7/27/2019 SEQ Catchments Aboriginal Catching Up Newsletter 2013

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INTRODUCTION 

Hi, my name is Vanessa Hounsell, Traditional Owner & Indigenous Engagement Support Officer for SEQ Catchments

(SEQC).

Welcome to the very first Aboriginal NRM Newsletter. The stories and news that will be compiled in these newsletters

will vary but will mainly be focussed on some of the current and future natural resource management activities for the

South East Queensland region. This newsletter aims to update and share information with all Traditional Owners &

Indigenous people involved or interested in natural resource management in this region. 

The South East Queensland region covers an area of approximately 23,000 square kilometres stretching from Noosa in

the north to the Gold Coast in the south and west to the Great Dividing Range.

I hope you enjoy this edition. Feedback is encouraged and very welcome.

BUNYA ABORIGINAL CORPORATION WINS AWARD 

SEQ Catchments congratulates the Bunya Bunya Corporation for winning the Caring for Country Award at the recent

NAIDOC awards held in Hobart.

Bunya Bunya Country Aboriginal Corporation is a small group started by Traditional Owners that has been involved inrejuvenation work on Biodiversity hot spot, Bli Bli for the last eight years.

The main concerns for the site include extensive land clearing and river bank erosion which means the loss of 

mangroves, fish, mammal and bird habitat and greater sedimentation of the Maroochy River Estuary.

One inspiring project has been the rehabilitation of the mangrove on the Maroochy Estuary to benefit fish habitat and

bank stabilisation. As well as providing consistent and rewarding employment, the shared love for fishing between the

Kabi Kabi people, canefarmers and landowners has made this a very successful project.

The Bli Bli landscape has been a challenge for resource management, but the dedication of Bunya Bunya Country

 Aboriginal Corporation and their partners, which includes SEQ Catchments, has seen positive changes for the waters,

the wildlife and the people of the area.

NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2012 

Catching Up

Photo: Jagera Daran

7/27/2019 SEQ Catchments Aboriginal Catching Up Newsletter 2013

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SEQ Catchments Office— Brisbane

LEVEL 2, 183 NORTH QUAY, Brisbane 4000

Ph: 3211 4404 Fax: 3211 4405

Vanessa Hounsell

Traditional Owner & Indigenous Engagement Support Officer 

E : vhounsell@seqcatchments.com.au M: 0437 645 127

www.seqcatchments.com.au

TRADITIONAL OWNER AND INDIGENOUS PROJECT SUPPORT GRANTS 2012-13 

SEQ Catchments are seeking expressions of interest for natural resource management projects which are led by or 

involve Indigenous participation. Projects of between $2000 and $40,000 will be considered. Please note that the

total funding bucket is $40,000 for 2012-13, and projects must be complete and reported on before June 20 th 

2013.

Projects need to address the goals below to be eligible:

· Led by or involve indigenous participation and appropriately account for any cultural heritage concerns

· Focused on natural resource management (NRM)  – i.e. caring for country.

Interested individuals, community groups/organisations and landholders can submit a brief Expression of Interest

(EOI) describing the project concept, approximate budget and any other pertinent details to Vanessa Hounsell by

5pm on Monday the 7th of January 2013.

Please call or email me for an EOI form, or if you have any questions or require assistance.

MYORA SPRING MARINE DEBRIS CLEAN UP 

Healthy Waterways in partnership with SEQ Catchments recently held a marine debris clean up at Myora Springs,

North Stradbroke Island. The clean up was also supported by the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal

Corporation (QYAC), and the Quandamooka Rangers from the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport

and Racing. Local community members and Quandamooka Elders also attended the clean up.

Myora Springs is of particular cultural significance to the Quandamooka people, and is also a declared fish habitat

area. Myora Springs is known to be essential habitat for the vulnerable Xeromys myoides (water mouse) and the

endangered Phaius australis (swamp orchid).

In addition to the clean up, the day was also a chance to discuss future plans for the area. The site receives heavy

visitation, and human traffic has unintentionally caused erosion and damaged vegetation. Infestations of weedspecies such as lantana, Singapore daisy and umbrella trees are also present and impacting on the habitat values

and ecosystem function of the springs.

Future works for the area include weed control and mitigation of visitor impacts through the design and construction

of a viewing platform. At the moment, temporary fencing is in place to reduce visitor access to the area, until a

more permanent solution is in place.

Funding for the clean up was provided by the Federal Government, through the Caring for our Country program.