NEWS | business | industry | charity | mining | environment
CONSENT MATTERS We chat with Aussie change-maker Chanel Contos about educating the nation.
P.58 ausbiz. news p.61 Perfection fresh tomatoes P.66 mining innovations P.70 pursuit of happiness p.80 farming the future P.86 charity - orange sky p.90 feral cat and fox control P.95 saving black cockatoos
AUSBIZ NEWS
GOOD NEWS FROM THE NORTH WEST MINERALS PROVINCE Running from July 12-14 in Mount Isa, the North West MPX is a new combined conference and expo for the mining and resources sector. This fantastic new event has grown out of the longstanding Minex. The theme for this year’s conference is “The North West Minerals Province, where good news stories keep coming.” This event will bring together representatives from mines across this diverse, rich and vibrant region of Queensland to exchange news, ideas and expertise. The conference will be chaired by Andrew Barger, the Policy Director of Economics at the Queensland Resources Council. Day one begins with welcome drinks and networking, while day two allows you to hear from speakers on topics such as reducing energy waste and women in manufacturing. Day three includes field trips to local sites to get acquainted with Mount Isa and The North West Minerals Province, and encompasses an underground tour of the Hardtimes mine and a visit to the underground hospital and museum. In the evening, delegates and sponsors can relax and network with the “Dinner and Footy” event at the Buchannan Park entertainment centre, to further develop connections and indulge in some friendly state footy rivalry.
For those looking to enter the mining and resource sector, there will also be a session on “Training, vocational education and upskilling,” where speakers from the industry will present on a variety of topics. This region boasts long-term successful mines and many exciting and dynamic exploration projects, providing new opportunities for those interested in the sector. The North West MPX website is constantly being updated with new speakers and sponsors, so check online for details and to book your tickets today.
THE NORTH WEST MINERALS PROVINCE
– WHERE GOOD NEWS STORIES KEEP COMING Get your tickets now, or become a sponsor, and meet the movers and shakers in the mining and resources sector. The event, which is a combined conference and expo, will be held in Mount Isa – the heart of the North West Minerals Province of Queensland – and run from July 12 – 14. For more details about the event and speakers, and to secure your spot or become a sponsor, head to northwestmpx.com.au, or simply scan this QR code
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AUSBIZ NEWS
The future of protein to power Australia A growing population, changes in diet trends and a focus on sustainability are just some of the factors placing greater demands on the protein industry worldwide. And now a new report by CSIRO reveals how Australia could capture the $13 billion protein market. ‘Protein: A roadmap for unlocking technology-led growth opportunities for Australia’ outlines how, by focusing on new technologies, Australia could completely revamp its protein industry and secure 10,000 more jobs nationally, becoming a global leader. It emphasises a need to bring together animal, plant and other protein production systems, and integrate innovative growth solutions to enhance the already significant protein output. According to CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall, these science solutions could “create new markets and complement our existing, globally competitive traditional markets.” “This will help shift Australia’s reputation from being the world’s food bowl of commodities to becoming a global delicatessen of unique higher value exports,” Larry adds, highlighting how exploring non-traditional forms of protein, such as plant-based meat, could be nationally beneficial, and present a significant export opportunity. By adopting CSIRO’s Future Protein initiative, Australia can keep up with the growing demand for protein and cultivate a global reputation.
IT CAN’T BE BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR OUR GROUNDWATER Found beneath the earth’s surface, groundwater supplies half the world’s drinking water and 43 per cent of the water used to grow crops, and is widely used by mining and other industries. In Australia, it’s the only water supply available across much of the country, and contributes more than $6.8 billion to our economy every year. Although it gives us so much, groundwater is a misunderstood and misused resource in this country. And overreliance on it during the recent droughts means we’re now facing a water crisis. With a rise in population, food production and agriculture, groundwater has proved to be an invaluable resource – one we’ve become more and more dependent on. However, lack of regulation and management means that places such as the Murray-Darling Basin are now experiencing shortages and have limited access to any fresh water. Other regions, such as California in the US and Cape Town in South Africa, are projected to follow, especially as demand for water increases. “Groundwater makes up almost all of the available freshwater on our planet: 97 per cent of freshwater on Earth lies in the ground beneath our feet,” says Craig Simmons, Professor of Hydrogeology at Flinders University. However, looking at the state of our groundwater access, Craig is concerned about the need for conservation, pointing out the 2009 World Resources Group report, which forecast the world would face a 40 per cent water deficit by 2030 under a business-
as-usual scenario. He suggests we cannot continue to use groundwater at the current rate. Instead, commercial industries should work alongside local communities to find sustainable solutions to groundwater management and protect this precious resource. One example of such collaboration in action is the Angas Bremmer irrigation district in South Australia, which began work on a comanagement plan more than 50 years ago. According to a new research article, ‘Coming Together: Insights from an Australian example of collective action to comanage groundwater,’ the initiative has proven effective. “By working together with the government department, the local committee has developed and implemented innovative water management policies which led to reduction of groundwater extractions by 80 per cent,” the article concludes. The Angas Bremmer district is an example of how implementing conservation strategies can ensure that groundwater continues to be available and abundant globally. While withdrawal rates continue to rise, leading to a depletion in groundwater access, all hope is not lost for reform, and a more positive future. Through collective action, we can preserve this vital international resource. JUNE/JULY 2022
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AGRICULTURE
A TOMATO BY ANY OTHER NAME… From original red to newer dark green and brown varieties, Perfection Fresh is redefining the way we see and eat the humble tomato, thanks to its unique Perfection Two Wells Glasshouse facility in South Australia. Words: Darcy Watt
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THIS PAGE: THE TWO WELLS GLASSHOUSE IS THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE.
ROWS UPON rows of colourful fruiting plants grow inside the Two Wells Glasshouse. The produce – various tomato varieties – is grown to be shipped across the country, eventually arriving on the dinner plates of hungry Australians. Tomatoes sit at around 90 per cent household penetration, meaning they are a popular staple food: think field, cherry and truss tomatoes. And now Perfection Fresh has set the goal of introducing Australians to new and exciting tomato varieties, to reinvigorate the household favourite. You may have seen the fruits of their labour on supermarket shelves already: the Kumato, an authentic robustflavoured tomato dark in colour; Mixa-mato, a range of colourful tomatoes varying between sweet and rich; and Romatherapy baby roma tomatoes, firm to the touch with a luscious and plush flavour on the bite. And it hasn’t stopped there. Perfection Fresh has mastered the craft of experimenting with tomatoes in search of new and exciting varieties,
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using a trial-and-error process to deliver a supreme product to supermarket shelves. There’s even a purple tomato with a natural star formation on its outer skin – although some of these inventions have yet to make it onto our shelves as consumers just aren’t ready for them!
