2016/17 Service Level Agreement
3rd Quarter Progress Report
For the period 1 January to 31 March 2017
April 2017 Eyre Peninsula – South Australia
2016/17 Service Level Agreement In August 2016 the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board entered into a Service Level Agreement with the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) for the delivery of the Board’s ten programs plus services provided by business support and the regional management team.
This progress report provides a quarterly update of each program, including:
Program highlights during this period Upcoming priorities for the next period Upcoming promotional events for the next period
Further details of each of these programs can be found on the Board’s website at www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/eyrepeninsula or by contacting:
- Corey Yeates (Senior Natural Resource Management Officer Eastern District) for projects in the City Council of Whyalla and District Councils of Kimba, Franklin Harbor and Cleve areas on 08 8628 2077. - Seb Drewer (Senior Natural Resource Management Officer Southern District) for projects in the Port Lincoln City Council and District Councils of Tumby Bay and Lower Eyre Peninsula areas on 08 8688 3111. - Liz McTaggart (Senior Natural Resource Management Officer Western District) for projects in the District Councils of Ceduna, Elliston, Streaky Bay, Wudinna and far west coast areas on 08 8626 1108.
For other all other projects and programs please contact the Port Lincoln Natural Resources Centre on 08 8688 3111.
Progress Summary – 3rd Quarter 2016/17
Sub-program Status Sub-program Status
On track to achieve all 1. Water 6. Sustainable Farming planned outputs
7. Community and Industry 2. Landscapes Engagement On track to achieve most planned outputs
3. Coast and Marine 8. Aboriginal Engagement Unlikely to achieve key
4. Pest Plants and 9. Planning Strategy and planned outputs
Animals Governance
5. Healthy and 10. Monitoring and
Productive Soils Improvement Program: Land, Water & Wildlife – Water Milestones Status Finish Date Budget Water allocation plan implemented (Levy) Jun 2017 Water Affecting Activity permits and refusals issued (Levy) Jun 2017 $225,408 Breaches of NRM Act investigated - WAA (Levy) Jun 2017 Inquiries relating to WAA responded to in a timely manner (Levy) Jun 2017
Status On track to deliver all On track to deliver most Unlikely to meet milestones. milestones. milestones. May be some delays.
Water allocation plan implemented (Levy) Program highlights this period include: Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem (GDE) sites have been established for wetlands and red gum communities across the region (Fig 1). Baseline data is available online here. Details of the methods used to determine red gum health are outlined in the Manual for the visual assessment of lower River Murray floodplain trees: River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). New well locations to allow groundwater levels to be monitored for the GDE sites have been identified and applications for permits have been submitted. Implementation of the MERI plan is ongoing.
Figure 1: Red gum monitoring data at GDE sites is available on the NREP website
Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Installation of new monitoring wells to support GDE sites
Upcoming promotional events include: Develop signage to raise community awareness of the Prescribed Wells Areas (PWAs) and WAP
4
Water Affecting Activity permits and refusals issued (Levy) Program highlights this period include: 14 Water Affecting Activity (WAA) permit applications received: o Three dams o Ten works in watercourse o One discharge into watercourse 14 WAA permits approved.
Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Assessment of incoming WAA permits.
Breaches of NRM Act investigated - WAA (Levy) Program highlights this period include: IR00336 opened on 17/03/2017. o Commenced drainage work without a WAA permit. o Case details entered on compliance database. o Site visit undertaken on 20/03/17 and AO report completed. o WAA permit to be issued for remaining works.
Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Investigate any future breeches Complete and close IR00336
Inquiries relating to WAA responded to in a timely manner (Levy) Program highlights this period include: 29 WAA enquiries received and responded to. 14 water tests conducted Water Resources Officer (WRO) met with District Councils of Elliston, Streaky Bay, Cleve, Ceduna, Wudinna and Kimba regarding WAA permits. Discussions with SA Water, EPA and DEWNR regarding water quality monitoring of uncontrolled water discharge from the Tod Reservoir and the future of the SA Water Best Practice Operating Procedure for controlled water discharges. Discussions with PIRSA Fisheries and DEWNR regarding recreational fishing in the Tod Reservoir including the fish species proposed and approval processes. Media release ‘How good is your farm water?’
Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Meet with remaining councils (Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Franklin Harbor) regarding WAA permits. Ongoing meetings with SA Water regarding water quality monitoring from Tod Reservoir and future of BPOP. Undertake water testing
5
Program: Land, Water & Wildlife – Landscapes Milestones Status Finish Date Budget Facilitate activities to protect, restore or improve priority terrestrial ecosystems Jun 2017 (Levy) Conserving and protecting species and ecosystems (NLP) Jun 2017 Improve community skills, knowledge and engagement in natural resource Jun 2017 management (NLP) $1,621,231 Maintain, protect and enhance Sheoak Grassy Woodlands, Red Gum Woodlands, Jun 2017 Coastal areas and Mallee / Box / Native Pine Woodlands (WildEyre) Improve the condition and increase landholder knowledge of sustainable grazing Jun 2017 and threat management of Sheoak Grassy Woodlands (WildEyre)
Status On track to deliver all On track to deliver most Unlikely to meet milestones. milestones. milestones. May be some delays.
Facilitate activities to protect, restore or improve priority terrestrial ecosystems (Levy) Program highlights this period include: The 2017-18 Annual NRM Grants call for expressions of interest announcement was made and had already begun generating significant interest from the community. Five new projects protecting native vegetation started in the western district. These projects will protect up to 1000 ha of remnant and coastal vegetation.
Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Undertaking final site visits and reports for 2016-17 NRM projects. Undertaking initial site visits and reports for 2017-18 Annual NRM projects. Conserving and protecting species and ecosystems (NLP) Program highlights this period include: NREP staff with assistance from the Green Army helped protect the threatened species Jumping Jack Wattle (Acacia enterocarpa) at Peak Point through boxthorn control. These works were a follow up from last year, with very high success rates of boxthorn control observed. NREP staff assisted ecologists with an annual survey of small mammals and reptiles at Secret Rocks Nature Reserve near Kimba. Annual rabbit abundance surveys around threatened plant populations (e.g. chalky wattle and Acacia rhetinocarpa) in District Councils of Franklin Harbour and Cleve showed low rabbit numbers and little to no impact on surrounding vegetation, soil and crop stubble. Therefore no action (baiting) was warranted and a status of monitor was implemented. Temporary electric fencing tested at an endangered fairy tern breeding site (Fig 2). Ongoing monitoring by local community and NREP staff indicated the fencing assisted in protecting newly hatched and fledged fairy terns from fox predation. Lock malleefowl survey completed with volunteer assistance. Two active mounds observed with evidence of two successful mallefowl chick emergences occurring. Figure 2: Temporary electric fencing has been NREP participated in a National Recover meeting for the woylie (brush- installed at a fairy tern breeding site. tailed bettong), February 2017.
6
Targeted feral cat trapping as part of bilby and brush-tailed bettong management at Venus Bay. Bettong tracks identified in two new sites not previously recorded. (Fig 3)
Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Seed collection and propagation of silver-leaf daisy (Olearia pannosa) with students at Tumby Bay and Cleve schools. Mammal trapping in Venus Bay as part of genetics health sampling of threatened bilby and brush-tailed bettong populations.
Figure 3: Feral cat trapping at Venus Bay Improve community skills, knowledge and engagement in natural resource management (NLP) Program highlights this period include: Local community members and Ungarra Primary School students commenced work on Twitchers Trail signs using mosaics to highlight the local environment and birds (Fig 5) Commencement of Landcare for Rural Women program at Tumby Bay. Sessions to date have focused on locally threatened plants and animals, vertebrate pests and water. This program continues until November. First time visit to Ungarra Playgroup and undertook activities to increase 16 children’s plus parents knowledge on the threatened malleefowl. Show and tell, a story, re-enactments and painting were undertaken to highlight this special bird. (Fig 6) NREP staff provided support to the UniSA Indigenous Land Management program, with tutors and students carrying out field studies at Mount Laura Conservation Reserve. Samaritan Saint Teresa’s Primary (Whyalla) has formalised a partnership with NREP, joining more than 350 schools and preschools across the state registered with the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI-SA). (Fig 4) Vegetation monitoring, soil health and bird identification with Wudinna Area School at Polda Dam site.
Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Development of an NRM Newsletter for schools in the East district to update them on what’s going on in the NRM world and any potential opportunities to work together and share ideas within the school network. Landcare for Rural Women will focus on weed management, sustainable gardening and revegetation. Support AuSSI-SA schools conduct a sustainability audit and develop School Environment Management Plan (SEMP) Promotion of AuSSI-SA Sustainable Schools Initiative and to engage more Eyre Peninsula schools in the initiative
Upcoming promotional events include: UneARTh Whyalla Festival (14-15 April) Bush Kindy, Whyalla (Nature Play Week 12-23 April) Whyalla Library School Holiday Library Program (18 April)
Figure 5: Ungarra Primary Figure 4: Samaritan Saint Figure 6: Ungarra Playgroup students enjoy a visit students working on their Teresa’s Primary has from NREP staff Twitchers Trail registered with AuSSI-SA
7
Maintain, protect and enhance Sheoak Grassy Woodlands, Red Gum Woodlands, Coastal areas and Mallee / Box / Native Pine Woodlands (WildEyre) Program highlights this period include: Aerial African boxthorn control via application of granular herbicide from a helicopter in the Perlubie area. Rabbit baiting and kangaroo management at revegetation sites where necessary Ongoing seed collection by Ceduna Aboriginal Corporation (CAC) labour hire team Continued control of Italian buckthorn at Sheringa Beach by Green Army team. Commenced olive control at an outlier infestation north of Baird Bay Completion of monitoring program for Biodiversity Fund project. Work continuing on a WildEyre promotional video
Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Snail control and kangaroo management at revegetation sites where necessary Concluding the engagement of the CAC work teams as funding for this activity ends in April. Continued control of Italian buckthorn at Sheringa Beach by Green Army team. Undertake revegetation works at the two 2017 sites. Complete overall project report including monitoring results discussion.
Upcoming promotional events include: Launch WildEyre promotional video Improve the condition and increase landholder knowledge of sustainable grazing and threat management of Sheoak Grassy Woodlands (WildEyre) Program highlights this period include: Final report for the Sustainable Sheoak first and fifth year comparison completed by Nature Conservation Society of South Australia. The report presents an analysis of the bushland condition, point-centered quarter and bird monitoring data conducted in the Sustainable Sheoak: Market based conservation in WildEyre, Eyre Peninsula project areas. (Fig 7)
Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Annual site visits for each project site due in early May.
Figure 7: Sheoak grassy woodlands
8
Program: Land, Water & Wildlife – Coast & Marine Milestones Status Finish Date Budget Facilitate activities to protect, restore or improve priority coast and marine Jun 2017 $418,331 ecosystems (Levy and NLP)
Status On track to deliver all On track to deliver most Unlikely to meet milestones. milestones. milestones. May be some delays.
Facilitate activities to protect, restore or improve priority coast and marine ecosystems (Levy and NLP) Program highlights this period include: Beach nesting birds monitoring continued at over thirty key coastal and island sites on southern, eastern and Eyre Peninsula by staff and volunteers. Species observed includes golden plovers, grey plovers, fairy terns and banding of EPBC-listed hooded plovers (Fig 8) National Shorebird 2020 surveys completed at Franklin Harbor, Coffin Bay and Sleaford. The Green Army team continue to work with NREP staff in managing threats to priority coastal assets including: o seed collection along the Greenly and Convention Beach coastline o assisting the Arno Bay Progress Association with the removal Figure 8: Beach nesting birds monitoring of gazania along the coastline Support community Coastcare group with on-ground works, administration, social media design and management. Assist Sleaford Progress Association with signage to interpret the natural environment of the Sleaford coastline Work with local government (DCLEP) to implement coastal access management strategies Undertake activities to highlight the issue of marine debris to 80 junior primary students from Cummins Area School on their visit to Tumby Bay. Early Years Marine Education Day in Streaky Bay. Topic covered included marine habitats and marine debris. Figure 9: Marine debris surveys Quarterly marine debris survey Bolingbroke with Green Army (Fig 9) Coffin Bay Research Working Group held their inaugural meeting in Port Lincoln. This group comprises members from DEWNR, EPA, Flinders University, PIRSA, SARDI, industry and local community.
Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Attend National Beach Nesting Birds workshop and National Hooded Plover Recovery meeting in May. Complete delivery and final site visits for 2016-17 NLP community projects. Promote and develop new projects for the 2017-18 NLP call for community projects. Tumby Bay Area School students will plant coastal seedlings that they have grown in their school nursery at Moonlight Bay in June. Delivery of research metadatabase and conceptual models for the Coffin Bay ecosystem.
Upcoming promotional events include: Family Planting Day Greenly Beach Sun June 4th 2017 Promote BNB conservation and management at a Coastcare revegetation coastal management community event on Southern Eyre Peninsula. Science / Art/ Environment Marine Debris collaboration project with Streaky Bay Area School April 2017. 9
Program: Land, Water & Wildlife – Pest Plants & Animals Milestones Status Finish Date Budget Develop management plans for priority pest plants and animals (Levy and NLP) Jun 2017 Monitor and facilitate management of priority pest plants and animals (Levy, NLP $607,776 Jun 2017 and External)
Status On track to deliver all On track to deliver most Unlikely to meet milestones. milestones. milestones. May be some delays.
Develop management plans for priority pest plants and animals (Levy and NLP) No update provided on the status of this milestone.
Monitor and facilitate management of priority pest plants and animals (Levy, NLP and External) Program highlights this period include: Undertaken buffelgrass, African lovegrass and fountain grass inspections, mapping and treatment of existing and new infestations across Eyre Peninsula. Summer rains have resulted in an increase in plant growth in many districts (Pic 10) The Green Army have undertaken comprehensive olive control at six identified priority sites across southern Eyre Peninsula There has been a focus on caltrop education around Whyalla. This includes media releases, TV interviews, phone calls and targeted engagement. A range of other pest plant monitoring has been completed across the region including gorse, prickly pear, Aleppo pine, silverleaf nightshade, stink grass and khaki weed. There are a number of ongoing compliance cases for species including olives, Figure 10: Pest plant surveys caltrop, rhamnus, bridal veil, Aleppo pines and African boxthorn. NREP staff have had success creating management plans with landholders and removing many declared weed species from key sites. Release of the RHDV1-K5 rabbit virus at nominated sites across Eyre Peninsula. This involved coordination and communication with private land holders, local government and local progress associations. (Pic 11) Surveying of nominated RHDV1-K5 release sites for dead rabbits. Samples have been collected and sent off for laboratory analysis to determine cause of death. Numerous reports of locusts across central and western Eyre Peninsula. Reports have been collated and sent through to the Emergency Plant Pest Figure 11: RHDV1-K5 rabbit virus release Hotline. Fox bait distribution across southern, eastern and western Eyre Peninsula.
Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Blackberry and African lovegrass monitoring and control. Manufacturing fox baits to support fox control in the region. More fox bait distribution days at Cummins to be undertaken. Targeted management plan with landholders for African lovegrass site and potential compliance Monitor rabbit numbers around threatened species sites
10
Program: Farming – Healthy & Productive Soils Milestones Status Finish Date Budget Monitor and report on project outcomes (AoTG) Jun 2017 $117,421
Status On track to deliver all On track to deliver most Unlikely to meet milestones. milestones. milestones. May be some delays.
