Issue 2: February 2008

Welcome to the February edition of Catchment News, the newsletter of the Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority (CMA). If you missed the first edition in January, visit the archive on the CMA website. To subscribe to receive Catchment News every month, send an email to hcrcmanews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au.

We hope you enjoy this edition of Catchment News. We welcome your feedback so please send any comments you have to hcr@cma.nsw.gov.au.

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What's happening around the catchments?

Landholders sign up to protect important native bushland

Three important conservation agreements were signed with the CMA in recent weeks, helping to ensure that almost 800 hectares of remnant native vegetation in the pristine bush land in the north of our region will be protected into the future. 

Michael Allen of Poleyard owns a 2800 ha grazing property situated alongside Rowleys River. He has decided to conserve and manage a 600 ha portion of his property in return for financial assistance from the CMA by signing an Incentive Property Vegetation Plan (PVP). Michael’s agreement with the CMA will help to protect three kilometres of Rowleys River and will also preserve the breeding habitat of numerous threatened animal and bird species, including the glossy black cockatoo, powerful owl, koala, brush-tailed rock wallaby and the woompoo fruit dove.

Jason Mobbs and Dave Dibden of Firefly have also signed PVPs with the CMA to protect and manage 78.5 ha and 90 ha or their properties respectively. As funding becomes available, the CMA aims to make further investments in PVPs across the Hunter-Central Rivers region, and is interested in talking to private landholders with significant areas of remnant native vegetation on their land. For more information contact your local CMA office.

Discover what's in your blue backyard

Award winning underwater photographer Dave Harasti shared his passion for the underwater world, and some of his most captivating images, with a packed auditorium at Terrigal's Crowne Plaza Hotel on Thursday 31 January, as part of the fascinating Marine Discovery Series program. 

The evening in Terrigal kicks off a comprehensive series of 21 presentations across all seven coastal LGAs in the CMA region. The series is a partnership between the CMA, and the councils of Greater Taree, Great Lakes, Port Stephens, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Wyong, Gosford, Crowne Plaza Hotel Terrigal, and the Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre, and is being funded by the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust through the CMA. For more information on upcoming presentations please call the CMA's Coast and Marine Officers Joel Tyndall on 4337 1204 or 0428 117 914 or Brian Hughes on 6551 8994 or 0428 293 021.

Salinity monitoring in the Black Creek and Glendonbrook catchments

In early April a workshop will be held to review the findings of 12 months of salinity monitoring in the Hunter's Black Creek and Glendonbrook catchments. As part of the Hunter Community Salinity Stream Monitoring Project, which is funded by the Australian Government's Bureau of Rural Sciences and the CMA, regular monitoring of up to 50 sites has been undertaken by trained community groups with an additional 43 sites monitored by the CMA. Data from the project has helped to determine where saline hotspots are located, where remediation works are most needed and what other research is needed to understand and explain what causes salinity in our local catchments.

If you would like to attend the workshop in April contact the CMA's Water Quality Project Officer Rod Hardwick on 4930 1030 or email rodney.hardwick@cma.nsw.gov.au.

Maitland residents better prepared for flooding

A survey conducted recently revealed that, thanks in part to the joint CMA and SES Flood Education Project, the Maitland community are now better prepared for a major flood event than they were two years ago. One of the key outputs of the project was a flood safety DVD, which was distributed to over 5500 households and businesses in Maitland and the surrounding areas of Lorn, Bolwarra, Morpeth, Millers Forest, Hinton and Louth Park. For many Maitland residents, June 2007 was the first experience of a major flood event. It had been 30 years since a flood of a similar size occurred, but larger floods than this are still possible. For more information on this project contact the CMA's Flood Education Officer Amanda Hyde on 4930 1030 or email amanda.hyde@cma.nsw.gov.au or go to the CMA website.

River Red Gum in recovery

There's some excellent news for the endangered population of River Red Gum in the Hunter Valley this month, with the five-year Dartbrook River Restoration project, a partnership between AngloCoal Dartbrook Mine and the CMA, producing stunning results and a Land Management Agreement being signed in recent weeks to protect the largest remnant stand of River Red Gum in the Hunter, north of Aberdeen. 

