spring 2008 mallee update newsletter, murray mallee local action planning

8/9/2019 Spring 2008 Mallee Update Newsletter, Murray Mallee Local Action Planning

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The AGM was then held with the some new and familiar faces leaving and joininghe Committee;

This year we say goodbye to Greg Werner and Jeremy Nelson as Committeemembers and thank them for their contributions to the LAP.

We now introduce the new MMLAP Committee for 2008/09;Rod Brown (Chairperson), Damian Berger (Vice Chairperson), Rex SpinleyTreasurer), Karen Payne (Secretary), Trevor Schiller, Andrew Hall, Neville Pfeiffer,Chris Grant, Malcolm Johns, Adrian Growden, Lew Westbrook, Stephanie Evans,Barry Manuel and new member Leighton Pearce (SA MDB NRM Board).

Once again we have fantastic commitment and support offered up by localpeople contributing to the LAP. Our Committee members put immense amounts ofme and energy into the group and provide invaluable support and knowledge.ome of these people have been actively involved for ten years. We thank them for

making the operation of the MMLAP a success and look forward to their input andontribution to the LAP in the future.

ollowing the AGM, a tour was held to the Perponda Bottle Tanks with KevinBurdett giving a very entertaining and informative commentary on the history of theamily property it was a fascinating glimpse at some local Mallee history and wehank Kevin and his family for welcoming us on their lovely property.

This year our AGM was held in conjunction with our 10 year celebrations on the 14thSeptember. It was a fabulous day held at the Perponda Sports Club. A very generous anddelicious lunch was enjoyed by all and prepared by the lovely ladies and men of the KaroondaMallee Ewes and Rams Relay for Life Team with proceeds going to the charity.Sally Pederick the first Project Officer for the MMLAP gave a look back at the projects andprograms they ran in the early years and her experience with the MMLAP Committee andLandholders. There were some very entertaining stories about the joys, frustrations, memoriesand experiences that Sally shared. We thank Sally for taking the time to look back at her roleand the beginning of the MMLAP in action and for sharing it with us.

Sally Pederick sharing some memories

Kevin Burdett talks on the historyof the Perponda bottle tanks

MALLEE

Volume 10, Issue 3 updateMMLAP AGM and 10 Year Celebrations

What's inside

www.malleefutures.org.au

Mallee Futures Program 2009

Farewell to Loren Mountain

Welcome Phil Barron, Greening Australia

Mallee Futures Program Perennial Pastureand Fodder Evaluation

Bushy Tales

Sustainable House Days 2008

Chairpersons Report

Grasslands of National Importance


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It is with mixed emotions that I say goodbye to the MurrayMallee LAP and take on a new position as EnvironmentalOfficer with the City of Prospect Council.

I have enjoyed my time with the LAP and have appreciatedthe opportunities the position has provided me. The job hasbeen very rewarding and I have learnt a lot during the past12 months. Even though I will miss the LAP and its people, Iam looking forward to my new role and the challenges itpresents.

I would like to sincerely thank everyone who I have workedwith for their support, encouragement and guidance inparticular Rowena, Rod and the LAP committee. I wish theLAP all the best for the future in these somewhat uncertain

times and I know that they will continue the fantastic workthey've been doing.

It has been a pleasure working with you all.

Loren Mountain, Mallee Futures Program Officer

With the change in Federal Government there have beensignificant changes to the availability and way in whichfunding is allocated for environmental and natural resourcemanagement projects. The Government is currently notproviding funding for devolved grant projects and as such wehave been unable to secure funding for the Mallee FuturesProgram for 2009. There will be some limited fundingavailable for on-ground works, however we will not be able

to offer the large scale incentives that we have in previousyears and any on-ground works will be targeted at prioritysalinity, erosion and biodiversity areas.

A small amount of funding provided through the SA MDBNRM Board will be available for biodiversity projects and dryand management. The exact details of the types of projectsand the number of projects that we will be able to fund willnot be know until the end of 2008/ early 2009. Furtherinformation will be provided as soon as we have moredetails.

Free technical advice and support will continue to beprovided through the MMLAP to help assist landholders withthe planning and design of their projects. The LAP will alsocontinue to run free workshops and field days open to allMallee landholders.

