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Welcome to the Murray-Darling Basin monthly e-letter with reports of happenings across the Basin. Contributions are welcome. Please send items (no more than 150 words) to the editor at leone@netspeed.com.au Online html versions are
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MDBC Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik said key NFS initiatives such as the construction of new fishways and resnagging along the Murray River, that had been brought forward due to the recent $500m injection of funds from the Federal Government, were highlighted during the forum. More than 60 scientists, engineers and community representatives, including experts in many fields from across Australia, attended the forum at the National Museum of Australia. Participants discussed the progress made in implementing the strategy to achieve the overall goal of rehabilitating native fish communities in the Murray-Darling Basin. This included presentations on the progress in the daughterless carp project and ongoing re-snagging activities. Short progress reports on specific projects such as carp separation cages, new fish counting technologies and establishing a system of “river parks” across the Basin, provided the basis for further discussion. The goals of the forum were:
For further information on the NFS: http://www.mdbc.gov.au/NFS or contact the MDBC Native Fish Strategy-Manager, Jim Barrett on (02) 6279 0154 New MDBC Deputy
Commissioner announced
Deputy Commissioners for
South Australia are now Mr Geoff Knight and
For more information on the composition of the MDBC go to http://www.mdbc.gov.au/about/murraydarling_basin_commission/the_commissioners Euston Weir
water level lowered
River Murray Water (RMW) General Manager David Dreverman said the lower level would also help to minimise bank erosion. Inflows to the River Murray during 2006 have been extremely low and River Murray storages remain well below average. “Resources held in Lake Hume can be increased by utilising the water stored in Euston Weir Pool to meet minimum flow and water supply requirements further downstream,” he said. This is part of a package of measures being implemented to conserve water in Lake Hume and to offset the current low flows along the mid reaches of the River Murray, with Lake Mulwala and Torrumbarry Weir pool already being drawn down below their full supply levels. The partial lowering of Euston Weir levels will also help to minimise the undercutting of the river banks along the weir pool. Erosion of the river banks tends to be higher when the weir pool levels are held constant for prolonged periods. The water level of Euston Weir pool is currently 47.54 m AHD or 6 cm below full supply level (47.6 m AHD). It is expected the pool level will be gradually lowered over the coming month to a level about 40 cm below full supply level. “However, the extent of the drawdown may be less than this if inflows to Euston Weir pool improve as a result of rainfall and increased inflow to the River Murray. The weir pool level will be regularly reviewed to take into account changing conditions along the River Murray and the pool level will be returned to the full supply level when irrigation requirements increase”, Mr Dreverman said. River pumpers, boat operators and other river users are advised to take this operation into account and make any necessary adjustments in response to the lower pool level. In particular boat masters are reminded that regardless of the changes to the weir pool level, they need to follow the NSW Maritime Authority's Boating Handbook (http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/boathandling.html#inland). For more information go to http://www.mdbc.gov.au/rmw/river_information_centre New MDBC kids
on-line eNewspaper launched
“The River” is another important youth focused project highlighting the commitment of the MDBC to the environmental education of future generations. MDBC Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik said “The River” was written for youth and would encourage youth contributions. “This means that over time the publication can become an important avenue for students to share their environmental stories with a larger audience. “The eNewspaper is an important addition to the MDBC’s educational program which already includes the ‘Special Forever’ project and the bi-annual MDBC Youth International River Health Conference as well as several smaller regional river health conferences held each year,” she said. School news, creative corner and project sections will be sourced from students located in the Murray-Darling Basin and will include relevant natural resource management topics of interest to youth. “The River” will publish a selection of Basin related stories and will feature a school, fish and species of wildlife each month. Other inclusions are educational puzzles, drawings and poetry. The eNewspaper format allows readers to seek different levels of information depending on their level of interest and need for detail – some sections are designed to aid projects while others are for entertainment. As a special part of the eNewspaper launch, students who log onto the first edition of “The River” will have the added bonus of being able to download a new poster on native frogs of the Murray-Darling Basin, which has not yet been printed. To view the first edition of ‘The River’ go to www.mdbc.gov.au/The_River Teaching
the fundamentals of sustainability
'Ollie's World' is the umbrella site for the suite of "Ollie" websites, produced to support the "Ollie" Programs in various countries. 'Ollie's World' contains two sections - one for adults and one for kids. The adult section contains information about:
These issues are brought into context under the organising principle of Sustainability. The goal of Ollie's World is a child-friendly, comprehensive resource centre - presenting information on all sorts of issues relating to sustainability principles. Characters and activities from the 'Ollie' CD ROM Programs are incorporated into a fun and stimulating website. Children can extend their knowledge of sustainability and its related issues, in a fun and entertaining way. The Ollie's World website maximises the power of the Internet by showcasing examples of sustainable practices, developed in homes, schools and businesses from around the world. It hosts a range of activities and competitions in which students are asked to:
The websites created by competition winners will be published as part of 'Ollie's World', in the Gallery section. These documented projects will act as examples of best practice in a variety of areas, and will be a source of inspiration for teachers and other students around the world. For more information go to http://www.olliesworld.com/, phone (03) 9817 7722, or email info@olliesworld.com Lower Murray
