Darling Downs Region Research Articles

Colorectal polyps in young adults: a retrospective review of colonoscopy data from Toowoomba and the Darling Downs.

Polyps are the predominant precursors of colorectal cancer. In the past three decades, the incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer have been increasing in adults younger than 50 years. The aim of this clinical audit was to evaluate the prevalence, characteristics and clinical associations of polyps in adults aged 18-49 years presenting to an established private gastroenterology clinic in the Toowoomba Darling Downs region. The audit included data from 353 patient records held by the Toowoomba Gastroenterology Clinic. Data extracted from patient medical records through the Medical Director program software contained structured endoscopy/colonoscopy and histology reports of excised lesions of patients presenting to the clinic. The extract involved identifying all patients aged 18-49 years in the database from January 2019 to March 2022. Patients were screened based on audit inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were risk stratified for recommended surveillance intervals as per Australian Clinical Guidelines. Of the sample population, 33.4% were identified with polyps and 22.4% were identified with neoplastic polyps (NPs). A total of 6.7% of 18- to 29-year-old patients were identified with intermediate risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, and 19.8% and 19.3% of 30- to 39-year-old and 40- to 49-year-old patients identified with intermediate or high risk for CRC screening respectively. Increased age, greater size of polyps and surveillance of previous polyps were associated with increased NP prevalence. Data from this audit supported the temporal trend of increasing prevalence of polyps in adults younger than 50 years. Patient cohorts aged 30-39 and 40-49 years may benefit from earlier first colonoscopies. Findings could be the impetus for future research in young adults presenting for colonoscopy.

Horse and Cattle-Related Trauma: A Retrospective Review of Injuries and Management in a Regional Queensland Hospital.

Horse and cattle-related trauma is a common presentation to regional hospitals in Australia. We review local incidence and patterns of injuries relating to horse and cattle trauma over a three-year period at the Toowoomba Base Hospital within the Darling Downs region in Queensland, an area rich in cattle farming and equestrian recreation. We conducted a single-centre retrospective cohort study. The inclusion criteria were all patients presenting with injuries following cattle or horse-related incidents between January 2018 and April 2021. Primary outcomes were the mechanism of trauma, confirmed injuries, and the need for admission, operative intervention, or inter-hospital transfer. A total of 1002 individuals (55% female; mean age 34 years; median Injury Severity Score (ISS) 2) were identified during the study period. Presentations relating to horses (81%) were more frequent than cattle (19%). The most common mechanism of injury was "falling" for horse incidents (68%)and "trampling" for cattle incidents (40%). Horse incidents often resulted in soft tissue injury (55%), upper limb fracture (19%), or lower limb fracture (9%). Cattle incidents often resulted in soft tissue injury (57%), upper limb fracture (15%), and rib fracture (15%). Overall, 14% required admission, 13% required operative intervention, and 1% required inter-hospital transfer. This local series demonstrates a high volume of cattle and horse-related trauma in our region. Whilst most patients are managed locally without operative intervention, the high frequency of injuries observed necessitates further development of preventative measures and safety advocacy.

Paleoecology of the Plio-Pleistocene of Queensland: Ecological Shifts Evidenced From Fauna at the Darling Downs

The continent of Australia is currently warming approximately thirty-five percent faster than the rest of the globe, with the warmest year on record coinciding with the most extreme bush fires. While effects of ongoing climate change are apparent over the past century, Australia has experienced pronounced aridification since the Miocene/Pliocene, transitioning from tropical forests to more open habitats. To better contextualize on-going climate change, we assess the ecology and paleobiology of mammalian faunas in Australia from the Pliocene to the Present in the Darling Downs region of Queensland Australia. Via the analysis of stable isotopes from tooth enamel and dental microwear texture analysis of the chewing surfaces of teeth, we clarify the ecology and paleobiology of medium to large marsupials from the Pliocene Chinchilla Sands and Pleistocene Eastern Darling Downs faunas. By comparing these ancient marsupial mammal communities to extant marsupial mammals that inhabit these regions today, we further demonstrate that the most dramatic changes between past ecosystems are clearly between those of the Present and the Plio-Pleistocene—indicated that the Darling Downs region of today is disparate as compared to the past. Most notably, Macropus giganteus consumes vegetation that is ~5.6‰ higher in δ13C values today than during the past, indicating feeding in a significantly more open landscape. The Pliocene and Pleistocene of the Darling Downs are instead dominated by mixed-feeding and browsing taxa, with several taxa exhibiting diets disparate from modern analogues (e.g., an abundance of C4 browsers). Collectively, these deep-time temporal comparisons are a clear example of how ecological communities observed today do not represent the full range of ecological niches occupied in the past and highlight the dramatic climate-departures experienced today.

