News Archive

Unseasonal Rains hit Maleny Plateau

The excellent start to the Spring continued with around 450mm of rainfall over a 4 day period in early October.

Although there has been some damage caused around the region, on the whole it has been welcomed.

Many professional, and amateur weather predictors have likened the conditions to those experienced in 1974

when much of Australia had significantly higher than average rainfall. The high rainfall has flushed some of the Algal bloom (see entry below) from the Lake however it is likely to return in the coming weeks.

Above: Lake Baroon spillway on October 11, 2010.

Above: The Mary River at the Kenilworth bridge Above: Arley Creek on Peter Steven's property

Bridge Creek Rehabilitation project

There has been a flurry of activity in this project recently with weed management,

fencing and land slip remediation works. Although LBCCG as a general rule is

reluctant to fund land slip works - mainly due to the inherent risks involved with slips,

we can assist with advice or at least pointing landholders in the right direction.

In this particular case after extensive drainage and profiling works carried out by the landholders,

Land slip profiling LBCCG is assisting with the revegetation of the site which will help provide long-term stabilisation.

following drainage installation.

Weed management works were carried out by Development and Vegetation Solutions. The posi-track mulcher is efficient, fast and effective.

Left: Tony Curtain from Development & Vegetation Solutions removing and mulching Lantana and Devil's Fig.

Fencing on this site has been recently completed by Tim Simpson from Langdale Stud Fencing.

Left: Despite the difficult conditions, fencing on Bridge Creek Rehabilitation has been completed.

Blue Green Algal Bloom in Lake Baroon

The great start to Spring with moderate rainfall and warmer weather has resulted in a significant Algal bloom on Lake Baroon.

Despite the terrible colour the bloom is not considered particularly dangerous however some recreational activities have been temporarily closed.

Algal blooms in the Dam are of a cyclical nature and vary greatly from episode to episode with different species dominating.

++For up to date information on the status of the Dam and recreational activities visit the Seqwater website here

Lake Baroon from off take tower in early October 2010 (photo by Tim Odgers - Seqwater)

Walkers Creek Restoration Field Day

On August 25 LBCCG held a Field Day at Maleny Dairies looking at engineering initiatives

undertaken to improve water quality and farm productivity on the Hopper family property.

We would like to thank our partners - Seqwater, Sunshine Coast Regional Council, Maleny

Dairies and of course the Hopper family for the great work. After recent hot weather we had

a beautiful day for the event and an excellent attendance. We will hold another Field Day when works have been completed on the project.

2010 Queensland Landcare Conference - Caloundra

The 2010 Queensland Landcare Conference was recently held on the 15th-17th of September in Caloundra.

LBCCG sponsored the Wednesday Field Trip to the Hinterland where participants visited the

Walkers Creek Restoration project. The Conference was organised at short notice by Barung

Landcare who did an excellent job.

2010 Green Jobs Corps program

The GJC program has kicked off with environmental works on three properties so far; the Bunya Dreaming

site on the shores of Lake Baroon, Dilkusha Nature Refuge and Beechwood on the Obi Obi.

The program provides the opportunity for local unemployed youth to gain skills in bush regeneration,

commence a Diploma in Conservation and Land Management, as well as assisting in projects that provides wider community value.

Green Jobs Corps participants working on Dilkusha Nature Refuge.

Mistflower Bio-control Project

LBCCG in partnership with CSIRO and Sunshine Coast Council have commenced the first

stage of testing a biological control agent for the weed Mistflower (Ageratina riparia).

A white smut fungus (Entyloma ageratinae) has shown promising results in reducing the

prevalence of Mistflower in both Hawaii and New Zealand and CSIRO believes with

appropriate testing in Australian conditions could provide an answer to the spread

of the weed. More can be found here Mistflower Bio-control.

Mistflower invades riparian areas, reducing diversity and also is unpalatable to livestock in pasture situations.

Cultural Tour

Throughout November local indigenous identity Bev Hand conducted local tours to

places that hold special significance to her. Attendees visited Lake Baroon, Mary

Cairncross Park and the Obi Obi Creek at the 'Narrows". Bev relayed fascinating

stories from the past and showed her immense passion for the places and people

here on the Maleny plateau.

Pictured left is Bev organising the 'timeline' which illustrates how long the indigenous people of Australia were living in this land relative to the other 'great' cultures of the world.

Andrew Powell visits Walker's Creek Restoration project

LBCCG had the pleasure of giving Andrew Powell MP, Member for Glass House a short tour of the Walkers Creek Restoration project. Andrew has shown considerable interest in the environmental activities of the Maleny district and we look forward to developing a valuable partnership with Andrew.

LBCCG invests in "Resource Trailer"

Recently LBCCG purchased a "tradies" trailer to carry and store tools for bush restoration activities.

This has been particularly useful for our current Green Jobs Corps program. It is envisaged the trailer

will be available to other community groups to use on weed management and tree planting projects.

Thanks to Trailers 2000 at Beerwah for their support.

Left: The new LBCCG Resource Trailer - fitted out with tools ready for bush restoration activities.

