EnviroMatters Magazine Spr-Sum 2024-25

Environment MATTERS Spring/Summer 2024–2025

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How to read the WEATHER Two worlds collide UNDERWATER Sustainable FASHION – a perfect fit!

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Image: Rainbow lorikeet in Golden penda by Judy Lucas

2 | Environment Matters

MAYOR’S MESSAGE Sustainable Ipswich is a highlight of the calendar each October. It celebrates actions we can take as individuals, and a community, for a cleaner, greener Ipswich. Council is making progress in this space, from introducing the on-demand FLEXiSKiP service to designing state-of-the-art resource recovery centres. We all have a role in creating a more sustainable city – join us! Mayor Teresa Harding City of Ipswich Koala hospital records show that more than 300 koalas are killed on the roads in South-East Queensland each year. Many more deaths are likely to go unreported. Slow down when you see a wildlife or koala sign I’M OUT & ABOUT LOOKING FOR LOVE It’s breeding season Please watch out for koalas when driving

CHAIR’S MESSAGE Warmer weather is a peak time for wild animal activity. Whether it has fur, feather or scales it’s likely on the move. Most of this activity is seasonal, from the influx of ‘little red’ flying foxes at local roosts, to the increased swooping behaviours of breeding birds. Stay alert for wildlife, particularly on our roads at times such as dawn and dusk. Cr Jim Madden Environment and Sustainability Chairperson Sign up at Ipswich.qld.gov.au/subscribe WANT TO RECEIVE ENVIRONMENT MATTERS NEWS DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX?

Report injured or dead koalas on the roadside Keep a wildlife rescue kit in your boot.

I’M OUT & ABOUT LOOKING FOR LOVE It’s breeding season

Find out more at Wildlife Watcher I’M OUT & ABOUT LOOKING FOR LOVE It’s breeding season

Please watch out for koalas when driving

Please watch out for koalas when driving

Have you spotted a koala crossing the road? Scan for ways you can help.

What’s in this issue 4 Recycling top 5 Have you booked your free FLEXiSKiP?

Sustainable Ipswich 5

Biodiversity 6

5 Big love for pre-loved at Quibble Market

6 Heat stress in flying foxes

Profile 11

7 Where underwater worlds collide

8 Tips for reading your rain forecast

Kids corner 15

9 Warm welcome builds volunteer diversity

10 Enviroplan protects koala habitat We’re going on a Bioblitz

11 Family collaboration doubles riverbank restoration

Calendar 13

12 What’s On

At your library 16

14 Kids Corner

– Eye-opening world of waterbugs – How to do Halloween the sustainable way

16 At your library

CREATURE FEATURE Screeching and chattering Rainbow lorikeets ( Trichoglossus moluccanus ) are a familiar sound of summer. Unmistakable with their bright red beak and colourful plumage, they are often seen in loud and fast-moving flocks. As pets they can live up to 25 years, but in the wild their lifespan is about 10 years. In summer you may come across a Rainbow lorikeet suffering from lorikeet paralysis syndrome. It is not known what causes the disease. In 2023 more than 3,000 lorikeets with the disease were cared for by the RSPCA wildlife team. If you find a sick or paralysed lorikeet it is important to call RSPCA’s hotline 1300 264 625.

Recycling TOP 5

4 | Environment Matters

S S

HERE ARE THE TOP 5 ITEMS THAT CAN GO IN YOUR RECYCLING BIN: METAL PLASTIC 5 RECYCLE G L A PAPER

CARDBOARD

IT CAN BE HARD SOMETIMES TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT GOES IN YOUR YELLOW LID RECYCLING BIN.

HERE ARE THE TOP 5 ITEMS CONTAMINATING RECYCLING BINS:

1 Soft plastics 2 Food waste 3 Garden waste 4 Disposable nappies 5 Textiles

1 Glass jars and bottles 2 Aluminium and steel cans and tins 3 Plastic bottles and containers 4 Cardboard boxes 5 Paper including magazines

It might seem convenient to bundle your recycling into a plastic bag – but that will end up going straight to landfill. Keep your recycling loose and make sure no soft plastics such as plastic bags end up in there. Learn more: Ipswich.qld.gov.au/recycling

REMEMBER TO KEEP IT LOOSE!

