Critically endangered turtles discovered
Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) scientists have discovered critically endangered white-throated snapping turtles in the Baffle Creek for the first time. Researchers made the important discovery recently while assessing the waterway as part of the Australian Government’s Emergency Flood Recovery project for wildlife and habitat. Until now, the white-throated snapping turtle’s natural distribution had been documented as the Fitzroy, Burnett and Mary Rivers. BMRG research director, Tom Espinoza, said the
Succession Planning for Farmers
SUCCESSION PLANNING Succession planning for Australian farmers is a complex process that requires careful consideration of several factors. The success of any farm business relies on the continuity of operations, and proper succession planning ensures that the business can continue to thrive even after the current generation retires or passes away. In this article, we will discuss the importance of succession planning for farmers, the steps involved in the process,
Electric Farm Vehicles: A Viable Option for the Future of Agriculture in Australia
ELECTRIC FARM VEHICLES As the world turns towards sustainable living and the adoption of renewable energy, the agricultural industry is not exempt from this shift. The use of fossil fuels in agriculture contributes substantially to greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and climate change. One way to mitigate these negative impacts is by introducing electric farm vehicles (EFVs) to replace traditional fossil fuel-powered tractors, harvesters, and other machinery. There are other
Dung Beetles and their Benefits to Farmers
Dung beetles have been revered for their strength and importance to agriculture for thousands of years. They exist in all continents, except Antarctica. Those species native, or introduced to Australia play a significant role in nutrient cycling by burying and consuming animal dung. Their presence provides invaluable benefits to farmers, livestock and the wider environment. In the Burnett and Mary River catchment systems, there are several species of dung
Cleaner Farm Dams and How to Avoid Algal Blooms
Cleaner Farm Dams Workshop February 25, 2023, RALF, G&DBLG, BMRG GLM Officer, G&DLCG A two-part hybrid Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF) presentation on Cleaner Farm Dams was delivered in late February 2023, onsite at the Gympie Landcare Nursery. It was developed and delivered to over 30 stakeholders with the collaboration of the Gympie and District Beef Liaison Group, BMRG’s Grazing Land Management Officer, and the Gympie and District Landcare
Water sampling maps region’s eDNA
Water sampling maps region’s eDNA Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) staff recently completed a second round of water sampling to map the region's environmental DNA (eDNA). The project utilises emerging technology and is linked to BMRG's world-first regional scale Environmental Account that includes native vegetation and native fauna. BMRG's Director of Research, Tom Espinoza, said the sampling would provide valuable information. “It means you can take a water sample and
Japanese Companies Join Forces with BMRG for Sustainable Biofuels
Japanese Companies Join Forces with BMRG for Sustainable Biofuels Queensland, Australia - Environmental not-for-profit, the Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) has announced it will partner with Japanese firms Idemitsu and J-Oil Mills to establish the first ever commercial Pongamia (Millettia Pinnata) plantation in Australia, to produce sustainable biofuel for the Japanese aviation industry. The consortium, which is receiving facilitation support from the Queensland Government, is another step towards the establishment
Shoring up the future of shorebirds
The Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) is leading a ground-breaking project to shore up the future of migratory birds along the Queensland coast near Bundaberg. BMRG plans to trial artificial roosts at Barubbra Island to provide safe habitat for shorebirds and assist with monitoring. Planning approval is being sought to install long-line oyster bags as a low-cost, low-impact, semi-permanent alternative to previous methods. Critically endangered species known to nest in
Reef funding welcomed
In response to Minister Scanlon's media statement yesterday: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/97167 Reef funding welcomed Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) has welcomed additional Queensland Government funding to reduce sediment flow to the Great Barrier Reef. The Government today announced the Grazing Resilience and Sustainable Solutions Program (GRASS) will be extended. BMRG chief executive Sheila Charlesworth welcomed the investment. “BMRG has been developing action plans for land management in consultation with farmers to improve
Kolan River works benefit the Reef and local environment
Revegetation of the Kolan River bank near Avondale is under way to prevent erosion and reduce sediment flowing to the Great Barrier Reef. Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) received funding from the Australian Government's Reef Trust to improve water quality, restore habitat and protect endangered species. Indigenous-owned enterprise Gidarjil Development Corporation is revegetating the site using mangrove plants and seed stock grown at their Burnett Heads nursery. In January, Green
Workshop on Cleaner Farm Dams
Workshop on Cleaner Farm Dams A workshop will be held at Gympie later this month on Cleaner Farm Dams to improve water quality, carbon cycling, water security and biodiversity. Gympie District Beef Liaison Group and Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) invite interested landholders to hear from distinguished carbon scientists Dr Martino Malerba and Assoc. Prof. Larelle Fabbro. BMRG's Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator, Michael Grebert, said farm dams were often methane
National Soils Strategy RALF Update
Article by Michael Grebert, BMRG Regional Agricultural Landcare Facilitator 14 December 2022 On December 13th, At the Queensland and Northern Territory RALF Teleconference, Troy Clarkson, Director, Soil information Section DAFF, delivered a presentation on the National Soil Strategy (NSS) and Data. The NSS 2021-2041 outlines a national approach to address challenges facing Australian soils. Background: Globally, soil and soil health, is essential to maintaining a habitable earth. Soil is home
USA and Australia sign Joint Statement on Natural Capital Accounting
