Annual Report of the Moggill Creek Catchment Group 2013 to ... · Jocelyn Henry, Cathi Lawrence,...

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AnnualReportoftheMoggillCreekCatchmentGroup

2013to2014

SupportingMoggillCreekCatchmentGroup

IwouldliketothanktheManagementCommitteeandSectionLeadersfortheireffortsthroughouttheyear,namelyMalcolmFrost,AdrianWebb,CathieMortimer,DaleBorgelt,JoannaYesberg,MichaelHumphreys,GraemeWilson,GordonGrigg,AndrewWilson,DebFord,BryanHacker,LetitiaNorton,DamienEgan,RichardWoodhead,JudyPetroeschevsky,KateMcVicar,JohnCrowley,JimPopeandourCreekCatchmentOfficer,AmandaMaggs.

OurOrganisationsucceedsbecausemanypeoplesharetheloadofkeepingtheorganizationrunningeffectivelyandprovidingservicestoourmembersandthecatchmentcommunity.NotinanyparticularorderIwanttothank:

A.ThemanyvolunteersattheBushcareworkingbees.

B.OurableNurserycrewundertheguidanceofGraemeandAndrewWilson:HelenPalmer,DebbieAllen,TomAsher,DawnBeck,MariadeJong,GabbyBell,IanHancock,RichardTumman,MarjorieWelch,AdrienneForrestal,MaxineBinning,SallyStinton,JoyceWestenberg,JanGrigg,BryanHacker,JoanMiller,MargaretPalmer,AlisonHoole,JohnCrowley,BruceSiemon,DamienEgan,MargaretBasso,DaleBorgelt.

C.TheCottage gardeners,DebFord,Cathie andAdrianMortimer andWarrenHoey.

D.Newslettereditor,GraemeWilson;formatter,MargaretHastie;printing,JohnGower; labelling,packagingandposting,DaleBorgelt;MCCGenvelopeprinting,BryanHacker.

E.AdrianWebb,TimHowell,CamillePercivalandLeoLeewhoworksohardtokeep theCreekHealthMonitoringProgramgoingalongwith abunchofhardyvolunteers.

F. Cath Cleary from Habitat Brisbane, the LFW team of Cody Hochen andCatherineMadden,andLouiseOrrfromSEQCatchments.

G.GeoffLawrence,JudyWard,DebFord,MalcolmFrostandAdrianMortimerinparticularformanagingthedevelopmentofournewwebsite.

H.CouncillorMargaretdeWit,DrBruceFleggMPandMrsJanePrenticeMPfortheirstrongsupportthroughouttheyear.

I.GeoffLawrenceandhiscommitteeconsistingofRobynFrost,MargaretWhyte,JocelynHenry,CathiLawrence,DaleBorgeltandBruceSiemonwhoonceagain

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ran a brilliant photography Competition in 2014. Andrew Wilson vetted thephotoentriesforaccuracyoftitlesandcorrectnessofcategory.

J.BruceSiemonwhoworkssohardbehindthescenescollatingandpresentingallmannerofdataonouractivities.OurthankstoDavidGoodingforcreatingtheSectionmapandthemaponplantdistributionfromourNursery.

K. JimButlerand IanMuirhead formanaging thebirdproject.EdFrazer, JuliaSarna,JasonWimmer,NicMcCaffrey,CamKilgour,andthelateHelenOvenswhoalsocontributedsignificantlytothisworthyproject.

L.ChrisHoskingforrunningthe2014platypussurveyablyassistedbyRichardWoodhead,GaynorJohnsonandDotDalglish.

M.GordonGriggforregularlymowingthecottagegrounds.

N.AdrianMortimerandBevanBorgeltforregularlyandselflesslyassistinginallmanneroftaskswhenneeded.

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MCCGMembership

CommunicationandEducation

TALKSATTHECOTTAGEonthethirdThursdayofthemonthcontinuedtointerestandentertainastheywonderfullywidenedourknowledgeofourcatchmentanditsbiodiversity.

2013 July&AugustMoreToSeeInTheBushwithAndrewWilsonSeptember BryanHackerspokeonControllingWEEDSinourcatchmentOctoberJanetSpillmantalkedaboutHeroesandVillainsofMountCoot-thaNovember ConservationVolunteersAustraliatalkbyRegionalManager,LibbyGardiner2014February PlantIDwithJanBlokco-authorofFragmentsofGreenMarch CuratorofBrookfieldDistrictMuseum,JoyStacyApril FungiwithJuttaGodwinMay BeetleswithGeoffMonteithJune CatsClawwithLouiseOrr

Year Members

1998 178

1999 217

2000 210

2001 170

2002 192

2003 217

2004 3302005 343

2006 349

2007 375

2008 393

2009 456

2010 457

2011 440

2012 505

2013 504

2014 530

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KIDS’DAYATTHECOTTAGEonthelastSundayinMaycontinuestobeawonderfulsuccesswithplentyofenvironmentthemedactivitiesanddisplaystoattractchildrenwiththeirparentsandcarers.In2014300attendeeshappilyenjoyedalltheevent’sofferingsandactivitiesinperfectweather.TheyarealwaysespeciallydelightedwheneverythingisFREE-whichweareabletodobecauseoftheenormousinputfromvolunteerpresentersandhelpers,andthemuchappreciatedfundinghelpfromtheLordMayor’sSuburbanInitiativeFundviathePullenvaleWardandCrMargaretdeWit.

Asalways,MartinFingland’swildlifepresentationwasahighlightandtheultimatescenestealerwashisyoungwombat.

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BROOKFIELDHALLPRESENTATIONS

AGMNovember2013inBrookfieldHall

GuestSpeaker,JanetSpillman,informedandthoroughlyentertaineduswiththehistoricalbackgroundofBrisbane’sFirstForestPark–MountCoot-tha.

PUBLICDISPLAYShighlightMCCGaimsandactivities.Twoareofspecialnote.OurMCCGstandattheBrookfieldShow,andthewonderfulexposurewegetfromtheAnnualPhotoCompetitiondisplayinKenmoreVillage.

BROOKFIELDSHOWSTANDWehadasuccessfulpresencewithhelpfromourcheerfulandinformativevolunteers.ManypeopleadmiredthefineexamplesofvineweedscultivatedbyBryanHacker,andpeeredintothecagesofprospectivebiologicalcontrolinsectsforCatsClawandMadeiraVine.Our‘good’nativeplantsforsalegaveustheopportunitytopointoutoneofthebigadvantagesofbeingamember–freelocallygrownnativeplantsfromourvolunteer-runNursery.

ANNUALPHOTOGRAPHYCOMPETITIONThisyear`scompetitionattractedastrongfieldoflocalphotographers.Itwasmostpleasingtoseeplentyofinterestfromourlocalschoolswithsomeveryhighqualityshotsondisplay.TheorganizingcommitteeledbyGeoffLawrenceonceagaindidanexcellentjobinorganizingthisflagshipevent.

