DRAFT Landscape Round-up • May 2016

Mid North and Rangelands Informing a new Northern & Yorke Regional Natural Resources Management Plan

soil • water • sea • biodiversity • community

Landscape snapshot The project so far and Rangelands Terowie Jamestown Stretching from Hamley Bridge and in Over the past few years we’ve been working with local community the south, up towards Jamestown in the north members, government agencies, non-government organisations, Georgetown and the pastoral Rangelands to the east, the industry and businesses and landowners to find out what matters in Hallett

Mid North and Rangelands offers a combination this region. We’ve identified our natural resource assets, areas for Spalding of productive agricultural land and vibrant improvement and threats facing the region, and we have summarised Yacka towns, providing a country lifestyle for its 12,000 our findings for the Mid North and Rangelands region in this document. Burra residents. It provides a round-up of the natural systems, like creeks, estuaries, soils

Geographically, the area is characterised by and native vegetation that are valued in your area, and what we need Clare a series of north-south ridges, including the to do as a community to ensure we use them in a sustainable way and Burra Hills, the Bungaree Hills and the Camel keep them healthy. Auburn Hump Range, interspersed with narrow valleys What next? Saddleworth and forming a portion of the North Mt Lofty Riverton Ranges. The contrasts greatly with Our next step is to confirm the contents of this document to make sure Eudunda Owen Tarlee the surrounding area with steep-sided valleys that we’re on the right track. We want to check that the right priorities and gently undulating floors. Goyder’s Line runs have been identified, and that we agree on how they should be tackled Hamley Bridge north-south through Burra. and why. We will then prepare a Draft Natural Resources Management Plan for the Northern & Yorke region, due for release in mid-2017.

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke • DRAFT Landscape Round-up • Mid North and Rangelands 1 About the area Mid North and Rangelands

The Mid North and Rangelands south-east have annual rainfalls of 417mm below 1,000 mg/L although yields and and 448mm respectively. quality vary across the area. Groundwater combines rich agricultural land From a vegetation perspective, the eastern extractions in the Valley supported by areas of good mallee and eastern transitional country occur from sedimentary aquifers and the consists of generally semi-arid hills. Tree surrounding fractured rock aquifer, providing quality groundwater, unspoilt species include yorrell, gilja, red mallee and stock, domestic and some limited irrigation beaked red mallee, while pearl bluebush, supplies. Bundaleer Reservoir is located in bushland and close-knit low shrublands, black oak woodlands and the north. communities. false sandalwood woodlands are found along the foothills and plains. Temperate The residents of the Mid North and grassy woodlands occur in the central area, Rangelands are geographically dispersed, with tree species including drooping sheoak, with Clare the main population and service peppermint box, blue gum and grey box •Voice What is it centre with 3290 people. Other major together with grasses, sedges, herbs and important? towns include Riverton (1210), Burra small chenopods with scattered shrubs such • What needs attention? (1400) and Eudunda (1030), and there are as sweet bursaria. Work it a number of smaller towns with less than • What is in The Hutt and Hill Rivers run north from the common? 1000 people. While Burra and land to the Mt Horrocks area, south of Clare, joining •Check Is there a it • What is going on? east falls outside the Northern and Yorke the Broughton River south of Spalding. better way? • Who has a role? NRM region, there are strong influencing • What else needs Burra Creek in the east drains towards to be done? Contents linkages between the two areas and they are the while, in the south, the About the area ...... 2 currently managed accordingly. and its major tributary •Move What direction it Our assets – what matters? ...... 3 The Aboriginal language groups generally Eyre Creek, and another notable tributary, •Do On-ground it should be taken? What needs improving? ...... 6 associated with the Mid North and Skillogalee Creek, flow in a predominately projects • Is this a priority? What needs managing? ...... 7 • Best practice • What are the Rangelands are Narungga, , southerly direction before the river flows management opportunities? What needs to be done? ...... 8 and Nukunu . across the coastal plain. Similarly, the Light Making it happen ...... 9 The Mid North and Rangelands incorporates River - starting above the junction of Tothill What do you think? ...... 10 parts of the Clare & Gilbert Valleys, Creek near Waterloo - flows to the coastal We are here Northern Areas and Goyder council districts. plain. The watercourses are ephemeral but The main employer is the agriculture, have permanent waterholes fed by springs, forestry and fishing industry group. Ninety- providing water for stock and domestic About the Natural Resources Management Plan seven per cent of land is under freehold and supplies. River red gum woodlands are the Natural resource management is about how all of us – individuals, communities, industry and is predominately used for agriculture. The dominant riparian vegetation association government – work together to ensure that resources are used sustainably and natural systems, like Clare Valley is known for its wine industry along watercourses, with Broughton willow creeks, estuaries and native vegetation are cared for and remain healthy. How we collectively do this and the region, along with nearby Burra, woodlands and lignum shrublands also in the long term, and in turn support regional prosperity, is guided by the Regional NRM Plan. present. support a vibrant tourism industry. Wind The Northern & Yorke Natural Resources Management Board has a role in facilitating the rewriting of farms and quarries also exist in the area. Groundwater resources are significant to this plan. To achieve this, a ‘bottom up’ approach is being used with priorities being firstly captured for The Mid North and Rangelands has a the viticulture industry, and the aquifers eight separate ‘landscape’ areas, one of which is Mid North and Rangelands. of the Clare Valley predominantly occur in Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters The Regional NRM Plan will identify priorities across the whole region and focus on what needs to be fissured/weathered bedrock of the and hot, dry summers. Clare receives done at a regional scale to turn what matters locally into real outcomes. a mean annual rainfall of 600mm, while Geosyncline well. Some locations around Spalding to the north and Eudunda to the Watervale and Sevenhill have salinities well Natural Resources Northern and Yorke • DRAFT Landscape Round-up • Mid North and Rangelands 2 Our assets – what matters? Mid North and Rangelands