POLLINATING AND PRODUCING Perfection Fresh tomatoes have an interesting journey before they arrive on your plate, beginning with hand pollination. The glasshouse where the plants grow is a controlled agricultural environment, meaning no bees can enter the facility – so growers must hand pollinate the flowers by shaking the plants. Charles Hutton is a Grower at Perfection Fresh Australia, and closely monitors the plants each day in the 43-hectare South Australian greenhouse. “We normally just hit them with a stick and spring which sends through vibrations, or we use an electric leaf blower to blow the flowers
and that vibrates them enough to make them pollinate,” he explains. The state-of-the-art facility is the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere and operates with 24-hour maintenance on site in case anything goes wrong. The temperature must be monitored constantly, along with soil acidity, pests such as whitefly, water consumption and fertiliser. It’s a huge operation. “We recycle 100 per cent of our water used on site. We have a large roof area, so we can collect a lot of water during winter and store it in our 400 megalitre dams. We also use recycled water from Adelaide which is treated on site during summer for supplementary water. This water is run through irrigation throughout the glasshouse to the tomatoes and collected again, stored and UV treated and remixed with freshwater for use again,” says Charles. The brand has committed to 100 per cent recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging by 2025. Head of Marketing Luke Gibson says
AGRICULTURE
FAST FACTS LEFT TO RIGHT: DRONE SHOT OF PERFECTION TWO WELLS; CHARLES HUTTON, GROWER AT PERFECTION FRESH.
trials of cardboard packaging are ongoing, but it’s a difficult goal as cardboard draws moisture out of produce. “Generally, people want to see the produce, they want to make sure that it’s great quality before they buy it,” he says. “We don’t have a solution yet, but we have several trials happening to try and find one. “There is a perception that plastic is worse for the environment than paper and that’s not actually always the case,” he continues. “If you can’t achieve the same shelf life and product quality and foods are going to be wasted, that’s actually more harmful than the plastic.” According to Luke, people derive a lot of value by not wasting produce. Perfection Fresh looks for both produce and packaging that last throughout the entire supply chain from conception to consumption. The longer food lasts, the more value the customer receives.
PICKING AND PACKING Workers at Perfection Fresh pick for 52 weeks of the year. A significant proportion of time is reserved for establishing new plants within the glasshouse. It usually takes seven or eight weeks for a single seedling to start producing tomatoes in Two Wells – a process that would
take up to three months in a regular garden. The glasshouse has both summer and winter plantings so fresh tomatoes can be delivered Australia-wide 365 days of the year. “When we first started, we weren’t big enough as a company to be able to deliver a consistent supply,” says Charles. “Once a business reaches a certain size you can ensure all your customers are happy as they don’t have to worry about declines in the supply chain.” As for the name Perfection Fresh, Charles and his colleagues pride themselves on delivering only the best quality tomatoes. That’s why on the day they are picked, they are also packed and sometimes even shipped off on trucks, depending on supply and demand. Charles lives and breathes agriculture, having studied the subject at university and now working in the industry. He’s a tomato expert, and he vouches to have seen the whole process happen in one day. “We picked in the morning and by that night they were leaving on the truck. For some varieties, such as the Mix-a-mato, this isn’t necessary, as they have a very good shelf life – I’ve kept some up to 20 days.”
• Tomatoes originate from South America, and wild tomatoes can still be found throughout the Andes. The Spanish introduced them to Europe, where they were soon adopted into local cuisines, especially in Spain and Italy. • La Tomatina is a wellknown tomato throwing festival in Spain. It came about in 1945, after a crowd of people became angry at a man heckling two young boys and started throwing tomatoes from a market stall. Today the festival is celebrated purely for joy. • The heaviest tomato ever grown weighed in at 4.896kg, according to Guinness World Records. The Domingo variety giant was grown by Dan Sutherland of the USA in 2020. • There are around 10,000 varieties of tomato across the world. The Gigantomo can grow up to 10 fruits on one plant weighing 1kg each – big enough to feed a small family. JUNE/JULY 2022
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MINING
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MINING
TECH INNOVATIONS IN MINING It’s no secret that Australia’s mining industry can be slow to adapt. With more than 350 mines across the country, it takes work to keep the industry moving and producing. However, new technological advancements are starting to deliver on growth in efficiency and sustainability. words: Matilda Meikle
DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD: PILES OF IRON ORE AT CAPE LAMBERT, PILBARA. IMAGE: RIO TINTO. JUNE/JULY 2022
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MINING LEFT: THE PILBARA AUTOHAUL TRAIN. IMAGE: RIO TINTO. BELOW: THE SUPER PIT, KALGOORLIE-BOULDER. IMAGE: TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
needs of Australian miners. After interviewing miners to discern their needs, the company introduced its G2 range. The clothing uses stitching to target specific muscles while working and incorporates silver to be antimicrobial. The fabric of the clothing is also lined with thermoactivated nanotechnology, keeping workers cool throughout the day. A survey conducted by the University of Sydney found that workers wearing the G2 clothing experienced decreased heart rates after performing tasks, meaning they were less fatigued. King Gee’s G2 range demonstrates how tech innovations can improve health and safety while ensuring comfort for the mining community.
BELT WEIGHERS CURRENT INITIATIVES Mining companies have been steadily introducing a variety of new technological innovations in recent years. In a sector where environmental and physical harm are a risk, automated vehicles, smart sensors and drones are being used to redefine the way we think about the industry. One such advancement is the introduction of autonomous haulage, which allows vehicles to be driven remotely. Rio Tinto’s iron ore mine in Western Australia opened the world’s first automated freight railway in 2019. The unmanned trains each carry around 28,000 tonnes of iron ore. According to McKinsey Research, companies using autonomous haulage in Western Australia have reported improving mining productivity by 20 per cent.