Predictive modelling of Ross River virus using climate data in the Darling Downs.

Ross River virus (RRV) is the most common mosquito-borne infection in Australia. RRV disease is characterised by joint pain and lethargy, placing a substantial burden on individual patients, the healthcare system and economy. This burden is compounded by a lack of effective treatment or vaccine for the disease. The complex RRV disease ecology cycle includes a number of reservoirs and vectors that inhabit a range of environments and climates across Australia. Climate is known to influence humans, animals and the environment and has previously been shown to be useful to RRV prediction models. We developed a negative binomial regression model to predict monthly RRV case numbers and outbreaks in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia. Human RRV notifications and climate data for the period July 2001 - June 2014 were used for model training. Model predictions were tested using data for July 2014 - June 2019. The final model was moderately effective at predicting RRV case numbers (Pearson's r = 0.427) and RRV outbreaks (accuracy = 65%, sensitivity = 59%, specificity = 73%). Our findings show that readily available climate data can provide timely prediction of RRV outbreaks.

Bringing organisations together during a pandemic: the case of an intersectoral community support group.

In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, posing multiple challenges to healthcare organisations and communities. The Darling Downs region in Queensland, Australia had its first positive case of COVID-19 confirmed in March 2020, which created understandable anxiety in the community. The Vulnerable Communities Group (VCG) was established to address this anxiety through open lines of communication to strengthen community resilience. This case study reports the evaluation of the VCG, plus lessons learned while establishing and running an intersectoral group, with stakeholders from more than 40 organisations, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. An anonymous online survey with closed and open-ended questions was administered to participants. Data were subject to descriptive statistical tests and content analysis. Four categories were developed from the free text data for reporting: 'Knowledge is power', 'Beating isolation through partnerships and linkages', 'Sharing is caring', and 'Ripple effects'. Whilst open communication and collaboration are always essential, they can be critically important during times of crisis. The VCG initiative is one example of tackling the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic through bringing the community together. What is known about the topic? The COVID-19 pandemic has caused immense strain on the global community. It has thrust healthcare professionals and community leaders into an unforeseen situation, with little information being available on how to effectively deal with the pandemic to negate its effects. What does this paper add? This paper reports on the establishment and evaluation of the Vulnerable Communities Group (VCG) in the Toowoomba, Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, using a community of practice framework. It provides insight into how to establish and retain an intersectoral community of practice group during rapidly changing and challenging times, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. What are the implications for practitioners? Practitioners can use a community of practice framework to establish and evaluate an intersectoral group, as described in our paper, to enhance community connectedness to reduce isolation and share information and resources to help negate the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

OP6 Fight back with fitness: A focus on improvement in general wellbeing and reduction of recurrence of breast cancer with exercise