We know the Mid North and Likewise, local residents appreciate the region’s rich ASSET SYMBOL HEALTH RATING cultural heritage, including attractions like Martindale Rangelands community value Hall, the wellbeing of its people and high standard Productive soils productive farms, a vibrant wine of living, and the region’s close-knit community. The  Good region also places a high importance on issues like and tourism industry, quality road safety, roadside native vegetation and amenity, parks and recreational spaces and stormwater and flood mitigation, and appreciate Water use  Fair that livelihoods, lifestyles and landscapes are closely and having access to quality local linked to the surrounding natural resources. We recognise that a high level of capability, commitment Sea services, including town parks, Poor and connection within the community is required to  open recreation spaces, trails and ensure the ongoing management and sustainable stock routes, and the Spring Gully use of our natural resources. Biodiversity Conservation Park. The type, health and value of assets are shown below . Our livelihoods, lifestyles and landscapes are Community closely linked to the natural resources around us

High rainfall mid High rainfall plains Non-arable ranges Surface water slopes and valley floors  catchments    Predominately used for cropping . Predominately used for cropping . Grazing . Stock, irrigation and domestic use . Rainfall greater than 400mm/year . Rainfall greater than 400mm/year .

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke • DRAFT Landscape Round-up • Mid North and Rangelands 3 Prescribed surface Prescribed Surface water Terminal saline lake water areas groundwater areas reservoirs catchments     Stock, irrigation and domestic use . Stock, irrigation and domestic use . Emergency town water supply . Salt harvesting and stock grazing of Recreation . vegetation .

High quality Imported water and Eastern mallee Eastern transitional groundwater recycled wastewater  country  and stormwater  Town water supply . Salinity typically  Habitat for reptiles, woodland birds Habitat for raptors and ground and raptors, and supports nationally nesting/dwelling birds and a range of less than 2000 ppm . Town water supply, irrigation and threatened plant species such as large- mammals including red kangaroo, euro, amenity . flower groundsel and silver daisy-bush. bats, southern hairy-nosed wombat, Grazing . short-beaked echidna, Bolam’s mouse and fat-tailed dunnart . Grazing .