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Another technological improvement is the adoption of the CSIRO’s longwall automation system. Typically, in underground coal mines, a shearer cuts along the underground coal seam, exposing miners to a variety of concerns including the risk of roof collapse. The automated system uses remote guidance to steer a shearing system, removing miners from direct hazards and increasing productivity, with an economic gain of around 10 per cent. At least 20 of Australia’s 30 underground coal mines have introduced this system so far, with more predicted to do so over the coming years. But machinery isn’t the only sector of mining to see this change. In 2014, King Gee released a line of compression undergarments designed specifically to fit the
Mining operations constantly require weighing of extracted materials to ensure that production is running smoothly. While previously this was achieved through conveyor belts transporting and slowly weighing the various mined goods, new tech has managed to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the process. This includes belt weighers placed at various intervals along the conveyor belt to continuously report the mass of the goods being transported. This ensures a constant feedback system, allowing operators to keep track of their exports effectively. More recently, SRO Technology introduced remote monitoring into its belt weighers. Now, monitors output information such as speed, rate and belt loading, allowing access to information from anywhere. This means mine operators can identify trends and issues remotely, and
MINING
supervise multiple sites that could be kilometres apart. By enabling miners to identify and solve problems quickly, belt weighers are helping to enhance the effectiveness of the mining sector and protect economic output.
CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY With technology becoming an increasingly common sight in the mining industry, smart mining operations are predicted to triple by 2025. This includes the introduction of cellular technology, which utilises the 5G data network to create more connectivity between various mining sectors and equipment. By adopting private cellular networks, more mining processes could become automated. This can help solve issues by raising safety and productivity levels while reducing environmental degradation. For example, in a typical open pit mine, haulage accounts for 30 per cent of the mine’s costs and 25 per cent of all mining deaths. Only 1 per cent of haulage is currently automated. By further automating haulage through cellular technology, fuel costs can be reduced while productivity and safety reach an alltime high. This new system also allows for real-time data monitoring to check the condition of equipment. Around 70 per cent of machine malfunctions could be prevented with proper collection of machine data. Realtime monitoring only serves to make this more possible. By using cellular technology to introduce remotecontrolled drilling rigs, productivity could also be increased by up to 60 per cent. Overall, connected mining can potentially save up to 1,000 lives and prevent 44,000 injuries over the next decade. Automating many parts of the sector will also ensure an increase in productivity and a decrease in environmental damage.
ABOVE AND BELOW: DRILLING RIG; A GRAPHIC OF THE LONGWALL CONCEPT FROM THE CSIRO.
The use of cellular technology would require multiple digital connections – meaning a high bandwidth and reliable connection are vital. Unfortunately, mines are often located in rural areas, so more work needs to be done before connected mining can be fully integrated in Australia. These technological innovations in the mining sector are leading to a conversation around a hybrid structure for the industry. Mining will always require people, but perhaps introducing new technologies will help make the job safer and more efficient for future generations. JUNE/JULY 2022
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HR AND RECRUITMENT
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PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS Would you quit your job for the sake of your happiness? A global survey has found younger generations are at the forefront of a movement to seek job satisfaction and stand up for their personal beliefs at work. Words: Emily Riches
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HR AND RECRUITMENT
THE COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot about how, when and where we work – but it has also changed why. Global recruiting firm Randstad’s Workmonitor is one of the longestrunning and largest studies of its kind, surveying 35,000 workers across 34 markets globally. The biannual survey recently found that for younger generations such as Gen Z (18- to 24-year-olds) and Millennials (25- to 34-year-olds), attitudes have shifted to place happiness and personal values at the forefront of working life. Fifty-six per cent of the younger generations said they’d quit their job if it was preventing them from enjoying life, while 40 per cent said they would rather be unemployed than unhappy in a job. Attitudes like these have led to the ‘Great Resignation’ around the world, and with 70 per cent of Australians now either actively or passively job
seeking, there is a revolution in the employee-employer dynamic. As Nick Pesch, CEO of Randstad ANZ, says, “There’s a clear power shift underway in offices around the globe, including Australia, driven by a workforce still recovering from the pandemic. Many workers are rethinking priorities and choosing to prioritise personal fulfillment, no longer afraid to move on from roles that don’t align with their values.”
“56 per cent of Gen Z and Millennials said they’d quit their job if it was preventing them from enjoying life.”
PURPOSE OVER PAYCHECK The isolation and restrictions imposed over the past two years have hit young people particularly hard. In March 2022, the World Health Organization reported that anxiety and depression increased 25 per cent worldwide during the first year of the pandemic; teens in particular are among those experiencing a mental health crisis. With greater awareness of the importance of mental health, younger generations are placing more focus on the search for happiness, purpose and work-life balance in their choice of work. These younger generations are also tapped into social justice and environmental issues, and they expect their employer to be as well. Nearly half of Millennials (48 per cent) and Gen Z (49 per cent) said they wouldn’t accept a job that didn’t align with JUNE/JULY 2022
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HR AND RECRUITMENT
NICK PESCH, CEO OF RANDSTAD ANZ
“We believe focusing on these five areas is essential: fitting work around people’s lives, aligning values, strengthening attraction strategies, offering job flexibility, and accelerating professional development.”
their values on social justice and environmental issues, compared to just over a third (35 per cent) of 55- to 67-year-olds. The figures were similar regarding the efforts of an employer to promote a diverse and inclusive workplace. Two in five of the younger generations surveyed wouldn’t even mind earning less money if they felt their job was contributing something to the world or society, revealing a pervasive attitude of ‘purpose over paycheck’. Nick adds, “Young people want to bring their whole selves to work, which is reflected in their determination
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not to compromise their personal values when choosing an employer. Our research and experience working with candidates in Australia points to an increasing expectation that organisations will take a stand on social and environmental issues. Companies that are shown to be taking positive action will find themselves more attractive and better able to retain loyal talent.”
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR BUSINESSES? With talent scarcity a long-term challenge and competition for skills intensifying, how can companies stand
out from competitors and become attractive for younger generations, and employees in general? Sander van ’t Noordende, CEO and Chair of the Executive Board of Randstad NV, says, “We believe focusing on these five areas is essential: fitting work around people’s lives, aligning values, strengthening attraction strategies, offering job flexibility, and accelerating professional development.” Nearly three-quarters of people believe flexibility of work location is important, and an even higher per cent want work hours that complement their lifestyle. Globally, 58 per cent of people say they wouldn’t accept a job if they thought it would negatively affect their worklife balance. So job flexibility is here to stay: whether this is around remote or hybrid schedules, work hours or work arrangements. Corporate social responsibility is also important, with businesses taking a stance on social justice and environmental issues and encouraging diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Opportunities for professional development and upskilling are also critical, as well as offering incentives such as more time off, healthcare benefits or retirement plans. The pandemic caused millions of workers around the world to work in new and different ways, and people are emerging from the global crisis with a clear mission: prioritising happiness and purpose. They are ready to let their employers know it. Now that markets are reopening, restrictions are being lifted and employees are returning to the workplace, companies need to actively listen and respond to what people are asking for – and in some cases change the way they operate for good.
