
PO Box 278
Pomona Qld 4568
Station Street
Pomona Qld 4568
Phone: 07 5485 2468
Fax: 07 5485 0413
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.noosalandcare.org
Noosa & District
Landcare Group
We wish all our Members and readers a peaceful Christmas and New Year.
Thank you for your support throughout 2013 to achieve our environmental goals.
Sponsors for Noosa Landcare’s 21st celebrations on 3 October 2013
Bronze sponsor Silver sponsor Bronze sponsor Gold sponsor
Koala Conservation & Awareness Workshop asks the big question ...
“What is Best for the Koala?” by Vanessa Moscato & Carolyn Beaton
THE collective wisdom and experience of
six koala conservation groups and their
individual insights into what is best for the
koala, was shared with a large gathering of
koala lovers who filled Noosa & District
Landcare’s office at the Rural Futures
Centre to capacity. Local, state and
national perspectives on topical koala
conservation issues – politics, current
research, rescue efforts, vet protocols and
on-ground habitat preservation and
restoration endeavours - were aired.
Phillip Moran (Noosa & District Landcare)
spoke of how Landcare collaborated with
nine private landholders and the Sunshine
Coast Council in the recent planting of
1,000 eucalypts from Tandur to
Tinbeerwah. While this project has
achieved its objective of restoring cleared
or degraded land adjacent to good quality
koala habitat, he described it as “just a
drop in the ocean”.
The audience was shocked by a
presentation by Jennifer Adams, Senior Vet
Nurse at the Australia Zoo Wildlife
Hospital (AZWH), and her revelation that
3,660 koalas have been admitted to the
AZWH since 2008 alone.
Despite the extensive experience and
specialist care delivered around the clock
by orthopaedic surgeons, vets, vet nurses
and volunteers, such is the severity of
Continued on page 2
Deborah Tabart OAM from the Australian Koala Foundation with Vanessa Moscato, Noosa Landcare
Newsletter compiled and edited
by Margie Cosgrave
Noosa & District Landcare Group Page 2
“What is Best for the Koala?” (cont from page 1)
From left: Julie O’Connor and Dave Burrows, Sunshine Coast Council; Jen Adams, Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital; Vanessa Moscato, Noosa & District Landcare; and Michelle Daily, Tandur landholder and koala conservationist
injury and illness affecting koalas arriving in care that
two-thirds of those admitted to the Wildlife Hospital
have to be humanely euthanized or die while in care.
Only one third of koala admissions are able to be
released back to the wild. Most of the koalas admitted
to the Hospital are three to five years old, which is
when the adolescent males and females disperse and
move away from their mothers. Jennifer also shared,
somewhat reassuringly, that re-admissions were not a
common occurrence. She clarified that the Wildlife
Hospital is under a legislative obligation to release
rehabilitated koalas within five kilometres of their
rescue site.
Deborah Tabart OAM, from the Australian Koala
Foundation (AKF), shared her dream of the
establishment of a Koala Protection Act, a simple piece
of legislation modelled on the American Bald Eagle Act.
Deborah hopes to see the legislation tabled in the new
Federal Parliament in early 2014, in concert with a
dedicated lobbying effort by the AKF’s Koala Army.
Deborah urged us to assist their campaign by “pecking
our politicians into submission”.
Conservation of this species is contingent upon the
protection of all remnants of good quality koala habitat.
Deborah therefore urged us to get to know our koala
food trees, tag them and join her Koala Army. “There
isn’t enough time to plant new trees,” says Deborah.
“We just can’t afford to cut down the ones we already
have. It will take 2,000 saplings to get one tree the size
of a telegraph pole, and
take 30 – 50 years,
which will be too late
for koalas on the
Sunshine Coast.
Road signage doesn’t
work, unless it is
policed. Local dog laws don’t work unless they are
policed.”
The Australian Koala Foundation has printed a very
large Koala Habitat Map of the Noosa area, now
housed at the Rural Futures Centre in Pomona for the
community to view. Julie O’Connor from the Sunshine
Coast Council will develop a new operational Koala
Conservation Plan. Dave Burrows, from Council’s
Land for Wildlife program, highlighted how voluntary
conservation and environmental restoration by private
landholders over the past 50 years has created a
valuable wildlife corridor connecting Woondum and
Pinbarren National Parks.
