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Issue 19: July 2009 Welcome to the July edition of Catchment News, the newsletter of the Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority (CMA). This month we celebrate NAIDOC Week by featuring some fantastic examples of Aboriginal communities working on country in our region. Previous editions of this newsletter are available on the CMA website. To subscribe to Catchment News or make changes to your subscription details please send an email to hcr@cma.nsw.gov.au. Click here to view large text format | Click here for print-friendly version What's happening around the catchments?
Good partnerships are the key to achieving natural resource management outcomes and the CMA’s Partnerships Program provides a great opportunity for organisations to collaborate and access funding to implement priority catchment-scale projects. WetlandCare Australia has partnered with the CMA and National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), to implement sustainable management practices in Myall Lakes to enhance the ecological character of these RAMSAR listed wetlands, which are home to 289 bird species. The award-winning Karuah First Indigenous Regeneration Support Service (FIRST) crew also contributed to the successful partnership, by treating an impressive 30 hectares of weed infested land in the Myall Lakes National Park, with support from NPWS Ranger Fiona Miller and Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA). Their work contributes towards accreditation for each member of the crew in Certificate 2 Conservation and Land Management, which they will attain with assistance from CVA. The Karuah FIRST crew were recognised recently for their achievements through the 2009 Hunter-Central Rivers Champions of the Catchments Awards, where they won the Aboriginal Landcare category for their work regenerating Worimi Country. Ongoing maintenance will ensure the improved vegetation and biodiversity values in Myall Lakes provide important habitat well into the future. For further information please contact Josh Keating at WetlandCare Australia on 6652 5589. The CMA is currently seeking proposals for partnership projects like this one from local government authorities, NSW Government agencies and non-government organisations in the Hunter-Central Rivers region to deliver on priority management targets in the Catchment Action Plan (see Support available for natural resource management activities at the end of this newsletter). Photo courtesy of Leisa Ferguson, WetlandCare Australia.
The CMA Board finally got a chance in June to visit beautiful Bow Wow Gorge at Mulbring near Cessnock, as part of the inspections they undertake each month of local projects in the region. The Board were treated to a tour of the gorge where they were able to see for themselves why this special area is so precious and why there has been such a determined effort to conserve it. Late last year a Property Vegetation Plan (PVP) was developed for 63 hectares of private land and an agreement signed between the landholders, Colin and Pamela Fitzsimmons and the CMA. This 15 year agreement under the Native Vegetation Act 2003, will provide incentives for Colin and Pam to conserve and enhance the biodiversity of the gorge by reducing weed infestation and increasing native vegetation diversity. Using the Regional Environmental Mapping System (REMS) CMA staff identified more than seven significant ecological communities at Bow Wow Gorge. For the purposes of the PVP the ecological communities were classified into two broad vegetation types: Lower Hunter Spotted Gum Ironbark Forest (38 ha) and Sheltered Blue Gum Forest (24 ha). Bow Wow Gorge is an integral part of the wildlife corridor between the Watagans National Park and Werakata National Park. More information on the flora and fauna of the Cessnock LGA is available on the Cessnock Council website at: http://www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/cessnock/index.asp?id=2419 Empowering Aboriginal women for stronger communities Around 150 Aboriginal women from around NSW and the ACT gathered in Nelson Bay in May for an important event. Empowering Women for Strong Communities and towards Healthy Country - making it our business in NSW and ACT was the title of the inaugural conference, which was initiated in 2008 at a meeting of the NSW Aboriginal Reference Group held in Dubbo. The conference gave representatives from various regions of NSW and the ACT a chance to share their achievements and stories. A key outcome of the conference was the establishment of an email network for Aboriginal women around the state to share their successes, stories and resources with one another. The CMA sponsored 11 women from the Hunter-Central Rivers region to attend the conference, who were among 27 participants from our region.
Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) and Xstrata Coal have joined forces in launching a new trainee program for indigenous bush regenerators. The Singleton Indigenous Bush Regeneration Traineeship Program was launched in June and is already achieving positive outcomes. A team of seven indigenous trainees have been employed to undertake conservation works, over a 26 week period, on environmental projects in the Singleton area. At the same time the trainees are gaining the knowledge and skills they need for accreditation in the Certificate 2 in Conservation and Land Management. The traineeship program offers participants the opportunity to work on country and earn a living, while achieving huge benefits for the local environment. Since the beginning of June, the trainees have already planted 1800 trees, as part of the Hunter River Rehabilitation Project, which will increase native habitat and help control erosion along the Hunter River. The Singleton Hunter River Rehabilitation Project and other local conservation projects provide opportunities for practical work experience and help address key environmental concerns such as stream bank erosion, invasive weeds and decreasing native habitat. The on ground training will be supported by accredited theory training from CVA. For more information on this program please contact CVA Regional Manager Leonie Winner on 4926 2103. Photo courtesy of Leonie Winner.
Anthony and Peta Tynan recognised the need to improve infrastructure and grazing management on their beef cattle property at Waukivory, 25 km south east of Gloucester. In 2008 they took advantage of subsidised training being offered by the CMA and participated in a course called Targeting Actions for Local Catchments (TALC). Completing the course meant they were eligible to apply for funding to undertake sustainable agriculture activities on their property. The Tynans submitted an application through the CMA’s Small Grants program and were successful in obtaining funds to undertake a comprehensive project featuring a number of actions. The first action was installing a solar pump to pump water from a permanent waterhole in Waukivory Creek to a storage tank. The tank water could then be gravity fed to stock watering troughs, which were also installed through the project. New internal fencing has been set up for rotational grazing, which is improving pasture recovery and production; while sensitive riparian areas and gullies have been fenced off to protect them from stock access, enabling native vegetation to regenerate, stabilising soil erosion in gullies and improving water quality, which benefits the entire catchment. The Tynans recently held a field day at their property to share the knowledge they’ve gained throughout their project and the timing couldn’t be better for participants looking to emulate the results achieved by the Tynans, as the CMA is now calling for registrations of interest in its current round of incentive funding. The CMA is seeking applications from landholders and land managers in the Hunter-Central Rivers region to apply for funds to address specific natural resource management targets, issues and priority areas in our region (see Support available for natural resource management activities at the end of this newsletter).
North Avoca on the Central Coast is well known for its natural beauty, making it a popular holiday destination. What many holiday makers (and local residents) may not be aware of is that they share this idyllic location with some unique and endangered species. The endangered Green and Golden Bell Frog (Litoria aurea) has its home amongst the two endangered ecological communities found in Bareena Wetland, located just behind the sandy dunes on the shores of Avoca Lagoon. One of only two Green and Golden Bell Frog populations found in the Gosford local government area, the Bareena Wetland frogs have been given a home renovation thanks to Gosford City Council and the CMA. Garden escapees such as asparagus fern and other weeds, including bitou bush, morning glory and lantana were encroaching on the wetland, reducing the conservation value of the ecological community and limiting much-needed breeding and foraging habitat for the frogs. Works to remove the weeds have taken place over the past two months to minimise interference with the frog’s breeding season during the warmer months. Native species such as lomandra, gahnia and swamp lily have been replanted to provide ideal hiding and sun-basking areas for the frogs, safe from predators like snakes and birds. If you happen to come across any injured or sick frogs on your next visit to North Avoca contact the council on phone 4325 8222. You can also help their survival by sticking to walking tracks, taking away rubbish, exercising your dog in designated areas, and using the council’s green bins for garden waste and lawn clippings. For more information contact Phil Wood at Gosford Council on 4304 4563 or Hayley Skehan at the CMA on 4337 1206.
