Natural Resource Managment Portfolio Report - 21 September 2016

Natural Resource Management

Weed Control

• Contractors have completed treatment of Mother of Millions at Proston, Hivesville, Blackbutt, Maidenwell and Dangore. Treatment of Mother of Millions on Main Roads has commenced.
• Pest Management staff have completed Mother of Millions inspections on properties at Coolabunia, Booie, Wattlecamp, Dangore Mountain, Maidenwell, Proston and Kinleymore. Giant Rats Tail Grass inspections have commenced at Brooklands, Nanango, Moondooner, Merlewood, Runnymede and Bullcamp.
• Council Tree Spears and quick spray trailers are being used by landholders at Boondooma, Malar, Nanango and Kunioon to treat Tree Pear and Lantana.

Feral Animal Control

• Eight rabbits have been trapped and injected with Calici virus at Redgate, Hodgeleigh, Murgon and Nanango. Landholders in Merlewood and Nanango have loaned foothold traps and landholders at Ballogie, Ironpot and Proston have participated in 1080 baiting programs to assist with Wild dog control. A total of 38 landholders registered for the September coordinated 1080 baiting program for wild dog and feral pig control that was held on the 12th – 16th September.

Wandering livestock

• Council staff have attended to reports of wandering sheep at Benarkin, goats at Kingaroy, a wandering camel at Coolabunia and cattle at Booie, Cushnie, Byee, Wheatlands, Wondai and Hodgeleigh.

Saleyards

August was a very busy Month at Coolabunia Saleyards with 3 Fat & Store Sales and 2 Specialty Sales.

2nd Aug Fat & Store – 307 head

12th Aug Charolais Bull Sale – 42 head sold,   7 passed in

16th Aug Fat & Store – 195 head

19th Aug All Breeds Bull & Female Sale – 47 head sold, 12 head passed in

30th Aug Fat & Store – 377

Prices & quality have remained strong, with the prices going over the $4/kg for some. There also seems to be an increase in buyers present on sale days.

The 3rd Pond had 60 000 litres of effluent taken out this month due to a combination of rainfall, increased use and winter time providing limited evaporation.

General maintenance continues throughout the yards with rails & troughs ongoing.

We are getting good feedback from public in regards to how good the yards are looking.

Biodiversity

The Council received a Biodiversity grant in 2011 to be spent over 6 years. As part of the deliverables in the final year a free tree program was planned. This is due to commence over the next few weeks and is being fully funded through the grant.