summer 2009 mallee update newsletter, murray mallee local action planning

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

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MALLEE

Volume 11, Issue 4 update

www.malleefutures.org.au

What's inside

MMLAP Landcare Award Finalist

The Murray Mallee Local Action Planning Association was selected asa finalist for the 2009 Australian Government Landcare NRM RegionAward.

The nomination is an acknowledgement of the work achieved over thelast eleven years by the MMLAP and those involved in its programs.

Some of our achievements in our aim 'to provide leadership andinformation which supports the Murray Mallee community toimplement long term land management solutions' have been to:

Encourage and educate people of all ages to look after ourenvironment better through:On farm adviceField tripsWorkshopsVisiting schoolsMentoring youth groupsSupporting landcare groups who achieve large amounts of coordinated on-ground works every year.

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

Support members of our community to better manage their natural resourcesthrough on-ground works to:Protect and enhance remnant vegetation (923ha)Revegetate local native species (1,045.9ha)Establish fodder (3,413ha)Establish pasture (14,126ha)

Establish product block (45.5ha)Control erosion (878ha).

Total over 20,000 ha

We have been able to support this work with $2.2million of funding while$6.6million of support was provided as in-kind contribution.

The award ceremony was held at the National Wine Centre of Australia inAdelaide on Wednesday 18 November 2009. Rod Brown and Rowena Danksattended the ceremony as representatives of the Association and to their surpriseWE WON!!! The award was presented by Hume Macdonald, Director ofLandcare Australia.

Congratulations to all the landholders, school students and teachers, landcaregroup members, community members and MMLAP committee members whoseinvolvement contributed to this achievement.

Rod Brown, Chairman of MMLAP, Hume Macdonald, Director of Landcare Australia andRowena Danks, MMLAP Project Officer. (Photo courtesy of Department of Water, Land andBiodiversity Conservation)

Southern Mallee Bird SurveysWeeds of National SignificanceBat DetectingBat Workshops

Meeting at Smithville Hall to form newLandcare GroupEnvironmental Education Courses 2010Our New Look WebsiteSeeking Information on Feral GoatsEarly Results from Mantung TrialSA Oil RecoveryCoorong Bus Trip


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During October the Department for Environment and Heritage, in conjunction with theUniversity of Adelaide, undertook bird surveys at 65 sites in the southern Murray Mallee. Sitesstretched from Greenways and Bakara to Pinnaroo, although the Billiatt area was avoidedbecause it has been well surveyed for birds. We attempted to survey each of the differentvegetation types present within this area, with each site being visited 3 times.

The bird surveys, which provide knowledge of each species' preferred habitat and their currentdistribution in the area, help us to determine conservation priorities. Preliminary figuresindicate that birds which may be of concern in parts of the area surveyed include the BrownTreecreeper, Crested Bellbird and Chestnut Quailthrush.

The results from the southern Murray Mallee contrast with those of the northern MurrayMallee. In the southern region a number of bird species were more commonly encountered insuitable habitat compared with those of the northern region. For example, the Southern Scrub-robin is found in areas of patchily-dense shrubby understorey. In the southern region, these birds were relatively common, but in the northern region they are nowrestricted to the vicinity of Bakara Conservation Park.

A number of inland Australian bird species were frequently recorded, includingCockatiels, White-winged Trillers, Crimson Chats and Budgies. Possibly, afterrelatively good rains in inland Australia, these species have been able to breed upin numbers and are now moving further south.

Over the next few months we will be analysing the data further to determine ifthere are pressing conservation issues in the southern Murray Mallee.

Thanks to the Murray Mallee LAP for assistance with contacting landholders andto all the landholders for giving us access to their scrub.

Nigel Willoughby, Department for Environment and Heritage

Southern Mallee Bird Surveys

Budgies near the Victorian border a few kilometres southeast of Pinnaroo, above left. Photographs Joel AllanA Crimson Chat in a grassland area just east of Bakara, above left

Australia's first National Weed Strategy, developed in 1997, highlighted the need for coordinated National action to address thethreat that weeds pose to our environmental and agricultural assets. From this strategy came the concept of identifying a group ofAustralia's worst weeds and harnessing National action to manage them. States and Territories were given the opportunity to

nominate those species of greatest concern and approximately 70 species were subsequently assessed based on their invasiveness,impact, potential for spread and socio-economic and environmental values.