Background and Purpose The correlation between reduction in breast cancer recurrence associated with exercise is still the subject of research. It has been proposed that there is a ‘sweet spot’ in level of exercise needed to achieve positive outcomes in reduction of recurrence in breast cancer patients.2 There is also ongoing research into the additional effects that exercise has on the general well-being for these patients.1 Methods Through multidisciplinary team input including exercise physiologists, with programs based on Edith Cowan protocols, dieticians, nursing and medical specialists the outcomes of breast cancer patients in the Greater Darling Downs region participating in a 10 week individualised and supervised program have been measured over varying parameters. Parameters such as quality of life data assessed by the DAS 42, aerobic fitness and strength, body measurements (waist and hip circumference) and DEXA scans assessing body weight, fat mass and lean mass have all been collected for each patient. Results The first 7 cohorts of patients, totaling 84, have now had figures collated with initial results identifying:-Improvement in QOL Data with reduction in depression, anxiety and stress scoring-Reduction on body measurement parameters of waist and hip circumference-Increased muscle mass and decreased body fat mass-Measured increase in aerobic fitness, strength and resistance training ability of participants. Conclusions Economic support for this program would enable continued participation in prescribed exercise for over 100 patients per year and would enable continued research into the effect of a designed exercise program both on the general wellbeing and fitness levels of patients after breast cancer diagnosis and may also allow further insight into the effect of exercise on survivorship. 1. Twenty-five years of research on the effects of exercise training in breast cancer survivors: A systematic review of the literature Claudio L Battaglini, Robert C Mills, Brett L Phillips, Jordan T Lee, Christina E Story, Marcelo GB Nascimento, Anthony Carl Hackney World J Clin Oncol. 2014 May 10; 5(2): 177–190. Published online 2014 May 10. https://doi.org/10.5306/wjco.v5.i2.1772. Physical Activity and Survival After Breast Cancer Diagnosis Michelle D. Holmes, Wendy Y. Chen, Diane Feskanich, Candice H. Kroenke, Graham A. Colditz JAMA, 2005 May 25, Vol 293, No. 20: 2479-2486

Chronic Kidney Disease, Queensland (CKD.QLD) Registry: Management of CKD With Telenephrology

IntroductionEnabled by the Chronic Kidney Disease, Queensland (CKD.QLD) Registry, we aim to outline the structure, implementation, and outcomes of telenephrology clinics for the management of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in rural, regional, and remote areas of the Darling Downs region in Queensland, Australia.MethodsThis is an observational registry–based study involving adult patients with CKD, attending specialist clinics, and residing ≥50 km away from Toowoomba Hospital. The telenephrology cohort (TC) included those who had their follow-up appointments via videoconference at local Queensland Health facilities, and the standard care cohort (SCC) included those who continue to have their follow-up in Toowoomba Hospital.ResultsA total of 234 patients with CKD were seen via videoconference clinics between September 1, 2011 and December 31, 2016, representing 22.2% of the CKD registry cohort from Toowoomba Hospital. The baseline characteristics and comorbid profiles of both groups were similar. The Aboriginal population was overrepresented in the TC (22.2% vs. 5.9%). As a group for each visit, the TC traveled 100,000 km less (both ways) to see a specialist physically. During follow-up, 5.1% of patients in the TC were initiated on dialysis whereas 9.9% were initiated on dialysis in the SCC (P = 0.02). There was lower mortality in the TC (11.1% vs. 18.2%; P = 0.02).ConclusionTelenephrology clinics were safe, economical, and efficient for the delivery of specialist care for patients with CKD living at a distance from the main referral hospital. Such care was comparable to standard care delivered at the main hospital but with clear benefits to the patients in terms of reduced travel distance, more independence, and similar outcomes.

Working on the land

A defining characteristic of Queensland’s natural gas industry is that upstream operations are located in a region with a strong and diverse agricultural industry. The gas resource lies beneath this farming land and the industry has had to overcome the challenge of covering huge distances to maintain thousands of gas wells and associated infrastructure – all while trying to reduce disruption on thousands of predominantly family-owned properties. Earning the trust and respect of landholders has, therefore, been essential to the success of the industry. Mistakes were made by the industry in the early days, but attitudes on both sides have since changed and evolved. There has been a move towards coexistence, respect and consent as the foundation for a long-term and mutually beneficial relationship. Along the way, the industry approach to land access has changed significantly over time. There are now many shining examples of best practice and innovation in the industry and a willingness to share solutions. This paper details the legal underpinning of Queensland’s land access process, the history of the industry in Queensland’s Darling Downs region, key lessons learned by the industry, and some of the innovations and new approaches developed by the land access professionals in the industry.

