Maroochy Waterwatch Inc

An impressive Sunshine Coast group has taken out one of the World’s most prestigious environmental awards – the 2011 Australian National Riverprize worth $195,000.

The Sunshine Coast Rivers Initiative is a group of over 30 community groups and government agencies, headed by Sunshine Coast Council, totally dedicated to protecting and improving the waterways of our region.

The Riverprize was awarded this evening during the14th International Riversymposium, and rewards, recognises and supports those who have developed and implemented outstanding, visionary and sustainable programs in river management.

Environment Portfolio Councillor Keryn Jones said that it’s wonderful to have all the hard work recognised.

“Our environment, economy and lifestyle all depend on having, maintaining and improving clean, functional, healthy waterways,” Cr Jones said.

“This award shows that as a community, we’re working in the right direction together.

“The Initiative certainly unites an impressive collection of achievements involving improvements to creek-side vegetation, in-stream habitat, and land management practices as well as range of waterway health planning and research projects.

“Council’s recently adopted Waterways and Coastal Management Strategy provides a solid foundation for action and with community groups, three levels of government, industry and research organisations all working together – both within and between catchments – we’ve got a real recipe for success.”

Prize money will be used to fund innovative and catalytic waterway management and improvement projects across the Sunshine Coast.

Background

Sunshine Coast Rivers Initiative, Queensland

The Sunshine Coast Rivers Initiative, submitted by the Sunshine Coast Council, unites an impressive collection of river-health planning and on-ground achievements in six catchment areas, comprising approximately 5000km of waterways across the Sunshine Coast region in southeast Queensland. Conducted by a collaboration of Council, local community groups, industry, natural resource managers and other government partners, the Community works to protect and improve the health of local waterways.

The Initiative is delivered outcomes via five themes:

1. Science — regional ecosystem health monitoring and modelling; issue-based research and investigations, and catchment-based community Waterwatch monitoring;

2. Planning and policy — planning scheme provisions, a sustainability policy framework and integrated strategies including a strategy for waterway management that integrates plans for major catchments;

3. Partnerships — between community, local, state and federal governments, industry and research organisations; within and between catchments;

4. Education and advocacy — encouraging the broader community to value and support the protection of their waterways;

5. On-ground projects — major freshwater and estuarine restoration and extensive programs to minimise urban and rural diffuse-source impacts.

The activities of the Initiative have been underpinned by sound science, constructive partnerships and an enterprising spirit. This has resulted in continual improvements in waterway management and uptake of local learnings in other regions.

Butt hunting is fast becoming a recreational pastime for residents of the Sunshine Coast with the aim to collect 1 million butts.

The butts are not the human kind, but those dropped by cigarette smokers. Butt hunters across the coast are sick of seeing the cigarette litter thrown everywhere and the Great Butt Muster is now open.

Suzie Temple and a band of volunteers have been collecting butts for a month and are appalled by the number of them, particularly along the Maroochy River.

She said, “In one short walk along the Maroochy River I picked up over 1000 butts.  I am absolutely astonished by the number of them”.

Ms Temple added, “Butts flicked onto the ground eventually make their way to rivers and pollute them.  What we are picking up are only those butts on the shore.  I’d hate to think how many are in the river”.

The group however now have a new challenge with the donation of a 1m3 see through perspex box by Maroochy Waterwatch.

Cerran Fawns, CEO of Maroochy Waterwatch said, “I heard about their efforts and wanted to thank the group for helping look after the river.  After meeting up with Suzie, we decided to set the challenge and fill the box with littered butts.

She added, “We estimate that the box can contain about 1 million butts.  Once filled it will be used as an educational resource to show people the extent of the problem”.

A Facebook page has also been developed to track the progress of the project  http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Bin-ur-butts/166878313387480. 

The groups are also calling for more volunteers to help in their crusade.  Butts can be collected from any location.  Use gloves and place the butts in an old sealable soft drink bottle. 

Ms Fawns added, “If you don’t have a old bottle at home, there are plenty along the banks of the Maroochy River which you can use!”.

Collected butts can be dropped off at the Maroochy Waterwatch office, Donaldson Rd, Nambour.

What has the Maroochy River Patrol done in the last 6 months? Nothing much apart from:

Averaged four mornings per week on the water.

Collected 16925 litres of litter from the river and surrounding shoreline.

Approximate weight of total collected 3500 kg.

Recycled approximately 27% of total collected.

Removed 435 various larger items not included in the above.

Removed navigational hazards resulting from floods and tidal events.

Accumulated 795 volunteer hours.

Accrued 100 outboard motor hours.

Dealt with 41 public enquiries.

Assisted 15 craft in difficulties.

Assisted Council mangrove nursery and regeneration staff with river transport.

Assisted various interest groups with river transport.

Recorded instances of minor pollution in the river.

Reported several illegal camp sites to authorities.

Click here to view story

 Due to popular demand and new stock arriving daily, the Maroochy River Patrol crews are commencing a mail order business to supplement running costs.

Place your order now!

Doing up the kitchen doors? Refrigerator need replacing? Kitchen chairs/table a bit sad? Give the Maroochy River Patrol boys a buzz.  

 Need to go grocery shopping but don’t have the time?  We can stock up your pantry with unusual tasty treats the whole family will enjoy!

 Looking for a special item for the grand kids (toys, dresses, buckets and spades, balls, surf boards, shoe, nappies)? Call us now!

 Going camping and need a tent, ropes, and tarp? Try River Patrol.

 Is your TV or microwave on the way out? Have we got the deal for you! How about a lounge chair and coffee table to match?

 Is poor old Uncle Bob with one leg a little embarrassed when he has to buy shoes? Our range of unique and individual footwear is second to none (thongs are currently on special!)