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TonyWattstookouttheOpenclass(nativeplants)awardwith“Dianella”,andtheOpenclass(nativewildlife)with“GreenTreeSnake”whichalsowontheSupremeExhibit.AnneRussellwonthe“PeopleintheirCatchment”categorywith“WalkingGoldCreekEnvironment”.Inthe“MyCatchment”category,Benwonthe‘toyear7’sectionwith“FlaxBelts”andChrisPollocktookouttheyear8-12sectionwith“MenoMe”.KenmoreSouthStateSchoolwontheSchool`scategorywith“TexturesinNature”.ThePeople`schoicewaswonbyBrianKriegerwhoalsotookouttheChairman`sChoice(adult)with“Hobbies”.TheChairman`sChoiceawardforyoungpeoplewastakenoutbyKaitlynwith“Nature`sDinnerPlate”.TheNovicescategorywaswonbyKenmoreStateSchoolwith“WildlifeinourBackyard”.Congratulationstoalloftheparticipants.

ManynewmembershavejoinedMCCGasaresultofthesePRactivities,promotionsanddisplays.

NEWSLETTER

Everyquarterourveryprofessionalnewsletterteamproducesahighqualitydocumentfortheinformationandeducationofourmembers.Thetopicsarethoughtfullychosentocaptureyourinterestasapersonwhovaluestherehabilitationofourlocalnaturalenvironment.

OurthanksgotoGraemeWilson(Editor),MargaretHastie(Formatter),JohnGower(Printing),DaleBorgelt(Labelling,packagingandposting)andBryanHacker(MCCGenvelopeprinting).

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MCCG WEBSITE

In my last report forecast our having the new website up and running by early2014. This was not to be. The sub-committee led by Geoff Lawrence aided byMalcolm Frost, Deb Ford, Judy Ward and Adrian Mortimer did veryprofessional job in working with Kingfisher Creative to deliver the new site byAugust 2014. The new site is great improvement on the old one and thecompliments are flowing in.

MCCG Nursery

Under the able leadership of Andrew and Graeme Wilson, the nurserydistributed 12,012 plants, covering 169 species.

Volunteers at the nursery contributed 1,086 hours, working on the first and thirdMondays of each month during the year. This estimate does not include themany additional hours provided by Graeme and Andrew.

One hundred and thirty seven (137) different seed species were collected by 30members.

Map courtesy of David Gooding

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Landcare Activities

As MCCG Landcare Adviser Bryan Hacker is quite frequently invited to member'sproperties to discuss revegetation projects and identify native and exotic plants.With this encouragement members visited often collect plants from the Nurseryand embark on continuing process of habitat restoration. In the past yearBryan has visited 15 properties on the owners' request to provide informationand advice.

Working on Public Land

Another year has past so quickly for our hard working volunteers. The value ofthis work, as intimated last year, often goes unnoticed in world with little timeto stop and reflect on what is around us. We can help you get your hands dirtyand productive in your own back yard and feel good about it!

Map courtesy of David Gooding

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Sectiondata

Section WB Volunteers Hours Xtrahours Plants2 12 6.1 214 17 6453 10 13.1 314 123 14694 7 5.6 89 272 2906 0 0 0 81 0PaceyRd 16 9.6 407 93 11258 3 5.3 40 22 339 9 6.7 120 25 4011 23 7.7 470 37 4511(KSHS)

1 90 360 114 1010

12 13 6.0 176 139 1166Total 94 2190 923 5823ThankstoBruceSiemonforpreparingthesedata.

Section1NoSectionLeader

Section2LowerMoggill(JudyPetroschevsky)

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Thissmallgroupofvolunteers,somewhosehomesborderonthecreek,haveworkedhardthisyear.Theareaisinafloodplain,inwhichasmallcreekbecomesaragingtorrentofwaterduringheavyrain,causingmassiveerosiononthecreekbanks,and,asin2011,severefloodingofthewholearea.Theyhaveworkedonastrategy,wheretheerosionhasbeensevere,toplantoutthehigherbankswithvegetationwhichwilllessenthestrengthofthewaterflow,holdthesoil,andhopefullylimiterosion.Theyarestartingtoseethecompletionofsomeofourplanning,justwaitingforthenextdownpour!!!!!!TheyhavehadexcellentassistancefromHabitatBrisbanetoachieveouraims,andJudywouldliketothankCathClearyforhersupportofourgroup.TheyarelookingforwardtoourChristmasParty,whichisalwaysgreatfunwithourrathervariedgroup.

Section3Huntington/Tuckett(JimPope;MalcolmFrost)

Note:ThisreportcoverstheperiodfromJanuary2014(whenJimPopetookoverleadershipofthesectionfromMalcolmFrost)toSeptember2014.Malcolmhadpreviouslyledthesectionfor15yearsfrom1998.Forinformationrelatingto2013andearlier,pleasecontactMalcolm.TheGroupisresponsibleforlookingaftertheripariancorridoralongbothbanksofa1.6kmsectionofMoggillCreek,betweenTuckettStreetParkandRaftingGroundRoad(seeattachedmap).Itcurrentlyhasapproximately26activevolunteers.

Duringtheyeartodatetheyheld8workingbees.ThesewereheldonthelastSundayofeachmonth(exceptDecember),between8.30-11.30am.(NoworkingbeewasheldinJanuarythisyear,duetothechangeoverofsectionleader).Mainactivitiesoftheworkingbeesincludeweedclearing,(especiallyweedvinessuchasglycine,Madeiravine,catsclaw,asparagusfernandballoonvine),plantingoftreesandshrubs,brushcutting,clearingofexoticgrasses,mulchingandwateringofnewplantings.Mainactivitiesthisyearhaveincluded:

1. Plantingoftrees,mid-storyshrubsgroundcoverplantsandlomandrastowidentheripariancorridorinzonesEandF(seepicturesandattachedmap).

2. Weedclearing,maintenanceofrecentplantingsandin-fillplantingontheupperandlowerbanksofthecreekinzoneA.

3. Weedclearing,removalofexoticvinesandbrushcuttingofexoticgrassesinzonesA,B,G,EandF.

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WorkingBee-ZoneE(31stAugust2014)

NewPlantings-ZoneF(June2014)

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BalloonVine-ZoneA(June2014)

Overall,approximately260person-hoursofworkwerecarriedoutatworkingbees,andafurther50-60hoursoffield-workbetweenworkingbees.(FortheyearfromJuly2013toJune2014,itisestimatedthatthecorrespondingfigurestotalwellover400person-hours).Duringtheyearthegroupplantedapproximately500nativetrees,shrubsandgroundcoverplants.

Assectionleader,inMarchJimpreparedanAnnualPlanforHabitatBrisbane(seeattached).InAprilheattendeda2-dayFirstAidtrainingsessionrunbySt.John’sAmbulance(whichwasfinancedbyHabitatBrisbane).HealsoattendedaplantidentificationworkshoporganisedbyHabitatBrisbaneandaHabitatBrisbaneandWildlifeConservationOrientationDayinJune.