The Dartbrook River Restoration project is protecting and enhancing a four-hectare stand of River Red Gum, listed as an endangered population under the Threatened Species Conservation Act. Back in 2005, the large stand of mature trees looked sick and stressed from the prolonged drought. Since then over 10,000 new RRG seedlings have been planted as well as 1,600 habitat species, and earth bunds constructed to retain flood waters around the mature trees. 

Healthy mature River Red Gum need periodic wet feet to regenerate, and the bunds helped retain the floodwaters of June 2007, and artificial floodwater from pump irrigation. The new seedlings got off to a great start with drip irrigation in their early months, and this has paid off with survival rates exceeding 90%. 

Meanwhile owners of the 'Camyr Allyn' property north of Aberdeen have entered into a Land Management Agreement to protect the largest remaining stand of this iconic tree species. The stand is 15 hectares in size and contains approximately 300 trees. It will be fenced off to manage grazing and RRGs replanted in areas that are currently bare to enhance and enlarge the size of the remnant. 

The Department of Environment and Climate Change in partnership with the CMA plans to undertake an assessment of how communities of River Red Gums in the Hunter Valley have responded to recent flood events.

Learning to grow on the Central Coast

Youth Connections and Equilibrium Eco Services are providing young people on the Central Coast with an opportunity to learn about horticulture and land management through the development of two community gardens at North Gosford and Woy Woy, with funding from the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust through the CMA.

Students will not only gain a Certificate 1 in Conservation and Land Management that will provide them with greater employment opportunities, they are also increasing their social and team building skills helping them to be part of the community in a more positive way.

Community members are welcome to visit the gardens, become involved in the planting and weeding, or join in one of the free community workshops being held. Resources for teachers on natural gardening will also soon be available. For more information contact the CMA or Mia Hughes from Equilibrium Eco Services on mobile: 0417 043 165.

A fun way to learn about local waterways

A unique approach to community monitoring of our waterways is proving to be popular for the community of the Manning Valley. The Community Business Development & Information Technology Services (CBD & ITS) are using their fleet of kayaks to offer free educational tours as part of a project being funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust through the CMA. CBD & ITS is working closely with the Purfleet-Taree Local Aboriginal Lands Council CDEP who provide tour guides, cultural and heritage advisors and equipment for the tours. The project is all about getting people out on the water so they can see the environmental issues for themselves and start to think about what needs to be done to address them. With more people out on our waterways we’re in a better position to identify issues: such as water pollution, outbreaks of noxious weeds, or river bank erosion, when they occur. To find out more about the tours contact CBD & ITS on 6551 3233 or 0429 427 796, email cbdits@tsn.cc or drop into their new office at 93 Victoria St, Taree.

Natural resource management resources

The NRM Toolbar and website (www.nrmtoolbar.net.au) provides easy access to a range of useful information for NRM professionals and enthusiasts alike. You can visit the website or download the toolbar for a single point of access to all of the resources, including an NRM Search Engine. The NRM Toolbar is a part of the Knowledge for Regional NRM Programme at Land & Water Australia, and is funded by the Australian Government through the Natural Heritage Trust.

Horse property owners to benefit from new resources

Horse owners, who manage small properties around Australia’s major capital cities and regional towns, will benefit from a new resource kit designed to assist horse owners with horse keeping and land management. Over 30 resources are available for free download or purchase from the HorsesLandWater website (www.horseslandwater.com) or by phoning 08 8294 2460. Horse owners on small properties on the Central Coast may also benefit from a series of free workshops being held by the CMA in March. Scroll down to Dates for the calendar for more details.

CMA Chairman receives recognition

On Australia Day 2008, CMA Chairman Dr WEJ Paradice was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia honour for his service to conservation and the environment through his leadership of a number of research and natural resource management organisations, and to the community of the Hunter region. We congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition.

