Gulf Savannah NRM

06/11/2026

🐸 CAN YOU HEAR THE GULF CROAKING?

It’s time to tune in to our local frogs! FrogID Week runs from 6–15 November, and everyone can get involved in helping scientists learn more about Australia's frogs.

Here at Gulf Savannah NRM, we have a special connection to these little creatures – our very own Gulf Croaker magazine takes its name from the Green-striped Burrowing Frog, a local frog whose chorus heralds the coming rains.

Frogs are more than just the soundtrack to a wet season. They're important indicators of environmental health, and keeping track of where they live and how their populations are changing helps scientists understand the health of our landscapes.

🎧 How can you help?
- Download the free FrogID app.
- Head outside after rain or around dusk and listen for frog calls.
- Record the calls using the app and submit them to the Australian Museum.

Your recording becomes part of a national citizen science project, helping researchers identify frog species and monitor changes in their distribution over time.

You don't need to be a scientist – just a smartphone, a little curiosity and a willingness to listen!

Every croak counts. Let's hear what frogs are calling across the Gulf Savannah!

👉 Find out more and get involved: https://www.frogid.net.au/participate/frogid-week/

03/11/2026

Normanton it's your turn!
Our producer mapping workshops are coming to Normanton.

Led by Gulf Savannah NRM and supported by the TNQ Drought Hub, these hands-on workshops show you how to use Avenza Maps on your phone to plan waters, pipelines, fences and paddocks. Gain practical mapping skills that work from the office to the paddock.

📆 17th November 2026
⏰9 am to 3 pm
📍Normanton Shire Hall, 33 Haig Street, Normanton

Funded by the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.

01/11/2026

Last chance to register for our Seasonal Climate Outlook webinar!
📅 Monday 2 November 2026
🕛 12 noon – 1 pm
💻 Online

30/10/2026

🌦️ Ready for the wet season? Let’s talk climate!

What are the climate drivers telling us about the months ahead — and how can you use the forecast to make smarter decisions for your livestock and pastures?

Join Gulf Savannah NRM for our free Seasonal Climate Outlook webinar with climate specialists Vicki Mayne and Associate Professor Tim Cowan.

📅 Monday 2 November 2026
🕛 12 noon – 1 pm
💻 Online

From rainfall and temperature outlooks to practical tools for on-farm decision-making, this session will help you cut through the noise and focus on what matters.

This webinar is delivered in partnership with Agri-Climate Australia Network (AgCAN), building on the legacy of the Northern Australia Climate Program (NACP), funded by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), Queensland’s Drought and Climate Adaptation Program, and the University of Southern Queensland.

This project is supported by the TNQ Drought Hub, through funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.

28/10/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Ellen Weber — and welcome to Tim Wong!

Today, we recognise Ellen Weber’s remarkable 12 years of service on the Gulf Savannah NRM Board, including six years as Chair.

Ellen has been part of our organisation through an important period of change, from our days as Northern Gulf Resource Management Group to the organisation we are today. Her commitment and leadership have helped guide our work supporting healthy landscapes, resilient industries and thriving communities across the Northern Gulf.

On behalf of our Board and staff, thank you, Ellen, for the time, care and dedication you have given to Gulf Savannah NRM and our region. Your contribution is valued, and we wish you all the very best for the future.

We are also delighted to announce Tim Wong as the incoming Chair of Gulf Savannah NRM.

Tim is an experienced natural resource management professional with a 25-year work history spanning state, national and international roles. Tim spent seven years as CEO of ACT NRM (Australian Capital Territory) focused on sustainable agriculture, biodiversity and biosecurity programs. As part of this role, Tim represented the ACT on a national working group with other State and Territory representatives to support national NRM strategy and governance issues.

Tim joined the Gulf Savannah NRM Board as a Director in January 2026 and now takes on the role of Chair. In addition to his extensive experience in regional NRM delivery in Australia including contributing to strategy and advocacy, Tim has undertaken formal board governance training, and spent many years working with and supporting Boards and advisory committees.

Tim currently works for the Wet Tropics Management Authority in Cairns, where his work includes conservation planning and on-ground programs to support the management of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. His work has a strong focus on collaboration with traditional owner organisations, disaster resilience and climate change adaptation, environmental markets, and regulatory frameworks.

Tim is looking forward to supporting Gulf Savannah NRM’s work with landholders, Traditional Custodians, industry, government and regional communities to maintain healthy landscapes and build a resilient future for the Northern Gulf.

Please join us in thanking Ellen for her service and welcoming Tim to the role!