A successful partnership is yielding great results for biodiversity in Singleton local government area. The Upper Hunter Weeds Authority, Yunaga Mine Services and Singleton Council, in partnership with the CMA, have been working to stem the spread of invasive African Olive in Singleton and surrounding areas. The speed and density with which African Olive grows means it quickly forms a monoculture, crowding out other native species and posing a serious threat to biodiversity. A comprehensive program established 12 months ago began with a survey of infested areas in the Upper Hunter. A treatment plan was then developed for the worst affected areas, which were around Branxton and Belford and included Earibee and Nowland Reserves and two road-side reserves in Singleton—20 hectares in total. Expertise to implement the plan was sought from Yunaga Mine Services, who employ Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to provide quality environmental rehabilitation services. And while the main aim was to remove African Olive from infested areas, the team from Yunaga are also treating other weeds such as Green Cestrum, Balloon Vine, and Castor Oil as they go. The native vegetation in the reserves, which is mostly Lower Hunter Spotted Gum - Ironbark Forest, is already responding with native saplings now exposed in the treated areas. The Upper Hunter Weeds Authority’s Doug Campbell says residents living adjacent to Earibee Reserve have watched with interest as the once weed-infested jungle beyond their fences has been transformed to reveal native trees and saplings previously crowded out. As part of the project a containment strategy is being implemented to treat outlying infestations along 200 km of roadside areas, which includes roadside reserves in Aberdeen and Denman. The CMA is seeking proposals for partnership projects like this one from local government authorities, NSW Government agencies and non-government organisations in the Hunter-Central Rivers region to deliver on priority management targets in the Catchment Action Plan (see Support available for natural resource management activities at the end of this newsletter). Photo courtesy of Doug Campbell, Upper Hunter Weeds Authority.
The biggest king tides of the year hit the Hunter Estuary in late June and provided the best opportunity to collect data on inundation levels in Hexham Swamp since the first floodgate was opened at Ironbark Creek. Eight monitoring devices were installed in various locations within the swamp to collect data on water levels during the king tides, which followed the Winter Solstice. In December 2008 the first of the Ironbark Creek floodgates was opened, marking a major milestone in the Hexham Swamp Rehabilitation Project, which aims to reintroduce tidal flows to Hexham Swamp through the gradual reopening of the floodgates to encourage the regeneration of habitat for migratory waders and waterbirds, and nursery areas for fish and prawns. In opening the first gate, the CMA was required to comply with 57 individual conditions imposed by the NSW Minister for Planning. The conditions stipulated that the floodgates be opened gradually, subject to ongoing and thorough monitoring of changes to water levels and water quality. Since opening the gate for the first time in December, it had to be closed again at various times to manage inundation. The Department of Environment and Climate Change control the movements of the gate and may close it if there are flood warnings or other events that could increase the inundation of the swamp to unacceptable levels, such as during the king tides in May that coincided with flood warnings in parts of northern NSW. As a result the tides in June were the first real opportunity to collect data to confirm the tidal inundation models. If the gates had needed to be closed again the project would have been significantly delayed and the engineers would have had to come back in winter 2010 to try again. Manly Hydraulics Laboratory in Sydney are being contracted to collect the data, which they will download from the instruments in the coming weeks. More information on the Hexham Swamp Rehabilitation Project is available on the CMA website.
Floods are a continuing thread running through the history of Maitland. Stories of loss, heartbreak, courage and tenacity are woven through the city’s fabric and the lives of its residents. On 21 June, 50 keen participants braved the elements to join the first Walk & Talk flood tour of Horseshoe Bend, led by local flood historian Peter Bogan. The tour was held to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the 1889 flood and the 60th anniversary of the 1949 flood, and to explain what residents can expect in future floods, now that there is an extensive Maitland flood mitigation scheme. Throughout the tour, which compared the two major floods, Peter shared his extensive knowledge and his vast collection of historic photos and maps, dating back to the mid 1800s. One of these photos (at right) shows army officers, at the top of a ladder, delivering loaves of bread to nuns through a high window at the convent on Victoria Street. Six hundred loaves of bread were baked at McLaughlin's Bakery on the morning of the Sunday 19 June, just before water came through the bakery and put the ovens out of action. Not surprisingly the tour was fully booked and demand for a second tour has been strong. A date has been set for a second tour for Sunday 23 August. Another walk, highlighting the flood impacts on the central business district of Maitland is being planned for September. To book your place contact the CMA’s Flood Education Officer Amanda Hyde on 4938 4958. Photo courtesy of Peter Bogan.
