EnviroMatters-Aut-Win-2021_WEB

Autumn/Winter 2021

TOP BUSHWALKS in Ipswich

Ephemeral ARTWORK

Ipswich.qld.gov.au

Hepburn L Gone Fishing Armstrong Park

5 APPS TO DOWNLOAD for a cleaner, greener, pristine Ipswich

Ipswich Bin app Never miss your bin day again, tips for sorting waste and information about events and services in your area.

Naeus Helping you unearth and explore ecosystems in local parklands and conservation estates.

QuestaGame Head outdoors and snap photos of plants and animals in the wild to level up, earn gold and challenge other players.

My Ipswich Alerts Free weather alerts for residents of the Ipswich local government area.

1 Million Women Reduce your environmental

impact with tips and challenges, exploring

topics such as food waste, energy consumption and lifestyle choices.

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What’s in this issue 4 Food scraps in the green bin 3 reasons it’s cool to compost

Volunteer with value There’s something for everyone when it comes to environmental volunteering with council.

5 Finding joy in the small things Be involved

Sharing local information with visitors at the Queens Park Environmental Education Centre. Planting and maintenance at Bushcare sites across the city. Feeding, cleaning and other animal care work at the Queens Park Nature Centre. Callum has been volunteering at the Environmental Education Centre since late 2020, as a way to share his love of ecology and knowledge from his Bachelor of Science. He said his favourite part of the centre was the mural that showed different habitats in Ipswich. Many visitors didn’t realise the native plants and animals found here. “If you know what you are looking for, there are an incredible array of plants and animals that you can find in Ipswich,” he said. Visit Ipswich.qld.gov.au/volunteering to find volunteering opportunities.

6 Celebrating 25 years of conservation achievements

8 Try out the right track for you

9 Teamwork that saves lives in our natural areas

10 Insight to the local ecosystem

11 For the love of nature See it, report it, stop it

12 What’s On

14 Kids’ Corner

16 At your library

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Each year Ipswich households waste food equivalent to the weight of more than 100 Boeing C-17 Globemaster aircraft – compostable waste that could easily be diverted from landfill. More than 350 people responded to the ‘Reducing Our Waste’ survey in late 2020. While half said they knew they could put food scraps in the green waste bin, only a quarter said they actually did so. The average Ipswich household creates about 1 tonne of landfill each year. By 2025, Ipswich needs to divert 55 per cent of our city’s waste from landfill. Visit Shapeyouripswich.com.au/materials- recovery-plan to find out how Ipswich is planning to reduce waste to landfill Find out exactly what can go in your green waste bin by searching ‘green waste’ at Ipswich.qld.gov.au For more info on food in green waste, talk to the team at the Ipswich Show 14–16 May. Queensland to provide a green waste kerbside service that accepts food scraps. DID YOU KNOW? Ipswich is the first – and only – council in

REASONS TO CONSIDER COMPOSTING

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Compostable material in our landfills causes more than 3 per cent of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions each year. Using compost on land reduces the need for water by an average of 30 per cent and greatly improves soil quality. Composting is easy! Council has a video and guide to help you get started. Visit Ipswich.qld.gov.au/sustainability for the video ‘composting 3 ways‘ or search for the ‘composting and worm farm guide’. 2 3

It’s International Compost Awareness Week from 2–8 May!

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BEFORE

AFTER

Finding joy in the small things When I bought my home in 2017, it was in direct response to family tragedy. At the time I had no experience with gardening and no great inclination to do much with a yard that was predominantly grass.

By Habitat Gardens member Tamerah Long

medium trees and planted a number of flowering bushes, some of which I inherited. I’ve taken down a twisted Norfolk Island pine and replaced it with a Brachychiton (Bella Donna I think) which seem to do well in Ipswich. I’ve also created several enormous beds that now need to be filled. Thankfully, I stumbled across the Habitat Gardens Program before I got too far. Based on lessons learnt at the first workshop, I now intend to add ponds for frogs, homes for insects and foliage for little birds. The future is looking beautiful.

