EnviroMatters-Spring-Summer-2020_

Spring/Summer 2020

Level up your RECYCLING

Spotting Ipswich SPECIES

Be flood READY

O

R

P

I

L

V

A

N

N

E

H

I P S W I C

Ipswich.qld.gov.au

APLAN FORTHE FUTURE

‘Golden Eye’ by Hall B, 2015 photocomp

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.

1MW Reduce your environmental

impact with tips and challenges, exploring

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

2

What’s in this issue

4 Rethink your waste Garage Sale Trail

5 Level up your recycling game Hazardous waste drop-off day

6 Conserving nature and connecting people

7 Spotting Ipswich species

8 Flooding: our past and our future

9 What is a flood? Be flood ready

10 How to start a veggie garden for less than $100

11 Fantastic flying fox facts

A new Habitat Gardens is growing

12 What’s On

14 Kids Corner – School sustainability tips Did you know

Keeping it cool Fire is a natural function of our environment – but the type of fire can make a big difference.

15 Kids Corner – Biodiversity Quiz Make a bee bath

16 At your library

A controlled, low-intensity fire safely reduces the amount of fuel in an area and stimulates native plant regeneration, important for Ipswich ecosystems and biodiversity. Ipswich City Council owns and manages about 6,700 hectares of bushland. A program of controlled and ‘cool’ hazard reduction burns aims to reduce the potential impact of wildfires and maintain the health of these vital natural areas. Council recently completed burns at White Rock – Spring Mountain Conservation Estate, and already the area is regenerating. controlled fire only burns patches of an area, providing wildlife means to escape or take shelter fire can create nesting hollows reshooting vegetation provides ‘green pick’ for animals such as wallabies fire can promote increased flowering and seeding in native plants.

Want to receive Environment Matters news directly to your inbox? Sign up at Ipswich.qld.gov.au/subscribe

3

Rethink your waste

AVOID A REFUSE what you don’t need: add a No Junk Mail sign to your letterbox select items with less packaging and that are not single-use create meal plans and shopping lists to cut down double-up purchases divert food scraps to a compost bin, worm farm or a council green waste bin. REDUCE A REUSE anything you can: borrow or hire tools (check out Brisbane Tool Library or Share Shed) donate, swap or sell quality, unwanted items choose to repair instead of upgrading (maybe take a class or watch an online video)

As a nation, we’re creating more waste than ever. We need your help to reduce both the rubbish that enters our environment, and the waste we send to landfill. Reducing the level of household waste is an easy exercise in rethinking old habits and watching what

goes into our wheelie bins.

reduce manufacturing impact by buying items made from recyclable materials.

Australia's BIGGEST weekend of garage sales comes to Ipswich this November. Make money. Save money. Online or in your neighbourhood.

4

Level up your recycling game! National Recycling Week 9–15 November 2020

Did you know council’s Recycling and Refuse Centres offer free drop-off of a range of items? bicycles cardboard paint** car batteries e-waste (TV’s, computers, IT accessories)** steel and scrap metal (including aluminium cans) glass bottles and jars motor oil.

Think outside the yellow lid kerbside recycling bin – there’s so many ways to recycle in Ipswich.

** not available at Rosewood Recycling and Refuse Centre. See Ipswich.qld.gov.au/waste for more details.

Containers for Change for eligible drink containers

Want to know more? Recyclingnearyou.com.au lists drop-off locations for a wide range of waste materials. Ipswich Bin App lists what you can recycle in your yellow lid kerbside recycling bin.

REDcycle bins at shopping centres for scrunchy soft plastics ALDI, Battery World and some Officeworks stores for household battery drop off

Free household chemicals, gas bottle and listed items drop-off day

Saturday 12 September 2020 8.00 am – 4.00 pm Accepted items:

domestic BBQ gas bottles marine distress flares and small arms ammunition household chemicals.