HAVE YOU BOOKED YOUR FREE FLEXiSKiP ?

Ipswich households can book a free large item kerbside collection each year with FLEXiSKiP. FLEXiSKiP is a heavy duty, 2 cubic metre skip bag. It’s big enough to fit couches, mattresses, washing machine, bikes and other large items. With this on-demand model a minimum of 50 per cent of materials collected will be recovered from landfill, and with the new bagged system there will be less chance of litter and debris left on the kerbside.

IT’S EASY TO DO: 1. Set up an online account 2. Book a bag for delivery (will arrive within 10 business days) 3. Fill the bag with your unwanted large items 4. Book a collection.

For more information visit Ipswich.qld.gov.au/kerbside or call (07) 3130 0412.

Peta Meek had always been a savvy sustainable shopper, scouring car boot sales and pre-loved markets for fashion and household items. But the Ipswich local was constantly having to drive to Brisbane for pre-loved markets, so she decided to start her own. Quibble Market launched in April 2023 with 15 stalls in South Ripley. The community response was immediate and exceptional – within 12 months it had outgrown two venues, to eventually land at Ipswich Showgrounds with 50 stalls and about 2,000 people coming through the doors. The popular event also has pop-ups, including at the Ipswich Sustainable Living Festival. Big love for pre-loved at Quibble Market

Environment Matters | 5

Peta said anyone in the community could book a Quibble Market stall to sell their quality pre-loved clothing, accessories and other household items. ‘It’s a way for people to put money back in their own pocket,’ Peta said. ‘With the rise in scamming online it can be hard to know who is a genuine buyer or seller. People are resorting to old school markets where you have real-time buyers.’ Peta said the range of items went far beyond clothing, with everything from hats to high chairs, books to bedspreads.

This annual feast of sustainable living returns with exiting ways to be involved! 10 September : Youth Sustainability Summit 6 October : Sustainable Open Garden Trail 19 October : Sustainable Living Festival 9–10 and 16–17 November : Garage Sale Trail ► For the full program go to ‘If you haven’t been before it can be a little overwhelming but if you have a list of what you are needing then it is a lot easier,’ she said. ‘The biggest thing is choosing to buy second hand.’ Gradually Quibble Market is bringing in other sustainability-focused partners such as local fresh food, upcycled soap and low-waste florists, with more exciting additions on the horizon. ► Find out more: Quibblemarket.my.canva.site Ipswich.qld.gov.au/sustainability

2024 HIGHLIGHTS

CIRCULAR ECONOMY

BUYING BETTER

KITCHEN AND GARDEN

EFFICIENT HOME

GETTING AROUND

6 | Environment Matters

Heatwave is dangerous for lots of animals – even humans – but flying foxes have an even harder time when the temperature and humidity soars. Heat stress in flying foxes

Summer is a peak time for flying foxes roosting in Ipswich, when we have an influx of migrating little red flying foxes alongside the black and grey-headed flying foxes. Flying foxes are essential long-range pollinators of native forests – especially eucalypts – that other species such as koalas rely on. These can also be a sign that a flying fox is feeling heat stress: MINOR STRESS Fanning wings. MODERATE STRESS Clustering in lower branches or in bushes. PRESSURE POINTS 38°C Flying foxes begin to suffer heat stress if temperatures go higher than this.

Flying fox fatalities occur. Consecutive days over 40°C can also lead to flying fox deaths. Humidity over 70% can quickly worsen heat stress and limit cooling options.

42°C

Clumping on top of each other in bushes or on the ground, licking wrists, panting, salivating.

MAJOR STRESS

CRITICAL STRESS

70%

Collapsing and falling from trees.

