Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Management Board NORTHERN AND YORKE REGIONAL NRM PLAN Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Volume A: State of the Region Report 2008 Acronyms

CEM Coastal, Estuarine and Marine LCM Land Condition Monitoring

CP Conservation Park MPA Marine Protected Area

DEH Department for Environment and NP National Park Heritage NRM Natural Resources Management DPLG Department for Planning and Local N&Y Northern and Yorke Government SASPAS South Australian Soil and Plant DWLBC Department of Water, Land and Analysis Service Biodiversity Conservation WUE Water Use Efficiency

March 2009

This document has been prepared by the Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Management Board and is not State Government policy.

Editorial and design services have been provided by:

• Rural Solutions SA • Peter R Day Resource Strategies • SUBStitution

For more information, contact: Planning Officer Northern and Yorke NRM Board Phone: (08) 8636 2361 e-mail: [email protected]

ISBN 978-0-9806143-2-9

Copyright This publication is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior permission of the Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Management Board. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be directed to the General Manager, Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Management Board, PO Box 175 SA 5523 or [email protected]

Disclaimers The Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Management Board and the Government of , their employees and their servants do not warrant or make any representation regarding the use or results of use of the information contained herein as to its correctness, accuracy, currency or otherwise. The Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Management Board and the Government of South Australia, their employees and their servants expressly disclaim all liability or responsibility to

Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE any person using the information or advice contained herein. 

Foreword

The Northern and Yorke Natural Resources the desired environmental conditions – which Management Board (the Board) has are set out as targets in the Plan. In the future responsibility, under the Natural Resources it will provide useful assistance with decisions Management Act 2004, to develop and maintain on where to invest time and funds, and will a Natural Resources Management (NRM) Plan establish a framework for collaboration to for the region. The Plan is to guide the Board, achieve optimal efficiency in the delivery of related State Government agencies and other initiatives. stakeholders in their efforts to maintain and The Plan is a road map to guide the Board, enhance the region’s natural resources. and all those involved in natural resource Volume A – State of the Region is one of management, in achieving strategic outcomes a series of volumes that make up the NRM and lasting improvements in the condition of Plan for the Northern and Yorke region. The our natural resources. It is written to align with Northern and Yorke NRM region has bountiful administrative structures and requirements, but natural resources and much of its economy its components can be extracted and applied to and lifestyle are built on those assets. The meet the needs of any interested parties. important coastal and marine resources, high The Plan will be used for communication with conservation value reserves, remnant native Governments – Local, State and Australian ecosystems and rugged landscapes, and the – and regional communities. It will be the basis productive soils and climate of the cropping for securing continuing districts are hallmarks of the region. The State investment in natural of the Region describes the region’s natural resource management resources and identifies the potential threats and it articulates how that and opportunities to improve the management investment is intended to of these valuable assets. It provides a detailed be applied to achieve the understanding of our natural landscapes and is desired outcomes. the foundation of the NRM Plan. I commend this plan to The Northern and Yorke NRM Plan is a tool for you and I look forward to communities, organisations and individuals. It your commitment to its describes the priorities for action and describes Mervyn Lewis implementation. the strategies and activities needed to achieve Presiding Member Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE  Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE  Table of Contents

Acronyms...... 2 Foreword...... 3 Table of maps ...... 6 1. Introduction to the State of the Region...... 7 1.1. Purpose and background...... 7 2. Regional Climate ...... 8 2.1. Description...... 8 2.2. Climate change...... 9 2.3. Climate risk management...... 12 2.4. Risk communication and public perception...... 12 2.5. Knowledge gaps and barriers...... 12 3. Natural resource asset: Soil...... 13 3.1. Description...... 13 3.2. Relationship of the soil resource to other resource assets and influences...... 13 3.3. Current monitoring of soils...... 14 3.4. Key information gaps...... 15 3.5. Attributes of the soil resource...... 15 3.6. Threats to the soil resource...... 16 4. Natural resource asset: Water...... 30 4.1. Overview...... 30 4.2. Relationship of water to other resource assets and influences...... 31 4.3. Current monitoring of water resource condition...... 32 4.4. Key information gaps...... 33 4.5. Attributes of the water resource...... 33 4.6. Threats to resource condition...... 38 5. Natural resource asset: Coastal, Estuarine and Marine Environments...... 47 5.1. Overview...... 47 5.2. Relationship of coastal, estuarine and marine to other resource assets and influences...... 48 5.3. Current monitoring of CEM condition...... 49 5.4. Key information gaps...... 49 5.5. Attributes of the CEM resource...... 49 5.6. Threats to resource condition...... 56 6. Natural resource asset: Biodiversity...... 64 6.1. Description...... 64 6.2. Relationship of biodiversity to other resource assets and influences...... 64 6.3. Current monitoring of biodiversity...... 64 6.4. Key information gaps...... 65 6.5. Attributes of the biodiversity resource...... 65 6.6. Threats to biodiversity resource condition...... 72 7. Resource influence: Pest Plants and ...... 82 7.1. Overview...... 82 7.2. Relationship to resource assets...... 82 7.3. Current monitoring of pest plants and animals...... 83 7.4. Key information gaps...... 83 Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE  7.5. Pest plants...... 83 7.6. Pest animals...... 90 7.7. Introduced invertebrates...... 91 7.8. Native species associated with NRM issues...... 92 8. Resource influence: People...... 94 8.1. Overview...... 94 8.2. Relationship of people to other resource assets and influences...... 96 8.3. Current monitoring...... 100 8.4. Key information gaps...... 100 8.5. Attributes of the people in relation to NRM...... 100 8.6. Pressures on people’s capacity to deliver NRM...... 103 9. References...... 104 Appendices...... 106 Appendix 1: Water Background Information...... 106 Surface Water Monitoring Sites in the Northern and Yorke region...... 106 Appendix 2: CEM Background Information...... 109 Threatened Fauna and Flora found on the Northern and Yorke Coast...... 109 Appendix 3: Biodiversity Background Information...... 121 Species Information...... 121 Appendix 4: Pest Plant and Background Information...... 129 Community consultation...... 130 Glossary ...... 131

Table of maps

Map 1. Climate – temperature and rainfall...... 11 Map 2. Land types...... 20 Map 3. Surface soil conditions of the Northern and Yorke region...... 21 Map 4. Soil water erosion potential of the Northern and Yorke region...... 22 Map 5. Soil wind erosion potential of the Northern and Yorke region...... 23 Map 6. Inherent fertility of soils of the Northern and Yorke region...... 24 Map 7. Low available phosphorous content of the Northern and Yorke region...... 25 Map 8. Soils acidity susceptibility of the Northern and Yorke region...... 26 Map 9. Actual acidity of soils of the Northern and Yorke region...... 27 Map 10. Watertable-induced salinity of the Northern and Yorke region...... 28 Map 11. Soil salinity risk of the Northern and Yorke region...... 29 Map 12. Surface water catchments...... 43 Map 13. Drainage lines and wetlands...... 44 Map 14. Shallow groundwater basins...... 45 Map 15. Priority watercourses...... 46 Map 16. Biounits and Marine Planning Areas...... 59 Map 17. Marine benthic habitats and aquatic reserves...... 60 Map 18. Coastal cell conservation localities...... 61 Map 19. Reef health survey sites...... 62 Map 20. Location of known activities and pressures...... 63 Map 21. Native vegetation – broad structural formations...... 77 Map 22. Significant biodiversity areas...... 78 Map 23. Conservation priority of roadside vegetation...... 79 Map 24. Threatened plant communities...... 80 Map 25. Threatened plant species...... 81 Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE  1. Introduction to the State of the Region

1.1. Purpose and background • Volume A State of the Region Report (this document) The purpose of the Northern and Yorke Natural • Volume B Strategic Plan, Resources Management Plan is to: • Volume C Business Plan, and • review the state of the natural resources of • Volume D Regulatory and Policy the region; Framework. • identify the processes which threaten them; The report presents baseline information on: • examine the opportunities for more effective Five key Resource Assets: management of those resources; and • Climate • establish a framework of broad actions and • Soils targets to guide regional communities and Local, State and Australian Government • Water agencies. • Coastal, Estuarine and Marine Waters The Plan seeks to instil a landscape • Biodiversity management approach which functions across Two Resource Influences: natural resource assets, delivering integrated • Pest Plants and Animals programs and solutions. It focuses on delivering • People Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) For each resource asset and influence it in the region. The approach is based on provides: intergenerational equity and the precautionary 1. Description. principle to ensure a long-term balance between use, conservation and development of 2. Relationship to other resource assets and the region’s natural resources. influences. 3. Current monitoring programs. The Plan outlines to the community, Local, 4. Key information gaps. State and Australian Governments, and other 5. Attributes of the resource asset or influence stakeholders, a vision for the future of natural and their status. resources in the region and documents strategies and actions to see the vision 6. Threats (to resource assets only) and their achieved. It brings together a range of existing extent or impact. plans and strategies to provide more effective The goals of the Northern and Yorke NRM use of limited resources. Board include: landscape-scale management to maintain healthy natural systems, integrated This State of the Region Report is one of four management to minimise biological threats; volumes that collectively make up the Regional and prosperous communities and industries. Natural Resources Management (NRM) Plan. To achieve those goals it is essential to have a It reports on the condition of the natural assets thorough understanding of the region’s natural of the region and assesses the threats and resources, the interactions between them, pressures they are subject to. The information their various uses and the management they presented in this report provides a foundation receive – and how those relationships vary for the other three components of the across scales and through time. This State of NRM Plan. the Region Report seeks to provide that base information. Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE  2. Natural Resource Asset: Regional Climate

2.1. Description Bundaleer 556 mm and Maitland 506 mm. See Map 1 for more climatic information. The Northern and Yorke region has a climate of mild winters and hot summers. Rain falls Wind is also becoming increasingly important predominantly in the winter months, but as a natural asset of the region and is being conditions vary over the region with differences harnessed for energy generation. The tables in latitude and altitude. The Clare Valley, central below show the frequency with which winds of and the Southern Flinders different speed (in km/hr) blow from different directions (as percentages), based on 10 years Natural Resource Asset: REGIONAL CLIMATE Asset: Resource Natural receive the most rain within the region, with Clare recording an average of 632 mm, data up to June 2008.