A final list of 20 species was announced in 2000 and since that time a National Strategy has been developed for each species.The strategies identify the long term outcomes that National coordination can help realise, as well as objectives, partnerships andresearch and knowledge gaps. Each species also has a National Coordinator and management group which oversee theimplementation of priority actions. A comprehensive amount of extension material has been developed as part of the program, inaddition to targeted funding addressing National control priorities, research into best practice management and an enormousamount of community effort to manage these weeds.

Information on each of the 20 WoNS, including best practice information and distribution maps, can be found atwww.weeds.org.au You can also contact me at the NRM Biosecurity Unit, Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation

by phoning (08) 8303 9748 or by emailing to [email protected]

Shauna Potter, South Australian WoNS Coordinator

Boneseed, Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. monilifera, is one of the WoNS found in the South Australian Murray-Darling Basinregion. Please see the flyer included with this newsletter for information about this proclaimed weed.

Weeds of National Significance (WoNS)


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In 2010, the following courses will be offered:

The Art of the Ant10 & 11 April 2010 (Code: AN10A)6 & 7 November 2010 (Code: AN10B)

An Introduction to Nature Photography17 & 18 April 2010 (Code: NP10A)28 & 29 August 2010 (Code: NP10B)

An Introduction to Macro Photography24 & 25 April 2010 (Code: MP10A)4 & 5 September 2010 (Code: MP10B)

An Introduction to Scientific Botanical Illustration12 & 13 June 2010 (Code: BOT10)

GPS & GIS Workshop19 & 20 June 2010 (Code: GPS10)

An Introduction to Bird Banding30 & 31 October 2010 (Code: Bb10)

An Introduction to Birds and Bird Watching18 & 19 September 2010 (Code: Bw10)

Painting Nature16 & 17 October 2010 (Code: Pn10)

The Bats of Gluepot Reserve3, 4 & 5 December 2010 (Code: BA10)

For more information, including a detailed brochure on each course, location map of Birds Australia GluepotReserve and Registration and Payment Form, the following alternatives are available:

Visit the Birds Australia Gluepot Reserve website at www.riverland.net.au/gluepot .

Contact:Anne Morphett

Environmental Education Centre AdministratorBirds Australia Gluepot Reserve61 Sturdee StreetLINDEN PARK SA 5065phone: (08) 8379 3865 or 0421 582 710fax: (08) 8364 5527email: anne [email protected]

Or alternately contact: Duncan MacKenzie ph: (08) 8332 1204 fax: (08) 8364 5527 or email:[email protected]

Environmental Education Courses 2010

Each year a series of environmental courses and workshops is held at Birds AustraliaGluepot Reserve to provide participants with hands-on skills.


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Our website at www.malleefutures.org.au has beenupdated and given a facelift.

You'll still be able to find the information previouslyavailable on the site unless it has become outdatedwhile new information will be added as it becomes

available.

A new feature for the website is the UpcomingEvents column. This will be updated withworkshops, field days, tours, crop walks andlandcare meetings in the Murray Mallee region.

Our Photograph Archive will be changed regularlyto give you a taste of the work being done throughthe support of the Murray Mallee LAP.

Our New Look Website

The Browns Well Land Management Group, together with the Murray Mallee Local Action Planning Association (MMLAP),Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH) and South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board(SA MDB NRM Board), has identified the need to control goats that are spreading into South Australia from across the Victorianborder.

There is concern that the goat numbers will increase in remnant patches of mallee across heritage agreements and parks. DEH isasking the community to assist with feral goat sightings in the Murray Mallee region from now until the end of February 2010.nformation from the public about goat sightings will help us to map areas where goat populations are highest, resulting inmproved and better targeted control efforts.

Seeking Information on Feral Goat Sightings

Feral Goats - Photo by Trish Westbrook

Feral goats can cause damage to fencing and often eat seedlings andgroundcover. Goats are also responsible for damaging mallee habitat. A

number of native animals, including Red-lored Whistlers, White-browedBabblers, Chestnut Quail-thrushes, Tawny Frogmouths, Boobook Owls andMalleefowl, rely on this habitat for food and shelter.

The public is encouraged to report goat sightings in the Paruna, Karte,Peebinga, Billiatt and Alawoona areas.

DEH, MMLAP, SA MDB NRM Board and the Browns Well Land ManagementGroup will use the information to gain a better understanding of populationnumbers, with an aim to improving goat control in the area.

The information required is:

ocationnumber of goats observeddate of sightingtype of vegetation where goats were seen.To report details of feral goat sightings, contact the DEH Bush ManagementAdvisor, PO Box 231, Berri, SA 5343 or fax information to (08) 8595 2110.