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke • DRAFT Landscape Round-up • Mid North and Rangelands 4 Inland wetlands/ Rivers, creeks and Temperate native Temperate grassy saline lakes waterholes grassland woodlands     Habitat for many bird species (resident Habitat is provided for waterbirds, Habitat for species including the Habitat for woodland birds (diamond and migratory) as well as supporting an fish, frogs, and aquatic invertebrates. nationally endangered iron-grass firetails, brown treecreeper, white array of invertebrates . Bats, brushtail possums and woodland grasslands and pygmy blue tongue wing choughs, apostle birds, owls), birds also occur within the riparian lizard . raptors (wedge-tailed eagles, peregrine woodlands . falcons) and reptiles (geckos, skinks, Gould’s sand goanna) .

Woodlands with Community shrubby or heath understorey Capability, connections and  commitment to manage and use Habitat for woodland birds such as the natural resources sustainably . eastern spinebill, crested shrike-tit and wrens .

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke • DRAFT Landscape Round-up • Mid North and Rangelands 5 What needs improving? Mid North and Rangelands

Our assets that are in poor or However, our longer-term vision is for the Mid cropping and grazing, the wellbeing of individuals sustainable water use to support agriculture and North and Rangelands community to have the and communities, and encouraging economic industry, including the potential use of water from fair health are priorities for capability, commitment and connections to reduce diversity and tourism, particularly links to clean, Bundaleer Reservoir. improving now. all pressures on the natural environment, and to green and organic food industries. The development of community resilience to achieve healthy and sustainable use of all our We recognise that other priorities for the region extreme events, such as bushfire, is another local natural resource assets. include improving management of priority public priority, as is the post-recovery management of Though the focus of this document is natural lands, roadsides, water reserves, walking trails the Pinery Fire. resource issues, we are also mindful of the need and stock routes (including for fire, weeds and to maintain economic viability and strong, resilient threatened species), improving the management communities to provide capacity to manage of native animals (wombats, kangaroos, corellas), natrual resources sustainably. We acknowledge the management of agricultural pests and weeds, other important community and economic renewable energy production (including efficient priorities, such as improving the viability of energy use, recycling and carbon farming) and

PRIORITY ASSETS HOW TO IMPROVE ASSET HEALTH

Eastern mallee The diversity and composition of native plants is currently poor and needs improving along with diversity of native animals.

Inland wetlands need to be better connected with adjacent vegetation and water quality and flow patterns improved. Crusts on the soil need to be maintained to prevent Inland wetlands/saline lakes erosion.

Rivers, creeks and waterholes need to be better connected with adjacent vegetation, have stabilised banks and flow patterns improved. Remaining native animals and plants Rivers, creeks and waterholes require protection and regeneration.

Temperate grassy woodlands need to be better connected with adjacent vegetation and the overall area of woodlands increased to support birds, insects and other animals. Temperate grassy woodlands Remaining native animals and plants and habitat, such as tree hollows, require protection and regeneration.

The total area of temperate native grasslands needs to be increased and connected. Remaining native plants require protection and regeneration and the soil crust and spaces Temperate native grassland between grasses maintained.

Woodlands with shrubby or heath The total area of woodlands with shrubby or heath understorey needs to be increased and connected. Remaining native animals require protection and regeneration. understorey

High rainfall mid slopes For sustainable use of the high rainfall mid-slopes, the soil fertility (pH), stability and depth of soil need improvement.

To improve the sustainable use by the environment of surface water, natural flow patterns and volumes need to be restored so that permanent pools are sustained and better Surface water catchment connected, though the ability to do this may be limited by changes in rainfall patterns. Indigenous community values of the catchment can be better supported.

Prescribed groundwater areas To maintain the quality and quantity of water available, use needs to be kept within sustainable limits.

To further improve the ongoing management and sustainable use of our natural resources by ensuring the community has the capacity (time, knowledge, skills, finance) to do Community so. Develop stronger connections between the tourism, viticulture and agriculture industries and build on the region’s ‘clean and green’ commitment. Ongoing school-based education of environmental issues will build on long-term commitment.