For more information ask the weighbridge attendant, visit Ipswich.qld.gov.au/waste or phone (07) 3810 6666 . Ipswich residents only (proof of residency required).

5

Conserving Nature and Connecting People When I first started restoration works on a Land for Wildlife and Voluntary Conservation Agreement property in Pine Mountain, I was determined to connect the people in my community with each other and with our environment. Tamara Jeffries – Land for Wildlife, Pine Mountain Ipswich

restoring and maintaining areas of remnant vegetation.

I am interested in addressing broader conservation outcomes for my community. Currently I am working towards creating a volunteer group to help local landholders to create a wildlife corridor connecting the Kholo Enviroplan Reserve in the north with the Kholo botanical gardens in the south via Pine Mountain. This would help endangered species such as the Black- breasted Button Quail by connecting and restoring much needed habitat. I believe that Pine Mountain is a special place and that by working together we can make sure that in the future, just like in Forster and Tuncurry, people will continue to visit and appreciate the importance of habitats such as these.

Growing up in my hometown of Forster and Tuncurry, New South Wales, I was able to see how important it was to care for our environment. The creation of wetlands to improve the water quality of our local lakes was awarded the Thiess Riverprize for best practice in river and catchment management and environmental repair in Australia. In 2015, I worked on a Green Army project in Cameron’s Scrub, Pine Mountain, and this is where I was first introduced to the beauty of Semi- evergreen Dry Vine Rainforest. Fast forward 5 years and I am still working with local landholders and Council to restore and maintain this precious habitat. I do this mainly through

The terrain is difficult, but the work is rewarding and looking back at how well the vegetation recovers after the pressure of weeds is removed is motivating. I’ve been spoilt by the amount of interesting wildlife and close encounters I have had over the years and am keen to submit my observations in the new iNaturalist Land for Wildlife Ipswich project. It is important to keep track of our local flora and fauna!

6

Spotting Ipswich species Understanding Ipswich’s biodiversity helps inform targeted management of threats to native species.

In July 2020 Ipswich City Council and Land for Wildlife members launched a project through iNaturalist to submit flora and fauna observations on properties. In just over a month, 17 members have submitted: more than 1,100 observations more than 580 species.

Anyone can join iNaturalist – see inaturalist.org

TOP THREE MOST OBSERVED SPECIES

1. Koala

2. Slender milkvine

3. Agassiz’s Glassfish

SKIP AND JUMP: A Grass Skipper (subfamily Hesperiinae ) hops onto flowers at Grandchester

PICK ME UP: A Kreffts River Turtle ( Emydura macquarii ) is given a hand at Purga

GREEN GIANT: The Goliath Stick Insect ( Eurycnema goliath ) is quite a handful at Pine Mountain

MANY COLOURED: A crimson-spotted rainbowfish ( Melanotaenia duboulayi ) recorded at Franklin Vale Creek

PETALS FOREVER: A Golden Everlasting ( Xerochrysum bracteatum ) emerges from the soil at Mount Flinders

TRUE OR FALSE: A delicate bloom of False Sarsaparilla ( Hardenbergia violacea ) at Mount Flinders

HIGH SPOT: A koala ( Phascolarctos cinereus ) picks a cosy position at Mutdapilly

PRETTY IN PINK: This Pink Rock Orchid ( Dendrobium kingianum ) was noticed at White Rock

GOOD EVENING: A Common Evening Brown ( Melanitis ieda ) which fluttered into Grandchester

7

90 %

Main image: Railway platforms during flood, Ipswich, 2011 (source: Picture Ipswich) Inset image: Redbank recreational wetlands

of Ipswich people felt responsible for their own safety in a flood (Managing Future Floods survey 2019)

Flooding: our past and our future In January 2011, disaster areas were declared across 78 per cent of Queensland and Ipswich experienced its third largest flood on record. What has changed to improve community safety and build resilience?