If you have any questions please contact Rowena Danks on8531 2066 or [email protected]

Mallee Futures Program 2009Farewell

G'day!

I've just started on a Landscape Restoration project with the SA Murray DarlingBasin NRM Board. With over 18 years experience in the biodiversity 'game' in SE

Australia, my aim is to help get more large scale, biodiversity on-ground projectsgoing in the region. This is quite a challenge when there is stuff-all OGW funding

Welcome

around at the moment but that is a part of what I will need to try and help rectify. Terms or programs like Carbon,Habitat 141, Conservation Action Planning/The Nature Conservancy and River Murray Forest are all ones we will needto try and get our heads around.

I look forward to working with Rowena to help you build upon the already impressive results achieved so far for yourhard work and dedication.

There is a huge amount of experience, knowledge, science, determination and good old enthusiasm out there that wecan draw together to do some really effective large scale projects with multiple benefits. I see actions like helping scale-up long-term integrated and coordinated pest and weed control as a key fundamental action that will benefitbiodiversity and productivity in the region. Anyway, I'm looking forward to helping make a positive difference in theregion.

Cheers, Phil Barron, Greening Australia 0427 181 585 or 08 8372 0122 [email protected]


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Keep your eyes peeled for Orchids in your scrub they are great indicators of ahealthy patch.

Orchids are amazing little critters! Did you know that some of them use sexual

deception as a reproduction strategy? Often it's a species - specific relationship, withonly 1 orchid species attracting one species of pollinator (usually a native wasp).That is, the orchid tricks a male wasp to visit using chemicals that 'smell' like afemale wasp. When he lands in the flower, a trigger mechanism tips him onto acolumn, which houses the pollen and the receptive stigma - pollen is either removedor deposited in this process. I wonder if he feels ripped-off?

In SA only a small proportion of orchids are pollinated this way - mostly the spiderorchids, including the Wispy Spider-orchid or Daddy-long-legs (Caladenia capillata).Caladenia capillata, photo by Jerry Smith

Karoonda Reserve.

Bushy Tales from the Flora Fella by Phil Barron of Greening Australia

Its Spring....and a Sneaky Orchids' minds turns to?

BackgroundThe Mallee Futures Program involves working with Murray Mallee landholders toincrease the uptake of sustainable resource management practices, enhance theirskills, knowledge and awareness of natural resource management, andimplement on-ground actions identified as priorities in the Murray Mallee LocalAction Plan and Murray Mallee Revegetation Plan.

Since 1999 the Mallee Futures Program has attracted contributions of supportand funding from the National Landcare Program, Natural Heritage Trust,National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality, and the State and AustralianGovernments.

The Murray Mallee Local Action Planning Association (MMLAP) received fundingin 2008 through the National Landcare Program to evaluate the outcomes ofproductive perennials established with funding through the Mallee Futures Program since 2003.

This evaluation relies on the records kept by the farmers and as such is based on local knowledge. These records include rainfalland temperature records, property scale records, management history and techniques for each property - including pest and diseasemanagement, re-seeding and the actions taken and the grazing regime (including recovery). The project aimed to evaluatelandholder knowledge to determine:If landholders believed soil erosion issues have decreasedIf the perennials have been an advantage during periods of low rainfallEstablishment and management practices, especially of successful projects

This report reviewed information on lucerne and saltbush production from 12 farmers in an area of the Mallee ranging from SwanReach to Pinnaroo. This provided information on the environmental effects of these perennial plants and also an indication of theideal establishment and management practices.

Due to the differences in management, establishment and environmental issues associated with the two perennial species the reportis presented in two sections, Lucerne Evaluation and Saltbush Evaluation.'Keith Bolto, Sustainable Agricultural Systems, Rural Solutions SA

Copies of the full report are available through the MMLAP. Contact Rowena Danks on 8531 2066 or [email protected] foryour copy.

Mallee Futures Program Perennial Pasture and Fodder EvaluationAn excerpt from the recent evaluation carried out through the MMLAP Mallee Futures Program

Eyres Green saltbush

There are over 50 species in the region and, luckily for us, greencomb spider orchids are not uncommon in the mallee. The otherorchid common to the mallee are greenhoods and rufous-hoods, which are pollinated mostly by fungus gnats.