Snowtown (Rayville Park) Wind Frequency Analysis; 1998 – 2008. January Calm (% frequency) 1 2,363 observations analysed. km/h N NE E SE S SW W NW All 1-10 1 1 1 1 3 5 2 1 15 11-20 4 1 2 3 13 11 2 2 38 22-30 3 1 1 2 17 4 2 2 31 >30 1 * * * 9 1 2 1 15 All 9 3 4 6 42 22 7 6 100 April Calm (% frequency) 3 2,282 observations analysed. km/h N NE E SE S SW W NW All 1-10 5 2 1 1 4 8 3 2 26 11-20 9 4 2 2 7 11 4 3 43 22-30 5 1 1 2 6 2 2 3 22 >30 2 * * 1 * 1 2 6 All 21 6 5 5 18 21 11 10 100 July Calm (% frequency) 4 2,256 observations analysed. km/h N NE E SE S SW W NW All 1-10 5 2 1 1 3 5 2 2 22 11-20 16 2 1 1 4 5 5 6 39 22-30 10 1 * * 1 1 4 6 25 >30 4 * * * 1 2 3 11 All 35 5 3 2 8 13 13 18 100 October Calm (% frequency) 2 2,351 observations analysed. km/h N NE E SE S SW W NW All 1-10 4 1 1 1 3 6 3 2 21 11-20 10 2 1 2 7 10 7 4 44 22-30 5 1 * 1 6 6 3 3 24 >30 2 * * * 1 2 2 2 9 All 20 4 2 4 17 24 16 11 100 Source: Climate Service Centre, SA Office. Bureau of Meteorology. * Indicates the range has occurred but with a frequency less than 0.5% Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE  2.2. Climate change reduced warming and smaller rainfall changes (Suppiah et al. 2006). In 2003 CSIRO was commissioned by the More variable. Model results indicate that State Government to investigate the potential future increases in daily maximum and changes in climate that South Australia may minimum temperatures will be similar to face. The results from 10 climate models were the changes in average temperature. The analysed, providing estimates of the ranges of frequency of extreme maximum temperatures change in rainfall and temperature for South will increase while the frequency of extreme Australia. The report, Assessment of climate minimum temperatures will decrease. change, impacts and possible adaptation strategies relevant to South Australia, Despite 0-30% decreases in average rainfall concluded that weather would become hotter, over most of South Australia in most seasons, drier and more variable for much of the State. extreme rainfall is predicted to increase by A special report on the impact of different 0-10%. The specific weather patterns emission scenarios for the Northern and Yorke associated with heavy summer rainfall in the region confirmed the likely outcomes. north of the state are projected to increase both REGIONAL CLIMATE Asset: Resource Natural in terms of frequency of events and magnitude Hotter. Annual average temperatures over the of rainfall, with a projected 20% increase in north of the state could be 0.4 to 2.0°C higher flood frequency in northern South Australia. by 2030 and 1.0 to 6.0°C higher by 2070. In the south temperature increases could be 0.2 to Warmer oceans. In , temperature 1.4°C by 2030 and 0.6 to 4.4°C by 2070. increases in the range of 0.2-1.2°C by 2030; and 0.6-3.6°C by 2070 are likely. The Gulf St Projected annual and seasonal changes in Vincent in winter exhibits a narrower range of temperature for the Northern and Yorke region warming, of 0.3-1.2°C by 2030; and 0.8-3.6°C specifically, indicate that by 2030 the annual by 2070. temperature may increase between 0.4 and 1.2°C. Summers may warm by 0.4-1.4°C, Storm surges of at least 0.5 m in height are spring by 0.5-1.4°C and autumn and winter predicted to occur year round along the South may be 0.4-1.2°C warmer. By 2070, the annual Australian coast, with greatest frequency during temperature may increase between 1.0 and winter and spring. 3.8°C, with summer warming by 0.9 to 4.3°C, Changes such as these are likely to have a spring by 1.0 to 4.1°C, autumn by 0.9 to 3.8°C number of impacts relevant to natural resource and winter warming by 0.8-3.8°C (Suppiah management, ranging through: et al. 2006). • reduced agricultural production, shifts in The frequency of hot spells above 35°C and 40°C production zones and the modification of is also projected to increase across most of the farming systems and practices; State with the largest increases in the north. Little • less annual run-off and ground-water or no change in hot spells is likely in the far south- recharge, affecting urban, stock and east of the State or . domestic, and irrigation supplies; Drier. The trend is predicted to be a drier • increased risk of bushfires, floods and climate, with shifts in seasonality. A broad coastal storm damage; and range of changes in rainfall (both increases and • impaired health (or ‘functionality’) of decreases) are likely in autumn, while in winter ecosystems. the tendency is towards decreases in rainfall. Some animal and plant species are likely to In spring, decreases in rainfall of up to 20% by come under increasing stress, causing 2030 and 60% by 2070 are indicated. All climate long-term change in composition of species models show an increase in the frequency of and the operation of ecosystems. Coastal droughts towards the end of the century. ecosystems will also be affected by sea level For the Northern and Yorke region, the annual rise and changes in runoff. Plant, and some rainfall may decrease by 0-9% by 2030 animal species, may migrate as sea levels and by 1-30% by 2070. A strong decrease and climate change. Globally, sea levels are is indicated in spring, while other seasons expected to rise faster in the future due to indicate moderate decreases. CO2 stabilisation thermal expansion of the oceans and melting of scenarios indicate that if the atmosphere were mid and low latitude glaciers. held at 550 ppm CO2 or less, it could result in NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE  An assessment presented to Local Governments is summarised by the following chart.

• Changes in land values (and council rate base) • Changes in community population and dynamics • Declining potable supplies • Increase in depression and • Increase in extreme bushfire • Increase in heat-related illness anxiety days and events • Increase in infrastructure • Increase in illness spread by vectors damaged or threatened by • Increased pressure on public floods, storms, coastal inundation health infrastructure and services • Increased pressure on • Increase in air-conditioner use emergency services and volunteers and therefore stress on energy infrastructure Social impact Natural Resource Asset: REGIONAL CLIMATE Asset: Resource Natural

Impact on Economic natural impact environment

• Loss or migration of native plant and animal species – • Loss of tourism and visual amenity terrestrial and marine • More and different pest species • Change to abundance • Declining water for irrigation and • Decrease in ground and surface water flows, agriculture recharge and quality • Shift or retraction of agricultural • Marine acidity levels industries • Changes to soil erosion patterns • Changes to seafood industry • Changes to soil moisture, salinity, acid sulphate, • Increased livestock industry waterlogging, toxicities • Forestry industry (increased growth but decreased water = ?)

Source: Anita Crisp. Central Local Government Region of SA Inc. Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 10 Map 1: Climate – temperature and rainfall. Natural Resource Asset: REGIONAL CLIMATE Asset: Resource Natural Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 11 2.3. Climate risk management One of the most significant advances in the communication about climate change and The broad strategies that natural resource its associated impacts is the increase in the managers have in the face of climate change use of probabilities for communicating future are: climate changes. Even when given quantitative • reducing greenhouse gas emissions; estimates of risk, however, individuals may • adapting to climate change; and interpret them in different ways. Severe consequences, such as natural disasters, are • innovations in markets, technologies, perceived to be of lower probability than minor institutions and in the way we live (DPC consequences, even when the quantitative 2007). probability of the two events is identical. Risk management is the challenge in addressing the impacts of climate change. Deciding what mitigation and adaptation actions 2.5. Knowledge gaps and are justified and required to provide sufficient barriers Natural Resource Asset: REGIONAL CLIMATE Asset: Resource Natural protection to environmental systems is an integral part of the NRM planning process. Despite the many advances in the application of risk assessment and management to climate A risk assessment to evaluate the impact change, a number of challenges remain in both of climate change on the region’s natural the execution of risk assessment studies and resource assets should give consideration to the application of that information to improve the vulnerability of different biophysical and decision-making. These include: economic sectors, to the effects of climate • scientific uncertainty about climate change; change, and to integrating the concepts of • uncertainty in adaptation costs and benefits; exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity. • resources for assessment and adaptation; • social and institutional barriers; and 2.4. Risk communication and • barriers to adoption of amelioration public perception practices.