 We also have sun smart caps, visors, t shirts, boardies, socks, joggers, underpants and bikini tops all going fast!

 Want to get fit and healthy in your new outfit? We have push bikes, scooters and shopping trolleys in a range of styles (some items may need wheels).

 Summer is just around the corner so why not to revamp your stubbie coolers, water bottles, eskies and folding chairs.  We even have large plastic drums for home brewing. Think River Patrol.

Why pay exorbitant prices for car parts when the River Patrol can source your tyres and rims,  door trims, steering wheels, door handles and brake pedals at a fraction of the cost (older models our specialty).

And just arrived is a wide range of pharmaceutical supplies meticulously sterilised in salt water (needles in assorted colours now in stock with matching bongs).

All items come with our guarantee that they are individually picked by hand, and as a special introductory offer, we include a four day drying off period absolutely FREE.

And for the readers of this article, every purchase comes with a free rusty fishing tool and fish lure without hooksSuper bonus if you order now! Receive a knotted bunch of fishing line and a complimentary a crab pot float (with a steak knife)

 This is only a small compilation of the gatherings from our own Maroochy River and joining creeks.

 Unfortunately the sad part is that it keeps on coming every week, every month, every year, so the volunteer crews will never be redundant. PICK UP YOUR LITTER PLEASE! 

Photo attached is of a large stuffed toy bear rescued from river.  As you can see this is meant to be a tongue in cheek article, but we are sick of the amount of crap that keeps getting dumped into our waterways.

Nineteen jobseekers from the Nambour area have completed two Queensland Government funded projects aimed at increasing their employability.

Minister for Employment, Skills and Mining Stirling Hinchliffe said graduation ceremonies would be held tomorrow for a Green Army project co-ordinated by Maroochy Waterwatch and a Getting Work Ready project managed by Church of Christ Nambour.

“Maroochy Waterwatch received $196,880 under the State Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to deliver a 22-week Green Army work placement project focussing on revegetation and nursery work along the Maroochy River,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“Eight of the ten graduates from the project, Connecting Riparian Corridors in the Maroochy Catchment, will attend tomorrow morning’s graduation ceremony as two participants have since obtained full-time employment.”

Maroochy Waterwatch Chief Executive Officer Cerran Fawns said the ten project participants had previously been unemployed or were recently retrenched or displaced due to the floods.

“They are certainly job ready now. Participants gained skills in plant identification, site preparation, planting techniques, herbicide application, seed collection and propagation, nursery operation and maintenance, natural resource management techniques and water quality testing,” Mr Fawns said.

“Training was provided also in public speaking, interviewing, job search, teamwork and project management. All participants completed their chemical spray license, chainsaw operation level 1 license, a Speechcraft course and Senior First Aid.

Mr Hinchliffe said the Church of Christ Nambour’s Solutions Adult Learning Centre had received $53,090 under the State Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to deliver training to 20 jobseekers through the Getting Work Ready project.

“Nine participants from the third intake of this project will graduate tomorrow afternoon with three having already obtained employment.”

Solutions Adult Learning Centre Manager Di Cummings said the Getting Work Ready graduating group consisted of mature jobseekers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who were vulnerable due to technological change or industry restructure.

“Each attended four days of training over 10 weeks. This included two days of accredited training which enabled participants to complete their Certificate I in Business, and two days of non accredited training and job search assistance,” Ms Cummings said.

“The project increased confidence in participants and provided them with a sense of inclusion. All became very supportive of each other.”

Queensland’s Green Army is a three-year $57 million program to create 3000 jobs. An additional $17 million has been provided under the joint State and Federal Governments Queensland Natural Disasters Jobs and Skills Package to create another 1100 jobs. For more information or to check your eligibility and register your interest in joining a project visit www.greenarmy.qld.gov.au

Queensland’s Green Army is part of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.

During 2010/11 the Queensland Government invested $106 million in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to give an estimated 24,000 long-term unemployed and underemployed people job related assistance and skills training.

For more information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925.

Thirty year six children from Pacific Paradise State School got their hands dirty on June 21^st to take part in an ENERGEX Junior Landcare Activity day with Maroochy Waterwatch.

The day was made possible by funding from ENERGEX as part of a partnership with Landcare Queensland worth over $260,000.

Federation Park in Palmwoods was the location for the day, where the Junior Landcarers planted native species, including the iconic Piccabeen Palm which gives the community of Palmwoods its name.

They also investigated the water quality of Paynter Creek, under the expert guidance of Maroochy Waterwatch.

Maroochy Waterwatch also had a few surprises planned, which saw the students getting a workout under the supervision of Angelique Lahey, who as well as being an environmentalist, she is also a qualified gym instructor.

Angelique said, “We wanted this to be a day to remember for the children so I threw in a few fun physical activities to really make sure the children remember what they’ve learnt about caring for their local environment.”

“Many of these children spend a lot of time enjoying the ocean so we want to get them thinking about how looking after creeks in the upper catchment makes for a cleaner sea.”

The children also played the ENERGEX Energy Awareness Game, to share ideas about saving energy at home and at school.

Justin Ward, project coordinator for Landcare Queensland said, “By giving children the chance to get their hands dirty planting trees and investigating their local environment, we hope to help nurture a new generation of Landcarers.”

Check out the podcast we did with the ABC to promote the beauty of the River.  Click here.

Click here to view the Maroochy River Catchment News June 2011

NAIDOC stands for the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920s which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Indigenous Australians.
Today, NAIDOC is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and an opportunity to recognise the contributions of Indigenous Australians in various fields.
Activities take place across the nation during NAIDOC Week in the first full week of July. All Australians are encouraged to participate.
For further information, go to http://www.naidoc.org.au