Meghan Halverson, of Queensland Koala Crusaders Inc
(QKC), delivered an emotive take-home message -
“There is a real urgency for action and we need to
work collaboratively to achieve what’s best for the
koala”. She hopes that when QKC re-submits the
2012 Sunshine Coast Koala Summit Report
recommendations to the new Noosa Council in early
2014, their response will not mirror that of the
dismissive Sunshine Coast Council.
This event was part of a workshop series run by Noosa
Landcare as part of a Queensland Government-funded
habitat restoration project. The evening concluded
with networking and everyone was treated to an
ayurvedic meal prepared by Danielle Gonsal from
Ohara for Life.
Whilst not everyone agrees on what’s best for the
koala, it is clear that what we need is an engaged
community that supports local action and a rapid
response from all levels of government.
Summer and Anika, the next generation of wildlife carers
Danielle and Carla, from Ohara for Life who
catered for the event
December 2013 Page 3
Management Committee
Dr John Cronin Chair
George Kootoofa Vice Chair
Dick Barnes Treasurer
Geoff Black Secretary
Paul Steels Committee
Luke Barrowcliffe Committee
Kim Barnes Committee
Wayne Morris Committee
Phil Moran Committee (Operational)
Staff
Phil Moran General Manager
Aaron Brunton Nurseries Manager /
Contracts Manager
Paul Sprecher Contracts Manager
Anita Russell Waterwatch Co-ordinator &
Program Support Officer
Wendy May Community Nature
Conservation Co-ordinator
Vanessa Moscato Program Support Officer
Lyn Harm Greenhouse (Retail Nursery)
Aimee Roil Nursery Supervisor
Melvina Osborne Futures Centre Nursery
Catrina Samson Futures Centre Nursery
Darrin Barden NRM Crew Supervisor
Dylan D’angio NRM Crew Supervisor
Damien Morley NRM Crew Supervisor
Charlie Sparks NRM Crew Supervisor
Rae O’Flynn NRM Crew / CNCP
Peter Hewston NRM Crew
Ross Marks NRM Crew
Geoff Haack NRM Crew
Saul Kenyon NRM Crew
Jack Macdonald NRM Crew
Dylan Sparks NRM Crew
Kyle Sanderson NRM Crew
Luke Allen NRM Crew
Matt Defreitas NRM Crew
Sam Willner NRM Crew
Kim Maddison Administration Manager
Trish Bignall Administration Officer
Margie Cosgrave Administration Assistant
FOLLOWING the AGM on the 5th of December we have
a new Management Committee, with some familiar faces
and a few new recruits. I am very happy to take on the
role of Chair for this year and welcome all my fellow
committee members to what I hope will be a very
exciting and rewarding year ahead. Collectively the
committee brings a wealth of knowledge and experience
in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors of the
economy, as well as a great depth of knowledge in
environmental and resource management matters.
Noosa & District Landcare Group (NDLG) is already a
major contributor to the social, environmental and
economic sustainability of the Noosa district and a
significant contributor to our local economy. I hope we
will be able to increase this contribution in the coming
year through furthering the objectives or the organisation
which include, among others, providing education to all
sections of the community in the understanding of the
principles of conservation of the natural environment and
promoting rehabilitation, regeneration, revegetation of
land, soils and local waterways.
Amongst our strategic objectives for the year ahead we
hope to expand our online and social media presence,
building upon the great work the team have been doing in
that area over the past year. This and other similar
initiatives are designed to enhance our ability to
communicate with our members and the wider
community in order to further the aims of the
organisation. We also aim to continue to expand our
partnerships with federal, state and local government, as
well as with private sector organisations and individual
landowners, to demonstrate the great skill and expertise
of our on-ground teams in conservation of the natural
environment and rehabilitation, regeneration,
revegetation of land, soils and local waterways.
To all, including members, volunteers and all the
wonderful staff at NDLG, I would like on behalf of the
management committee to express a warm and heartfelt
thank you for the great support and work you have
contributed during the past year.
I would also like to wish you and your families a very
happy Christmas and may the New Year bring you much
joy – we look forward to working with you in 2014.
Report from our new Chairman
John Cronin
Page 4 December 2013
Not sure when your Membership is / was due?
The due date for your Membership renewal
is shown on the mailing label on this newsletter
(if you receive it by post)
MEMBERSHIP
Standard 1 year - $35
Standard 2 years - $65
Standard 3 years - $95
We offer other membership packages too.
For information or to join/renew:
http://www.noosalandcare.org/nlc-memberform2012.pdf
Members’ Bits and Pieces
We have many THANK YOU’S this quarter!
