Launch of Green Cross Australia’s Witness King Tides photographic project

Posted on December 12, 2011 by ACS admin

Qld Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM)

 Media alert

Launch of Green Cross Australia’s Witness King Tides photographic project

Where:          Lower Moora Park – off Park Parade, Shorncliffe
When:            Thursday December 15, 10.30am – 11.45am
What:             The Hon. Vicky Darling, Minister for Environment and Mara Bun, CEO Green Cross Australia will join ABC TV weather presenter Jenny Woodward to launch Green Cross Australia’s Witness King Tides Project.

The project encourages Queenslanders to witness and photograph the forecasted king tides of 2012 to promote the effects of climate change.

Due to the effects of climate change, Queensland’s presently rare king tides are likely to be more common with projected sea level rises.

The Witness King Tides Project encourages members of the community to photograph the coming summer’s unusually high tides, creating a visual prediction of Queensland’s landscape under climate change.

The project is funded by Commonwealth Department of Climate Change and Excellence, and DERM and supported by Surf Lifesaving Queensland, Queensland Centre for Photography, Australian Coastal Society and Coastcare.

For further media enquiries contact Department of Environment and Resource Management Media Services Ph: (07) 3224 7792 or email media@derm.qld.gov.au

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Qld ACS Branch celebrates Coastcare Week on the Gold Coast

Posted on December 9, 2011 by ACS admin

Caring for the coast comes easy on the Gold Coast, as the coastal environment is reflected throughout the City’s atmosphere. From the northern foreshores of Moreton Bay Marine Park to the world-class point break at Snapper, as well as the crystal clear waters, soft sand, muddy mangroves and sub-tropical reefs, the 70km of beaches – including South Stradbroke Island, hundreds of kilometres of waterways (9 times more than Venice), the Gold Coast is the big and end all for an incredible and diverse coastal landscape.

Additionally, what is so unique is that you can be amongst the glitz and glam of Surfers Paradise and only up the beach; there is Federation Walk Coastal Reserve, and then down south is Burleigh Headland National Park, which is adjacent to Australia’s cleanest beach – Tallebudgera Beach.

We have many scattered natural coastal pockets that are necessary to restore, protect and preserve to maintain and enhance one of the most bio-diverse regions and more importantly ensure the next, and the next, and the next generation can enjoy what we love – and that is the coast.

This is why many coastal lovers got together to celebrate Gold Coast’s coastal environment, and acknowledge key partners, organisations and individuals who actively part take in its management at an “Our Coast” event.

Coordinated by Griffith Centre for Coastal Management, Gold Coast Diving and ABC Gold Coast Radio is was a night of sharing information, coastal footage and stories. There was a diversity of people who live and breathe the coast, and more so hold the secret for why we have such a special coast.

A special thanks to Peta Williams, Ian Banks and Peter Scott for making it a night to rave about! All interviews will be played to air in the new year, so watch this space for updates for the times.

Naomi and Greg at the ACS stand at GC Coastcare Week event 2011

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Tasmania ACS Branch Update – Dec 2011

Posted on December 8, 2011 by ACS admin

ACS Tas has had a great end to the year with successful involvements in Coastcare Week celebrations and a new coastal alliance. Coastcare week was celebrated with many fun and diverse activities and events across Tasmania, with the largest of these being ‘Coastal Conversations 2011′. This event brought together ACS Tas, NRM South, the Southern Coastcare Association of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Coastal Alliance to host a regional celebration for coastal stakeholders with local guest speakers, drinks and nibbles, followed by a public lecture with Professors Bruce Thom and Jan McDonald. Bruce and Jan both had the audience captivated with their highly relevant and informative presentations. Bruce spoke on ‘Challenges to Coastal Management – a national perspective’ and Jan on  ‘Legal liability issues for coastal climate change impacts’. The event was supported by approximately 190 coastal community members. Many thanks to our ACS President for his involvement in this great event.