Australia’s first natural resource management agency to audit its environmental assets has welcomed a Joint Statement between the Governments of Australia and the United States on natural capital accounting. In partnership with Minderoo Foundation, Accounting for Nature and Pollination Group, Burnett Mary Regional Group recently completed the world’s first regional scale environmental account – essentially, a 5.6 million hectare stocktake of natural assets such as vegetation cover, soils, plants and
K’gari World Heritage Anniversary Celebrated
Hundreds of Butchulla people and supporters gathered at K’gari on 7 December to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the island being awarded World Heritage status in 1992. Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation (BAC) chair Aunty Gayle Minniecon said World Heritage status had led to greater investment in protecting K’gari’s unique natural environment. She said Indigenous rangers brought in-built caring for country to their roles. “K’gari is our mother, this is the creation,”
Burnett Mary Region moves Australia to front of race to unlock billions in investment
Media Release: Valuing Nature. Burnett Mary Region moves Australia to front of race to unlock billions in investment. Natural resource manager, The Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) together with partners, has announced registration of Australia’s largest regional-scale environmental account. An environmental account is a stocktake of the health of the region’s natural assets, such as: Vegetation cover Plants and animals (including aquatic fauna) BMRG’s CEO, Sheila Charlesworth said
Burnett Mary Regional Group AGM and Board Election 2022
In accordance with the Burnett Mary Regional Group for Natural Resource Management Ltd (BMRG) Constitution, BMRG is calling a general election of Directors. The election process will be conducted between 14 October 2022 and 25 November 2022. Nominations are called for three (3) Board Director positions on the BMRG Board representing the members of BMRG. Two (2) Directors will be appointed to hold office for a three (3) year
South Beach earmarked for region’s ecosystem centre
A 6HA property at the southern end of the new masterplanned South Beach development at Elliot Heads is earmarked to be the site of a regional ecosystem research centre, owned by Burnett Mary Regional Group, partnering with Central Queensland University and Gidarjil Development Corporation. The land has been gifted by South Beach to BMRG for a minimal amount, with funding support from Evolution Mining, Mt Rawdon Gold Mine Commencing in
Moving to Compost
Compost Turners – A DIY Alternative Moving to Compost Article by Michael Grebert, BMRG Regional Agricultural Landcare Facilitator 5 July 2022 As well as market disruptions caused by Covid19 and volatile weather events, agricultural input costs have soared in the last year, particularly fuel and synthetic fertilizers. The war in Ukraine has restricted fertilizer supply chains through Russia, China and the Middle East. Agricultural producers who’ve become reliant on
Iconic “living fossil” Australian Lungfish proved to originate from Burnett River
Photo credited to David T. Roberts Granddad, an Australian lungfish that made international headlines after it was discovered his species lived for more than a century, has helped prove this ecologically, evolutionary and culturally significant species originated right here in the Burnett River. Iconic “living fossil” Australian Lungfish proved to originate from Burnett River By Tom Espinoza, Threatened Species Ecologist Thanks to a major scientific breakthrough, funded by BMRG,
Recognising the achievements of First Nations peoples across Queensland this Reconciliation Week
Queensland’s natural resource management (NRM) bodies are committed to empowering and supporting Traditional Owners to realise their rights and interests and connect with and care for Country. Collectively, we have committed to supporting transition from NRM agency-led activities to a model where Traditional Owner agencies lead works and collaborate with NRM agencies to plan and deliver activities. For Reconciliation week NRM groups across Queensland are sharing the achievements of Aboriginal
National Landcare Program review shows results
Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) welcomed the opportunity to participate in the National Landcare Program Phase Two review, report released 28 February, which shows positive outcomes for Australia’s environment and national resources while supporting the agricultural sector. Phase two of the National Landcare Program, due to end mid 2023, provides $1.1 billion from the Australian Government to support practical environmental action, bringing together communities, Traditional Owners and land managers to
Burnett Mary Regional Group receives $3.2M bushfire funding
Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) will receive $3.2M over three years through the Australian Government’s Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program, announced last week. More than 35 significant bush, vegetation and grass fires were recorded throughout the Burnett Mary region between October 2019 and January 2020. It was estimated that more than 48 000 hectares were burnt, causing significant damage to pasture, grazing lands and natural habitat. BMRG CEO, Sheila
Kolan River stabilisation work success
The Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) Kolan River stabilisation site work, which commenced last year, is complete. The work effectively stabilised 830 meters of the Kolan riverbank, withstanding the impact of the recent extreme weather despite being so recently completed. The river is a high contributor of sediment to the Great Barrier Reef and the work, funded by the Reef Trust through Burnett Mary Regional Group’s Discovery Coast project, will
BMRG disaster funding appeal for landowners
Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) is asking local landowners to capture and share details about damage caused by the recent rain and flooding in the Mary River catchment and BMRG region. BMRG is urgently preparing a comprehensive submission requesting disaster funding to support local landowners with the costs of repair and environmental remediation work. The recent extreme rainfall was unexpected and caused devastation across the region. The rainfall following ex-Tropical
Reef funding welcomed in the Burnett Mary region
Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) welcomes the potential greater positive impacts on the Great Barrier Reef that will be made possible through the Australian Government’s $1 billion additional funding over a nine-year period announced on 28 January 2022. BMRG and its consortium partners have already delivered significant work to improve water quality in the region. BMRG CEO, Sheila Charlesworth, said the Burnett Water Quality Consortium, with funding from the Australian
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