Cairns Region Research Articles

Nematodes from galls on Myrtaceae. IX. Fergusobia rosettae n. sp. on Melaleuca quinquenervia and F. tolgaensis n. sp. on Syzygium luehmannii, from Queensland

Two new species of Fergusobia, collected from 'rosette' shoot bud galls on Melaleuca quinquenervia, and from leaf, stem, leaf and flower bud galls on Syzygium luehmannii, both from the Cairns region of Queensland, Australia, are described. Fergusobia rosettae Davies n. sp. is characterised by the combination of a small, arcuate parthenogenetic female having a short conoid tail with a bluntly rounded tip, an arcuate, relatively slender, infective female with an almost hemispherical tail tip, and arcuate males with arcuate to angular (not heavily sclerotised) spicules and leptoderan bursa arising at 40-50% of body length from tail tip. Fergusobia tolgaensis Davies n. sp. is characterised by the combination of a small open C-shaped parthenogenetic female with a broadly conoid tail, an arcuate infective female with a broadly rounded tail tip, and arcuate males with angular (not heavily sclerotised) spicules and short to mid-length leptoderan bursa. These two species of nematodes are associated with fly larvae that have dorsal shields comprising bars of raised cuticular ridges and spicules, similar to that of fly larvae from the M. leucadendra species group. The shield morphologies of these fly larvae and their possible genetic relationships are discussed. Possible evolutionary relationships of the Fergusobia nematodes from these galls are discussed, considering their morphology, DNA sequences, and the relationships of the associated Fergusonina flies and host plants.

Connectivity networks reveal the risks of crown‐of‐thorns starfish outbreaks on the Great Barrier Reef

Summary Many ecosystems suffer systemwide outbreaks of damaging species propagating from primary outbreak sites. Connectivity patterns can identify parts of the ecosystem that help turn local outbreaks into a systemwide contagion through a series of transmission events. Here, we show that patterns of larval connectivity among reefs can help explain periodic crown‐of‐thorns starfish (COTS) epidemics across the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). We simulated potential dispersal of COTS larvae to obtain a connectivity network of coral reefs across the entire GBR. Network analysis revealed areas of high local connectivity where any outbreaks could be amplified locally, as well as those areas with potential to cause large‐scale epidemics with ecosystem‐wide impacts. We find that the regions where COTS epidemics are known to originate are predictable from their high local and systemwide connectivity. Extensive larval exchanges among reef clusters in these regions can start a chain reaction of COTS population build‐up. The same regions also have high potential to reach and affect other parts of the GBR, thereby maximizing the likelihood that any outbreaks would eventually propagate throughout the ecosystem. Hydrodynamic properties and geography of the GBR make it vulnerable to COTS epidemics. Using network analysis to identify regions with high‐risk high‐impact sources could help control these devastating events in future. Synthesis and applications. The observed centre of origin for COTS epidemics (the Cooktown–Cairns region) can be predicted from its elevated short‐ and long‐range levels of larval connectivity. Connectivity analysis of per‐reef risks provides spatially explicit targets to guide surveillance and control measures that might help curtail COTS epidemics through prioritization of highly connected reefs. The analytical approach developed here for COTS connectivity can also be applied to identify well‐connected patches and regions in other interconnected ecological systems.

A service-level action research intervention to improve identification and treatment of cannabis and related mental health issues in young Indigenous Australians: a study protocol

IntroductionRegular cannabis use is associated with negative mental health impacts including psychosis, depression and anxiety. Rates of cannabis use have increased in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in northern...

Networks in knowledge-intensive industry: the case of a regional accountants' network

Purpose – The paper aims to explore the reasons behind the formation of a regional accountants' network located in North Queensland, Australia, and examine in depth how relationships are constituted and maintained between the network members. The study also looks at the benefits arising from the network, structural constraints and the reasons behind its demise. Design/methodology/approach – This study adopts a more contemporary theoretical perspective which draws upon the notion of social capital that facilitates networks' capacity and capabilities for creating, sharing and accessing knowledge. This field study considers the specific case of the Cairns Regional Accountants' Forum (CRAF), a network of small and medium sized public accounting firms located far away from the metropolitan centres in Australia. Apart from the relevant archival data, senior partners/principals of 12 accounting firms were interviewed in a semi-structured manner. Three further interviews were held with the non-active members of the CRAF and telephone calls were made to the Regional Tax Practitioner Forum to discuss their involvement with the local accountants. Findings – Using the framework of social capital within the community of practice, this study has explored the use of informal regional network built by accounting principals for the efficient transfer of and access to knowledge between network members. When the knowledge became freely available, the cost of network building exceeded the benefits of belonging and the network collapsed. Practical implications – The paper has practical implications for accounting practitioners, particularly in regional/rural settings and for the accounting profession as a whole. Originality/value – First, very little is known about informal networks in knowledge-intensive firms stretched out in regional/rural settings. Second, the network in this study is different from many networks identified in the literature that have focused on innovation and competitive advantage. Finally, this study adopts a more integrated framework that explores how social capital is constituted and reconstituted in the network interaction process.