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THIS PAGE: CHANEL CONTOS IS CHANGING THE NATIONAL CONVERSATION AROUND CONSENT - AND THE GOVERNMENT IS LISTENING.
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CONSENT MATTERS In a historic decision, the Australian government has announced that consent education will be mandatory in schools from 2023 – and it’s all thanks to former student Chanel Contos. WORDS: MATILDA MEIKLE
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EDUCATION
AGE-APPROPRIATE consent education is to become compulsory in Australian schools from year K-10 after state and federal ministers unanimously agreed to add it to the curriculum. Younger years will learn the basics around permission and respect, while older years will engage with ideas surrounding consent, coercion, gender stereotypes and more. This plan is likely to come into effect in 2023, and is intended to change the way consent is taught in Australian society. As things stand, one in five women in Australia has experienced some form of sexual violence, with one in four of these women being under 18. Evidence suggests that better preventative education could reduce this number and help to make Australia a safer place for the next generation. The decision has important repercussions in moving towards a better understanding of consent, and comes as the result of a petition started by then-student Chanel Contos, which has collected more than 45,000 signatures since its launch in 2021.
CHANEL’S STORY The announcement regarding consent education is news for most of us, but for Chanel it all began early last year. “Some friends and I started talking about sexual assault properly for the first time. And we began to realise that many of us have been sexually assaulted, we just hadn’t realised that what happened to us counted. I was so furious,” she says. According to Chanel, this active rage influenced her to post an Instagram story asking her followers if they, or anyone they knew, had been victims of sexual assault. Within 24 hours, more than 200 people had replied “yes”. This intense response inspired Chanel to start her petition for better consent education in schools as well
“Through Teach Us Consent, lots of people have shared their testimony for the first time. It’s really amazing to provide a safe space in that way”
as to introduce her ‘Teach Us Consent’ initiative, which aims to put an end to rape culture by sharing survivor stories and bringing conversations around consent to the forefront of the national stage. “Through Teach Us Consent, lots of people have shared their testimony for the first time. It’s really amazing to provide a safe space in that way,” she says. Since then, Chanel has been a strong advocate for change, meeting with powerful Australian politicians and celebrities to discuss the next steps for our nation. She has also worked in partnership with police to re-introduce Operation Vest, an anonymous reporting system for survivors of sexual assault, which allows them to report their experience without launching a criminal investigation. It gives them options beyond court proceedings, and creates a network of support for victims. Since its launch, Operation Vest has seen a 61 per cent month-onmonth increase in reporting. “We’re trying to provide more options for victims,” Chanel explains. “Operation Vest allows us to expose underreporting and show how it’s a problem.”
IMPACTING AUSTRALIA Chanel may be at the forefront of this fight for change, but she’s not the only one concerned with educating
Australia’s youth. According to a 2020 study by US researchers, young people in years K-12 need to be taught about consent before the onset of risky behaviours such as sexual violence. The report suggests that educating young people on how to interact and start healthy conversations can ensure that our society is a safer place for everyone. This need for educational change has only become more apparent after a 2021 survey conducted by the Social Research Centre, which revealed the scale and nature of sexual assault experiences for young people in 39 universities across Australia. The National Student Safety Survey highlighted the prevalence of negative sexual behaviour, revealing how one in six students has been sexually assaulted since beginning their degree. Clearly, mandated consent education is necessary, and this policy goes beyond party politics, uniting politicians on both sides as they strive to educate and protect this country’s future generations. After the announcement Shadow Education Minister Tanya Plibersek took to Twitter to show support for Chanel’s initiative, posting: “understanding consent empowers and protects young people.” In fact, on March 6, the Australian government announced a national survey exploring the role of consent JUNE/JUNLY2022
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EDUCATION
THIS PAGE: A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE, CHANEL HAS SPEARHEADED INITIATIVES SUCH AS TEACH US CONSENT AND OPERATION VEST.
education in secondary schools. It aims to gauge exactly where young people are lacking proper education, and highlight where the Australian curriculum needs to be revised. The results will be shared with the government and the public, including young people. The project will be run by the Australian Human Rights Commission, and Chanel has been named a Special Advisor to ensure the survey’s significant goals are achieved.
WHERE TO NEXT? On March 29, the government revealed that $2.1 billion will be dedicated to measures supporting women, including financial assistance for women escaping violence, and better paid childcare leave. Along with the agreement to mandate consent education, Chanel is hoping that this is the start of bigger change in Australia. “I think we’re in the midst of a moment here in Australia. People have been saying these things forever, but it’s suddenly being listened to. I’m hoping that, over time, gender equality becomes more and more of a priority,” she says. In order to keep moving forward, Chanel suggests we must continue to focus on education. “Australia has an amazing education system that we should be using as much as possible. Education is one of the most transformative things in society, but it needs to exist outside of just the school system. It needs to come from all angles of society: schools, parents, sporting teams, even the media.”
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“I think we’re in the midst of a moment here in Australia. People have been saying these things forever, but it’s suddenly being listened to. I’m hoping that, over time, gender equality becomes more and more of a priority”
Better education beyond the classroom means that people of all ages can begin to gain a better understanding of consent – and each other. By focusing on educating society as a whole, Australians could be looking at a nationwide shift in the way we think about consent and respect.
For more about Chanel and the Teach Us Consent movement, see teachusconsent.com. If you or anyone you know has experienced sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT for support, or go to 1800respect.org.au.
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INNOVATION
CATCHING THE BEAT The FarmBeats program may be in its early stages, but this new STEM initiative is already having a real-world impact. Words: Matilda Meikle
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THIS PAGE: MICROSOFT AND CSIRO HAVE JOINED FORCES TO CREATE A PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS FOCUSED ON SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE.
INNOVATION
WITH THE global population expected to reach 9 billion people by 2050, agriculture is becoming an increasingly important industry, one which must respond to an ever-growing resource demand. Hoping to find creative solutions for this international issue, Microsoft and CSIRO have joined together to introduce Australia’s first Microsoft FarmBeats for Students Initiative. The pilot program brought together 397 students in years 9 and 10 across 18 different schools, allowing them to experience hands-on AI learning. The aim was to find solutions for increased food production through smart farming techniques, as well as teaching students first-hand the need to ensure sustainable and long-lasting production practices.