Bea Brooks had just retired as a librarian in 1999 when she was asked if she could help out ‘next week’ by organising and cataloguing the extensive resource library of the Kooragang Wetland Rehabilitation Project (KWRP) in the Schoolmaster’s House on Ash Island. Bea’s response was: ‘I can do that.’ Ten years on and Bea is still looking after the KWRP library, and developing her skills along the way, maintaining records of the project’s resources in an electronic database. Whether it’s looking after the library, propagating plants, planting tubestock at monthly planting days, weeding, passing around refreshments, or packing the trailer, Bea’s response is always the same: ‘I can do that’. Bea’s 'can do' attitude and tireless efforts as a KWRP volunteer were recognised recently when she was named a Landcare Legend through the 2009 Hunter-Central Rivers Champions of the Catchment Awards. Bea is an inspiration to her fellow Koora Gang Landcare volunteers, who nominated Bea for the award, and a great example of what it means to be a volunteer. The CMA and the staff and volunteers at KWRP thank Bea for all her efforts and wish her every success at the NSW Landcare Awards, which will be announced in September at the NSW Landcare Forum in Port Macquarie. To find out what you can do to help out at KWRP go to the KWRP website.
Over the past eight weeks students at Belltrees Primary School, Scone High School, Cassilis Primary School, Merriwa Central Primary School, and St Josephs Merriwa have been trained up to participate in the CMA’s pilot program VegWatch. With help from CMA staff, the students participating in VegWatch have been learning how to observe and record changes in the health and condition of their local native vegetation. Each of the schools participating in the program has their own VegWatch site near their school that they will visit each season throughout the year. Once a year the VegWatchers will give their site a health check to see whether its condition is improving or not. As part of their assessment, they’ll look at the trees, understorey and groundcover vegetation, the presence of weeds and other pests, the presence of insects and potential habitat for native fauna. They’ll also consider possible impacts on the health of the site. Four times a year the groups will make seasonal observations at their site of things like flowering plants, fungi, insects and animals. Students are encouraged to collect plant and weed samples for a herbarium, take photos, make drawings and artworks, and write comments about the things they see at their site. A collection of these will be displayed in an exhibition at the end of the 12 month pilot program. When asked what they learnt from their VegWatch training days the students had some great comments. Responses included: ‘that fungi is everywhere’, ‘that tiger pear hurts’, ‘that there are different types of grasses’, ‘how to look at bugs without hurting them’, and ‘I learnt about the zone' (the riparian zone). VegWatch is coordinated by the CMA with funding from the Australian Government and is being trialed in the Upper Hunter in 2009-10, with the hope of extending it to other areas in the future.
Fred and Nora Grigg live on a narrow strip of land between Budgewoi Beach and Lake Munmorah, just south of Lake Munmorah State Conservation Area. Fred and Nora’s ‘backyard’ features the endangered ecological community coastal littoral rainforest, of which only around 185 hectares remain in the Lower Hunter and Central Coast region (NSW National Parks and Wildlife, 2000). This important vegetation community generally occurs within two kilometres of the coast, which means it is often under pressure from development, weeds and fragmentation. A partnership between Wyong Shire Council and the CMA is supporting a bush regeneration team, Budgewoi Beach Dunecare Group (including Fred and Nora), and a GreenCorps team to enhance littoral rainforest areas by removing bitou bush, lantana, blackberry and asparagus fern, and replanting native species such as acacias and banksias. Once or twice a week Fred and Nora meet up with members of the Dunecare group to battle the weeds, clean up rubbish, and tend to recent plantings. Other residents in the area have noticed the work going on in their backyard and are getting involved in caring for the site. The CMA is seeking proposals for partnership projects like this one from local government authorities, NSW Government agencies and non-government organisations in the Hunter-Central Rivers region to deliver on priority management targets in the Catchment Action Plan (see Support available for natural resource management activities at the end of this newsletter). Photo courtesy of Phil Heaton.
