Hi all,
due to funding and personnel constraints, the Port Curtis Waterwatch program is currently on hold. For enquiries about Toadbusters, or any of the other programs, please contact Sharon Stott at the Gladstone City Council, 4970 0700.
Thanks,
Anna
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Not just the Southern Oscillation
From [URBNRM] Network Update 22nd July 2006
The Southern Oscillation, the weather phenomenon with El Niño and La Niña episodes linked to climate in eastern Australia, is relatively well known. However, the Southern Oscillation is not our only significant weather oscillation. The “Pacific Decadal Oscillation” (PDO) is long lived Southern Oscillation-like pattern of Pacific climate variability. While the two climate oscillations have similar spatial climate fingerprints, they have very different behavior in time. Southern Oscillation events typically persist for only up to several years, whereas PDO events persist for 20-30 years. Interestingly, it has been found that the PDO had featured most strongly than at least some parts of south-eastern Australia.
Independent studies find evidence for just two full PDO cycles in the past century: ‘cool’ PDO events prevailed form 1890-1924 and again from 1947-1976, while ‘warm’ PDO events dominated from 1925-1946 and from 1977 through to at least the mid-1990’s. The 1947-1976 ‘cool’ event appears to be associated with wetter decades in eastern Australia, and the ‘warm’ events since 1977 associated with relatively dry decades. The 1947-1976 wetter decades are the time that many Australians remember as “the normal wet season we use to have”, and also the time when much of our urban water supply dam infrastructure was planned or constructed.
For Further information visit http://jisao.washington.edu/pdo/ and http://www.grdc.com.au/growers/res_upd/south/s04/ridge.htm
The Southern Oscillation, the weather phenomenon with El Niño and La Niña episodes linked to climate in eastern Australia, is relatively well known. However, the Southern Oscillation is not our only significant weather oscillation. The “Pacific Decadal Oscillation” (PDO) is long lived Southern Oscillation-like pattern of Pacific climate variability. While the two climate oscillations have similar spatial climate fingerprints, they have very different behavior in time. Southern Oscillation events typically persist for only up to several years, whereas PDO events persist for 20-30 years. Interestingly, it has been found that the PDO had featured most strongly than at least some parts of south-eastern Australia.
Independent studies find evidence for just two full PDO cycles in the past century: ‘cool’ PDO events prevailed form 1890-1924 and again from 1947-1976, while ‘warm’ PDO events dominated from 1925-1946 and from 1977 through to at least the mid-1990’s. The 1947-1976 ‘cool’ event appears to be associated with wetter decades in eastern Australia, and the ‘warm’ events since 1977 associated with relatively dry decades. The 1947-1976 wetter decades are the time that many Australians remember as “the normal wet season we use to have”, and also the time when much of our urban water supply dam infrastructure was planned or constructed.
For Further information visit http://jisao.washington.edu/pdo/ and http://www.grdc.com.au/growers/res_upd/south/s04/ridge.htm
Definition - Disgreenimation
By Sharon Ede
From : “Fostering Sustainable Behavior Listserv”
Disgreenimation (n. dis-green-im-ation) :
Requiring meticulous analysis of environmental credential of ‘green’ products, systems or services, while not applying the same or greater level of rigour in essessing the environmental impact of all other products of services
From : “Fostering Sustainable Behavior Listserv”
Disgreenimation (n. dis-green-im-ation) :
Requiring meticulous analysis of environmental credential of ‘green’ products, systems or services, while not applying the same or greater level of rigour in essessing the environmental impact of all other products of services
Friday, July 07, 2006
Who Died First?
Want conclusive proof that toads are damaging to Australian native wildlife? These pictures from June 4 2006 in Gladstone Qld, tell the whole story. Unfortunately we can't be sure what sort of snake it is, or who died first!