Because of this complex pollination mechanism, the ecosystem that supports these orchids then must be relatively intact if they are tosurvive. There needs to be the correct species of soil fungus for seedling establishment (they require the presence of particular soilfungi or mycorrhizae), the correct pollinator species and the food plants that the pollinators need.

The best way to help is to control overgrazing, pests and weeds which will in turn help farm productivity too. Thanks to DougBickerton of DEH for some handy info on this!


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he second weekend in September again saw houses rightcross Australia open for inspection by people keen to

ncorporate sustainable features into their homes. In SouthAustralia eighteen homes were open and guided tours wereiven by the home owners, who explained the various

eatures of their houses and some of the trials andribulations of incorporating cutting edge design.

Houses varied from the exotic to the humble and allegrees between. Homes were open in the country as wells metropolitan Adelaide. Features common to all houses

were orientation to best capture northern winter warmth,hermal mass to hold and slowly release heat, wall andeiling insulation and overhangs to protect windows fromummer sun.

One of the very best houses was at Eden Valley, the homef Steve and Sue Proeve, who lived in a converted shed on

heir rural property for six years while they built their dream

ouse. Walls were formed from road base and 10%ement, window lintels from recycled hardwood and aolished concrete floor with beer bottle glass pieces to addome interest.

Sustainable House Days 2008

f you missed Sustainable House Day this year, don't worry, it's an annual event. In the meantime you can visit the web site atwww.sustainablehouseday.comteve Coombe

Reed bed provides treated waterfor the garden

Northern aspect of house showing solar HWS photovoltaic

panels and vine trellis for summer shading

Dry composting bins at rear of house

Kitchen view

The house also featured a dry composting toilet designed to save hundreds ofkilolotres of water each year. The house generates its own electricity from solar panelsand is off the grid.

Indeed the house is run entirely on rainwater collected from the house andoutbuildings. The property also features one of the more impressive organic gardensin the district.


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Chairperson's Report 2007/08 Rod Brown

Today is a very important AGM and a very important celebration to recognise the active involvementof MMLAP in the life of our mallee community, particularly in the area of encouragement of onground works by subsidising on farm and community projects to improve sustainability andconservation of our natural resources, whilst endeavouring to improve farm profitability. The past 12months have seen valuable contributions despite increasing difficulties associated with uncertainty ofongoing, long term funding.

have included part of the LAP chairs submission to the Federal Minister, prepared by Rowena and

Loren on behalf of MMLAP. This excerpt clearly outlines the achievements of MMLAP over the pastdecade: Achievements that deserve celebration and recognition. My personal thanks to Rowena andLoren for their assistance in compiling this information.

Except from submission;

To maintain and enhance the natural and agricultural systemsof the Murray Mallee through the support of the community'.

The Murray Mallee Local Action Planning Association Inc (MMLAP) is a community organisation comprised of members representinga range of groups and organisations in the South Australian Murray Mallee region, covering 2 million hectares. The Association,ormed in 1998, has a network of 750 landholders in the region receiving regular communications.

n the last 10 years, we have sourced funding to enable members of our community to better manage their Natural Resourceshrough on ground works to:Protect and enhance remnant vegetation (7,940.5ha),Revegetate local native species (1045.9ha),Establish Fodder (3413ha),

Establish Pasture (14,126ha),Establish product block (45.5ha) andControl erosion (878ha).

Total over 27,400 haWe have been able to support this work with $2.2million of funding while $6.6million of support was provided as in-kindcontribution.

But we do more than plant trees!

We've also been able to encourage and educate people of all ages to look after our environment better through:On farm adviceField trips

WorkshopsVisiting schoolsMentoring youth groups

We encourage new ideas and diversification by supporting:ResearchTrials and demonstrationsField trips to expose landholders to new ideas and follow-up workshops

Each LAP has prepared a similar document and these will accompany the overall document that will be discussed in Canberra, faceo face, by two of our LAP chairs.

n essence the issues highlighted to be discussed will be:

Rolling three year fundingGreater funding flexibility for unexpected contingenciesBetter communication with funding bodiesGreater security for staff

The future positive contributions that our LAP has made towards improving the sustainability of our environment will no doubt hingeon swift and meaningful outcomes from discussions with both the Federal Minister and the SAMDB NRM Board.ontinued

Rod Brown


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What are Iron-grass Grasslands?ron-grass Natural Grassland of South Australia ecological community extends from the western bank of the Murray River, throughhe Mt. Lofty Ranges and north to Mount Brown Conservation Park, west of Carrieton. In the SA MDB it predominantly occurs in thetrip of land falling between the eastern Mt. Lofty Ranges and the River Corridor, north past Eudunda and south to Lake Alexandrina.

