September 2011 Tattler.pdf - Platypus Country

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News from the Departments Parasites Sheep can recycle their own parasites but they can also pick them up from wild animals. Hares and rabbits may be a vector for transmission of worms and other parasites, according to research being conducted by a Brazilian student as part of her post-graduate Veterinary Science degree. Late crop sowing warning Wet paddocks have virtually drowned any hope of traditional winter sowing in some high rainfall districts this year and in some instances spring sowing is emerging as a real possibility. Before sowing, croppers need to carefully consider a number of factors and risks according to an article in ‗The Break‘ newsletter by Ash Wallace from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI). Mr Wallace said one common question related to the expected yield loss from sowing in spring. ―While actual cases of spring sowing in Victoria have been limited in recent dry years, scientists at DPI Hamilton have used the APSIM crop model to predict potential yields for a wide range of sowing times across a number of sites in the South West based on 120 years of climate data,‖ he said. ―The APSIM model is driven by interactions between climate, physical soil characteristics, soil moisture, soil nitrogen, crop type and variety. It doesn't account for other nutritional disorders, pests, diseases or stress from temperature extremes. Mr Wallace said one of the key risks for such late sowing was heat stress around flowering and the APSIM outputs help to illustrate this point by predicting time of flowering for different sowing dates and varieties which can then be related to the risk of heat stress at a given time. ―The results suggested that in high rainfall areas yield potential for spring sown crops would be considered quite respectable for conventionally sown crops in lower rainfall areas. ―However the risk of heat stress at flowering is quite high and may affect both yield and quality. This can be reduced by sowing early and choosing early maturing varieties. ―While current soil moisture levels are good, there is still the risk of a dry spring and early summer, and this increases as you move closer to medium rainfall areas. ―This could be managed by grazing the crop or cutting them for hay if sufficient bulk is produced from current moisture levels. ―There are also logistical, nutritional, pest, disease and marketing considerations in the spring sowing decisionmaking process. ―While the wet winter has been frustrating and limiting for some high rainfall croppers, spring sowing presents as an opportunity for some. ―Before you sow it is vital to seek further information and conduct a rigorous assessment of the risks involved.‖ Further information on spring sowing and managing climate risk is available in ‗The Break‘ electronic newsletter which is distributed free of charge by DPI. To subscribe, email your details to: the.break@dpi.vic.gov.au Funding available to voluntary environmental groups Landcare Australia and Be Natural are pleased to launch a $125,000 grants program that will provide funding to voluntary environmental community groups across Australia. The grants program will enable groups to continue work in tackling local environmental issues by providing funding to help with the continuation of on-going projects. The Be Natural Landcare grants program provides grants of up to $5000 to 25 local groups to help with projects which have not received funding in the last 12 months. The program also encourages groups to find innovative ways of attracting more volunteers. http://www.landcareonline.com.au/news/archive/benatural-landcare-grants-now-open/ Tractor safety needs more focus WorkSafe Victoria is warning farmers to take more care around tractors after a vegetable farmer on a farm at Pearcedale escaped with his life after the second serious incident involving a tractor in Victoria in a matter of days. The tractor was moving slowly when the 49-year-old stepped off to check seed dispensers, but it appears he slipped on the step and was run over by the tractor which weighed nearly three tonnes. Rural communities to benefit from Carbon Farming Initiative Farmers will be able to access international and domestic carbon markets under legislation passed by Parliament to establish a regulated carbon offsets market in Australia. Increasing carbon in soils or vegetation, or lowering emissions from livestock or fertiliser use creates the potential to generate carbon credits for landholders that can be sold to companies who wish to offset their carbon pollution. More carbon farming possibilities are being investigated including manure management, fertiliser management, savanna burning and managing methane from livestock. Later this year the Administrator for the Carbon Farming Initiative will begin operating and eligible projects can backdate credits to July 1, 2010. www.daff.gov.au/climatechange/cfi