Pictures taken with our new digital camera, kindly donated by Sony through Landcare Australia.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Toad Muster Nets 5000+
From Australian Land Care
Australian Farm Journal
June 2006
http://www.farmonline.com.au/farmmags/australianlandcare/publication.aspx
Brunswick Valley Landcare and Byron Shire Council last March joined forces to hold their inaugural toad muster of the Far North Coast of NSW. The evening raised awareness of the impact cane toads (bufo marinus)were having on the environment, and educated people on the way to identify and control the pest. Community members were encouraged to bing in live toads. Prizes were offered for the most toads and the heaviest toad collected. Cane toads are believed to have been brought to Byron Bay in the 1960's and have been increasing in number since then. They began heading south and north-west from North Queensland after being released in a misguided attempt to rid canefields of the cane beetle in the 1930's. Since then, the poisonous and incredibly adaptive amphinbians have spread though out Queensland and the Northern Territory. The current southern limit of the Taods manace is around Yamba with isolated population around Port Macquarie. "The cane toad poses a serious threat to our local biodiversity ." Byron Shire Council's biodiversity extension officer,Wendy Neilan, says. "Most native animals that normally eat frogs die when they attempt to eat cane toads." Organisers of the toad muster were overwhelmed by it's success as about 60 people turned up for the event to deliver thousands of live toads in buckets, crates and boxes. Brunswick Catchment Landcare support officer, Dave Rawlins, says the final tally of the night came to 5890 adult and juvenile toads, with a combined weight of 77 kilograms. "We did not know how many toads or people would come along to the muster and this was a test to see if the community supported the concept," Rawlins says. "Feedback from the participants was that this should become a regular event . "We are now looking at ways to expand the muster so it can be in more locations and over a longer period of time to maximise the collecting and controlling of the toads." Prize for the biggest tally went to Alan Rayward and his granddaughter, Stacey Devine, for bringing in more than 3000 specimens, including juveniles. "I'd like to see Byron Shire free of cane toads," Reyward says. "I know what the fauna was like before. We used to have black bitterns and many more frogs. This year the toad population is totally out of control with the return of a real wet season." Brunswick Valley Landcare is also investigating the viability of cane toads traps. Devices bring used in Byron Shire are a mixture of components produced locally and by Frog Watch in the NT. These use a light to attract insects, which entice the cane toad through a one-way doors. Local landcarer, Greg McDonald, is using his electrical and engineering skills to design remote traps that can be powered by rechargeable batteries (either on the trap with solar panels or at home from mains electricity). McDonald is developing ingenious ways to reduce the light output but still attract insects. This would mean traps could run from smaller, cheaper solar panels, or if just using mains power, rechargeable batteries would last longer.
Contact Dave Rawlins or Wendy Neilan, Byron Shire Council, Phone (02) 66267000, email dave.rawlins@byron.nsw.gov.au or wendy.neilan@byron.nsw.gov.au
Australian Farm Journal
June 2006
http://www.farmonline.com.au/farmmags/australianlandcare/publication.aspx
Brunswick Valley Landcare and Byron Shire Council last March joined forces to hold their inaugural toad muster of the Far North Coast of NSW. The evening raised awareness of the impact cane toads (bufo marinus)were having on the environment, and educated people on the way to identify and control the pest. Community members were encouraged to bing in live toads. Prizes were offered for the most toads and the heaviest toad collected. Cane toads are believed to have been brought to Byron Bay in the 1960's and have been increasing in number since then. They began heading south and north-west from North Queensland after being released in a misguided attempt to rid canefields of the cane beetle in the 1930's. Since then, the poisonous and incredibly adaptive amphinbians have spread though out Queensland and the Northern Territory. The current southern limit of the Taods manace is around Yamba with isolated population around Port Macquarie. "The cane toad poses a serious threat to our local biodiversity ." Byron Shire Council's biodiversity extension officer,Wendy Neilan, says. "Most native animals that normally eat frogs die when they attempt to eat cane toads." Organisers of the toad muster were overwhelmed by it's success as about 60 people turned up for the event to deliver thousands of live toads in buckets, crates and boxes. Brunswick Catchment Landcare support officer, Dave Rawlins, says the final tally of the night came to 5890 adult and juvenile toads, with a combined weight of 77 kilograms. "We did not know how many toads or people would come along to the muster and this was a test to see if the community supported the concept," Rawlins says. "Feedback from the participants was that this should become a regular event . "We are now looking at ways to expand the muster so it can be in more locations and over a longer period of time to maximise the collecting and controlling of the toads." Prize for the biggest tally went to Alan Rayward and his granddaughter, Stacey Devine, for bringing in more than 3000 specimens, including juveniles. "I'd like to see Byron Shire free of cane toads," Reyward says. "I know what the fauna was like before. We used to have black bitterns and many more frogs. This year the toad population is totally out of control with the return of a real wet season." Brunswick Valley Landcare is also investigating the viability of cane toads traps. Devices bring used in Byron Shire are a mixture of components produced locally and by Frog Watch in the NT. These use a light to attract insects, which entice the cane toad through a one-way doors. Local landcarer, Greg McDonald, is using his electrical and engineering skills to design remote traps that can be powered by rechargeable batteries (either on the trap with solar panels or at home from mains electricity). McDonald is developing ingenious ways to reduce the light output but still attract insects. This would mean traps could run from smaller, cheaper solar panels, or if just using mains power, rechargeable batteries would last longer.