I saw a very timely episode on Gardening Australia about Australian native cottage gardens. The haphazard beauty of it appealed immensely. I started small, with a 1.5m garden bed. I experimented with soil (clay) improvement. I got used to the frustration of losing plants I thought were doing well. What started out as a simple distraction turned into a process I found comfort in. The plan now is to bring the small joys of local wildlife straight to my door. Today, much of the grass is gone. I’ve added about 15 small to

As grief settled in I turned to the garden for physical distraction and a plan slowly developed. Initially I wanted a cottage garden full of flowers. I planted what I thought was pretty. They struggled or died. Then I planted what I thought was tough. Some survived, many died. Frustrated, I left it for a while and spent time elsewhere, in other gardens or parks. My world focused in on the small joys. The buzz of bees, the flutter of butterflies. The quick darting movement of lizards and twitter of tiny birds. These things were rare in my yard.

BE INVOLVED Whether you have a small suburban backyard or large rural property, you can help improve the environment through

Land for Wildlife and Habitat Gardens partnerships are open for applications now. New partnership types – Biodiversity and Corridor Conservation Agreements, and Voluntary Conservation Covenants – open for applications in July 2021. Find out more at Ipswich.qld.gov.au or call (07) 3810 6666.

the Enviroplan – funded Landholder Conservation Partnership Program.

Voluntary

Landholder Conservation Partnerships Program

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25 years of

1777ha purchased

563ha purchased

281ha purchased

44ha purchased

Enviroplan LAUNCHED

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2004

2006

2008

2009

1750ha purchased

2ha purchased

18ha purchased

First acquisition at PURGA

TIMELINE

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In 1996 a new initiative was launched to protect important conservation areas across Ipswich. It was called Ipswich Enviroplan, and in 25 years it has turned a few scattered conservation parks into an impressive significant parcels of land surrounding White Rock, creating the ‘green lungs’ partner with council to increase the environmental and conservation values of their land.

of White Rock – Spring Mountain Conservation Estate. Today, the suburbs surrounding the estate are the fastest growing development areas in Ipswich. Enviroplan conservation estates and reserves now stretch from Pine Mountain in the north, through to Grandchester in the south. The network also includes thousands of hectares of private properties who

network of estates supporting biodiversity for the whole region. While other councils have also used ‘green levies’ to manage bushland areas, Ipswich Enviroplan was important as – unlike other councils – Ipswich had no state forests or national parks within its boundary. It was with foresight that Ipswich Enviroplan was used to purchase

Maintenance such as weed control and visitor tracks, vital research such as flora and fauna studies and education and awareness programs are important elements of Ipswich Enviroplan that ensure we create an environment that we and future generations can be proud of. Ipswich.qld.gov.au/enviroplan

Image 1-2: Council flora and fauna surveys record rare and threatened species, such as the endangered Flinders Plum (Planchonella eerwah). Image 3: Removing weeds such as lantana is an important and ongoing aspect of managing council’s conservation estates. Image 4: The most recent Enviroplan acquisition of 67 ha at Woolshed has improved a crucial section of Mount Grandchester Conservation Estate.

Each Ipswich household pays $45 per year to the Enviroplan on their rates. On average: $13.95 helps buy Ipswich land for conservation $4.50 goes towards supporting community initiatives and education $7.65 aids citywide conservation planning and research $18.90 pays for managing and improving Ipswich’s natural areas. WHERE DOES YOUR MONEY GO?

263ha purchased

248ha purchased

67ha purchased

d

2010

2011

2012

2013

2017

2020

588ha purchased

180ha purchased

144ha purchased

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Try the right track for you Whether you are taking the family for a stroll or seeking some adrenalin-charged adventure, Ipswich’s conservation estates and reserves have a range of great options.

Ipswich Enviroplan funds nature-based recreation trails and facilities in conservation estates and reserves.

EXPERT

MODERATE

EASY

WATER TOWER CIRCUIT Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve Shaded sealed pathways lead through native bushland to the water tower, which provides views across Ipswich and four mountain ranges.