We hope to be able to keep the information on the site current so if you see any information that isn't, please let us know bycontacting Gayle at [email protected] or phoning 8531 3075.

We hope you enjoy visiting our site and welcome your comments.


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Do you have bats on your property?

Would you like to know what types of bats are in your area?

As the nights get warmer in the Mallee and insect activity increases, so toodoes the activity of bats as they search for food. While they are very effectiveat insect control, bats also play a vital role in seed distribution and pollinationmaking them a key element of the ecological communities that they live in.

They drink from dams and open tanks and roost in tree hollows and bark, batboxes, caves, and roofs and walls of buildings all of which are plentiful inthe SA Murray Mallee.

The Murray Mallee LAP has Bat Detector Kits available for landholders to usefor recording bat calls on their properties. These kits are simple to use andcan help to determine the type of bats that use habitat on and around yourproperty or that feed in the area. Information gathered from the recordings assists in improving the current data available on thesemammals.

If you are interested in recording bat calls using the Bat Detector Kits contact Rowena or Gayle at the MMLAP office [email protected] or 8531 2066.

Bat Detecting

Free community workshopsCome and learn about these unique flying mammals and trapping techniques

11 December at Blackhill18 December at Meldanda

Time: 6.30 pm till lateSupper provided

Bring a torch and warm clothes

Please RSVP to Aimee Linke on 8564 6044

Presented by the Mid Murray Local Action Planning AssociationFunded by the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation

Bat Workshops

Results show that the coordination of pest control is not only more effective than individual property programs, but has economicbenefits as warren ripping, mixing of poison oats and fox bait production can be carried out in bulk. Other benefits of this approach

include sharing techniques and results with neighbours and learning, as a group, the most effective methods of pest control.

Landholders in the area to the West and South of Billiatt Conservation Park are encouraged to attend a meeting to discuss theformation of a group interested in carrying out coordinated pest control programs and other on ground activities. This area containslarge areas of remnant vegetation and the coordination of pest control will contribute, not only to decreasing the loss of lambs butto the protection of Mallee Fowl and other native fauna. It will also assist in maintaining and improving local native plants throughthe reduction of damage caused by rabbits to understorey species and recruitment of young trees and shrubs. Over grazing disturbscryptogams such as lichens, mosses and fungi and can lead to erosion of soils, especially when combined with the damaging effectsof warrens. The formation of a landcare group to coordinate pest control in the area aims to reduce the impact of rabbits and foxeson the native vegetation.

The meeting will be held on the 27th of January at 7pm at the Smithville Hall.

Items to be addressed at the meeting are;Works program for Rabbit and Fox control in Feb/March.Funding opportunitiesOther land management issues/project ideas in the area

If you are interested in attending this meeting or for more information, please call Rowena Danks on 8531 2066 or 0428 312 055or email [email protected]

Meeting at Smithville Hall to form new Landcare Group


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The recent run of poor seasons in the northern Mallee has affected revegetation results,especially for direct seeding native plants on sandy soils. Wattles and hop-bushes are oftenthe only types to survive (if anything does), resulting in seed from many other species goingto waste. Hence, the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural ResourcesManagement Board (SA MDB NRM Board), Murray Mallee Local Action PlanningAssociation, Department for Environment and Heritage and Greening Australia teamed upto implement a 7ha direct seeding trial for native trees and shrubs on a degraded sanddune near Mantung (on the old Hamilton Block), using funding from the SA MDB NRM

Board and the Native Vegetation Council.

The trial aimed to re-visit some of the commonly used methods of direct seeding tocompare their performance in the current conditions, as well as testing new types of seedtreatment and soil mulches or crusting agents. The team was keen to determine if aparticular treatment was better for improving the reliability of fine-seeded species, such asLeptospermum coriaceum, the Green tea-tree or Mallee tea-tree, which can be importantcomponents of local habitat.

Because of the short time frame, the trial compared only 2 different types of machinery, 3different seed treatments and 2 types of mulches/crusting treatments. They were:Machinery

Burford/Rodden "Arid Zone V-blade" from Trees for LifeStandard disc Burford seeder with wetting agent as standardSeed treatmentsStandardprepared seedPrimed (all pre-soaked, including the fine seed) seedSeed coated with Seed Solutions Oxymelt & WattlegrowSoil mulch/crustingDustexDustblocNo mulch as a control

Acacia, Babingtonia (formerly Baeckea), Callitris, Eucalyptus, Leptospermum and Melaleuca

species were sown in late May this year. Early results are already indicating some cleartrends.