Bunnings Marquee, cargo nets, BBQ, folding
table, as well as a range of tools
and other provisions
For use by 50 Waterwatch volunteers
and 18 bushcare volunteer groups in
their conservation work
Pomona Fruit & Vegie Market Generous discount on produce For Richmond Birdwing Conservation
Network Annual General Meeting in
November
Dan Law, Sunshine Tree Surgery Mulch For use in Station Place public garden in
Pomona
Nina Saxton Computer screen, keyboard,
speakers, camera
For use in our offices
Julie Roberts Bags For weed collection
Vipassana Meditation Centre Irrigation supplies, tree guards,
bamboo stakes
Delivered by Cam from Vipassana
Sonia MacDonald, Vanessa Moscato, Emma
Wright, Margie & Brian Cosgrave, Molly & Kim
Maddison, Anita Russell, Rae O’Flynn, Dylan
D’angio, Mari Gray and Michael Egan, Geoff
Hewston, Nina Saxton, Mary Neil, Wayne Morris
- and many others!
In-kind donations For our Garage Sale on 26 October.
We didn’t manage to record all donors’
names, but please accept our thanks for
your contribution of items.
Mari Gray, Saul Kenyon, Angelina & Letitia
Wilson, Michael Anderson, Joadie Hardy, Tom &
Lilly Anderson, Trish & Kevin Bignall, Margie &
Brian Cosgrave, Anita Russell, Kim & Molly
Maddison, Darrin Barden, Charlie & Prue Sparks
Volunteering their time At our Garage Sale on 26 October
Calendar of Events
Date & Time Event Contact
Start of February 2014 Working bees resume for Community Nature Conservation Program
Wendy, Noosa Landcare: (07) 5485 2155
Start of February 2014 Water quality monitoring resumes for Waterwatch
Anita, Noosa Landcare: (07) 5485 2155
Would you be interested in coming to
High Tea for charity at the RFC? For more about this idea, please read our
article in the December E-news at:
http://www.noosalandcare.org/e-news-dec2013.html
Please let us know if you are interested:
[email protected] or phone (07) 5485 2468
Page 5
Annual General Meeting 2012-13 - Phil Moran
Page 5 December 2013
New Management Committee, from left: Paul Steels, George Kootoofa, John Cronin
Phillip Moran, Wayne Morris, Geoff Black, Kim Barnes, Richard Barnes
(Inset: Luke Barrowcliffe)
AND so this is Christmas … a time to spend time with
family, pray for rain and go to Annual General
Meetings!
This year, Noosa & District Landcare Group (NDLG)
held its AGM on a steamy Thursday 5th of December at
the Rural Futures Centre in Pomona.
Among the interested attendees were several of our
partner organisations: Susie Chapman of SEQ
Catchments, Ian McKay from Mary River Catchment
Co-ordinating Committee, Ben McMullen from
Sunshine Coast Council and Narelle McCarthy of
Sunshine Coast Environment Council. Also present
was Juliette Greenway from Sunshine Coast TAFE.
Secretary Paul Steels read the Minutes of the previous
AGM and got proceedings under way. In his
Chairman’s report, George Kootoofa commented on
the 21st celebration held earlier in the year and
remarked how far the group has come.
George also noted that with a change in Federal, State
and now Council governance, NDLG will be entering a
period of change, one that we will have to adapt to.
Truer words hath never been spoken!
In the Treasurer’s report, Dr John Cronin noted the
fall in revenue for financial year 2012/13, due in large
part to the cessation of the State Government’s Green
Army program. John noted that NDLG is a major
contributor to the local economy, as well as looking
after our environment and providing educational
opportunities for the community.
In his report, Phillip Moran noted the loss of revenue
as above and that the group was able to increase its
work with our partner organisations to alleviate this to
an extent. NDLG works closely with these partners,
including regional bodies (Burnett Mary Regional
Group and SEQ Catchments), the Sunshine Coast
Council, Mary River Catchment Coordinating
Committee, Noosa Integrated Catchment Association
(NICA), Noosa Biosphere Ltd and Seqwater. He
emphasised the point that by working collaboratively,
NDLG has been able to achieve considerable on-
ground actions.
He also noted the educational activities undertaken as
a core principle of Noosa Landcare. The effort of all
the volunteers was noted and this includes the
members of the committee. The staff of NDLG have
all done a terrific job, one of which they can all be
proud.