Motivating action on climate change, whether it comprises efforts to reduce greenhouse gases or adaptation options to reduce vulnerability, depends upon people’s awareness and perceptions of the issue.

Assessments of public opinion consistently find that a significant majority of the population is both aware of global warming and, albeit to a lesser extent, concerned. In Australia, concern for global warming would appear to be quite high. Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 12 agricultural limitationsaredescribedbelow The majorsurfacesoilconditionsandtheir run-off andthestorageof waterinaquifers. in theLand shape ofthelandscapeanditssoils–asshown region exertsconsiderableinfluenceoverthe . of thenorthernMtLoftyRangesandSouthern the coastalplain;andrangesvalleys three majorlandforms:the The Northernand store ofbiodiversityresidesinthesoil. Although verylittleisyetknown,thegreatest , invertebratesandmicrobialorganisms. fauna: burrowingmammals,marsupialsand the soilprovideshabitatforarangeoffloraand distribution ofnativeplantspecies. different cropsmaybegrownandthenatural one ofthekeyfactorsthatdeterminewhere biodiversity. asset toagriculturalproductivityandnatural The Northernand 3.1 Description DWLBC (2007a). Payne (2004),RixandParry(2007) reports ofMaschmedt(2000),McCordand has beensuppliedbyDWLBC,includingthe The informationusedtopreparethissection 3. Natural Resource Asset: Soils restrict rootdepth. Subsoil salinity, sodicityandalkalinitysimilarly and salinityarethemaindegradation issues. land. Windandwatererosion, soilfertility loams withsomeareasofdunefields andsaline loam overclay, shallowcalcreteorcalcareous with centralrisesandlowhills.Soilsarelargely Yorke Peninsulaisagentlyundulatingplain depth andcausespoorwateruseefficiency. sodic andalkalinewhichrestrictsplantroot Subsoils arecommonlymoderatelysaline, as thebroadoccurrenceofsalinesurfacesoils. erosion isamajorissueontheseplains,aswell and sandspreadcomplexesalsooccur. Wind unconsolidated deposits,anddune-swale calcareous loamsoverhighly On thecoastalplain,shallowcalcreteand (see alsoMap3). Types (Map2).Italsoinfluences The characteristicsofsoilare The underlyinggeologyofthe Yorke region ismadeupof Yorke region’s soilisacritical Yorke Peninsula; Additionally,

and allrestrictrootgrowthwateruse alkalinity, sodicityandboronarewidespread and permanentsoildamage.Subsoilsalinity, lime applicationtopreventlossofproductivity productivity andintensiveuse,requireregular a historyofLucerne,andotherareashigh Many ofthevalleyflats,particularlythosewith of highproductivityandintensivecropping. The ratesofsoilacidificationarehighinareas areas, reflectingshallowlocalwatertables. salinity acrosstheregioninhigherrainfall There arealsonumeroussmallareasofdryland subsoils arehighlysusceptibletowatererosion. Ranges, theneutralloamysoilsoverredclay Mount LoftyRangesandSouthernFlinders In thehillandvalleylandscapesofnorthern 3.2 Relationship ofthesoil efficiency. . DWLBC(2007a)‘ReportontheCondition of 1. Footnote: effects suchas: establishment andgrowthwhichhasflow-on the soilresourcegenerallyresultsinpoorplant levels onwhichplantsdepend.Degradationof of thesoilaffect moisture,nutrientandbiota The physical,biologicalandchemicalproperties inadequate protection. the subsequentuseoflandproviding of vegetation,disturbancebycultivationand of soildegradationrelatebacktotheclearance binding soilparticles.Inmanycasesthecauses services, suchasrecyclingnutrientsand animals. burrowing animals,invertebratesandother is alsohometoassemblagesoffungi,bacteria, for primaryproductionuses. determine vegetationtypesandlandsuitability Soil isoneoftheprimaryfeaturesthat Adelaide. p.7. of Water, LandandBiodiversityConservation, Government ofSouth Natural ResourcesManagement Region.’ Agricultural LandintheNorthern and assets andinfluences resource to otherresource These organismsprovideecosystem 1

Australia, Department The soilresource Yorke

Northern and Yorke NRM Board Natural Resource Asset: SOILS STATE OF THE REGION REPORT 13 • reduced productivity of crops and pastures; fragments to uninfested areas. Modern • susceptibility to invasion by weeds tolerant agricultural weed management practices are of degraded soils; generally more selective and integrated, such • increased recharge of groundwater; as crop rotations, biological control, selective • susceptibility to erosion by wind and water; herbicides and targeted mechanical control. and Soil erosion has been recognised for over a • loss of native plant species that cannot grow century and many farmers see the link between under altered conditions. ‘healthy’ soils and improved productivity. Loss through soil erosion results in the Further adoption of more sustainable soil management practices requires new skills, Natural Resource Asset: SOILS Asset: Resource Natural deposition of soil on lower slopes and soil washing into creeks and rivers. Through an technologies, equipment and infrastructure. erosive event, soil particles may deposit in These requirements can be a barrier to uptake pools, flood plains and estuaries, or be washed depending on the attitudes and resources of the into the marine environment. Deposited soil can land managers. smother aquatic plants and other life forms, as well as altering the hydrology, such as causing 3.3. Current monitoring pools to fill with soil and hence hold water for shorter periods. Nutrients attached to soil of soils washed into watercourses can stimulate plant The region’s soil types, as well as a suite of growth such as reeds and algae. Some of the land and soil characteristics (such as water- techniques for managing water erosion, such as table induced salinity, water erosion potential, contour banking and flood control dams, may subsoil toxicities), have been mapped and reduce the run-off from catchments. described by the State Land and Soil Mapping Soil lost through wind erosion reduces soil Program, and now form part of the State Land fertility and can be a health hazard to people, and Soil Information Framework (DWLBC). causing breathing difficulties as well as The information focuses on the inherent reducing visibility for traffic. Soil may deposit on characteristics of the land surface, topsoils and roads, railways, fences and other infrastructure, subsoils. The northern-most area of the region or in native vegetation, especially narrow strips is not included in these coverages. along roadsides, where it smothers plants and DWLBC’s Land Condition Monitoring Program seed reserves. co-ordinates the main monitoring of soil Both soil and water resources are affected by degradation risks. It is important to note that secondary salinity. Rising saline groundwater is this program focuses on monitoring the risk toxic to some native vegetation, as it is to crops of soil degradation and surrogate indicators and pastures, and can cause native vegetation such as land manager surveys, rather than the to become stressed and die. Because the areas actual condition of the resource. The program causing salinity are often distant to the areas incorporates several data collection methods: salinity impacts, it can be difficult to achieve • a field survey for wind and water erosion solutions. susceptibility in cropping districts; Grazing, burrowing and hoof impacts of pest • a land manager survey of management animals such as rabbits, deer and goats practices, knowledge and attitudes; result in a loss of soil cover, leaving soils • South Australian Soil and Plant Analysis susceptible to erosion and weed invasion. Service (SASPAS); and Some weeds, such as salvation Jane, out- • Australian Bureau of Statistics Agricultural compete desirable species during their growing Census. seasons, leaving soils exposed when the pest The methods, adequacy and recommended plant dies off. Other weed species such as modifications to this program have been creeping knapweed have allelopathic impacts, reviewed by DWLBC. Data specific to the leaving soil bare within the area of infestation. Northern and Yorke region has been provided Traditional techniques for controlling pest from this program. plants in cropping systems historically involved tilling the soil, which loosens soils, increases the risk of erosion, and may spread vegetative 14 NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Therearefewindicatorsthatusedto • years ofvarying rainfall. enabling comparisonofproduction across (e.g. kgbarley)tomillimetres of rainfall,thereby the crop.WUEmeasures level ofproduction changes inthewateruseefficiency (WUE)of In agriculturalareas,thiscan be measuredby native vegetation. crop andpastureproductiondegrade can degradesoilconditionandthereforereduce increased salinityandaciditylevels is ausefulindicatorofsoilcondition.Erosion, for plantgrowth,theabilityofplantstogrow As soilisoneofthekeyelementsrequired Plant growth Different soiltypeshaveinherentlydifferent • Theagriculturallandclassificationstandards • factors: it isimportanttorecognisethese In discussingtheconditionofsoilresource, 3.5 Attributes ofthe Thereisverylittlequantitativeinformation • Itisnoteasytomeasuresoilstructure • Mappingofsoilsandsoilattributeshasnot • institutions tomanagethesoilresource: information gapsinhibitthecapacityofNRM soil resourcearereasonablywellknown.Key The attributesandprocessesthatdegradethe 3.4 Key information gaps used. measure andarethereforemorecommonly degradation aremorestraightforwardto measure soilconditiondirectly;signsof which isinbettercondition. of thesoilatonesitewithanothertoinfer appropriate tocomparethecharacteristics characteristics, crop growthpotential. and soiltheirlimitationoflanduse focus ontheinherentconditionofland used inthelandresourcemappingprogram surface run-off. reduced tillageonthequalityandquantityof as contourbanking,stubbleretentionand improved landmanagementpracticessuch for South decline asanindicatorofsoilcondition. the region. been carriedoutinthefarnorthernpartsof soil resource Australia regardingtheimpactof and therefore The Frenchand

