Port Curtis Waterwatch Achievements 2004 – 2005

Port Curtis Waterwatch, in association with the Port Curtis Catchment Working Group, the Fitzroy Basin Association, and our numerous corporate sponsors has achieved a wide variety of outcomes in the 2004-5 financial year.
We held 25 monitoring workshops, covering 11 primary schools and 2 high schools. We also gained funding through the Department for Natural Resources and Mines Resource Week grants to hold a special workshop just for teachers. Other community sectors covered were a workshop with the Girl Guides, and continued involvement in the 3 day Science Challenge: an intensive workshop with Year 11 students, which involved water testing along Tigalee Creek.
Our annual poster competition gained 486 entries from 10 local primary schools, and with corporate sponsorship we were able to use the winning artwork to create 1536 calendars which were distributed to the local community and proved as popular as ever. A presentation ceremony was held in Water Week with the mayors of Gladstone and Calliope Shire in attendance to hand out certificates and prizes. 11 of the 13 winning students attended.
A Catchment Crawl through the Calliope catchment was held on 17 October to mark the start of Water Week. 20 people attended. Thanks to Conservation Volunteers Australia for the loan of buses and drivers.
Toadbusters had its most successful season ever with 119 individual volunteers attending 13 sessions in which a total of 4785 adult toads were removed from two urban breeding areas in Gladstone. Each session recorded an enviable average of 23 volunteers, showing that the program is well supported in the local community.
We also held our usual displays at Ecofest (World Environment Day) and at Stocklands Kin Kora (Water Week) and produced 4 issues (400 copies) of our Wriggly Rag newsletter. All in all, a very productive 12 months!

International News

FRANCE has issued WATER RATIONING to more than half the country following the worst drought in nearly 30 years. Water restrictions, including bans on filling swimming pools, car washing and crop irrigation have now been imposed in 50 of mainland France's 96 departments with teams of water police able to impose fines of up to 1,500 euros. See http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=10258&channel=4
for more information on this story.

Just Add Water

A final reminder for the 'JUST ADD WATER' exhibition running until the end of this month in Canberra at the National Archives of Australia. Just Add Water tells stories of Australians and our relations with water. Education resources available online at http://www.naa.gov.au/Exhibitions/just_add_water/jaw.html

Aquatic Invaders

Check out www.dpi.qld.gov.au/kids/
and go to “aquatic invaders” for great educational resources about feral fish species in Australia. Aquatic invader posters and brochures are available from Port Curtis Waterwatch, or directly through the Department of Primary Industries.

Cane Toad Research

The Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines has budgeted
$1 million over three years for the Invasive Animal Cooperative Research Centre to develop a cane-toad-
specific toxin bait to limit the spread of cane toads and reduce their environmental and social impacts across Queensland.

Hunt on for Siam weed

A national survey is commencing for one of the worlds most invasive tropical weeds: Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata). The Department of Natural Resources and Mines (NR&M), with the support of a number of others states and the government agencies is coordinating a pest plant survey to establish the extent of Siam weed within Australia.
Siam weed infestations exist in several north Queensland locations, these infestations are being eradicated.
May to July is an important time for people to be on the look out for Siam weeds white-pink flowers. Landholders, bushwalkers, and naturalists are asked to help search for Siam weed.
Check out www.weeds.org.au

Poster Competition

Entries have now closed for the Poster Competition, with more than 600 entries received. Congratulations to Gladstone West School, who sent in over 300 entries. Well done! Judging of entries will commence shortly.