The recent release of the draft Renewables Regulatory Framework is a welcome significant step in the right direction. Supported by the Queensland Farmers Federation, Agforce and the QLD Conservation Council, the framework will go a long way to ensuring regional Queenslanders are adequately consulted.

Donate to the GBSAN garage sale or visit on Saturday 9 November to pick up some bargains!

The Southern Downs and Granite Belt Bird Places Brochure includes a self-drive map and an extensive  list of known bird watching hot spots as well as a description of the types of birds most likely to be  spotted at each place. 

Toby’s talk at our September meeting focussed on the BA’s Plastic Free Places campaign and how GBSAN could get involved.

The GBSAN general meeting on Sunday 22nd September was a great update on all the activities we’ve been involved with recently. Congratulations to everyone involved in organising and participating in the activities and projects. Thanks to all GBSAN members for your support, without which none of this would be achieved.

The Community Engagement Team has been instrumental in raising awareness, educating the community, and promoting sustainable practices in the Granite Belt. Over the past year, the team has achieved significant accomplishments, including:

There are lots of good things happening on the sustainability front on the Granite Belt. A number of projects that have been stalled over the past several years are gaining momentum or coming to fruition.

This is a summary of the Renewables Recycling Summit in Toowoomba held in August.

Read an update about our new bushcare group, which meets monthly to remove invasive weeds from bush areas around the Granite Belt. If you’d like to join in, please contact community@gbsan.org.au.

Updates about the recent movie night, upcoming GBSAN events at the Eco Expo and Gardenfest, as well as the Linkages project and new weedbusters group.

Fire ants infest around 600,000 ha in South East Queensland in Greater Brisbane and Toowoomba regions, and Northern NSW in the Northern Rivers. Fire ants are one of the world’s worst invasive species, with the ability to severely impact our environment, economy, agricultural industries, health, and our Australian way of life.

All GBSAN members and potential members are invited to a general meeting on Sunday 22nd September 2024 from 2 to 4pm at the RSL Lower Meeting Room. Team leaders and members of each group/team in the network will update the group and briefly inform the members of their progress.

Some notes on water for those members interested.

GBSAN is gratified to hear that our proposal to introduce a Household Chemical Waste scheme has been adopted by the Southern Downs Regional Council. By voting to endorse the trial, the Council has shown their commitment to the responsible disposal of pollutants, which will help to reduce the chemical burden on regional ecosystems.

Community Engagemetn updates including a new Weedbusters group reducing the impact of invasive weeds, Landscape Linkages Project & Movie Event

Updates from the Water group.

The Acacia Creek population of platypuses was much reduced through the 2019 dry. Only the odd one has been seen since. The ‘house’ dam did not refill until early in 2024. But this week, for the first time since 2019, an adult and a baby platypus have been seen in the dam. It is very exciting and a testimony to the resilience of the platypus so long as they are given a go.

Boronia repanda (Granite rose) is one of the Granite Belt’s threatened species facing extinction due to native vegetation clearing activities. Join us for the Consortium’s movie presentation to increase awareness about this unique native plant.

The film will be followed by a talk by Dr Don Sands, a leading ecologist specialising in Heliozelid spp moths. Don will be talking about the special relationship these moths have with Boronia species.

Finally, Geraldine Hollingsworth will be giving a talk about the bushland linkage projects currently being undertaken by the Granite Belt Sustainability Action Network and the Ready to Adapt Environmental Services group.

On July 4th, a group of twelve regional landholders gathered in Toowoomba for the National Renewables in Agriculture Conference and Expo. The day was a testament to the practical and progressive mindset of farmers. It showcased their commitment to reducing costs, saving energy, and embracing sustainable practices. The conference provided a refreshing counterpoint to the often divisive public discourse on climate change.

The blister pack recycling at the Amcal Pharmacy has been paused. Other Terracycle programs are going well.