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Issue 9: September 2008 Welcome to the September edition of Catchment News, the newsletter of the Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority (CMA). 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? CMA Board 'wowed' by
local innovation
Prior to their August meeting in Gloucester, members of the CMA Board visited a number of CMA-funded natural resource projects in the area. The projects included the dairy farm of Chris and Sally Maslen who were recently awarded the inaugural NSW Dairy Innovation Award for their moveable shade shelters. The Maslens received $22000 funding through the 2007-08 National Landcare Program, to assist with construction of 20 shade shelters. Chris designed the shade structures so that dairy cows could be given sufficient shade as their grazing paddocks were rotated around the farm. The shelters also provide shade away from sensitive riparian areas allowing natural regeneration and young seedlings to grow without stock pressure. Significantly, the shelters mean that nutrient hot spots from cattle 'camps' can be distributed more evenly across the paddocks. The CMA also assisted with funding for the Maslens to install an integrated stock water system to supply fresh water to strategically placed troughs, to maximise grazing and production potential.
On 11 September the CMA will hold a preview of an exciting new website about the Hunter River. The Hunter River Explorer website has been created for the community of the Hunter region and takes visitors on a virtual journey along the Hunter River. Along the way we hear from people who live and work on the river, many of whom have a long history in the region and have seen a great deal of change, and all of whom are important to ensuring the health of the river in the future. The CMA has been fortunate to secure the permission of the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) to incorporate into the Hunter River Explorer website a series of interviews conducted by local ABC reporters Phil Ashley-Brown and Murdo MacLeod as part of the popular River Stories series that was produced by Newcastle ABC Local Radio in 2003. These interviews bring to life the experiences of a number of local identities, including major players in the thoroughbred, viticulture, coal mining and agricultural industries, who each tell us why the river is so important to them. The CMA hopes the website, which will be fully operational by the end of September, will prove to be an effective and engaging medium for getting people talking about the river and offering their stories to continue the dialogue and build greater support for ongoing action to assist the recovery of the Hunter River. Photo courtesy of Nick Cook, Department of Water and Energy.
A new dimension was introduced to National Tree Day for schools this year with the involvement of the CMA’s Waterwatch team. The Waterwatch team joined in the activities at two local schools to promote the important role of healthy native vegetation in ensuring good water quality. Wollombi Public School planted close to eighty native plants on an eroding slope of the school grounds and in the school gardens. Meanwhile students at Waratah West Public school were also busy planting trees for rehabilitation works at the newly named Koba Creek that forms the back boundary of the school. The Waterwatch coordinators conducted water quality testing with forty senior students. The name Koba, from the Awabakal meaning “Place of Belonging”, was given to the creek during a formal name giving ceremony in 2007, which was attended by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle Cr John Tate.
Staff of the CMA are collaborating with Greater Taree City Council reserve managers and staff of the Mt Annan Botanic Gardens to collect seed of the native wetland plant Lindernia alsinoides, to be stored in the NSW Seedbank so that it can be propagated in case the plant becomes extinct in the wild. A large population of the endangered plant, previously thought to be extinct in the area was unearthed during work to establish a management plan for the council's Cattai Wetlands project at Coopernook. Another population has been found at Forster. The plant, which has pretty blue and creamy white flowers through the warmer months, exists only in very small populations in the rest of NSW, so the seed from this large, viable population may be vital to the plant's survival. The NSW seedbank and the seedbank at the Kew Botanic Gardens in the UK are collaborators of the Millenium Seedbank Project, which aims to store seeds of international rare plants.
A new online game has been developed in collaboration with key agencies such as CSIRO, the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, and the eWater CRC, as the national project for 2008 National Science Week, to help Australians better understand and manage the environment we live in. Catchment Detox allows you to manage a virtual catchment, trying to balance the health of the environment, with the economy and population growth. The aim of the game is to provide food and wealth for the population, while managing issues such as salinity, water quality, agriculture, tourism and urban development. You get to decide what activities you undertake - whether to plant crops, log forests, build factories or set up national parks. If you think you're up for the challenge, go to the Catchment Detox website and give it a go.
Crowdy Head Public School has taken out the inaugural Eco Schools Quest with their School Environmental Management Plan (SEMP) outlining the school's commitment to manage the school grounds in an ecologically sustainable way. The Eco Schools Quest was an initiative of the Manning Environmental Education Group (MEEG), and was carried out with support from the CMA and Greater Taree City Council. Coopernook Public School was the runner up while Ghinni Ghinni Public School took out bronze. Both the winner and runner up schools were presented with banners to display for a term and all three received a $100 voucher for environmental resources.