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke • DRAFT Landscape Round-up • Mid North and Rangelands 6 What needs managing? OTHER PRESSURES Mid North and Rangelands

Bushfire Over the years we have made However, it’s widely acknowledged that past opportunities, climate change and extreme actions and ongoing practices can negatively events such as flood and fire, a lack of alternative significant improvements in the affect the health of our natural resources. water supplies, over-abundant native wildlife, Contour banks and way natural resources are used and With this in mind, the table below identifies the potential for significant land use change and diversions what pressures can have the highest actual or changes in management, roadside vegetation and managed. potential impact on the natural resources of the the management of lerps, mistletoe and corrella Excessive water Mid North and Rangelands. Broader pressures threats to the health of riverine and urban trees extraction and storage of runoff in dams that should also be considered within the and associated amenity. scope of natural resource management include Feral herbivores (deer, agricultural and nuisance weeds and pest animals, rabbits) a lack of economic diversity and employment

Habitat fragmentation

MOST SIGNIFICANT PRESSURES Increased crop water use Soil acidification • Soil acidification is accelerated by productive agriculture that removes alkaline elements from the soil. Ammonium-based fertilisers can be a major contributor to soil

acidification, especially if the nitrogen is leached rather than taken up by the plant. Acidification affects plant growth and microbial action in soils. Inappropriate Infrastructure Environmental weeds • These are plants that invade native ecosystems and adversely affect the survival of indigenous flora and fauna. Environmental weeds, such as foreign plants or native

plants that have become weedy due to inappropriate management, can compete with native species, degrade water quality and increase fire risk. Introduced carnivores (foxes, cats) Erosion caused by lack of surface cover • Surface cover protects soil from being removed by wind and water. Some cropping practices can influence the amount of surface cover on land. Overgrazing, burning

and tillage can completely remove cover, leaving soils exposed to erosion. More intense wind and rainfall events increase erosion. Introduced fish

Historic riparian vegetation removal • Over the years, native plants have been removed from creek and river edges as land has been developed for agriculture and other uses. This increases the erodibility of Changes in land use banks and the potential for siltation and contaminants entering the water, and makes it difficult for native plants and animals to move between areas of habitat. Inappropriate stock grazing • High grazing densities of sheep and cattle on pastures and native vegetation can cause loss of surface cover leading to erosion and weed incursion. Likewise, access by Loss of adjacent native stock to creeks can cause erosion and impact water quality, while paddock layout and incorrect placement of watering points can also lead to erosion issues. Selective vegetation grazing of vegetation can result in declining biodiversity..

Inefficient water capture and storage (evaporation from dams) Misuse of chemicals • As the flow of water in many creeks and rivers tends to be limited to wet periods, runoff is often intercepted and stored for later use in open dams, which can lead to

water being evaporated, particularly during summer months. In some cases the amount of water lost to evaporation is far higher than the amount of water used. Short-term climate Long-term climate change variability • Warmer, drier conditions and more intense weather events will have a range of impacts on natural resources which generally have a poor ability to adapt. Climate change is expected to reduce the soil’s capacity to support vegetation and increase erosion from wind and water. Small changes in rainfall will lead to considerable changes in water availability, while increased temperatures and changes to vegetation and water availability will place more stress on native fauna. Unsuitable fire patterns

Poor community capacity to manage resources • If a community lacks the capability, connections and commitment to manage and use natural resources sustainably, existing pressures can worsen. Groundwater contamination caused by poor well integrity

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke • DRAFT Landscape Round-up • Mid North and Rangelands 7 What needs to be done? Mid North and Rangelands

