Embedded monitoring and evaluation systems that inform NRM actions

Related Content

• NRM Investment Programs

  

  Natural Resources Investment Program 2018-2022

  Queensland is investing more than $61 million between 2018 and 2022 to ensure the state’s natural land and water resources are sustainably managed. This includes dedicated funds for Great Barrier Reef catchments. The Natural Resources Investment Program funding acknowledges the important role that the natural resource management bodies and the community play in repairing and improving Queensland’s unique assets for future generations.
  

  

  Natural Resource Management Investment Program 2017-2018

  The State has allocated $80 million to the regional natural resource management investment program over five years from 2013 to 2018, including $30 million to protect the Great Barrier Reef. The majority of the funding is being provided to support strategic projects delivered through Queensland's regional natural resource management (NRM) bodies. These organisations provide an important link between governments and communities. They also work collaboratively with volunteer and grass-roots organisations (e.g. Landcare), rural industry groups and landholders.

  

  Threatened Species Recovery Fund: Cape York Cassowaries

  Cape York NRM component of the Threatened Species Recovery Fund: Cape York Cassowaries – Traditional owners recording habitats and addressing threats to habitat

  This project built upon the knowledge of Cape York southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsoni) populations by working with Traditional Owners to map distribution and abundance in and around the Mcllwraith Ranges. The project was delivered in partnership with CSIRO, Kalan Enterprises, Wet Tropics Management Authority and Cape York NRM.

  

  Regional Land Partnerships

  The aim of Regional Land Partnerships is "to protect, conserve, and provide for the productive use of Australia's water, soil, plants and animals and the ecosystems in which they live and interact, in partnership with governments, industry and communities. Regional Land Partnerships is a major component of the second phase of the National Landcare Program. The investment for 2018-2023 will fund biodiversity projects focused on protecting rainforest, woodlands and coastal vine thickets as well as cassowaries and the golden shouldered parrot.

• Land Manager Stories

  

  Habitat and diet of the Star Finch Neochmia ruficauda clarescens in the early wet season at Princess Charlotte Bay, Cape York Peninsula, Australia

  Critical diet and habitat for endangered Star Finch during early wet season Garnett S.T., Clarkson J.R., Felton A., Harrington G.N. and Freeman A.N.D. (2005) "Habitat and diet of the Star Finch (Neochmia ruficauda clarescens) in the early wet season at Princess Charlotte Bay, Cape York Peninsula, Australia" Emu, 105, pp.81-85.This study examined the habitat and diet of the endangered Star Finch (Neochmia ruficauda clarescens) in the early wet season on Cape York Peninsula.Surveys found Star Finches in only two grassland vegetation types.

  

  Research Project - Crab Island Flatback Turtles

  Project Number: CY PA 13 - Crab Island

  Project Name: Crab Island Flatback Turtles

  Organisation: Cape York Peninsula Development Association

  Project status: Funded by NHT 

  Amount provided: $13,800

  Date started: April 2008   Date completed: December 2008

  MATs from Cape York Peninsula NRM Plan:  CB3.2; RA2.1; RA2.3; CB3.3; CB1.4

  Summary

• Newsletter Articles

  

  Better Soils, Better Water

  Words Sandra Lloyd

  The Cape York landscape has ancient and fragile soils which require careful management to ensure the long-term health of the land and connecting waters of Cape York.

  Lakeland horticulture producers recognise this and are improving farm management practices to help improve their soils, reduce runoff and improve the quality of water draining off their properties.

  

  Smart sampling for Lakeland water

  Automated sampling and new testing sites are among the latest innovations being introduced at Lakeland to improve the detail of water quality information in the local area. Cape York NRM has been working with landholders and the Department of Environment and Science to ensure real-time information on just how healthy the waterways are.

  As part of this project, the Department will be installing an autosampling station, which will be maintained by Cape York NRM, on the Laura River.

  

  Welcome to Cape York Healthy Country Newsletter

  Welcome to our first newsletter for 2021. Some people will be glad to see the back of 2020, but there were many good things to come out of the previous 12 months. During 2020 Cape York NRM was able to restructure its operations and program support so that we are able to deliver the best on ground projects possible and we have an incredibly busy year planned for 2021. We welcome four new staff to the team and the Cooktown office is now bursting at the seams.