THE INITIATIVE FarmBeats hopes to explore the possibility of technological advancement in the agricultural sector, leading to greater sustainable harvest. The initial pilot program was run in schools across Australia, providing teachers with lesson plans aligned with the Australian curriculum, as well as tools and technology to undertake a variety of scientific experiments with their students. These teachers were also given specialised development training to help them master the
technology being utilised in the program. In order to complete these experiments, all participating schools were allocated a Microsoft FarmBeats Kit, which included sensors for soil moisture, light, temperature and humidity, to be used when conducting their investigations and calculating projections. Once set up, students were asked to examine the environment of their local area, and consider how to adapt growing practices in order to increase yield. To help with this significant task, they were given access to the CSIRO-developed INDRA program, designed to collate big data collections and provide an overview of the major challenges facing different geographical regions. It presents information about rainfall, temperature, heat, and frost risk to farmers
through an easy-to-use interface. Through this system, students could compare average rainfall in their area over the last ten years, and apply it to the rainfall needs of the plants they might grow for their investigation.
THE RESULTS This pilot program has resulted in important learning outcomes for the students, including an increased STEM education, as well as improved digital literacy, which will help them as they transition into higher education and the workforce. They have also been equipped with skills to understand how data and AI can reshape the world. FarmBeats allows both students and teachers to comprehend ways to ensure future well-being for all, placing themselves outside the classroom and into real-world situations.
However, it also has implications in the agricultural sector. By examining climate and hazard risks in their local area, students considered how these factors may affect current and future agricultural conditions. Their suggestions for improved farming practices are useful when attempting to introduce sustainable solutions for an increased resource demand. And, by continuing to apply this program in other schools, CSIRO and Microsoft can collect even more data on the way our future generations are approaching our current global concerns. This investigation into technological solutions can be applied to the agricultural challenges facing our country today, leading to a better and brighter future. JUNE/JULY 2022
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AGRIBUSINESS
FARMING THE FUTURE Individual farmers could increase their returns by a massive 250 per cent by using innovations that help close the gap between problems, solutions and commercialisation on the land. Words: Ian Lloyd Neubauer
THAT'S THE gospel according to Christine Pitts, managing director of Farmers2Founders, an Australian company that brings together farmers, researchers and manufacturers. “There's a big gap between those who experience the problems in agriculture, those who have the ideas that can solve those problems, and those who can turn those ideas into real, commercial solutions, and it is costing the industry billions,” Christine says. There are however a select group of companies in Australia and abroad that are doing just that and bringing to market innovative new machinery that will make early adopters ask themselves how they ever went without. Here are four of the most innovative new farming machines designed, built and tested on the land to help frontline producers reap more from what they sow.
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ELECTRO-WEEDING Zasso is a Swiss-based company that specialises in non-chemical weed management solutions using advanced power electronics. Originally developed in Brazil, the technology patented under the brand name Electroherb kills unwanted plants by zapping them with an electrical applicator, which causes the plants' cell walls to be destroyed. In Europe and South America, Electroherb has been applied in machinery designed for cropping, vineyards, coffee plantations, fruits orchards, parks and even small handheld devices consumers can use to eradicate weeds in their homes without environmentally harmful herbicides. Electroherb is now being tested for the first time in Australia under a two-year trial conducted by Western Australia's Department of Primary Industries in dryland and irrigated agriculture to identify which native weeds it is best suited to control.
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DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD: A FULLY AUTONOMOUS TRACTOR DEVELOPED BY JOHN DEERE
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“If you've now got a machine that you can utilise 24 hours a day, seven days a week, then all of a sudden, you might say, well I can actually step it back a couple of notches and use a lighter machine in the field.”
“Finding alternative weed control strategies to chemical measures is important in Australia, due to increasing rates of herbicide resistance and increasingly discerning market demands,” says department research scientist Miranda Slaven. “This new device is at the frontier of agricultural technology, and it is valuable to test it under Australian growing conditions to examine its potential application as a non-chemical methodology in our agronomic systems.”
PLASTIC WATER TANKS Traditionally water tanks are made from concrete or fibreglass with steel supports. But Michael Theuerkauf of Poly Tanks in Toowoomba makes plastic water tanks using an innovative stainless-steel mould and oven that rotates on two axes to 'cook' raw polyethylene powder. Ranging from 1,500 litres to 5,000 litres in capacity, Poly Tanks have a domed roof design that eliminates the need for poles and prevents sagging. It also has a smooth surface that repels dirt and looks new even after years of weathering. And as Poly Tanks are flexible and can bounce back into shape after impact, these water tanks do not easily crack or leak. But the true genius of Poly Tanks is that they do not have to be transported on the back of trucks from factories in metropolitan areas to regional depots or the farms where they are generally used. Instead, the stainless-steel mould can be transported on two trucks and used to make up to 100 poly tanks on-site – saving buyers thousands of dollars in freight. “People are kind of mesmerised by the workings of the machine,” Theuerkauf told the ABC while exhibiting the three-hour moulding process for the first time at Westech Field Days Barcaldine in Central West Queensland late last year. FROM TOP:
The Zasso Electroherb. Image: Zasso; the AusCut TurboTopper; cabin of John Deere autonomous tractor.
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AUTONOMOUS TRACTORS In 1837, American blacksmith John Deere developed the first commercially successful self-scouring steel plough. Now, the company that still bears his name has developed a fully autonomous tractor, and with it the next step in the evolution of farming. Using 12 cameras, flood lights and artificial intelligence, this machine can navigate to a field independently using a route and coordinates from an app, as well as plough
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the soil or sow seeds and avoid obstacles. This means farmers using John Deere autonomous tractors will be able to run them for longer, making their lives easier while boosting productivity and profitability. It will also allow farmers to purchase smaller tractors and mitigate the problem of soil compaction caused by heavy machines. “If you've now got a machine that you can utilise 24 hours a day, seven days a week, then all of a sudden, you might say, well I can actually step it back a couple of notches and use a lighter machine in the field,” says director of the Centre of Agriculture Engineering at the University of Southern Queensland Professor Craig Baillie. John Deere's autonomous tractor will go on sale in the US this year and is expected to land on Australian shores soon after.