it is not usually of whichison agricultural usehasinherentlylowfertility, most 183,000 hectaresoflandthatisclearedfor In theNorthernand element deficienciesforagriculturalproduction. in phosphorousandmanyhavesignificanttrace other partsoftheworld.Mostarenaturallylow natural fertilityincomparisontosoilsofmost The majorityof Fertility content andassociated higherorganicmatter inherent fertilitygenerallyhave greaterclay low soilorganicmatterlevels. Soilswithhigher are primarilydeepsiliceoussands withnaturally type andcontent.Soilswithlow inherentfertility supply nutrientsislargelydetermined byclay organic matter. Soil nutrientsarestoredinclaymineralsand plant growthinrelationtotheregion’s soils. production. There isnoreliabledataonWUEforpasture recorded anincreaseofonly5%. recorded anincreaseof20-30%,andoneSLA one recordeda30%increaseincropyield,11 For the13SLAsNorthernand 1974 and1991-2000havebeenanalysed. Statistical Local barley grainyieldsacrossSouth Bureau ofStatistics(ABS)figuresforwheatand has notbeentakenintoaccount. to rainfallandthereforeseasonalvariation crops, thishasnotbeenanalysedwithrespect While yieldisrecordedforSouth be takenintoconsideration weeds, grazing,pathogensandinsectsneedto condition ofthesoil.Otherfactorssuchas vegetation assemblageswillindicatethe regeneration ofthenative(pre-European) ability tosupportthehealthygrowthand In thecaseofnativevegetationareas,their just WUE emphasis shouldbeonchangesinWUEnot also needstobeconsidered. types tosupporthighlevelsofcropproduction methods. pasture typeandcropormanagement weeds, pathogensandinsectpests,cropor factors tobetakenintoconsiderationinclude could beachievedgivenrainfall.Non-soil yield asaproportionofthetotalpotentialthat main statisticformonitoringWUE,expressing Schultz Potential The inherentcapacityofcertainsoil per se There isnoreliabledataonnative Yorke Peninsula(Map6). Australian soilsareoflow The abilityofsoilstostoreand Areas (SLA)between1965- . Yield modelisusedasthe Yorke region,approximately Therefore, the Yorke region, in Australia by Australian Australian

Northern and Yorke NRM Board Natural Resource Asset: SOILS STATE OF THE REGION REPORT 15 content. As phosphorous is commonly the induced erosion rates have declined since the most limiting nutrient, it is used as an indicator catastrophic events of the first half of the 20th of soil fertility. Century, soil is still being lost at unsustainable levels during major rainfall events when land In agricultural areas, if fertilisers (organic or is left in a vulnerable state. Most sites of inorganic) are not used to build and maintain mass erosion (e.g. watercourse erosion) were soil nutrition, plant growth, production, water initiated in the first half of the 20th Century, with use and profitability decline with flow on some not yet stabilised. impacts to other areas. Therefore, the current fertility status of agricultural soils is generally Approximately 30% (660,000 ha) of land used a result of a history of fertiliser use, land for agriculture has soils that are inherently Natural Resource Asset: SOILS Asset: Resource Natural management and the inherent capacity of moderately to extremely susceptible to water the soil to retain nutrients. However, in native erosion (Map 4). While the potential of the vegetation areas, modifications to soil nutrition soil to erode has been mapped, actual water may cause a decline in vegetation condition as erosion is not mapped or formally monitored. the native vegetation is suited to the inherent Instead, the risk of erosion (Water Erosion Risk soil conditions. ‘Unnaturally’ high nutrient levels, Index or Water ERI) is monitored by DWLBC. especially of phosphorous, can be toxic to some The two key management practices that affect native plants and change the composition of the risk of water erosion are: vegetation associations. Introduced species are • the occurrence, intensity and timing of often favoured at the expense of native species. tillage operations; and • the quantity and nature of surface cover. Samples of agricultural topsoil submitted to SASPAS2 between 1990 and 1999 indicate a It is important to note that: 20% to more than 40% increase in soil samples • soil that has an inherently high potential to with low available phosphorous (<20 ppm erode is not necessarily eroded or eroding; Colwell P) for most of the region. However, and as there is no control over the selection or • soil that is at risk of erosion (due to sampling of soils, this information is only a management practices) will not necessarily semi-quantitative indicator. Soil fertility status erode unless climatic conditions occur that in native vegetation areas is not measured as instigate the erosion (i.e. high-intensity it is assumed that the plant growth supported is rainfall run-off). adapted to the inherent fertility of the soil. Wind erosion As for water erosion, the erosion of soil by 3.6. Threats to the wind is a natural process, accelerated due to soil resource human impacts. Wind erosion has periodically devastated areas of the Northern and Yorke The following threats to the soil resource are region, particularly in the Upper North, in the based on the priority threats as identified in first half of the 20th Century. This was evident (N&YAD INRMC 2003) with the addition of from massive dust storms and deposition climate change. of windblown soil on infrastructure such as roads and railways. Parts of the Lower Water erosion North and Yorke Peninsula also have a long The erosion of soil by water is a natural process history of serious wind erosion events. While that has shaped the current landscapes of the the incidence of such events has reduced, region over millions of years. With European wind erosion still occurs in the region at settlement came a massive acceleration of unsustainable levels. soil loss in the arable hills and valleys through Approximately 10% (227,000 ha) of land the clearance of native vegetation, cultivation cleared for agricultural use has a moderate to of soils for agriculture and inappropriate extreme inherent susceptibility to wind erosion. management practices. While human- Most of this land is located on the Yorke Peninsula and the coastal plains. As for water Footnote: erosion, wind erosion is not directly measured 2. South Australian Soil and Plant Analysis Service or monitored; instead the risk of wind erosion (SASPAS) 16 NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE and State.and Figure inwinderosion susceptible 2:Change riskIndex forcropped soilsintheregion thequantityandnatureofsurfacecover. • theoccurrence,intensityandtimingof • wind erosionarethesameasforwatererosion: key managementpracticesthataffect theriskof (Wind ERI)ismonitoredbyDWLBC. State.and Figure inwater 1:Change erosion susceptible riskindexforcropped soilsintheregion

Relative Period (days) tillage operations;and

Relative Period (days) 100 120 140 100 120 140 20 40 60 80 A S ny 20 40 60 80 0 SA ny 0 r r 99/ 99/00 80 78 14 95 00 3 00/ 00/01 72 70 63 8 01 5 The two 01 01/02 57 54 /0 9 54 0 0 2 2/ 02/03 82 92 1 80 03 43 Year inadequate soilcover Soil disturbanceand sowing ofcropsandpastures.Soilcovercanbe soil disturbanceistillageforweedcontroland strong windsoccur. of thesoilwhenheavyandprolongedrainor disturbance ofthesoilcanresultinerosion erosion potential),inadequatesoilcoverand On susceptiblesoils(i.e.moderatetoextreme Ye ar 03 03/0 66 77 /0 71 62 0 4 0 4 4/ 84 89 4/05 88 81 05 The mostcommonformof 05/ 05/0 55 62 54 57 06

0 6 06 82 92 /0 6/07 73 44 7

Northern and Yorke NRM Board Natural Resource Asset: SOILS STATE OF THE REGION REPORT 17 removed or inadequate for a number of reasons Acidity is accelerated by the following including: agricultural practices:

• stubble removal practices such as burning; • Use of acidifying nitrogen fertilisers. • over-grazing by domestic stock and feral • Removal of agricultural products (removal of herbivores such as rabbits and goats; and more alkaline elements). • crop failure or poor growth. • Nitrogen fixation by legumes. Soil cover and disturbance on susceptible • Leaching of nitrate. soils is used to indicate the Erosion Risk Index The addition of lime to soil is the most effective (ERI) of soil and is monitored by DWLBC. This way to raise the pH of soils.