  

  Reef Water Quality Report Card 2017 and 2018

  The Reef Water Quality Report Card 2017 and 2018, which assesses the results of Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan (Reef 2050 WQIP) actions, was released in August this year

  

  Welcome to the Cape York Healthy Country Newsletter

  This edition of the Cape York Healthy Country Newsletter highlights how the combination of solid planning and good on ground delivery combine to bring about great results.

  

  Reef Phase IV gully remediation starts in Laura basin

  Gully remediation projects in the Laura basin will stop over 700 tonnes of sediment entering the northern Great Barrier Reef


  

  Meet the staff - Anthony Hele

  Words and photo Robyn May

  Anthony joined Cape York Natural Resource Management in January 2019. His position supports the efficient delivery of programs by working collaboratively to develop and implement a sound organisational-wide Planning Framework and Program Logics, along with corresponding monitoring and evaluation plans.

  

  Native grasses initiative for the Mitchell River catchment

  Words Robyn May | Photo Cape York NRM

  Cape York land managers’ efforts to reduce the loss of valuable top soil, and increase grazing productivity, are being supported by a suite of native grass identification tools.

• Newsletter Editions

  

  Issue 45

• Projects

  

  National Indigenous Fire Workshop 2018

  On 12-15 July 2018, the four-day 2018 National Indigenous Fire Workshop was held at Bundanon in Yuin Country on the New South Wales south coast. Convened by the Firesticks Alliance and hosted by the Mudjingaalbaraga Firesticks Team, Bundanon Trust, Mulong and Cape York NRM and the workshop was attended by 296 participants, mostly from across eastern Australia. Participants came from as far north as Napranum, Cape York in northern Queensland to Truwana in Tasmania, and from the APY Lands in Central Australia.

  

  Mapoon Nest to Ocean- Round 1

  This work will complement activities already being conducted for ‘Project CY069: Western Cape Feral Pig Control – Mapoon’ and as part of activities associated with participation in the Western Cape Turtle Threat Abatement Alliance (WCTTAA).

  Through this project the Ranger program will:

  

  Taepithiggi Batavia Planning and Development – Stage 1

  The Taepithiggi Batavia Clan Group Aboriginal Corporation (TBCAC), formed following the Old Mapoon Aboriginal Corporation’s establishment in 2013, represents the custodians of country stretching from the Wenlock and Ducie rivers, Cape York.

  This new group aims to develop a master plan for economic development, that includes at lease one proposal for an eco-tourism facility in the Wenlock catchment. 

  

  Provision of Northern Australia Fire Information system mapping for Cape York Region

  Information services for Cape York Land Managers: Provide to NAFI fortnightly fire scar mapping for Cape York. Deliver communication products to support interpretation of fire management information at property and regional scales.

  

  EMU: Embed, Manage & Utilise state-wide indicators into Cape York NRM Natural Resources Investment Program

  This project is funded by the 2019–22 Regional Evaluation and Coordination (RCE) component of the Queensland Government’s Natural Resources Investment Program (NRIP) 2018–2022. Funded projects must deliver the following outcomes –

  

  Wetland Surveys For Aquatic Biodiversity at Violet Vale Station

  This project documents the aquatic fauna and quantify the water quality of wetlands on Violet Vale Station. These surveys targeted fish, crustaceans and turtles and provides an indication of the inherent biodiversity value of the wetlands and serve as baseline data to monitor future management actions. 

  

  Temple Bay Pand Apple Survey and Eradication Program

  This project delivers capacity building and mentoring to the Kuku yu people, with Pond Apple survey and control within the Temple Bay area. This is done in two phases, phase one is a week long training component run at the Chuula homelands with empathies given to OH&S, Quad and Chainsaw training. The second phase is two weeks at Temple Bay with the last component of training delivered as Apply Chemicals under supervision, then a ground, Aerial and water survey done of the area to map the Pond Apple in the first week.