26/10/2026

🌦️ WHAT’S THE OUTLOOK FOR THE WET SEASON?

How much rain might we get? What are the climate drivers telling us? And how can you use the seasonal outlook to make better decisions for your livestock and pastures?

Join Gulf Savannah NRM for a free online Seasonal Climate Outlook webinar and get practical insights to help prepare your business for the months ahead.

📅 Monday 2 November 2026
🕛 12 noon – 1 pm
💻 Online webinar

We’ll explore:
🌧️ What’s shaping this wet season? Understand the key climate drivers influencing our region.
🔎 Fact, fiction and what matters right now. Cut through the climate myths and focus on the signals that matter.
🌡️ Rainfall and temperature outlook. Find out what the outlook suggests for the months ahead.
🐂 From forecast to farm decisions. Explore tools and practical tips to help guide decisions for livestock and pastures.

Meet your presenters:
🎤 Vicki Mayne – Climate Project Officer at the University of Southern Queensland and Climate Mate with the Northern Australia Climate Program. As a beef producer herself, Vicki understands the challenges of seasonal variability and translating climate information into practical on-farm decisions.
🎤 Associate Professor Tim Cowan – Climate Prediction Specialist at UniSQ’s Centre for Applied Climate Sciences, working with the Bureau of Meteorology’s Seasonal Climate Processes team. Tim brings extensive experience in climate research and developing seasonal forecast products for northern Australia’s cattle industry.

📲 Register now: https://bit.ly/3W7crzS

Get informed, plan ahead and make the seasonal outlook work for your business!

This webinar is delivered in partnership with Agri-Climate Australia Network (AgCAN), building on the legacy of the Northern Australia Climate Program (NACP), funded by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), Queensland’s Drought and Climate Adaptation Program, and the University of Southern Queensland.

This project is supported by the TNQ Drought Hub, through funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.

25/10/2026

🌱 Building better soils across the Northern Gulf for climate resilience.

On 13 October, 35 local producers came together for Gulf Savannah NRM’s "Soil Sponge Workshop", delivered through the Climate Smart Agriculture in the Northern Gulf project.

Led by soil scientist Philip Mulvey from Ryzo, the hands-on workshop explored how soil structure, organic matter, pH and plant diversity influence soil health, water infiltration and fertility.

🧪 The best part? Getting hands-on! Producers brought soil samples from their own properties to compare in the “Best vs. Worst Soil Showdown” and learned simple, low-cost ways to monitor soil health using the SPOT Test.

🌿 Participants discovered how diverse plant cover and healthier soil structure can help:
💧 Improve water infiltration and retention
🌱 Build soil fertility and support plant growth
☀️ Help soils cope with temperature extremes and variable rainfall
🚜 Make more informed land management decisions

97% of participants reported increased confidence in applying the SPOT Test and multi-species principles on their own properties after attending the workshop.

Healthy soil is valuable natural capital. Keeping soil, nutrients and water where they can do the most good benefits individual farms and the wider catchment.

A big thank you to Philip Mulvey and all the producers who took part and shared their knowledge and experiences!

This event was funded by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program and delivered by Gulf Savannah NRM, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.

21/10/2026

Well-deserved recognition for one of the regions dedicated local Councilors. Congratulations, Mayor Barry Hughes!

𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟏𝟓 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭!

Etheridge Shire Council proudly congratulates Mayor Barry Hughes on being recognised for 15 years of dedicated service as an elected member of Etheridge Shire Council at the LGAQ 130th Annual Awards Dinner.

Local government is a cornerstone of democracy, providing a vital link between communities and government. The commitment and dedication of elected representatives play an essential role in ensuring our communities have a strong voice and a positive future.

This significant milestone recognises Mayor Hughes’ longstanding commitment to representing and serving the people of Etheridge Shire.

👏 On behalf of Etheridge Shire Council and our community, we extend our sincere congratulations and appreciation to Mayor Barry Hughes for 15 years of service, leadership and dedication to local government and the Etheridge community.

19/10/2026

Producer Mapping Workshop Chillagoe
Led by Gulf Savannah NRM and supported by the TNQ Drought Hub, these hands-on workshops show you how to use Avenza Maps on your phone to plan waters, pipelines, fences and paddocks. Gain practical mapping skills that work from the office to the paddock. Funded by the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.
📆 27th October 2026
⏰9 am to 3 pm
📍Chillagoe Hub, 21-23 Queen Street, Chillagoe

14/10/2026

Celebrating International Day of Rural Women, 15 October 2026