No Sweat. No Good. A lot of animals, including humans, cool down through sweat drying on our skin. Flying foxes don’t have sweat glands, so they rely on other measures to cool down.

HOW YOU CAN HELP IN A HEATWAVE Council increases monitoring of flying fox roosts on public land during peak season and high temperatures. Heatwave response must be determined on a case-by-case basis under expert supervision as some cooling measures can cause more fatalities in the wrong conditions.

IF YOU LIVE NEAR A ROOST: Observe from a distance – disturbing flying foxes can lead to more deaths NEVER touch a flying fox If you find an injured, sick or orphaned flying fox or bat call Bat Rescue 3062 6730; or Bat Conservation and Rescue Queensland 0488 228 134.

Flying foxes drink water by swooping down to a waterbody, dipping their belly in, then landing in a tree to lick the water from their fur.

Find more information at Ipswich.qld.gov.au/flyingfox

underwater worlds collide Where Beneath the surface of the Brisbane River at Colleges Crossing a fascinating overlap happens where fresh and salt water meet.

Environment Matters | 7

Colleges Crossing is the interface between two very different ecosystems. Upstream, the upper and mid reaches of the Brisbane River provide freshwater environments. Downstream, the lower reaches provide saltwater estuarine habitat. Underwater at Colleges Crossing you will find fish that exclusively live in fresh or salt water swimming side by side – a very special sight! Freshwater species include: Crimson spotted rainbowfish Eel-Tailed catfish Fly-Specked hardyhead Diadromous species (rely on both fresh and saltwater during lifecycle) include:

Estuarine species include: Bream Bull shark Diamondfish Flathead Silver biddy

Australian bass Long-finned eel Sea mullet

Mouth almighty Pacific blue eye

SEE FOR YOURSELF This video by Peter

Hansler from Pete’s Fishing and Under Water Videos shows the life underwater at Colleges Crossing.

Grassy fields for fish In the video of Colleges Crossing you can see Vallisneria, also known as eelgrass. This important plant grows in dense mats underwater in shallow, gently flowing streams, providing a ‘grass cover’ that stabilises sediment, and provides shelter for small and juvenile fish. It is the favourite food of the vulnerable Queensland lungfish, which also uses this plant to attach its fertilised eggs. Lungfish fry (baby fish) rely on Vallisneria for shelter and nutrition. These ribbon-like plants were once common across South-East Queensland, including at Colleges Crossing. However large or frequent floods rip large areas of Vallisneria out of the riverbed and remove the propagules (seeds or reproductive bits of plants). Restoration of Vallisneria fields in the Brisbane River, by transplanting nursery-grown stock, seeks to improve the river health and habitat for species such as lungfish.

8 | Environment Matters

We all have the weather forecast in our pockets with the Bureau of Meteorology ‘BOM Weather’ smartphone app.

TIPS FOR READING YOUR rain forecast

Why does the forecast keep changing? Weather forecasts cover vast areas with multiple conditions, and variables that may interact and affect one another. Forecast models are constantly being run and checked by experienced meteorologists. 24-hour rainfall forecasts are updated twice a day, so it pays to check regularly if the weather impacts your activity. Why is the severe weather warning area so big? Warnings are based on forecast districts, which are very big areas. The lead time depends on the weather situation, and can extend from an hour to 36 hours. Severe thunderstorms can be volatile and dangerous, with potential for hazards such as hail, strong winds, lightening and heavy rain that can lead to flash flooding. It’s important to take action such as seeking shelter if you receive a warning. Remember heavy rainfall in one area can lead to flash flooding downstream in areas that might not have been storm-affected.

If the icon looks rainy, it will pay to pack an umbrella… but don’t be disappointed if you don’t receive a drop! I set the app location to my suburb but I didn’t get the forecast rain? The rain may have happened in another part of the forecast area, just not over your suburb. Add to that the unpredictable nature of showers and summer storms which might suddenly drench a neighbourhood but leave other parts of the same suburb dry. Why is there such a difference in forecast rain amounts? There’s a special way to read the forecast rain amount. For example, the Saturday forecast is for 4–20mm. That’s quite a difference if you’re planning to go outdoors. The first number represents a 75 per cent chance of at least that amount. That means Saturday has a 75 per cent chance of at least 4mm. The second number has a 25 per cent chance of at least that amount, so Saturday has a 25 per cent chance of at least 20mm. But that also means there’s still a 25 per cent chance of less rainfall than 4mm, and a 25 per cent chance of more than 20mm.