Teachers at Wingham High School have been learning how to map a more sustainable future for their school farm on the Manning River, using the software program FarmKeeper. Farm planning is an elective subject for the Higher School Certificate and the FarmKeeper program will enable students at Wingham High School to develop their planning skills to a higher level. The program allows users to map, record, and analyse information on a property as part of the development of a property plan. Aerial photos, fence lines and paddocks of the school farm can all be planned out and detailed information recorded. Then an action plan can be developed to identify ways of making efficient use of the farm’s natural resources to enhance its productivity. Once the plan is developed it can be used to apply for funding to implement on-ground projects, such as installing a water re-use system or planting trees to combat erosion and provide shelter for stock. Over 100 farmers across the Manning and Great Lakes have been trained in the use of the FarmKeeper software through the Farmers Targets for Change (FTC) program, funded by the CMA and delivered in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries, the Mid Coast Dairy Advancement Group (DAGS) and MidCoast Water. Local real estate agent LJ Hooker has joined FTC project partners in supporting the program at Wingham High School. For more information on this project contact the CMA’s Catchment Officer Geoff LeMessurier in Taree on 6551 8994.
Ocean & Coastal Care Initiatives (OCCI) is branching out in the Port Stephens area thanks to the enthusiasm and passion of a group of Port Stephens locals, including graduates from a recent Project Aware on the Coast course. OCCI is a volunteer community group that has been working since 1999 to improve community awareness and appreciation of the unique value of our coastal and marine environment. OCCI provides educational programs within the community to encourage involvement in the conservation and protection of coast and marine areas and Project Aware on the Coast is one such program. The aim of Project Aware on the Coast is to recruit people from the community who are interested in learning about their local coastal environment, educate them on the special characteristics of the marine habitat and organisms in their area, and then send them out in their own community to pass on what they’ve learnt. A recent course held in Port Stephens, sponsored by OCCI, Port Stephens Council and the CMA, with funding from the Australian Government, inspired participant Jo Thompson to gather some like-minded Port Stephens residents and form an OCCI group in the Port Stephens area. The group met officially for the first time in June and is already planning some great initiatives. To find out more about the activities of Ocean & Coastal Care Initiatives go to: www.occi.org.au. Dates for the calendar3-4 July – 2009 Mountains to the Dunes Landcare Forum The Mountains to the Dunes Landcare Forum showcases the achievements of Landcare in the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie regions this weekend. Participants will be visiting local Landcare sites and will hear from Phil Watson from the Department of Environment and Climate Change, and Andrew Campbell, Australia's first National Landcare Facilitator. Find out more about Mountains to the Dunes at www.wycare.com.au. 5 July – Whale Dreamers Festival This OCCI-sponsored event is now in its 4th year and is growing each year, with last year’s event attracting over 2,000 people! Guest speakers confirmed so far include Frank Future, who has represented the whale watching industry at the International Whaling Commission meetings over the past 5 years, Dr Peter Freewater, and Dr David Powter. There will be displays and activities by several marine conservation groups including OCCI, Australian Seabird Rescue, Fishcare Volunteers, Australian Conservation Foundation and Whalecall. There’ll also be a sausage sizzle to help raise funds for the new Marine Discovery Centre in Terrigal. OCCI’s Jeannie Lawson will give whale talks throughout the day and there will be music and dance performances and art displays. Go to www.occi.org.au for details. 