Natural Hazard Resilient Communities and Land Use Planning: The Limitations of Planning Governance in Tropical Australia

This paper examines how two Australian land use planning systems address the creation of hazard resilient communities in tropical areas. The application of substantive hazard knowledge and how this influences the associated procedures within the planning system is examined. The case studies of Darwin the capital of the Northern Territory, and the beachside suburb of Machans Beach within the Cairns Regional Council in far north Queensland are investigated. Both case study locations have experienced tropical cyclones since settlement and despite their hazard prone locations, both have intensified over their 120 year existence. Moreover, it is predicted that cyclones in tropical Australia will decrease in number, but increase in intensity. It would be rational to assume that industry, community and government would actively pursue planning strategies to negate the risks of natural hazards and the corresponding level of vulnerability to a hazard event. However, neither communities nor planning are driven by rational technical decision making processes. The paper concludes that the rhetoric for creating hazard resilient communities dominates national and state government policy, however this has minimal influence upon the legal framework that protects development rights. It would appear that the safe development paradox is present in the Australian land use planning system, and that the focus of planning is on creating certainty of development rights and achieving efficiencies through urban settlement patterns, as opposed to creating hazard resilient communities.

Three new species of Schistonchus (Aphelenchoididae) from the Ficus subgenus Sycomorus (Moraceae) in northern Australia

Three new species of Schistonchus were recovered from sycones of Ficus racemosa, F. hispida and F. variegata (Moraceae Subgenus Sycomorus, Section Sycomorus) from the Cairns region in north-eastern Australia. Schistonchus baculum sp. n. is described from F. racemosa and F. hispida and is differentiated from other species of Schistonchus by a combination of morphological characters including having males with a walking-stick shape, excretory pore opening at the anterior end of the metacorpus, a long post-uterine sac, rose-thorn-shaped spicules, no gubernaculum, two pairs of subventral papillae on the tail, DNA sequence data, and apparent biogeographical range. Schistonchus fleckeri sp. n. is described from F. racemosa, F. hispida and F. variegata and is differentiated by a combination of morphological characters, including a C-shaped female and C-shaped to spiral males, the excretory pore opening near the lips, a short to medium length post-uterine sac, slender sickle-shaped spicules with a reduced rostrum, no gubernaculum, three pairs of subventral papillae on the tail, and apparent biogeographical range. Schistonchus cassowaryi sp. n. is described from F. variegata and is differentiated by a combination of morphological characters, including having C-shaped males and females, a posterior excretory pore situated posterior to the nerve ring, a short to medium length post-uterine sac, rose-thorn-shaped spicules, three pairs of subventral papillae on the tail (one adcloacal, one at mid-tail near lateral, and one near the tip), DNA sequence data, and apparent biogeographical range.

The Roles of Japanese Working Holiday Makers in Queensland's Tourism Industry : A Case Study of a Tourist Facility in the Cairns Region

The Roles of Japanese Working Holiday Makers in Queensland's Tourism Industry : A Case Study of a Tourist Facility in the Cairns Region

The Cairns Model: Evaluating the context of an open-space, closed circuit television system in an urban centre in tropical Australia

Australian and United Kingdom evaluations of open-space, closed circuit television (CCTV) systems in urban areas were reviewed in an attempt to identify elements of good practice and assess the Cairns Regional Council's (CRC) CCTV system against them. Recommended management and operational practices were extracted from peer reviewed public health and criminological literature and government reports. These were grouped by key topics and tabulated. CRC's CCTV manuals were examined. Observational sessions, open-ended discussions and focus groups with operators and stakeholders were used to identify operational and management practices. These were then compared with those found in the literature and the results fed back to Council. We found the Cairns CCTV model generally met recommended guidelines but improvements are possible. This article also situates this study within debate surrounding the adequacy of CCTV evaluation. Our evaluation used a public health ‘continuous quality improvement’ approach incorporating elements of a criminological ‘realist evaluation’ methodology. This identified 10 contexts within which to postulate and test, with further research, the mechanisms through which the Cairns CCTV system operates. Implications for improving our understanding of the effectiveness of CCTV are discussed.