The Effects of Coal Seam Gas Infrastructure Development on Arable Land in Southern Queensland, Australia: Field Investigations and Modeling

<abstract> <b><sc>.</sc></b> The production of coal seam gas (CSG) in Australia is set to increase, driven by increasing global demand for energy and in response to the transition to a lower carbon economy through greater use of gas for electricity generation. Despite the many economic benefits delivered by the CSG industry, concerns have been raised over the potential environmental impacts associated with CSG production, particularly the long-term effects on the soil resource. Therefore, this work was conducted to: (1) assess the extent of damage to agricultural soil caused by the various elements of CSG development and (2) estimate the likely impact of soil compaction, caused during establishment of CSG infrastructure, on crop productivity. The study was undertaken using a paired-sites approach by comparing measurements conducted on selected soil properties in areas around and including well-head sites with measurements in neighboring agricultural fields. These spatial areas are referred to as “lease” and “field” areas, respectively. Measurements were used to guide parameterization and application of the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) model to assess the likely effects of changed soil conditions on crop productivity. To achieve this, the APSIM model was used to simulate wheat ( L.) yields for 115 years on Grey Vertosols in the Darling Downs region of Queensland. Simulations were conducted with soil properties representing: (1) field area conditions not affected by CSG activities, (2) lease area conditions in which soil had been impacted by CSG activities during the development phase, and (3) lease area conditions where soils had been rehabilitated. Results showed that soil compaction within lease areas in the top 300 mm of the profile was approximately 15% higher compared with field areas (p < 0.05). The modeling work suggested that near-surface (0 to 300 mm depth) soil compaction within affected areas can lead to significant losses in crop productivity due to adverse effects on soil hydraulic properties. The simulation analyses predicted a 53% reduction in median wheat yields compared with simulated results in neighboring agricultural fields. For the bottom and top deciles, predicted relative yields were up to 60% and 32% lower, respectively. Practical solutions for management of such compaction are presented and discussed. Soil cultivation of the top 300 to 350 mm will ensure sufficient soil water storage in most years, thereby reducing the risk of crop failure. Progressive soil loosening techniques for alleviation of deeper compaction were reviewed; however, their cost-effectiveness under Australian soil conditions requires further investigation. Limit bulk density values of 1.45 and 1.60 g cm^-3 for the 0 to 350 mm and 350 to 700 mm depth intervals, respectively, are suggested as references for CSG-rehabilitated soil. These critical values may be used as guidance until further studies are undertaken. The assessment of soil chemical properties indicated that these were affected to a lesser extent by the establishment of CSG infrastructure. However, a general requirement is careful manipulation of sodium-rich subsoil and avoidance of soil blending during reinstatement operations. The dataset acquired and the simulation approach employed in this study can be used to further develop soil management guidelines relevant to the Australian CSG industry. Cost-benefit analyses of soil management practices for reinstatement, development of soil quality standards, and industry best management practices are required.

Awareness, experiences and perceptions of telehealth in a rural Queensland community.

BackgroundTelehealth can offer alternative options for receiving healthcare services in rural locations, improving access and reducing costs associated with traveling for services. However, the full potential of telehealth has not been realised with slow and fragmented uptake. This study describes the awareness, experiences and perceptions of telehealth in an Australian rural community.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were undertaken with 47 participants from three rural towns in the Darling Downs region of Queensland. Content analysis was used to abstract themes and core concepts from the interviews.ResultsThree participants were healthcare providers who had all previously used telehealth in their clinical practice. Twenty-seven (57 %) participants regularly travelled to access specialist healthcare. While 28 (60 %) participants were aware of telehealth, only six (13 %) had actually used telehealth services; three as patients and three as healthcare providers. Major themes evident included: acceptance of the need to travel; paternalism and empowerment; and trust and misconceptions.ConclusionsFor telehealth initiatives to be successful, there needs to be greater public awareness and understanding of the potential benefits of telehealth. Empowering patients as partners in the delivery of healthcare may be an important factor in the growth of telehealth services.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12913-015-1094-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The financial implications of converting farmland to state-supported environmental plantings in the Darling Downs region, Queensland