Next time you park on the side of a country road take a closer look around you. The roadside environment actually makes up 5% of the total land area of NSW and provides a range of ecological, economic and cultural values. To ensure these areas are properly managed the NSW Roadside Environment Committee (REC) and its members - the Roads and Traffic Authority, Nature Conservation Council, Country Energy, Rural Fire Service, Rail Infrastructure Corporation, Institute of Public Works Australia, Local Government Shires Association, Rural Lands Protection Board, and the Department of Environment and Climate Change - support a number of projects across the state. One of these projects involves a partnership between the CMA and Hunter Councils, which is delivering a Regional Roadside Environmental Management Program, with Australian Government investment of $260,000 (and REC investment of $65,000) over two years. The program is engaging staff of local councils, and managers of power and utilities infrastructure, in appropriate management of erosion, nutrient run-off and weeds, while also protecting endangered vegetation communities and sites of Aboriginal culture and heritage and historic value. For more information on the project contact Hunter Council's Project Officer Emma Graham on 4978 4021. Photo courtesy of Hunter Councils.
Students and teachers from eight local schools joined environmental experts to participate in the Winding Creek Catchment Crawl on 14 August. Participants investigated the water quality of Winding Creek and learned about the impacts of urbanisation and farming on the local catchment.> The students tested water quality for turbidity, salinity, pH, temperature and phosphates, as well as completing habitat and site assessments. Participants were supported and guided by experts from the CMA, Hunter-Central Rivers Waterwatch, Lake Maquarie City Council, NSW DET Wetlands Environmental Education Centre and Hunter Water Corporation. Hunter Water Laboratories will be carrying out additional water quality testing on water samples collected by the students. Since 2003, Waterwatch has run eight catchment crawls in the Hunter-Central Rivers region. Feedback from teachers and students has proved this project to be an extreme success. One teacher said the crawl was “well organised, fun and educational” and students commented, “Nothing could be better” and “I learned heaps”. The results from
the investigations aim to provide useful data regarding the water quality and
surrounding environment, which will be used to help students and teachers gain a
better understanding of issues within their catchment and knowledge to improve their
local waterways. Land managers on the Central Coast are encouraged to take advantage of a 45% discount on the NSW DPI course Landscan. The course is suitable for experienced farmers and those new to land management and focuses on assessing natural resources, matching land use to land capability, and making informed choices about managing landscapes, while balancing production and sustainability. The first session of the six-part course will be held on Monday 22 September 2008. To register your interest, contact Carolyn Jenkinson on 4348 1979 or email carolyn.jenkinson@dpi.nsw.gov.au by 12 September 2008.
With a little bit of help, Esma Holt is transforming her 2 hectare property in Narara near Gosford from a weed-infested jungle to a natural wonderland. Japanese honeysuckle, arum lilies, camphor laurels, coral trees and lantana are just a few of the weeds that had overrun the property that Fountains Creek flows through—a tributary of one of the CMA’s priority streams, Narara Creek. Esma is fortunate that she doesn’t need to replant, regeneration of over 40 different species of native climbers, herbs, ferns, rushes, grasses, shrubs, and trees is occurring naturally as the weeds are being removed. The vulnerable species magenta lilly pilly (Syzygium paniculatum) has been found on the property and it's with keen interest and obvious joy that Esma describes the many species of native orchids that are beginning to reappear throughout the property. ‘It is lovely to see the native vegetation returning and knowing that habitat is being created for the lyrebirds, marsh frogs, water dragons, blue tongue lizards, brush turkeys, and antechinus,’ said Esma. Esma has received three grants through the CMA’s Small Grants program to help cover the cost of a bush regeneration team that is doing the weed-removal. ‘Being able to only hand-pull smaller weeds and seedlings in the more easily-accessible areas, I knew I would never get the job done without the bush regeneration team,’ said Esma. Esma plans to maintain the works by regularly inspecting the area and removing any new weed seedlings. ‘It will take a while for the lantana and privet to stop re-shooting, but I am determined to keep them at bay!’ said Esma. Her neighbours have been inspired by Esma’s efforts and have begun controlling weeds on their own properties. Dates for the calendar1-7 September - Landcare Week Now in its 13th year, Landcare Week is an initiative of Landcare Australia that aims to 'grow' the landcare movement by recruiting new volunteers and rewarding groups' hard work.
The theme for Landcare Week 2008 is 'landcare heroes' and activities will focus on promoting the huge contribution landcarers make across the country.
