The Footprint 2011 Summer Edition - Eyre Peninsula Natural ...

the
footprint
2011 Summer Edition
What’s Inside
2 New Board member
3 Free feral trees for Christmas
5 Protect your property against fire
8 Fox baiting days in 2012
14 Weed could increase fire threat on EP
19 Students get their hands dirty
EPNRM footprint summer edition 2011

New management team
Another milestone towards the integration of EPNRM with the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources has been achieved with the appointment of
the new regional management team for EP.
Regional manager Dr Annie Lane has announced the appointment of Jonathan Clark as
manager of community engagement and sustainable landscapes; Tim Hall as manager
of public lands; Paul Genikas as manager of business support; and Evelyn Poole as
manager of planning, evaluation and strategy.
Jonathan, or Jono as he is known, has been with EPNRM since 2005 when he joined as
the manager of the water resources program. As the manager of community engagement
and sustainable landscapes, he oversees the biodiversity, biosecurity, Aboriginal
program, coast & marine, sustainable agriculture and community engagement teams
which currently employ 24 people and two contractors across the region. This program
works with priivate and public land managers.
Manager of public lands Tim Hall is responsible for a team of 33 people and just over 100
parks and reserves totalling 9.5 million hectares plus Crown land on EP. The team also
manages public land in the Far West on behalf of the Alinytjara Wilurara DENR region
and works on landscape-scale projects including WildEyre and the Chain of Bays .
Paul Genikas has worked in the building industry most of his life. He was initially on the
tools then he studied accountancy and took up a role as contracts and administration
manager for a leading plumbing company in Adelaide. Paul oversees a combined
business support unit, which covers both EPNRM and DENR businesses.
Evelyn Poole is a former Board member who comes to EPNRM from her role as senior
policy and project officer with Primary Industries and Regions SA, based in Port Lincoln.
Evelyn’s role will include overseeing the development of the second generation regional
NRM plan for EP, water resource planning, research, monitoring and evaluation and
generating funds.
forword
Pictured from top are Jonathan Clark, Tim Hall, Paul Genikas and Evelyn Poole.
Oyster grower joins EPNRM Board
Jil Coates,EPNRM board member
OUR COVER: Nigel Melzner, manager of Port Lincoln City Council with EPNRM water resources officer
Seb Drewer at the new rain garden in Port Lincoln. (see story page 3)
Footprint edited by Michelle Daw, designed by Leonie Ebert.
The final vacancy on the EPNRM Board has been filled
with the appointment of Jill Coates.
Jill has been involved in the expansion of the oyster industry
in Coffin Bay and her family manages an operation which
has expanded from Coffin Bay to include Streaky Bay.
She is a member of the executive committee of the SA
Oyster Growers Association and the State Aquaculture
Advisory Committee.
She said she was keen to bring a seafood industry
perspective to the Board and highlight coastal and marine
issues.
Jill was the principal at Tumby Bay Area School for about
eight years until 2009. She has a Bachelor of Science, with
a major in pure maths and psychology, and a Masters in
Education.
She and her husband Michael developed Tanonga Luxury
Eco Lodges at Charlton Gully on Lower EP. The enterprise
was judged best new tourism development in 2009 and won
silver and bronze medals for luxury and eco tourism in 2010
and 2011 in the SA Tourism Awards. The business also
achieved leader status for Climate Action Certification.
EPNRM footprint summer edition 2011
2

Free feral trees for Christmas
Port Lincoln residents decorated
their homes for Christmas and
helped the environment with free
feral Christmas trees, provided by
the Lower Eyre Pest Management
Group.
The group handed out about 100 trees
at its annual aleppo pine giveaway held
recently on the lawns near the Port
Lincoln Yacht Club. LEPMG is one of
the community environmental groups
supported by EPNRM.
Group members cut the trees down from
the roadside between the Port Lincoln
prison and The Pines picnic area and
gave them away to promote the fact
that aleppo pines are a pest plant on
lower EP. Aleppos grow rapidly, are
prolific seeders and are drought tolerant
which has has enabled them to spread
extensively and there is a substance
in the pine needles
which prohibits the
growth of other
plants. LEPMG is
EPNRM authorised officers Lana Roediger and Gemma Lindschau.
also involved in controlling other pest plants such as feral
olive trees, weeping white broom and boneseed.
For more information, call Lana Roediger on 8682 7555.
EPNRM partnerships
City’s first rain garden to improve outflows
If you go down to Gawler Terrace on
Port Lincoln’s coastline, you will find
more than a new housing development.
The area is now the site of the city’s first
rain garden, which will help to remove
sediments and pollution from the
stormwater that flows down gutters and
out into Boston Bay via two pipes.
The basin is designed to improve the quality
of the water that flows into Boston Bay, an
important marine environment that is also a
valuable resource for fishing, aquaculture,
tourism and lifestyle.
Funding was provided by the community
grants fund of the State Government’s NRM
Program. The project was made possible
with the assistance of the City Council of
Port Lincoln, Parks and Reserves Port
Lincoln and EPNRM
EPNRM water resources officer
Seb Drewer said the project utilised Water
Sensitive Urban Design principles to
construct an innovative and cost effective
way to reduce the impact of stormwater pollutants on the marine
environment. When stormwater flows, the basin fills up and the
water slowly filters down in a matter of hours through the soil
profile, allowing the sediments to settle. The basin will be densely
planted with native vegetation to help absorb the nutrients. it
will be planted in bands to ensure that most of the sediment
and rubbish will collect near the inlet pipe. These pollutants can
then be removed and disposed of safely. Rain gardens have
the added bonus of enhancing the neighbourhood.
Port Lincoln City Council manager of community infrastructure,
Nigel Melzner, said the council was getting involved to help
improve the quality of the local marine environment. He said
rain gardens would also help control woody weeds such as
Rhamnus and Cotoneaster that tended to thrive whenever
stormwater was discharged directly into council reserves. "If
this example is successful we are hoping to replicate it at other
stormwater outfall areas around the city," he said.
The rain garden was a recommendation from a series of
reports by the consultancy firm, Design Flow, in 2010 which
identify opportunities to reduce stormwater impacts on marine
environments on EP.
Two more rain gardens are under construction at the Dennis
Westlake Reserve in Kirton Point, Port Lincoln, and at the
Coffin Bay town foreshore.
More information, contact Seb Drewer at EPNRM on 8682 7537.
EPNRM footprint summer edition 2011
3