Office equipment upgrades at LBCCG

Office equipment has been recently upgraded which allows LBCCG to continue to provide professional services and produce high

quality documents. New computers from Concept IT in Maleny have been matched with heavily subsidised Microsoft Office

software from Donortec. An A3 colour laser printer from Berwicks (Sunshine Coast) has been provided at a very competitive rate.

Community groups such as LBCCG rely heavily on volunteers and the support of business. A big thank you to these contributors.

Obi Obi Creek Electro-fishing

Recently the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries visited the Obi Obi Creek with

electro-fishing equipment in an attempt to find and take genetic material from resident Mary

River Cod populations. Large deep pools are considered ideal habitat for Cod and sites on

Beechwood and above Kings Lane Weir were checked. Unfortunately there was no trace of Cod found. This does not necessarily

mean there are no Cod in the Obi, however hopefully in the future can be released into various sites on the waterway.

Left: Electro-fishing above Kings Lane Weir on the Obi Obi Creek.

Priority Strategy for Funding Provided by Seqwater 2010-11

Another year sneaks by and LBCCG updates it's Priority Strategy. This document is a requirement

under our Ten Year Funding Agreement with Seqwater and is essentially an update of our Financial

Plan along with a review of the previous year, plans for the coming year and how we prioritise projects.

Project Outputs 2009-10

2009-10 has been another very successful year for

LBCCG, delivering impressive outputs while often

'flying underneath the radar'. This is because we first

and foremost concentrate on getting the job done

rather than spending our valuable time promoting ourselves.

The table below shows what we have delivered in the

past 12 months. A big thank-you to our major partner

- Seqwater, as well as the Federal Government's Caring for Country Community Action Grants program, Sunshine Coast Council and

the Department of Fisheries and Primary Industries.

Wittacork Dairy Laneways Rehabilitation

This laneway hardening project was completed in June. Sediment and nutrient run-off

from the property will be reduced while improving farm management and productivity.

Left & below: A before and after photo of livestock laneway hardening on the Wittacork property.

Note Baroon Pocket Dam in the background.

Bridge Creek Rehabilitation continues...

The 2009-10 revegetation component of Bridge Creek Rehabilitation (McLauchlan) has continued

with 2,500 trees planted by Barung Landcare on a waterlogged, unstable area. This area was

contributing large amounts of sediment and nutrients to Bridge Creek and Baroon Pocket Dam.

Left: The Bridge Creek Rehabilitation revegetation site as viewed from Tesch Rd, Witta.

Willow Creek Stormwater Project concludes

In June the finishing touches to the on-ground component of the LBCCG/Sunshine Coast

Council project "Willow Creek Stormwater" were completed with the revegetation of the

creek banks on the Lawley property.

Left: Revegetation of Willow Creek completed

Maleny Show

LBCCG in conjunction with Seqwater attended the Maleny Show with an information stand.

Unfortunately the misty rain on Friday turned into steady rain overnight resulting in a wet

and soggy display Saturday morning. Someone was overheard to comment it was appropriate

for the Seqwater tent to resemble a dam!

Left: the LBCCG/Seqwater stand at the Show...note the water laying on the ground inside the tent.

Green Jobs Corp program

LBCCG is currently planning a Green Jobs Corp program that will involve 20 young people

in environmental activities in the Lake Baroon catchment. The aim has been to provide

assistance to landholders that would normally fall outside LBCCG funding programs.

Activities will include weed management, revegetation, track construction and all

aspects of bush regeneration. Most importantly it will give local unemployed youth the opportunity to gain invaluable skills

which will assist them to gain full time employment in the future.

Left: Green Corps working on Dilkusha Nature Refuge in 2008

Glasshouse Volunteers Awards

Volunteers are the lifeblood of community groups and LBCCG is no exception. Volunteers

give up enormous amounts of time to selflessly improve their communities. So it was with

great pleasure to nominate Gillian Pechey for a Glasshouse Volunteer Award organised by

Member for Glasshouse, Andrew Powell. Gillian has been the Secretary for LBCCG since the

beginning in 1992 (except when she took on the role of Treasurer for a couple of years!). Gillian is an inspiration to us all at LBCCG

and greatly valued for her local knowledge, commitment and enthusiasm. Congratulations Gillian.

Above & left: The Maleny volunteers who received awards and Gillian receiving her award.

LBCCG visits Dilkusha

In late April the LBCCG committee visited the Dilkusha Nature Refuge to view first hand

the enormous amount of work that these committed and skilled landholders are achieving.

The property has been transformed from an impenetrable, weed infested ex-dairy to a

showcase for flora and fauna and in particular bush regeneration methods that achieve

results. LBCCG congratulates Dilkusha on their efforts and would like to thank Paul, Fran & Bob for giving us a guided tour

of the property.

Left & below: Paul, Fran & Bob guiding LBCCG & Seqwater staff around Dilkusha Nature Refuge

Seqwater Weeds Advisory Group (SWAG) visit

Recently SWAG visited the catchment and LBCCG offices to take a look at the

catchment and particularly the unique weed issues. Weeds of course are a huge

problem for all residents on the Blackall Range and Seqwater is no exception,

particularly when they manage a significant area of land around the dam. The

greater Lake Baroon catchment is also of concern as weeds - particularly aquatic weeds can cause enormous problems

in the management of water supply storages.