For more information go to the Landcare
Australia website. The 11th International Riversymposium will be held in Brisbane and will explore the challenges associated with increased flooding and drought expected with climate change. Topics covered include building climate resilience into rivers, drought management and planning, flood mitigation, preparing urban waterways, maintaining food production and insurance risk analysis. For more information go to the River Symposium website. 6 September - Lake Macquarie Landcare Mini Muster Lake Macquarie Landcare is holding a ‘Mini Muster’ to celebrate Landcare Week and recognise the role that Landcarers play in sustainable land management. Activities on the day will include the launch of the 2008 Lake Macquarie Landcare Year Book, the presentation of the 2008 Landcare Awards, and presentations and information on Landcare projects. 6 September - What Weed is that? Weeds officers from Maitland and Port Stephens Councils will be available for help with identification and advice on weed management. Bring along your weed samples and talk to the experts one-on-one about weeds issues on your property. Drop in any time between 9.00-11.30 am at the park next to the Hinton Bridge. For more information please contact Philippa Lloyd 4980 0279. 12-14 September 2008 - The Small Footprint Initiative The Small Footprint Initiative is a community run weekend event in Pacific Palms focusing on sustainability. Great Lakes Council will be attending with a 'live' weeds stall, and will be promoting their community sea grass project, the Great Lakes Underwater Group and their marine conservation activities, and backyard composting, recycling and worm farming. for more information go to the Small Footprint Initiative website. 29 September - 10 October - Discovery tours and fun programs for the school holidays There are some great activities organised throughout the school holidays through the National Parks Discovery Program. Take a journey along the Yuelerbah track to Leichhardt’s Lookout to enjoy the views of Glenrock Lagoon; find out about the habitat, courting displays and nests of the birds of Bow Wow Creek Gorge and Wallis Creek; or learn how to snorkel while discovering the rich marine life of the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park from Fly Point. Check out these and other fascinating Discovery tours offered in your region on the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) website. 8 October - Blue Gum Hills School holiday program with National Parks and Wildlife Service Join the Waterwatch team for fun and games at Blue Gum Hills Regional Park for some hands on activities to do with looking after our local waterways. Contact the Hunter-Central Rivers Waterwatch team on 4930 1030 for more information. 9 October - Lakelands Carp Catch Get your rods out and get ready to 'fish for ferals' in the 10th Annual Junior Carp Catch. This popular fishing contest will take place at Lakelands Wetland and all entrants have the chance to win prizes including new fishing gear. The fishing contest is part of an environmental awareness event at the Lakelands Community Hall in Ambleside Circuit, which will take place between 8.30 am and 12 noon. 16 October - Improving Soil Health Improve soil health and learn best management practices for sustainability and production. Presented by Neil Griffiths, District Agronomist for Tocal DPI. For more information please contact Philippa Lloyd 4980 0279. 19-25 October - National Water Week National Water Week is an exciting time with lots of water-related events scheduled across Australia. A range of activities are planned in the Hunter-Central Rivers region to assist our communities in undertaking actions to help protect and conserve our most precious resource. Go to the Water Week website for a full listing of events. Date to be advised - Sustainable Horse Management workshops Nationally recognised author Jane Myers, will present workshops on sustainable horse management, understanding horse behaviour, pasture management, and property design in the Port Stephens area. This presentation will build on that given by Dr John Kohnke's in March 2008. Contact Philippa Lloyd 4980 0279 to register your interest. Support available for natural resource management activitiesThe CMA has allocated $90,000 of Australian Government Caring for our Country funding to assist natural resource management (NRM) networks in the Hunter-Central Rivers CMA area. This CMA community support initiative will specifically assist NRM networks with administration and other operating costs, with the funds being distributed equally across the three CMA landscape areas of the Central Coast, Hunter and Lower North Coast regions. The funding is part of the CMA's continued commitment to assisting the broader community to actively maintain and sustainably manage natural resources in the Hunter-Central Rivers area, and to assist in achieving targets in the Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Action Plan (CAP). The CMA is currently requesting expressions of interest from eligible NRM community network
organisations, applications must be received at the CMA by Friday 12 September 2008. The Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority
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Hunter River Explorer website
Waterwatch and National Tree Day for
schools
Endangered
species back from the brink
Catchment Detox
Eco Schools Quest unearths environmental champions 
Important roadside reserves receive attention in the Hunter
Students
crawl along Winding Creek
Making better
use of soils, pastures and vegetation
Case in point:
Esma Holt tackles the weed menace in Narara