Guide to building dams on EP
A comprehensive guide to dams,
specifically tailored to Eyre Peninsula
conditions, is now available for
landholders and earthmoving
contractors.
Farm dams – A Guide to Siting, Design,
Construction and Management on Eyre
Peninsula has been produced by EP
Natural Resources Management Board
to support landholders and to improve
the standard of new and existing
dams.
Caring for our natural resources
The 85-page colour book features
photographs, illustrations, tables and
maps covering rainfall, evaporation,
evapotranspiration and runoff coefficients
. It covers aspects of dam
building such as soil types, size and
storage ratios, siting considerations,
design features, principles of
construction and methods of minimising
evaporation.
It is the first time this information
has been brought together for Eyre
Peninsula.
A section on permits and approvals
covers the reasons for controlling dam
development and modifications and the
situations in which a permit or approval
may be required.
EPNRM water resources officer Seb
Drewer said the book was part of the
Board’s Sustainable Stock Water Project
and was aimed at helping to improve
the development and management of
farms dams on EP.
“There has been a history of inadequate
compaction of soil, and use of unsuitable
soil types which have led to dam wall
failures.
“Another issue of concern is dam
location and size. In the past many
dams were built as small stock water
dams and constructed in gullies that are
prone to salinity,” Mr Drewer said. “This
invariably resulted in the dams going
saline or dry as a result of location and
the increased evaporation associated
EPNRM water resources officer Seb Drewer and earthmoving
contractor Trent Modra with a copy of the farm dams guide.
with smaller dams. Water lost as a result of increased
salinity or through evaporation could often support
significant additional stock numbers.
“The use of minimum and no-till farming practices has
greatly reduced the amount of water that runs off paddocks
and then a few years ago we had a run of dry years which
meant many farmers were struggling to capture enough
water in their dams for existing stock and domestic
requirements.
“Lack of water is often limiting the current and potential
expansion of livestock enterprises on EP so it is important
that landowners make good decisions when planning or
managing a property’s water supply.”
The book is ideal for contractors who build dams and
landholders who are planning to build a new dam, alter an
existing dam or perhaps looking for information on how to
maintain or improve their current dams.
“We have had a good response to the books we have
handed out so far, with people commenting that it has
been a great help to them when planning a new dam,” Mr
Drewer said.
“It’s been really rewarding to see the ideas in the book put
into practice in new dams on EP, with features such as
improved spillway design, use of contouring around the
dam catchment area, utilising roads for catchment and
evaporation control.”
There has been a limited print run of the book, which is
available free from the EPNRM office at 23 Napoleon St,
Port Lincoln, or call 8682 7555.
EPNRM footprint summer edition 2011 4

Protect your property against fire
Caring for our natural resources
A free booklet which gives advice
to Eyre Peninsula householders on
landscaping for fire protection is now
available.
It covers topics such as choosing plants
with low flammability, where to plant
them, maintaining your garden to protect
your home and creating and maintaining
a defendable space around your home.
It also covers bushfire behaviour, how
buildings burn and protecting your home
from ember attack.
The booklet was produced by EPNRM
Board and Rural Solutions SA.
Author Di De Laine of Rural Solutions SA
is a senior environmental consultant and
has been a volunteer with the CFS on EP
for more than 10 years.
She said it was important to remember that
there was no such thing as fire retardant
plant species and that all vegetation would
burn if the fire was intense enough.
“However, it makes sense to do everything
you can for fire protection and this includes
choosing plants that are less flammable
for use close to the home. Some attributes
you need to look for are low oil content
Author Di De Laine in a Port Lincoln garden
landscaped for fire protection.
but high moisture and/or salt content in leaves, sparse
foliage, little or no dead foliage retained on the plant,
smooth bark texture and low amounts of litter produced
during the bushfire season. If you still want trees, you
must prune the lower branches so that their lowest
foliage is at least two metres above the ground.”
“You also need to think about other elements of
landscaping such as mulch, fencing, lattices, edging
and any garden structures. For example, mulch made
of organic material such as bark, straw, shredded
leaves and manure ignites easily and creates embers,
so it is safer to use pebbles or gravel, which will help
retain moisture in the soil and prevent weeds growing
without producing embers.
“Creeping saltbush and pig face are good examples of
groundcovers with low flammability, because they have
high moisture and salt content in their leaves. Similarly,
the upright varieties of saltbush have low flammability
and other good choices for shrubs are Christmas bush,
emu bush and the correa species.
“There are very few native tree species that have low
flammability, and it is important that the canopies of
trees are spaced two to five metres apart.”
Ms De Laine said one of the most important steps
property owners could take to protect their homes and
other buildings was to maintain a defendable space
around them.
“A defendable space of relatively clear land should be a
minimum radius of 20 metres wide around houses and
five metres wide around other assets such as sheds,
but you will need a larger circle of safety on sloping
ground,” she said.
The booklet explains how to create and maintain a
defendable space, including maintenance of buildings
for fire protection.
It points out that well managed vegetation can play
a positive role in fire protection by trapping embers
and protecting buildings from ember attack, deflecting
debris over or around a building, providing a barrier
against heat and flames and by slowing wind speed
and the rate of fire spread.
Copies of Landscaping for Fire Protection are available
from the EPNRM office at 23 Napoleon St, Port Lincoln
or phone 8682 755 or from CFS headquarters in Port
Lincoln.
EPNRM footprint summer edition 2011 5

