spring 2009 mallee update newsletter, murray mallee local action planning

8/9/2019 Spring 2009 Mallee Update Newsletter, Murray Mallee Local Action Planning

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MALLEE

Volume 11, Issue 3 update

www.malleefutures.org.au

What's inside2009 AGMFarewell to EmilyChairmans ReportRecognising Women Farmers

Introducing Gayle DrabschKaroonda Nature Park

Saltbush plantings are an increasingly common sight in the SA Murray Mallee landscape. These plantings play an important role insustainable grazing enterprises in the region and can be effectively used to help fill the summer-autumn feed gap. Saltbushplantings may have a number of other direct benefits for sustainable production systems such as soil stabilisation and erosionreduction and they may provide suitable habitat for native biodiversity.

A preliminary study to learn more about the biodiversity values of saltbush plantings was undertaken by the Department of Water,Land and Biodiversity Conservation in the SA Murray Mallee. We compared plant, bird and flying invertebrate communities in

saltbush plantings, remnant vegetation and pastures on five properties in spring 2008 and autumn 2009.

Biodiversity in saltbush plantings a tale of two seasons

The key findings from the study were:There were more plant and bird species in remnant vegetation sites than insaltbush or pasture sites in both spring and autumn.The mix of plant species, vegetation structure and groundcover varied betweenremnant, saltbush and pasture sites and varied between seasons.More bird species were recorded in saltbush plantings than in pasture sites butthere were fewer bird species in saltbush compared with remnant sites.Bird community composition was significantly different between saltbush,remnant and pasture sites.Three bird species listed as 'rare' at the state level (Elegant Parrot, HoodedRobin and Restless Flycatcher) were recorded in saltbush plantings.Orange Chats and White-fronted Chats were observed nesting in saltbushplantings in spring.A mix of invertebrate species known to be beneficial to and pests of agriculturewere recorded across remnant, saltbush and pasture sites.

Future work on the biodiversity values of fodder shrub plantings is being planned,looking in more detail at how birds use these systems. These investigations areintended to provide information that will assist land managers and regional NRMplanners in the strategic placement and on-ground management of fodder shrubplantings to improve production and biodiversity outcomes.

For more information, contact Stuart Collard, [email protected]

Aerial photo typicalof the studylandscape, with a

saltbush plantingvisible in the centreof the image,

adjacent to roadsideremnant vegetation(Imagery sourceDEH 2008).

Department of Water, Land andBiodiversity Conservation

Government of South Australia


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On Sunday, 6th September, 2009, ourAGM was held at the Brown's WellFootball Club. Attendance was down onlast year with only 12 people attending.

The Chairperson, Project Officer andTreasurer presented their reports see theChairperson's Report in this newsletter.

New staff member, Gayle Drabsch, wasintroduced and welcomed. ManagementCommittee nominations were acceptedfrom Rod Brown, Damian Berger, RexSpinley, Chris Grant, Adrian Growden,Andrew Hall, Malcolm Johns, LeightonPearce, Neville Pfeiffer, Trevor Schiller andLew Westbrook.

2009 Annual General Meeting

Checking out Butcher's Soak

Chairman's Report Murray Mallee Local Action Planning Association Inc.

AGM 6th September 2009

The past 12 months have been a uniquechallenge and journey, from a positionof uncertainty about our future, due tochanges in government and consequentfederal funding, to the encouraging andconfident position that we are able toshare with you and the wider community

today.

The assured immediate future of MMLAPis due to the support of SA MDB NRMBoard, with the active assistance of BillPaterson, Denise Fowles and JohnJohnson. We also acknowledge theassistance of Board staff, too numerousto name, who have given direction andassistance with formulating grantapplications for submission. We extendour sincere thanks to these people for

their encouragement, support, adviceand assistance.

Thanks also to Allan Piggott and theMallee Coorong NRM Group for theircontinuing interest and support by

It is with sadness that we say goodbye toEmily Hall who has moved on to a newjob. Emily contributed to theadministration of the MMLAP with apleasant nature and she will be missed.We wish her all the best for the future.