InJulyJimsubmittedanapplicationforfunding($23,305)fromtheCommunityConservationAssistance(CCA)Program,tocarryouthabitatrestorationandfloodmitigationworkthatisbeyondthecapabilitiesofourvolunteers(seeattachedapplicationandmap).TheirsectionofMoggillCreekissubjecttoregularflooding,whichinthepasthasledtosignificanterosionanddamagetotreeplantings-seepicturesbelow,takenon28thMarch2014.FurtherpicturesoftheimpactofamoreseverefloodinFebruary2013areincludedasanappendixtothisreport.Theoutcomeofthisfundingapplicationisexpectedtobeknowninlate2014.

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TuckettPark-ZoneK(28thMarch2014)

TuckettPark-ZoneA(28thMarch2014)

BridgeinCreeksidePark-ZoneD/E(28thMarch2014)

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BridgeinCreeksidePark-ZoneG/H(28thMarch2014)

OnSunday21stSeptemberthegroupheldafunctioninCreeksideParktorecogniseandcelebratetheenormouscontributionofMalcolmandRobynFrostinleadingourbushcaregroupfor15yearstoFebruarythisyear.Thefunctionwasattendedbyapproximately30people,includingpastandpresentmembersofthebushcaregroupandrepresentativesfromHabitatBrisbane.Atthefunction,CouncillorMargaretdeWit(PullenvaleWard)unveiledaplaqueononeoftheparkbenches,inrecognitionofMalcolmandRobyn’sachievements(seepicturesbelow).AreportoftheeventwasfeaturedintheOctobereditionofthe‘LocalBulletin’(p35).

PlaqueonBenchinCreeksidePark

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CouncillorMargaretdeWit(PullenvaleWard)withMalcolmandRobyn(21stSept.2014)

AttendeesatthefunctionforMalcolmandRobynFroston21stSept.2014

MalcolmandJimhavemanagedtheleadershiptransitionsmoothly.andJimisgratefultoMalcolmFrostforhisongoingsupportandtoallmembersofthebushcaregroupfortheircontinuedcommitment.SpecialthankstoJohnBrewforhelpingtoorganisethefunctionforMalcolmandRobyn,whichwasagreatsuccess,toJoanneYesbergforprovidingrefreshmentsattheworkingbeesandtoCathClearyofHabitatBrisbaneforhercontinuedsupportandassistance.

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Section4Showgrounds(DamienEgan)

TheShowgroundBushcaregroupstartedin1998andisresponsibleforworkingonBrisbaneCityCouncillandfromtheculvertatBoscomberoadalongRaftingGroundRoadtotheBrookfieldRoadroundabout.

RaftingGroundRoadSite:TotalHours150Plants75

StartingattheBrookfieldroundabout,BryanandJennyHackerarecontinuingtodoweedmanagementonthissitecontrollingEmbupanicinparticular.Excellentnaturalregenerationisoccurring,withrivershe-oakseedlingsprotectedthreeyearsagonowupto4mtallandseveralotherspeciesalsoregeneratingsuccessfully.ThisiswhywiththenewbollardsinplaceandmulcharoundthebigfigstheareaislookingwonderfulandisabeautifulnaturalbackdroptotheBrookfieldShowgroundsopposite!!WeedmanagementcontinuesbehindtheProducestoreandintheBushTuckerGardenwithmonthlyworkingbeesmaintainingalreadyclearedareas.

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BoscombeRoadArea:TotalHours20Plants75

Afurther30x10metreareahasbeenclearedandplantedwith30longstemplantsbyBCCcontractorsandplanningisunderwayforanother60longstemplantstobeplanted2015/2016.Ourgrouphasalreadyaddedanother40plantsfromMCCGwithinfillplantingsatthissite.

BrookfieldStateSchoolSite:TotalHoursNilPlantsNil

KenmoreStateHighSchool:TotalHours325Plants1000

Continuedsearchandrescueweedmaintenanceandwatering(Butterflyplants)ofestablishedareasforStudentStreamSaversStage3&4projects.Fundingforwhichwillrunoutbytheendofthisyear

NTDplantingwithyears10/11studentsestablished1000plantswithinMcKayBrooksectionoftheschoolTenniscourtswith60studentsparticipating.

Toyotaisourmajorsponsorprovidingfundsfortheplants/Hats/TshirtsforthestudentsandLeeKernaghanasguestcelebrityforthedayplantedaBlueGumtreeinmemoryofthechildrenthatlosttheirlivesintheMalaysianairdisaster.

Section6UpperBrookfield(KateMcVicar)

ThissectionofCouncillandisalongMoggillCreekandislocatedapproximately800mbeyondtheUpperBrookfieldStateSchool.Ithasanareaof1680m2.

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The site is surrounded by large acreage properties, and many of theselandownersareengaged in theirownrevegetationprojects,whichmeans thatattendanceatpublicworkingbeesislow.Also,thisareaisfloodproneandhassuffered extensive damage and loss of plants over the years. Despite thesesetbackstherevegetationeffortscontinue.

Highlightsfortheyear

· Habitat Brisbane (HB) have given the site a boost by providing muchassistance and support – in particular contractors have assisted withbrush cuttingand spraying theweed infestationswhich tookoverafterthelastfloods.

· HBbroughtinaConsultantHydrologisttoinspectthesiteandtoprovideadvice on future methodologies and planting. This advice has beenextremelyusefulandformsthebasisoffutureworktobeundertaken.

· An application for a CCA grant ($18,000) was made for assistance toaddressmany of the issues raised by theHydrologist. The applicationwasa jointsubmissionbetweenHabitatBrisbaneandLandForWildlife,as the site is adjacent to private land. This application has just beenapproved.

· DeptofRoadsandDrainageundertookmajorworkonthesitetomitigatefuture flooddamage toMoggillRoad and thebridge.This resulted in alargeareaalongthecreekbankbeingclearedofelephantgrass.Thebankwas then reinforced with rocks, soil and jute mesh. Contractors haveplantedthearea(appr300plants)andprovideongoingsupportsuchaswatering.

FuturePlansforthesite

· Introduce erosion control measures such as coir logs to stabilize thedegradedareas.

· Participate in the deep root planting trialwith 10 canopy trees in themostvulnerableareas.

· Continuedmaintenanceandinfillplanting

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Section8WongaCreek(JohnCrowley)

Thisyearsection8hasprogressedinitsrestorationandestablishmentofriparianareasaroundWongaCreekandSavagesRoad.EnthusiasticandregularvolunteersincludingRichardTumman,DaveandGough,GordonWilkinson,TonyPettitt,PeterMcFarlane,TimSpencer,AndrewandGraemeWilson,JoyceWesternberg,JohnandJennyLarkin,havecarriedontheworkdonein2013assistedbyHabitatBrisbaneandanNRMAGrant.Amudmapoftheworkareasisgivenbelow:

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SectionAhasbecomewellestablished.Ontheleftshowsclearingandplantingin2011,ontherightis18monthsgrowthtoJuly,2014.

