New geology map for Lord Howe Island
Ian Hutton. In May 2022 the Geological Survey of NSW published an updated geology map for Lord Howe Island. This has been a major revision of the original map published over 30 years ago.
Commonage not a dumping ground
Sheryl Lowe. The Penola Commonage has entered the Clarke Street tree removal discussion with one councillor saying the dumping of the 16 Cypress trees after felling, is not appropriate. The bank of trees has been the topic of discussion for several months with some community members in favour of keeping them ... There is some ambiguity about what the Commonage (noun community land) can be used for he said; it is clear it was to be used for community use and not unpleasant things like the spreading of waste water and burning of timber.
World Heritage forty years on
Ian Hutton introduces observations from Warren Nicholls, who worked on processing the nomination of Lord Howe Island for World Heritage Listing in 1982 ... "So, on my most recent visit in April 2022, what are the changes that I notice. The Islanders are still so friendly and hospitable. Ned’s Beach is still a great place to snorkel and feed the fish. The trek up Mt Gower is still challenging and just as rewarding with its spectacular views (although now safer with the addition of ropes at certain points). But there are other changes. Noticeable and for the good."
Cactus control field trip
Lee Mead. A group of 15 tertiary students from Monash University came to the Tarrangower Cactus Control Group field day yesterday, to help us in the war on Wheel Cactus. The event was held in the Maldon Historic Reserve, at the back of the Mount, where they thoroughly enjoyed the natural landscapes and local views.
Plaques lead the way to new tourism experience
Two new walk trails offering an eco tourism experience have been launched in Denmark in time for the winter holidays. Plaques installed at the Denmark River mouth and Lights Beach lookout feature a QR code linked to the Waterways website, and a wealth of local stories designed to enrich the visitor experience.
Sanctuary in 2 weeks
Patricia Gill. A bird sanctuary will be established north of a temporary fence in Wilson Inlet ... The sanctuary comes into effect on July 14 and is important to protect migratory shore birds ... Microlight pilot Milly Formby from Newcastle, NSW, is circumnavigating Australia to advocate for shorebirds that migrate to Australia from the Siberian Arctic.
Australians open to using genetic technology to manage feral cats
A recent CSIRO study has found that Australians are more likely to support the use of gene drive technology for feral cat management if there was a perceived problem of invasive species in one’s local neighbourhood ... "Feral cats are an ideal candidate for gene drive research given that their reproductive rates are up to three litters a year, which greatly outpaces conventional measures" : Dr Owain Edwards.
Fisheries Centre sets record as expansions go ahead
Narrandera is playing a huge part in the fresh water fish stocking season. NSW Department of Primary Industries is in the final stages of the 2021/2022 fish stocking season, which has so far seen more than 4.8 million fish, produced at NSW DPI hatcheries, released throughout the state.
Koala research team visits
The National Parks and Wildlife Service has a team visiting Narrandera this week to conduct aspects of koala research in the Narrandera Reserve ... Dr Joanne Connolly from Charles Sturt University's proposed research will involve further steps in the research proposal to establish a koala research centre in Narrandera and will complement and build further on the data being collected by the team from the Koalas Biodiversity and Ecological Health Branch of NPWS.
Murray cod stranded
It’s that time of year when irrigation channels are drawn down for maintenance works. Native fish such as Murray cod and yellas often find themselves stranded.
Stranded cod at Wakool
A large number of Murray Cod have been relocated from irrigation channels in the Wakool area, thanks to collaboration between numerous individuals and organisations ... At the end of the irrigation season, it is common for native fish to be left stranded in pools of water behind channel gates and irrigation syphons, and unfortunately, they perish.
National Parks takes aim at stoners
Take only photographs, leave only footprints is an established bushwalking and 4WD principle. Unfortunately, instagramming your bushwalk has led to many people building tiny cairns of stones so they can photograph their “artwork”. But it is not art, it’s vandalism.
Opportunities to further optimise fire management and funding in NSW: John O’Donnell
John O'Donnell looks closely at recent announcements by the NSW Government concerning funding for bushfire management and climate change adaptation and identifies 7 key remaining areas of concern, including an emphasis on bushfire suppression and inadequate levels of fire mitigation.
Massive investment in bushfire management and climate change adaptation: NSW Gov’t
The 2022-23 NSW Budget is delivering a major boost to fire management in national parks through a $598 million investment, delivering 250 permanent jobs and critical infrastructure upgrades. The NSW Government has also committed an additional $93.7 million to deliver the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy to prepare for the impacts of climate change and capture new investment opportunities.
New biosecurity zone set up for varroa mite
Another biosecurity zone has been set up in NSW after varroa mite was discovered in bee hives at three more properties. Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders says the move accounts for an infested premises, which is located outside the existing zones.
Soil health testing unearths potential for Queensland cane growers
“Comparing soil health in sugarcane growing districts to soil health in pasture, horticulture and cropping regions shows just how unique those sugarcane soil systems are. Many cane growers may not have measured their soil health before but with commodity prices remaining strong in this regulated market, we’re seeing cane growers becoming increasingly interested in soil health" : Rob Dwyer, Incitec Pivot Fertilisers agronomist.
Yaegl People celebrate a step towards self-determination
Geoff Helisma. The NSW State Environmental Planning Policy (Aboriginal Land) 2019 aims “to provide for development delivery plans for areas of land owned by local Aboriginal land councils [LALC]” and “to declare specified development carried out on land owned by LALCs to be regionally significant development” - last Saturday June 25 the Yaegl Traditional Owners Corporation (YTOC) held a gathering at Hickey Island to recognise and promote another step towards self determination.
Beetaloo Traditional Owners reveal frustration at anti-fracking activists ‘interfering’ on country
Tom Zaunmayr, National Indigenous Times. When Jingili Elder Pompey Raymond reflects on the Northern Territory’s oil and gas industry, he sees careers for young people, education, community infrastructure and a pathway to protect his country. A senior ceremony man born on Beetaloo Station, Mr Raymond believes the debate around industry is often hijacked by those who should not be speaking for the region.
Landcare experts to converge on Sydney for 2022 National Landcare Conference
Landcare Australia has announced the 2022 National Landcare Conference is going bigger and better than ever ... The 2022 conference will feature the latest from experts on environmental and climate action, cultural land management, sustainable farming, emerging environmental markets, and much more.
Why our iconic bird should be 2032 Olympics mascot
A campaign has been launched to make an iconic Cape York bird the face of the Brisbane Olympics in 2032. The endangered palm cockatoo has been nominated by Birds Queensland as the mascot of the 2032 Games.
From the Embers: Phoenix
In episodes 5 and 6 from the second season of the award winning short radio and podcast series From the Embers, we check in with two different communities on their resilience journeys. Episode 5, 'Right Fire Wrong Fire' goes to the South Coast of NSW where the mega fires of 2019/20 destroyed 1.5m hectares of Yuin Country, killing countless animals, plants, and insect species.
Aboriginal koala conservation
I reckon the Monty Python team would have been jealous of the creative genius behind NSW’s Koala Strategy. It would be hilarious except for the $200 million price tag to save an irruptive species which is in much greater numbers across a much wider area than before the European ‘invasion’. Apart from Strzelecki, no explorer saw any koalas because they didn’t live in the grassy valleys occupied by Aborigines and sought by pastoralists.