Above: SWAG discussing weed management on Seqwater land at Lake Baroon.

More Weeds...

The recent rainfall and warm weather has been great for the region, landholders

and of course...weeds! Below is the eastern side of the Blackall Range at Montville -

the spectacular yellow mass is Japanese Sunflower, usually a weed of disturbed

and forgotten places, but really establishing itself in this location.

Left: Japanese Sunflower spreading down-slope from Montville.

Another weed that is slowly, but surely spreading throughout the Sunshine Coast

hinterland is the Class 3 (legal requirement to control) extremely invasive garden

escapee Madeira Vine. This weed is extremely difficult to eradicate because it

reproduces from stem fragments and aerial tubers.

Left: Madeira Vine tuber - note the sprouting regrowth.

Property visits

LBCCG Coordinator, Mark Amos regularly visits properties throughout the catchment

providing advice, developing projects or just dropping in for a chat and walk around

some magnificent places. Sometimes I see unusual things - and get to take great pics.

In fact just last month I was invited to visit "Beechwood" and took an incredibly rare photo - Barung Landcare Manager

(and LBCCG Treasurer) Darryl Ebenezer in the bush!

2010/11 Projects wanted NOW!

If you are a landholder in the Lake Baroon catchment and have been thinking about property improvement works that

have water quality benefits, LBCCG would be very keen to speak to you. LBCCG can assist with funding for:

laneway & dairy apron hardening
waterway crossings
off stream watering
fencing
revegetation
property resource plans

Please contact LBCCG Coordinator Mark Amos on 07 5494 3775

2009/10 Minor Projects

This year's Minor Projects are close to being approved with a wide variety of smaller projects being selected.

Education has been promoted heavily with proposals to produce new signage at Lake Baroon and investment

in the new Blackall Range Landholder's Guide. Also of note is the involvement in a CSIRO project to find a

bio-control for Mistflower - an environmental weed of the Blackall Range. A couple of older projects by

LBCCG are going receive some finishing touches as well.

Walkers Creek Restoration continuing...

Recently the revegetation component of the project was completed.

Almost 1,000 plants were planted by Barung Landcare stabilising an eroding bank.

Seqwater Board visit Lake Baroon catchment

On March 19 the Seqwater Board visited Maleny to personally inspect some of the

on-ground works being implemented by LBCCG. We showed them a property that

has had no dairy laneway hardening completed and then visited Walker's Creek

restoration where laneways had been hardened mid 2009. The difference was clear

to see - particularly after the heavy rainfall Maleny had experienced in the weeks leading up to the visit.

Hardening laneways and dairy aprons significantly reduces erosion and nutrient run-off - protecting water quality in

the catchment.

"Thinktank" meeting

On March 5, the members of the "Thinktank" group, led by the

Member for Glasshouse, Andrew Powell met to further discuss

environmental issues on the range - particularly the importance of water.

Major project on shores of Lake Baroon

LBCCG is investing in a project on the western shores of Lake Baroon. The dairy farm will receive assistance to harden more

than 700 metres of livestock laneways. Due to the proximity to Lake Baroon this is an important project to minimise erosion

and nutrient run-off to the properties waterways and the Dam.

Currimundi Primary School students visit

On the 12th of March 60 Year 6 Currimundi Primary School students visited the North Maleny office where they

participated in various activities. Students watched Seqwater's "Catch, Store, Treat" DVD, Mark from LBCCG

ran a short workshop with on the local geology, soils and the works the catchment group implements to

improve water quality in the catchment, and also a talk from Seqwater's Michael Fiechtner on the importance of water.

LBCCG Membership

If you would like to become a member of the Lake Baroon Catchment Care Group, you can apply here Membership 2010.

Members have a say in what happens in the catchment and have access to LBCCG services and support.

Also, members have access to generous funding opportunities. Importantly WE value our member's knowledge and

experience which assists us to improve our service to the people of the Lake Baroon catchment.

Community Action Grants funding

Our funding application under Caring for Our Country Community Action Grants was successful and will be used to

expand the Bridge Creek Rehabilitation (Lower) project. Minor weed management (lantana), fencing and planting of

an eroding hill-slope will be the primary outputs of the funding, but most importantly will reduce the erosion and

ultimately the sediment inputs entering Bridge Creek.

Projects for 2009-10

Currently projects are being developed for the current Financial Year. At this stage five major projects will be

implemented with 3 occurring in the Obi Obi Creek and 2 in the Bridge Creek catchments (Project Proposals

can be viewed under Projects). This is not surprising as these are the two largest sub-catchments in the larger

Lake Baroon catchment. On-ground activities range from large scale revegetation, waterway crossings,

laneway hardening and riparian fencing.

LBCCG supports Maleny Community Precinct recommendations

After careful review of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council's Maleny Community Precinct Environmental Scoping

Document, LBCCG supports the recommendations it contains. To view the entire document follow this link:

http://www.greenhills.org.au/download/precinct_env_report_1.htm