ThecreekbankhasbeenreinforcedbyHabitatBrisbanewithjutelogsaroundwhichlomandraandlowerstoryplantshavebeenplantedtoholdthebankintimeofflood.Thecreekhasbeendesiltedbythecouncil,andjutemeshinglaiddownovermulchtoholdthebankinsectionCinAugust,2014.

SECTION A July‘14

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ThewestsideofSectionDhasbeenestablishedwithmidstoryandcanopygrowth:Theeasternsidewillbemulchedandplantedafterrain.

Section C

BEFORE

Section CAFTERMay’14

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ThankstotheNRMAforthecommunitygrantsprojectof$3,880thisyear,HabitatBrisbaneandMCCGfortheircontinuedsupport,andtothevolunteers,withoutwhomthisworkwouldnotbepossible.

Section9UpperGoldCreek(GordonGriggandDesScherman)

TheUpperGoldCreekgrouphasbeenmeetingfor10monthsayearsince1998.Theaverageattendanceisabouteightpeople.ThegroupenjoyssupportfromBCC'sHabitatBrisbaneprogramme.Atworkingbees,membershaveremovedsmotheringvinesandotherweedsfromthepublicland,i.e.theroadreserveandcreekcrossings,andplantednumerousnativetreeswhereverspace(andpowerlines)permitted.Thepastyear,however,hasseenabroadeninginscopetofocusonCatsClawinfestationsonprivateland.AbouthalftheirmeetingsthisyearweredirectedatCatsClawcontrol,intunewiththeMCCG'scatchment-widepush,therestwereengagedinmaintenanceworkonthepublicland.GoldCreekRoadanditscreekcrossingslookverydifferentnowfromhowitalllookedin1998.Thereisnoseaoflantana,notreesarestrugglingundersmotheringvines,andtherearehundredsofadditionalnativetreesandshrubs.Thechallengeforthegroupistorecruitmoreparticipants.MostoftheGoldCreekvalleyisinprivatehands.Anidealsituationwouldbeforpropertyownerstobeworkingcollaboratively,tacklingthemajorweedinfestationsinthevalleyasacommunityeffort.

Section11McKayBrook(BryanHacker)

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Section11includestwoHabitatBrisbaneBushcareGroups,McKayBrookandMirbeliaStreet,whichhaverecentlybeencombinedbyBCC.Theareacoveredisabout900malongMcKayBrook,whichhasbeenprogressivelyrevegetatedoverthelast15years.Mostofthisareaisnowforestedwithacontinuouscanopyaround10mhigh.Manyofthetreesarenowseedingandnaturalregenerationisoccurringwhichiscarefullyencouragedthroughcontrolofherbaceousweeds.Agroupof7-10enthusiastsmeetstwiceeachmonth,thecurrentfocusbeingonweedcontrol,especiallyalongmargins,whereMadeiravineandglycineareparticularlyinvasive.TheherbaceousweedsSingaporedaisy,creepinginchplantandMexicanpetuniaareacontinuingthreat.SomeinfillplantinghasbeencarriedoutdownstreamfromBrookfieldRoad,associatedwithflooddamagein1911.

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Section12GapCreek(MichaelHumphreys)

AninspectionbyahydrologistarrangedbyHabitatBrisbaneprovidedalotofideasforpreventingerosionalongGapcreek.Asaresultofthisinspectionwehaveincreasedthedensityofplantingalongthecreekbank.Wearealsoplacingrockfilledbagsintothecreekatafewkeylocationssothatwecanplantdownstreamofthebags.Bydoingthiswehopetostoptheerosionofthecreekbankwherethisisthreateningthetrailthroughthepark.WehavealsoplantedthelargeareathatwasclearedonprivateandpubliclandontheDeerhurstRoadsideofthecreek.HabitatBrisbanecutdownafewtreesforusontheDeerhurstRoadsideoftheparkjustupstreamfromthebridgeoverthecreekonBrookfieldRoad.Thisareahasnowbeenplanted.Mostofourcreeksideplantingsoccurredduringthewintermonthswhentherewaslessofachanceofafloodwashingawaythenewplantings.Wehavebeenabletowatertheseplantingsbyusingthetapsinthepark.Thishaskeptthesenewplantingsaliveintherecentdryspell.

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MCCGProjects1PaceyRdproject(WarrenHoey)InMarch2014thePaceyRdgroupsuccessfullycompleteda12monthprojectfundedundertheQueenslandGovernment`sEveryone`sEnvironmentGrantScheme.Theyreportedthefollowingachievements:

· SignificantriparianrestorationalongPaceyRd.· Almost800volunteerhourswererecordedacross21workingbees.In

additionitisestimatedthatanextra150hourswascontributedoutsideoftheworkingbees.

· Removedasignificantburdenofweedsviz.madieravine,glycine,asparagusvine,singaporedaisy,lantana,byhandweeding(120m3)andcontractorspraying.

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· Attractedstronginterestfromnon-memberPaceyRdresidentswiththeresultthatthegroupwillexpand.

· ExcellentinvolvementwiththeUpperBrookfieldStateSchoolatthebottomofthesubcatchment.WeededandreplantedareaswithinandadjacenttotheSchoolgrounds.Schoolchildrennowhaveresponsibilityformaintainingtheplants.

· PaceyRdgroupwillcontinueitsenvironmentalworksinthesubcatchmentwiththesupportoftheMoggillCreekCatchmentGroup.TheyhaveresumedmonthlyworkingbeesfollowingthisveryhecticprogramandcontinuetocontributepositivelytotheoverallhealthoftheMoggillCreekCatchment.OurthanksgotoBrianKriegerinparticularforhishardworkinschedulingtheworkingbees.

2CreekHealthMonitoringProject(AdrianWebb)

Thecreekhealthmonitoringprogramcommencedinearly2011andsincethenhasinvolvedtwiceyearlymonitoringat12sitesacrossthecatchmentofcreekbedandbankphysicalconditions,waterqualitymeasurements,andfishandmacroinvertebratediversityandabundance.

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Wehavebeensupportedmagnificentlyby35-40willingenthusiasticvolunteerswhocarryoutthemonitoring,andbyBCCwhohaveorganisedwatermonitoringequipmentwhenwehaveneededit.

Thefirstmonitoringfor2014wascarriedoutinthefirstweekendinMay.Asusualwatertemperatureswerequitelow.Fishandmacro-invertebratenumbersanddiversitywerequitegoodatthesitesinthemidtolowerpartofthecatchmentbutlowerintheuppercatchmentsites.Thecreekbankandbedconditionsforallsiteswerelittlechangedfromthoseinthelatemonitoringlastyear.