On the eastern side of the Murray River it occurs in relatively large patches, adjacent to and south east of Tailem Bend. It is generallyound on gentle slopes of low hills above 380m above sea level.

ron-grasses Lomandra multiflora ssp (Many-flowered Mat-rush) and Lomandra effusa (Scented Mat-rush) are the dominant speciesn this ecological community. Other common plant species include Bulbine Lily (Bulbine bulbosa), Yellow Buttons (Chrysocephalumapiculatum), Australian Bindweed (Convolvulus erubescens) and Scaly Buttons (Leptorhynchos squamatus). Trees and shrubs areabsent or sparse.

The pre-european extent of Iron-grass Natural Temperate Grassland of South Australia is estimated to be between 1,000,000 ha to750,000 ha. The present extent is likely to be less than 5000 ha. Historically, this community largely occurred on good agriculturaloils in areas of reliable rainfall, which has resulted in it being greatly reduced by land clearing with remaining areas beingragmented and subject to various agricultural activities such as grazing and pasture improvement. Most of the Iron-grass NaturalTemperate Grassland of South Australia is now found within private freehold land. In the SA MDB the community is conserved inPoonthie Ruwi - Riverdale Conservation Park near Tailem Bend.

What are Peppermint Grassy Woodlands?Peppermint Grassy Woodlands of South Australia ecological community extends from the southern Flinders Ranges to LakeAlexandrina in the south. In the SA MDB the ecological community occurs in the area bounded by the eastern Mt. Lofty Ranges,Strathalbyn, Goolwa, Murray Bridge and through the Western Murray flats. Remaining patches of this community typically occur ongently to moderate slopes, hilltops and adjacent plains.

Peppermint box (E. odorata) is the dominant species in the tree canopy. Other tree species that may be present in the canopy, butare not as abundant as Peppermint Box, include: Grey Box (E. microcarpa); SA Blue gum (E. leucoxylon); Sugar Gum (E.cladocalyx); Mallee Box (E. porosa); Drooping Sheok (Allocasuarina verticillata); White Cypress-pine (Callitris glaucophylla); andSouthern Cypress-pine (C. preissii). The vegetation structure is an open todense woodland and the ground layer comprises mainly grasses andherbs. In the SA MDB less than 1% of the remaining areas of Peppermintbox woodlands are formally protected.

What does the listing of these ecological communities mean for landmanagers?

Not all areas that contain the mix of these species will qualify as thenationally listed ecological community as the 'condition' of the communitys taken into consideration.

ontined

Grasslands of National Importance in our Backyards

Eucalyptus odorata Jean Turner

Lomandra effusa Jean Turner

In June 2007 two ecological communities that are found in the SA MDBwere listed Nationally as critically endangered. Peppermint Box(Eucalyptus odorata) Grassy Woodlands of South Australia and Iron-grass (Lomandra effusa and Lomandra multiflora spp.) NaturalTemperate Grasslands of South Australia were both listed under theEnvironmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act

1999 as critically endangered ecological communities. Their titles maybe a mouthful, but as ecological communities, it could be said thatthere is less than a mouthful left of them.

That is why in May this year the Department for Environment andHeritage (DEH) appointed Jean Turner as a Grassy Ecosystems RecoveryProject Officer. Jean will be based in Clare and said that The projectaims to assist in the recovery and management of these endangeredecological communities across South Australia. One of the first stepsJean said, is to help land manager and project officers to identifywhich areas, that contain these ecological communities, are in acondition that meets the national listing.

South Austra l ian Murray-Dar l ingBasin Natura l Resour cesManagement BoardGovernment

of South Australia

Department for Envi ronmentand Her i tage


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continued Chairpersons Report

On the occasion of the 10 year Celebratory AGM, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of currentcommittee, past committees and present and past Project and Implementation Officers for their enthusiasm and commitment tomaking our vision a reality!

A dynamic, prosperous and healthy region supported by and active and committed community.