Download the BOM Weather app from your app store.

Environment Matters | 9

Warm welcome builds volunteer diversity In many cultures where giving Maranda Buchanan

‘Our organisation is more reflective now of what our community looks like, and our rich culture. We take on that responsibility to make sure we illustrate that. ‘Then it also breaks down the barriers between us and the community – if we can get more volunteers who reflect our community diversity, we can better help.’ Maranda, a ‘big believer in doing something that feels right’ has found her ‘something’ at Goodna SES Group. She has been involved in major operations for our city and State, including the Halloween hailstorm, search for PD Quiz, 2022 floods and her first deployment for Cyclone Jasper. ‘My nanna always said we should always help those who are around us, because you never know when it could be an angel in disguise. And SES hit that spot,’ she said.

service is ‘just something you do’, the traditional concept of volunteering can be seen as a barrier. Goodna SES Group volunteer Maranda Buchanan, a Pasifika woman, has been able to cross that invisible boundary and combine her cultural foundations of faith, family and service to others with a long-term involvement in the SES ‘orange army’. For Maranda, fostering an inclusive environment starts with recruitment processes that establish the SES ‘orange family’ as welcoming and accepting of cultural diversity. ‘At inductions when we talk about breaking down those barriers, you feel the sense of community build. If we are up front about it right from the beginning, it demonstrates we mean it, and it becomes a shared responsibility to build that culture within the group,’ she said.

The Orange Army

Images courtesy of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services

Did you know?... in the 2021 Census, almost a sixth of Ipswich’s households spoke a language other than English with the most frequent being Samoan, Punjabi, Vietnamese, Malayalam and Hindi. Did you know?... the Ipswich Disaster Dashboard 5 DECEMBER IS INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY

can be translated into more than 100 languages. Additional resources are available in other languages at Ipswich.qld.gov.au/emergency

BECOME AN SES VOLUNTEER

10 | Environment Matters

Enviroplan protects koala habitat

Council’s largest conservation land acquisition in more than 10 years will protect a substantial koala priority habitat area. Two blocks of land at Peak Crossing, totalling 93 hectares, were voluntarily acquired through the Enviroplan Initiative. The majority of the site is mapped as priority koala habitat and high value to the endangered species. The site’s undulating hills and ridgelines kept much of the property’s natural environment intact, including areas of dense vegetation and trees approaching the size where hollows form. The blocks border the Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate and will be consolidated into the Enviroplan estate.

We’re going on a Bioblitz! From 20–23 September citizen scientists across the Southern Hemisphere will be snapping pictures of flora and fauna in the Great Southern Bioblitz 2024. The Little Liverpool Range Initiative, which includes Ipswich and Lockyer Valley, has scored some amazing finds in its previous Great Southern Bioblitz events. Last time a group of keen conservationists braved the pouring rain to look for interesting plants, bryophytes, insects, mammals, birds and frogs across a 3,237 hectare host property. In all, more than 600 observations were made on the iNaturalist app of 344 species – not including all the birds that were heard but not seen! You can also participate in the 2024 Great Southern Bioblitz: 1 Download the iNaturalist app or register online at Greatsouthernbioblitz.org 2 Make observations of the living things around you between 20–23 September.

Environment Matters | 11

Family collaboration doubles riverbank

restoration

LONG GREEN PANIC GRASS CAN BE TIED IN A BUNDLE AND USED AS MULCH. THIS CREATES DENSE MATTING TO PREVENT THE GERMINATION OF WEEDS AND IS EASIER TO MAINTAIN.