Generally,aquaticecosystemsofcreekswithintheMoggillCreekcatchmentareinrelativelygoodcondition:

· Waterqualityresultsweresimilartothoseforprevioussamplingevents.· Therewasarelativelygooddiversityofsensitiveandtolerantmacro

invertebratespeciesinmostsites.· Upwardsof800fishfrom15specieshavebeenrecordedthroughoutthe

catchment.· TheNovember2013monitoringwasthefirstfollowingthoseofthe

previous2wetyears.WemayseesomeclearchangesinthecreekconditionsthisNovemberbecauseofthemuchdrierperiodsincemid2013.

· SenegalteainfestationshaveincreasedinsizeandvigourinthelowerGoldCreeksite(GC3)andtheTuckettParksite(MC5)onMoggillCreek.TheGoldCreeksitealsohasGlushweedanotherpotentiallyseriousexoticaquaticweed.

· SagittariahasbeenidentifiedintheupperGoldCreeksitejustbelowtheDamwallandremoved.

· PhosphatelevelsinthelowerGoldCreeksitewerehighwhencomparedtonormalexpectedlevelsforfreshwaterinSEQ.FollowupsamplingofthewastewateroutletfromBrookfieldVillagehasindicatedhighlevelsofphosphates–21ppmandelevatednitrates–17ppm.ThesenutrientsarehighlylikelytohaveexacerbatedtheaquaticweedgrowthinlowerGoldCreek.Thereislittleevidenceofinfestationsoftheseweedsabovethissite.AreportonourconcernsaboutnutrientaccessionstoGoldCreekhasbeenpassedontotheDept.EnvironmentandHeritageProtectionandtheBrisbaneCityCouncil.

· ThroughDrBruceFlegg,wewereabletogetaccesstounspentGovernmentfunds,tohelpdefraycostsofequipmentcalibrationandotheranalyticalcostsassociatedwithmonitoringwaterquality.

· AnenhancementtothetwiceyearlymonitoringofwaterqualityinCHMPhascommencedinresponsetoencouragementfromCherylMcLeodofSEQCatchments.Theaimistocarryoutthemonthlymeasurementsfor2

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yearstogiveamoredetailedappreciationoftheseasonalchangesinwaterquality.

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3Cat`sClawCreeper/InvasiveVinesStrategy(AdrianWebb,GordonGrigg,BryanHacker,WarrenHoey)

ManylandholdersintheMoggillCreekcatchmentarealreadyawareofthethreatsfromcat’sclawcreepertoremnantforestsandriparianzones.Thevineclimbsintothetreecanopy,slowlysmotheringitandkillingthetrees.Intheunderstorey,shrubsandsmallernativeplantsarealsosmotheredandkilled,andadensecarpetoftencoversthegroundsurface.SomelandholdershavebeenbattlingthisaggressiveexoticvinefromSouthAmericaforseveralyears,andhavelearnedhowdifficultitistoremoveorcontrol.TheMCCGCommitteehasbeenworkingwiththeSEQCatchments,BrisbaneCityCouncilandofficersofBiosecurityQueenslandtobringtogetherinformationon

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theecologicalthreatsfromthistransformerweed;inadditiontheyarecollaboratingineffortstosupportlandholderstocontrolitsspreadparticularlyinourremnantforests.AcomprehensivefactsheetcompiledbyKymJohnstonofBiosecurityQueenslandoutlinesmuchofwhatisknownaboutthisvineandthecurrentrecommendedcontrolmethods.Itisavailablethroughthenationalweedswebsiteathttp://www.weeds.org.au/WoNS/catsclawcreeper/.Cat’sclawcreeperisdistributedacrossmanyareasofremnantvegetationinMoggillCreekCatchmentandsomeinfestationsareknowntohavebeentherefor20yearsormore.Themostsevereinfestationsareinthemoisterlowerslopesanddrainagelineswherethedenservegetationoccurs.Arecenttourofthreecat’sclawinfestedpropertiesinthecatchmentwasfundedbySEQCatchmentsthroughtheStateGovernmentCoastalResilienceFund.Theaimsweretoshowconcernedlandholderswhatadevastatinglydestructiveplantitis,andtodiscusswaysinwhichinfestationscanbereducedorcontrolled.About24peopletookadvantageoftheofferwhichwasheldon12April.Onthetourlandholderssharedtheirexperienceswithotherparticipantsandthisledtoseveralusefuldiscussionsoncontrolmethodsandissuesassociatedwiththem.AlthoughanumberoftheexotictransformervinesareknowntobedegradingecosystemsintheMoggillCreekCatchment,specificattentionisbeinggiventocat’sclawcreeperbecauseitisnotonlyoneoftheworstthreatsitisalsoregardedasoneofthemostdifficulttocontrolanderadicate.Informationoncat’sclawcreeperandliveexamplesoftheplantwereondisplayattheBrookfieldShowthisyear.Alsoonshowwereotherweedvines;Madeiravine,glycineandclimbingasparagus.Howdowerespond?Thegeneralstrategybeingfollowedistoidentifyoutliersitesandthentrytodirectcontroleffortsintolimitingfurtherspreadintoimportantremnantvegetation;thenextchallengeistofocusonmajorinfestations.Whereitispossible,treatingtheweedacrossneighbouringpropertieshassomebenefitsinreducingtheleveloffurtherinfestationinanarea.WeareparticularlyawareofthisinthoseareaswhereinfestationsareonpropertiesadjacenttoorclosetomajorconservationareassuchastheMtCoot-thaForestandtheadjoiningD’AguilarNationalPark.TheseregionsincludeseveralidentifiedconservationcorridorssupportedbyBrisbaneCityCouncilcollaborativeconservationagreements.Approximately50percentofeligibleproperties(greaterthanhalfahectare)inMoggillCreekCatchmentarepartofBCC'sWildlifeConservationPartnershipsProgramincludinganumberofpropertiesthathavesignedVoluntaryConservationAgreementsorVoluntaryConservationCovenants.Byfocussingonthosepartsofthecatchmentwherecommunityengagementisalreadywelladvanced,significantenvironmentalbenefitscanbeachievedmoreefficientlyinaspectssuchasmoreeffectiveweedmanagement,habitatenhancementandrestorationofcorridors.In2012-14,approximately100landholdersmainlyinKenmoreHills,upperGoldCreek,SavagesRoadandUpperBrookfieldreceivedfundingassistancefromtheBCCorSEQCatchmentstofundworkbycontractorstospraycat’sclawcreeperandotherexoticvines.Thisassistancewasaimedathelpinglandholdersgetalevelofcontrolofcat’sclaw

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creepersotheycanmanageitthemselvesinfutureyears.CurrentaimsoftheMCCGare:•Providegoodinformationontheskillsandotherresourcesneededtomanagetheinfestationsinthecatchment.SEQCatchments,BCCandBiosecurityQueenslandaresupportingcommunicationandtrainingactivitiesforlandholdersseekingsupportoncat’sclawmanagementpractices.•ShareinformationaboutnewinfestationswithSEQCatchments,BCCandlandholderstohelpidentifypriorityareasforassistanceincontrolefforts.Althoughwehavealreadyquiteabitofinformationoninfestationsinthecatchment,theMCCGCommitteewantstomakecontactwithalllandholdersinthecatchmentwhohavecat’sclawinfestations.Thebettertheinformationwehavethebetterthechanceofgettingon-groundsupporttobattlethistreedestroyer.•Supportlandholdersingainingfundsforon-groundtreatmentofCat’sclawcreeper.