In closing I would specifically like to thank the 2007-2008 Committee Members for their involvement and valuablecontributions to:Updating MMLAP Strategic PlanUpdating the Constitution of MMLAP Inc.Updating MMLAP Policy and Working DocumentThank you for your practical and thoughtful contributions to maintain the effectiveness of our LAP under changing and difficultconditions.In particular a VERY BIG THANK YOU to Rex Spinley for his time and skill to undertake training to rationalise and improve ourfinancial accountability.

It is with a great degree of personal sadness that we say farewell to Loren. Thank you for the confidence, efficiency andcommitment you have brought to our Mallee Futures Program, mentoring of students and other contributions too numerous tomention. Our best wishes go with you as you tackle the challenges of your new position with your particular gifts ofenthusiasm, knowledge and dedication.

I also thank Rowena for her unstinting commitment of time and energy as our Project Officer. Her quiet, thoughtful andefficient contributions, in very difficult circumstances, have ensured the success of the MMLAP during the past twelve months inparticular. Her willingness to face challenges head on and seek workable solutions has been greatly appreciated, not only bythe Committee as a whole, but also by me personally. Thank you Rowena. We look forward to your leadership in the future,whatever form that future may take.Thank you too to all those in the wider community who have encouraged and supported us, particularly those who have gonethe extra mile to join us in this celebration today.

Rod Brown, ChairmanMurray Mallee Local Action Planning Association Inc.September 14th, 2008

continued Grasslands of national importance

In general terms, protection under the EPBC Act does not prevent landholders from continuing to use their landin the same way they were before, providing they do not change or intensify their activities. National protectionmeans that approval needs to be sort before any new or intensified activities that may be likely to have asignificant negative impact upon the ecological communities occurs.

These communities may exist in some patches to the west of the MMLAP region. If you think you may have oneof these ecological communities on your land and would like to find out more about it and/or are keen to find

out what you can do to help protect these important communities contact:Jean Turner, 8841 3451 or mobile 0421 617 155 orChris Grant, Bush Management Advisor 8595 2174.Kylie Moritz and Jean Turner

References:Beeton, R.J.S. (2007) Iron-grass natural Temperate Grassland of South Australia ecological community Advice. ThreatenedSpecies Scientific Committee.Department of the Environment and Water Resources (2007) EPBC Act Policy Statement 3.7 Nationally Threatened Speciesand Ecological Communities Peppermint Box (Eucalyptus odorata) Grassy Woodland of South Australia and Iron-grassNatural Temperate Grassland of South Australia.Department of the Environment and Water Resources (2007) Newly Listed Peppermint Box Grassy Woodland of SouthAustralia and Iron-grass Temperate Grassland of South Australia. Our Land Our Plan, Our Future. Issue 8, September 2007.Kahrimanis, M.J., Carruthers, S., Oppermann, A. and Inns, R. (2001) Biodiversity Plan for the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin. DEH, SA.


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This newsletter is printed on 100% Recycled paper - Protecting our Trees and Environment

Rod Brown (Chairperson/ Public Officer)Lameroo ph: 8577 4033

(Vice Chairperson)Karoonda ph: 8578 6066

Karen Payne (Secretary)

Galga ph: 8121 2806

Rex Spinley (Treasurer)Karoonda ph: 8184 8928

Barry ManuelMindarie ph: 8578 7018

Neville PfeifferParrakie ph: 8576 2051

Andrew HallWunkar ph: 8589 7029

Trevor SchillerWaikerie ph: 8541 9096

Chris Grant, DEHBerri ph: 8595 2174

Malcolm JohnsKaroonda ph: 8589 7053

Adrian GrowdenKaroonda ph: 8578 1057

Stephanie Evans

Mercunda ph: 8589 7039

Lew WestbrookLoxton ph: 8584 7811

Leighton Pearce, SAMDBNRM Boardph: 8582 4477

Damien Berger

Murray Mallee Local Action Planning Association Inc.Murray Bridge Natural Resources CentreMannum RoadPO Box 2056, Murray Bridge SA 5253ph: (08) 8531 2066 fax: (08) 8532 5300email: [email protected]

MMLAP Committee Membership

hetta designs08 8531 1131

spring 2008 mallee update newsletter, murray mallee local action planning

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