Michael T. Harper was approved as auditor for the
next financial year.
The committee stood down and the meeting was
handed over to Tony Haslam (NICA) to conduct the
official business of the day.
The new committee for 2013/14 was then announced
to the assembled throng and is listed on the third page
of this newsletter.
Tony thanked the retiring committee and welcomed
the new. It was very satisfying to hear Tony comment
how pleased NICA was to partner with NDLG for the
good of our very special region. This sentiment was
echoed by the redoubtable Susie Chapman from SEQ
Catchments … and a perfect segue into a BBQ lunch
and the end of the AGM for this year!
Page 6
Waterwatch - Anita Russell
December 2013
Let’s Change for the Better - Waterwatch Survey 2013
WHEN I met Leah at Heritage Park, she had just
finished work. Looking back on this photo, I’m sure
she was wondering why I had asked her to monitor a
pond full of Salvinia (Salvinia molesta) - Declared Class 2
pest species - and a dry creek bed, which barely had a
lick of scungy water in a small pool.
A week later Reid (another valued Noosa Landcare
volunteer) and I took Leah out to show her the ropes
of volunteer water quality monitoring. Leah has since
sent me a photo of the same spot where we sat in the
creek during training, only this time full of water. This
gives me hope for an early rain season, with cooler
days.
Wooroi Creek is an important part of the connecting
ecosystems. Starting from about Sunrise Road in
Tinbeerwah, Wooroi Creek meanders down through
Tewantin National Park under a few small culverts at
Cooroy-Noosa Road (Jack Hassett Drive). As it winds
through Heritage Park, Wooroi creek connects
approximately five branches of the creek from
Tewantin National Park, before heading around
Tewantin Noosa Golf Club and the Noosa Sports
Complex, under McKinnon Drive through Tewantin,
through Wooroi Creek Reserve, then runs out into the
Noosa River right next to Moorindil Street Wharf and
the North Shore Ferry.
Leah monitoring Wooroi Creek at Heritage Park
(Anita on left)
Welcome Leah
IN August this year we were contacted by Amanda
Bromley, Senior Stakeholder Engagement Consultant at
GHD (a consulting company) in Kawana. Amanda is
currently studying Participatory Approaches to
Development as part of her post-graduate Certificate
in International and Community Development.
Amanda thought it would be a great idea to help out a
local community organisation while working on her
research project, and so contacted Noosa
Waterwatch. After a coffee with myself and Phil, we
decided that a short survey to the Waterwatch
volunteers would help support the Waterwatch by
providing feedback to us about the program,
improvements that need to be made and information
about individuals to support our data records.
Amanda set up a survey through the wonderful on-line
SurveyMonkey. To our amazement we received a 50%
response from the Waterwatch volunteers. It
surprised me that 60% of respondents have a diploma
or higher. One respondent said they had “too many
(qualifications) to itemise”.
30% of people monitor four or more sites
65% have been monitoring their waterways for
more than one year.
40% spend more than more than one hour at
the water monitoring site each month
68% pick up garbage and litter
52% spend time weeding or doing weed
management activities at those water
monitoring sites
36% do recreational activities at their sites
(people also said that they do school education
activities, check water flow and check for
turbidity, among other things)
63% of water monitoring volunteers check the
rainfall regularly
As a result of the overwhelming 83% response, we will
be providing yearly annual reports to all volunteers
about the sites they monitor, including photos, graphs,
data, explanations and interpretations. Also, at the
annual training day we will review water monitoring
training and provide data entry training. 11% of people
were interested in doing additional activities like
catchment crawls and platypus watch. Some of my
favourite comments were “shoot the guy who keeps
throwing old tyres on the creek” and “Best part of the
month for me! I love going out to do these sites”.
Thanks to Amanda for doing the survey for us. We
look forward to the results. Thank you to all
volunteers who participated; it was great to receive
feedback about what you want, what you actually do
and why it’s important to you.
Page 7 December 2013
Healthy Waterways Report Card
Continued on page 10
Northern Report Card Results
Freshwater
B Noosa Catchment
C Maroochy Catchment
C Mooloolah Catchment
C+ Pumicestone Catchment
Bay Areas
C- Pumicestone Passage
Estuaries
B+ Noosa Estuary
C- Maroochy Estuary
B- Mooloolah Estuary
CONGRATULATIONS Noosa Catchment. Everyone involved in
maintaining our waterways deserves to be recognised. If you are a
recreational fisher, enjoy water sports, walks along the river or picnicking
in the park or have a business around the Noosa Catchment (Kin Kin
farmers, Noosa River tours, restaurateurs) – well done.
