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ON THE LAND 17
thursday 08 july 2021
Queensland Grains:
Looking to the north and celebrating our vibrant industry AgForce Grains President Brendan Taylor It isn’t all about shaking hands and kicking tyres and soil (as fun as those activities might be!). We want to speak to the people who call these places home so that we can learn, first-hand, what it is they believe is holding our businesses, our communities, and our State back. Then, armed with their wisdom, we can hopefully convince others to help us take the necessary next steps to break through this seemingly insurmountable final frontier. Before we embark on this
important trip, however, there’s the significant matter of letting our hair down and celebrating all things grain at AgForce’s Grains Gala Dinner. This night of nights, in Dalby on 23 July, brings together producers and industry stakeholders from throughout Queensland. With a Middle Eastern inspired dinner, premium, locally grown produce, and three lucky door prizes that include overnight accommodation for two and free breakfast, you can’t afford to miss out! CONNECT NOW: Find out more and book your tickets while they’re still available at agforce-grainsgala.eventbrite.com.au
Reef restoration project reaches halfway point
Controlling woody weeds at Crooked Waterhole, Giru: Gary Kyle, Rheardan Cobbo, NQ Dry Tropics Project Officer Shakira Todd, Sam Savage
Rheardan Cobbo, Waylon Sam, Sam Savage, Gary Kyle , Darryl Chong
David Wosner NQ DRY TROPICS AS Australia celebrates NAIDOC Week, a 12-month project supporting Indigenous jobs and training is already delivering multiple benefits. Late last year, NQ Dry Tropics partnered with Indigenous employment group Three Big Rivers on the Healing Country initiative, funded through the Queensland Government’s $10 million Reef Assist program. Under the project, members of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Environmental Team are gaining practical on-ground skills working on NQ Dry Tropics projects across North Queensland, while undertaking an accredited environmental training program. Darryl Chong (Waanyi) is supervising the young team, made up of Rheardan Cobbo (Bindal), Gary Kyle (Bwgcolman/Juru), Waylon Sam (Bwgcolman), and Sam Savage (Bindal). So far, the crew has carried out a wide range of activities such as controlling invasive weeds, fixing eroded gullies to reduce sediment runoff from grazing properties,
constructing fences on a grazing property to protect fragile land, and improving the condition of coastal ecosystems, including creeks and wetlands. To complement the field work, the group is undertaking a Certificate III in Rural Operations, and accredited training in first aid/CPR, ACDC (weeds chemicals) and operating chainsaws. Additional training has been provided by NQ Dry Tropics staff in areas such as gully remediation, weed identification and control, and grass species identification.
Achievements to date include: • 2 8.3 hectares of coastal communities cleared of marine debris, collecting a total of 3.9 cubic metres plus heavy waste; • 5 0.5 hectares of weed control contributing to riparian and wetland restoration, erosion mitigation and protection of Beach Scrub communities; • 43 erosion control structures built (leaky weirs and stick dams) • 1 50 stems planted to revegetate an area of 3800 square metres • 2 .18 kilometres of fencing constructed on a grazing property to assist proper grazing management practices.
Crew member Gary Kyle 21, from Townsville, said that being involved with the project had provided major benefits. “I want to give back to my land, learn about my land, and contribute to my land. “I feel much more connected to my country since starting this work. I have learned so much, and with all of the practical skills and training courses, my resume is going to look jam packed. “This has been my first regular job and it has boosted my confidence. I really enjoy being part of the team. We enjoy each other’s company and there is a nice vibe between us. I would describe it as a brotherhood. To work with the crew I work with now, and to be out on the
land is very rewarding.” NQ Dry Tropics Project Manager Caralea Hensler said the work undertaken by the team was supporting a variety of existing projects to deliver better on-ground results. “The team’s contribution is boosting activities to improve land condition, protect plants and animals, and improve the quality of water flowing into local creeks and the reef,” Ms Hensler said. Three Big Rivers Director Thomas Holden said the project was a great example of what well- targeted investment could achieve. “The Queensland Government’s Reef Assist program is supporting beneficial Indigenous economic and employment outcomes,” Mr Holden said. “The Three Big Rivers employees have been able to invest in themselves individually, and gain great cultural experiences while working on country and improving the environment.” Out of the 135 jobs generated through the Reef Assist program, around seventy are providing employment and training opportunities for First Nations people.