5-12 July - NAIDOC Week NAIDOC stands for the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920s which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Indigenous Australians. Today NAIDOC is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and an opportunity to recognise the contributions of Indigenous Australians in various fields. Activities take place across the nation during NAIDOC Week in the first full week of July. All Australians are encouraged to participate. The theme for NAIDOC Week in 2009 is Honouring Our Elders, Nurturing Our Youth. The theme encourages our communities to acknowledge the status of our Elders as leaders and role models for our youth. For some ideas on what you can do to celebrate, go to: www.naidoc.org.au. 6-10 July – Conservation Volunteers in Maitland Conservation Volunteers are removing weeds and restoring native vegetation and habitat in a number of reserves in the Maitland area, including Walka Water Works. If you’d like to help out contact Tim Silverwood on 4926 2103 or email: newcastle@conservationvolunteers.com.au. 13-17 July – Conservation Volunteers at Muscle Creek Conservation Volunteers are helping Muscle Creek Landcare group control erosion along Muscle Creek near Muswellbrook. The team will be planting hundreds of native trees and plants to stabilise the creek banks and increase habitat diversity. Stay overnight with the team at Lake Glenbawn and enjoy some fishing, bushwalking and wildlife spotting. Contact Tim Silverwood on 4926 2103 or email: newcastle@conservationvolunteers.com.au for more details. 19 July – Kooragang Wetlands Planting Day Join the Koora Gang volunteers for their regular planting at 9.30 am on Ash Island. This month they'll be planting near the Schoolmaster’s House. Lunch will be provided. Contact Tiffany on 4964 9308. 21 July - Seagrasses and Sandy Shores tour Catch up with the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Hunter-Central Rivers Waterwatch for some family fun as part of the NPWS Winter school holiday activities program. Explore the seagrass beds at Bagnall’s Beach, Nelson Bay, find out why seagrass is so important, and meet some of the unique animals that inhabit these areas. The tour goes for 2 hours and you’ll need a hat, sunscreen, water, snacks and fully enclosed footwear. Meet at Bagnall’s Beach carpark at the bottom of Misery Hill, Nelson Bay at 12:30 pm. The cost for each child to participate is $8.00, while accompanying adults are free. For more school holiday fun with NPWS go to www.environment.nsw.gov.au and click on Visiting a Park and Guided Tours. 24 July – ‘Water Warriors’ at Flaggy Creek Get along to the Glenrock State Conservation Area these school holidays to meet some water bugs and find out how healthy the water is in Flaggy Creek with Hunter-Central Rivers Waterwatch. Places are limited so call 4984 8200 to reserve your place. The cost is a gold coin donation. 26-31 July – Conservation Volunteers at Windeyers Creek, Raymond Terrace Windeyers Creek is an important catchment area for the Hunter Region. Join the Conservation Volunteers team for some tree planting and weed removal, while meeting new people and learning some skills in conservation. This is a great project for students and people seeking experience in the environmental field. Contact Tim Silverwood on 4926 2103 or email: newcastle@conservationvolunteers.com.au for more details. 31 July-2 August - National Tree Day National Tree Day is Australia's largest community tree-planting event. In its 14-year history more than 2 million volunteers have planted over 13 million native trees and shrubs! This year’s National Tree Day is on Sunday 2 August with Schools Tree Day to be held on Friday 31 July. Find out how you can get involved on: treeday.planetark.com. 3 August – Applications close for the CMA’s 2009/10 Partnerships Program $782,000 is available through the CMA's Partnerships Program for 2009/10. Local government authorities, NSW Government agencies and non-government organisations are encouraged to submit proposals for partnership projects that will deliver on priority management targets in the Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Action Plan (CAP). Proposals will be accepted until 3 August 2009. Go to www.hcr.cma.nsw.gov.au or contact the CMA on 4930 1030 for full details on guidelines and funding priorities for this program. 5-6 August – Annual Grassland Society Conference NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and the Mid Coast Dairy Advancement Group will host this conference in Taree, the first time in its 24-year history that it will be held on the coast. The CMA is a sponsor of the event, and many of the farmers who have worked with the CMA to implement changes on their farms will feature as guest speakers during the conference. The conference, which is themed ‘The Grass is Greener’, will explore the advantages of coastal dairy and beef production pastures, and the impacts and implications of climate change on pasture systems, livestock and personal health. The key note speaker is Dr Jim Gibbs, who is a senior researcher in livestock health and production from Lincoln University, New Zealand. For more information contact Ray Johnston or Tracey Jacobs at NSW DPI Taree office on 6552 7299. 