Thank you for going the marine speed limit, picking up garbage, planting
trees, fencing your creek off from cattle, disposing of waste properly,
reporting hazards, encouraging wildlife and adhering to paths and
designated channels.
Healthy Waterways has released its annual South East Queensland Health
Waterways Report Card results.
Noosa freshwater streams have increased in “health” or water quality and
so have the Noosa Estuary/ saline creeks, which are not the ocean. This
year, Noosa Estuary was the only estuary in all of South East Queensland
to receive an A grade. We must be doing something right!
A water catchment is defined as a point where all water sources drain to.
This could be a reservoir, lake, dam, river or ocean. They are usually
surrounded by mountains or hills or they could be manmade structures
like dams.
Noosa Catchment is made up of several sub-catchments. Starting from
the Upper Noosa River in the state forest are the shallow Lake Como and
Lake Cooloola. The Upper Noosa River and Kin Kin creek meet at the
very wide and shallow Lake Cootharaba. Lake Cooroibah is situated
between Johns Landing and the well-known Lower Noosa River. Lake
Doonella in Tewantin provides another overflow for the Noosa River, and
Lake Weyba is a great estuarine habitat and breeding ground for both
oceanic and freshwater species. Lake Weyba provides a warm mixing
ground for the salty, deep Noosa River and the freshwater springs that
dribble out through wallum and heathlands of Noosa National park.
Noosa Catchment, and especially the lake sub-catchments, are surrounded
by lush vegetation and sandy dunes. It is rumored that during extremely
dry conditions and king tides, salt water has made it as far as Harry’s Hut
in the Upper Noosa River.
Page 8 December 2013
Community Nature Conservation Program
BUSHCARE August to November has been action-
packed. As the latest round of the Coastal Caring for
our Country funds have come to an end, we can look
back and see great improvement in some coastal
bushland reserves as a result of an engaged community
and additional contracting works. This groundwork
has helped preserve native habitat and natural systems
that link a mostly urban mosaic of ecosystems. The
Noosa district coastline has been experiencing intense
beach erosion and extreme weather conditions,
something for us to pay close attention to in the
future.
In September, Sunshine Beach Bushcare and Weyba
Creek Bushcare groups were awarded funding from
the Queensland Government’s Everyone’s
Environment grants program. Great strides in
community engagement and green thumb action have
demonstrated these groups are an eco-force worth
supporting. Congratulations; we’re looking forward to
contributing more to conservation outcomes in these
areas of beauty and biodiversity value.
The bi-annual Sunshine Coast Conservation Forum at
Kawana was a special event with guest speaker Tim
Flannery addressing a full house of Sunshine Coast
bushcarers. Flannery's storytelling abilities and
gratitude to everyone working for conservation were
warmly received and the appreciation for the climate
champion, tinny-rowing marsupial researcher was
evidently mutual.
Noosa Biosphere Day 2013 showcased how bushcare
individuals are involved in a variety of environmental
causes and community sustainability movements. The
event along the Noosa River was a hit and as I visited
various stalls it was warming to see people contributing
to the Biosphere in many ways. What a diverse and
talented lot! Thank you all for coming to see the
Noosa & District Landcare stall too.
The annual Kids in Action, Kids Teaching Kids
conference engaged 27 schools from across South East
Queensland, supported by the Community Nature
Conservation Program (CNCP) and Target. Creative
presentations by Pomona State School and Sunshine
Beach State School showcased progressive edible
gardens, recycling systems and nurturing of the natural
environment by weeding and planting native plants on
school grounds. The interactive two days are a
highlight of the calendar, with excitement brimming as
the students inspire one another with innovations for a
sustainable future – training for true eco-warriors.
We are also fortunate to have a number of special
volunteers who have taken the initiative to be involved
in conservation with local schools, on campus and in
bushland reserves. Thank you for sharing your
leadership, knowledge and enthusiasm with our young
people. No doubt these memories and experiences
have created a green connection in their psyche.
A new trailer for community conservation is on its
way. Spoonbill Street bushcare group has been
supported by Energex to purchase a trailer.
