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GOAL 4: To improve the state of knowledge of biodiversity values within the wider community. identifying areas of improvement; and implementation of Reserve Management Plans. QMDC works with individuals and organisations across the region to improve the state of knowledge in the community. Private land managers QMDC conducts awareness-raising and training sessions and field days. To date, 142 events have been held where more than 2,380 community members gained a range of knowledge and skills on nature conservation principles including: vegetation assessment and management, identification of threats to habitats and biodiversity (especially ‘at risk’ species) and conducting flora and fauna surveys. In addition, the popular FarmEcology workshop series raises awareness of biodiversity issues with land managers and students. To date, 876 community at 38 events members have gained first-had experience of the fauna and habitats in the local landscape, learnt about their ecological roles and ecosystem services, and discussed actions to protect fauna and habitat values on farms. Also, QMDC technical staff : advise land managers in developing their sub-catchment plans; provide input into QMDC’s ‘Learning through Landcare’ education programme conducted at local schools; and assisted in the development of ‘Birds on Farms-Identification’ and ‘Habitat Management’ modules for the Naturally Resourceful workshop series. Local and state government and other agencies Following the Reserves Audit project (see Goal 2), eight Laws Officers from Regional Councils and six Queensland Department of Main Roads officers were given ecology training regarding reserves for which they have management responsibility. Topics included: vegetation management; assessing the ecological values of the reserves; evaluating current and potential threats; QMDC collaborated with the former Waggamba Shire Council to develop the Spinifex Vegetation Biodiversity Survey and Yelarbon Town Common ‘Desert Jewels’ Biodiversity Walk. The extensive flora and fauna Biodiversity Survey provided valuable additions to the bank of community knowledge of the unique vegetation of the area. The Biodiversity Walk enables visitors to experience a variety of vegetation types and birdlife attracted to the lagoon. State government In developing the Brigalow Belt Reptile Recovery Plan with EPA and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF Australia) Threatened Species Network, QMDC helps to address the protection and threat management of 16 threatened reptile species and includes a community information kit. Staff from QMDC also: provided comment to the EPA and Queensland Herbarium regarding the Bluegrass and Brigalow Draft Recovery Plans; and. act as Steering Group coordinator for The Gums Reserve in association with the EPA/QPWS and the local Council. Research* QMDC supported research including: ‘Healthy cotton catchments: integrating biodiversity ecosystem services and landscape pattern for sustainable production’; ‘Biodiversity Values and Functional Ecology of Regrowth Vegetation in Modified Landscapes’; ‘Restoration of fragmented Brigalow landscapes for conservation: Evaluating alternative futures in a changing climate’; ‘Exploring the landscape restoration production values’; ‘Conserving Biodiversity in Brigalow Regrowth; ‘Biodiversity Condition Assessment for Grazing Lands’; and ‘Assessing the ability of natural resource management approached to achieve biodiversity benefits in the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin’. Publications QMDC publications include: quarterly Land for Wildlife newsletters; ‘Bugs to Bluegrass’ manual - to help landholders understand the opportunities for biodiversity to contribute to their lifestyle and business; ‘Birds of the Darling Downs’, ‘Birds of the Maranoa’ and ‘Birds on Cotton Farms’ (in partnership with Birds Australia, Cotton Catchment Communities CRC and the Catchment Management Associations); the Colluvial Native Grasslands Report identifying critical landscape linkages and outlines methods of improving habitat condition in natural grasslands in the Southern Brigalow; Conserving Biodiversity in Brigalow Landscapes' - increasing community awareness of biodiversity and conservation values across areas of significance; a report investigating Climate Refugia for the Stanthorpe Plateau; and the Biodiversity Monitoring Manual. A variety of fact sheets and case studies are available at www.qmdc.org.au/publications/ browse/1/fact-sheets-case-studies. All activities which increase community knowledge of biodiversity valued underpin the attainment all Vegetation and Biodiversity theme RCTs and MATs. (MATs regarding improving the knowledge of the wider community:3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 