CAPABILITY STATEMENT

Ecologically Sustainable Land Management

NOOSA & DISTRICT LANDCARE GROUP INC PO Box 278, Pomona Qld 4568 ABN: 73 315 096 794 Tel : 07 5485 2468 Fax: 07 5485 0413 www.noosalandcare.org OFFICES

NURSERIES

Futures Centre Pavilion St Pomona Qld 4568

Resource Centre & Retail Nursery Station St Pomona Qld 4568

Wholesale Riparian Nursery Yurol Forest Drive Pomona Qld 4568

Wholesale Futures Centre Nursery Pavilion St Pomona Qld 4568

Profile of Organisation

Noosa and District Landcare is a dynamic, proactive organisation committed to achieving long term environmental outcomes in the Burnett, Mary and Sunshine Coast regions.

With 20 passionate staff and over 20 years experience in the field, we are able to provide a diverse range of products and services including ecosystem restoration, environmental offsets and native forest establishment. We cover all aspects of sustainable land management from the project proposal stage to on ground i m p l e m e n t a t i o n a n d p o s t implementation monitoring. Our strong environmental ethic and ability to deliver high quality results is widely recognised.

We also provide a wide range of education and training services including vocational and technical training and community awareness raising programs.

We work directly with landholders, local, state and federal government, private investors, schools, univers it ies, catchment care groups and the community.

Whilst operating primarily at a grass roots level, Noosa and District Landcare is increasingly making contributions at a strategic planning level on matters of state and national significance.

Since its inception in 1991, Noosa and District Landcare has been operating as a not for profit organisat ion. Surpluses f rom commercial activities are used to fund community programs and support group operations outside current funding arrangements.

OUR AIMS

To Promote the value, protection and rehabilitation of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve and Sunshine Coast Region

To Create productive and biodiverse landscapes capable of supporting future generations.

To Encourage the adoption of sustainable land-use and best management practices

To Assist in the preservation of water quality and ecosystem health in the region.

To Educate and raise awareness through community programs, workshops and traineeships

Products & Services

CONSULTANCY Property Visits Property Management Plans Ecological Restoration Plans Pest Management Plans

WEED CONTROL

Aquatic & Terrestrial weed identification

Integrated Pest Management

REVEGETATION Coastal rehabilitation Bushland regeneration Erosion control Wildlife corridors Riparian Buffers

NATIVE PLANT PROPAGATION & SALES 180 000 tubestock / year Over 130 species

WATER QUALITY TESTING

Phyiscal ,Chemical & Biological Indicators

Interpretation & Reporting Compliance

CARBON & ENVIRONMENTAL OFFSETS Site preparation Forest establishment Groundtruthing & verification Maintenance & Monitoring

COMMUNITY EDUCATION & TRAINING

Accredited courses

Technical & vocational Training

Community workshops

PROJECT COORDINATION & ADMINISTRATION

Applied Research

Community Liaison Project applications & Tenders

Projects

This series of riparian restoration projects began with the treatment of Camphor laurels along Cooroy Creek next to the Soccer Grounds. Noosa Council built on this initial work and extended the weed control program to declared and envi-ronmental weeds.

Another series of projects saw the pro-gressive revegetation and riparian buffer-ing of Cooroy Creek near the Soccer Grounds, Tennis Club, and Lower Mill site as part of the Cooroy Library develop-ment project. NDLG collaborated with landscape architects and council to se-lect species that would provide ecologi-cal values without detracting from the library precinct design concept.

Cooroy Soccer Grounds - June 2006

Cooroy Soccer Grounds - August 2008

COOROY CREEK RESTORATION FROM SOCCER GROUNDS TO LOWER MILL SITE

1998 - 2009

POMONA LANDFILL PHYTOREMEDIATION

1998 - 2009

This Environmental Transpiration Capping and Bioremediation project was a joint initiative between Noosa Council. Phyto-link, Central Queensland University and Noosa and District Landcare.

The staged phytoremediation began with slashing and ripping into the com-pacted, clay capped landfill site to 500 mm depth. Then 1200 kg of lime was ap-plied to neutralise the soil pH. 1200 plants were planted in stage 1, and 2000 plants in stage 2, followed by intensive mainte-nance over a 2 year period.

Monitoring of the site has revealed negli-gible leachates and the vegetation now provides an extended, self-maintaining, wildlife corridor adjacent to Six Mile Creek.

Projects

To fulfill Council’s prerequisite for a resi-dential subdivision, Noosa and District Landcare was contracted by landscape architects to conduct weed control and revegetate two hillslopes and one alluvial plain. The dominant ecosystem type was gallery rainforest / notophyll vine forest.

In total, 5 600 endemic tubestocks were planted, including 1,200 Lomandra at 75 cm spacings over a 240 m stretch of creek bank, and 4,400 local provenance tubestock at 2 m spacings.

Approximately 0.5 hectares of Lantana was mechanically removed before planting commenced, using a bobcat with a front mounted mulching unit. The pulverized Lantana was then redistrib-uted as mulch.

