Seahorses, some fish species ‘rarer than anticipated’
November 14, 2010
Seahorses and fish species including the Ballina angel fish and Elegant wrasse have been found to be rarer than anticipated in a project which has mapped threatened and protected marine species along the coast between Tweed Heads and Port Macquarie.
The Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority (NRCMA) project was completed by Southern Cross University researchers Associate Professor Stephen Smith, Dr Steven Dalton and Dr Steven Purcell, from the National Marine Science Centre in Coffs Harbour.
Lifesavers back on our beaches from this weekend
September 22, 2010
They’re back! Far North Coast surf lifesavers will be back on patrol this coming weekend. Beaches from Yamba right up to Fingal Head will gladly welcome back the red and yellow caps.
Surf Life Saving NSW, in partnership with local councils, will provide safe swimming areas as well as be prepared for any rescues, undertake first-aid treatment and provide surf and beach safety advice.
Watch out for shorebirds in the school holidays
September 15, 2010
With the Queensland school holidays starting next week, beach visitors are asked to steer clear of nesting shorebirds.
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Pest Management Officer Lisa Wellman said that threatened Pied Oystercatchers are currently nesting at a range of sites throughout the Northern Rivers region.
Hardard reduction burn-offs near Evans Head
September 1, 2010
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is putting the final preparations in place for three fuel reduction burns over the next few weeks to increase fire protection for assets adjacent to and within Bundjalung and Broadwater National Parks, near Evans Head.
NPWS Richmond River Area Manager Mark Pittavino said that the burns will help to reduce risk to property and protect the natural and cultural values of the national parks.
“The purpose of the burns is to provide fuel-reduced areas which will help to prevent the spread of wildfire,” Mr Pittavino said.
The burns are as follows:
- Twenty hectares in the Evans Head Defence Air Weapons Range in Bundjalung National Park to help stop the spread of fire from military activities and protect assets.
- Seven hectares in Broadwater National Park off Wallum Drive, near Evans Head to protect properties.
- Five hundred hectares in Bundjalung National Park (West) adjacent to the Pacific Highway, fifteen kilometres south of New Italy, in order to provide a hazard reduced area to reduce the spread of wildfire across the landscape.
Spring wild dog control program to start
September 1, 2010
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is commencing its spring wild dog monitoring and control program across the Northern Rivers Region, conducted in conjunction with the local Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA), NSW Forests and interested private landholders.
NPWS Pest Management Officer Lisa Wellman said that prior to the start of each program, which began in 2006, advertisements are placed in local newspapers to advise people that the baiting is commencing.
“The program is undertaken twice a year in spring and autumn and looks for evidence of wild dogs which can then be controlled,” Ms Wellman said.
“Control programs are based around baiting programs, and monitoring is also undertaken to determine how successful the program has been.
Fluke Matcher uncovers a world of knowledge about whales
August 30, 2010
Southern Cross University has launched a powerful new software program that will enable researchers from around the world to collate humpback whale photographic catalogues and gain new understanding of the marine mammal’s biology, ecology and behaviour.
Fluke Matcher was developed by a team of researchers including Daniel Burns and Professor Peter Harrison, from Southern Cross University’s Marine Ecology Research Centre, and Dr Eric Kniest, from the University of Newcastle and was funded by the Australian Government.
Far North Coast centres included in NBN roll-out
July 30, 2010
Page MP Janelle Saffin today said local towns and cities in Page were set to join the digital revolution, with internet speeds up to 100 times faster than they are now.
The Gillard Labor Government today released for the first time maps outlining the path for the new network to stretch across Australia under the National Broadband Network (NBN).
The maps:
- Show that every house, school and business in Australia will have access to high-speed broadband under the NBN
- Confirm optical fibre will be extended to 93 per cent of homes and businesses in more than 1000 cities and towns by the end of the roll-out
- Show how communities will be served by next generation wireless and satellite technologies under the NBN.
Ms Saffin said local cities and towns set to be connected to the optical fibre network include Alstonville, Ballina, Casino, Evans Head, Grafton, Iluka, Kyogle, Lismore, Woodburn, Wooloweyah, Woombah and Yamba.
Eli Cook wins a NSW Sport and Recreation Indigenous Scholarship
July 26, 2010
A love of sports spurred Eli Cook into studying for a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science degree at Southern Cross University.
Now in his second year and ‘loving it’, Eli has won a NSW Sport and Recreation Indigenous Scholarship worth $10,000 over two years. The scholarship is part of the Rising Stars Scholarships program.
“This is going to make a huge difference to my financial situation,” Eli said.
“I study pretty well full-time doing four units, as well as working part-time as the assistant manager at Farmer Charlie’s Fruit Barn in Evans Head, but when you are living away from home, money is always tight.
Whale watchers’ photographs can help research project
July 21, 2010
Whale watch tour operators and passengers will have the chance to contribute to a Southern Cross University research project which aims to provide valuable new data on the migration of humpback whales along Australia’s east coast.
Peta Beeman, who is completing a Master of Marine Science and Management and is part of the University’s Marine Ecology Research Centre, is aiming to bring together photographs of individual whales from Victoria north to the Whitsunday Islands.
Emus at risk
July 5, 2010
A new brochure, funded by the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife, aims to raise community awareness and support for the endangered NSW North Coast population of the coastal emu.
National Parks and Wildlife (NPWS) Ranger Holly North said that as recently as the 1980s, emus were widespread in coastal NSW from Port Stephens to Evans Head.