Joining forces with family has

increased the scale of conservation work happening on the banks of the Bremer River at Woodend.

Sisters Liz and Sue are also neighbours, with about two hectares of land between their two properties, totalling 150m of riverfront. The family shares the workload, the challenges and the successes of land restoration with the support of council through the Landholder Conservation Partnerships Program. ‘It’s wonderful the council has this program to help landholders to do the right thing to manage the corridor,’ Liz said. When Liz moved to the site about 40 years ago it was mostly grass and weeds, overgrown with Cats claw creeper, Asparagus fern, Chinese elm, Annual ragweed and more.

Sue bought next door about 12 years ago, adding her property to the restoration efforts. Now the site hosts a variety of riparian species, as well as some surprising and rare trees and plants such as Fine-leaved Tuckeroo ( Lepiderema pulchella ) and Coolamon ( Syzygium moorei ). Some of the trees Liz planted decades ago are even starting to buttress, including the Blue Quandong ( Elaeocarpus grandis ). Sue said the flood was a significant challenge, with the entire restoration site consumed in major events. Even large trees can be lost to the force of the water.

‘A big flood comes after you think you’ve done something, and puts you back,’ she said. With the frequency of floods, Liz said they generally target smaller areas for restoration at a time, allowing plants to establish and avoiding ‘biting off more than we can chew’. The restoration work is ongoing, and with floods a reality of living at the site, the family is ensuring the regeneration of native vegetation continues.

What’s On Want to get outdoors and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of our environment? Here’s a selection of ideas... 12 | Environment Matters

OUTDOORS

OUTDOORS Clean Up

Australia Day Sunday 2 March 2025

Register a site today – the nation’s largest community-based environment event is just around the corner! Cleanup.org.au

OUTDOORS Bushcare Working Bees All year Lend a hand to community efforts to restore and improve Ipswich’s natural environment. Bushcare

Garage Sale Trail 9–10 and 16–17 November 2024 Join the big weekends of pre-loved stuff, save items from landfill and bag a bargain! Register a garage sale or find sites near you at Garagesaletrail.com.au

COMMUNITY

groups across the city hold monthly working bees and ad hoc planting days. Ipswich.qld.gov.au/ volunteering

Environment Matters | 13

World Rivers Day Sunday 22 September 2024

THERE’S A DAY FOR THAT ?!

AT HOME Backyard Bird Count Between 14–20 October 2024 spend 20 minutes outside and count all the birds! Contribute to citizen science. Submit your findings at Aussiebirdcount.org.au COMMUNITY Funding Applications The latest round of Enviroplan Levy Community Funding closes on 30 September for those needing support with environmental projects. See Ipswich.qld.gov.au/funding CHILDREN

Join in a habitat planting to restore a local creek. Your efforts will help improve waterway health and provide habitat for land and water based creatures. Be notified of events – click ‘follow’ at Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com

National Threatened Species Day 7 September 2024

National Ride2Work Day 16 October 2024

Go Wild at QPEEC The Queens Park Environmental Education Centre will have school

Australian Pollinator Week 9–17 November 2024

holiday activities to enjoy! Details to be announced closer to the end of Term 4. Follow Ipswichcitycouncil.eventbrite.com

World Wetlands Day 2 February 2025

Sustainable Ipswich October 2024

Join this celebration of everyday activities we can take as a community to create a more liveable city.

There’s lots of ways to be involved! Ipswich.qld.gov.au/sustainability

REGIONAL

COMMUNITY

Get Ready Week 8–13 October 2024 Get Ready Week is a chance for all Queenslanders to prepare for severe weather. What’s your ‘what if’ plan? Getready.qld.gov.au

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Eye-opening world of

VERY TOLERANT – Backswimmer

waterbugs

TOLERANT – Damselfly larvae

Tiny wriggling waterbugs have a massive impact on our environment, and on students at Ripley Valley State Secondary College. Teacher Anastasia Constable said it could be easy to miss how much life is hiding in a waterway. ‘Waterbugs are such a great indicator of water health that it helps paint a big picture of a waterway,’ she said. ‘When we turn on our microscopes and have a really good look, it’s possible to see some of their really interesting features like tufts of hair or even their tiny mouths as they’re chewing away.