Australia has one of the highest forest clearing rates in the world. Over the past 200 years, it has lost about 40% of total forest cover with consequent environmental problems such as soil and wind erosion, dryland salinity and biodiversity loss. The Australian Government has introduced a scheme to promote mixed species plantings for conservation and carbon sequestration benefits. This study first estimates the carbon sequestration amounts of these plantings using the Australian Government's Reforestation Modelling Tool and rules, and then compares the estimated returns with those from competing land uses in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia. Costs and benefits data for all land uses were collected from different sources and discounted to produce net present values. With a standard discount rate, average carbon and commodity prices based on recent history and a low ($A1000/ha) direct seeding establishment cost, environmental plantings are more profitable than native pasture, grazing oats and forage sorghum land uses, but less profitable than grain sorghum and native pasture. Higher establishment costs would however favour the continuation of conventional agricultural activities, especially given the limited impact of revegetation schemes in Australia. A comparison of a policy of 25 years permanence (as in the Abbott Governments' Direct Action policy) with a policy of 100 years permanence, the 25 year permanence policy delivers 60% of the carbon sequestrated that would be sequestered over 100 years, but when cost components are included and compared with other land uses, it gives similar outcomes. Therefore, to be attractive to landholders, the restoration of native forests in agricultural areas, such as the Darling Downs, will likely require additional incentive payments (for environmental services and co-benefits) and reasonable contractual certainty.

Generating new telehealth services using a whole of community approach: experience in regional Queensland

We implemented a community telehealth project in the three towns in the Darling Downs area of Queensland over a 2-year period starting in July 2012. The purpose of the project was to generate telehealth activity in hospitals, general practice and selected residential aged care facilities. Telehealth education and training was provided to clinicians in the three towns and a community awareness campaign was delivered using advertisements in newspapers, messages in social media and presentations at community events. A total of 55 stakeholders were engaged with during 61 site visits to health care facilities during the first two years of the project. During the study period, telehealth activity in Queensland increased in the hospital sector by 39% and in the non-hospital sector by 99%. In the Darling Downs region, telehealth activity in the hospital sector increased by 104%, compared to 28% in the rest of Queensland. However, in the non-hospital sector, the increase in telehealth activity in the Darling Downs region was similar to the rest of Queensland. Telehealth services established and/or facilitated by the project included specialist geriatric ward rounds in Dalby, Chinchilla and Miles for patients in the local hospitals and nursing homes; and ad-hoc teleconsultations for children and adults living in these communities, with specialists at Toowoomba and hospitals in Brisbane. An increase in telehealth implies better access to a range of clinical services, which may result in improved clinical outcomes for patients.

Extending dental mesowear analyses to Australian marsupials, with applications to six Plio-Pleistocene kangaroos from southeast Queensland

Mesowear analysis is a form of dental wear analysis used to infer the diets of herbivorous mammal species. It makes use of percentage indices of blunt, round and sharp cusp shape and high occlusal relief to classify the diet of species into one of three categories: browser, grazer or mixed feeder. Previously, this form of analysis has been limited to placental mammals, restricting the use of such analyses in Australia where the dominant herbivorous mammalian fauna consist of marsupials. In order to address this limitation, mesowear variables of extant marsupials were examined to determine whether their diets can accurately be predicted using mesowear analyses. Discriminant Function Analysis of mesowear variables and analysis of variance (ANOVA) of univariate mesowear scores for marsupial species demonstrate that mesowear analysis can be used to classify marsupial diets. A dataset of 24 typical marsupial species considered to be representative of the three dietary categories with respect to mesowear was generated and significantly increased cross-validated classification levels from 74.4% to 100% for the second molar. Mesowear analysis for marsupial species is most effective for the second molar with high predictive power also being evident for the first and third molars. When mesowear analysis was applied to six Plio-Pleistocene macropods (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) from the Darling Downs region, southeast Queensland, all species were classified as mixed feeders with the exception of Protemnodon roechus which was classified as a grazer. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of mesowear analysis as a dietary proxy for herbivorous marsupial species.