Range of fresh water fish found
Caring for our natural resources
Preliminary results from Eyre
Peninsula’s first survey of fresh
water fish show that a range of
native species are breeding well in
localised areas of the Little Swamp
catchment.
The survey was carried out in August
by Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources
Management Board with the assistance
of South Australia’s leading native fish
expert Dr Michael Hammer.
Locally targeted surveys of the Tod
River and Cummins Wanilla Basin
catchments were also completed.
The Board was given permission to use
specialised survey nets, know as fyke
nets, which were spread across the width
of the waterways and left overnight. The
captured fish were measured and then
released back into the water.
EPNRM water assessment officer Seb
Drewer said the surveys were carried
out to document the presence and
diversity of native fish and the health of
habitats in these catchments on lower
Eyre Peninsula,.
“Up until now very little work has been
done in this area” he said, Dr Hammer
also provided Board staff with training in
fish identification, the use of specialised
fish traps and a consistent protocol for
conducting further surveys of inland
waters on Eyre Peninsula.
“A range of fish species were located
throughout the catchments, and it was
promising to see fish being detected
high in the catchment despite the
many barriers to migration such as flow
alteration, habitat loss and disturbance,
poor water quality and infrastructure
including dams and watercourse
crossings,” Mr Drewer said. “This
indicates that fish are breeding
successfully in localised areas, most
likely seeking refuge in permanent pools
of water over summer, before moving
around the catchment during the wetter
winter months. “
EPNRM footprint summer edition 2011
Dr Hammer said the most commonly detected species
included common galaxias, small- mouthed hardyhead,
western blue-spot goby and the introduced species
Gambusia.
“It was also interesting that we detected three different
species of mullet - the yellow eye, jumping and sea
mullet - in the Tod River.” Dr Hammer said. “These fish
generally spend the majority of their lifecycle in the marine
environment.
Often the reason they venture into waters higher in the
catchment is to rid themselves of parasites that are unable
to survive in the fresher waters or for breeding purposes.
“We didn’t find the elusive climbing galaxia but we will
keep trying because we have had anecdotal reports of this
rare species. If it is living on EP, we would like to protect
its habitat.
Mr Drewer said the survey was an important first step in
identifying targets for future monitoring so the Board can
better understand and protect Eyre Peninsula’s inland
fish.
“We would like to thank the landholders who allowed us
to come onto their land for the surveys and the community
volunteers who helped with setting and emptying the nets,”
he said.
The results of the surveys are being compiled and will be
available from the EPNRM office or website on completion.
For more information, contact Seb Drewer or David
Cunningham on 86827555.
EPNRM water resources officer David Cunningham (left) and Dr
Mike Hammer bring in a fish trap during the survey.
6