Contact Dave Rawlins or Wendy Neilan, Byron Shire Council, Phone (02) 66267000, email dave.rawlins@byron.nsw.gov.au or wendy.neilan@byron.nsw.gov.au
Sustainable Designers of the Future
From Waste Streams June/July 2006
http://www.wastestreams.com.au/
The 2006 Australian Design Award-Dyson Student Award winners were announced on 19th May 2006.
Among the top 12 finalists was a dishwasher uses less water than hand washing and no detergent and a device that is intended to provide a reliable supply of clean water in developing countries. Included in the 21 short listed finalists was a grey water recycling system designed to reduce household water consumption. The Gold award was won by University of New South Wales student Tricia Ho for her ergonomically designed violin; a silver award went to University of South Australia student, Liam Fudali for his Flex – an improved harmless design for self-contained breathing apparatus; and Julie Frost’s water purifier took out the bronze award.
Steam Dishwasher
The ‘Swash’ dishwasher, designed by University of Technology Sydney student Alexandra Gilmour, Combines nanotechnology and high temperature steam and is claimed to be the first sustainable, self-sufficient dishwashing solution that sterilizes and reduces water usage. The unit won’t need to be connected to mains water - it wi8ll use only 6 L of water stored in an internal reservoir to do its cleaning, The water will be filtered, purified and returned to the reservoir with minimal loss, so the same water can be reused several times before it has to be toped up. “My aim was to develop a new cleaning method an innovative solution to existing models that would reduce water usage/wastage and provide a hygienically clean result. This was achieved by using high temperature steam as a cleaning agent which eliminates detergent use and nanotechnology for continual water filtration for reuse,” Alexandra said. “I wanted something that could be bought off the shelf like a microwave and all you had to do was take it home, find some bench space, plug it in and fill it with water.” She said.
Solar Water Purifier
Julie Frost’s water purifier design, Mvura is a household water purifier intended for use in developing countries such as Africa. Designed to be carried on the head the device can transport, purify, then store and dispense the water, reducing the risk of recontamination. This multi-function capability is possible because of the way it is designed. Solar energy is used in the purification pasteurisation process which requires the water to be heated to 65c. This is sufficient to kill all common bacteria. With its larger flat shape, the purifier maximises the potential surface area exposed to the sun rays combined with a minimum depth of water for the rays to pass through. It is insulated on the top by an air gap and on the bottom by a foam casing. Together these serve to create a product that takes less then two hours to heat 15 L of water to the required temperature. A wax melts at 65c to indicate that the water is pure. The purifier has a curved base which fits the profile of the head. The wide lip around the top gives the hand a good grip when lifting the container onto the head and handles incorporate into the band aid carrying. When the container is closed and filled with water, there will be no room for the water to ‘slosh’ about.
Grey Water Recycling System
Mandy Burns developed a Dual Wastewater Shower Diverter the consists of an interior grate which is located on the shower floor and allows residents to divert shower wastewater into separate locations through out their homes, for onsite grey water recycling, such as irrigation, laundry washing and toilet flushing.
Other Award finalists included : Wheeled Mobility for paraplegics who lived independently ; Medi-Vest ; Mardi; Water Pod; Kiss Tile (keep it simple solar tile); an ovarian cancer screening device; Mantra Kitesurfing Bar; and Insulaid.
“The Australian Design Award-Dyson Student Award is an incredible program that puts student talents under the spotlight and provides a bridge from academia to industry,” says Stephanie Watson, Manager of the Australian Design Awards. The students have produced some innovative products the incorporate sustainable design features and offer benefits to the end user.
http://www.wastestreams.com.au/
The 2006 Australian Design Award-Dyson Student Award winners were announced on 19th May 2006.