Farewell to Emily

Executive Committee elections were heldwith the following positions re-electedunopposed:Chairperson:Rod BrownVice-Chairperson:Damian BergerSecretary:Chris GrantTreasurer:Rex Spinley

Once again, a filling lunch was providedbefore everyone boarded a bus to tourthe district. Lew Westbrook provided alively commentary on places of interestand local history. A stop at Butcher'sSoak enabled us to stretch our legs andinvestigate the spring which is reputed tohave never run dry.

Thanks to Lew for organising the cateringfor lunch and the bus trip.

Anyone wanting a copy of the 2008/09Annual Report, please phone Gayle on8531 3075 or email her [email protected] Pleaseindicate if you require a hardcopy or CD.

including our monthly report on theirmeeting agenda and inviting eitherRowena or myself to speak to the reportand answer questions at each meeting.

A very big thank you must be recordedfor the outstanding work of our Project

Officer, Rowena Danks, for thepreparation, compilation and successfulfunding submissions she has compiledon our behalf. Due to her dedicationand unstinted effort MMLAP canapproach the future with confidence.

Another big thank you must go to ourtreasurer, Rex Spinley. The amount oftime, wisdom and practical advice hehas given to our LAP have beenprodigious. The financial report,

recorded for your perusal, attests to thefinancial viability and credibility of ourLAP - Thank you Rex.

The continuing success and impact ofMMLAP is also, in no small part, due tothe enthusiasm, input and dedication of

the MMLAP committee members. Onbehalf of the wider community Thankyou.

There have also been some changes inthe day to day operation of our LAPduring the past 12 months that have

contributed to the success of our LAP. Forexample, changes to our constitution andoperational policies to help streamlinepractical issues and improve over alleffectiveness; the appointment of anexecutive that meets before each bi-monthly committee meeting to deal withmatters authorised by the committee orto make recommendations to thecommittee for approval. Many thanks toChris Grant, Damien Berger, Rex Spinleyand Rowena for their individual and

corporate wisdom and leadership; theappointment of Emily Hall as ouradministrative officer. Thank you Emilyfor the manner and efficiency you havebrought to the work of our LAP.

continued on next page


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In 2007/08 Mallee Sustainable Farming in conjunction with FocusConsulting ran a Strengthening Our Communities program funded by theAustralian Government, Department of Families, Community Service &Indigenous Affairs, to assist projects in drought affected areas.

Over 20 rural communities were assisted and all communities acknowledged that theywould like further workshops/networking/training sessions in the future.

This project Recognising Women Farmers funded through DAFF is an idealcontinuation to support these communities. Approximately 80% of the originalparticipants were women farmers and this would prove a valuable follow on.The course content includes:build and share knowledge and experiencesincrease access to planning tools and resourcesdevelop leadership and management skillsdevelop programs to increase participation in agriculture, fisheries and forestryindustriesdevelop skills to contribute more effectively to government and industry decisionmaking

build networks among rural, regional and remote Australiansfacilitation of meetings

The trainer (Lin Baddock) will use proven techniques to stimulate and provideopportunity for sharing and developing skills. The delivery will consist of a structuredworkshop, small group exercises and discussion.

Lin will run an abridged training session on leadership and management skills andmany aspects of Certificate IV in Corporate Governance. This will assist in theparticipants self development as well as giving the participants confidence to contributeto government and industry decision making and encourage participants to think aboutobtaining placement on Boards to direct the path of their relevant industries

Recognising Women Farmers

The six days of focus groups will be held over three states with two presentations in each state.