‘It’s been amazing to watch the anticipation our students’ faces as they search through their samples to find waterbugs. They love comparing to see who has the more weird and wonderful creatures!’ The school’s Ignite Excellence Academy have also shared their new waterbug knowledge with the public at the World Science Festival in 2024. ‘Watching our students find excitement and joy in their discoveries has been a brilliant experience. Even better was watching them eagerly sharing it with others,’ Ms Constable said. ‘That joy of learning becomes infectious and exploring the tiny world and massive impact of waterbugs has been a great way to do that for our students. And honestly, I think the teachers have enjoyed it just as much as the students. Best tip for teachers – quality gumboots.’

SENSITIVE – Caddisfly larvae

VERY SENSITIVE – Mayfly larvae

BORROW A WATERBUG KIT FOR YOUR SCHOOL

Council’s EnviroEd program has waterbug kits for schools to borrow, with everything a class needs. We can also suggest local creek sites for you to visit! Email enviroed@ipswich.qld.gov.au

Environment Matters | 15

HOW TO DO Halloween the sustainable way

SPOOK-TASTIC HALLOWEEN CELEBRATIONS ARE BECOMING MORE POPULAR.

Unfortunately much of what we buy ends up in landfill (such as cheap decorations or single-use plastic) or can hurt wildlife (such as sticky fake cobwebs). Here’s some ideas to enjoy this annual treat without it being a nasty trick on our environment.

SCRAP THE HORROR OF PLASTIC PACKAGING If you’re hosting a family or neighbourhood trick’or’treat Old-fashioned gumball dispensers could

SLASH THE WASTE OF PUMPKIN CARVING Pumpkins are the epitome of Halloween decorations, but instead of carving them and throwing them out, why not draw on the scary faces? That way you can have a post-Halloween feast!

also be a good way to give out lollies while also keeping them safe from sneaky spirits!

then why not try packaging-free treats.

SMASH THE SCARY COST OF STORE- BOUGHT DECORATIONS

There are lots of great ideas online if you’re feeling crafty. Making your own decorations out of second-hand, sustainable or recycled objects.

Scarecrows made of straw, found objects and old clothes are both a fun decoration and a fabulous project for a sustainable Halloween.

GHOSTLY MILK BOTTLE LANTERNS

Here’s a fantastic and easy alternative to carving a pumpkin You will need: ¼ Empty, clean milk bottles (various sizes work great!) ¼ Black permanent marker ¼ Battery string lights or LED tea lights Use the marker to draw spooky ghost faces on the front of the milk bottles. Place the lights inside the milk bottles. If they won’t fit through the top, an adult can help you to cut a hole in the bottom or side. Watch these ghostly faces cast an eerie glow! When Halloween is finished remove the lights and put the milk bottles in the recycling bin.

At your library

The crayons love our planet Drew Daywalt, 2024

FOR CHILDREN

Kid oceanographer: Discover amazing species, marine ecosystems and underwater marvels Applesauce Press, 2024

FOR CHILDREN

Something for everyone...

Sustainable crafts, gifts and project for all seasons Becci Coombes, 2024

Visionary: Gardens and Landscapes for our future Claire Takacs, 2024

Live more with less: Upgrade your life without costing the Earth! Dr Kate Luckins, 2024

Seasoning: How to cook and celebrate the seasons Angela Clutton, 2024

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

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

Environment Matters is printed on Supreme Uncoated Offset – Supreme Uncoated is an environmentally friendly paper manufactured under the strict ISO 14001 Environmental Management System using elemental chlorine free pulp sourced from well managed forests.

Ipswich City Council PO Box 191, Ipswich Phone (07) 3810 6666 Fax (07) 3810 6731

council@ipswich.qld.gov.au Ipswich.qld.gov.au

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