  

  Services Agreement for the provision of Service Provider services for the NRM organisation

  Corporate Services Functions provided to Cape York NRM

  

  Western Cape Feral Pig Control - Napranum

  This project forms part of a broader pest management program delivering on a strategy of integrated aerial and on-ground feral pig control measures involving shooting, trapping and baiting.  The aim of the project is to reduce pig numbers to a target of 70 percent each year over an area of more than 820,000 hectares.

  Control measures to be undertaken by the Nanum Wungthim Land and Sea Management, Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council includes aerial and ground shooting, and where required, trapping and baiting.

  

  Catchment Solutions

  Three rainfall simulations will be undertaken at each of four different land use combinations as soon as possible after the wet season (plus 3 demonstration/field days). Simulation runs could include:

  

  Pormpuraaw Hymenachne Aerial Control

  Containing and reducing the further spread of established Hymenachne at Pormpuraaw through control works and mapping of treated areas. 

  Hymenachne infestations are a physical barrier for aquatic and semi-aquatic animals, restricting their territorial movements and breeding activities. Hymenachne has been recognised as a Weed of National Significance.

  

  Development of a Carbon Prioritisation Spatial Framework

  This project facilitates and develops a carbon prioritisation spatial framework for Cape York now and into the future. The project uses existing models, such as those being used by April Reside and Bob Pressey of James Cook University, and adapts and populates them with data for Cape York. The data might include fire, soils, vegetation, wetlands, culture, management regimes and land use. The project aim is to model different outcomes for Cape York based on different, mostly policy, scenarios. A number of maps reveal different opportunities based on different settings.

  

  Nest to Ocean Support Rnd 2 - Napranum

  Cape York NRM have received funding through Round 2 of the Nest to Ocean Turtle Protection Program (NTOTPP) to support the on-going work of the Napranum Ranger Program to protect marine turtles nesting on coastal areas managed by the Napranum rangers. This work will complement activities previously conducted as part of ‘Projects CY071: Western Cape Feral Pig Control – Napranum’; ‘CY097: Nest to Ocean Round 1 Support - Napranum and activities associated with participation in the Western Cape Turtle Threat Abatement Alliance (WCTTAA).
  Through this project the Ranger program will:

  

  Sicklepod and Rubbervine Control in Palmer River Catchment

  This project will control Sicklepod and Rubber vine in the Palmer River, to stop these introduced plants advancing further along the Palmer River and out into pastures.

  Sicklepod and Rubber Vine are declared Class 2 pest plants under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002. Rubber vine’s ability to quickly spread and colonise areas makes it a threat to many areas of northern Australia. Due to this ability, rubber vine is listed as a Weed of National Significance.

  

  Prospectus for Western Cape York Water Management Plan

  This project develops a detailed prospectus for Western Cape York Water Quality Improvement Plan (WCYWQIP). The prospectus is to engage with funding bodies and partners to support the WCYWQIP project and will demonstrate the benefits of supporting Cape York NRM to achieve this Plan.

  

  Improving fire management and developing monitoring systems for Fire on the East Coast

  Training and mentoring will be provided with Traditional Ecological Knowledge with Indigenous and non-Indigenous land managers in East Coast catchments on fire management practices. This training will include mapping and monitoring training with four Indigenous organisations, development of relevant monitoring tools for East Coast fire management and data collection to document on-ground management.

  

  Rubber Vine Spraying on the Lukin River

  The Rubber Vine Control project continues to carry out the established efforts to contain the Rubber Vine threat to by the method of spraying the rubber vine on Lukin River on Yarraden Station. This project runs in conjunction with the Rubber Vine Control project contracted to Wunthulpa Aboriginal Land Trust.

  Project activities include:

  

  Working with land managers to reduce the economic and environmental impacts of high priority weeds

  This project will deliver priority feral pest and weed management activities with Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals Inc will coordinating delivery of this project. The project which will address priority weed and pest animal management in rural areas where they have a significant economic and/or environmental impact. In many cases landholders will make significant cash and/or in kind contributions to the project.

  

  Violet Vale Station Wetland Surveys 2017

  This is the second survey of aquatic fauna of the expansive floodplain wetlands on Violet Vale Station. Typically, wetlands are diverse ecosystems that support high levels of biodiversity and perform essential ecosystem services. Importantly, wetlands act as nursery grounds for a number of commercially important fish species such as Barramundi; sustaining natural recruitment and also recreational and commercial fishing industries.