Regional areas being:Round 1

Loxton SA 23rd Sept, Wentworth NSW 7th Sept, Ouyen Vic 28th AugustRound 2

Murray Bridge SA 24th Oct, Balranald NSW 22nd Oct, Werrimull Vic 20th Oct

Our major goal is to recruit, enhance and build on our previous programs with women in farming, and to bring them together forgroup interaction and learning for women in rural, regional and remote areas.Please contact Focus Consulting office:(03) 5022 1859 for further information or to register your interest.

continued

n closing, in other places in the Annual Report you will read ofthe many, many contributions our LAP is making to ourcommunity, in particular such things as capacity building andcommunity awareness programs (e.g. schools, workshops,tours etc); on ground works covering such areas asrevegetation, soil/sand dune rehabilitation, addressing drylandsalinity issues, pasture improvement and biodiversity issuesrelevant to the Mallee.

MMLAP has achieved, is achieving and will continue to

achieve a wide range of NRM outcomes in our Malleecommunity. We greatly value your encouragement and supportthrough your attendance today. We also value the support ofour many friends who receive our newsletter, with specialmention to those who have taken part in education activitiesand on ground works programs.

Of paramount importance in achieving these aims is

community support. I conclude this report by encouraging ourMurray Mallee community to help us keep the dream alive.

Rod Brown , ChairmanMurray Mallee Local Action Planning Association Inc.

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

To maintain and enhance the natural environment andagricultural systems of the Murray Mallee through the support

of the community.

I commend our vision statements to you:


4/4This newsletter is printed on 100% Recycled paper - Protecting our Trees and Environment

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 designs0437 914 066

am pleased to have the opportunity to work withRowena and the Murray Mallee Local Action PlanningAssociation.

became actively involved in natural resourcesmanagement in 2000 when I joined the team at theLockyer Catchment Centre in South East Queensland.As a full time volunteer Assistant Project Officer, I wasnvolved with creek management, roadside conservationand bush tucker trail projects.

subsequently worked as the Lockyer CommunityContact Officer for SEQ Catchments, the regional NRMbody for South East Queensland, and as the Land forWildlife Officer for Gatton Shire Council.

n 2007 I came to South Australia and settled in Murray Bridge where I offered myime to the CARE Team which includes LAP groups and staff of the SA MDB NRMBoard.

look forward to continuing to support the management of natural resources throughmy role as Administration Officer with this organisation. You can contact me by

phoning 8531 3075 or emailing to [email protected]

On Monday, 14th September,2009, the recently formed Friendsof Karoonda Nature Park groupgathered to celebrate the unveilingof new information signs at theKaroonda Nature Park, next to thePioneer Village in Karoonda.

Unveiled by Don Anderson of theFriends of Karoonda Park group,he information signs reveal thewealth of native plants and animalsfound in the park including orchidsand echidnas.

Though members of the group have been looking after this area of remnantvegetation for many years, the group formally formed earlier this year with the help ofChris Grant from the Department for Environment and Heritage and Rowena Danksof the Murray Mallee Local Action Planning Association Inc.

Locally known as 'The Patch', this area had been surveyed for town allotments in1914, however the area has more recently been restored to parklands status.

Visitors are welcome to enjoy the walking trails established by the Lions Club andAustralian Plant Society. A map of these trails can be found at the information shelteroff East Terrace.

Introducing new team member Gayle Drabsch

Friends of Karoonda Nature Park with new signage

Unveiling for Karoonda Nature Park

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

(Vice Chairperson)

Karoonda ph: 8578 6066

Chris Grant, (Secretary)Berri ph: 8595 2175

Rex Spinley (Treasurer)Para Hills ph: 0466 499 560

Neville PfeifferParrakie ph: 8576 2051

Andrew HallWunkar ph: 8589 7029

Trevor SchillerWaikerie ph: 8541 9096

Malcolm JohnsKaroonda ph: 8589 7053

Adrian GrowdenKaroonda ph: 8578 1057

Lew WestbrookLoxton ph: 8584 7811

Leighton Pearce, SA MDB NRM Boardph: 8582 4477

Damien Berger

spring 2009 mallee update newsletter, murray mallee local action planning

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