Among the top 12 finalists was a dishwasher uses less water than hand washing and no detergent and a device that is intended to provide a reliable supply of clean water in developing countries. Included in the 21 short listed finalists was a grey water recycling system designed to reduce household water consumption. The Gold award was won by University of New South Wales student Tricia Ho for her ergonomically designed violin; a silver award went to University of South Australia student, Liam Fudali for his Flex – an improved harmless design for self-contained breathing apparatus; and Julie Frost’s water purifier took out the bronze award.
Steam Dishwasher
The ‘Swash’ dishwasher, designed by University of Technology Sydney student Alexandra Gilmour, Combines nanotechnology and high temperature steam and is claimed to be the first sustainable, self-sufficient dishwashing solution that sterilizes and reduces water usage. The unit won’t need to be connected to mains water - it wi8ll use only 6 L of water stored in an internal reservoir to do its cleaning, The water will be filtered, purified and returned to the reservoir with minimal loss, so the same water can be reused several times before it has to be toped up. “My aim was to develop a new cleaning method an innovative solution to existing models that would reduce water usage/wastage and provide a hygienically clean result. This was achieved by using high temperature steam as a cleaning agent which eliminates detergent use and nanotechnology for continual water filtration for reuse,” Alexandra said. “I wanted something that could be bought off the shelf like a microwave and all you had to do was take it home, find some bench space, plug it in and fill it with water.” She said.
Solar Water Purifier
Julie Frost’s water purifier design, Mvura is a household water purifier intended for use in developing countries such as Africa. Designed to be carried on the head the device can transport, purify, then store and dispense the water, reducing the risk of recontamination. This multi-function capability is possible because of the way it is designed. Solar energy is used in the purification pasteurisation process which requires the water to be heated to 65c. This is sufficient to kill all common bacteria. With its larger flat shape, the purifier maximises the potential surface area exposed to the sun rays combined with a minimum depth of water for the rays to pass through. It is insulated on the top by an air gap and on the bottom by a foam casing. Together these serve to create a product that takes less then two hours to heat 15 L of water to the required temperature. A wax melts at 65c to indicate that the water is pure. The purifier has a curved base which fits the profile of the head. The wide lip around the top gives the hand a good grip when lifting the container onto the head and handles incorporate into the band aid carrying. When the container is closed and filled with water, there will be no room for the water to ‘slosh’ about.
Grey Water Recycling System
Mandy Burns developed a Dual Wastewater Shower Diverter the consists of an interior grate which is located on the shower floor and allows residents to divert shower wastewater into separate locations through out their homes, for onsite grey water recycling, such as irrigation, laundry washing and toilet flushing.
Other Award finalists included : Wheeled Mobility for paraplegics who lived independently ; Medi-Vest ; Mardi; Water Pod; Kiss Tile (keep it simple solar tile); an ovarian cancer screening device; Mantra Kitesurfing Bar; and Insulaid.
“The Australian Design Award-Dyson Student Award is an incredible program that puts student talents under the spotlight and provides a bridge from academia to industry,” says Stephanie Watson, Manager of the Australian Design Awards. The students have produced some innovative products the incorporate sustainable design features and offer benefits to the end user.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Drown-proof Tank
From Waste Streams June/July 2006
http://www.wastestreams.com.au/
Action talks' underwater tank design has a 152mm hole as it's largest entry point whereas the average tank on the market has an inspection hole of 400mm. The tank was designed to prevent drowning in the tank after an 11-month evaluation of every underground rainwater tank in Australia. The above-ground tanks are also drown-proofed with a strainer screwed in place, and under that is an internal flush diverter. If a child manages to kick a hole in the strainer, access to water is barred by the diverter.
http://www.wastestreams.com.au/
Action talks' underwater tank design has a 152mm hole as it's largest entry point whereas the average tank on the market has an inspection hole of 400mm. The tank was designed to prevent drowning in the tank after an 11-month evaluation of every underground rainwater tank in Australia. The above-ground tanks are also drown-proofed with a strainer screwed in place, and under that is an internal flush diverter. If a child manages to kick a hole in the strainer, access to water is barred by the diverter.
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