MORE SLASH, LESS BURN A game-changer. That's how Farmers Online has described the TurboTopper, a new heavy-duty slashing machine used to mulch stubbles, top pastures and general residue management. Released in February, the TurboTopper was designed and manufactured in Cowra NSW by third-generation farm machinery manufacturers Roly and Kurtis Larsen of AusCut after they
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noticed a gap in the market for a more efficient slasher for broadacre farmers. The TurboTopper has a smaller blade rotor and is not a ‘horsepower-hungry’ machine, making it more fuel-efficient than most toppers and slashers on the market. It has a narrower ‘depth of deck’, which reduces residue build-up on the machine and limits the effects of the deck bouncing while also assisting in the easy flow of material out the back of the machine, making it far more comfortable for farmers when travelling at high speeds. It is the only 'forward folding' slasher in Australia with front-mounted wheels, which means a narrower yet stable machine during transport and operation. And its individually floating decks and heavy-duty front-mounted wheels are time-savers for farmers, who can make simple adjustments to the machines' wings and tilt, and save on downtime. The TurboTopper also has smaller rotors and uplift blades that reduce pressure and vibration on gearboxes, allowing for a finer cut and maximum lift of residue. “The blades are counter-rotating, so they are able to pick up wheel tracks effectively," Roly says. “The disk rotors that are standard on this machine create less downdraft, enabling you to get a cleaner cut.”
ABOVE: The Zasso
Electroherb kills unwanted plants by zapping them with an electrical applicator, removing the need for chemicals. Image: Zasso.
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THE SKY’S THE LIMIT In 2014, two 20-year-olds had the idea to put two washers and dryers in the back of a van to help those doing it tough with free laundry. Now, seven years on, they provide mobile laundry and shower services all around Australia – and, most importantly, a place to connect and have a chat. Emily Riches spoke to Orange Sky Co-Founders Nicholas Marchesi and Lucas Patchett on how their charity has grown.
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CHARITY OPPOSITE: ORANGE SKY COFOUNDERS NIC AND LUCAS. LEFT: NON-JUDGEMENTAL CONVERSATION IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF ORANGE SKY.
Orange Sky isn’t about solving the issue of homelessness or “saving people”. The service is about creating a safe, positive and supportive environment for people who are too often ignored, or who feel disconnected from their community. That even comes down to the way we address people that use our service. We don't use 'customers' or 'patrons', they're friends; just like you and I.
WHEN DID YOU FIRST GET THE IDEA FOR ORANGE SKY?
Lucas: Nic and I volunteered together at our high school's food van which visited local parks around Brisbane offering free food to people who had unfortunately found themselves experiencing homelessness. Both myself and Nic really enjoyed our volunteering experience with the food van and wanted to do something more to support our local community. A few years after we graduated from school, Nic and I hatched the idea to throw two washing machines and two dryers in the back of an old van with a plan to visit parks around Brisbane to offer free laundry services to those in need.
TELL US ABOUT HOW THE ORANGE SKY VANS OPERATE? HOW HAS YOUR FLEET AND REACH CHANGED OVER THE YEARS?
Nic: Seven years on we now operate 38 services across Australia and New Zealand, have washed over 2 million kilograms of laundry and have engaged in more than 369,000 hours of genuine, non-judgemental conversation with our friends doing it tough. Our fleet has certainly upgraded
from our original van, Sudsy. We now operate shower vans, hybrid vans which feature two washing machines, two dryers and a shower and laundry pods. The laundry pods are portable fixtures with two washing machines and two dryers.
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS IS NON-JUDGEMENTAL CONVERSATION. WHY DO YOU THINK THIS IS?
Lucas: When we first started, our mission was to improve hygiene access for people experiencing homelessness, however, our service grew into much more. From the conversations and connections we have built with our friends, we know isolation and not feeling like you belong is a major factor negatively impacting people experiencing homelessness. There is no doubt that clean clothes and a warm shower make a positive difference, but we believe our biggest impact in the community is through the hours of conversation and genuine connection that take place on our iconic, six orange chairs. Nic: Conversations are what Orange Sky do best. Our volunteers are not counsellors or experts on homelessness, they are empathic listeners and great conversationalists.
HOW DID COVID AFFECT YOUR OPERATIONS?
Lucas: COVID-19 has been an incredibly difficult time for everyone, and our thoughts go out to our friends and everyone in the community who continues to do it tough. Orange Sky was forced to pause services for a short period and that was the most difficult decision we have had to make. We got through those initial challenges through the sheer determination of our community, and we are now operating more shifts than ever before. While the pandemic challenged us operationally, it was most difficult knowing the impact on our friends, volunteers and supporters. This time has reminded us about the importance of keeping our community safe and connected.
WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU DIDN’T EXPECT ABOUT STARTING A CHARITY?
Nic: I think the support and generosity of our community has surprised us the most. From our initial laundry partner believing in our crazy idea to our donors and service partners that allow us to be out on shift, our 2,000 volunteers that deliver our mission and our friends who trust us with their precious belongings. JUNE/JULY 2022
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CHARITY FROM TOP: ORANGE SKY VOLUNTEERS HAVING A LAUGH; ORANGE SKY VANS ON THE ROAD IN CANBERRA; FRIENDS CHATTING ON THE ICONIC SIX ORANGE CHAIRS.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU’VE FACED?
Lucas: Ever since we started there have been challenges to overcome. From developing a functional laundry van, to exploring and launching our services in new areas, growing our team and growing our fleet - each step has had its difficulties. In the beginning, the growth of Orange Sky happened very quickly and we have had to learn from many mistakes and understand the importance of building a high performing team around us. The COVID-19 pandemic has been the most challenging period of our history. The uncertainty of our operations and isolation affecting our communities has been difficult to overcome. These difficulties have provided even more reason to keep our vans on the road and help the many more people that may be doing it tough as we move on.
WHEN WAS THE MOMENT YOU REALISED YOU WERE MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE’S LIVES?
Lucas: From the first wash, the impact felt really profound for us and it has
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grown ever since. I still vividly remember the first friend we ever washed clothes for - his name was Jordan. Jordan was blown away by the van and our idea. He told us he had a couple of t-shirts in his bag, so we were like, “Yep, let’s give it a crack.” We threw the shirts in and pressed the button, and then you’ve got 27 minutes of doing absolutely nothing while the clothes are washing. We sat down and had a chat with Jordan and found out some awesome stuff about him. It turns out he went to school just up the road from me. He’d finished his engineering degree and worked as an engineer for five or six years. I was actually currently undertaking my engineering degree at the same University that Jordan went to. It really opened my eyes up to the fact that it only takes one or two little things to go wrong and you can find yourself doing it tough. I also realised that washing takes time, and provides an awesome opportunity to have a chat with someone who is feeling isolated. It was during our first wash with Jordan that I realised that our crazy idea was so much more than just washing and drying clothes, it was about the connection and friendship we could offer those doing it tough.