Caring for our natural resources
Redgums recovering well
Redgum trees growing in the Polda
Basin have responded well to the past
two years of good rainfall and recharge
to the groundwater basin.
That’s the assessment of applied ecologist
Dr Kerri Muller, who has been contracted
to determine the water requirements of
redgum trees in the Polda Basin area on
the West Coast for Eyre Peninsula Natural
Resources Management Board.
“Although the gums at Polda show signs
of past water stress, they are currently
growing new leaves and in many cases,
flowers, Many gum trees in SA have
suffered during the recent dry years and
the response to better conditions that we
are seeing in the redgums at Polda appear
to be responding as strongly as has been
observed in redgums anywhere in the
State” she said. “By observing them over
time we will further our understanding of
their responses to changes in groundwater
levels and quality.”
The initiative was prompted by concerns
expressed about the redgums by local
residents who are members of the
Musgrave Water Allocation Consultative
Committee. This committee, and a similar
committee for the Southern Basins, was set
up by the Board as part of its community
consultation during the development of
the new draft Water Allocation Plan for the
Musgrave and Southern Basins Prescribed
Wells Areas.
The Southern Basins covers the Lincoln,
Coffin Bay and Uley underground basins,
while Musgrave covers the basins to
the east of Elliston, including the Polda,
Kappawanta, Sheringa and Bramfield
lenses.
EPNRM water resources program manager
Terry Boyce said the Board would carry
out the proposed monitoring regime when
it was finalised.
Dr Muller is a member of a team working
with the Department for Water which will
provide the Board with a series of scientific
reports that will underpin the development
of the draft WAP. EPNRM will continue to
work with the Consultative Committees to
further develop the draft WAP in 2012.
The proposed monitoring regime will be
Elliston-based EPNRM officer Rob Coventry and Russell Dudley, a
member of the Musgrave Water Allocations Consultative Committee
developed based on a report being written by Dr Muller and
another ecologist, Tim Doeg, on the environmental water
requirements of a number of native vegetation species that
depend on groundwater on EP.
Mr Boyce said the Board had followed up on a number of other
issues raised by the committees, including rainfall variability,
projected water demand for stock and domestic use and the
potential impacts of climate change on water supply.
Dr Muller made an initial assessment of redgum health in
the Polda Basin in July and again in November following her
presentation to the Musgrave committee in Elliston.
Dr Muller said the issues of grazing of seedlings and wood
cutting also needed to be addressed to ensure the long term
health of the redgum stands. She said that like many Australian
plant species, redgums had evolved a number of adaptations
to help them survive droughts and it was a mistake to assume
they were dead or dying if they dropped their leaves.
“Redgums often drop their leaves when water stressed and
it can be quite difficult to work out which trees will come back
after a good season and which ones will not,” she said. “They
can have many lives.”
“It is really important that trees are properly assessed before
being cut down for wood or furniture. Even then we should
take as few as possible because dead trees provide a lot of
functions in the ecosystem, such as nesting sites, shelter,
organic matter, carbon stores and erosion control.
Other species that will be covered in the report include
Melaleucas, samphires, Gahnia grasses, sedges, rushes and
underwater plants.
For more on the development of the new WAP, go to http://
www.epnrm.sa.gov.au/WaterResources/WaterAllocation-
Plans/NewWaterAllocationPlan.aspx
EPNRM footprint summer edition 2011 7

Fox baiting days in February, March 2012
Landholders could be dealing
with increased fox numbers in the
coming autumn lambing season,
following anecdotal reports of higher
numbers.
EPNRM acting biosecurity manager
Tony Zwar said favourable conditions
had created an opportunity for foxes to
breed up this year.
“Farmers report they have been seeing
higher numbers of young foxes during
harvest and the good year we have had,
with plenty of fruiting plants plus mice,
extra rabbits and locusts as sources of
protein, has probably allowed foxes to
breed up,” he said.
Caring for our natural resources
EPNRM will hold its annual fox baiting
distribution days at 60 centres around
the region in February and March (see
schedules on the following pages)
and Mr Zwar urged landholders to get
involved.
“Our landscape-scale baiting program
is still one of the largest in the state,
possibly the country. The continued
effort by landholders is what drives
our staff to do their very best for this
program,” he said. “We look forward
to seeing you all again at the baiting
groups. “
Autumn 2012 fox baiting dates
WEST COAST
Anecdotal reports of young foxes indicate numbers could be
higher following favourable seasons.
Meat baits prepared by NRM officers are still supplied
free and shelf baits (FoxOff) are for sale at cost price.
For more information, ring the EPNRM office in your
region (see details back page).
REMEMBER
Bring your labelled buckets from last year.
If you happen to forget or are a first time baiter,
buckets will be supplied.
Baits distributed will be semi dried kangaroo
EPNRM footprint summer edition 2011
8

1080 Fox baiting Distribution Days 2012
CENTRAL EYRE
FAR WEST
Caring for our natural resources
WESTERN EYRE
EPNRM footprint summer edition 2011
If you cannot atttend a distribution day contact your nearest NRM officer for
alternative arranagements. See back page for details.
9

1080 Fox baiting Distribution Days 2012
EASTERN EYRE
Lower Eyre Peninsula
Caring for our natural resources
EPNRM footprint summer edition 2011 10

Clearance of native vegetation on EP
Caring for our natural resources
Native vegetation cover plays a vital
role in the health of South Australia’s
ecosystems, and the prosperity of
communities and natural resourcebased
industries. Less than 30% of
native vegetation remains in South
Australia’s agricultural areas and
some regions have less than 10 per
cent.
However, the landmass of Eyre
Peninsula has about 43 per cent of
remnant native vegetation with around
half of this on private land.
South Australia’s Native Vegetation
Council is responsible for providing
advice and making decisions on the
removal and establishment of native
vegetation.
The Native Vegetation Council
wants to work with Eyre Peninsula
landowners to ensure that conditions
of native vegetation clearance are fully
understood and provide support for
those interested in the conservation
and regeneration of native vegetation
on their land.
It is important that landowners are
aware of the Native Vegetation Act 1991
and its regulations and how the Act and
regulations apply to the management of
native vegetation.
EPNRM footprint summer edition 2011
Native vegetation includes any naturally occurring local
plant species and these can range from small ground
covers and native grasses to large trees and water
plants.
The Native Vegetation Act 1991 ensures that native
vegetation of high conservation value is protected and
that clearance of native vegetation is controlled.
The Native Vegetation Regulations 2003 provide
exemptions for the clearance of native vegetation in
certain circumstances without the need for a clearance
application. Otherwise, the clearance of native vegetation
is subject to an application and assessment process, and
may require the landowner to provide an offset for the
clearance.
Exemptions exist to help landowners maintain firebreaks
and fence lines and to maintain regrowth but all have
specific conditions that apply. Landowners are advised to
contact the Native Vegetation Council to determine if any
exemptions apply in their circumstance.
If an exemption does not apply, landowners wishing to
clear native vegetation are required to make an application
to the Native Vegetation Council.
Information about native vegetation in South Australia
and the clearance application process is available on the
DENR website at www.environment.sa.gov.au and The
Native Vegetation Council can be contacted either on
8303 9777 or via email at NVC@sa.gov.au.
11