Since 2011 there has been the construction of: a flood levee at Thagoona

Lockyer Valley local governments conducted the most comprehensive flood study in Australia. The Brisbane River Strategic Floodplain Management Plan is a long-term plan to manage future floods and improve community safety and resilience. Ipswich City Council is developing the Ipswich Integrated Catchment Plan as part of their ongoing commitment to understanding and preparing for floods. Part of developing the Plan was the Managing Future Floods community engagement, with 190 responses from 51 Ipswich suburbs.

The 2011 flood in Ipswich was a combination of saturated catchments, prolonged and extensive rainfall, and high levels of backwater from the Brisbane River. The Bremer River city gauge at the David Trumpy Bridge reached 19.3m. Almost 10 years on, a significant amount of research and investment has occurred and planning continues for future flooding. In 2017, the Queensland Government in partnership with SEQwater and the Ipswich, Brisbane, Somerset and

improvements to the Rosewood detention basin the Limestone Park detention basin the Redbank recreational wetlands. The most important element in our readiness for future floods is how well the people of Ipswich, as individuals and as a community, understand our flood risk and prepare.

8

What is a flood? Ipswich has a complex flood profile due to our location on both the Bremer and Brisbane River floodplains with ten major creeks flowing into these rivers. No two floods are the same. There are generally three main flood types, and some flood events result from a combination of one or more types.

OVERLAND FLOW: takes place as water travels over the land during heavy rainfall events. Generally occurs over a short period of time.

CREEK FLOODING: occurs when intense rain falls over a creek catchment causing the creek levels to rise. Often quick, with limited warning.

RIVER FLOODING: occurs when widespread and prolonged rain falls over a river catchment.

BE FLOOD READY

Information before, during or after a flood event LOG ON square-full Download the FREE MyIpswich Alerts app from Google Play / Apple Store square-full Visit Ipswich.qld.gov.au/ emergency regularly for updates square-full Visit FACEBOOK-SQUARE and TWITTER-SQUARE > Bureau of Meteorology

Don’t wait until it’s too late square-full Find out your property’s flood risk – visit Ipswich.qld.gov.au/ emergency square-full Get the insurance you need square-full Prepare a Household Emergency Plan square-full Prepare an Emergency Kit square-full Tune in for regular warnings and updates square-full Store valuables and poisons well above ground level square-full Know how to turn off your

Be flood safe square-full Don’t drink flood waters square-full Don’t play in flood waters or near storm water drains square-full Don’t walk or drive through flood waters What can I do? square-full Avoid altering the ground level around an identified storm water path which will naturally head down hill, often across private property square-full Ensure driveways and paved surfaces direct surface flow away from your garage and house square-full Avoid blocking the path of storm water and drains

> Ipswich City Council > Queensland Fire and Emergency Services > Queensland Police

electricity, water and gas mains

square-full TV broadcast

TUNE IN square-full To ABC 612 AM or River 94.9 FM

9

Start a veggie garden for less than $100 Consulting gardener Kate Wall shares her tips for a productive backyard patch.

Pick the right spot Somewhere with plenty of sun, and easy to access. Veggies need attention – if your garden is somewhere easy to see and visit, you are more likely to pay it regular attention. Mark out the area you want to plant in. Improve your soil Veggies are big feeders, so you need good soil. Add compost and rock minerals, but beware using too much of nitrogen based products – they will make your plants grow too quickly and attract pests. Compost also helps soften the soil for little roots to grow in. shopping-cart BUY: A bag of compost and a bucket of rock minerals Select your plants Choose plants that are right for the season, and Ipswich conditions – our summer can be too hot for some plants that would be considered ‘summer’ plants in southern states. shopping-cart BUY: A selection of seeds and seedlings Water it in Give everything a good water with liquid seaweed fertiliser added. This is a tonic that helps reduce transplant shock and stimulates root growth in plants. shopping-cart BUY: A bottle of liquid seaweed fertiliser Mulch the soil

youtube WATCH THE VIDEO: How to grow a veggie garden Ipswich.qld.gov.au/sustainability