During site preparation, a great deal of care was taken to ensure that existing native species were retained and natural recruitment was encouraged. This im-proved the overall outcome by increas-ing both the structural and biodiversity values of the site. By the end of the two year maintenance period, the site had undergone an incredible transformation from a grassy site to a complex, stratified forest.

This project addressed creek condition at a local level and connectivity of areas of significant environmental value at a re-gional / landscape level.

Over 50,000 endemic trees were planted across five subcatchments of the upper Mary River Catchment. Phyllitic shales predominated the upper catchment with alluvial deposits in the lower catchment.

In total, 25 hectares of exotic, invasive plant species were eradicated; 11.2 kilo-metres of stream bank were rehabilitated; and 38 hectares of riparian vegetation were enhanced and / or rehabilitated.

Early detection and treatment of aquatic weed species occurred in two water courses and three dams.

16 voluntary conservation agreements were successfully negotiated.

Over 150 private landholders were en-gaged in active restoration of their prop-erties.

BLACK MOUNTAIN RANGE CATCHMENT PROJECT

2005—2008

NOOSA HILLS SUBDIVISION REVEGETATION PROJECT

2006 - 2008

Projects

The Noosa River generally has excellent water quality, however in 2005–06 ele-vated total nitrogen in the upper reaches resulted in a slight decrease in its ecosys-tem health grade. The aim of this pilot study was to provide catchment manag-ers with a plausible explanation for the presence of elevated nitrogen in Lake Cootharaba.

By bringing together local knowledge from the community and scientific exper-tise from research organisations, relative contributions of groundwater, surface inflows and within lake processes to whole system nitrogen budget were de-termined. Analyses of nutrient concentra-tions, thermotolerant coliforms and fae-col sterols in surface water and bore samples was coupled with sediment analyses, nutrient flux and settling rate simulation experiments. Results pointed to a combination of factors: inputs from sur-rounding subcatchments as well as a sig-nificant in-lake source of sediment nitro-gen that is resuspended by wind and waves.

In 2009, this project received the Healthy Waterways Community Award in recog-nition of its emphasis on community con-sultation.

This innovative trial was a joint undertak-ing by CSIRO and Noosa and District Landcare. The aim was to see if exclusion of all light for a period of 3 months would kill Cabomba caroliniana, both the vege-tative material and the root system, using 3 dams as field test sites. Complete shading was achieved by covering dams with black plastic.

The project also involved propagation of aquatic plants and reintroduction after shading, to recreate a diverse aquatic habitat.

The trial succeeded in causing a 95% re-duction in Cabomba and significant im-provements in water quality. The project demonstrated how short term shading can lead to long term eradication of Cabomba caroliniana infestations in small impoundments, which in turn elimi-nates the need for regular, costly control programs, such as harvesting and repeat herbicide applications over the long term.

This project received a Sunshine Coast Environment Council Froggie Award in 2008.

CABOMBA SHADING PROJECT APPLIED RESEARCH

2007 - 2008

LAKE COOTHARABA NITROGEN INVESTIGATION

2007 - 2009

Business Model

Management Committee George Kootoofa, Paul Steels, John Cronin, Craig O’Hara, Luke Barrowcliffe, Fiona Waterhouse,

Wayne Morris, Phil Moran

General Manager - Phillip Moran

Contracting Services Manager Paul Sprecher

Administration Manager Kim Maddison

Nursery Operations Manager Damien Morley

Field Crew:- Dylan D’Angio, Darrin Bar-don, Joel Morris, Trainee: Will Barker

Green Army Supervisors - Collin McDonald and Joseph Petrie

Nursery Staff:- Chelsea Greensill, Catrina Samson, Melvina Osbourne & up to 20 Volunteers

Retail Nursery Lynn Harm (Saturday only)

Administration Officer Chris Cadogan

Noosa Waterwatch Vanessa Moscato

Community Nature Conservation Program Nadia Joyce Anita Russell

GENERAL MANAGER

MANAGER ADMINISTRATION

MANAGER NRM OPERATIONS

MANAGER NURSERY OPERATIONS

MANAGER CONSULTING

SERVICES

MANAGEMENT TEAM

Team Member Profiles

Phillip Moran (Aquatic Macrophyte Trainer, Regional Ecosystem Assessor, Diploma in Conservation and Land Management, Cert IV Workplace Training and Assessment) is a respected local biodiversity expert and natural resource manager. With more than 30 years experience, he is trusted by private and public landholders to provide sound advice on conservation, property planning, regional ecosystem assessment, restoration and sustainable land management. He is an experienced environmental educator who has inspired many young project officers and scientists. He is also dedicated to supporting trainees, Work for the Dole / Community Jobs program participants and Greencorps / Green Army teams. Interstate, he is a trusted counselor for governments, researchers and catchment management authorities. He was selected to provide evidence on the proposed Traveston Dam to the Senate Select Committee and is the Current Vice Chair of National Aquatic Weeds Management Group. He has also established a Nature Refuge in Cooran.