Caring for our natural resources
Ten groups awarded $36,500 for sustainable farming
Ten farmer groups around Eyre Peninsula have been awarded
funding to put sustainable agriculture into practice.
A total of $36,500 will be distributed to the groups by EPNRM for
the projects, which are aimed at contributing to Eyre Peninsula’s
sustainable agricultural production, increased soil health and
promoting best practice land management.
The successful projects are:
• South Australian No-Tillage Farmers Association - $4000
○ Improved phosphate uptake
• Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation - $4000
○ Improved weed control technology
• Tuckey Agricultural Bureau - $4000
○ Study tour of soil improvement technologies in the South
East
• PING - Partners in Grain - $4000
○ Minnipa Women’s Field Day support
• SA No Till Farmers Association- $4000
○ Innovative Biochar technologies
• Southern Precession Agriculture Australia - $4000
○ Western EP focus group workshops
• Lower Eyre Agricultural Development Association - $4000
○ Social media opportunities for farmer engagement
• Southern Precision Agriculture Australia - $4000
○ Ag Expo support on EP
• Buckleboo Farm Improvement Group - $1500
○ Control of problem summer weeds
• Butler/Ungarra Agricultural Bureau - $4000
○ Understanding soil constraints
For more information on future grants for farming groups, contact Neil Ackland on 0428 765 107.
Water resources focus on EP
Members of the WAA group visit a properly
designed culvert.
EPNRM footprint summer edition 2011
EPNRM Landcare and Sustainable
Farming officer Neil Ackland
Water resources officers from around SA converged
on Port Lincoln recently to share information and
experiences. The visit was hosted by EPNRM and
attended by representatives from most of the seven
other NRM Boards.
The group visited local sites to discuss both common and
unique water resources issues, such as native habitats,
catchment infrastructure and groundwater access trenches
(GATs).
Some of the sites visited were the Lower Tod River
wetlands and estuary, freshwater fish monitoring sites,
rural fringe subdivisions near watercourses, private dams,
springs, soaks and GATs, the Little Swamp causeway,
the Tod River weir and channel, rural roads stormwater
management site, an acid sulfate soils site and Sleaford
Mere.
The visit was co-ordinated by EPNRM water resources officers David Cunningham and Seb
Drewer.
12

Caring for our natural resources
Bunny baits ready to go
Rabbit baits are now available
from EPNRM for summer baiting
programs.
Staff have mixed about five tonnes of
oats with 1080 poison and these are
available free for landholders with
more than five hectares of land.
EPNRM acting biosecurity manager
Tony Zwar urged landholders to
protect their crops, pastures and native
vegetation by getting involved in rabbit
control.
“The good rains that we have been
having mean that rabbits have been in
almost continuous breeding cycle for
the past 12 to 18 months,” he said.
“Rabbits are stimulated to breed by
the presence of green feed and just
recently, they have been able to get
that even over late summer and early
autumn in some places.”
Landholders who use the baits must
comply with safety provisions, including
use of warning signs and observing
restrictions about use near waterways,
dwellings and roadsides.
New products to control wild dogs and foxes
Since 2005, the Invasive Animals
Cooperative Research Centre has
been developing a range of new
products for vertebrate pest animal
control, some of which will become
available for commercial use over
the next few years.
Most significant is the development of
a new poison for wild dogs and foxes
called para-aminopropiophenone
(PAPP).
This new toxin has been designed to
replace 1080 as the primary poison for
controlling wild dogs and foxes.
The registered products for this new
poison are called DOGABATE® and
FOXECUTE®.
EPNRM footprint summer edition 2011
EPNRM officer Fred Pickett helps to prepare 1080 oats.
For more information, call your local EPNRM office (see
details back page). View a video on best practice rabbit
control at:
http://www.epnrm.sa.gov.au/AnimalPlantControl/
DeclaredPestAnimals/Rabbits.aspx
The positive side to this new product is that it comes with
an antidote called Bluehealer® which can be administered
orally to accidentally poisoned domestic dogs by vets or
the dog owners themselves.
Other products still under development or trials are:
• Mechanical injectors that contain 1080, cyanide or
PAPP.
• Lethal mechanical foot traps containing cyanide.
• A portable carbon monoxide fumigator for rabbits and
freeze-dried RHD virus for use on carrot or oat bait for
biological rabbit control.
For more details on these and other research projects
or products visit www.invasiveanimals.com or www.feral.
org.au/pestsmart
13