13,15, 18, 19, 21). potential of Brigalow regrowth’; ‘Fine-scale habitat mapping of threatened QMDC COMMUNITY REPORT Vegetation and biodiversity assets of the region The major bioregions in QMDC’s area are the New England Tablelands, the Southern Brigalow Belt and the Mulga Lands*. More than 30% of the region is remnant native vegetation with a substantial area also under regrowth woodlands and grass-based native pastures. The Maranoa-Balonne and Queensland Border Rivers catchments contain a wide diversity of plants and animals in many unique ecosystems. As at January 2011, the total number of threatened species (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act) in this region includes: 18 species declared as endangered 48 species declared as vulnerable 1 species declared as conservation dependent Vegetation communities have provided the basis of the agricultural productivity of the region, with more than 90% of grazing based on native and naturalized pastures. The timber industry is worth an estimated $30 million annually. Key threats to native reptiles in the Queensland Brigalow Belt using new generation radar remotes sensing and high spatial resolution imagery’; Vegetation and Biodiversity vegetation and biodiversity There are a number of challenges to the sustainable management of native vegetation and biodiversity in this area. Habitat loss and fragmentation are leading to the loss of species genetic diversity, contraction of species distribution and exposure of flora an fauna to external pressures, such as predation and weed invasion. The ongoing degradation of remnant vegetation and the low level of protection for regional species and ecosystems also pose a significant threat. Activities and achievements This document summarises the range of achievements and activities conducted by QMDC’s Vegetation and Biodiversity theme from January 2005 to December 2013 within the Maranoa-Balonne and Border Rivers catchments. These activities are guided by the targets contained within the Regional NRM Plan*, and aim to maintain or improve the vegetation and biodiversity assets and address the key threats through supporting landholders to achieve the following goals: Goal 1: To maintain or improve the conservation status of native species. Goal 2: To increase the extent of remnant native vegetation above 2006 levels. ‘Managing regrowth for habitat and Goal 3: To maintain or improve the ecological integrity and function of native vegetation. *Research partners include , EPA, and Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (QPIF), CSIRO Entomology; Land and Water Australia, Environmental Protection Agency, the Queensland Departments of Natural Resources and Main Roads; Condamine Alliance, South West NRM; Border Rivers-Gwydir Catchment Management Authority; University of Queensland (UQ) and the University of Southern Queensland (USQ). For further information please contact: Toowoomba 07 4637 6200 Goondiwindi 07 4671 7900 Roma 07 4620 4600 For more information, contact QMDC or visit www.qmdc.org.au. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this information, QMDC accepts no liability for any external decisions or actions taken on the basis of this document. © Copyright Queensland Murray-Darling Committee Inc Front cover images: Giant Water Lily (Nymphea gigantea), Black Grevillea (Grevillea scortechinii, Little Pied bat (Chalinolobus picatus), Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla), Stripe-faced Dunnart (Sminthopsis macroura) © QMDC QMDC’s Regional Biodiversity Officer, discusses this grass tree (Xanthorrhoea australis) with Ecological consultant Craig Eddie and Kay Crosby from the former Booringa Shire council during the Booringa Shire Reserves Audit. © QMDC QMDC aims to achieve these goals through programmes including: SUB-CATCHMENT PLANNING Landholders work together to identify natural resource management (NRM) issues and develop local solutions From January 2005 to December 2013, landholders in 31 sub-catchment planning (SCP) groups covering 2.9 million hectares within the QMDC management area groups have received funding to implement their sub-catchment plans. BUSH TENDER A programme involving aimed at engaging landholders in actions to protect intact ecosystems, especially vegetation mapped as remnant. LAND FOR WILDLIFE This free, voluntary programme encourages and assists private landholders to provide habitat for wildlife on their property by retaining vegetation to provide corridors for wildlife movement, shade and shelter for stock and gain production benefits by reducing erosion controlling salinity. QMDC administers the 273 registered properties in the QMDB, including the Maranoa-Balonne, Border Rivers and areas of the Condamine catchments. LAND FOR WILDLIFE PLUS A management