Dates for the calendar

11 February - BugWise workshop at Lake Liddell

John Gollan, Ecologist at the Australian Museum will demonstrate to workshop participants how spider webs can be used as a tool to evaluate and monitor the progress of rehabilitation projects. Invertebrates, such as spiders, are a good indicator of overall biodiversity as they represent the majority of land biodiversity and are essential to healthy ecosystems. Find out how monitoring the number of different spider species helps to determine whether planting all those trees or pulling out weeds really improves biodiversity. The workshop is free, lunch will be provided and each participant receives a free copy of the Web2Spider training DVD. Please register by emailing John Gollan on John.Gollan@austmus.gov.au.

11 February - Landcaring at Glenrock State Recreation Area with Trees in Newcastle

Volunteer your time and learn from experienced bush regenerators in one of the most picturesque parts of Newcastle. Join Trees in Newcastle on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 10.00 am at the track opposite Merewether Heights Public School. Wear sturdy shoes, long sleeves, a hat and bring water. Contact TIN for more information on 4946 6821.

12-14 February - Biological farming workshop

A biological farming workshop for food producers and farmers is being held in Taree, as part of a year-long project funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust through the CMA. There is also a free information session planned for the general public on Tuesday 12 February at 7.30 pm at Taree West Bowling Club. Bookings are essential, please call Albert Mullen at the Karuah Great Lakes Landcare office on 6554 1655.

16 February - Estuary Watch monitoring session

On Saturday 16 February, Lake Macquarie City Council in conjunction with Hunter-Central Rivers Waterwatch and the Community Environment Network Community Seagrass Monitoring Project (CEN CSMP) will hold an Estuary Watch introductory workshop for monitoring of water quality, seagrass, and seagrass wrack macroinvertebrates in estuarine areas around Lake Macquarie,  as part of the Estuary Watch program, which is being funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust through the CMA.

The free workshop is part of the Estuary Watch program, which is being funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust through the CMA, and will be held at Croudace Bay Wetlands, Thomas Halton Park , off Macquarie Road near the BBQ shelters, from 9.30 am-12 noon. Morning tea will be provided. Contact Susan Woodhouse at Lake Macquarie City Council by 11 February 2008 on ph: 4921 0426 or email: swoodhouse@lakemac.nsw.gov.au to register.

22 February-29 April - Establishing a community nursery

As part of their Empowering Eco-Actions Through Knowledge Sharing project, with support from the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust and the CMA, Trees In Newcastle have put together a training package to help groups establish a community nursery. 

The Nursery Establishment workshop is available on February 22, 28, and 4 March at the TIN office, with a half-day follow-up visit to your site to be arranged at the workshop. The Nursery Production Techniques workshop is offered on 20 March, 1, 18 and 29 April. RSVPs are required one week prior to your preferred workshop. Call TIN on 4969 1500 or email tin@bravo.net.au. Go to the TIN website for more details: www.treesinnewcastle.org.au.

2 March - Clean Up Australia Day 2008

Registrations are now open for Clean Up Australia Day 2008. Get involved by registering for a Clean Up site in your local community to help address the growing problem of pollution. Go to www.cleanup.org.au or call 1800 CUA DAY (1800 282 329).

8 March - Lake Macquarie Landcare Workshop

A comprehensive series of workshops for landcarers has been undertaken as part of the Lake Macquarie Landcare Community Support Program, supported by Lake Macquarie City Council and the CMA. The fourth field day in the series will feature Landcare projects at Black Neds Bay and will focus on issues relating to marine shorelines, instream and foreshore stabilisation and restoring instream habitat. For a seat on the bus contact the Lake Macquarie Landcare Resource Office on 4959 5080 by 27 February.

12 March - Autumn Water Bug Survey

Join in the fun of the Autumn water Bug Survey and see how many stonefly and mayfly nymphs, beetles and bloodworms you can find in your local waterway. Water bugs (or aquatic macroinvertebrates) are excellent indicators of a healthy waterway; the more sensitive bugs you can find, the healthier the waterway. For more information on activities planned in your area contact Hunter-Central Rivers Waterwatch Coordinator Ingrid Berthold on 4930 1030 or go to www.bugsurvey.nsw.gov.au. 