A thin scattering of mulch such as sugar cane is enough to stop the soil drying out but also lets water penetrate into the soil. shopping-cart BUY: A bag of sugar cane mulch

10

Spring-summer is the peak time for flying foxes in the Ipswich region, and a vital time for our environment. Fantastic flying fox facts

Flying foxes, as native wildlife, are protected through Queensland legislation, with the Grey headed flying fox also protected nationally. Unauthorised attempts to disturb colonies are illegal.

benefits for other native species such as koalas. Flying fox species in Ipswich include Black flying fox, Grey headed flying fox and Little Red flying fox. The ‘little reds’ are nomadic and move in response to the flowering of Eucalypts and paperbarks, and a summer influx can temporarily swell the size of a colony.

Flying foxes play a vital role in the regeneration of native forests. They pollinate tree species that produce nectar at night – trees that are not serviced by day-feeding birds and bees. Flying foxes are the most important species in Australia for pollination and long-distance dispersal of Eucalypt species. This has flow-on

If you see an injured flying fox call Bat Rescue on (07) 3062 6730 .

A new Habitat Gardens program is growing The popular Habitat Gardens program will re-launch on 1 October 2020 with new incentives for participating households in Ipswich. As well as supporting Ipswich residents to transform their yards and properties with native plants, the program will be a way to network and share with council experts and other landowners. Find out more from 1 October on the ‘Landholder Conservation Partnerships’ at Ipswich.qld.gov.au

11

EnviroForum August – November 2020 This year the annual EnviroForum is an online series of webinars that you can enjoy at any time. The theme, Changing Landscapes, asks how we can adapt to what the future may bring. Ipswich.qld.gov.au/enviroforum

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

AT HOME Aussie Backyard Bird Count 19–25 October 2020 Register and spend just 20 minutes in your backyard or local area to help BirdLife Australia understand more about the birds that live where people live. Aussiebirdcount.org.au

CREATIVE Kids Go Wild 19 September – 4 October 2020 12 December 2020 – 25 January 2021 Join the fun over the school holidays with activities that

COMMUNITY Volunteering with value All year There are ample opportunities to make a difference and improve Ipswich’s natural environment, from regular Bush Care or Park Care working bees, to ad hoc tree planting events. Ipswich.qld.gov.au/volunteering

encourage kids to learn about the environment. All activities are free

but bookings are essential. Ipswich.qld.gov.au/enviroed

12

THERE’S A DAY FOR THAT ?!

OUTDOOR Say hi to a bilby 13 September

ONLINE

Ipswich Nature Centre in Queens Park is part of a breeding program to help protect these incredible marsupials. Why not visit them for National Bilby Day. AT HOME Plant some pollen 8–13 November Council’s Free Plant Program offers some amazing native plants to attract birds and bees to your Ipswich garden. Perfect for Australian Pollinator Week. COMMUNITY Get into grants October 2021 The next round of council’s Environment and Sustainability Community Funding opens in October 2021 to help boost local groups and individuals make a difference. See Ipswich.qld.gov.au/funding

National Wattle Day 1 September

National Threatened Species Day 7 September

National Water Week 19–25 October

National Recycling Week 9–15 November

OUTDOOR

Get Ready Week October 2020 What’s your what-if plan? Get Ready Week, and SES Week, are held in October and the perfect opportunity to prepare your emergency plan ahead of storm season. Getready.qld.gov.au

Experience Nature All year Go on a free guided tour to discover stories, history and the fascinating life of flora and fauna within our conservation estates. Spaces are limited so make sure to book. Ipswich.qld.gov.au/experiencenature

