Queensland Government Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (Media Release) 3 January 2020 Biosecurity Queensland and Sunshine Coast Regional Council target illegal weeds in backyard nurseries Key Points Biosecurity Queensland and Sunshine Coast Regional Council have seized more than 1,000 illegal cacti plants that were being propagated for sale by local backyard growers The plants are related to the prickly pear cactus and have the potential to spread in the same way, endangering the local environment, stock and native wildlife If you are planning to sell plants, make sure they are not restricted or prohibited under the Biosecurity Act 2014. Main Story Biosecurity Queensland and Sunshine Coast Regional Council officers have destroyed more than 1,000 invasive plants being propagated for sale by backyard growers that had the potential to become serious pests. Biosecurity Queensland Operations Manager Rob Cobon said most of the plants seized were cacti. “Our staff, together with Sunshine Coast Regional Council officers have been on the lookout for people selling illegal plants either online or through local markets,” he said. “The plants that we’ve seized are relatives to the prickly pear cactus, which decimated 60 million acres of land and sent many landholders broke. “These plants have the potential to cause similar problems, are highly invasive and their sharp spines can also cause injury to stock and native animals.” The Sunshine Coast Regional Council is taking a proactive approach to preventing weed infestations from occurring by implementing a local Biosecurity Plan. Mr Cobon said the Biosecurity Act 2014 requires everyone to take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risks associated with invasive plants and animals under their control. “So if you’re planning to sell plants online or at your local market, please make sure that they’re not restricted or prohibited,” he said. “If these plants spread they can cause serious damage to the local environment and stock and native wildlife.” If you have or think you know someone who is keeping or selling illegal plants please contact Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23. Image: Luke Short, Vector and Pest Plant Officer from Sunshine Coast Regional Council, removing drooping tree pear (Opuntia monacantha) that were intended for sale. (Supplied DAF media)
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Following from our AGM on Friday 29th November, take a look and see what we have been up to for the last year.
We are partnering with our landlord, the Nambour Uniting Church to host an Ecology Weekend next weekend. The invitation is open to the public and you can come to all events or a selection. A Saturday breakfast will start the entertainment with guest speakers being Tim Metelerkamp on the importance of birds, Dr Nita Lester on plants and Alison Hall on ecotourism. Following this will be a field trip to view environmental works at Whalley Creek and Dilkusha Rainforest and the a tour of Nichols Worm Farm. On Sunday will be a worship celebration exploring ‘A Christian Response in a time of Ecological Anxiety’ with guest speakers Rev Chris Crause, our own Natural Areas Manager Jim Stuart and Rev Ian Stehbens. A flyer is attached with more information.
Click here to view the position description. Closes 16th August with start date 2nd September. To apply for the position, send resume/CV and a cover letter addressing the selection criteria to info@ECOllaboration.org.au.
Knowledge of the population distribution of the endangered Richmond Birdwing Butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondia) is about to be improved with a new citizen science project in south east Queensland. ECOllaboration Ltd’s Chief Executive Officer, Cerran Fawns, said “We have had many unofficial reports of sightings since our last survey ten years ago and we need to update records for the last five years”. The butterfly is listed as vulnerable and is an important species that has been severely impacted by habitat loss and the introduced vine, the Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia elegans), which is poisonous to the butterfly larvae. The native birdwing butterfly vine, Pararistolochia praevenosa, is what the larvae feed on in the wild, however it looks so similar to the Dutchman’s Pipe, the adult females get confused and lay eggs on the introduced vine which are a death trap for the emergent larvae. The native birdwing butterfly vine has been planted widely throughout the region over the last ten years and we are wanting to determine if the populations have spread from the isolated pockets of the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast areas. Ms Fawns added, “The males are easily recognisable being black and iridescent green with the females less striking with brown, yellow and white markings”. The data collected from the community sightings will be uploaded to the Living Atlas of Australia which gives a generalised map of the distribution and the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly Network. To report sightings over the last five years and to view photos of the butterfly, vines and larvae, go to http://ecoeducationservice.org.au/richmondbirdwingbutterfly/. A report from can also be downloaded and mailed to ECOllaboration, PO Box 311, Nambour Qld 4560 or phoned in on 07 54764777. This project is supported by ECOllaboration Ltd, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
ECOllaboration Ltd is seeking an experienced business development manager to help lead the company into its next growth phase by marketing our services to industry and the community and developing income generating strategies and relationships. Click below for full position description and how to apply: PD Business Development and Partnerships Manager ECOllaboration FINAL 181019
Applications close 15th March 2018 Catchment Services is seeking applications from suitably qualified natural area practitioners to help deliver natural area works thoughout the Sunshine Coast. Works include riparian restoration activities, natural area management works, constructed lakes and wetlands maintenance, environmental offset management works and native landscaping works. To be considered suitable the suscessful applicants must be willing to work as a team, have good communication skills, an enthusiastic attitude and the ability to work in rough and remote terrain in outdoor conditions. Supervisor roles require 3 years experience in the natural area industry. Team member roles require at least 1 year experience in the natural area industry. All positions require the following qualifications: Manual open drivers licence ACDC licence Chainsaw level 1 licence Construction white card Senior first aid certificate Desirable qualifications and experience include: Mobile mapping experience Mobile reporting experience GPS and GIS experience MUTCD licence Chainsaw level 2 licence Working with children blue card To apply, email CV and cover letter to info@catchmentservices.org.au
Join environmental scientists, engineers and educators on an intimate and unique tour of the Sunshine Coast, exploring the historical, natural and engineered elements of our local environment. You will visit places not accessible to the general public, and places you probably never thought about visiting, and learn from the wealth of knowledge of local presenters. Our coastal environment is a beautiful natural asset that encompasses many aspects and you will gain a better appreciation of how it is being managed government, industry and the community. Bookings are essential as places are limited for each tour. Tour dates are: Wed 9 Aug, 9am to 4pm (FULL) Sat 2 Sept, 9am to 4pm (FULL) Wed 20 Sept, 9am to 4pm (FULL) Sun 8 Oct, 9am to 4pm (FULL) Tues 31 Oct, 9am to 4pm (FULL) Fri 24 Nov, 9am to 4pm (FULL) We are taking waiting list bookings in case of cancellations. To book please contact the ECOllaboration office on 54 764 777 or info@ECOllaboration.org.au. The tours have been supported by the Sunshine Coast Council’s 50th Anniversary Fund.