19 March - Soil health workshops at Mandalong

Learn how to improve your soil health, the importance of pH, texture, structure and understanding the soil profile at a one-day workshop at Mandalong. See the results of field trials using aeration techniques, fertiliser and lime. Neil Griffiths, District Agronomist from Tocal DPI will also be talking about best management practices for sustainability and production. To reserve a place please contact Carolyn Jenkinson, Rural Landcare Officer Central Coast at the CMA's Gosford Office on phone: (02) 4337 1213 or email: carolyn.jenkinson@cma.nsw.gov.au.

28-30 March - Horse Management Workshops

A series of free one-day workshops will be held on the Central Coast covering aspects of sustainable horse management. The workshops are being coordinated by the CMA with funding from the National Landcare Program. The workshops will be conducted by Jane Myers, author of the books Managing Horses on Small Properties and Horse Safe. Contact Carolyn Jenkinson for more details on phone: (02) 4337 1213 or email: carolyn.jenkinson@cma.nsw.gov.au.

April 1 and April 29 - Master Tree Growers courses

Annabel Kater from Australian Sustainable Timbers will deliver two Master Tree Growers courses starting 1 April and 29 April respectively. Annabel is well qualified in forest management having recently completed Forestry Stewardship Council certification for a group of native forest farmers. For information contact Pierre Louys by phone 0447 418 348 or email Pierre.louys@cma.nsw.gov.au.

Support available for natural resource management activities

Current CMA funding opportunities

A reminder that applications for funding through the Sustainable Agriculture Grants program for activities in Gosford, Wyong and Lake Macquarie and applications for funding through the Integrated Land Management Program close on February 15. Contact the CMA's Gosford office on 4324 3844 for information on these programs or go to the CMA website for funding guidelines and application forms.

Other NRM funding programs

National Landcare Program (NLP) Sustainable Practices 2008-09

National Landcare Program (NLP) Sustainable Practices 2008-09 funding round closes 25 February 2008. The NLP’s Sustainable Practices (formerly known as Community Support Programme) will fund activities that significantly increase the uptake of sustainable production and other NRM practices, enhance the knowledge and skills of natural resource managers and improve integration of NRM into management practices at the enterprise level. For funding in 2008-09, projects will need to be developed and submitted on the project application form to the relevant regional organisation in each state and territory by 25 Feb 2008. Further information on guidelines and application forms can be accessed on the DAFF Landcare website. 

Small Grants for Small Rural Communities

The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal has established a small grants program for small rural Australian communities. To be eligible, projects must be for a charitable purpose. Organisations demonstrating Community Partnerships will be preferred to multiple applications from one community. Funding will go to projects and activities that offer clear public benefit for communities living in small rural and remote locations in Australia, contributing to their development in social and community welfare, economic, environmental, health, education or cultural areas. Applications close 28 March 2008, with funding up to $5,000 per grant. More information go to the FRRR website. 

The Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority 
supporting the community in managing our natural resources

The Hunter-Central Rivers CMA is working with private landholders, local government and industry to better understand and manage our local catchments, while providing funding and expertise to implement natural resource management activities.

The CMA Board meets each month to inspect and discuss natural resource management issues at different locations around the CMA region. The February Board meeting and inspections will take place at Forster.

The members of the Hunter-Central Rivers CMA Board are Dr WEJ Paradice (Chairman), Neil Rose (Deputy Chairman), John Weate, Julia Imrie, Arthur Burns, John Asquith, and Chris Scott. The General Manager is Glenn Evans. 

For more information on any of the stories in this edition of Catchment News, contact Hunter-Central Rivers CMA Community Education Manager Tiffany La Gerche on 4930 1030.

For all other inquiries contact your local CMA office:
CMA Tocal Office
816 Tocal Road (Private Bag 2010) Paterson 2421
Phone: 02 4930 1030
Fax: 02 4930 1013
Email: hcr@cma.nsw.gov.au

CMA Gosford Office
40 Mann Street (PO Box 1267) Gosford 2250
Phone: 02 4324 3844
Fax: 02 4323 3960

CMA Muswellbrook Office
Level 2, 160 Bridge Street  (PO Box 297) Muswellbrook 2333
Phone: 02 6542 4444
Fax: 02 6543 4164

CMA Taree Office
98 Victoria Street (P0 Box 440) Taree NSW 2430
Phone: 02 6551 8994
Fax: 02 6552 2047

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© Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority 2008.