News from
Cooloola Coastcare www.cooloolacoastcare.org.au
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OOLOOLA COASTCARE recently held their AGM at the Rainbow Beach Community Centre. The elected Management Team is now: President: Linda Tabe, Vice President: Tony Galea, Treasurer: Nancy Haire, and Secretary: Sue Riddett. We are saddened that Coordinator Lindy Orwin is stepping down, due to family responsibilities. She has been an
inspirational leader, and will continue to coordinate certain projects. All members are invited to initiate/lead any local environmental projects they see a need for. We are continuing to pursue signs of seagrass in Tin Can Bay Inlet. There will be a Cooloola Bioblitz in the area around Rainbow Beach the weekend of March 25-27, with naturalists and scientists keen to return and lead groups into nature.
Waterwatch Program
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E ARE EXCITED to start off the new year with a boost to our program to monitor water quality in our local creeks. Coastcare began the Waterwatch program here in 2014. Volunteers have committed to having a creek site or two of their own to visit and sample every two months. Our last program review was five years ago. With a grant from Gympie Regional Council, we can offer all this during the next few months for all members of the Cooloola community: • Training in learning how to take samples and test the water • Training in how to calibrate the equipment periodically • An opportunity to visit the sites in person, and with photographs taken by drone, around Tin Can Bay, Cooloola Cove, and Rainbow Beach • An opportunity to review the sites: do we need to discontinue any that are inaccessible, or add any to be able to pinpoint problem areas? • A session with Eva Ford (MRCCC) during February to teach us about frog identification doing frog surveys to assess riparian zone biodiversity
• Training in assessing further indicators of water quality: looking at the tiny insects (aquatic macroinvertebrates) with Jess Dean (MRCCC) • On-country visit with Kabi Kabi representative Kerry Jones to learn about traditional land and water use • Using an underwater drone for further monitoring of plant life in flowing creeks Book now for Friday 7 January when Jess Dean, (Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee) will lead us for calibration and Waterwatch training. You can choose one or both sessions. 9:00 – 11:00: Calibration of the Horiba water monitoring instrument at the Coastcare shed (between City Farm and the TCB Community and Men’s Shed) 11:15 – 12:30: Lunch in Tin Can Bay 12:30 – 2:00: Waterwatch training and refresher course at the public jetty next to the Coast Guard Email: treasurer@cooloolacoastcare.org.au or text Nancy: 0417 624 870
Double Island Point lagoon area – What do you want?
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MOOTH WATERS sheltered from the south-easterly wind, where yachts anchor and children play in the shallow water. Kayakers dip their paddles, looking out for the dolphins feeding and the young turtles cavorting. OR Jet skis and powerful Thundercats launch from the beach, up to 30 a day, roaring through the bay, rocking boats and scaring wildlife away. Some turtles are not so lucky, with carcasses showing evidence of boat strikes. This is a Marine Park. A Go Slow Area (stay off a plane) applies around the Point. Maritime Safety Queensland law stipulates a speed limit of 6 knots within 30m of anchored boats and 60m from people in the water.
“When navigating near, in or through a mooring area, drive slowly and keep wash to a minimum.” But where are the signs? Who is enforcing safety in this popular area? Hervey Bay Water Police were contacted, but made just a brief uniformed visit. What can we do? • Take photos of “incidents”, with GPS enabled on the phone/camera. Vessel rego numbers are helpful. • Ask for Marine Park signage on the beach, giving rules and contact information. • Ask for more frequent patrolling. • Ask for a total ban of jet skis in this area to protect wildlife and people. • Report to: Sgt Paul Bacon, Hervey Bay Water Police: bacon.paulG@police.qld.
Friendly Service -
Central Location
Purchase your Cooloola Wildflowers and Walks booklet from any of the local retailers listed
gov.au; 4125 3900 or PoliceLink 131 444 • Contact Marine Parks QLD as they review speed limits in the Double Island Point area: sunshinecoast.maritime@ msq.qld.gov.au
Books for sale Cooloola Wildflowers and Walks booklets have been very popular guides to our local plants since we published it in August.
They are available for $5 at the following supportive sites: • Tin Can Bay Post Office • Tin Can Bay Newsagent • Rainbow Beach Post Office • Rainbow Beach Community Centre • Rainbow Beach QPWS • City Farm • Gympie Landcare • MRCCC, Gympie • Gympie Gallery
Eat fresh in Rainbow Ÿ Delicious wraps & kebabs made daily Ÿ Juices, smoothies & coffee Ÿ Natural products & cosmetics Ÿ Souvenirs, clothing & tourist info
Tin Can Bay’s
Book today: 07 5488 0653
sleepylagoonmotel.com
2 Groper St, Tin Can Bay
Shell Servo Complex
Call 0435 085 865 January 2022 – Rainbow Beach Cooloola Coast Community News – 23