Natural Resource Asset: SOILS Asset: Resource Natural gives an average number of days each hectare The acidity of soils in the region is inferred from of susceptible soil is at risk of erosion on a the proportion of soil samples submitted for yearly basis. Alternatively, the figure can be SASPAS testing with a pH of below 5 re-calculated to indicate the average number CaCl (i.e. acidic), analysed by Hundreds (Map 9) of days the soil was protected. A theoretical and also by mapping of acidic soils by the minimum ERI of 15 days could be achieved on State Land and Soil Mapping Program (Map cropping land using direct drill technologies. 8). As there is no control over the selection Since 1999, the average Water ERI for or sampling of soils, this information is only a agricultural land susceptible to water erosion semi-quantitative indicator. was 79 days per year (it was protected for In some parts of the region (e.g. the ‘foot’ of 286 days). The Water ERI has increased Yorke Peninsula), soils are naturally highly slightly over this period. For the same period, alkaline and have a high level of calcium the average Wind ERI for agricultural land carbonate, curtailing agricultural productivity. susceptible to wind erosion was 70 days per year (it was protected for 295 days). The Wind ERI has decreased slightly over this period. Dryland salinity Salt is a natural feature of the Northern and Accelerated soil acidification Yorke region’s landscapes inherited from parent material of marine origin, or tens of thousands Acidic soils occur naturally in the Northern and of years of accumulation of wind-borne salt. Yorke region, mainly as sands or sandy loams Natural expressions of salinity (known as in high rainfall areas, however the acidification ‘primary salinity’) are quite common and can be of soils can be significantly accelerated by seen in the form of saline land, salt marshes, agricultural practices. Areas of soil that are saline streams and salt lakes that existed long inherently susceptible to acidification are found before European settlement. in the hill country between Jamestown through Clare to Kapunda, and from Melrose to Crystal The accelerated development of salinity due to Brook (Map 8). Other soils can become acidic, changes in the water-balance and groundwater particularly highly productive soils. levels since European settlement is termed ‘secondary salinity’. When watertable rise is Soil acidification can cause a number of onsite caused by increased accessions from rainfall, problems: the resultant salinity is termed ‘dryland salinity’. • A number of nutrient deficiencies and When the main contributor to groundwater rise imbalances that affect plant growth. is irrigation drainage, resultant salinity is called • Some compounds become soluble at very ‘irrigated salinity’. Dryland salinity is the greater low pH and become toxic to plants. threat in the Northern and Yorke region. • Decreased activity of micro-organisms, In 2000, the National Land and Water notably nitrogen fixing rhizobia. Resources Audit (NLWRA) estimated that • In strongly acidic conditions, clay approximately 30,000 ha of land was affected compounds decompose, leading to by secondary dryland salinity. The NLWRA permanent loss of fertility. estimated that this could increase to 41,000 ha by 2050 if no remedial activities were undertaken, assuming that groundwater levels continue to rise (NLWRA 2001). Another assessment (Barnett 2000), estimated that 18 NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE change ontheotherthreats. will mainlybeduetotheinteractionofclimate The impactsofclimatechangeonsoilcondition Climate change context. of futuresalinityriskshouldbeviewedinthis per yearoverthepast15years.Estimates an averagedecreaseinsaltlandareaof2-3% monitored catchmentsintheregionhaveshown time basedonseasonalconditions. severity ofdrylandsalinitycanfluctuateover shown onMap11. However, theextentand 10, andareasatriskofbecomingsalineare affected bydrylandsalinityareshowninMap groundwaters continuetorise. 7,000 haoflandwouldbecomesalineif The areas Two Fewerwindydaysmayreducetheriskof • Increasedsummerrainsmightincrease • Lowerrainfallmayleadtoadeclinein • Dryland salinity Lowerrainfallmayreducetherateof • Acidification Lowerrainfallwillresultinlessplantgrowth • Moreintenserainfalleventswillincrease • Water andwinderosionrisk wind erosion. cultivation andahigherriskofsoilerosion. weed growthmayalsoleadtomore risk oferosion.However, increasedsummer provide moresurfacecoverhencereduce growth ofsummergrowingplantsand erosion. dryland salinityordelayitsspread. This mayreducetheareaaffected by groundwater levelsoralowerrateofrise. production. acidification throughlessleachingandlower and surfacecover, increasingtheriskof risk oferosion.

Northern and Yorke NRM Board Natural Resource Asset: SOILS STATE OF THE REGION REPORT 19 Map 2: Land types. Natural Resource Asset: SOILS Asset: Resource Natural

20 NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Map 3: Surface soil condition of the Northern and Yorke and soilcondition 3:Surface Map oftheNorthern region.

Northern and Yorke NRM Board Natural Resource Asset: SOILS STATE OF THE REGION REPORT 21 Map 4: Soil water erosion potential of the Northern and Yorke region. Natural Resource Asset: SOILS Asset: Resource Natural

22 NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Map 5: Soil wind erosion potential of the Northern and Yorke and winderosion potential oftheNorthern 5:Soil Map region.

Northern and Yorke NRM Board Natural Resource Asset: SOILS STATE OF THE REGION REPORT 23 Map 6: Inherent fertility of soils of the Northern and Yorke region. Natural Resource Asset: SOILS Asset: Resource Natural

24 NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Map 7:LowMap available Yorke and phosphorous content oftheNorthern region.

Northern and Yorke NRM Board Natural Resource Asset: SOILS STATE OF THE REGION REPORT 25 Map 8: Soils acidity based on soil and landscape mapping of the Northern and Yorke region. Natural Resource Asset: SOILS Asset: Resource Natural

26 NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Map 9:PercentageYorkeMap and hundred per ofacidicsamples theNorthern region.

Northern and Yorke NRM Board Natural Resource Asset: SOILS STATE OF THE REGION REPORT 27 Map 10: Watertable-induced salinity of the Northern and Yorke region. Natural Resource Asset: SOILS Asset: Resource Natural

28 NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Map 11: Soil salinity risk of the Northern and Yorke and riskoftheNorthern salinity 11:Soil Map region.

Northern and Yorke NRM Board Natural Resource Asset: SOILS STATE OF THE REGION REPORT 29 30

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: WATER North andSouthernFlindersRanges (Graham Freshwater wetlandsoccurmostly intheMid lagoons, LakeBumbungaandDiamondLake). restricted (Robertstown, and Lagoons occurelsewhereintheNorthern (saline wetland)features. catchments terminatinginlandlockedlagoonal into theGulfStVincent. little (north eastofPortPirie)drainintoSpencer Mambray Creekandtributary River intheMidNorth,andephemeral north-west towardsLakeFrome. while therearealsodrainagelinesflowing Ranges flownorthwardstowardsLake smaller drainagelinesintheSouthernFlinders (Map 12). Willochra intheuppermostpartofregion and Wakefield intheMidNorth,and Northern and There arefourmainrivercatchmentsinthe Surface watercatchments (Favier • were producedforthe: Conservation. the Environment andHeritagesubsequently Project’ ‘The MidNorthRiversManagementPlanning the stateofregion’s majorcatchments, Following concernbythecommunityabout therefore limitsthedegreeofextraction. limit itssuitabilityformanyeconomicusesand of thewaterinmanyareasissalineenoughto production andtheenvironment. resources sustaintheregion’s economic Yorke region.Bothsurfaceandgroundwater natural biodiversityoftheNorthernand Water isacriticalassetforthepeopleand 4.1 Overview 4. Natural Resource Asset: Water et al. Gulf. BroughtonRiver(Favier • LightRiver(VanLaarhoven • Department Yorke regionwheredrainageisseverely drainage

2001)(Map13). The Wakefield RiverandLightflow wasundertakenbytheDepartmentfor The WillochraCreekandanumberof Yorke region: Light,Broughton definition Three rivermanagementplans for Water, with Yorke Peninsulahas Apoinga andPorters Land et al. et al. many Alligator Creek et al. and 2000); The Broughton The quality 2004). surface 2004);and Biodiversity Torrens water also supportanumberofwater-dependent domestic purposes(Dooley above areusedforlivestock,irrigationand 2001). on southern flow systemsinPermiansedimentsoccur Nelshaby/ BarootaIrrigation groundwater basins,andtheNapperby/ sand/clay aquifersincludePirieandStVincent Regional andintermediateflowsystemsin SpringCreekZone • Walloway Basin • WillochraBasin • ClareValley • BooborowieIrrigation • MarionBayGroundwaterBasin • CarribieGroundwaterBasin • Para-Wurlie GroundwaterBasin • include: rock material(Dooley of flowsystemandthesurroundingparent groundwater provincesrelatingtothetype systems areclassifiedintothreedistinct basins (Map14). region aresourcedfromninebroadlydefined deep. Shallowgroundwaterresourcesinthe groundwater aquifersystems,bothshallowand There areanumberofdifferent typesof Groundwater basins persist. pools arethoughttodependon groundwaterto permanence. reduced toaseries’ summer, whereflowceasesandstreamsare the highflowwinter-springseasonuntil each yearduringautumnandpersiststhrough reliable annualflowsignal,whichcommences watercourses seasonalbaseflowsprovidea ephemeral orintermittentflowregimes.Insome All watercourseswithintheregionfeature groundwater Interaction betweensurfaceand ecosystems. region andoncentral sedimentary infillarefoundintheMidNorth intermediate flowsystemsinfracturedrockand The groundwatersystemsmentioned Yorke Peninsula (Henschke All permanentsurfacewater The region’s groundwater ofwaterholesvarying etal. Yorke Peninsula. Area 2003).Localand et al. Areas. Local 2003). These They The presence of permanent groundwater- most years, such as the Clare Valley, are dependent pools and springs highlights the therefore of extremely high value, and make importance of the close interaction between a volumetric contribution to water resources surface and groundwater in the region. These disproportionate to their areas. interactions, such as groundwater sustaining permanent pools and watercourses recharging River Murray water use groundwater aquifers, are highly significant Water used within the region is not wholly in some areas and justify the consideration derived within the region. River Murray water of surface and groundwater resources as two supplied by SA Water Corporation supports the components of a single resource. Hence they two major cities and nearly all the major town are treated together within this section. centres, providing for industrial, commercial WATER Asset: Resource Natural Water dependent ecosystems are recognised and domestic use. In addition, River Murray as first and foremost comprising part of the water supports some irrigation and stock region’s biodiversity and are considered within needs. Therefore, water resource usage and the Biodiversity resource asset. management in the Northern and Yorke region is inexorably linked to management of water Climate and water resources in the SA Murray Darling Basin region and Climatic conditions are such that water upstream states. resources for much of the region are SA Water operates about 8,000 km of characterised by a high degree of spatial and water supply mains in the region, distributing temporal variability. Maritime frontal systems 22,000 ML (2004/05) of River Murray water. move over the region from the southern ocean over the winter-spring period, bringing moist The largest users are ‘non-residential’ (58%) air masses that can generate reliable rainfall – including primary and secondary industries in large volumes from orographic lifting (uplift – followed by residential (39%) and commercial due to the presence of the ranges). These (3%). systems become less productive as they move inland over major topographic features such as 4.2. Relationship of water the Southern Flinders Ranges, and a distinct to other resource assets rain shadow affect influences rainfall patterns over much of the region. However, good and influences widespread rain events can sometimes occur The quantity and quality of water in the region when moisture-laden tropical air flows in from affects a diverse array of water-dependent the north-west, perhaps but not necessarily, ecoystems in rivers, wetlands and floodplains, ahead of a cold front. These systems occur as well as terrestrial fauna. The quantity, most commonly in autumn or spring, and are timing, duration and frequency of flows in often responsible in autumn for the break in the watercourses, coupled with the maintenance season. of base flows from groundwater, are critical The other major rain bearing systems are to these ecosystems. The integrity of the ex-tropical monsoonal systems, which move watercourse itself also affects the hydrology into the region from the north to northwest, of the watercourse and the plants and animals generally during the summer-autumn months. that live within. The proportion and health of These systems can produce large volumes of native vegetation within a catchment will affect rainfall, but are highly unpredictable. the amount of run-off as well as the infiltration into the groundwater resource. This, in turn, As a result, for much of the region in the can alter the salinity levels of surface and majority of years, only limited surface water groundwater. runoff or groundwater recharge occurs. Water resource use in semi-arid areas of the region is The erosion of soil by water usually results in dependent upon extreme years to provide the the run-off of sediment into watercourses which, significant recharge and runoff that will support along with stream-bank erosion, increases the both environmental and human uses over the turbidity of water. Sediments generally contain ensuing years until the next such year. additional nutrients and, when deposited, alter The few areas where relatively reliable the physical form and hence hydrology of the streamflow and groundwater recharge occurs watercourse. Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 31 32

