7/27/2019 SEQ Catchments Catching Up Newsletter Lockyer Feb/March 2012

1/2

Lockyer Landcare Groups to tackle weed infestations

Several Lockyer Landcare Groups have been successful in obtaining fundingunder the Sustainability and Environment fund to combat riparian weed infestationsand to carry out soil tests and install soil moisture monitoring equipment.

Surveys by the Lockyer Valley RegionalCouncil have detected Parthenium weedaround the town of Grantham, indicating arapid spread of the weed following 2010-2011flood events.

Parthenium can be regarded as one of theworst weeds in Australia because of its ,potential for spread, its insidious invasion ofpasture and the resulting economic andenvironmental impacts. Rapid treatment ofriparian weeds within areas around Granthamand regions upstream will greatly decrease thelikelihood of the weeds spreading furtherdownstream, and becoming vastly more difficultto manage. Lockyer Valley Regional Councilwill provide in-kind support through their efforts

to identify target treatment areas within thecatchment.

Due to the immense level of damage toproperties and homes resulting from the 2010-2011 flooding in SEQ, many landholders are

faced with an overwhelming task of rebuilding farms and livelihoods. Practical on-ground support to assist landholders with the large task of weed management willhelp ease this workload, and aid struggling communities to focus upon furthertasks within the huge, costly and demanding task of rebuilding.

Parthenium weed hasthe potential to greatly

damage alreadystressed locallivelihoods aroundGrantham, as theweed is poisonous tostock and infestedcrops such as lucernerequire additionaltreatment post harvest.

LOCAL NEWS and EVENTS

Saturday 10th MarchSEQ Catchments in conjunction withABC Landcare are holding a soilhealth workshop. You are welcome toinvite your members (and others) tocome along.

The group has installed instrumenta-tion to monitor soil moisture conditionsand conductivity changes under threedifferent land uses; turf, Lucerne and

avocadoes on sandy soils.

Topics covered include: Monitoring soil health to maximisereturns and reduce losses Understanding soil test results Soil microbial activity and its role inplant production

The use of manures and composting The physical, chemical and biologi-cal wellbeing of your soil.

Please RSVP with any specific dietaryrequirements for catering purposes.

Contact Ross Bigwood at SEQ Catch-ments on :

Mobile 0438 162113 orrbiwood@seqcatchments.com.au

In the Lockyer Catchment

NEWSLETTER MARCH 2012

Above and below: Parthenium Weed -

a weed of national significance

Parthenium Weedgrows up to 1.5 metres tall. It hascreamy white flowers that grow in clusters, also deeply lobed

pale green leaves which branch alternately on stems and arecovered with soft fine hair. It can cause respiratory problemsand severe dermatitis in humans and animals. It is found inneglected areas around yards and buildings, roadsides, alsoin overstocked areas. It is spread by seed through hay andgrain, contaminated vehicles and machinery. CastlereachMacquarie County Council, 2009

7/27/2019 SEQ Catchments Catching Up Newsletter Lockyer Feb/March 2012

2/2

GROUPS CORNERMeetings - Functions -

Events - News

Helidon Hills/Murphys Creek

Landcare Inc Meetings held from1-3.30pm each 3rd Sunday on abi-monthly basisPhone Secretary Jeff Birnie

4697 6610

http://www.abclandcare.com.auAtkinson/Buaraba Creek Catch-ment Landcare Group Inc.Contact Robyn McIntosh, Treasurer/

Secretary ph 54264304 or0488128924

West Moreton Landcare Group361 Rosewood-Marburg RdTallegalla QLD 4340 Ph 5464 4401the group meets on the 2nd Thursdayof every month at 7pm - emaillandcarewestmoreton@bigpond.com

Lockyer Valley Landcare13 Berghofer DrvWithcott 4352(07) 4637-4642gandpgrimes@bigpond.com

Please send information on yourGroups activities, events, work-shops and meeting dates to theCommunity Partnerships Managerif you would like to have it includ-ed in this Newsletter.

SEQ CATCHMENTS OFFICE

9 Spicer St, Laidley Q 4341

Phone 5465 2011

Fax 5465 2811

Ross BigwoodCommunity Partnerships Manager (Lockyer)Ph 07 5465 2011, Fax 07 5465 2811,Mobile 0438 162113Email rbigwood@seqcatchments.com.au

RESOURCES - GRANTS - EVENTS

7th March, 1pm to 5pm, Toowoomba - Highfields Cultural Centre. Blueprint forAustralian AgricultureFarmers, agribusinesses, environmental managers,regional communities and the wider food and fibre supply chain will have theopportunity to shape the future of Australias farming sector under the Blueprintfor Australian Agriculture, an initiative of the National Farmers Federation (NFF)

and Westpac. To contribute to the development of the Blueprint, take part in aBlueprint forum or fill in the online survey, talk to one of the 24 NFF member or-ganisations, or contact your Regional Landcare Facilitator. For more information,visit the Blueprint website: www.nff.org.au/blueprint.

10 March, 9 am 2 pm, Plantation Establishment Field Day Obi Obi ValleyPlantation design, marking-out, access track construction and drainage, weedcontrol, site preparation, planting techniques, form and lift pruning, spraying,planting and pruning equipment. This workshop is a prerequisite for landholderswishing to participate in the Re-forest.net project. Free, morning tea provided.Bring a packed lunch, water bottle, hat and covered shoes. To book and fordetails on how to get there: Private Forestry Southern Qld on 5483 6535 orpfsq@bigpond.com

16 March, Toowoomba Highfields Cultural Centre The Invasive AnimalsCRC is bringing the Pest Smart Roadshow to you - It will showcase bestpractice pest animal management including the latest innovations brought to youby the species experts .For more info contact: Suzy Balogh Ph: 0418 417 943 orsuzy.balogh@invasiveanimals.com. For registration and other additionalinformation see: www.feral.org.au/pestsmart/roadshow

20 March in Brisbane Grant Writing Masterclass focused on completingsubmissions for the Australian Governments Community Action Grants program.It is targeted at community landcare/bushcare/NRM/ environment andsustainable agriculture groups funding on-ground works and capacity buildingactivities. Competency level reached would be alternative to engaging a

professional grant writer. For more details contact Samantha Morris, WombatCreative phone 0421 709519 email sam@wombatcreative.com.au

28th, 29th and 30th June QWaLC will be jointly hosting the 2012 QueenslandState Landcare Conference with Landcare Queensland this year at theBrisbane Convention Centre.The theme this year is Paddocks, Backyards andBalconies.Together, making a difference. By working together, QWaLC andLandcare QLD can ensure that community groups are healthier, better protected,better managed, more resilient and better able to provide essential ecosystemservices in a changing world. Visit the conference website http://qldlandcareconference.org.au or email info@qwalc.org.au for more details.