4AnnualPlatypusSurvey(ChrisHoskings)

Thesurveywasverywellsupportedagainthisyear,withapproximately50volunteersobservingalongtheMoggillandGoldCreeks.TheareascoveredinthesurveyspannedUpperBrookfield,UpperGoldCreektolowerMoggillCreeknearthemouthoftheBrisbaneRiver.Goodnews·Platypusarepersistinginapatchydistributionthroughoutthecatchment·Eightindividualplatypuswereseen,from40sitesmonitoredNotsogoodnews·Eightisatthelowerendofournumberobservedannually.Inthefirstsurveyin2005,sixindividualplatypuswereseenandinthe2010survey,20individualplatypuswereseen.Innearlyallyearssince2005,15-25hasbeenamorecommonnumberseen·PlatypusappeartohavedisappearedordeclinedfromhistoricalstrongholdareassuchasupperGoldCreek,theGoldCreekDamandtheHuntingtonEstateinBrookfieldSummaryThisisaninvaluableannualsnapshotofplatypusintheMoggillCreekCatchment.Becauseitonlyoccursononeday,itispossiblethatmoreplatypusarepresentthanwereobserved.Whileitisencouragingthatwearestillseeingplatypusintheselocalcreeks,someascloseas10kmfromtheBrisbaneCBD,ongoinghumanimpactsontheseperi-urbancreeksisofconcern.

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Theseimpactsincludepollution,waterextraction,recreationalactivitiesandpossiblytheextensiverefurbishmentofGoldCreekDamin2005-2006thatledtosignificantdisturbanceandthecessationofwaterflowintoGoldCreekforsometime.Interestingly,thesightingsthisyearoccurredincreekareasthataregenerallylessdisturbed,albeitsometimesweed-infested(e.g.molassesgrassandlantana).Fortheplatypus,weedsandminimaldisturbancemaybebetteroptions.ThankstotheMCCGandtheBrookfieldPonyClubforprovidingthebreakfastandfacilitiesandabigthankyoutothe‘breakfastcrew’;Richard,Gaynor,Dotandhersisterforagainprovidinguswithawonderfulpost-surveycookedbreakfast!5BirdProject(JimButler)

Russett-tailedThrush.PhotocourtesyEdFrazer.

Introduction:

Theaimsoftheprojectare:1. Recordandmonitorthebirdsinthecatchment2. Identifychangesovertime–andrelatethesetoseasonal,vegetational,

climatechanges3. Workwithotherorganisationstoprovideasoundscientificbase4. Reachouttothecommunity

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ReportonAim1:Itiswellknownthatabout70%ofthecatchment’sareaisprivatepropertyandwevaluetheaccesskindlygrantedbyourco-operatinglandholders-becauseitisthekeytothesuccessoftheproject.TheSongmeteracousticrecorders(SuppliedbyQUT)haveagainbeenusedforthelast12months.Recordersareplacedon8properties,or10dayseachseason,recordingcontinuouslyrain,hailorshine.ThedataaretakentoQUT,convertedtosonograms,then180one-minutesamplesareselectedpersiteperseasonandtaggersidentifyor“tag”eachbirdcallinginthesamples.Reportsoneachoftheeightpropertiesweresenttothelandholdersduringthisperiod.Eachlandholderreceivedthelistofbirdsontheirproperty,andthelistsfromeachoftheotherproperties.TheReportalsodetailedthevegetationtypesandbotanicalspeciesateachsite.QUThasstoredallofthedatarecordedontheeightprivatepropertiesthatwesample.ThisdataisofimmensevalueasacomplexrecordofthebirdsintheCatchmentandwillbestoredbyQUTadinfinitumforfutureresearchprojects.OurthankstoJasonWimmeratQUT,Jasongivesexcellentsupporttotheproject.Becauseofvariousfactorsinrespecttorecruitingtaggers,thelargeamountoftaggingtimeandequipmentavailabilityithasbeendecidedtointerrupttheSongmeterAcousticrecordingaspectoftheprojectatthisstage.TheSongmetershavebeenreturnedtoQUTandhopefullytheywillbeemployedagaininthefuture.WehavereturnedtomonitoringthebirdsbytheBirdLifeAustraliamethodology.ReportonAim2Theprojecthasasyetnotgeneratedenoughdataforthisaimtobeprogressed.TowardstheendofthefiveyearlifeoftheProject,thisaimwillbecomethemainfocus.ReportonAim3WehavecontinuedourcloseworkingrelationshipwiththestaffatQUTandUQ.Wehavemadeprogresswiththebotanicalcharacterisationofoureightsites.NicMcCaffrey&CamKilgour,botanistsfromtheCentrefortheRehabilitationofMiningSitesatUQhavecodedthevegetationtypesandbotanicalspeciesattheeightsites.ThisscientificinformationisessentialtoachievingAim2.Wehaveneededtosendqueriesonbirdcallstovariousexpertsinuniversitiesandbirdorganisations.ReportonAim4Reachingouttothecommunityisanimportantaimoftheproject.Oneofus(Jim)continuestowritemonthlyarticlesonbirdsforTHELOCALBULLETIN.

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Thearticleshavegeneratedasteadystreamoffeedback.Contactsfromreadershaveledtohelpwithinjuredbirds,explanationsofbirdbehavioursthatreadershavepuzzledabout;andidentificationofbirdspeoplehaveobserved.Jimhasmetandgonebirdingwithsomeofthereaderswhohavecontactedhim.

JimhascontinuedgivingbirdpresentationsatPROBUSclubandGardenclubs.

JimandIangaveapaperattheinauguralQueenslandOrnithologicalConferenceatTheUniversityofQueenslandinMay2014.Thetitleofthepaperwas:“TheAcousticalStructureoftheSongsoftheThreeBrisbaneFairy-wrens”.ThisworkwasundertakenbecausethetaggerswerefindingthatthethreeFairy-wrensonogramswerenotabletobereliablydistinguishedwhentherecordingwerebeingtagged.ThispaperledtoareliablewayofvalidlynamingtheFairy-wrenthathadsungtherecordedsongs.

Conclusion:Muchhasbeenachieved,withalotofgeneroushelp,inthesecondyearoftheproject.Thefuturefortheprojectincludes:morecommunityoutreach;usingstandardBirdLifeAustraliasurveymethodstocollectthedata.OurwarmthankstoeveryonewhohashelpedusonthisfabulousjourneytohelpthebirdsinourCatchment.