YADDAMUN TRAIL White Rock – Spring Mountain Conservation Estate

FLINDERS PEAK HIKING TRACK Flinders - Goolman Conservation Estate (via Flinders Plum)

With some steep inclines and rough surfaces, make sure you are prepared for this 19km return walk. The trail is also open to mountain bikes and horse riders.

Experienced walkers should allow a full day to reach the summit and return safely. It has steep inclines, cliff edges and limited signage.

WILLY WAGTAIL CIRCUIT Haig Street Quarry Bushland Reserve The sealed trail meanders through the native forest. One end connects to a playground and BBQ area, great for young families.

LEWIS THOMAS HISTORICAL TRAIL Castle Hill Blackstone Reserve

FLINDERS GOOLMAN TRAIL Flinders – Goolman Conservation Estate (via Hardings Paddock) Advanced mountain bike riders can tackle this very difficult trail, which is 19km one way. Horse riders can also do part of the track.

This must-do trail meanders through the mining history of the site. There are still open mine tunnels, hand- dug shafts and cracks that emit heat from underground coal fires.

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Teamwork that saves lives in our natural areas

It takes physical and mental fortitude to rescue someone from remote or rugged terrain. Thankfully Ipswich has volunteers in the State Emergency Service (SES) who are trained and ready to assist this difficult task. Ipswich Local Controller Emilea Salonen said two of Ipswich’s most popular hiking destinations – Flinders Peak and White Rock – provided the most frequent calls for extraction. The SES work with agencies such as Police or Ambulance in finding bushwalkers. It can be a challenging task, with volunteers needing the physical ability to cover difficult terrain while potentially carrying a stretcher and patient, first aid kit and other supplies.

“Aside from being physically able to do the task, we need members to be mentally prepared to face the task, and to work well as a team,” Ms Salonen said. “All the technical training in the world would be pointless without a team that is willing and able to work together for a common goal. In the SES, it all starts and ends with team work. “Training for an extraction can be quite intensive. Skills we need in these situations can include land search principles, maps and navigation, first aid, communications and even four wheel drive training.” For SES assistance call 132 500 – but remember to call 000 first in a life-threatening emergency.

Top tip for bushwalking safely – be prepared: � Research your trails and expected hike times � Ensure someone knows where you are and your expected return time � Take sufficient water and food

� Take a first aid kit � Check the weather before you go out � Have some way to stay in contact � Stay on the tracks.

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Insight to the local ecosystem Tallegalla Land for Wildlife member Mick Drews finds the iNaturalist app is an opportunity to better understand the natural world at his doorstep.

Notarcha aurolinealis Pearl Moth Mick Drews

Cantharidae Soldier Beetles Mick Drews

Myzomela sanguinolenta - Scarlet Honeyeater - Mick Drews

Cincloramphus timoriensis Tawny Grassbird Mick Drews

Edosa xystidophora Fungus Moth Mick Drews

Dendrobium linguiforme Tongue Orchid Mick Drews

There is much more for me to know, but iNaturalist has helped me make new connections and given me insights into branches of the taxonomical tree that were previously a mystery. I didn’t even know I was interested in some of them. Download iNaturalist from your app store.

I find it rewarding to help out others with that bit of knowledge I have picked up. It is a place for all those hundreds of photos I have taken over the years, and they may be a valuable scientific reference (far better than stuck on my hard drive, unseen by anyone). Making connections with people who share my interests, some are quite nearby too. I even found a gastropod guy. I never knew moths were so interesting. There is the usual good natured and respectful debate regarding identifications and taxonomy.

The ecosystems present on Land for Wildlife properties are fascinating. I enjoy observing the diversity of plants, insects, birds and animals that share my home. They change with the seasons, sometimes they are abundant, at other times they can’t be found. Somehow they all fit together and I estimate that I don’t understand a fraction of what is going on. Earlier this year the Land for Wildlife people from Ipswich City Council introduced me to iNaturalist. The opportunities to fill some knowledge gaps were immediately obvious.

