CASSOWARY COAST-HINCHINBROOK BRANCH WPSQ NEWSLETTER 2014 no.3
NINNEY RISE
As advertised in the last news bulletin there was a very successful open day at Ninney Rise , the Heritage listed home of John Busst, founder of Innisfail WPSQ and a key person in the campaign to protect the Great Barrier Reef. John Mc Cailman (pictured below) spoke to more than 100 people who came to support Friends of Ninney Rise. The success of this day was instrumental in the offer by National Parks of a peppercorn lease of the property.
REVEGETATION PROJECTS
The year got off to a great start with site preparation at Murray Upper just before the onset of the WET. The first community plantout on 1st March planted 130 trees in the rain and got good media coverage. This was followed up by a good effort from Judy in organising a NEATO work team to do large scale planting of more than 1000 trees.This team was helped by volunteers and Girringun Rangers. Further community plantings may be possible with our extended WET.
All planted sites are doing very well but will need follow up care over winter. The branch has received great support in these projects from HQ Plantations and donations from Fakenham church Christmas tree appeal, Anne and Lawrie and Tully Horticultural and Garden Club. However we are always looking to broaden our fundraising efforts and will trial the production of a Mahogany Glider Kite for sale. If you can help with this please contact Anne and Lawrie.
MAHOGANY GLIDER RECOVERY GROUP
The first meeting of this group for 2014 was at the end of March and brought together State and Federal government reps with local reps of Council ,WPSQ , Terrain, National Parks and Girringun Corp. to discuss the review of the Recovery Plan and the progress of implementation. Dr Steve Jackson(principal glider scientist) David Murphy( Threatened Species Unit) and Jacqui Richards(Terrain NRM) will work on the implementation. Steve, Jacqui and Daryl (WPSQ) will work on ‘Back on Track ‘species prioritisation framework and David will invite NQ Dry Tropics and CVA to be involved and continue to lobby for the inclusion of Mark Parsons.The next meeting will be in July.
LOBBYING
Earlier in the year when the Country Cabinet visited Tully we took the opportunity to raise our environmental concerns with all the relevant Ministers. Anne and Lawrie spoke to our local member and Minister for Natural Resources, Suzie spoke to the minister for National Parks and Margaret spoke to the Minister for the Environment.
We also sent in a big submission to the Great Barrier Reef Region Assessment which includes most of the coastal woodlands and commented to National Parks on their mismanagement of the last fire season.
SIGNAGE AND DISPLAYS
Two large Revegetation signs now mark the Damper Creek plantout site and a further information sign is planned. The Kennedy Walking track sign is almost complete and upon erection will be the focus of a Weed and Walk day to celebrate, this winter.
There will be three display days to get our message into the wider community and hopefully attract members and funds.
• The annual Sustainability Expo is on this Sunday 1st June 9.00-1.00pm at the Johnstone River Community Gardens, Innisfail. Anne and Lawrie are manning the stall but are in dire need of support so if you can spare some time to be involved in this important branch activity please contact Anne and Lawrie.
• Reef and Rainforest Conservation Stories conference at Ninney Rise on 3rd and 4th July will be a wonderful opportunity to hear a wide range of interesting speakers on the local history of conservation and the current issues. Our branch is helping to run this event and will be mounting a major display. More details will be sent when finalised but keep this time free if you want to come along.
• Tully Show is July 25th and will be a good opportunity to showcase our work to the local community .
Please get involved in this Sunday’s event and those to come. Celebration of Lot 66 Secure Cassowary Corridor at last! Patron Margaret Thorsborne and Peter Garrett.
CASSOWARY COAST-HINCHINBROOK BRANCH WPSQ NEWSLETTER 2014 no.3
NINNEY RISE
As advertised in the last news bulletin there was a very successful open day at Ninney Rise , the Heritage listed home of John Busst, founder of Innisfail WPSQ and a key person in the campaign to protect the Great Barrier Reef. John Mc Cailman (pictured below) spoke to more than 100 people who came to support Friends of Ninney Rise. The success of this day was instrumental in the offer by National Parks of a peppercorn lease of the property.
REVEGETATION PROJECTS
The year got off to a great start with site preparation at Murray Upper just before the onset of the WET. The first community plantout on 1st March planted 130 trees in the rain and got good media coverage. This was followed up by a good effort from Judy in organising a NEATO work team to do large scale planting of more than 1000 trees.This team was helped by volunteers and Girringun Rangers. Further community plantings may be possible with our extended WET.
All planted sites are doing very well but will need follow up care over winter. The branch has received great support in these projects from HQ Plantations and donations from Fakenham church Christmas tree appeal, Anne and Lawrie and Tully Horticultural and Garden Club. However we are always looking to broaden our fundraising efforts and will trial the production of a Mahogany Glider Kite for sale. If you can help with this please contact Anne and Lawrie.
MAHOGANY GLIDER RECOVERY GROUP
The first meeting of this group for 2014 was at the end of March and brought together State and Federal government reps with local reps of Council ,WPSQ , Terrain, National Parks and Girringun Corp. to discuss the review of the Recovery Plan and the progress of implementation. Dr Steve Jackson(principal glider scientist) David Murphy( Threatened Species Unit) and Jacqui Richards(Terrain NRM) will work on the implementation. Steve, Jacqui and Daryl (WPSQ) will work on ‘Back on Track ‘species prioritisation framework and David will invite NQ Dry Tropics and CVA to be involved and continue to lobby for the inclusion of Mark Parsons.The next meeting will be in July.
LOBBYING
Earlier in the year when the Country Cabinet visited Tully we took the opportunity to raise our environmental concerns with all the relevant Ministers. Anne and Lawrie spoke to our local member and Minister for Natural Resources, Suzie spoke to the minister for National Parks and Margaret spoke to the Minister for the Environment.
We also sent in a big submission to the Great Barrier Reef Region Assessment which includes most of the coastal woodlands and commented to National Parks on their mismanagement of the last fire season.
SIGNAGE AND DISPLAYS
Two large Revegetation signs now mark the Damper Creek plantout site and a further information sign is planned. The Kennedy Walking track sign is almost complete and upon erection will be the focus of a Weed and Walk day to celebrate, this winter.
There will be three display days to get our message into the wider community and hopefully attract members and funds.
• The annual Sustainability Expo is on this Sunday 1st June 9.00-1.00pm at the Johnstone River Community Gardens, Innisfail. Anne and Lawrie are manning the stall but are in dire need of support so if you can spare some time to be involved in this important branch activity please contact Anne and Lawrie.
• Reef and Rainforest Conservation Stories conference at Ninney Rise on 3rd and 4th July will be a wonderful opportunity to hear a wide range of interesting speakers on the local history of conservation and the current issues. Our branch is helping to run this event and will be mounting a major display. More details will be sent when finalised but keep this time free if you want to come along.
• Tully Show is July 25th and will be a good opportunity to showcase our work to the local community .
Please get involved in this Sunday’s event and those to come. Celebration of Lot 66 Secure Cassowary Corridor at last! Patron Margaret Thorsborne and Peter Garrett.