14 August - Particles in the Atmosphere in the Upper Hunter This workshop is being hosted by the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand and will be held in Singleton. For details of the workshop go to the NSW/ACT Branch page of the CASANZ website: www.casanz.org.au or contact Howard Bridgman (02) 4950 2325 or email howard.bridgman@newcastle.edu.au. 15-23 August - National Science Week National Science Week is a week of events dedicated to science. With scientific displays, theatrical events, debates and a myriad of science shows, there's something for everyone. Find Science Week events near you at: www.scienceweek.gov.au 16 August – Kooragang Wetlands Planting Day Join the Koora Gang volunteers for their regular planting at 9.30 am on Ash Island. This month they'll be planting along Cobban's Track. Lunch will be provided. Contact Tiffany on 4964 9308. 21 August – Applications close for the CMA’s 2009/10 Incentives Program $1.4 million is available through the CMA's Incentives Program for 2009/10 to assist landholders and land managers in the Hunter-Central Rivers region to address natural resource management (NRM) priorities on private and public lands. The key targets for this program are vegetation and biodiversity, soils and salinity, aquatic health and sustainable farming. Applications are will be accepted until 21 August 2009. Go to www.hcr.cma.nsw.gov.au or contact the CMA on 4930 1030 for full details on guidelines and funding priorities for this program. 23 August – Walk & Talk flood tour of Maitland Join local historian Peter Bogan for a repeat of his fascinating history tour of Horseshoe Bend. This event is being held in response to the strong demand for the first tour, conducted in June to commemorate the historic floods of 1889 and 1949. The cost is $10 per participant and includes morning tea. To book your place contact the CMA’s Flood Education Officer Amanda Hyde on 4938 4958. Support available for natural resource management activitiesCMA Funding Programs 2009-10 Applications for the CMA’s Communities Caring for Catchments Program have now closed and contracts are now being developed with successful applicants for delivery through 2009/10. $782,000 is available through the CMA's Partnerships Program for 2009/10. Local government authorities, NSW Government agencies and non-government organisations are encouraged to submit proposals for partnership projects that will deliver on priority management targets in the Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Action Plan (CAP). Proposals will be accepted until 3 August 2009. $1.4 million is available through the CMA's Incentives Program for 2009/10 to assist landholders and land managers in the Hunter-Central Rivers region to address natural resource management (NRM) priorities on private and public lands. The key targets for this program are vegetation and biodiversity, soils and salinity, aquatic health and sustainable farming. Applications will be accepted until 21 August 2009. Go to www.hcr.cma.nsw.gov.au or contact the CMA on 4930 1030 for full details on guidelines and funding priorities for these programs. Community Building Partnership The NSW Government is inviting not-for-profit incorporated associations and local councils to submit applications for funding for local community projects across NSW that will help support local infrastructure and jobs. The NSW Government will invest a total of $35 million through the Community Building Partnership program. $300,000 will go into building local community projects in every electoral district – with an additional $100,000 to be invested in electoral districts with higher rates of unemployment. For full details on this program go to www.communitybuildingpartnership.nsw.gov.au, email cbp_enquiries@communitybuildingpartnership.nsw.gov.au or leave a recorded message on: 02 9228 4232. The Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority
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Partnerships
producing healthier wetlands
CMA
Board visits Bow Wow Gorge
Working on
country in Singleton
Targeting Actions
for Local Catchments
Green
and Golden Bell Frogs at North Avoca
African
Olive under attack in Singleton
High
tide at Hexham Swamp
Historic
flood tours in Maitland
Landcare
Legend: Beatrice Brooks
VegWatchers
keeping an eye on local bushland
Keeping
Budgewoi Beach beautiful
Mapping a
sustainable future
OCCI,
OCCI, OCCI - OI OI OI!