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: WATER water usewillbeachallenge. of theirusewater, achievingsustainable understanding bythecommunityofimpacts the region’s waterbalance,andageneral of waterresources.Withoutknowledge understanding ofthescaleandcharacteristics and industry;however, thereisalackof support humansettlements,agriculture, The region’s waterresourcesareusedto Therearesixsurfacewater monitoringsites • regional scale.Ofthefourmainriversystems: an adequatebaselevelofmonitoringatthe considerably improvedandcurrentlyrepresents the surfacewatermonitoringnetworkwas the Northernand water qualityandquantitywasundertakenin Prior to2003onlylimitedmonitoringofsurface 4.3 Current monitoring of laterally, betweenfloodplains,wetlandsand • upanddownstream,includingthe • groundwatercatchmentsandflowpaths; • surfacedrainagecatchments; • between: or definedwithprecision,suchaswithinand scales, butmanylinksarenotwellunderstood Water resourcesarelinkedacrossarangeof native speciesfortheresource. cover. and destroyingnativevegetationpasture the banks,defecatinginandclosetowater Pest animalscanfoulwatercoursesbypugging that watercoursehydrologymaybealtered. amounts ofwaterorgrowinsuchhighnumbers and artichokes, introducedbulbsanddogroses, particularly speciessuchaspeppertrees,olives, matter tothewater. Somepestplantspecies, in autumnaddsexcessivenutrientsandorganic and aroundthewatercourse,leaf-drop shade insummeraffects theplantsthatgrowin dominate thewatercoursevegetation.Heavy In someareas,introduceddeciduoustrees quality andtheintegrityofwatercourses. Pest plantsandanimalsalsoaffect water channels. also recordssalinity. and levelinadditionone of thesesites in theBroughtoncatchment,measuring flow catchment-to-coast continuum;and African boxthorns,mayusesignificant water resource condition They mayalsocompetewithstockand Yorke region.During2003 yield andwelldata onthemostsignificant called theDrillholeEnquirySystem. Historical is maintainedbytheStateGovernment ofSA, A in theunderstandingofresource status. networks, leadingtoconsiderableuncertainties undertaken atirregularintervals,andnotforall of groundwatermonitoringdatahasbeen risk isalsothehighest. are focusedonhighvalueresourceswhere and salinityfortheBoard. observation networksforbothwaterlevel which currentlymaintainsanumberof in theregionsince1970sbyDWLBC, Groundwater monitoringhasbeenundertaken commissioned in2005. for different periods,withmanysitesonly Flow dataisavailablefromthesesites Foursurfacewatermonitoringsitesexistin • Threesurfacewatermonitoringsitesexistin • ThereisonesiteintheLightcatchment • quality areavailablevia and ratingsofecologicalhealthwater on macroinvertebratesandwaterquality. Data maintained intheregionbyEPA A complementary information. from discretesamplingthatmayprovide 1997, andalsoprovidewaterqualitydata monitored intheBroughtonCatchmentsince monitoring. Waterwatch siteshavebeen back tothecommencementofsurfacewater Grab samplesforsalinityatallsitesextend available recordonlyextendsbackto1995. most sitesfortwoyearsandthelongest Salinity datahasonlybeenrecordedat catchment yields. is anissueintryingtodeterminesustainable is asyetoflimiteduseformodelling,which data hasbeencollectedmeansthatthe is sovariable,thelengthoftimeoverwhich in South Rhynie intheWakefield catchmentistheoldest exist sincethe1970s. region andreliablecontinuousrecordsonly continuity isamajorissueforstationsinthe recordings tookplaceinthe1940s,butdata State-widedatabaseofdrill-hole information networkofeightmonitoringsiteshavebeen Appendix 1). these alsoequippedtomonitorsalinity(see the WillochraCreekcatchment,withoneof also monitorsalinity. the Wakefield Rivercatchment,allofwhich recording bothflowandsalinity. Australia. Becausetheregion’s climate The gaugingstationat To date,evaluation The earlieststreamflow www.epa.sa.gov.a These networks withdata u . small groundwater basins has been collated, watercourse relative to surface water. This and monitoring recommendations for these problem is often associated with changed resources presented (Magarey and Deane land-use practices, or the installation of on-farm 2004). More detailed monitoring of groundwater dams or structures. Changes to groundwater has been carried out in the Clare Valley since level, in particular increases in the height of 1987/88. the watertable, and increases in the salinity of the groundwater can result in an increase in the salinity in watercourses. Changes to 4.4. Key information gaps groundwater level can result from increased Much is still unknown about the region’s water seepage in the surrounding landscape or

resources. Knowledge gaps are a threat to decreased hydrostatic pressure resulting WATER Asset: Resource Natural resources due to the limitations they place on from lack of surface water flow. Increases in managing the resource sustainably. Some of groundwater salinity often results from leached the key gaps are: salts in seepage caused by poor irrigation practices or lack of recharge of the groundwater • links between flow bands and their system from non-saline surface water. seasonality, duration and frequency and ecological processes; Nutrients – Nutrient levels, in particular • impacts of climate change on water phosphorous, are a reflection of catchment resources, in particular the reliability and management and an important driver of other predictability of run-off and aquifer recharge processes. As well as directly affecting the volumes; health of native terrestrial and aquatic animals, • most sustainable methods of harvesting stock and people, high nutrient levels can water; and trigger other processes such as excessive • impacts of improved land management on aquatic plant and algal growth which in turn can surface and groundwater. result in a decline in dissolved oxygen due to high organic matter levels. 4.5. Attributes of the water Suspended Sediments – Suspended resource sediments are also an indicator of wider catchment management. Increases in suspended sediments can result in reduced Water quality growth of submerged and aquatic plants due to Water quality is critical to maintaining the poorer light penetration, smothering of plants health of water-dependent ecosystems, and habitats and siltation of deep pools. agriculture and domestic users. While there are a number of water quality parameters, three Water temperature is another important driver are considered to be fundamental to describing of other processes in surface water, but little the condition of surface water, with listing as data is available for the region outside of the indicators under the National NRM Monitoring recently installed continuous recording salinity and Evaluation Framework: sites. Generally, clearance of riparian zone canopy species leads to increases in water Salinity – Driven by a combination of climatic temperature and this, in combination with the conditions, natural groundwater salinity and increased light environment, is known to have human activities, this indicator relates largely ecological significance (Davies et al. 2004). to resource use and condition. The salinity of water in streams of the region reflects the Salinity is a key indicator of groundwater quality relative contributions of regional groundwater in the region. As with surface water salinity, and direct surface runoff to the stream. Hence groundwater salinity can vary with season and salinity is highly flow dependent and varies so trends over time are the critical indicator. As seasonally in response to the volume of the variations tend to occur over much longer surface runoff inputs, groundwater level and time-scales, the use of regular grab samples is groundwater and surface water salinity. quite adequate to detect these trends.

