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.

Should Queensland’s endangered species have a price on their heads?

Dear Friends

Should Queensland’s endangered species have a price on their heads?

That’s the proposition being seriously considered by politicians who say there’s not enough money to save them all and choices will have to be made.

Inadequate funding has prompted influential scientists to consider which species should be saved and which ones should be left to face extinction. Some species have even been described as zombies or the living dead.

This proposal to triage endangered species is a radical shift in thinking and is very controversial to say the least. If left in the hands of politicians with conflicting priorities and an eye on the bottom line, the potential for disaster seems obvious.

Will the survival of unique species be reduced to an economic argument? Can a price limit be put on saving a species? Will they choose to save the Retro Slider – a burrowing skink and delete the Bilby? Will they save the Bridled Nailtail Wallaby and delete the Golden-tailed Gecko? 

Wildlife Queensland is entering this debate as an advocate for our endangered wildlife. We represent you, our members and supporters and also the vast majority of Queenslanders who want more to be done.

Endangered species need a voice. Endangered species need action. To ensure the best outcome for Queensland’s endangered species, we need to be well resourced. That means we need to raise $60,000 by 30 June.

Please, can you make a tax-deductible donation today to support Wildlife Queensland in taking action for our endangered species.

Our view is we must do everything we can to save all of our endangered species and to minimise the slide of other species into endangered status.

We live in one of the wealthiest countries on Earth so we can’t accept that the efforts to preserve endangered species over the past few decades is as good as it gets. We can and must do a lot more. We also know that action speaks louder than words.

The next twelve months will be critical for the future of our endangered species. We know we can produce the positive outcomes our endangered wildlife needs. Yet we need funding to make it happen.

Please, can you make a tax-deductible donation today to support Wildlife Queensland in taking action for our endangered species.

The extinction crisis is upon us now. It’s not something we can leave for future generations to resolve and every day that passes is a missed opportunity for action. Extinction is forever and the time for action is now.

I am calling on you to help make a difference. Please support our annual appeal to ensure Wildlife Queensland remains the leading protector of Queensland’s wildlife. With your support we’ll be your active advocate and take practical action for endangered species.

Yours sincerely

Simon Baltais,

President, Wildlife Queensland

P.S. the clock is ticking, please don’t give up on Queensland’s endangered species. Extinction is the absolute end, please support this urgent appeal and make a tax-deductible donation today.

Tully Branch is now Cassuwary Coast – Hinchinbrook Branch

The name has been changed to better reflect the membership for 2013

President Daryl Dickson

Secretary Sue Smith

Tresurer Judy Murphy

Projects Officer Laurie Martin