Despite no real let-up in conditions, life after drought was one of the strong discussion points for the Desert Uplands committee when it met at Barcaldine on Saturday for its end of year function.
Characterised by spinifex, red sandy soil and trees such as desert oak and yellowjacket, the region covering 75,000 square kilometres of central Queensland and straddling the Great Dividing Range between coastal and inland catchments has had as tough a year as any facing drought in Queensland.
A spokeswoman for the regional strategy group, Robyn Adams, said it was clear that governments were concentrating on wild dog containment and resilience measures to address drought concerns.
“The Desert Uplands did a lot of on-ground nature conservation, and they used to get incentives to do them, but it’s clear that there’s a focus on training now,” she said. “Such has been the refocus that people on this side of the Great Dividing Range feel forgotten, with the focus on properties draining to the reef.”
QDAF principal scientist, David Phelps, was one of those informing the gathering of 20, resulting in frank conversation and questioning that made for an enlightening debate.
Related: Deer dash through the Desert Uplands
Robyn said there wasn’t a lot more resilience activity they could take on.
“We’ve either been resuscitated and are in casualty or we’re dead,” she said. “The focus now has to be on recovery.”
Departmental project work in 2019 and beyond will trial, field test, ground truth and refine various electronic, digital, satellite and interpretative technologies, and Robyn said attendees gained more awareness of what that will involve for them.
“The level and detail of the E-Beef project was enlightening,” she commented.
“People were apprehensive on the one hand but feeling they should help drive projects too.
“They could assist with the interpretations of field work and ground truth it.”
After years of operating from a Barcaldine office belonging to the Walsh family, it was closed down earlier in 2018 as the current committee felt it was sufficiently digitally upskilled to operate from home offices.
Robyn said while it meant the loss of a physical presence, information could still be shared digitally, but the group was working towards a new website for 2019.
AgForce representatives walked the group through legislative changes in Chain of Responsibility for Heavy Vehicles laws, and the new AgForce wild dog coordinator, Kristy Waddell, recently relocated from Victoria to Barcaldine, enjoyed the steep learning curve of the Desert Uplands’ regional perspective.
Rachael O’Brien, the manager of biosecurity and extension for Animal Health Australia explained its NFP status and functions – explaining, facilitating, interlinking and embedding various and many policies, procedures and requirements that aim to manage the adversity risks to keep the Australian livestock industry ‘clean’ through collaborative, voluntary effort and compliance.
Following the business of the day, members relaxed with a barbecue and drinks supported by AgForce, Barcaldine Scouts and Elders Barcaldine.
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