CHARITY
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF ORANGE SKY IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO YOU. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW SOLAR-POWERED WARU DRYER AND HOW IT CAME ABOUT?
Nic: As we grow our services, we do this with an emphasis on caring for Country - embarking on more sustainable ways to operate across Australia. ‘Waru’ is arguably the first innovation used by humankind. Meaning ‘fire’ in Pitjantjatjara, the use of waru as a source of life has inspired a new method of Orange Sky operations. Previously Orange Sky’s fleet was powered by diesel generators that were economically and environmentally costly. The Waru Dryer is the world's first clothes dryer powered by fuel and solar battery-operated. The Waru Dryers have reduced our electrical consumption by up to 90% per shift, without sacrificing drying time or quality. The Waru Dryers are kinder to our planet and visibly powerful, wrapped in the incredible artwork of Rhoda Tjitayi, Pitjantjatjara woman, South Australia. We acknowledge that innovation is not new to these lands, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples innovating for over 65,000 years.
ORANGE SKY HAS BEEN OPERATING IN THE NORTHERN RIVERS AFTER THE MAJOR FLOODS. DID YOU EVER EXPECT TO BE HELPING OUT DURING NATURAL DISASTERS?
Lucas: Community recovery is an important part of the Orange Sky service. We are committed to always rolling up our sleeves and supporting the community during devastating events where we can. We previously supported communities during the 2019 bushfires and Tropical Cyclone Marcia in 2015.
THIS PAGE: THE SOLARPOWERED WARU DRYER FEATURING ART BY RHODA TJITAYI.
Our support in the Northern Rivers and South East Queensland during the most recent floods has certainly been our biggest community recovery response to date. In the month of March alone we operated over 277 flood recovery shifts, completing more than 4,421 loads of washing. Nic: When the floods hit we knew we needed to do what we could to support impacted communities. On February 28th 2022 we deployed all available laundry vans and volunteer teams across Northern NSW and South East Queensland to offer flood affected communities free laundry services. It was really devastating to see the extent of destruction the floods left behind. So many people lost everything. They lost their homes, their treasured items, some just getting out with the clothes on their backs. It was incredible to see these communities rally together to support one-and-other. We all feel really lucky to be able to connect with these communities and to help by taking one thing off their list.
WHAT’S THE NEXT BIG MOVE FOR ORANGE SKY?
Nic: Since building Sudsy, our first van, innovation has been at the core of Orange Sky's DNA. Our next goal is to triple our impact and help 40,000 people doing it tough by 2025. To achieve this we are discovering
new ways to improve and scale our services to help more people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience homelessness at higher rates than their non-Indigenous counterparts. We have focused on tripling our remote services in this past financial year, with more growth expected in the future. From vehicle upgrades, inventing new asset types, improving our sustainability and introducing services to new areas, we are always working towards something! There is never a dull moment at Orange Sky! Lucas: I think we still don’t know how big this can become. Every day, we find out about more people that could use our services and I think it’s important to look at how we keep sustainably helping people. We have a strong focus on our social impact in the community and continue to build strong processes lead by data to make decisions for the organisation.
HOW CAN PEOPLE GET INVOLVED WITH ORANGE SKY? If people want to support us on our mission to positively connect communities through free laundry services, warm, safe showers and genuine, non-judgemental conversation, they can head to our website (orangesky.org.au) to enquire to volunteer or donate. Every little bit counts. JUNE/JULY 2022
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THE QUICK RED FOX AND EVEN QUICKER CATS Cats and foxes – both introduced species in Australia – devastate native wildlife, and put our most vulnerable animals at risk of extinction. Several experts believe that the time to act is now. Words: Darcy Watt
When you remove the association with cute and cuddly cartoons in timeless Disney classics, our perception of cats and foxes changes dramatically. In fact, scientists from 13 institutions across Australia have found that 697 million reptiles, 510 million birds and 1.4 billion mammals are killed by feral cats and foxes each year. Adjunct Researcher Dr Alyson Stobo-Wilson from Charles Darwin University gives dire warnings that without better control, the predators will continue to wreak havoc on many native species that are already struggling. “This research gave us a clearer picture of the impact of both species nationally and in different and remote environments,” she says. “Estimating feral animal density was an important first step to understanding the impact of foxes and cats in different environments. We found that fox densities and impacts are
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highest in temperate southern mainland Australia. In temperate forests they collectively kill up to 1,000 animals per square kilometre per year.” Co-author Professor Trish Fleming, Director of the Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability at Murdoch’s Harry Butler Institute, believes the native animal death toll is all the reason we need to pursue more effective control. Cats and foxes are fast, agile, and cunning by nature, with razor-sharp fangs that are no match for native Australian species. They also both have a generalist diet, meaning they can adapt to whatever prey is available – leaving few species untouched. Their ability to hunt in various environments makes them the ultimate predators. “Most of Australia has no effective management practices in place and so the impacts on biodiversity are likely to be severe, widespread and ongoing,” says Trish.
THIS PAGE: A FERAL FOX AND CAT IN ARID SOUTH AUS, IMAGE BY HUGH MCGREGOR AND NICOLAS RAKOTOPARE RESPECTIVELY; A FELIXER AT KALKA, IMAGE SUPPLIED BY DR JOHN READ.
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“Estimating feral animal density was an important first step to understanding the impact of foxes and cats in different environments.”
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LEFT TO RIGHT: NICOLAS RAKOTOPARE CAPTURES A SUPERB FAIRY-WREN ON KANGAROO ISLAND; ALYSON STOBO-WILSON WITH A NORTHERN SAVANNA GLIDER.
TRIAL AND ERROR, AND NOW SUCCESS
TURNING BACK THE CLOCK Foxes were introduced to Australia in 1855 for recreational hunting. During the next 100 years, foxes rapidly established themselves across the majority of the continent. Similarly, cats arrived with early European settlers in the 1800s – despite theories that they arrived as early as 1650 aboard Malaysian fishing boats – according to research from the BMC Evolutionary Biology journal. Once widespread across Australia, by 1863 the burrowing bettong was completely wiped out of Victoria, and in a few short years they no longer occupied the mainland at all. The Australian Wildlife Conservancy acknowledges that this was largely due to predation by feral cats and foxes. Establishing predator-free areas on islands and exclusion fencing, such as the conservation fence in Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary, New South Wales, has seen great results in protecting native species. The Return to 1616 program is in action until the year 2030, with the aim of returning Dirk Hartog Island off Monkey Mia in Western Australia to pre-settlement conditions. The program aims to reintroduce 12 mammal species and one bird
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species, and eradicate feral animals from the island. Former Greens leader Richard Di Natale said Australia has “one of the highest loss of species anywhere in the world,” which ABC Fact Check investigated and found to be true. Unfortunately, more than 10 per cent of the animals known to inhabit mainland Australia in 1788 are now extinct, predominantly because of feral animal predation, according to The Guardian’s environment editor Adam Morton.