APRIL IS CITIZEN SCIENCE MONTH Citizen science is public participation in the collection and analysis of scientific data in relation to the natural world.

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For the love of nature

Some people do things in natural areas which threaten the safety of the community and native wildlife and harm the environment and sites of cultural importance.

But council needs your help! Nature recreation visitors reporting problem behaviour is important for council to collect the information it needs to make our natural areas safer.

Unauthorised trailbike and 4WD access, vandalism, littering or bringing dogs into wildlife conservation areas are some activities that cause harm. Council works with Police to support the safe enjoyment of our natural areas, and can take a range of actions to improve safety of particular areas.

If you see problem behaviour, report it – visit Myipswich.com or call (07) 3810 6666.

See it, report it, stop it Littering and dumping not only makes our city and natural areas look dirty and uncared for, it can

also have significant adverse health, safety, financial and environmental impacts. If you see littering or illegal dumping, please report it so that we can stop it. You can lodge a complaint by searching for the Complaints Webpage at Ipswich.qld.gov.au or calling council on (07) 3810 6666.

CALENDAR WHAT’S ON Want to get outdoors and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of our environment? Here’s a selection of ideas.

COMMUNITY Clean Up Australia Day 7 March 2021

Join a clean-up site, or register your own, for this annual event to clean up our environment. The community, businesses and schools can all play an important role! Cleanup.org.au

Peaks to Points Festival 17 July – 1 August 2021 This 16-day event has dozens of activities celebrating environmental efforts south of the Brisbane River. The program includes

fantastic Ipswich events. Peakstopoints.com.au

Venture All year

FOR KIDS Little Day Out 18 July 2021

The 2021 Venture series encourages adventure enthusiasts to head to Ipswich for cycling, mountain biking and trail running, as well as family

The region’s first contemporary music and arts festival for the young and young at heart, with a focus on fun and sustainability. FACEBOOK-SQUARE @IpswichFestivals

OUTDOOR

friendly outdoor events. Ipswichfestivals.com.au

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THERE’S A DAY FOR THAT ?!

OUTDOORS Pedal power 4 June 2021 Mountain biking is a popular activity in Ipswich’s natural estates and reserves. Why not try one out for World Bicycle Day.

FESTIVAL

World Wildlife Day 3 March

AT HOME Lights out 27 March 2021

Simply switch off your lights to be part of a global movement with Earth Hour. You can register at Earthhour.org.au

International Day of Happiness 20 March

COMMUNITY Get into grants April 2021 The next round of council’s

Global Wind Day 15 June

Environment and Sustainability Grants open in April to help local groups and individuals make a difference. See Ipswich.qld.gov.au/funding

World Population Day 11 July

National Tree Day 1 August 2021

Plant a tree and help the environment in Ipswich. You can take part at home, or create or connect to a registered event. Treeday.planetark.org

COMMUNITY

EnviroForum August 2021

Expert guest speakers share their knowledge and insight to important environmental topics facing Ipswich and beyond. Stay tuned for the 2021 program! Ipswich.qld.gov.au/enviroforum

OUTDOOR

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CORNER

DID YOU KNOW?

Ipswich schools can claim up to 100 free plants in a year through council’s Free Plant Program!

Free plants for schools Beautify your school grounds while increasing natural habitat for native species. A whole range of native plants, from groundcovers through to trees, are available through the council nursery. Visit Ipswich.qld.gov.au/freeplants to use the online application. Once approved, collect the plants and get started with planting! If you need help selecting plant species, council’s helpful Nursery staff can provide advice. The Queens Park Nursery is open limited hours Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Schools can also apply for Environment and Sustainability Community Funding, which has grants up to $2,000 to support local environmental sustainability initiatives.

Art that’s NOT made to last!

Be inspired by the natural and found materials around you to create masterpieces. Ephemeral art is a temporary creation, made of natural or found objects, arranged on paper, board or in nature itself. Forage in your garden for leaves, seeds, stones, sticks, bark. Raid your house or classroom

for materials such as recycled household items, paper, fabric and more.

What patterns or designs can you create?

