Comments for REAL DIRT

Comment on Hazard Reduction Burning: ecological or pathological? SMH/REAL DIRT EXCLUSIVE by Macca

Macca — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:38:57 +0000

What a great article back in 2008, i notice that most people relate their experience to NSW or Victoria, i moved from wollongong to Mackay in queensland and if you want to see the results of HR burning completed over 100 years come to central queensland and check out the dust bowl that is now queensland , creeks full of mud , and only surviving animal .. kangaroos ..well done queensland .. im moving to New Zealand … bye

Comment on Old Yella by nancy

nancy — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 04:47:25 +0000

That sounds like a feast royale!
It’s so rewarding when you do it yourself, instead of the usual prescribed way! I am trying to turn over a new leaf and grow a green thumb! I have joined the local Community garden and am slowly picking up tips to turn my lawn into a veritable treasre trove of good things to eat! I am far behind the 8 ball when it comes to growing vegies, and am struggling to get it all happenning in my usual slow way! I will probably have to move out of here before its fully completed!! anyway, good luck with your adventures, earthwise and all else! I hope Townsville is heating up nicely in season, as Moss Vale still seems like winter most days!!
I think there must be a special knack to cutting quickly and effectively with precise workmanship(practise) and a sharp Machete! Have fun!!

Comment on Cape York Paradise: Marine Parks Work by Phillip

Phillip — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:54:46 +0000

There was a paper in Nature recently that said that most marine parks don’t actually give the benefits they are purported to give.

As to the Great Barrier Reef I think you will find that there is no statistically significant difference between fish nos and sizes between no take zones and fished zones, let alone any evidence of a spillover effect or that the marine park is a cost effect way of managing fishing on the Reef.

Comment on Hazard Reduction Burning: ecological or pathological? SMH/REAL DIRT EXCLUSIVE by Simon

Simon — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 11:03:34 +0000

I have been involved in the bushfire services for 13 years and can say that when hazard reduction burning is done correctly and in a strategic manner it makes a major difference during summer.
I have been involved with many large scale fires where the only way they have been controlled is because they have burnt into low fuel areas.
Western Australia through DEC has always been heavily involved in bushfire mitigation efforts and it shows in the reduced frequency of large scale bushfires.
Argue all you want about terrain etc but the reality it is the strategic large scale burns that DEC conduct protects WA from similar large scale bushfires that you see on the East Coast.
We have to remove ourselves from the European thinking that fire is bad and realise that since Australia started drying out 100,000′s of years ago we have had fires, the difference is we have stopped them for the past 100 years, now we have excessive fuel loads that damage the eco system when they burn due to the high intensity fires they produce.

Comment on The Great Barrier Reef book by Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 23:44:57 +0000

Dear James
I just wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading your book The Great Barrier Reef. I found it to be a captivating read.
I am currently writing a research paper on water pollution in the Great Barrier Reef as apart of my undergraduate degree at Sydney University for the unit of Environmental Politics, and your book has given me some depth and insight in the reef.
I have never visited but I would love to visit the Great Barrier Reef now.
Thankyou.

Comment on Cultural Fest, Townsville 2011 by Deano

Deano — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 02:20:42 +0000

It was always going to be hard to beat the Brazilians

Comment on A Little Banana Story by Theresa

Theresa — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 00:25:41 +0000

Did the dream come true? You know, if you ever have a banana glut, I’m more than happy to help! I can turn some into fruit leather for you in our fancy dehydrator. And muffins, and pies, and….

Comment on A Little Banana Story by Nancy Lovato

Nancy Lovato — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 04:01:18 +0000

Its great to dream big dreams, James…. However You always have to admit weaknesses, and although I hate to say it, You are just one man after all, and I am a firm believer of the adage….
Women know best!!!
Good luck with your golden delights, and keep trying to understand why it is that women are so great!(its our capabilities that make us so!)
Enjoy the warm tropics, while we are still stuck in a nsw winter down here!!

Comment on A Little Banana Story by SleepyBoBos

SleepyBoBos — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:48:11 +0000

Sounds fantastic. I tried to do a permaculture garden in our backyard but while the dream was big the result was not so good.

We are moving into a new house soon and I am banned from the garden (apparently).

Hmmm, maybe just some little blueberry plants somewhere. Herbs, yes I can do herbs.

Comment on The J Day by Kylie Davis

Kylie Davis — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 02:25:51 +0000

Good on you Ava – your brother would be proud.