Crowd arrives for Coastal Conversations 2011 in Hobart to celebrate Coastcare Week

The Australian Coastal Society has also recently joined the Tasmanian Coastal Alliance (TasCA) – an alliance of NGOs and professionals with relevant expertise in coastal matters, established to provide a focus for the community and stakeholder NGOs’ responses following the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s rejection of the draft Tasmanian State Coastal Policy 2008.  TasCA’s brings together ACS Tas, Birds Tasmania, the Environmental Defenders Office (Tas), and Environment Tasmania to pursue the goal of a clear, enforceable and evidence-based integrated coastal planning and management system for Tasmanian. ACS Tas is helping to promote this outcome and provide information to support this goal.

 

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South Australian ACS Branch Update – Dec 2011

Posted on December 6, 2011 by ACS admin

The SA chapter has had several smaller member group meetings in the latter half of 2011 and it’s been great to have a few more passionate bods on deck! Our focal issue has been the Kangaroo Island Pro Surf contest, which was held in early November.

Kangaroo Island Surf Pro 2011 (photo: Corey Jackson)

The KI Pro Surf contest was the subject of concern for numerous environmental groups and local community members due to its location in Vivonne Bay and potential impacts from an expected 3000-5000 spectators. In 2009, a Department of Environment and Heritage coastal assessment established Vivonne Bay to be significant biodiversity terms, with a large number of threatened fauna and flora present.

Prior to the event, the ACS worked closely with groups such as Surfrider Foundation (SA chapter) to gather background information, identify key issues and determine our position. From numerous accounts, feedback provided from concerned groups to organisers, Surfing SA, had been taken on board and the event was well-managed – with far less impact on the coastal environment than surf contests with 100 spectators.

The ACS is in the process of writing a higher-level letter to ministers commending the management of the event and highlighting strategic issues for future surfing events in near-pristine areas of the state, such as processes for preliminary consultation and event planning, and ensuring development applications for surf contests are considered in a coordinated and holistic manner. The letter will be made available on the ACS website once finalised.

The SA chapter plans to meet late January/early February 2012 and encourages our local members to get involved. For further information please contact chapter chair Claire Lock sa@australiancoastalsociety.org.au

Kangaroo Island Surf Pro 2011 (photo: Corey Jackson)

(Ed: Some of us on the east coast may not appreciate the significance of temporary disturbance on dunes, but Kangaroo Island receives an annual rainfall of only 485mm a year, compared to just over 1200mm in Sydney or a whopping 1700mm p.a. in Coffs Harbour, so the vegetation on the dunes in SA needs a little more care and respect – Mel)
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Position vacant – Coastal Oceanographer, Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) – Darwin NT

Posted on December 6, 2011 by ACS admin

Northern Territory

The Australian Institute of Marine Science is Australia’s tropical marine research agency. The Institute has world-class laboratory facilities in Townsville Queensland, Perth Western Australia, and Darwin Northern Territory, two modern research vessels and extensive technical support. Facilities are being enhanced with $68M of capital funds from the Australian Government to support innovative research in water quality, tropical marine biodiversity, climate change and marine microbiology.

Expansions are currently underway at our Darwin location in the Arafura-Timor Research Facility, Northern Territory.  These enhanced facilities will include a new experimental research aquarium and increased space for researchers and students supported by modern laboratory equipment.

To support our growing Darwin presence, an opportunity has been created for an experienced scientist to develop and apply advanced oceanographic models to the coastal domain.  This position will support the Integrated Marine Observing System in the Northern Territory.

The successful candidate will possess a PhD in physical oceanography or a related discipline with a strong publication history or demonstrate equivalent professional experience.

Knowledge of physical oceanographic processes in tropical coastal environments is essential as is the ability to design and coordinate field observational programmes and implement and customise hydrodynamic and process models to predict patterns of water circulation, flushing rates and residence times, and the transport and fate of dissolved and particulate loads in coastal waters.

Attractive working conditions apply including a commencing salary of $71,258 – $97,972 plus up to 15.4% superannuation, generous leave, and many other benefits.  This opportunity will initially be offered for a fixed term period of three years.

Application information is available from www.aims.gov.au/employment.  Position enquiries may be directed to Dr Peter Doherty; p.doherty@aims.gov.au.

The closing date for this opportunity is Friday 23 December 2011.

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