A Cookbook of Her Own

A Cookbook of Her Own

Current challenges and future directions for naturopathic medicine in Australia: a qualitative examination of perceptions and experiences from grassroots practice

BackgroundNaturopaths are an increasingly significant part of the healthcare sector in Australia, yet despite their significant role there has been little research on this practitioner group. Currently the naturopathic profession in Australia is undergoing a period of rapid professional growth and change. However, to date most research exploring the perceptions of naturopaths has been descriptive in nature and has focused on those in leadership positions rather than grassroots practitioners. This article explores the perceptions and experiences of practising naturopaths on the challenges and future directions of their profession.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 naturopaths practising in the Darling Downs region of South-east Queensland, Australia to explore current perceived challenges in the naturopathic profession in Australia.ResultsParticipants perceived a number of internal and external challenges relating to the profession of naturopathic medicine. These included a public misconception of the role of naturopathic medicine; the co-option of naturopathic medicine by untrained or unqualified practitioners; the devaluation of naturopathic philosophy as a core component of naturopathic practice; a pressure to move towards an evidence-based medicine model focused on product prescription; the increasing commercial interest infiltrating complementary medicine, and; division and fragmentation within the naturopathic profession. Naturopaths generally perceived government regulation as a solution for many of these challenges, though this may be representative of deeper frustrations and disconnections between the views of grassroots naturopaths and those in professional leadership positions.ConclusionsGrassroots naturopaths identify a number of challenges that may have significant impacts on the quality, effectiveness and safety of naturopathic care. Given the significant role naturopaths play in healthcare in Australia the practice and policy implications of these challenges require further research attention.

Conceptualising diversification as a development path for a sustainable future in rural and regional Australia: Insight from local community leaders

In the last few decades, rural and regional communities in Australia have faced challenges on a number of fronts, prompting recognition of the need to address economic, social and ecological sustainability in non-metropolitan areas. Through purposive sampling, 28 local community leaders and residents in the Darling Downs region in Queensland, Australia participated in four semi-structured focus groups discussing the opportunities and challenges facing their communities. This paper explores their perceptions about economic development through diversification and the prospective challenges for future growth of their communities. The results highlight the need to create balance between new industry (mining, tourism) and the existing agriculture sector, with local leaders emphasising the importance of development that respects the heritage, culture and lifestyle characteristics that uniquely define rural and regional communities.

SUPPORT VECTOR MACHINE CLASSIFICATION OF OBJECT-BASED DATA FOR CROP MAPPING, USING MULTI-TEMPORAL LANDSAT IMAGERY

Abstract. Crop mapping and time series analysis of agronomic cycles are critical for monitoring land use and land management practices, and analysing the issues of agro-environmental impacts and climate change. Multi-temporal Landsat data can be used to analyse decadal changes in cropping patterns at field level, owing to its medium spatial resolution and historical availability. This study attempts to develop robust remote sensing techniques, applicable across a large geographic extent, for state-wide mapping of cropping history in Queensland, Australia. In this context, traditional pixel-based classification was analysed in comparison with image object-based classification using advanced supervised machine-learning algorithms such as Support Vector Machine (SVM). For the Darling Downs region of southern Queensland we gathered a set of Landsat TM images from the 2010–2011 cropping season. Landsat data, along with the vegetation index images, were subjected to multiresolution segmentation to obtain polygon objects. Object-based methods enabled the analysis of aggregated sets of pixels, and exploited shape-related and textural variation, as well as spectral characteristics. SVM models were chosen after examining three shape-based parameters, twenty-three textural parameters and ten spectral parameters of the objects. We found that the object-based methods were superior to the pixel-based methods for classifying 4 major landuse/land cover classes, considering the complexities of within field spectral heterogeneity and spectral mixing. Comparative analysis clearly revealed that higher overall classification accuracy (95%) was observed in the object-based SVM compared with that of traditional pixel-based classification (89%) using maximum likelihood classifier (MLC). Object-based classification also resulted speckle-free images. Further, object-based SVM models were used to classify different broadacre crop types for summer and winter seasons. The influence of different shape, textural and spectral variables, and their weights on crop-mapping accuracy, was also examined. Temporal change in the spectral characteristics, specifically through vegetation indices derived from multi-temporal Landsat data, was found to be the most critical information that affects the accuracy of classification. However, use of these variables was constrained by the data availability and cloud cover.