Schistonchus (Aphelenchoididae) from Ficus benjamina in Australia, with description of S. benjamina sp. n.

Ficus benjamina (Moracaeae subfamily Urostigma, section Conosycea) grows naturally in tropical Asia and in Australia in the north of the Northern Territory and the Cairns region of Queensland. It is widely grown as an ornamental in more temperate regions of Australia. Schistonchus benjamina sp. n. is described from sycones of F. benjamina in Brisbane, and is differentiated from other species of Schistonchus by a combination of morphological characters including having the excretory pore opening near the head, a short post-vulval uterine sac, rose thorn-shaped spicule, lightly sclerotised stylet and spicule, and three pairs of subventral papillae on the tail (one adcloacal, one at mid-tail length and one near the tail tip); and apparent biogeographical range. Phylogenetic analyses based on D3 sequences from collections from both northern and southern Queensland suggest that S. benjamina sp. n. is a species complex, but specimens from the different locations cannot be separated on morphological or morphometric data. Schistonchus benjamina sp. n. is closest to S. microcarpus from F. microcarpa (Urostigma, section Urostigma) in China.

Bellenden ker tunnel, power station and a proposed east mulgrave river water intake for cairns

The Cairns Regional Council (CRC) has identifi ed the need to acquire an additional water source in the near future (council’s corporate plan, section 5.1). Options listed include Barron River, Mulgrave aquifer, dead storage at Copperlode Dam, upgrade freshwater capacity and upgrade of Behana Ck intake. Currently the main additional water source targets are Mulgrave aquifer and Lake Placid (Barron River) water treatment plants (WTP). We present a cost and environmentally superior alternative which is to access the (East) Mulgrave River at the back of Bellenden Ker Mountain via a tunnel from the coastal plane. First we present a stream-fl ow model for the catchment of the East Mulgrave River above 600 m and show that suffi cient water is available at that point for a water intake. This model is based on recent rainfall and cloudstripping research by Dr David McJannet performed on Mount Bellenden Ker. Second we present a costing model for the construction of a one-lane, 6.5 km vehicular tunnel from the base of the mountain near Bellenden Ker township to the back of the mountain at 600 m, and associated infrastructure. The model incorporates a pipeline that takes water from the intake at 600 m to Gordonvale via the base of the tunnel where a power station generates suffi cient electricity to run 1500+ homes. This costing model includes an option where the tunnel is the proof of concept for automated mining thereby attracting signifi cant federal funding opportunities. The construction costs are similar to the WTP options however once in operation the tunnel power plant generates income by producing hydro-electricity while a WTP consumes large amounts of energy and other resources. As with the existing Behana Ck intake, the proposed intake only requires fi ltering and chlorination. Third we present an environmental impact discussion comparing our proposal to the WTP. This includes the carbon hand- versus footprints, effects of the intake on the river and effects of a bore-fi eld and WTP on the aquifer.

High genetic differentiation and cross-shelf patterns of genetic diversity among Great Barrier Reef populations of Symbiodinium

The resilience of Symbiodinium harboured by corals is dependent on the genetic diversity and extent of connectivity among reef populations. This study presents genetic analyses of Great Barrier Reef (GBR) populations of clade C Symbiodinium hosted by the alcyonacean coral, Sinularia flexibilis. Allelic variation at four newly developed microsatellite loci demonstrated that Symbiodinium populations are genetically differentiated at all spatial scales from 16 to 1,360 km (pairwise ΦST = 0.01–0.47, mean = 0.22); the only exception being two neighbouring populations in the Cairns region separated by 17 km. This indicates that gene flow is restricted for Symbiodinium C hosted by S. flexibilis on the GBR. Patterns of population structure reflect longshore circulation patterns and limited cross-shelf mixing, suggesting that passive transport by currents is the primary mechanism of dispersal in Symbiodinium types that are acquired horizontally. There was no correlation between the genetic structure of Symbiodinium populations and their host S. flexibilis, most likely because different factors affect the dispersal and recruitment of each partner in the symbiosis. The genetic diversity of these Symbiodinium reef populations is on average 1.5 times lower on inshore reefs than on offshore reefs. Lower inshore diversity may reflect the impact of recent bleaching events on Sinularia assemblages, which have been more widespread and severe on inshore reefs, but may also have been shaped by historical sea level fluctuations or recent migration patterns.