Monitor and report on project outcomes (AoTG) Program highlights this period include: This project, funded under the Action on Ground Round 2 started in June 2013 and is reaching the final stages with the draft final report ready to submit to the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. The project aimed to test and demonstrate on-farm management practices and techniques that increase the sequestration of carbon in soils in the modified (farmed) soils of the Eyre Peninsula. Eyre Peninsula has a distinctive range of soil types and farming practices ranging from high rainfall (intensively cropped areas) to marginal cropping in the low rainfall zones (mixed farming systems). Previous studies of soil organic carbon levels (SOC) including the national Soil Carbon and Research Program (SCaRP) and studies conducted by DEWNR have shown wide variability in SOC levels between and within soil types due to: o soil types with low clay content with limited protection afforded to organic matter from biological attack o low input of organic matter due to poor crop water use efficiency - despite rainfall being a major driver of productivity (and also soil organic carbon), crop and pasture water use efficiency is relatively low across much of the agricultural zone due to the low inherent fertility (particularly in sandy soils and highly weathered sub-soils) and poor soil structure (due to low organic carbon levels, high sodicity and physical compaction) of much of the soil in the region. These issues result in low plant available water, shallow root zones and low soil organic carbon levels that limit agricultural production and adversely affect management and land use. This project has implemented soil modification technologies at a number of locations and soil types across the modified (farmed) environment of the Eyre Peninsula. Soil data has been collected and analysed to identify changes to soil physical and chemical properties. Production data has also been collected to inform economic benefits of treatments. Results have been extended to farmers through field days, technical presentations and through farmer group publications (Pic 12)
Figure 12: Action on the Ground project sites Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Finalising the report and undertaking a peer review once feedback on the draft by the Policy Officer, Policy Delivery Section, Sustainable Agriculture Branch, Sustainable Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Division are incorporated.
11
Program: Farming – Sustainable Farming Milestones Status Finish Date Budget Managing support for the region's Sustainable Agricultural program - through Jun 2017 $54,909 Senior NRM Officers (Levy) Delivering the region’s sustainable agriculture program in collaboration with Jun 2017 $398,088 Regional Landcare Facilitators (NLP)
Status On track to deliver all On track to deliver most Unlikely to meet milestones. milestones. milestones. May be some delays.
Managing support for the region's Sustainable Agricultural program - through Senior NRM Officers (Levy) Program highlights this period include: Senior NRM Officers (NRMOs) have provided significant support to the Pests Cost Us All project across the region, including recent workshops at Tumby Bay and Cowell focusing on invasive grasses (Buffel and African lovegrass) and prickly WONS (Opuntia and boxthorn), along with a wild dog workshop in the western district (Fig 13). Senior NRMOs continue to support the region’s Sustainable Agriculture program through the provision of advice, assessment of risk and facilitation of information activities relative to biosecurity, soils and salinity issues.
Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Figure 13: Pests Cost Us All workshops Support the delivery of the following Pests Cost Us All activities o Delivery of wild dog and guardian animals workshop in the eastern district. o Delivery of multi-species workshops, information sessions and training modules in eastern and southern districts o Delivery of training and information sessions in conjunction with Sustainable Ag program activities o Cat demonstration site in western district o Fox demonstration site in southern district
Upcoming promotional events include: Promotion of all upcoming activities via media, websites, networks and social media
Delivering the region’s sustainable agriculture program in collaboration with Regional Landcare Facilitators (NLP) Program highlights this period include: DEWNR’s Healthy Soils for Premium Food program has provided $25,000 towards Restoring Paddock pH in Lower Eyre Peninsula and Cleve Hills. This project builds on the successful 2016 Farming Acid Soils Champions on Lower Eyre Peninsula project. Ten landholders on lower Eyre Peninsula are involved. The first workshop was held in February and soil tests are currently being undertaken in the Cleve Hills following a desktop review for suitable alkaline sub-soils. A study tour for sheep producers was held in February with 14 landholders participating. There is now interest in holding more study tours for the sheep industry and tours to look at alternative business opportunities. Three Sheep Reproduction – Getting Results for your Investment workshops were held across Eyre Peninsula. Year 11 and 12 Agriculture students from Cleve Area School also participated at the Darke Peak event.
12
Understanding Cereal Production for Women held workshops Cleve, Wirrulla and Cummins (Fig 14). Each group has established Facebook sites for participants and are looking at future activities for members. A successful Water Use on Farm workshop was held at Cleve with five targeted participants (Fig 15). The planning was aimed at influencing over 5000ha of practice change across these properties using various ways to move, capture and store water. Feedback from the event indicated that outcomes from these workshops will provide landholders with much greater water security.