Seasons Changing - by Gemma Wright
Seaview Creek bushcare group
Kids Teaching Kids - 27 schools participated throughout South East Queensland
Continued on next page
Page 9 December 2013
Community Nature Conservation Program (cont)
IT’S not every year that two esteemed
bushcare bounties of knowledge join
forces to create an amazing resource for
conservation.
In October each bushcare group was
issued a signed copy of Weeds of the
Sunshine Coast by Joan Heavey and Sonia
MacDonald. Volunteers have been
instructed to study and memorise every
listed alien suspect that could have
malicious intent and EXTERMINATE.
Volunteers are already referring to the
life-sized pages of this revolutionary tool
at working bees, dubbing it a 'bible' they
will take to every working bee.
This wonderful resource is available for
purchase at Noosa Landcare’s office in
Station Street, Pomona.
The new lightning bolt green trailer will be available for
community conservation events and school visits in
2014. I look forward to hearing of its adventures and
what its nickname will be.
To celebrate a great year of bushcare in the region, we
have enjoyed Christmas morning teas at our working
bee sites in November, accompanied by gifts of ‘Thank
you’ jelly beans, tinsel and calendars featuring historical
images from across the region. I have been fortunate
enough to personally say thank you and farewell to
over 100 dedicated volunteers this month. It has been
a wonderful journey to share. Amazing handy work,
care and camaraderie in our local bushland reserves is
keeping them clean and natural.
Every bushland volunteer has taken action to
contribute to conservation in the region, building on a
foundation of respect for nature. Conservation for our
natural environment is a passion I've seen shine
through in various forms. People identify with their
environment and it helps the spirit. A community of
people working together strengthens a culture of
caring and listening. Working with people who give
from the heart for the natural environment, has been
an honour and an inspiration that is contagious.
Keep up the tremendous work you do and continue to
engage the generations of tomorrow. It takes a special
type of person to volunteer. Congratulations and thank
you to all.
As I prepare to travel parts of Asia in the New Year, I
reflect that I am extremely grateful for my time with
the Noosa Landcare community, co-workers and the
broader community; in particular Noosa Integrated
Catchment Association, schools and the Noosa
Biosphere. Thank you to the Sunshine Coast Council’s
CNCP for their support and growth of the program
since 2008. The Bushcare program will continue with
Noosa & District Landcare and the Noosa Council in
2014.
I welcome Wendy May to the role of coordinator for
Noosa district bushcare with Noosa Council. I have no
doubt that Wendy will be a great ambassador for
community conservation, supported by Rae O’Flynn at
some working bees and a terrific Landcare family.
Many thanks and best wishes for a new cycle in Noosa
bushcare!
Spoonbill Street bushcare group
Weed Identification Book Launch and Use
Page 10 December 2013
Healthy Waterways Report Card (cont from page 7)
So why do we have to maintain our waterways if we
are leading the Healthy waterways in South East
Queensland catchments? The lakes play an incredibly
important role in the filtering, heating and mixing of
our waterways. Grinham & Dunbabin suggested that if
Lake Cootharaba didn’t exist in its current state, or the
pristine input from the Upper Noosa River was cut off,
the lower Noosa River could be plagued with nutrient
related issues.* This means that the Noosa Yacht &
Rowing Club, Lake Doonella, the Frying Pan and all the
canals and creeks of the housing estates in Noosaville,
could all be covered in algal blooms and smell of
sulphur.
An increase in sedimentation of any or all of the
waterways will drastically reduce breeding and nursery
habitats, ultimately reducing the fish and aquatic species
of the Noosa River and waterways. Silting up the lakes
or entrances of the rivers will reduce the input and
output of nutrients and unbalance the concentration of
nutrients. A blockage in a waterway could stop
the force of tides that drive mixing of the fresh and
saline waters.
The sum of all this is to: maintain native vegetation,
reduce and control unnatural erosion, buffer riparian
zones, increase mangroves along waterways, maintain
wetlands and ephemeral wetlands to provide flood and
overflow zones and habitat, minimize your impact on
the waterways and repair any damage.
Please keep up the good work! Remember you can
help monitor your nearby waterway by visual
inspection on a regular basis and report any changes.
And you can join the volunteer Waterwatch team by
testing the water quality once a month.
Let’s make an effort to ensure that all the streams,
creeks, canals and drainage lines are kept clean and
healthy.
* Grinham A. & Dunbabin M., Lake Cootharaba Sediment
and Nutrient dynamics: towards a system model, April
2012, page 14. Not published.