Encounters with Wildlife in Cairns, Australia: Where, What, Who…?

The management of wildlife resources, including encounters that occur between tourists and wildlife, has emerged as a major issue for the tourism industry and management agencies. This paper explores the preferences for wildlife encounters of visitors in Cairns, Australia. Based on a survey of 287 international tourists the research found that 73.5% of respondents were interested in some form of wildlife encounters whilst in the region. Most respondents said they would like to experience wildlife in a controlled setting either in a zoo or in a wildlife park (64%), while wildlife tours were the least popular form of wildlife encounter (32%). When asked about their specific wildlife experiences in Cairns, 25% of respondents reported visiting a zoo or wildlife park, 36% reported wildlife experiences in national parks and only 3% participated in a commercial tour. The preference for encounters in a controlled setting is an important factor in determining strategies that should be adopted by the Cairns tourism industry as it seeks to retain unique wildlife assets in an era of climate change and increasing urbanisation. This paper will explore these issues in the Cairns region.

The importance of Quaternary records in reducing risk from tropical cyclones

Numerous late Holocene records of tropical cyclones have been collected from north-east Queensland, Australia. They are in the form of multiple sedimentary ridges paralleling the shore. The ridges are composed of coral fragments, or shell and sand or pure sand. A method to determine the intensity of the tropical cyclone responsible for deposition of the ridges at each site has been applied and the results suggest that in the majority of cases these features were deposited by very high magnitude events. The results suggest that extrapolations of long-term cyclone magnitude and frequencies from the 30- to 40-year-long instrumental record, which is the method commonly used to assess risk from this hazard, substantially underestimate the risk from this hazard. This is confirmed for the Cairns region by an 800-year-long high-resolution isotope record of tropical cyclones preserved in a limestone stalagmite. Together the sedimentary and isotope records suggest that tropical cyclone activity in north-east Queensland has been in a phase of quiescence since before European settlement of the region in approximately AD 1870. It is suggested that the incorporation of the palaeo record into risk assessments will provide a more realistic guide to the magnitude frequency relationship of tropical cyclones and help reduce risk from this hazard as a consequence.

Tourism in Cairns: Image and product

The cultural construction of the tourist attractions in the Cairns region changed over the years in accordance with changing tastes. The development of the tourism cultural landscape of Cairns was driven by the production of texts and images that portrayed Cairns as best place situated within a modern prosperous economy, however, the myths and expectations attached by the tourism industry continue to be influential.

Empowerment as a Framework for Indigenous Workforce Development and Organisational Change

Relative powerlessness resulting from colonial dispossession and associated passive welfare policies has long been recognised as a critical factor influencing the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians, yet it is hard to find well-evaluated health and social interventions that take an explicit empowerment approach. This paper presents the findings of a Family Wellbeing Empowerment programme pilot delivered to Cairns Region Department of Families Indigenous youth workers and family and community workers in 2003/2004. The aim of the pilot was to build the capacity of these workers to address personal and professional issues as a basis for providing better support for their clients. The pilot demonstrated the effectiveness of the programme as a tool for worker empowerment and, to a lesser degree, organisational change.

The Flood Risk in Cairns

The Cairns region, on the north tropical coast of Queensland, forms part of the wettest area in Australia, with mean annual rainfalls of 2,000 to 4,000 mm. During the summer and early autumn months, intense rainfalls associated with cyclones and other tropical weather influences persist for several days, and can produce severe flooding in the Barron, Mulgrave and Russell Rivers and smaller drainage systems. There is often some loss of life and the damage to buildings, transport infrastructure, sugar cane and other agricultural crops can easily exceed $100 million. Very high intensity rainfalls over shorter periods, only a few hours, also present a significant urban flash flood risk,as happened at Townsville City, some 300 km to the south of Cairns, in January 1998.Despite the use of good floodplain management practices in recent decades, the combined risk of severe river floods and urban drainage floods is relatively high when compared with the other more damaging, but less frequent, natural hazards.