student photographic competition opens
This year the number of voucher prizes granted has increased from 4 to 12. The theme for the competition is Natural Resources relating to the Lower Murray Darling catchment. Students from more than 25 schools in the LMD CMA catchment area have been encouraged to enter the competition, with a selection of photographs to be displayed at the Wentworth Show this year. To qualify to enter, students must either live or attend school in the LMD CMA Catchment area. Photographs may be either black and white or colour and will be divided into two categories, Primary school students and Secondary students. Prizes will be offered in each category. The competition prizes will be vouchers from local retailers for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place as well as 3 encouragement awards in each category. The top 6 from each category will be used to create a calendar for 2007 which will be distributed to all local schools, landholders and relevant businesses. All photographic entries and the entry application are to be forwarded to the Lower Murray Darling Catchment Management Authority’s office at Buronga by 5pm on Friday 11 August 2006. For more information and entry applications are available phone Mark King, Chair of the Lower Murray Darling Catchment Management Authority on 0427 272 207. Lachlan CMA
Incentive Funding applications open
This Funding is to help our community improve the management of our land, water and vegetation across the Lachlan Catchment. Funding will be targeted at:
For more information go to http://www.lachlan.cma.nsw.gov.au/ Subsidy available
to attend Renmark rangeland conference
“Participants will be expected to pass on the information gathered and learned at the conference to their local communities” said LMD CMA Chair, Mr Mark King. “This opportunity is extremely valuable to participants as they will receive current information about managing Australian rangelands from both technical and experience-based viewpoints.” said Mr King. “The NSW Government has established the CMAs to invest in the future of the Catchments and its constituents and this opportunity is a practical way of achieving that goal.” he said. The LMD CMA will subsidise $500 to each successful participant towards registration and accommodation costs. This offer of assistance is being funded under the National Landcare Program and will help to cover the costs associated with conference attendance. All applicants will be notified of the outcomes by mail or email in the second week of August 2006. The subsidy will be paid on receipt of evidence of attendance by the successful applicants. The early bird cost of conference registration for landholders is $285 before 4 September 2006. The cost of field trips is additional and may vary from $50 to $90 per participant. For more information go to www.austrangesoc.com.au email lmd@cma.nsw.gov.au or post a one page expression of interest to the LMD CMA, PO Box 363 Buronga 2739, by 1 August 2006. Wagga Wagga wages
war on weeds
The strategies will be the focus of the Grasslands Society of NSW Inc’s 21st Annual conference to be held at Charles Sturt University. The Grassland Society of NSW is an organisation which works for transfer of information and technology relevant to pasture, grazing and land management. The aims of the Society are to advance the investigation of problems affecting grassland husbandry and to encourage the adoption into practice of results of research and practical experience.
Free community
engagement kits now online
The kit also aims to help communities create better relationships, enhance the reputation of their organisation, increase understanding of community issues and improve partnerships and networks. The kit comprises three booklets:
The EEK is available free of charge on the web at www.dse.vic.gov.au/engage or in hard copy from Information Victoria on 1300 366 356 for $125. New staff appointed
at Namoi CMA
Ben Hanks recently took up the position of Local Government Liaison Officer. Simon Taylor, Acting Strategic Planning Manager with Namoi CMA said “this role involves initiation, negotiation and maintenance of partnerships with local government and other organisations and agencies to manage change in natural resource management in non-agricultural areas in line with the Namoi Catchment Action Plan. “Ben’s previous experience in natural resource management and coordination has given him a broad professional base to build the partnerships necessary across the local government arena in the Namoi catchment.” Another member to join Namoi CMA’s team is Roland Breckwoldt. “Roland comes to Namoi CMA with a wealth of experience in areas of natural resource management,” Mr Taylor said. “Roland’s brief is to promote, engage and maintain community involvement, including industry, in Namoi CMA activities and to participate in Government funded NRM programs,” Mr Taylor said. For more information or to contact either Ben Hanks or Roland Breckwoldt call Namoi CMA on 6764 5907. Helping
dairy farmers plan sustainable farm management practices
Peter Dawson, Catchment Officer with Namoi CMA said the Farmers Target Change project would enable dairy farmers to identify and prioritise issues such as water quality and water use efficiency, soil health, effluent management, and riparian and native vegetation management to name just a few. “One key issue already identified is tree species selection for livestock shade. It’s really important the trees can handle high nutrient loads,” he said. Namoi CMA, in co-operation with Dairy Australia has provided funding for 19 farmers. The NSW Department of Primary Industries and the Dairy Farmers Cooperative are also involved in delivering the project. The project is being delivered by consultant Nick Bullock, who has been instrumental in developing and delivering a similar pilot project in the Hunter Central Rivers CMA region. “The main aim is to help local farmers improve land degradation, conservation and productivity issues within the dairy industry,” Peter said. For more information contact Peter Dawson at Namoi CMA on 6764 5984. Exploring regional
policy experiences
Hosted by the Australian Government Department of Transport and Regional Services, the conference will present key themes, including:
The conference will be an opportunity to discover how different approaches to similar problems across the world are working. The conference is aimed at senior members of governments, researchers, executives from international agencies, consultants, regional development practitioners and representatives of the private and non government sectors. Local tours before and after the Conference will showcase innovative solutions to regional issues in Australia. Pre and post Conference technical tours will include visits to:
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