6MCCGSmallGrantsScheme

Inearly2013,aftermuchdiscussionanddebate,themanagementcommitteedecidedtoallocateasmallamountofsurplusfundstowardsweedcontrolandrevegetationonprivatelands.Theseoccupyabout70%ofthecatchmentandyetfewschemesareavailabletoassistlandownerswhowishtodosuchworksontheirland.OneverypositiveexceptionistheBrisbaneCityCouncil`sCommunityConservationAssistanceProgramthatoffersassistancetoLandforWildlifeparticipants.AsaresultoftheCommittee’sdecision,theMCCGSmallGrantsSchemewasdevelopedandadvertisedtomembersinJuly2013.Fromtimetotime,throughcarefulfinancialmanagementandreceiptofdonations,itishopedthatMCCGmayhaveenoughfundstoofferasimilarschemeatsometimeinthefuture.

Theaimofthe2013Schemewastoassistprivatelandownerswithweedcontrolandrevegetation.

Theprimaryemphasisintheawardofgrantswasthemeritoftheproject,evidencedbyawell-designedproposalthat:

·addressedasignificantproblemforthelandholder;

·addressedthewiderbenefitofbushlandregenerationinthecatchment;and,

·providedaplanforongoingmaintenanceofthetargetsite.

Whilenotinanywayrestrictedto,theCommitteewasparticularlykeentoseeproposalsthatprovidedopportunitiesforthedevelopmentofhabitatcorridors,andapplicationsfromlandholdersonadjoiningproperties.

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Typesofactivitiessupportedbythe2013Scheme:

·Activitiesthatextendedandcomplementedexistingorrecentlyrestoredcorridors/habitats;

·Weedremovalinbushlandonthelandholder’sproperty;

·Revegetationafterweedremovalwithlocallyindigenousplants;

·Restorationofapreviouslyclearedareawithlocallyindigenousspecies.

Ninelandholdersweresuccessfulingainingfundingsupportforrevegetationandweedcontrolworkswithatotalofalmost$20,000beinggranted.Wewillbeevaluatingtheeffectivenessofthisschemeinthecomingyear.

ReflectingandLookingAhead

IcanrecallmyfirstimpressionsofBrookfieldinthemid-fifties.Forakidfromtheothersideofthecity,Ithoughtitwasaverywildplace.Mygrandmother`sstoriesofgrowingupinthebushhadcolouredmyimaginationsomuchthatBrookfieldseemedlikeadifferentcountry,bothexcitinganddangerous.Thememoriesofbeingabletoenjoytherelativeinformalityofasmallruralcommunitywillstaywithmeforever.Our5acreblockwassmallbylocalstandardsbutitfelthugetome.Wewereallowedtoroamandridearoundthedistrictquitefreelyandtherewasplentytoseeanddoparticularlyalongthecreeks.AtthattimeIdidnotappreciatethehistoryofEuropeansettlementnoritsimpactsoverthepreviouscentury.Suchascalewasbeyondmeatthatageletalonetheprioroccupationbyindigenouspeoplesfortensofthousandsofyears.Iwasonlyinterestedinwhatwasinfrontofme.

Mostofthefarmshavenowbeenreplacedbyacreageblocksandestates.Thelocalpopulationhasincreasedmanyfoldandnearlyallresidentsdonotearntheirlivingfromthelandtheyoccupy.Theutilityofthelandthereforemeanssomethingdifferenttowhatitdidtoourforebears.A‘concernfortheenvironment’isapartofourlexiconandindeedourlawsandpractices.Nowadayswerarelyseepeopleclearingthevegetation,especiallythetreestoallowbettergrazingforlivestock.NotfarfromwhereInowlive,Icannowseesemi-openwoodlandwhereonceitwasclearedfromfencetofenceandonlygrassgrewforcattleandhorsestoeat.Europeansandindigenouspeopleschangedthelandscapebythewaytheyuseditbyusingfire,introducingnewplantspecies,removingunwantedones,cultivatingthesoilandchangingthehydrology.

Recenthumaninterventionhaschangedlandscapedynamicsoftenwithoutourhavingenoughknowledgetobeabletopredictalloftheoutcomes.Itisonlyinrelativelyrecenttimesthatwehavebecomeconsciousoftheneedtomeasureenvironmentaloutcomesaswellaseconomiconesandhavestartedtorehabilitatetheecosystemsweneedforlife.Foreonswehavecongratulatedourselvesonourabilityto‘harnessnature’.Canweworkinanenduringpartnershipwithit?Itwilltakeadifferenttypeofcourageundeterredbyshifting

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politicalattitudestotakethispathfortheglobaltaskishugeandthelocalworkisurgent.

Sowhatcanwedolocally?IfItaketheexampleofmypeers,wedonotsitonourhandsandwaitforgovernmentstodoit!Inasocietythatexpectsgovernmentstodomorewithless,thecompetitionforthoseresourcesishuge.Wehavetoworkinpartnershipwithlevelsofgovernmentbutnotbetheirservant.TheMCCGpridesitselfonknowinghowourcatchmentworksandhowurbanizationisimpactingonit.Ourmembersarehighlymotivatedtowardsdoingpracticalandusefulworksthathavebothshortandlongtermenvironmentalbenefits.Itisliterallya“groundup”approachthatwillendure.

TheMCCGdependsonitsvolunteers.It`sthelifebloodofourbushcaregroupsandallofourprojectsrelyontheirinput.Ourabilitytoplaceexperiencedandmotivatedpeopleatthedoingendofaproblemisoneofourgreatstrengths.Wearealwaysaftermorevolunteers,howeverinthisincreasinglybusyworldwerealizethatcompetitionforyourattentionandtimeisgreaterthanever.Wewouldliketoknowfromyouhowwecanbetterengageyouinouractivities.Weknowthatearlyexperienceofvolunteeringisimportantindeterminingfutureintentionssoyourinvolvementwillhaveaprofoundeffectonthatofthenextgenerationsinyourfamily.

Australia,accordingtoareportcommissionedbyVolunteeringAustraliain2012,hasacultureofvolunteeringrankinginthetop3intheworld.In2010,6.1millionadultAustraliansvolunteeredtheirtimeinanunpaidrole.Mostofthisisinthesportandrecreationarea,particularlyamongstmales.Thetotalannualvalueofvolunteeringin2007wasestimatedtoexceed$15b.Withtheageingofourpopulationtherewillbeincreasingcompetitionforandneedforvolunteers,hencetheneedtobeabletooffermoreflexiblerolesforthosestillintheworkforce.Wearekeentodojustthat.

OneofthequestionsthatIoftenaskmyselfis“Whatserviceswillgovernmentsfundinthefuturewithashrinkingtaxbasefromwhichtofundthem?”Ihavelittledoubtthatpartoftheanswerliesingovernmentsworkingmorecooperativelyandeffectivelywithcommunitygroupssuchasours.Onechallengeforgovernmentsishowdoesitgettheoutcomesitwantswithoutsuffocatingvolunteersinbureaucraticprocessesanddemotivatingthem?