Having identified our most valuable natural assets and the pressures facing them, the information below Adapting to climate change Environmental weeds Legislated management of details the priority programs that are needed to improve the health of our most valuable natural assets and low carbon transition • Management of African rue weeds and pests and to reduce the main pressures facing them. However, in addition to the on-ground programs outlined • Adaptation of areas of high in the Spalding-Koolunga • Manage caltrop, horehound below, each initiative needs to be supported by partnerships, research, surveying, mapping, planning, biodiversity through strategic area, buffel grass in isolated and African boxthorn monitoring and review to ensure we achieve the best possible outcomes and improve the way things are revegetation. patches, blackberry, gorse • Contain spread of innocent done in the future. • Increase resilience to extreme and boneseed around weed, silverleaf nightshade weather events, such as flood Penwortham, and wheel and destroy infestations of Restoring priority bushland Managing river systems and wildfire. cactus and devil’s rope around creeping knapweed. • Establish grassy woodland buffers and • High priority river reaches in the Light Pandappa-Franklyn. Water conservation and • Monitor the emergence of linkages for declining woodland birds and Wakefield River catchments: lincoln weed and protect sites restoring environmental Sustainable grazing such as replanting understorey species from innocent weed and wild • Revegetation works and stock access. flows practices and the management of mistletoe. artichoke. • Management of feral fish and • Returning flows to water- • Improve practices in areas of • Buffer revegetation in inland wetlands • Manage pest deer, red fox, reintroduction of native species. dependent ecosystems in native grasslands and grassy and ensuring aquatic linkages. goat and rabbit sites. priority sub-catchments. woodlands, high priority areas of eastern mallee and • Reduce farm dam evaporative Water allocation Sustainable cropping practices transitional country, and losses. • Manage surface water and • Improve machinery and practices for Terowie generally across high erosion groundwater extraction and establishing crops and managing heavy Sustainable development risk areas and riparian areas. importation of water in Clare stubbles. Jamestown and urban systems Managing for fire Valley Prescribed area. • Develop alternatives to burning for • Manage development in • Increase and maintain the stubble, pest, disease and weed control. areas of pygmy blue-tongue/ Aboriginal culture proportion of less flammable Georgetown raptor habitat, peppermint • Recognise, maintain and • Maintain adequate cover within crop pasture plants. Hallett box woodland, iron grass support traditional knowledge phase and through a complete crop • Manage grazing to reduce grasslands. and involvement. rotation (pre, during, post years). fuel load. Spalding Community partnerships Improving soil • Manage fuel load in reservoir Yacka catchments. • Impove connection with • Manage soil acidification and soil • Undertake prescribed burning tourism, viticulture and friability. Burra to protect assets and restore agriculture industries. • Undertake soil testing, applying lime/ processes in native vegetation. gypsum, matching fertiliser requirements. Youth education and leadership Reducing feral grazing pressure Clare Farrell Flat • Ongoing school-based • Manage goats in high priority areas of education. eastern mallee and transitional country. Community knowledge and • Manage kangaroos in high priority decision making areas of eastern mallee and transitional Auburn • Increase community capacity country. Saddleworth to manage natural resources. • Manage rabbits in high value habitat. • Support strategic roadside Riverton vegetation management. Eudunda

Owen Tarlee

Hamley Bridge Natural Resources Northern and Yorke • DRAFT Landscape Round-up • Mid North and Rangelands 8 Making it happen Mid North and Rangelands