This will be apparent during low to mid runoff seasons due to the relative increase in the proportion of saline groundwater entering the Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 33 34

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: WATER Resource Northern and Yorke region,fromMagareyandDeane(2004). Table 1:Summaryofgroundwaterqualityinformationforsixsmallbasinsinthe Light River Wakefield River River Broughton Willochra Resource Area Water Prescribed Clare Valley and Baroota Mambray Coast basins groundwater Small State ofthe Attributes Para-Wurlie Carribie Balaklava Booborowie Walloway Willochra Name Unconfined Unconfined Alluvial deposits Aquifer limestone limestone Tertiary Tertiary Quaternary Tertiary Quaternary Total resource Fractured rock Notice ofIntenttoPrescriberegion, et al. • • • groundwater salinity(MagareyandDeane2004). Nelshaby –Napperbyarea,theareaofhorticulturehasdeclinedinrecentyearsdueto No informationregardingsuspendedsedimentsornutrients. Mooroola gaugingstationof50 (2004). are thoughttobenaturallyhigh. High salinitylevelsingroundwaterandhighzincsurfacewater, butthese aluminium levels. can bedetected.Howeverthisdatadoesindicatehighsalinitylevelsandcopper is onlyavailablefromonegaugingstationtheperiod1974to1983,thereforenotrends are notcapableofdiscerningnaturaltrendsfromunnaturaltrends.Surfacewaterqualitydata Macroinvertebrate samplingindicatespoorsurfacewaterquality, althoughcurrentmodels Waterwatch monitoringindicates: Creek (see the southwest.ItisgenerallylowestinwesternmarginofbasinneartoSpring overlying Quaternaryaquiferhasanevengreaterrangeofsalinitiesfromaround400mg/L aquifer rangingfromlessthan1,000mg/L catchment. Withinthesedimentarybasin,salinityvariesconsiderablyin Groundwater salinityvariesconsiderablywithinthethreeaquifersystemsofWillochra (Northern and yields. Surfacewatersalinitiesrangebetween150mg/L 1,000 mg/L,however, nosignificantcorrelationhasbeenfoundbetweensalinityandwell Salinity ofgroundwaterishighlyvariableacrossthecatchment,althoughitgenerallyabove Groundwater dischargeintowatercoursesofmoderatequality(salinity)(Deane quality. GoodqualitygroundwaterisfoundontheMambrayCoast,reportedin assessment byMagareyandDeane(2004). Salinity rangesforsixsmallgroundwaterbasinsarepresentedin A Groundwater salinityishighlyvariablebutnotrendshavebeenfound(Favier Sediment loadsarereducedimmediatelydownstreamofthetworeservoirs. summaryofwaterqualitydataatthethreegaugingstationsisprovidedbyFavier (2004). events (Favier low nutrientlevelsatmostsites,butoccasionalhighphosphorousduringflow low turbidityexceptduringhighflowevents;and high variabilityinsalinitylevelsrangingbetween1,000–8,000mg/L

There isinsufficientdatatodetectanytrendsexceptanincreaseinconductivityat

Table 1).

Yorke NRMBoard2006). A Range (mg/L) Expected Salinity 600-1,200 600-1,200 2,000-3,000 >2,000 1,200-3,000 1,500-1,700 >2,000 600-14,000 600-7,000 600-14,000 summaryisalsoprovidedby(Favier etal. 2004).

µ A S/cm/yr between1972and1991(Favier summaryofwaterqualitydataisprovidedbyVanLaarhoven duetoleakagefromtheBarootaReservoir. Inthe Comments Good quality Good quality recharge isderived,otherwisepoor Moderate qualityclosetoWakefield River, fromwhich Moderate quality. lucerne irrigation. Moderate quality, atupperlimitsofsuitabilityfor Flinders Ranges. in thevicinityofwatercoursesdrainingSouthern Good qualitywaterrestrictedtosouthofthebasin intherechargeareastomorethan7,000mg/L. There islittleinformationregardingtrendsin inwinterto7,000summer-autumn et al. 2000). Table 2,takenfroman

formostsites; etal.

Tertiary confined etal. 2004). etal. Baroota 2000). et al. 2005).

The in Quantity • proportion of total catchment area which is Due to the high level of inter and intra free-to-flow (that is without the controlling seasonal variation in surface water run-off influence of farm dams on watercourses); and groundwater recharge, the processes • percentage change in timing, duration, driving water availability cannot be reasonably frequency and volume of key flow bands in described by average annual flows or other observed streamflow compared to modelled general measures of central tendency. Similarly, natural flows; and it is very difficult to determine sustainable • presence, timing, volume and duration of usage levels or assess impacts purely by use of seasonal baseflows and springs simple statistical summaries of monitoring data. The two main methods of monitoring water This necessitates the use of more involved quantity are: WATER Asset: Resource Natural techniques to determine resource capacity such • flow gauging stations which measure stream as numerical modelling. There are currently flow – a combination of surface water run-off no indicators for water quantity identified in and groundwater inflows to watercourses; the National NRM Monitoring and Evaluation and Framework. • observation wells which measure the Key indicators of trends in water quantity groundwater depth or pressure. levels are: Some of the monitoring data collected to date • groundwater levels and pressure; has been evaluated through several recent • volumetric extraction as a proportion of projects and is presented below. There has sustainable yield; been limited analysis possible beyond simple reporting of monitoring levels and volumes, • water levels in permanent pools; outside of the Clare Valley Prescribed Water • volumetric surface water capture in farm Resource (CVPWR), due to the temporal and dams or diversions as a proportion of spatial limitations on the monitoring record. sustainable yield;

State of the Attributes Small groundwater The available information (see Table 2) indicates that current use is already at, or near the basins sustainable limit for all resources reviewed (Magarey and Deane 2004). Mambray Coast and Pools and springs of the Mambray Coast formerly considered permanent by the local Baroota community have been drying for the first time since European settlement, however this is probably due to climatic conditions producing low rates of groundwater recharge and surface water run-off (Deane et al. 2005). Clare Valley Modelling suggests that surface runoff in the Clare Valley for the period 2000/05 has Prescribed Water reduced by 40-60% on that observed 20-30 years ago. This reduction is attributed to a Resource Area combination of changed landuse practices including farm dam development. A further 19% decrease due to changes to rainfall volumes and seasonality has added to the estimated declines (Richard Clark – 2006). Some uncertainty exists over the exact causes of the reductions and further investigation of these, and improved data collection is required. Declines in average flow have been recorded in the following sub-catchments: • Hill River 2,570 ML/yr (down by 55%); • Hutt River 2,785 ML/yr (down by 72%); and • Wakefield River 5,310 ML/yr (down by 40%). Key surface water flow bands required for ecological function are outlined for watercourses of the Clare Valley in Northern and Yorke NRM Board (2006). Groundwater levels show significant drawdown over summer months, but some recovery is observed where average winter rainfall is received. Assessments over recent years have shown stable to slightly decreasing trends (Northern and Yorke NRM Board 2006). Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 35 36

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: WATER Wakefield River River) of theBroughton (subcatchment Rocky River Broughton River Willochra Light River only just(Favier An assessmentshowedthatenvironmentalflowrequirementsare being met,although reliably detected.However, thecatchmentflowregimeisconsideredsignificantlyaltered. operational since1953,reliabledataisonlyavailable1974andnotrendscanbe There isonegaugingstationforthecatchmentatRhyniefromwhich,althoughithasbeen climatic conditions. which farmdamdevelopmentmayhaveincreasedtheimpactsduetorecentdry absence ofsufficientflowgaugingrecordsitisnotpossibletodeterminetheextent decreased andthatsomepoolsformerlyconsideredtobepermanenthavedried.Inthe (Deane 2005). There areinsufficientyearsofdatacollectioninsurfacewaterflowtodetecttrends groundwater contribution. this point,hasflowedcontinuously, indicatingarelativelystablebaseflowprimarilydueto Since flowrecordsbeganatMooroolagaugingstation,dataindicatesthattheriver, at and improvedlandmanagementpractices. There hasbeensomerecentreductionsinrun-off duetoconstruction ofcontourbanks timing andfrequencyoffloweventsarenowsignificantlyalteredfrom‘natural’ construction ofonfarmdamsandmajorstoragesincludingtworeservoirs. vegetation clearance,over-grazingandlongfallows. Historically thecatchmenthasseenaninitialincreaseinsurfacewaterrun-off following groundwater (Risby that currentuseiscloseto,oralreadyexceedssustainablelimitsforbothsurfaceand A probably furtheralteredstreamflow (VanLaarhoven recently withimprovedlandmanagement practices.Sedimentationofwatercourseshas surface run-off wouldhaveincreasedsignificantlyfollowingclearancebutdeclinedslightly surface flowvolumesarenotconsideredtohavealteredgreatly. Itisassumedthat has beencontinuousfrom1985to2000.Basedontheleveloffarm damdevelopment, water requirementsarebeingmet,butsomeonly justmet.Baseflow at KapundaandoneMingay’s Waterhole since1985.Itisestimatedthatenvironmental Surface flowrecordsarediscontinuous,withonegaugingstationoperating from1973-89 of 9%medianannualflows(Favier surrounding landscape.OverallflowinattheMoorolagaugingstationhasseenadecline lowering ofbedlevelsintothegroundwatertableandfromvegetationclearancein catchment. Baseflowsmayhaveincreasedinsomesectionsoftheriverdueto 20 years.Highgroundwatersalinity haslimitedtheamountofextraction(VanLaarhoven indicated therehasbeenadecline inbaseflowtothelowerLightRiveroverpast10 et al. Additionally landholdersreportedincreasesinsalinityoftheQuaternaryaquifer. soaks sustainedbygroundwaterhasbeenreporteddryinrecentyears(Risby2003). Deane (2005)anddeclineinpotentiometricsurfacebothaquifers,springs also limitedtoonlytwowells. at upto2.5timestheestimatedsustainableyield. the in theQuaternaryaquiferhavefallencontinuouslysince1992. A during droughtsandreducedconnectivitybetweentheupperlowercatchment. onset andshorterdurationofstreamflows,lessmediumhighflowevents,no the community, whichindicatedthefollowingchangestostreamflowregimes:delayed resulting fromhumanactivities. record wasnotsuitableforsurfacewatermodellingtoindicatetrends There isalackofgroundwaterdata todetecttrends,butcommunityconsultation levels havedeclinedintheBooborowieValley. Groundwater levelsintheClareValley arestabletoslightlydecreasing(seeabove),and first-orderwaterbalanceandresourceassessmentforthecatchmentfound recentgroundwaterstatusreport(MagareyandDeane2005)foundthatwaterlevels Tertiary aquifershowednocleartrend,currentusefromthiswasestimated 2004). Anecdotal evidencesuggeststhatflowdurationandfrequencyhas etal. et al 2000). . 2003).Lackofdatahamperedthestudyandstreamflow There hasbeensuspectedlossofbaseflowsintheBooborowie Anecdotal evidencesupportsthefindingsofMagareyand The studyrelieduponanecdotalinformationprovidedby etal. 2004). The etal. This hasbeenfollowedbythe Tertiary monitoringnetworkis 2004). Although waterlevelin The volume, conditions.