Kin Kin
Kin Kin No 3 Bridge at Eastern Branch Rd
Paynes Creek, Kin Kin
Kin Kin Bridge near pub
Golden Gully Rd Creek
Sister Tree Creek, Sister Tree Creek Rd between
Barney’s Bananas and Wahpunga Lane
First bridge, Moran Group Rd
Wahpunga Creek: First bridge, Bunney’s Lane
Wahpunga Creek & tributary: east end of Wahpunga
Lane, north end of Bunney’s Lane
Cooroy
Six Mile Creek: Cooroy Mountain Rd
Cooroy Creek and Six Mile Creek: Elm St
Cooroy Creek: town centre, Bruce Hwy, Garnet St,
Mary River Rd
Six Mile Creek: Lake Macdonald Dr, Collwood Rd,
Gumboil Rd, Sivyers Rd, Dath Henderson Rd
Federal, Cooran
Middle Creek
Coles Creek
Skyring Creek
Six Mile Creek: Brewers Rd/Old Noosa Rd/Howe Rd
Pomona
Six Mile Creek: Louis Bazzo Dr, Graham’s Rd
Cooroora Creek (wet season only) from Settlers Rise,
Hollis Rd, Pioneer Rd, Rules Rd, Reserve St, Subway AV,
Station St
Tewantin
Wooroi Creek: Tewantin Boreen Point Rd
Lake Macdonald
Six Mile Creek: Noosa Cooroy Rd
Sunshine Beach
Allison Park Beach Access 33, Adams St, Ross Cr,
Sobraon St, Tingira Cr – off David Low Way Heathland
Dr/Edwards St/Eenie Creek Rd
Cooroibah, Cootharabah, Kin Kin
Sandy Creek: Galloways Lane
Scrubby Creek: Kinmond Creek Road
Kinmond Creek: Dr Pages Rd
Ridgewood, Black Mountain, Belli Park
Black Fellow Creek
Happy Jack Creek
Cooroibah Ringtail Creek, Lake Macdonald
Between Louis Bazzo Drive, Ringtail Creek, McKinnon
Drive
Noosaville, Doonan, Weyba Downs: Eenie Creek, Lake Weyba
Do you live near a creek or stream?
We are calling out for more water monitoring volunteers for the sites
below … Can you help? Please call Anita on (07) 5485 2155
Page 11
Contractors’ Workshop a Success - Tony
December 2013
The Forum and Workshop held on 14 November was
very successful, with around 50 local landscapers and
gardening contractors attending.
The night was organised by the Noosa Integrated
Catchment Association (NICA) at the instigation of
local Sunshine Beach weeding champion, Jill Campbell.
Amongst other giveaways and information was a free
weeds identification guide put together by Stephanie
Haslam, with 31 weeds describing both the weeds and
removal techniques.
Local environmentalist, Noosa Landcare’s Phil Moran,
gave a sobering presentation on the extent of the weed
problem and its potential financial impacts on business
and areas that relied on tourism and environmental
attractions.
As well as focussing on the vexing issue of garden
escapes into conservation areas, the evening also
brought up the bubbling discontent amongst
contractors with the issue of dumping and costs.
It was also pointed out by contractors there that some
weeds which propagate vegetatively were being
included into green waste used to produce mulch,
which was further aiding with the spread of weeds,
with some seeds able to remain viable in garden mulch
for years.
There was general agreement that it is somewhat
counterproductive for the health of our reserves to
have very high dump fees, which could lead to illegal
dumping, both in reserves and State forests.
Another issue in the Hinterland was that the Transfer
Stations at Pomona and Cooroy are only open 8.00 am
to 1.00 pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday which limited
access.
I think the opportunity we have with a new council,
and a Councillor elect whose passion is waste, presents
a real opportunity.
NICA Chairman Tony Haslam, and Noosa Landcare’s
Natural Resource Manager Phil Moran, undertook to
work with representatives from the group present to
facilitate meetings with the new Noosa Council aimed
at seeking solutions and improving equitable access to
waste station and mulch products.
Michael Gilles, Sunshine Coast Council
Jill Campbell
Five Little Boys and One Little Girl ...
Page 12 December 2013
Page 13
Noosa Christian College Helps the Environment - Phil Moran
December 2013
Coming home recently, Molly and Kim noticed an
echidna struggling on the side of our road. The
Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) is a remarkable animal,
a monotreme or egg-laying mammal. The only other
monotreme in the whole wide world is the Platypus.