  

  Napranum Turtle Monitoring and Predator Control Wage support 2015

  

  Scaling up Normanby basin gully and stream bank remediation in priority areas

  Primarily at sites situated around the Laura and Normanby Rivers of the Normanby catchment, the program involves land management improvement and the active remediation of gullies. Funded by the Australian Government's Reef Trust over five years (2017 to 2022), Cape York NRM is working with land managers, contractors, and engineers to design and deliver best practice gully remediation projects in the Normanby catchment.

  

  Cultural Mapping Consultancy

  This project saw the construction of a map of cape york including traditional boundaries to better facilitate the transfer of information regarding up coming projects between all stakeholders.

  

  Governance Support for Cape York NRM

  This project provides work which translate the findings and key insights from the Transformation for Resilient Landscapes and Communities study into potential governance improvements in a Cape York context.
  This project includes preparation of discussion papers around the future of Cape York NRM and development of a strategy for improving the governance on Cape York.

  

  Normanby Basin Gully Remediation Demonstration Site

  This project works to repair gully erosion in the Normanby basin and train Traditional Owners in the skills needed to carry out such work. Training includes gaining certificates in earthworks machinery and erosion science. Combined, this knowledge equips participants to carry out their own natural resource management projects from conception to completion. The training also increases job prospects and builds the capacity of these ranger groups and corporations to repair their local roads, fix erosion on their land and deal with the clean up after disasters, such as cyclones and flooding.

  

  Rubber Vine Control, Maintaining the Established Lukin River Containment Area

  Rubber vine's ability to quickly spread and colonise areas makes it a threat to many areas of northern Australia. This project continues on previous works on the Lukin River containmnet area to further contain rubber vine. The main objectives of this project included:

  

  Analysis Strategy

  This project develops the analysis strategy for Cape York NRM's Your Climate project. Works involve designing the process for analysis of Your Climate Questionnaire responses, NRM Planning documents and video footage from Mulong. 

  

  Fish surveys of the Jardine River catchment

  This project involves developing a rapid assessment of the fish fauna of freshwater habitats in the Jardine River catchment and nearby streams. A mix of survey methods including netting and observational approaches are used. Baited underwater cameras in dangerous waters (i.e. crocodiles) and snorkelling in small waterways provides a means of rapidly assessing the composition of the fish fauna at a range of sites. Netting is also used to verify records of species and to collect species unlikely to be seen by the visual techniques (e.g. nocturnal species).

  

  Pormpuraaw Nest to Ocean- Round 1

  This work will complement activities already being conducted for ‘Project CY072: Western Cape Feral Pig Control – Pormpuraaw’ and as part of activities associated with participation in the Western Cape Turtle Threat Abatement Alliance (WCTTAA).

  Through this project the Ranger program will:

  

  Lakeland Agricultural Area Water Quality Monitoring Program

  Cape York NRM will work with landowners to monitor water quality in the Lakeland Agricultural Area to provide them with up-to-date and locally relevant data on nutrients, pesticides, and sediment in waterways. This project will allow landholders to be at the forefront of water quality management, and support innovation in management practices.

  

  Burn Training on the Nesbit

  This was a short project for Mulong to provide on-country burning training and fire management planning to the members Wunta Aboriginal Corporation on Palinjii (Nesbit) country. The training was held over 4-5 days on country, with outputs of an action plan for burning in the 2013-2014 and photo and GPS records.

  

  Rubber Vine control, targeting the Established Lukin River Containment Area

  The Rubber Vine Control project continues to carry out the established efforts to contain the Rubber Vine threat to within and south of the Lukin River in regards to the Cape. This project runs in conjunction with the Rubber Vine Control project contracted to WiIllmann Pastoral Co on Yarraden Station. 
  Project activities include:

  

  Integrating climate change knowledge into fine-scale management planning

  This work will use knowledge about current and projected climate change in the Cape York region to develop a more specific understanding of the consequences for sustainable management of country in the region.

  

  Land Condition Assessment and Framework

  This project assists with establishing a baseline for the assessment of land condition and to monitor the integrated management of weeds, pest animals and fire to manage natural resources and maintain ecosystem resilience.