The Tropical Cyclone Risk in Cairns

Because of its location close to a region of tropical cyclone formation, the city ofCairns is regularly affected by tropical cyclones. Most cyclones occur in the monthsJanuary–March, although some have affected Cairns in December and April. There is a strong year-to-year variation in tropical cyclone numbers in the Cairns region, with twice as many impacts occurring during La Nina conditions than during El Nino. Several case studies are presented of cyclone impacts on Cairns. Rapidly developing cyclones are a particularly difficult forecast problem, as they can strike the city with less than 24 hours warning. Serious inundation from storm surge often occurs some time after landfall at Cairns.

Community Vulnerability to Tropical Cyclones: Cairns, 1996–2000

This paper is a partial discussion of a four-year study that investigated the vulnerability of the people living in the Cairns region to the tropical cyclone hazard. The longitudinal case study, focussing on the Cairns Northern Beaches area, was unique in that it included a social and societal `pre-cyclone impact' evaluation of various resident communities within the region, and then two consecutive `post-cyclone impact' studies. The primary research method supported an inductive qualitative approach to the collection and analysis of survey data. Some quantitative methods were invoked to support qualitative research findings. Survey data was collected in five separate questionnaire-based social surveys that were administered between 1996 and 2000. During the study, residents experiencedthe direct impact of two land-falling tropical cyclones. In addition to this, targeted andfocussed tropical cyclone awareness education was made increasingly available withinthe community. The social and demographic attributes that influence the individual'sperception of risk and contribute to our understanding of community vulnerability were examined and evaluated. Changes in the residents' attitudes, cyclone preparednessbehaviours and willingness to respond to cyclone warnings were monitored and measured. Analysis of early survey data indicated that community residents generally had some knowledge of cyclones but a limited understanding of cyclone processes and very little direct personal experience of the cyclone hazard. Individually and collectively, residents frequently demonstrated a biased perception of the risks associated with cyclones. The resident community was shown to be fragmented, with limited support being available to individual households. Initially, residents were found to be poorly prepared for cyclones and unlikely to respond to warnings appropriately. It appeared that, in the event of a land-falling tropical cyclone impacting the area, the community was highly vulnerable to unnecessary loss of property, livelihood and – in extreme circumstances – life. By 2000, Cairns community residents were somewhat better informed about cyclones and certainly more experienced. This paper provides some insight into how cyclone experience and education may synergisticly have contributed to a change in risk perceptions and a reduction in the vulnerability of Cairns residents to the tropical cyclone and storm surge hazards.

Environmentally Sustainable Tourism: A Case for Carbon Trading at Northern Queensland Hotels and Resorts

Using Cairns, North Queensland as a case study, energy consumption by the tourism industry is reviewed in light of empirical growth in international visitation and reliance of the industry on the natural attributes of a region to sell beds. Perceptions of environmental performance in the industry are found wanting in respect of sustainable tourism development principles and initiatives. Carbon dioxide emissions per tourist bed are found to average 748.8 kg CO2 per year for the Cairns region. Moderate emissions reductions can be made by way of increased energy efficiency and some stand alone renewables. However, excess emissions by luxury hotels/resorts providing a high level of hospitality services cannot be accommodated by stand alone systems. An investment in carbon sinks is recommended, or alternately a carbon tax amounting to $5.23 per bed per year now, or based on emissions, $15.38 per tonne of CO2 per year.

Extremely high-energy wave deposits inside the Great Barrier Reef, Australia: determining the cause—tsunami or tropical cyclone

A hydrodynamic approach is used to determine whether tsunami- or cyclone-generated waves were responsible for the deposition of fields of well-imbricated rock boulders (up to 290 tonnes) along the coast of Cairns inside the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Calculations of the overturning moments show that only tsunami are capable of moving such large boulders in this environment. It is hypothesised that large tsunami (> 11 m) have been able to penetrate the Great Barrier Reef through wide (5–10 km) 50–70 m deep passages between individual reefs. Three such passages each approximately 35 km apart and oriented in the same direction exist in the Cairns region. It is possible that these passages have funnelled and amplified palaeotsunamis. The preferential location of eroded coral boulders up to 3 m in length on reef flats alongside these passages and their absence on other reefs throughout the region provide further evidence that extremely high-energy waves have been able to penetrate the Great Barrier Reef into the inner channel adjacent to the mainland. Carbon-14 ages of the coral boulders on these reef flats matches closely the ages of coral fragments pinned below the very large rock boulders along the coast. These ages suggest that the Cairns region has experienced large tsunami twice over the last millennium.