General principles: What have we achieved so Projects under consideration far? • Protect and build resilience of remaining biodiversity The teams are also actively developing new ‘integrated’ projects that deliver on outcomes for Already Mid North Agricultural CAP has natural resources (soil, water, biodiversity and sea) with direct linkages to economic and social • Sustainable agricultural practices and groundwater achieved some great outcomes on the outcomes. A couple of projects under consideration for your landscape are outlined below. management for viable production into the future ground in the Mid North and Rangelands landscape. One project underway is African Rue Project Trends in Soil Condition – Soil • Restore surface water flows and river systems to Acidity Project support ecosystems outlined below: African rue was detected in the upper reaches of the Broughton River, between Currently, there is a poor understanding Using an internationally recognised planning framework to guide Burra to Booborowie and Spalding, around seven of the soil acidification rate in high the process, Community Action Planning (CAP) is used to determine Landscape Project years ago and has since increased its spread production cropping systems, which results what we need to do, how we should do it and the effectiveness The Burra to Kapunda Landscape project is down the river’s main channel to reach in uncertainty regarding the accuracy of of our efforts. Participants meet regularly throughout the year, part of a larger program that aims to Redhill and possibly lower. African rue has soil acidification models in current farming including landholders and farmers, environmental group members, restore land condition and connectivity become a serious threat to the biodiversity systems. This project seeks to identify gaps local government, non-government organisations and government within and between the hills of the Northern of the riparian, as well as being a threat in knowledge and work with interested representatives. Projects delivered in the Mid North and Rangelands . Connectivity along to agriculture, and has proven extremely landholders to undertake paddock scale area fall within the Mid North Agricultural CAP program. the Tothill Ranges belt and surrounding difficult to destroy. This project aims to treatments around Hallett and other Much of the information in this document comes from the teams ranges will provide improved habitat for raise community awareness about the areas to establish different treatments and individuals involved – their participation and knowledge is highly native reptile and bird species, enabling African rue issue and the risk it poses, to and measure effects on soil pH. The valued. movement between isolated patches and provide appropriate management options project seeks participants who have a clear The Mid North Agricultural CAP also provides an important forum giving species the best chance of adapting for landholders and to establish active local understanding of soil acidification rates in for sharing information, building collaboration and partnerships and to climate change impacts in the years control groups with landholders for long- response to farm management, and will identifying funding and marketing opportunities. These teams, and ahead. The project provides incentives term management. involve farmers applying optimum lime the individuals and partners involved have a key role in advocating to landholders for pest plant and animal treatments with support from advisors for and leading the delivery of projects in alignment with the control, revegetation, grassland restoration and agribusiness. Promotion of new priorities that have been developed. through sustainable grazing, fencing technologies that measure the variability of Further details and reports are available at www.naturalresources. for conservation and whole-of-paddock pH across and within paddocks and variable sa.gov.au/northernandyorke/about-us/about-nrm/community-action- restoration. rate application will be components of this planning project.

The Mid North Agricultural CAP invites all community members and stakeholders to get involved in the program, and welcomes all ideas regarding emerging threats, updating priorities and directing action .

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke • DRAFT Landscape Round-up • Mid North and Rangelands 9 What do you think? Mid North and Rangelands

Where to from here? Feedback Questions Credits You can provide feedback in a number of ways: A crucial part of rewriting the When providing feedback on this Photos 1 . Provide a written response document, here are some questions you T Berkinshaw, K Ward, J McGregor, might like to consider . Draft Northern and Yorke Natural • By email – [email protected] I Faulkenburg, M Young, DEWNR • By post – Natural Resources Centre, Are there any information gaps? Resources Management Plan is Information Northern and Yorke, 2/17 Lennon Street, • Are there any other natural resource assets that getting your feedback on this Clare, SA 5453 you value in your landscape? Northern and Yorke Sustainable Water Resources CAP Summary: document. 2 . Discuss in person • Are there any other threats or emerging issues in your landscape that are likely to impact on www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/files/sharedassets/ Call Natural Resources Northern & Yorke We need to ensure that the voices of all natural resources? northern_and_yorke/corporate/sus_water_cap_ stakeholder groups – including residents, (08) 8841 3400 summary_june_2015.pdf Are the priorities appropriate? landowners and community organisations – are For more information go to: Lower North Sustainable Soils CAP June 2015 • Of the assets identified, which do you think taken into consideration. www .naturalresources .sa .gov .au Summary: requires the greatest/least attention and why? www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/files/sharedassets/ • Of the threats identified, which do you think northern_and_yorke/corporate/ln-sus-soils-cap- requires the greatest/least attention and why? summary-rep-june-2015.pdf Please provide your feedback by • Of the priority programs identified, which do Friday 28 October, 2016 you see as being the most/least beneficial to Mid North Agricultural District CAP Summary this landscape and why? June 2015: www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/files/sharedassets/ Other questions northern_and_yorke/corporate/mid-north- • What can be done to improve the community’s biodiversity-cap-summary-report-june-2015.pdf capability, connections and commitment required for natural resource management? • Are there other opportunities in this landscape for managing our natural resources and achieving broader social and economic objectives? • What do you think needs to be done at a ‘strategic/regional’ level to turn these priorities into outcomes for your landscape? • If there was one key point from this document (or in your comments above) that needs to be included in the Regional Natural Resources Management Plan, what would it be?

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke • DRAFT Landscape Round-up • Mid North and Rangelands 10