Figure 14: Understanding Cereal Production for Women Figure 15: Water Use on Farm workshop
Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Community grants of up to $4,000 are open. They will close on May 19th 2017. Developing workshops on animal health and husbandry to follow up messages from the study tour. Another Water use on Farm planning workshop planned for eastern Eyre Peninsula.
Upcoming promotional events include: Community grants of up to $4,000 are open. They will close on May 19th 2017. Wudinna, Yaninee and Mt Damper Sustainable Agriculture Group video has been completed
13
Program: Engagement – Community and Industry Engagement Milestones Status Finish Date Budget Effective community engagement, communications, coordination of volunteer Jun 2017 management, citizen science and education programs (Levy) Managing effective community engagement in natural resources management Jun 2017 through Senior NRM Officers (Levy) $516,359 Support EPICCA and implement CC Adaptation projects (Levy) Jun 2017 Effective management of Adapt NRM Grants program, including call for Round 2 Jun 2017 projects (Levy)
Status On track to deliver all On track to deliver most Unlikely to meet milestones. milestones. milestones. May be some delays.
Effective community engagement, communications, coordination of volunteer management, citizen science and education programs (Levy) Program highlights this period include: Fourteen formal media releases issued by NREP that resulted in: o 20 Twitter announcements (157 engagements and 21,400 impressions) (Fig 16). o One TV, two social media and five radio interviews (involving four NREP and four DEWNR spokespersons) Media, website content and associated communications associated with region-wide fox baiting distribution days and the opening of the Annual NRM Grants 2017-18 funding round. Completion of Ideas in to Action short film, highlighting the newly formed YWMD Sustainable Agriculture Group and the recent cereal production from the beginning for women workshop series and new group in Wudinna. Figure 16: Twitter has become a popular Main events promoted include: way to communicate NREP information. o Community snorkelling events held in conjunction with Experiencing Marine Sanctuaries - Smooth Pool (Streaky Bay), Mount Dutton Bay Jetty, Shelly Beach (Port Lincoln) and Tumby Bay Jetty, January o Online parks booking and Nature Play stall at Tunarama – Port Lincoln, 26-28 January o Sea country craft – beach detective, free children’s art, culture and science activity (includes soft launch of Junior Rangers program) – Port Lincoln, 27 January o Landcare for Rural Women (series of ten training sessions) - Tumby Bay, February to November o Region wide fox baiting distribution days for rural land managers – beginning February o Wild dog trapping and fox control workshop – Penong, 21-22 Feb o Nature Play SA workshops for Council, Community and Educators – Ceduna, 28 March o Sheep production – Getting results for your investment – Darke Peak, 6 March; Wudinna, 7 March; Ceduna, 8 March
Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Ongoing preparation for the Nature of Eyre Peninsula, Conference 14 – 15 September 2017. NREP Communications and Engagement Plan review. Progression of YouTube clips for: o WildEyre achievements showcasing the project to date and encouraging new funders to get involved (in final production and crowd funding planning )
14
o Prescribed burning process and filming of spring post-fire monitoring component (remains 50% complete until spring 2017)
Upcoming promotional events include: Nature Play SA workshops and talks in Ceduna for Educators, Community and local councils, 28 and 29 March Understanding Cereal Production for Women – Cummins, April Understanding Cereal Production for Women (series of 10 training sessions) – Streaky Bay, 6 April Invasive grasses and prickly Weeds of National Significance best practice weed management workshop, 29 March NREP stall and family activities - UneARTh Festival Whyalla, 15 April Bird monitoring 10 week training course, Cummins and Wudinna Landcare for rural women, Tumby Bay.
Managing effective community engagement in natural resources management through Senior NRM Officers (Levy) Program highlights this period include: Senior NRMOs assisted the Cummins Wanilla Streamcare Group (CWSG) with coordination of a Cummins Wanilla Basin catchment tour. The community group led members of the NRM Board and NREP staff on a guided tour that highlighted the significant works that have been undertaken in the catchment to date, and the ongoing issues that remain (Fig 17).
Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Following up from the Cummins Wanilla Basin Catchment tour, Senior NRMOs to investigate opportunities to attract external Figure 17: Cummins Wanilla Basin catchment tour funding to support the catchment.
Support EPICCA and implement CC Adaptation projects (Levy) Program highlights this period include: Implementation plan for EPICCA continuing to be implemented
Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Implementation of the Regional Adaptation Plan review by April 2017 Review of three sector adaptation plans from the original plan by May 2017 Development of three new sector adaptation plans for the region by June 2017
Upcoming promotional events include: Working Group Meeting to be held in April 2017 Annual Climate Change Forum to be coordinated in April/May 2017
Effective management of Adapt NRM Grants program, including call for Round 2 projects (Levy) Program highlights this period include: Two project remain from the previous round for South Australian Oyster Growers Association and Middleback Alliance, which are currently being delivered on schedule. The Board decided not to call for projects for round two.
15
Program: Engagement – Aboriginal Engagement Milestones Status Finish Date Budget Undertake strategies to support Aboriginal employment and development of Jun 2017 $218,544 projects with Aboriginal communities (Levy) Aboriginal capacity building for natural resource management (NLP) Jun 2017 $262,771
Status On track to deliver all On track to deliver most Unlikely to meet milestones. milestones. milestones. May be some delays.
Undertake strategies to support Aboriginal employment and development of projects with Aboriginal communities (Levy) Program highlights this period include: A range of pest plant control work targeting fountain grass, Aleppo pines, buffel grass, fountain grass, olives, silverleaf nightshade Walking Trail construction and maintenance Development of an Introduction to Indigenous Languages program is proceeding through the Far West Coast Language Centre Cultural Awareness Training framework developed Indigenous NRM Officer position has been filled in Ceduna. Work with Port Lincoln High School Indigenous Cadetship program to assist in the delivery of a range of subjects
Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Horehound control in Coffin Bay National Park Pest plant control around Wild Eyre direct seeding lines
Aboriginal capacity building for natural resource management (NLP) Program highlights this period include: Assessment of work plans for Kurranya/Montillie and Akenta Homelands Ongoing NREP support of the Green Army to upskill Aboriginal employees Cultural Awareness training framework implementation through a workshop with training provider and Indigenous partners Discussions with Far West Coast schools to involve them with NRM indigenous programs 3000 seedlings raised by Green Army have been delivered to CAC nursery for planting in Homelands this autumn (Fig 18). Indigenous nomenclature for threatened species on Eyre Peninsula NRM website have been sent to FWC Language Centre for review. Figure 18: CAC nursery Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Discussions with Far West Coast schools to involve them with NRM indigenous programs 20 Million Trees partnership with Greening Australia Investigate carbon offsets for Indigenous Homelands involved in revegetation programs
Upcoming promotional events include: Weena Mooga grant update on proposals from Far West area. Support NAIDOC week in July 2017
16
Program: Leadership & Accountability – Planning, Strategy & Governance Milestones Status Finish Date Budget Finalisation of regional NRM Plan, Policies and MERI. Annual review of Business Jun 2017 Plan, and other strategic planning tools (Levy) EPNRM Board and Committees supported, Budget finalised and loaded by 30th Jun 2017 Sept, EPNRMB financial reports provided as per SLA (Levy) $1,268,241 WHS incidents managed to reduce risk and injuries managed effectively, HR Jun 2017 policies implemented (Levy) Contracts and landholder agreements administered (Levy) Jun 2017 NRM Compliance activities undertaken - not WAA (Levy) Jun 2017
Status On track to deliver all On track to deliver most Unlikely to meet milestones. milestones. milestones. May be some delays.