Partnership plants
seeds to restore
Chain of Bays
By David Letch
Caring for our natural resources
The Chain of Bays Project is entering
its second year! The project has
adopted a teamwork approach to
restore and improve the condition of
coastal habitats in the Chain of Bays,
which stretches from Venus Bay to
Streaky Bay on the West Coast.
The project, funded under the Australian
Government’s Caring for our Country
initiative, is a partnership between The
Friends of Sceale Bay, the Wirangu 2
Association, EPNRM, the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources
and the District Council of Streaky Bay.
Our first season of direct seeding took
place in June, when we planted 24
hectares of native habitat on the verges
of Point Labatt Road, and on the margins
of Lake Tjeynya (Baird’s Monument)
on the Calca road. Favourable soil
moisture conditions have ensured a
Ceduna-based EPNRM officer Edwin
Carbine winnows seed.
EPNRM footprint summer edition 2011
The collection of local provenance seed for direct seeding is a
vital part of the Chain of Bays project. Photo: Grant Hobson.
good success rate, with lots of new seedlings poking up
in the direct seeding runs.
Our Aboriginal work teams, supervised by EPNRM officers
Edwin Carbine and Archie Saunders, have been busy
collecting local provenance seed at numerous sites in the
Chain of Bays for next year’s direct seeding season.
We are planning to plant at least another 75 hectares
of native habitat next year, predominantly in the Cape
Blanche area. Chain of Bays NRM officer Paula Peel
has supervised the seed bank and plant nursery for the
project at the Emu Farm at Ceduna. Paula has raised
an astonishing 6500 tubestock to supplement our direct
seeding activities!
The second round of devolved grants being made available
under this project were assessed in early November. The
devolved grants enable private landowners, community
groups and councils to put forward their own projects, and
$42,000 funding has been provided for four new projects,
including some exciting work which will see the District
Council of Streaky Bay develop new interpretive signage
at 11 key coastal locations. Other successful devolved
grant projects will protect dunes, remove boxthorns and
restore coastal habitats.
A final round of devolved grants will be announced early
next year, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to play
your part in restoring the Chain of Bays!
For more information, go to www.chainofbays.com.au or
contact David Letch on 0427 974 702 or at mistletopia@
bigpond.com
14

Weed could increase fire threat on EP
An invasive weed on Eyre Peninsula
could become a major bushfire threat,
as it could increase the intensity of
fires in some areas of the region if left
unchecked.
That’s the warning from EPNRM which
has begun putting up signs on major
roads around EP this month to alert
people about the weed, buffel grass.
The signs will give basic information about
the weed and ask members of the public
to report infestations to the Board.
Caring for our natural resources
They have already been erected at the
entrances to Wudinna, Kyancutta, Kimba
and Whyalla, with more to be put up at
information bays near these centres and
at Ceduna.
EPNRM acting biosecurity manager Tony
Zwar said buffel grass burnt at very high
temperatures and the plants had a high
fuel load, both of which contributed to the
spread and intensity of bushfires.
Buffel grass also regenerates quickly after
fire, posing a threat to native vegetation
by displacing native shrubs and grasses
and increasing the potential frequency of
fires.
“Buffel grass may have been a contributing
factor in the recent widespread and
prolonged bushfires in Central Australia,
where it was introduced as a pasture
grass for cattle and dust control and has
become very well established across the
landscape in some areas,” Mr Zwar said.
Buffel grass is native to Africa, the Middle
East and Asia and was introduced to
northern and central Australia as early as
the 1870s. It was first detected on EP in
2004, but may have been in the region for
some time before then.
“So far buffel grass has mainly been
found on roadsides and rail lines, which
indicate the weeds are being dispersed
by transport, but can also be spread by
livestock, wind and water,” Mr Zwar said.
“The Board is working with the Department
of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure
EPNRM footprint summer edition 2011
Andrew Buckham of Wudinna District Council with local EPNRM
officer Luke Nettle at one of the signs near the town.
and some local councils on roadside control of the weed
and identifying new infestations.
“Unfortunately, it has already spread into a few adjoining
farming and urban lands. It grows quite well in arid areas,
but is equally at home in the lower reaches of EP.”
Buffel grass grows mainly in summer but survives all year
round and is tolerant of drought and grazing. It grows best in
sandy soils but will establish in other soil types. It has only
moderate grazing value for sheep.
The Board rates buffel grass as a high risk invasive plant
for EP and is aiming for eradication with sustained ongoing
monitoring to detect new infestations.
Mr Zwar said eradication was a realistic aim because of
the current low number and size of the known infestations
across EP. Mature plants are difficult to control because they
have a robust root system and re-grow after cutting, grazing
or burning.
Mr Zwar recommended that established plants be burnt to
prevent them from dispersing seed, then the fresh regrowth
treated with chemicals.
Buffel grass could be difficult to identify because of its close
similarity to other native grasses and grassy weeds.
“If people suspect they have found buffel grass, EPNRM
officers can help to identify it and offer tailored advice on
control methods,” he said.
More information: contact Tony Zwar on 8628 2077 or
go to http://www.epnrm.sa.gov.au/AnimalPlantControl/
DeclaredPestPlants
15

Zoo scientist visits EP for wombat research
Caring for our natural resources
The southern hairy-nosed wombat.
About 200 landholders State-wide
have responded to two surveys
about the impact of wombats on
their properties.
The surveys were distributed on Eyre
Peninsula during a recent visit to the
region by Dr Elisa Sparrow of Zoos SA,
and Dr David Taggart from the University
of Adelaide, who are developing a draft
management plan on the southern hairy
nosed wombat.
EP landholders have contributed to a State
survey on wombat impacts and numbers.
The surveys asked for information about wombat
distribution and land use, species abundance and
management techniques as well as ideas, knowledge
and opinions about wombats.
Workshops were also held at Nundroo, Penong, Wudinna,
Elliston and Cummins which were attended by a total of
about 60 people.
Dr Sparrow and Dr Taggart also visited over 30 sites
which are affected by wombats.
The workshops and site visits were coordinated by local
EPNRM staff.
Dr Sparrow said the majority of survey respondents
believed co-existence with wombats could be possible,
however it is conditional.
“Most landholders just want better management options
when it comes to wombats,” Dr Sparrow said.
“I was surprised by the extent of the damage that wombats
have caused at some sites and the safety hazards that
their burrows create.”
She thanked all landholders for their contributions.
Dr Sparrow is now using the information that she gathered
from the surveys and her EP visit to write a report, which
she will present when she returns to the region in February
for follow-up workshops.
EPNRM footprint summer edition 2011 16