agreement negotiated with QMDC currently supporting landholders of 35 properties to conserve additional habitat values through additional assistance. Goal 4: To improve the state of knowledge of biodiversity values within the wider community. * More information on Queensland Bioregions can be accessed online at www.derm.qld.gov.au/vegetation/bioregions # For more information regarding QMDC’s Resource Condition Targets (RCTs) and Management Action Targets (MATs), please refer to the Regional NRM Plan accessed via www.qmdc.org.au “Working together—healthy landscapes, viable communities” GOAL 1: To maintain or improve the conservation status of native species. Programmes supporting communities to undertake activities that maintain or improve the conservation status of native species and the protection of habitat including: Bush Tender, Land for Wildlife, Land for Wildlife Plus (see Goal 2) and Sub-Catchment Planning (see Goals 2 & 3). Additional activities include the mapping of rare and threatened species of wildflowers across the Granite Plateau as part of the implementation of management plans for 28 ‘At risk’ species. QMDC gathers data on the extent of ‘at risk’ species and communities in order to increase knowledge regarding habitat requirements and direct future investment via: the (former) Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Biodiversity Planning Assessments and Biodiversity Back-OnTrack Species Prioritisation Framework; QMDC’s Brigalow Belt Reptile and Stanthorpe Plateau Flora Recovery Plans (providing data on 16 reptile and nine flora local species); the Desert Knowledge CRC research into GOAL 2: To increase the extent of remnant native vegetation above 2006 levels. QMDC targets the protection and retention of remnant vegetation through various programmes. Sub-catchment planning Sub-Catchment Planning activities from January 2005 to December 2013 have resulted in 245,757 hectares of remnant native vegetation being retained and protected*. This includes 183,917 hectares controlling threats of invasive weeds and pest feral animals ( pigs/ foxes/feral cats)**. *See Goal 3 for additional activities conducted through sub-catchment planning. ** See separate Weeds and Feral Animal document for details Land for Wildlife Under the Land for Wildlife programme, 83,849 hectares of native vegetation is being retained by 273?registered property owners across the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin, including ‘Endangered’ and ‘Of concern’ ecosystems and high value regrowth. Land for The salt tolerant but grazing intolerant succulent Disphyma crassifolium creates a ‘carpet of purple’ at Yelarbon Common the northern limit of its range. © QMDC ‘Biodiversity Incentives for the Rangelands’; the Queensland Herbarium’s Regional Ecosystem data; and the Queensland Museum and EPA’s ‘Wildnet’ and ‘Herbrecs’ databases. QMDC also supported the engagement of a private consultant to develop a Granite Flora Recovery Plan for 10 endangered, vulnerable The rare Golden-tallied gecko (Strophurus taenicauda). © C Eddie and rare flora species found on the Stanthorpe plateau. The plan includes general species than 30# remnant vegetation will be increased by 10% of the 2001 mapped extent. information, listed threats, recovery objectives, RCT 5: By 2020, the extent of ‘Of Concern’ recommended management actions and an regional ecosystems across catchments with less evaluation of the recovery planning process. than 30% remnant vegetation will be increased by The implementation of the Plan will also involve 10% of the 2001 mapped extent. the Rare Wildflower Consortium. RCT 6: By 2020, areas identified by the A total of 46 priority species have been identified the Queensland Murray-Darling region via the Back on Track species prioritisation framework, including 25 plants, two invertebrates, one freshwater fish, eight reptiles, four birds, and five mammals. Major and minor threats were identified for these species, and actions developed to mitigate the major threats. Biodiversity Planning Assessments as being of high nature conservation value are maintained or improved as measured against baseline condition to be set by 2008. RCT 7: By 2020, decline in population of ‘At risk’ flora and fauna species in the Maranoa-Balonne and Border rivers catchments is halted as determined against baseline data set by 2008. (Associated MATs: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 18, 19, 20 21 & 22). Targets addressed by this goal: RCT 4: By 2020, the extent of ’Endangered’ regional ecosystems across catchments with less A stripe-faced dunnart (Sminthopsis macroura) captured during the Hodgeson grassland biodiversity survey © QMDC Wildlife Plus Landholders on 35 Land for Wildlife Plus properties have received additional support from QMDC