Thereisnodoubtinmymindthatgenuinesharingofrelevantinformationandplans,acommitmenttojointproblemsolving,facetofaceinteractionwithgovernmentstaffwhoknowandareinterestedinthecatchmentmakesapositivedifferencetothewaywecanplanandexecuteourprojects(CCC).Itgetsdifficultwhenwehavetodealwithfacelessandunsympatheticpeopleinbureaucracywhohavenodesiretoassist.Weunderstandthatmanagersgetnervousiftheythinkthattheiremployeesget‘captured’bythecommunityinwhichtheywork.Butthatriskissmall.

OurCreekCatchmentOfficerisaverycompetentandhardworkingpersonbutthedesignoftherolekeepsheratadistancefromtheMCCGthatdoesnotgetthebestoutcomesfromtherelationship.RecentlyIremarkedtoherthattheinteractionwehavehadovertheoperationofaCCAprojecthasbeenmore

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productiveandcouldhelptobringtheroleintogreatercontactwiththegroup.Asyoucanhearfromthesectionreports,weverymuchappreciatethesupportwehavereceivedfromHBthroughtheirlocalcoordinator.OurLFWofficersaresecondtononeandourdealingswithSEQCatchmentsthroughtheirCommunityPartnershipsManagerhasbeenveryrewarding.

Atanadministrativelevel,thedesignofsuitableprogramsiscritical.TheCCAprogramisonesuchexcellentexampleasitallowsworkstobedoneonprivatelandasdoestheStateGovernmentsEveryone`sEnvironmentProgram.

In2011,theMCCGcompletedareviewofitsachievementsovertheperiod1998-2010.AnumberofrecommendationsfollowedandIreferredtosomeoftheminmyreporttoyoulastyear.Inthenearfuturewewillneedtoonceagainassessourperformanceagainsttheobjectiveswehaveset.

Youmayhavenoticedthatweobtainmostofourincomenotfrommembershipsubscriptionsbutfromfundstiedtoparticularprojects.Inthelattercasewehavehadtocompetewithotherapplicantsforfundingfromgovernmentprogramsinthemain.Therearealessernumberofprivatesectorsourceswherewehavehadsuccessinpreviousyears.Theapplicationprocessishardworkandrequiresconsiderableresearchinordertomountacompellingargumenttofundtheproject.Wheredotheideascomefrominthefirstplace?

TheaforementionedReviewhighlightedareasrequiringattention.Theseincluded:Restoringhabitatcorridorsfromriparianareastothehills;Bettermanagementofexoticweeds,especiallyvineweedsandaquaticweeds;rehabilitationofriparianzones.Advicefromourmembersthroughthe“FriendsofMoggillCreek”forumledtotheestablishmentoftheCreekHealthMonitoringProgram.AtthecompletionoftheMCCGReviewin2011,MalcolmFrostchairedasmallgrouptaskedwithidentifyingprojectsfortheyearsahead.ProjectsassociatedwithPaceyRdproject,Smith`sScrubandCat`sClawgotsomemomentumfromthatprocess.MalcolmwillberepeatingthatprocessinthemonthsaheadandIwouldinviteanyofyoutosubmitideasforfuturework.

IwanttofinishbymentioningtheeffortsofDickTumman,anardentnaturalistwhoknowsthiscountrywellashehaswalkedagoodbitofit.HealsohasasoftspotforthehistoryoftheUpperGoldCreekareaandinparticulartheheritagelistedGoldCreekdambutthat`sanotherstoryandoneworthlisteningto.Dickhasprovidedmewiththisaerialphotolookingacrosstheupperpartsofourcatchment.Fromthisperspectiveonecan`thelpbutbeimpressedbythealmostunbrokenexpanseofgreenvegetationstretchingtothehorizon.Suchasceneliftsone`sspirit.

Thereareacoupleofpointsworthmakingaboutitthatmayseemveryobvioustothelocals.First,oursettlementsareonthedoorstepofthenearestthingwewillseetoawildernessinthiscatchment.BeyondthedamisBrisbaneForestParkwhichimmediatelyadjoinstheD`AguilarNationalPark.TheproximityofthisheritageanditsuniquenaturalenvironmenttoourG20cityisnotnearlyaswellappreciatedasitshouldbe.OnarecentwalktowatersomebluequandongsplantedabovethedamDick

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cameacross“3oldblokes,muchlikemyself,havingabrewearlyinthemorninginthebedofGCk.ThesebushwalkersknewtheareaintimatelyovermanyyearsandhadtravelledextensivelyoverseasandstatedtherewasnowhereintheirtravelsthatcouldequatetoBFPsoclosetoamajorcity.AteveryopportunitytheywentbushwalkinginBFP.”Butallisnotasitseems,andthisisthesecondpoint.Theimpactsofcreepingurbanization(andthewaywemanagetheselands)continuestoposeasignificantthreattotheseecosystems.Theeffectsofpastgrazingpractices,timberremoval,burning,visitation,cullingvastpopulationsofflyingfoxesintheEnoggerascrubsandevenhuntingpigeonsforfoodarethereforthetrainedeyetoobserve.

Unfortunatelywearenowseeinghotspotsofdangerousweedinfestationscroppingup.WeedssuchasCat`sClaw,YellowBells,Dutchman`spipeandtheaquaticweed,Saggitaria.Howdoweknowthis?MainlybecausepeoplesuchasDicktakethetimetolookforthem.Isithisjob?No.Whydoeshedoit?Becausehecaresaboutthelongtermfutureofthisneckofthewoodsthatisvitaltothehealthofourcatchment.

Andyes,wehavebeeninregularcontactwiththelandmanagers,SEQWaterabouttheseweedsandpleasinglytheyhavebeenrespondingwell.Thepointisthatdetectionisdifficultandrequirescloseandpersistentobservation.Wetryhardtoknowourcatchmentaswellaspossible,mapitandusethatasthebasisforourworkplans.Theselandscapesneedtobeactivelymanaged.Thepresenceofsuchaggressivethreatstotheecologycannotbeignoredbecausetheyareinvisibletomostofus.

Icommendthereporttoyou.

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Appendix

MorephotosfromDamienEgan

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42

MorephotosfromJimPope

AttendeesatthefunctionforMalcolmandRobynFrostinCreeksideParkon21stSept.2014

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MalcolmandRobynFrost(21stSept.2014)

MalcolmandRobynFrost(21stSept.2014)

MalcolmandRobynwithCathCleary(HabitatBrisbane)andJohnBrew(21stSept.2014)

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TuckettPark-ZoneB(28thMarch2014)

TuckettPark-ZoneJ(28thMarch2014)

CreeksidePark-ZoneE(28thMarch2014)