Caring for our natural resources
Work on woodlands starts on central EP
By Louise Mortimer
Two significant revegetation projects
are underway on Central Eyre
Peninsula as part of a focus on works
that preserve and enhance diversity
in four key assets in the WildEyre
region.
Those assets are sheoak grassy
woodlands, sub-coastal wetlands,
coastal cliffs and rocky shores, and
sandy shores and dune systems.
Individuals from a variety of organisations
have been developing a Conservation
Action Plan (CAP) for a 1.2 million ha
area on West Coast of Eyre Peninsula.
The project has become known as
WildEyre.
The partner organizations include
Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources
Management Board, the Department
for Environment and Natural
Resouces, Greening Australia (SA),
The Wilderness Society (SA) and the
Nature Conservation Society of South
Australia.
Protecting our native animals
As well as helping to reduce
predation of lambs, fox control
assists to protect our vulnerable
native animals, such as this redcapped
plover (right).
EPNRM officer Fred Pickett
photographed the bird between Louth
Bay and Peake Point while undertaking
routine boxthorn and rabbit control.
Other ground nesting shorebirds which
are preyed upon by foxes include the
hooded plover, pied oyster catcher,
sooty oyster catcher, eastern curlew
and masked lapwing.
Inland birds which are also vulnerable
to foxes include mallee fowl, Australian
bustard and the southern stone curlew.
Native rodents, such as Mitchell’s
hopping-mouse, and numerous small
These members are interested in landscape conservation
on E P.
These works are part of the High Priority WildEyre
Conservation Strategies and are being undertaken on
Dakalanta, a property owned by the Australian Wildlife
Conservancy and on Lake Newland Conservation Park.
The sites chosen were the first stage in multi-stage site
restoration plans compiled for these properties in 2009 by
Greening Australia scientists.
The Lake Newland project aims to create a buffer zone
of vegetation to help reduce any effects surrounding land
use may have had on the biodiversity of the system as a
whole.
At Dakalanta, the revegetation project is aimed at restoring
a pastoral lease by improving the quality of vegetation
and filling gaps in the landscape that have historically
been cleared for grazing.
Both projects are focused on revegetation using sheoak
grassy woodland species and were undertaken using
direct seeding.
For more information, contact Louise Mortimer on (08)
8626 1108.
lizards, such as skinks, dragons and geckoes are also
susceptible to predation by foxes.
Contact your local EPNRM officer for information on fox control.
(see back page for details).
EPNRM footprint summer edition 2011 17

Community works together to protect rare
shingle dune
By Denise Sharp
Whyalla’s unique stranded shingle
dune is now in better shape – thanks
to a successful partnership.
Caring for our natural resources
The project is focussed on the
conservation of this rare geological
feature along the coastline north of
Whyalla and has been a collaborative
effort of the Cultana Jenkins
Shackowners Association, EPNRM,
Whyalla City Council and Conservation
Volunteers Australia.
Whyalla based EPNRM officer Denise
Sharp said the project was a great
example of community collaboration in
project planning and implementation
Barry Brougham, Cultana Jenkins
Shackowner Association representative
said the project had proven that working
together for a common cause could
produce effective results.
“It’s a win for the environment and for
everyone involved,” he said. “It has
opened our eyes up to the fact that this
ridge system is more special than what
we thought initially.”
In 2010, the Cultana Jenkins
The stranded shingle dune is believed to be
30,000 years old.
EPNRM footprint summer edition 2011
CVA team leader Grant French with EPNRM officer Denise Sharp,
CVA volunteer Connor Peacock and Barry Brougham of CJSA.
Shackowner Association was successful in obtaining
seed funding for the project through the State Natural
Resources Management Program Community Grants for
$8800. EPNRM has also provided financial support to
the group with an additional $3000.
The project has had a three pronged approach:
1. Restriction of vehicle access on the dune through the
use of barriers and signs
2. Revegetation of tracks leading to and off the dune
3. Education of visitors and community with information
panels, development of handout, media campaign to
raise awareness of importance of dune system
The stranded shingle dune which extends from False
Bay in the south to Point Douglas in the north is an
extraordinary landscape feature. Stranded shingle
dunes like the one found north of Whyalla are very rare in
Australia. The Fitzgerald Bay ridges are the only ones of
their kind in South Australia.
Its formation has been dated back to the Pleistocene
period (30,000 years ago) and is thought to have been
created from a combination of high sea levels together
with strong easterly winds and a consistent depositing
wave action that dropped debris along the shoreline.
The future protection of this dune system will continue
to reside with the community of Whyalla and depends
on better understanding and respect this fragile and
significant geological phenomenon.
Denise said EPNRM was a proud participant in the project
and she was looking forward to being involved in more
cooperative ventures with the Whyalla community.
More information: Denise Sharp, ph 8640 3480 or denise.
sharp@epnrm.com.au
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Students get their hands dirty
Primary school students from Tumby
Bay Area School have been busy this
term propagating 17 different coastal
species in the school’s nursery.
Over 1,700 seedling tubes were filled
and seeds planted of low growing coastal
plants such as coastal daisy, sea-berry
saltbush and coastal bonefruit. The
work was coordinated by Tumby-based
EPNRM officer Geraldine Turner.
This is the ninth year the school’s
students have grown coastal seedlings
for planting on the foreshore.
Caring for our natural resources
Some of these seedlings will also be
planted on Tumby Island and at Lipson
Cove next winter as part of National
Tree Day.
Above: Seaberry Saltbush Rhagodia
candolleana. Photo: G Turner
Right: Revegetation in Tumby Bay.
A big thanks goes out to Wayne Phillips
Wayne Hocking and Jack Kelly from
Tumby Bay District Council who helped
make the day a success.
EPNRM footprint summer edition 2011
Seedlings planted at Lipson Cove near Tumby Bay
This propagating was done during
Coastcare Week from December 5 to
11, which acknowledges the work of
volunteer groups around Australia who
undertake a range of environmental
work including restoring dunes, cleaning
up beaches, protecting coastal plant
and bird species, and monitoring water
quality.
A lot of planning and work goes into a
propagation day so it runs smoothly, the
students enjoy the experience and lots
of seed gets planted correctly.
19