Sold under the brand name 1080, sodium fluoroacetate is a poison used predominantly in Australia and New Zealand to eradicate pest species. The active ingredient fluoroacetate naturally occurs in some plant species in Australia, meaning native Australian animals are a lot more tolerant to it, according to Dr John Read, Founder and CEO of the Thylation group of companies – co-founder of the Arid Recovery, Wild Deserts and Mallee Refuge conservation projects and chair of the Warru (rock wallaby) Recovery Team. 1080 baits are often deployed by aircraft in vast quantities or by hand in targeted areas. However, the Felixer has also been developed as an additional targeted tool
ENVIRONMENT
donations, Arid Recovery purchased its first Felixer in 2020, and has been using it for feral cat control. If you would like to help Thylation develop the Felixer, head to thylation.com to find out more. “If people want to enquire about leasing a new v3.2 Felixer, which will come equipped with artificial intelligence, donate, or even provide suggestions or anything like that, it would be well received,” says John.
for cat and fox control through research, grants and trials. “The idea was to develop an automated pest control system that didn’t have to be checked all the time, a system that is more targeted and hence better for animal welfare,” says John. “LiDAR laser beams determine the size and speed of animals walking past the Felixer. The sensors trigger a spring that squirts the sealed dose of 1080 poison gel at 50 metres a second onto the cat’s (or fox’s), fur which they then run off to lick and subsequently die. The Felixer will reset itself (it’s capable of holding up to 20 gel cartridges), ready for the next cat to walk by,” he explains. “The Felixer is designed so that it is very unlikely to fire at adult dingoes – or any other native species for that matter – and this is proven by stable dingo populations in areas where Felixers are set. It’s a system that puts far less poison into the environment,” says John. Currently Felixers can only be leased to people with a 1080 permit, and the researchers are still operating under a research permit, so any Felixer leaseholders also need authorisation by a government agency. “Mining companies, conservation workers, national parks and Aboriginal communities are using it at the moment,” says John. “It’s still early days so Felixers
aren’t generally available for farmers or private residents yet.” Each time an animal walks past a Felixer the machine takes a photo, so researchers can monitor animal movements in the area. “We can make them smarter and smarter and improve the way they work. Even now, if an animal that’s too big travels past, like a kangaroo or a cow, the whole thing shuts down. Even if the animal stretched out or did something that looked a bit different it would still shut down,” says John. “In one instance, during low tide a fox made its way across to Bird Island just off Adelaide, where there are rare fairy terns nesting. Rangers took a Felixer over to the island and they found the dead fox soon after.”
COMBINING RECOVERY EFFORTS Arid Recovery is an independent not-forprofit organisation operating in South Australia, pioneering conservation science to help threatened Australian species. It trialled 20 Felixers in a 6,300 ha section of reserve in the arid north of the state, where feral cats, bettongs and bilbies all live. According to Arid Recovery, the Felixers had great success in decreasing the cat population as well as not firing gel cartridges at a single non-target animal. Since the experiment, and thanks to
LEFT THEN CLOCKWISE: DIAGRAM OF ANIMALS KILLED EACH YEAR BY STOBO-WILSON ET AL.; DR JOHN READ AND A FELIXER; NICOLAS RAKOTOPARE CAPTURES AN IMAGE OF A THREE-LINED KNOB-TAIL GECKO. JUNE/JULY 2022
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CONSERVATION
THE BLACK COCKATOO MATTERS OF NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE Western Australia has three species of black cockatoo: Carnaby’s cockatoo, the forest red-tailed black cockatoo and Baudin’s cockatoo. They’re all in need of help. Thanks to new funding, groundbreaking health and ecological research could help save their lives. Words: Darcy Watt
THIS PAGE: CLOSE-UP OF A YOUNG BAUDIN'S COCKATOO, IMAGE ANIMALINFO.
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CONSERVATION FROM LEFT: FOREST RED-TAILED COCKATOO, IMAGE: LAKEVIEW_ IMAGES; CARNABY'S COCKATOO, IMAGE: ANIMALINFO.
Major threats to the survival of Western Australia’s black cockatoo species is at the forefront of research for Murdoch’s Harry Butler Institute. The research will be conducted over a five-year period where lead research Professor Kris Warren will explore survival threats such as habitat loss, disease, climate change as well as the continued pressures from pest species. Kris explains that urban and industrial growth in the Perth-Peel region and the south-west of WA are of major concern. Currently, Carnaby’s and Baudin’s cockatoos are listed as endangered, and the forest red-tailed black cockatoo is listed as vulnerable.
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“Perth is expanding, but with the right approach it could be a strong model for how development and conservation can be managed synergistically,” says Kris. “In addition to supporting this important research project, Main Roads is investing in creating additional black cockatoo habitat through the Wheatbelt Revegetation Bank along or adjacent to road reserves in rural WA as part of the government’s Green Jobs program, installing artificial nesting hollows and protecting existing black cockatoo habitat.” The research team will be using GPS and satellite technology to monitor flock movements as well as behaviour. They
will secure the satellite tags to some birds under anaesthesia but not all, as tagged birds will mark the activity and movement of the whole flock. Senior Research Fellow Dr Jill Shepard says, “This will help us to determine how habitat is used and to identify threatening processes, giving us a powerful way to guide the management of sustainable landscapes into the future. “A large part of what makes Perth special is its unique and endemic biodiversity, which we are fortunate to have in our urban areas, including our iconic black cockatoos.” Implications of disease is also an avenue of the newly funded research, particularly in relation to the Carnaby’s cockatoo. Unfortunately, there are numerous diseases present that currently affect Carnaby’s nestlings such as Chlamydia sp., among others. Another major disease is Hindlimb Paralysis Syndrome, likely caused by agricultural chemicals. It is thought to be linked to two major mortality events in WA’s Wheatbelt breeding site which damaged 90 per cent of breeding birds in a horrific dual event. It is hoped the health research will develop a better understanding of disease management for the endangered species.
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