Finalisation of regional NRM Plan, Policies and MERI. Annual review of Business Plan, and other strategic planning tools (Levy) Program highlights this period include: Consultation on the regional NRM Plan (including the Strategic Plan and Business Plan) concluded on 7 February 2017, with 19 formal submissions received. During the consultation, representatives of the Board undertook a road show, visiting ten out of the eleven councils in the region. Staff also coordinated an online survey, a Your Say website portal and held pop- up community sessions in Port Lincoln, Whyalla and Streaky Bay to engage the broader community. Presentations were delivered to the Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association and a variety of other discussions took place with key partners around the region. The Regional NRM Plan (Fig 19) was also presented to the Natural Resources Committee of Parliament. Crown Solicitor advice was also sought and received in regard to the water policy component of the plan, with some amendments suggested. Councils were also engaged in regard to the new straddled property regulation, which resulted in minor adjustments to the Land Levy for 2017-18. Figure 19: Regional NRM Plan As a result of all the feedback gained through the consultation phase, the Board considered a range of amendments at its meeting on 7 March 2017. The final documents were approved by the Board, which have now been forwarded to the Minister of Environment for his consideration. Approval was also gained to access retained earnings for the priority projects detailed in the Business Plan component.
Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Landholders to be contacted regarding the outcomes of the straddled property regulations and decisions by councils. Once the regional NRM plan is approved the Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement Plan will be finalised. Implementation of the regional NRM plan.
17
Upcoming promotional events include: Media release regarding retained earnings projects. Minister’s advice in regard to the final regional NRM Plan expected in April.
EPNRM Board and Committees supported, Budget finalised and loaded by 30th Sept, EPNRMB financial reports provided as per SLA (Levy) Program highlights this period include: Mid-year Budget Review completed
Upcoming priorities for the next period include: 2016-17 Financial Management Compliance Program checklists Preparation for audit Commencement of 2017-18 budget process
WHS incidents managed to reduce risk and injuries managed effectively, HR policies implemented (Levy) Program highlights this period include: No contractor or Board member incidents recorded during this period
Contracts and landholder agreements administered (External) Program highlights this period include: Continue development of Contracts and Grants database to improve reportability and reconciliation of accounts
Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Preparation for audit and end of financial year
NRM Compliance activities undertaken - not WAA (Levy) Program highlights this period include: Remove and relocate pet dingo from Port Lincoln to Northern Territory. Report of pet dingo in Ceduna. Issued advice to local council inspector on actions to take. Multiple native vegetation reports received. Reports of feral goat issues around Whyalla and Iron Duke. Reports of feral cats increasing in population on pastoral land around Whyalla. Issued advice to local Lincoln residents regarding social media posts for sales of declared species of plants. Education and voluntary compliance achieved.
Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Deer education across region. Native vegetation compliance and education. Education to landholders regarding controlling declared species.
18
Program: Leadership & Accountability – Monitoring & Improvement Milestones Status Finish Date Budget Support M & E throughout the region and implement strategies (Levy and Jun 2017 $223,055 External)
Status On track to deliver all On track to deliver most Unlikely to meet milestones. milestones. milestones. May be some delays.
Support M & E throughout the region and implement strategies (Levy and External) Program highlights this period include: Eyre Peninsula 10-week bird monitoring training course has commenced (Fig 20) o Wudinna (Tuesday morning) o Cummins (Tuesday evening) o Each session is also being live streamed and can be viewed online here Submission of Stage 4 National Landcare Program (NLP) reporting for Ecosystems and Coastal Management on Eyre Peninsula project Submission of Stage 4 National Landcare Program (NLP) reporting for Sustainable Agriculture – Eyre Peninsula project Audit of NREP’s National Landcare Programme (NLP) and Caring for our Country (CfoC) projects submitted to Australian Government Ongoing development of the MERI framework for the Draft NRM Plan Ongoing development of Citizen Science Strategy for Eyre Peninsula New email template developed for delivery of SLA
Upcoming priorities for the next period include: Ongoing support for Eyre Peninsula 10-week bird monitoring training course Preparation of Stage 5 National Landcare Program (NLP) reporting for Ecosystems and Coastal Management on Eyre Peninsula project Preparation of Stage 5 National Landcare Program (NLP) reporting for Sustainable Agriculture – Eyre Peninsula project Completion of EP Goannas citizen science project
Figure 20: Eyre Peninsula bird monitoring courses have commenced in Wudinna and Cummins 19