Contacts
Eyre Peninsula NRM Board
www.epnrm.sa.gov.au
Port Lincoln (Head Office)
PO Box 2916, Port Lincoln SA 5606,
23 Napoleon Street
Phone: 8682 7555 Fax: 8682 5644
Ceduna Office
PO Box 269, Ceduna SA 5690
Shop 7, Surprys Mall, 35 Poynton Street
Phone: 8625 3060 Fax: 8625 3860
Cleve Office
PO Box 37, Cleve SA 5640
25 Fourth Street
Phone: 8628 2077 Fax: 8628 2512
Elliston Office
PO Box 1134, Elliston SA 5670
Elliston Information Centre
Phone: 8687 9330 Fax: 8687 9275
Streaky Bay Office
PO Box 181, Streaky Bay SA 5680
PIRSA Office, 15 Bay Road
Phone: 8626 1108 Fax: 8626 1671
Tumby Bay Office
25 West Terrace, Tumby Bay SA 5605
Phone: 8688 2610 Fax:8688 2610
Whyalla Office
PO Box 202, Whyalla SA 5600
Whyalla City Council Office, Darling Terrace
Phone: 8640 3480 Fax: 8645 0155
Wudinna Office
PO Box 60, Wudinna SA 5652
44 Eyre Highway, Telecentre
Phone: 8680 2653 Fax: 8680 2653
EPNRM Board members
Presiding Member
Heather Baldock, Buckleboo
Samara Miller, Port Lincoln
Jack Bourke, Wanilla
Craig James, Cleve
Bryan Smith, Coorabie
Margaret Binnell, Ceduna
Jodie Reseigh, Kyancutta
Mark Whitfield, Whyalla
Jill Coates, Charlton Gully
EPNRM footprint summer edition 2011
Controlling pest plants
Winning the war on weeds
by Geraldine Turner
A silent invader has been spreading
across coastal land at Port Neill. It
often uses the natural vegetation
to disguise itself, growing from a
seedling until it reaches the top of
the protecting plant and emerges.
Although these succulents look
harmless at first, take another look and
you can see how they have invaded
our native vegetation. Common
varieties of the enemy in this area are
the Cotyledon species (or pig’s ear),
tree aeonium, broad leaved aloes and
stone crop.
It is believed these invaders originated
from garden dumping many years ago.
Today, we know that succulents should
be grown in a pot or disposed of by
deep burial.
Photo:Trevor Cox
Pig’s Ear (Cotyledon orbiculata)
If you are looking for a succulent ground cover that will not wreak
havoc beyond the garden fence, consider one of the native pig
face varieties. There is plenty of information about coastal weed
species and their native alternatives in a booklet produced by
EPNRM called Grow Me Instead (see below for details)
The Port Neill Progress Association declared war on the succulents
(and boxthorns) over six years ago, staging tactical advancements
of succulent removal each year. The Progress Association had to
call for reinforcements to help on the battlefield, including EPNRM,
local school students, GreenCorps, Conservation Volunteers
Australia, employment training agency, Heta, and contractors.
It is a hard slog out there, as each plant has to be hand-pulled and
bagged, then carted back across the dunes to the skip bin on the
roadside for proper disposal.
If one stem or leaf is left behind, a new succulent plant can regrow.
Well over 100 cubic metres of succulents have been removed to
date. With one small area remaining, Port Neill Progress has just
won the last battle this winter on the coastal reserve, removing the
last area that was heavily infested with succulents.
There are still some renegade succulents out there, but their
days are numbered. Even when the war is finally over, Progress
members will need to be vigilant, as succulent seedlings could
remerge anytime.
Funding from both EPNRM Board and State Community NRM
grants have enabled the control of succulents and boxthorns at
Port Neill, along with revegetation works and signage.
These works have also been supported by the Tumby Bay District
Council and they are good example of how we can achieve good
environmental outcomes for our community by working together.
For more information, contact Geraldine Turner at EPNRM Tumby
Bay on 8688 2610. Copies of Grow Me Instead are $10 each,
available from EPNRM on 8682 7555
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