Image credit: QFES Media

COMMUNITY

13

CORNER

3 ways to help your school be more sustainable

1. Ways to reduce waste Challenge students to do a waste audit of school bins. Checkout council’s Classroom Bin Challenge as part of the online Youth Sustainability Summit. Your school may find ways to divert waste from landfill and save money at the same time School garden waste, paper and food scraps can go into a compost or worm farm. Check out council’s composting and worm farm guide at Ipswich.qld.gov.au/enviroed Make your school a recycling hub by linking up with organisations such as Mobile Muster, TerraCycle, Containers for Change, Battery World and Planet Ark 2. Get out in the wild Students can enjoy an outdoor classroom session in one of Ipswich’s conservation estates or local bushland. The Parks Search function at Ipswich.qld.gov.au has permit information Check out QuestaGame or iNaturalist for citizen science projects your school can participate in Organise a National Tree Day planting day and create new micro habitats on school grounds. Council’s free plant program allows schools 100 plants a year. 3. Reduce your resource use Have solar at your school? See solarschools.net for curriculum-aligned lessons to help students understand energy efficiency Schools can check with Education Queensland to see if they will benefit from solar installations as part of the state’s 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030 Urban Utilities offers lessons, grants and excursion options for Ipswich schools to involve students in the preservation of water for the future.

Looking to embed sustainability in your

classroom or school, and be a powerful force in driving change towards sustainability within your community?

Want more great ideas? Ipswich City Council’s Environmental Education Officer can support your school’s environmental projects and lessons. Email enviroed@ipswich. qld.gov.au or call (07) 3810 6666. Also check out Sustainabilityinschools.edu.au and Sustainableschools.qld.edu.au

Lichen is not a plant – it is actually a symbiotic relationship between organisms such as fungi and algae. You can spot lots of lovely lichen around Hardings Paddock at Flinders – Goolman Conservation Estate. Did you know?

14

Take the Biodiversity Quiz! Test your knowledge of living things during National Biodiversity Month. Find the answers on the back page.

1 Which of the following do NOT lay eggs square-full Crocodiles square-full Kangaroos square-full Penguins 2 An ecosystem is an area where a community of and things interact in order to survive. square-full old and new

5 Swamp Tea-tree forest is a critically endangered vegetation community in Ipswich?

square-full True square-full False

6 How many of our mammals, reptiles and plants are endemic (found only in Australia)?

square-full 56% square-full 80% square-full 32% square-full 12%

square-full sunlight and carbon square-full living and non-living

3 What does a fish use to breathe? square-full Lungs

7 How many new species are found every year? square-full 1 million square-full 15,000 square-full 38 square-full 200,000 square-full Create a natural habitat in your backyard square-full Register for a Landholder Partnership with council square-full Practice ‘treading lightly’ when visiting natural areas square-full All of the above 8 What can I do to help biodiversity?

square-full Gills square-full Fins

4 In which country would you find 99% of marsupials?

square-full China square-full Brazil square-full India square-full Australia

Make a bee bath Did you know bees drink water, and also use water to process their food and take it back to the hive to help maintain hive temperature?

YOU WILL NEED � A shallow dish � Decorative stones or pebbles � Fresh water STEPS

1. Find a spot in your garden that is shady and protected 2. Add your pebbles or stones to the base of the shallow dish

3. Add just enough fresh water so the pebbles or stones are not submerged. 4. Change your bee bath water daily, and give the bath a clean once a week

15

The less waste no fuss kitchen: simple steps to shop, cook and eat sustainably. Lindsay Miles 2020

Attainable sustainable: the lost art of self-reliant living. Kris Bordessa 2020

LIBRARY AT YOUR

Something for everyone

A field guide to butterflies of Australia: their life histories and larval host plants. Garry Sankowsky 2020

FOR CHILDREN

A focus on urban habitats. Jane Hinchey 2019

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

ROSEWOOD LIBRARY OPEN NOW

Ipswich Central Library 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

All of the above.

True; 6. 80%; 7. 15,000; 8.

Gills; 4. Australia; 5.

Answers: 1. Kangaroos; 2. living and non-living; 3.