News from the Regional Groups Collective

Regional groups agree to position: minimising the impacts of development on natural resources

Samantha Morris — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:57:48 +0000

Queensland’s regional NRM groups have agreed on a position around minimising the impacts of development on Queensland’s natural resources.

Andrew Drysdale, CEO Queensland Regional NRM Groups Collective said the position paper was developed as a result of community concern around managing land use change in an increasingly complex economic and social environment.

“The demand for Queensland’s natural resources is increasing in response to global population growth and associated energy and food requirements,” Drysdale said. “Queensland Regional NRM Groups Collective has considered key pressures and challenges believed to lie ahead for Queenslanders and as a result, we feel strongly that land use change must be carried out in a manner that maintains the integrity and function of surrounding biological, aquatic and terrestrial systems.”

The position paper includes a set of operating codes and the Collective is hoping to work with industry for voluntary adoption of those codes. The operating codes cover areas such as vegetation and biodiversity; riverine, floodplains and wetlands; associated water; land and soils; and weeds and pest animals.

A new voice for regional NRM across the Cape

Samantha Morris — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:58:57 +0000

After a lengthy community consultation process across Cape York, the region will soon have its own community based organisation for natural resource management planning. Nominations are now open for positions on the inaugural board of the Cape York Regional Natural Resource Management Group and close 19 March 2010. Information about registering to vote, or nominating for the board is available by calling Queensland Regional NRM Groups Collective on 07 4699 5000 or by downloading the documents listed below.

Natural Resource Awareness Grants available

natasha — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:45:14 +0000

Community natural resource management groups across Queensland can now apply for a slice of $100,000 on offer from the Bligh Government to help further protect our environment.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Stephen Robertson announced applications have opened for the 2010 Natural Resources Awareness Grants during the recent Landcare Conference in Longreach.

"Natural Resources Awareness Grants are offered to fund activities and projects which promote the importance of our natural resources in our lives, while encouraging more Queenslanders to become involved in their protection," Mr Robertson said.

"The Bligh Government's Toward Q2 strategy is creating a greener Queensland and these grants are important as they allow the groups out there on the ground to tackle important local issues."

"Grants of up to $5000 are available to groups such as Landcare, Bushcare, Coastcare and Waterwatch, and up to $10,000 will be considered for projects where there is a genuine collaboration between two or more organisations."

Queensland’s regional NRM outputs from 2008-09

natasha — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 07:03:45 +0000

Queensland’s regional natural resource management bodies have had a busy 12 months, reporting massive onground activities across the state.

Mike Berwick, Chair Regional Group’s Collective said the outputs are a good example of how regional bodies are making a difference on the ground, with the support of community partners such as Landcare Groups.

In the 12 months up to 30 June 2009, regions reported delivering 1,597 awareness raising events for more than 80,000 people along with the rehabilitation or enhancement of 446,000 hectares of native vegetation.

To see all of the outputs achieved in the past 12 months see attached factsheet of Queensland's Regional NRM Outputs for 2008-09.

Regional NRM Programs Client Survey

natasha — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:31:10 +0000

During October the Regional Natural Resource Management Programs Communication Team are undertaking client research to assist in the development, implementation and evaluation of communication, education and motivation activities by the team.

Queensland NRM Rumble: Indigenous Land and Sea Management

natasha — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:37:22 +0000

The "Queensland NRM Rumble" is a series of regional NRM stories that showcase achievements made by Regional NRM Groups and their partners across the state. Previously these were know of as the Chairs Reports.

Topics include:

Sustainable agriculture case studies featured in Country Life

natasha — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 23:44:40 +0000

A series of case studies looking at how regional groups are working with industry to ensure Queensland’s food security through sustainable agriculture, is now available.

The series was compiled by Queensland Regional NRM Group’s Collective, and formed a four-page feature in Queensland Country Life this month.

The case studies look at sustainability initiatives across cotton, dairy, fruit and vegetable, nursery, grain and cane industries and are a product of the statewide sustainable agriculture project managed by the Queensland Regional NRM Group’s Collective with the support of the Queensland and Australian Governments.

For further information or an electronic or hard copy of the case studies contact racquel@wombatcreative.com.au or phone 07 5538 5109.

Natural Resource groups share $11 million in state funding

natasha — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:29:07 +0000

5 years of NRM in Queensland showcase: presentations available

Samantha Morris — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:35:24 +0000

The Queensland Regional NRM Group's Collective hosted a successful two day forum to celebrate and showcase five years of natural resource management in Queensland. The event took place on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 May 2009 in Townsville.

DataHub - Improving access to NRM information

Samantha Morris — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 23:32:35 +0000

Many people in natural resource management (NRM) have experienced the frustrations of not having access to the appropriate natural resource information they need for making informed decisions. A pilot for the new Datahub project will be a great step forward in resolving some of this frustration by addressing the drivers that influence availability and access to knowledge and information.

The pilot project will commence in mid February and run for approximately five months. It is a collaboration between the Regional NRM Groups Collective (RGC), Terrain NRM, Queensland Murray-Darling Committee (QMDC) and the Department of Natural Resources and Water’s (NRW) Catchment Programs, and will involve a number of additional regional NRM bodies as stakeholders.