Overall, the V-blade is a clear winner on the sandier soils with 10 times more plants permetre than the standard disc (3/m vs 0.3/m), with a good range of species surviving. Noother treatment stood out which means that the standard seed treatment is doing okay.Hence no need for any extra mucking around or expense!! If anything the other seedtreatments may be detrimental.

Dennis Stasinowski inspecting results fromthe V-blade

Early Results from Mantung Trial

However, there are only relatively low numbers of other fine-seeded species, such as Leptospermum and Melaleuca, so far (0.1-0.3/m). So presuming there will be more losses over summer, this result may support augmenting direct seeding with seedlingplanting, if these species are needed in the results.

Anyway, a very encouraging result let's see what happens after summer!Phil Barron, Barron Environmental

Look closely - lots of little ones in a linePhotographs by Phil Barron

A new waste oil company has been established in South Australia. SA Oil Recovery, a division of Plasclean Recyclers Pty Ltd,operates under an EPA licence to provide a cost effective way of removing your waste oil. The company, based at Greenfields,provides a complete collection and disposal service for your waste engine and hydraulic oils, oil filters and rag waste. The oils arerecycled and sold to customers for fuelling boilers, etc.

The steady growth of the company has allowed them to provide the Murraylands and surrounding areas with a constant and reliableservice. There is no cost to collect the waste oils they will collect it when they are in the area. They prefer quantities over 200 litres,however this may vary according to the location and situation. They will collect from individual farms as long as there is easy accessand enough room for the tanker to manoeuvre.

For more information or to arrange for a collection please contact the office on 8281 8122 orphone Greg Hood direct on 0408 876 552.

SA Oil Recovery


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On Sunday, 11 October, 2009, we conducted a successful bus trip tothe Coorong and Lower Lakes with 43 participants.

The bus trip aimed to raise the awareness of community members toissues that develop when water levels drop and salinity levels rise, theireffects on the local communities and environment, and exposure tosome of the methods being trialled to alleviate the problems.

The trip also aimed to raise the participants' awareness of Aboriginalculture and history while also exposing them to some of the ways thatthe Aborigines look after and use the land to meet their needs.

Participants were able to embark on the bus at Karoonda and TailemBend while our guest speakers, Graham Gates and Keith Scobie,joined us at Meningie to commentate for the morning tour.

Graham is the Coorong District Local Action Planning Project Officer while Keith Scobie is a former Mayor of Coorong DistrictCouncil and a member of the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board's Mallee andCoorong NRM Group, the Lower Lakes, Coorong and Murray Mouth Icon Site Community Reference Committee and theRamsar Task Force.

The morning session involved a bus tour from Meningie to the Narrung ferry crossing where we disembarked the bus to have acloser look at the condition of the lake. The ferry operator invited us to walk onto the ferry for an exclusive ride across theNarrows, enabling us a better view of the pumps and pipes set up to transfer water from Lake Alexandrina to Lake Albert in aneffort to control the rapidly rising salinity levels in Lake Albert due to receding water levels.

The next section of the tour took us to the Raukkan Aboriginal Community where a highlight was seeing the church whichappears on the $50-00 note.

A drive along Seven Mile Road enabled us to see the Coorong and, with the assistance of our guest speakers, to become awareof how the area has changed with the reducing water levels, how some species are disappearing and the danger of theenvironment becoming irreparably damaged.

The Lower Lakes and Coorong are listed Ramsar sites in recognition of the internationally unique plant, crustacean, fish and birdpopulations that have been observed there.

Our morning tour ended at Camp Coorong where lunch had been prepared for us. Camp Coorong was established in 1986with the aim of sharing Aboriginal culture and history with non-Aboriginal people and is dedicated to the environmentalmanagement of the National Park in which it is located.

After lunch we split into two groups for the Bush Tucker Walk and the Museum Tour. Tom Trevorrow guided us on the Bush

Tucker Walk showing us food and medicine plants, while Ellen Trevorrow and Neville Gollan led us through the Museum sharingwith us their culture and history. Ellen had also organised a basket weaving demonstration for us.

It was now time to board the bus and return home after an enjoyable day with weather that was kind to us.

Thank you to all of those who participated and a special thank you to Graham and Keith for giving up their Sunday to sharetheir knowledge with us.

Cooroong Bus Trip 2009

Bush Tucker Walk included trying some bush medicine for insect bites


8/8This 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

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

summer 2009 mallee update newsletter, murray mallee local action planning

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