Paul Sprecher (Diploma in Conservation and Land Management) has been employed since 2006 to jointly manage projects and contracts. He has over 17 years experience in the conservation industry and has a profound understanding of the complexities of natural ecosystems, human resources, legislative requirements and sustainable land management practices. What started as a passion for conservation led him to acquire and transform his rural Land For Wildlife property and he now aspires to achieve genuine long term environmental outcomes at a landscape scale. Damien Morley (BSc Hort iculture Technology) was initially employed in 2002 as the farm forestry nursery manager and has been managing all nursery production since 2008. He has also been responsible for managing the Contracting Services Arm since 2006. His strengths are in native plant identification and propagation.

Vanessa Moscato (BSc, PDC, Cert IV in Conservation and Land Management) is the Noosa Waterwatch Program Coordinator and consultant on water quality issues. Her passion lies in bridging the gap between scientific theory and common practice in all areas of environmental management.

Kim Maddison (Cert IV in Business Administration, Diploma in Conservation and Land Management, Cert IV in Workplace Assessment and Training) manages the accounts and administration department. Chris Cadogan has 25 years experience in securities banking and private business operations. Her multitude of skills are being put to use in the administration department. Nadia Joyce (Diploma in Conservation and Land Management) joined Noosa Landcare in 2006 as a trainee and is now a project manager and Community Nature Conservation Coordinator. Her areas of expertise are bushland restoration and regeneration. Chelsea Greensill (Chainsaw licence, ACDC, Cert III in Horticulture) has extensive knowledge of local plants and regeneration techniques. She started as a trainee in 2002, and has been working with the Conservation Services Team for over 5 years.

Anita Russell (BSc Marine Biology M Env. Mgt) joined Noosa Landcare in January 2010 as project officer with the Community Nature Conservation Program, Waterwatch and field work. Dylan D’angio (Chainsaw licence, ACDC, Cert III in Horticulture) has been working with the Conservation Services team for 5 years. Darren Bardon (Chainsaw licence, ACDC) brings his extensive experience with plantation establishment and management to the Conservation Services Team. Completing Cert III Horticulture. Joel Morris (Chainsaw licence, ACDC licence, Diploma Conservation and Land Management) has 4 years experience in the field as a Team Leader.

FIELD

Equipment & Resources

:

OFFICE

Trailers 3

2WD Vehicles 1

4WD Vehicles 9

Forestry demonstration plot 1

Wash Down Facilities 2

Shipping Containers 2

Backpack Spray Units 10

Quad Bike with Spray Unit 1

Quik Spray Units 3

Brushcutters 9

Water Tanks (600L) 2

Chainsaws 6

Fire Fighter Pumps 3

First Aid Kits 12

Self Propelled Mower 1

Hydraulic Loppers 1

Water Quality Multi Probes 4

Soil Test Kit 1

Rapid Spray Unit 1

Aqua Spears 1

Conference & Meeting Facilities

Computers

ArcView & MapInfo GIS

Overhead Projector

Digital Cameras

GPS

Printer / Copier / Scanner

Resource Library (over 1000 publications)

Industry Partners

Australian Government

Burnett Mary Regional Group

CSIRO

DEEDI

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Department of Main Roads

DERM

DPI Biosecurity Qld

Ecofund

Energex Ltd

Fauna and Flora International

Maroochy Landcare

Mary River Catchment Coordination Association

National Aquatic Weeds Management Group

Noosa Biosphere Limiited

Noosa Integrated Catchment Association

Noosa Parks Association

NSW DPI

Richmond Birdwing Recovery Network

SEQ Catchments Ltd

SEQ Healthy Waterways Partnership

SEQ Water

Silver Lining Foundation

Sunshine Coast Environment Council

Sunshine Coast Regional Council

The University of Queensland

University of the Sunshine Coast

“In the fields of restoration of biodiversity , sustainability and natural resource management Noosa Landcare is knowledgeable and professional. They also provide good value for money for Council.” Geoff Black, Conservation Management Supervisor, Sunshine Coast Regional Council

“Their professional attitude, enthusiasm and knowledge about the local area was definitely an advantage for this important project. I can recommend Noosa Landcare for any revegetation works where a high standard is required, with their communication and flexibility during the construction phase being an important part of the successful outcome.”

Jeff Sayers, Landscape Architect, Element Design, Mooloolaba

“Noosa Landcare are highly regarded region wide for their strong financial management skills as a community group, successful liaison with all levels of government and a high capacity to deliver a wide range of NRM outcomes.”

David Brown, CEO, Burnett Mary Regional Group, Bundaberg

Noosa and District Landcare Group Inc PO Box 278 Pomona Qld 4568 Tel: 07 5485 2468 www.noosalandcare.org ABN: 73 315 096 794

To view a current list of plants go to www.noosalandcare.org and click on Native Plant Sales. Orders for tube stock can be made by emailing admin@noosalandcare.org