Including the costs of water and greenhouse gas emissions in a reassessment of the profitability of irrigation

Irrigated cropping helps stabilise farm and regional income and contributes to productivity gains but the net benefits should include the full cost of water and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study examines the costs and returns of switching from a dryland rotation for four crops in the Darling Downs region of Australia, to a rotation of the same crops under irrigation, including greenhouse gas (GHG) values. The value chain, including all inputs was identified and emissions estimated using a range of studies and models. Over four year cropping cycle, the irrigated system would result in more than six times the emissions than from the dryland system. If GHG and water prices are not embedded in the production process, irrigation is more profitable per hectare. In this scenario, the landholder makes more than twice as much from the irrigated crops, with gross margins for the dryland and irrigated crop rotations of $1597 and $3490/ha, respectively. If the value of GHGs is included, the gap closes but irrigated crops are still more profitable. If however, a relatively high cost of the water, based on price ranges from the last decade, is included, then dryland crops are financially preferable. These results could be useful in designing national mitigation and water buy-back policies, both of which are being developed in Australia.

Does the adoption of zero tillage reduce greenhouse gas emissions? An assessment for the grains industry in Australia

The Australian Government has recommended that farmers move from cultivation-based dryland farming to reduced or zero tillage systems. The private benefits could include improvements in yields and a decrease in costs while the public benefits could include a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to a diminution in the use of heavy machinery. The aim of this study is to estimate and compare total on-farm GHG emissions from conventional and zero tillage systems based on selected grain crop rotations in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia. The value chain was identified, including all inputs, and emissions. In addition, studies of soil carbon sequestration and nitrous oxide emissions under the different cropping systems were reviewed. The value chain analysis revealed that the net effect on GHG emissions by switching to zero tillage is positive but relatively small. In addition though, the review of the sequestration studies suggests that there might be soil-based emissions that result from zero tillage that are being under-estimated. Therefore, zero tillage may not necessarily reduce overall GHG emissions. This could have major implication on current carbon credits offered from volunteer carbon markets for converting conventional tillage to reduced tillage system.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Comparison of a Commonwealth‐initiated regional radiation oncology facility in Toowoomba with a Queensland Health facility

AbstractThe aim was to compare a private Commonwealth‐initiated regional radiation oncology facility in Toowoomba with a Queensland Health facility (QHF) in Brisbane. The comparison concentrated on staffing, case mix and operational budgets, but was not able to look at changes in access to services. Data were collected from the two facilities from January 2008 to June 2008 inclusive. A number of factors were compared, including case mix, staffing levels, delay times for treatment, research, training and treatment costs. The case mix between the two areas was similar with curative treatments making up just over half the work load in both centres and two‐thirds the work being made up of cancers of breast and prostate. Staffing levels were leaner in Toowoomba, especially in the areas of nursing, administration and trial coordinators. Research activity was slightly higher in Toowoomba. The average medicare cost per treatment course was similar in both centres ($5000 per course). Total costs of an average treatment including patient, State and Commonwealth costs, showed a 30% difference in costing favouring Toowoomba. This regional radiation oncology centre has provided state‐of‐the‐art cancer care that is close to home for patients living in the Darling Downs region. Both public and private patients have been treated with modest costs to the patient and significant savings to QH. The case mix is similar to the QHF, and there has been significant activity in clinical research. A paperless working environment is one factor that has allowed staffing levels to be reduced. Ongoing support from Governments are required if private facilities are to participate in important ongoing staff training.