Southern Gulf NRM

13/10/2026

🐟 12 juvenile sawfish discovered in the Leichhardt River!

A survey has recorded 12 juvenile Largetooth Sawfish in the freshwater reaches of the Leichhardt River, highlighting the importance of Southern Gulf waterways as nursery habitat for this critically endangered species.

Southern Gulf NRM partnered with CSIRO to conduct baseline surveys in June, assessing sawfish populations, river health and habitat condition to help guide future conservation efforts.

🌿 Through our Grazing for Healthy Rivers and Sawfish Conservation Project, we’re combining science with practical on-ground action, including plans for 30 km of riparian fencing, 10 off-stream watering points and support for sustainable grazing practices by June 2028.

By working alongside landholders, researchers and the community, we can help protect healthy waterways and the species that depend on them.

🔗 Read the full media release:https://www.southerngulf.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/MediaRelease_20260921_RDPSAW.pdf

This project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by Southern Gulf NRM, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.

📷 Video captured by Will Healing.

09/10/2026

📣 Just one month until our AGM!

Our 2026 Annual General Meeting is happening on Monday, 9 November at the SGNRM office in Mount Isa.

We’re looking forward to bringing our members together and reflecting on another big year at Southern Gulf NRM. 🌿

Save the date! 🗓️

07/10/2026

🐦 The Aussie Bird Count is back! - Register now!

From 19–25 October, Australians everywhere are invited to spend just 20 minutes counting the birds around them, whether that’s in your backyard, on your balcony, at school or in your local park. No experience needed, just a love for birds and a desire to connect with nature.

Last year, 64,000 people counted more than 5 million birds across Australia. This year, we want to make the Count even bigger, and we’d love you to join us! 🐦

All you need is 20 minutes, a little curiosity and the free Aussie Bird Count app, which guides you through the whole process.

Your sightings help contribute to important citizen science, while giving you a chance to slow down, connect with nature and discover the birds living right around you.

We can’t wait to see you there! Register today: https://aussiebirdcount.org.au/

The Aussie Bird Count 2026 is proudly supported by our friends at Bank Australia

05/10/2026

🚨 Spots have recently become available! 🚨

We’ve had a few spots open up for our Drone Licence Workshop this October.

If you’re a landholder in the Southern Gulf region and are interested in obtaining your drone licence (funding provided) and are available on:

• 12th, 13th, 14th October via Zoom
• 19th & 20th October in Cloncurry

Registration is required by Wednesday 7 October at lunch time. Places are limited, so get in touch with Charlotte to secure your spot.

📞 0458 829 123
📧 [email protected]

28/09/2026

💧 Apply now for the 2027-28 Great Artesian Basin rehabilitation program.

Eligible landholders can access funding to cover up to 90% of project costs to cap and pipe ageing bore infrastructure.

The program supports the replacement of free-flowing bores and open bore drains with modern piping systems that improve water supply reliability, reduce maintenance costs, support better stock management and boost long-term property productivity.

Secure a more reliable water supply for your property while helping protect one of Queensland’s most important water resources for future generations.

Learn more and apply: www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/mining-energy-water/water/catchments-planning/great-artesian-basin/rehabilitation-program/funding-cap-pipe-projects
📅 Submissions close Monday 30 November 2026.

28/09/2026

Earlier this month, some of our SGNRM team headed to Brisbane & Cairns for the MERI Community of Practice and Communications Community of Practice. 🌿💬

It was a great chance to connect with others working across the NRM sector, share ideas and experiences, and hear what’s happening in different regions.

From monitoring and evaluation to telling the story of our work, these conversations help us keep learning, improving, and finding better ways to support our communities and landscapes.

Land Queensland

25/09/2026

👋 Farewell, Ettian!

After nearly 3 years with Southern Gulf NRM, we're saying goodbye to Ettian as heads on to his next adventure.

Ettian has been a valued part of the SGNRM team, being the Project Officer (Environment) for our Gulf Snapping Turtle & Riverine Maintenance projects. We're grateful for everything he's contributed during his time with us and the difference he's made across the Southern Gulf.

From all of us at SGNRM, thank you Ettian. We'll miss having you around and wish you all the best for whatever comes next.

24/09/2026

The final field trip for the 2026 baseline and follow-up monitoring has now been completed as a part of our Climate-Smart Agriculture project.

Throughout the program, our Grazing Project Officer, Clarissa Felderhof, has worked alongside the team from James Cook University to undertake fieldwork across the region.

With the 2026 monitoring now complete, the information gathered will help assess changes in land condition across the project sites over time and build a clearer understanding of how the landscape is responding to management activities.

This work is part of the NHT Climate: Improving Land Condition in Northwest Queensland to Boost Productivity, Climate Resilience, and Biodiversity Project, under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Initiative funded through the Natural Heritage Trust.

TropWATER

22/09/2026

22/09/2026

🌱 Biodiversity Month | Week 4

Looking after biodiversity is a team effort.

Across the Southern Gulf, we all have a role to play in caring for the landscapes we live, work in and share.

Behind the work of caring for these landscapes are people with different experiences, knowledge and connections to the region - from those managing land and water, to Traditional Owners, community members, researchers, volunteers and organisations working across the region.

These perspectives help build a greater understanding of the Southern Gulf’s landscapes, the species they support and the changes happening across them.

The people who live, work and connect with the Southern Gulf are an important part of its biodiversity story. 🌿