How can you use the different textures, shapes and colours of the materials? Remember to capture an image of your creation – as ephemeral art is not made to last!

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Take the Conservation Quiz! Test your knowledge of the natural environment for World Environment Day (5 June). Find the answers on the back page.

5 ‘Eutrophication’ happens when... square-full Water has too many nutrients and too little oxygen

1

What type of wallaby lives on the cliffs of Flinders Peak? square-full Swamp Wallaby square-full Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby square-full Red-necked Wallaby

square-full A tree branch withers and falls off square-full Rocks are formed by cooling magma

2 How does the weed Lantana affect conservation areas? square-full It forms a dense thicket that smothers habitat

6

In which conservation reserve can you find the critically endangered vegetation community Swamp Tea Tree? square-full Denmark Hill square-full Haig Street Quarry square-full Purga Nature Reserve

square-full It can increase the intensity of bushfires square-full It releases chemicals into the soil to prevent other plants from germinating square-full All of the above

3 What noise does a Glossy Black-cockatoo make? square-full A loud squawk square-full Soft calls square-full ‘Hello Polly’!

7 A platypus...

square-full Is an egg-laying mammal square-full Can dive underwater for 30 seconds square-full Uses electroreception to find food square-full All of the above

8 In May 2020, how many people passed through the Paperbark Flats Picnic Area of White Rock – Spring Mountain Conservation Estate? square-full 13,400 square-full 134,000 square-full 134

4 Can you take your dog into a conservation area in Ipswich? square-full Yes square-full Yes if you stay on the trails and keep your dog leashed square-full No

Did you know?... The pink nodding orchid Geodorum densiflorum is a very pretty - but also very tough - local flower. It lives in hostile, arid conditions. In winter it is dormant underground, but in summer, the strappy leaves and delicate pink blooms emerge. You can find the pink nodding orchid in White Rock – Spring Mountain Conservation Estate.

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LIBRARY AT YOUR

How to talk about climate change in a way that makes a difference Rebecca Huntley 2020

An almost zero waste life: learning how to embrace less to live more Megean Weldon 2020

Something for everyone...

Building a resilient

A life on our planet: my witness statement and vision for the future David Attenborough 2020

tomorrow: how to prepare for the coming climate

disruption Alice C. Hill

FOR CHILDREN

and Leonardo Martinez-Diaz 2020

A hollow is a home Abbie Mitchell 2019

Have you visited your local library? There’s something for everyone at the Ipswich Libraries. Check out the line-up of events and activities at Ipswichlibraries.com.au

Ipswich Central Library Nicholas Street Precinct, Ipswich Interim Children’s Library

NEW IPSWICH CENTRAL LIBRARY OPEN NOW

40 South Street, Ipswich Redbank Plains Library Moreton Avenue, Redbank Plains Redbank Plaza Library Redbank Plaza Shopping Centre, 1 Collingwood Drive, Redbank Rosewood Library Corner John and Railway streets, Rosewood Springfield Central Library Cnr Main Street and Sirius Drive, Orion Springfield Central

6. Purga Nature Reserve; 7. All of the above; 8. 13,400

Quiz answers: 1. Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby; 2. All of the above; 3. Soft calls; 4. No; 5. Water has too many nutrients and too little oxygen;

By using EcoStar Offset to produce 3,000 copies of this newsletter, rather than a non-recycled paper, the environmental impact was reduced by:

147 kg of landfill 4,311 litres of water

253 kWh of energy

Ipswich City Council PO Box 191, Ipswich QLD 4305, Australia Phone (07) 3810 6666 Fax (07) 3810 6731 council@ipswich.qld.gov.au Ipswich.qld.gov.au

217 km travel in average European car

239 kg of wood

21 kg of CO

2 and greenhouse gases

Source: Carbon Footprint data is calculated by the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Management in partnership with The CarbonNeutral Company and the Environmental Paper Network. Calculations are based on a comparison between recycled paper versus virgin fibre paper produced at the same mill and on the latest European BREF data (virgin fibre paper) available. Results are obtained according to technical information and subject to change.

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