CFA—Report from Gippsland Regional Assembly On Sunday August 14th, I travelled to Bairnsdale with Group Captain Andy Bennett to attend the annual assembly of the brigades. A CFA newbee, I was fulfilling my role as delegate and, by reporting on it, I am fulfilling my role as assistant communications officer. The meeting was held on a glorious day in a very wet Bairnsdale. Due to the floods and potential emergencies, the CFA left its office, the usual venue, to the SES and relocated to the Bairnsdale racecourse. We could see the sun through the window, and even enjoy it at tea-breaks and lunchtime (courtesy of the Bairnsdale Auxiliary). CFA business is a very male affair; most of the women at the Assembly were in the kitchen. Many people knew each other well from years of involvement in the CFA and the camaraderie and commitment should have made CFA officials happy, although the predominance of older faces might be a worry for the future. I learned a lot and, below, summarise the matters that I hope will be of most interest to you. Creating our future together—Mark Reid Mark has been involved in the CFA for 32 years, and has risen in the ranks to Regional Manager for East Gippsland (district 11). Recently he spent two years in Fiji as Chief Officer for the National Fire Authority. Involved behind the scenes at the Royal Commission into the Black Saturday fires, where the CFA was ‘unfairly kicked around the head,’ Mark said that the organisation’s response was to return to the way that CFA did business 30 years ago. He believes that the CFA has ‘lost its way’ over 15 years of corporatisation. Much of the change was driven by a desire to avoid the legal fees associated with the Royal Commission. For instance, it is suggested that the 140 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) be reduced to a shorter list of Principles of Operation, which should help protect CFA officers against legal liability. The old approach—that community education would lead to community preparedness—has been reassessed and a new set of simpler principles has been adopted. Furthermore, Mark claimed, there has been a change from top-down to bottom-up—the volunteers as the most important people. At the same time, the chain of command will give the Chief Officer control of resources in the field. The new CFA structure moves the training of volunteers and coordinators to centre stage and aims to get people out of the office and ‘talking to the troops’. Local brigades will be sent maps to sit down and work out strategies for future fires, what Mark calls the ‘kitchen table index’. In case you are wondering: Who are we? CFA is a community-based fire and emergency service organisation. Vision Working together with communities to keep Victorians safe from fire and other emergencies. Mission To protect lives and property. Nicole Harvey—Fire investigations Nicole trained as a chemist and is now Chief Investigator of the causes of fires. (Glenn Harrup has that role in EG region). Interesting facts 13% of arson suspects are charged In 2007, there were more than 150 haystack fires 12 people lose their lives each year in fires Older men living alone are the most common victims Defective appliances are often identified by CFA investigators—but they usually have to start a fire first. To avoid purchasing dangerous items, have a look at the Australian Government’s Recall web site at http://www.recalls.gov.au Craig Lapsley—Fire Services Commissioner The Fire Services Commissioner role was recommended by the Bushfires Royal Commission to streamline the chain of command across all fire authorities on days of extreme fire danger and during disasters. Craig had just completed his investigation into the fire earlier this year at Tostaree, the most significant fire since Black Saturday. Of his 29 recommendations, 15 focused on command and control issues. At Tostaree, confusion hampered interoperability and radio communication. Lapsley calls for a set of operating procedures that all services follow and emphasised that, as Fire Commissioner, he will be in command at future fires. (The report is at http://www.firecommissioner.vic.gov.au/index.php? option=com_content&view=article&id=106&Itemid=77) This will not be easy as departments and services operate under different cultures, systems and habits. In a world of smart phones and the internet, members of the public often know more about the progress of a fire than CFA members and other firefighters. The current policy which prohibits mobile and smart phones in CFA trucks needs rewriting according to the Chief Commissioner. More clarity in warnings and public messages is also needed—for instance, what does it mean to many residents to ‘activate their fire plan?’ Improved community engagement by DSE in relation to its fire prevention plans is recommended; (the work of Coogee Reed in our district offers a good model in my opinion). Vegetation management is another area where piecemeal control needs standards followed by all departments, Lapsley found. The Fire Commissioner stressed that new operating procedures would not be applied until the 2012/13 fire season. In question time, the Fire Commissioner said that Telstra was ‘listening at the moment’ and interested in tackling ‘black’ communication spots. CFA radio communication is being changed over to digital from March 2012 and DSE may commence their upgrade at the same time. Digital radios will offer more clarity, not a longer range. The radio black spot program is underway—the Bonang Road is a major concern in this area. Congratulations to Mack Stagg of the Omeo Brigade whose 50 years of service and leadership were recognised. Deb Craig Lapsley
Page 1 and 2: September 2011 Next deadline: 28th
Page 3 and 4: outreach Orbost Espresso Coffee Bas
Page 5 and 6: The Little Green Frog Van will be i
Page 7 and 8: The 45 lessons life taught me Writt
Page 9 and 10: Increased use of the motorcar and t
Page 11 and 12: Hotel Danebo, Martins Creek, around
Page 13 and 14: Delegate Joins Pink Force at Nation
Page 15: News from the Departments Victorian
Page 19 and 20: Marketing the region as AUSTRALIA
Page 21 and 22: In 1950 the District Inspector was

September 2011 Tattler.pdf - Platypus Country

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