You might see them out and about in our Biosphere
now. They are solitary animals, with a body length of
about 450mm and weight of up to 7 kg. Echidnas are
covered in spines (or quills) which can be quite sharp
… ask Kim! They have sharp claws on their feet and a
sensitive nose which they use to find food. They use
their long sticky tongue to catch ants, worms and
insects. When threatened they curl up into a ball with
snout and legs tucked up for protection. Natural
predators are eagles and dingoes, however these days
it is domestic dogs and, most commonly, cars.
Echidnas produce young from eggs which are hatched
outside their body, like birds and some reptiles. The
female Echidna develops a pouch into which she lays
her single egg. After about 10 days, the egg hatches
into a very small animal about the size and shape of a
jelly bean. They are born blind and hairless. She
carries this little one for about three months and it
continues to suckle during this time.
So ‘our’ Echidna was in great danger of being run over
by a car … they have a terrible side step. (Must have
been a forward!) In trying to shepherd it off the road,
it was wedging itself down into a concrete drain. This
was not a good spot to be. Kim was able to use
ingenious methods and her bushcare gloves to coax
him/her out and into a green cloth shopping bag. The
girls took the echidna up into our bush (where there
are no cars, just 33 acres of nature refuge) and
released him/her. Please keep an eye out, and slow
down … not just for echidnas, but for all our wildlife.
Molly releasing
The burrowing begins
Noosa Christian College students had finished exams,
completed all their end of year tasks and were looking
for ways to do a community service. Science and
Mathematics teacher, Mrs Amelia Benard, contacted
Noosa & District Landcare to see what the students
could do.
The students, ranging from Year 7 through to Year 9
had elected to do an environmental outdoors activity.
Discussion ensued and we decided that planting some
trees in Cooroora Creek Park would be a great
activity. Working in partnership with the Sunshine
Coast Council’s Community Nature Conservation
Program (CNCP) Noosa Landcare prepared a site for
the students to do a planting.
The morning of Tuesday 10th December was hot and
humid as the students left their bus and walked through
previous revegetation to the site. Gemma Wright
from Landcare did a safety induction and a
demonstration on how to plant the trees and shrubs
correctly. Then they were off!
Though small in number (nine students and their
teacher, Amelia) the students planted 100 native plant
species. They also planted five Pararistolochia
praevenosa (Richmond birdwing butterfly vines) to
encourage the Vulnerable butterfly back to Pomona.
The students did a great job of planting. They then
watered all the plants, so hopefully with some rain they
will be able to come back and see the fruits of their
labour. Thanks to the students for helping to enhance
the diversity of our very special local park.
Molly and Kim to the Rescue … Again! Phil Moran
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Noosa Landcare has partnerships
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Go to www.noosalandcare.org to
view a comprehensive list of our
many supporters and partners.
Page 14 December 2013
Page 15 December 2013
Ornithological Swearing?
One thing we love at Noosa Landcare is hearing from readers of our newsletters.
Below is one example from Peter and Bevly Hughes in Gympie, in response to our
December E-news (http://www.noosalandcare.org/e-news-dec2013.html), specifically to
the ‘Plant of the Month’, Breynia oblongifolia (Coffee Bush or Dwarf’s Apple):
A little story about the plant of the month - quite
common around the drier parts of the region and a
favourite food of the Brown Cuckoo-dove and
Mistletoe Bird.
One particular plant was adopted by a male Mistletoe
Bird who made up to forty trips per day collecting
berries for nestlings in the nest about 70m away.
Unfortunately a Brown Cuckoo-dove decided to stop
and eat but was actually driven away by the male
who made repeated chattering dive bombs at the
much larger bird.
If we approached too close all we got was a whole lot
of what could well have been swearing while he was
perched just above our heads.
Brown Cuckoo-Dove (Macropygia amboinensis)
(Photo: Flickr) Mistletoebird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum)
(Photo sourced from Gympie Field Naturalists
via The Gympie Times)
If undeliverable please return to:
NOOSA & DISTRICT LANDCARE GROUP INC.
PO BOX 278, POMONA Q 4568
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can repair the
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www.noosalandcare.org
PO Box 278
Pomona Qld 4568
Station Street
Pomona Qld 4568
Phone: 07 5485 2468
Fax: 07 5485 0413
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the environment:
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For competitive prices, personalised service and over 20 years
experience in natural resource management call 5485 2468
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