to conserve habitat values across 17,924 hectares. Other vegetation programmes The rare Painted Honeyeater (Grantiella picta) © C Eddie Shire Reserves Audits have identified 12,577 hectares under council jurisdiction as being ‘Endangered’ , 'Of concern’, EPBC Act vegetation communities or high ecological significance wetlands. QMDC has assisted five regional councils (Roma RC, Western Downs RC, Balonne SC, Goondiwindi RC and Maranoa RC) to develop and implement Reserve Management Plans covering 2,706 hectares including: Dulbydilla Reserve, Beranga Reserve and Ooline Park (Brigalow) The Gums South Wood Reserve (Brigalow and Weeping Myall) Undulla Reserve (Brigalow); Bindle Camping and Watering Reserve (Coolibah-Black Box Woodlands, Brigalow and Weeping Myall) Police Lagoon Gradual Grinding Grooves and Rockwell Molinda Roadside Reserve (Brigalow) Lundavra Reserve (Brigalow) McKechnies Reserve. (Brigalow). Maranoa River Reserve. 35 hectares of private property is also protected Inglewood Grinding Grooves. Granite Flora Recovery Plan and Southern Brigalow Belt Recovery Plans provide protection of remnant vegetation and improved management of regrowth by subcatchment scale groups through implementation of key recovery actions identified for species listed as ‘Rare’, ‘Vulnerable’ and ‘Threatened’. Biodiversity incentive programs that protect and actively managing 2,991 hectares of high value native vegetation including: the Vegetation Regional Incentives program (or Bush Tender) protecting 1,611 hectares; and 1,380 hectares of the Box Gum Grassy Woodland vegetation community. Targets addressed by this goal: RCT 4: By 2020, the extent of ’Endangered’ regional ecosystems across catchments with less than 30% remnant vegetation will be increased by 10% of the 2001 mapped extent. RCT 5: By 2020, the extent of ‘Of Concern” regional ecosystems across catchments with less than 30% remnant vegetation will be increased by 10% of the 2001 mapped extent. (MATs: 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 15,19, 20 21 & 22). GOAL 3: To maintain or improve the ecological integrity and function of native vegetation. In addition to the activities previously listed under Goal 2 specifically regarding the retention of remnant vegetation, QMDC supports landholders through the subcatchment planning process to maintain or improve the function of all native vegetation. From January 2005 to December 2013 activities across 115,774 hectares included: rehabilitation of 2,000 hectares, protecting 20,035 hectares with 124 kilometres of fencing; installing 29 alternative watering points to protect 20,862 hectares from degradation; protecting more than 9,821 hectares of riparian zone vegetation with more than 196 kilometres of fencing; fencing 15,001 hectares ‘Of Concern’ vegetation; managing regrowth in 426 hectares of high value native vegetation; planting 6,960 native trees; connecting isolated remnants, protecting 1,260 hectares of regrowth (EPBC Brigalow and weeping Myall woodlands); (QMDC’s definition of High Biodiversity Value vegetation is informed by the GIS layers supplied by the Queensland Government and relevant to the VMOLA (Vegetation Management and Other Legislation Act 2009) categories: ‘Of Concern’; ‘Endangered’; and ‘High Value Regrowth’.) Targets addressed by this goal: RCT 1: A minimum of 30% native vegetation 1,041.6 hectares of vegetation and habitat coverage is manages or conserved to managed via an Environmental Management System (EMS); 934 hectares of native vegetation and habitat is being managed within a salinity risk area in the Basalt Creek area; 1,029 hectares managed via the Teelba Sub-Catchment planning group’s Vegetation Retention Assessment: 1,968 hectares of wetland vegetation has been protected managing threats from feral animals and maintain ecological processes and ecosystem linkages at priority catchment scales by 2020. RCT 3: by 2020, there is a 10% increase in area of sustainably manages native vegetation for landscape and biodiversity outcomes through traditional and innovative economic uses, bases on representative areas to be determined by 2008. RCT 6: By 2020, areas identified by the Biodiversity Planning Assessments as being of high nature conservation value are maintained or improved as measured against baseline condition to be set by 2008. RCT 8: By 2020, the biodiversity condition and ecological health of 10% of the area of native vegetation in priority catchments are maintained or improved as measured against baseline conditions to be set by 2008. weeds over 39,401 hectares of high biodiversity value vegetation (including (grasslands). *For more information regarding weeds and Associated MATs: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 13 & 15). pest activities see separate 'Weed and Feral Animals' document.