Table 2: Summary of yield information for six small groundwater basins in the Northern and Yorke region, from Magarey and Deane (2004, 2005). Resource Name Aquifer Estimated Extraction (ML/yr) Willochra Total resource 1,750 Walloway Quaternary Unknown Tertiary 160 Booborowie Alluvial deposits 1,000 – 1,2003 Fractured rock Unknown Balaklava Tertiary Unknown Carribie Unconfined limestone Unknown Natural Resource Asset: WATER Asset: Resource Natural Para-Wurlie Unconfined limestone 200

Watercourse integrity • excavation of sands, gravels or other The degree to which the physical nature of a materials from watercourse channel; catchment is modified impacts on the capacity • extent of channelisation or other of watercourses and the riverine corridor in modifications to drainage lines; general to support ecological functions. These • presence and upstream migration of include such processes as the maintenance erosion heads, and area of catchment at of permanent pools, provision of a variety of risk due to this process (e.g. gullying and in-stream habitats, maintenance of floodplain propagation of erosion heads leading to loss connectivity and flooding, protection of water of productive land); quality and the volume, and velocity and • percentage of high risk erosion areas where duration of flows. Watercourse integrity is amelioration has occurred (i.e. contour to a large degree a reflection of catchment banking); management as a whole, as well as • extent of continuous riparian vegetation in management of the riparian zone adjacent to catchment; streams. The riparian zone is a critical interface • average width of riparian zone; between terrestrial and aquatic habitat and • percentage of watercourses with riparian has a particular importance in the maintenance filter strips; and of watercourse integrity. The maintenance of • percentage of watercourses where stock is healthy riparian vegetation, including a ‘filter excluded. strip’4, contributes to both good water quality The extent of riparian vegetation, bank stability and aquatic habitat. and major watercourse erosion has been Some issues affecting watercourse integrity are: mapped for the Broughton, Light and Wakefield • bed and bank stability; catchments. Preliminary assessments of • average channel cross-sectional profile the Willochra Creek and Mambray Coast (indicator of floodplain and riparian zone catchments have been undertaken. connectivity); • presence of obstacles to flow and migration of biota such as weirs, fords and on-stream dams;

Footnotes: 3. When irrigating 4. Usually a grassed buffer to the edge of a watercourse. Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 37 38

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: WATER recently beendevelopedinpriorityareas. of currentuseandsustainableyieldhave requirements. adequate considerationofenvironmentalwater as theyareunlikelytohavefactoredin yields forgroundwatermaynotbeapplicable Some historicalestimatesofsustainable groundwater usehasnotyetbeenpossible. of sustainableuselimitsforsurfaceor sustainability ofcurrentuseorestimation Resource, adetailedassessmentofthe Outside theClareValley PrescribedWater pollutants. quality throughconcentrationofsaltsandother ecosystems, andresultsinadeclinewater to otherusers,especiallywaterdependent over-use reducesthequantityofwateravailable pools andwellsdiversions.Resource dams andreservoirs,pumpingfrompermanent extracted throughavarietyofmeans,including The region’s waterresourcesarecapturedand Resource over-use 4.6 Threats to resource Light River Wakefield River Broughton River Willochra and Baroota Mambray Coast State ofthe Attributes condition A numberoffirst-orderestimates loss ofin-streamcomplexity(VanLaarhoven are significantlyalteredwithdeepeningandwideningofwatercourses,sedimentation The LowerLightriverhasretainedarelativelynaturalchannelform,buttheupperreaches than 1%(Favier was goodalong54%ofsurveyedwatercourses,moderate40%andpoorless variability ofchannelshapesandlossconnectivitywiththefloodplains.Channelstability The physicalstructuresofwatercourseshavebeensignificantlyaltered,withaloss While thereisvariationincondition,theecologicalhealthofsystemhighlydegraded. been mappedandthestabilityofman-madestructuresassessed(Favier of surveyedwatercourses,moderatealong13%andpoor3%.Erosionheadshave due tosedimentation;andchangedchannelcourses.Channelstabilitywasgoodalong82% Significantly changed,including:deepeningandwideningofwatercourses;raisedbedlevels are mostlyingoodcondition(Deane rainfall streamsflowingoutoftheFlindersRangesarerelativelyintact,andpermanentpools A can resultinsedimentsbeingdepositedpermanentpools,extentunknown(Risby2003). Modification ofsomechannelsthroughvegetationclearanceandcroppingoverthechannel are currentlylowandnotthoughttobecausingextensivedamage. Areas ofgoodintegrityprotectedwithinDEHreserves.Outsidetheseareasstockingrates generallackofknowledgeregardingoverallintegrity. Vegetation communitiesinhigher et al. 2000). et al. use estimatesaresummarisedinthe Where undertaken,thesesustainableyieldand use, addinganadditionallayerofcomplexity. factored intotheassessmentofsustainable volumes ofrechargecanoccurneedstobe the frequencyofextremeyearswherelarge requirements. Invariablesemi-aridclimates, an allowancemadeforenvironmentalwater proportion ofaverageannualrechargewith be determined;generallyconsideredtoa For groundwater, asustainableyieldmust that controlledbystoragessuchasfarmdams. catchment whichis‘free-to-flow’ the region,includingproportionofeach impacts couldinfuturebedevelopedfor use. Otherindicatorsofsurfacewateruse indicator ofthesustainabilitysurfacewater The ratioofthesevolumesisusedasan current totalvolumeofsurfacewaterstorage. development levelandiscomparedtothe Water Plan,isassumedtobeanacceptable adjusted medianflows,accordingtotheState surface water, aproportion(typically25%)of groundwater availabilityareemployed.For Different methodsofestimating surfaceand table opposite. 2005). et al. 2004). et al. comparedto 2004).

State of the Attributes Small groundwater The available information indicates that current use is already at, or near the sustainable basins limit (Magarey and Deane 2004). Mambray Coast Total farm dam storage is estimated at 800 ML (Deane et al. 2005). The Baroota reservoir and Baroota adds another 6,140 ML. (SA Water 2001). No estimate is available for surface water yield outside of the Baroota Creek catchment, but development is considered to be minimal. The median surface run-off yield from the Baroota catchment is 3,503 ML (Purton and Davies 2005), with the estimated farm dam storage 160 ML (i.e. <5% and therefore considered insignificant). The capacity of the Baroota reservoir exceeds the sustainable limits of the catchment. Natural Resource Asset: WATER Asset: Resource Natural Willochra Surface water storage is estimated at 6,136 ML/yr (Deane 2008), and the median surface run-off yield is estimated at 3,200 ML/yr, therefore raising concern that usage is exceeding sustainable yield. Current groundwater extraction is estimated at 1,750 ML/yr. Much of the resource is highly saline, and good quality water is under considerable pressure. Magarey and Deane (2005) estimate current use from the Tertiary aquifer at 1,080 ML/yr, compared to a sustainable yield estimated in 1956 of 400 ML/yr. Broughton River Most intensive use of ground and surface water is in the Clare Valley (see above). Other than the Rocky River and the Clare Valley, there is little information on the extent of water usage throughout the rest of the catchment (Favier et al. 2004). Rocky River Based on available evidence, surface water use is considered to be approaching (subcatchment sustainable limits over the whole catchment. Surface water storage is estimated at of the Broughton 9663 ML (Deane 2008), and the median surface run-off yield is estimated at 50,000 ML. River) Groundwater extraction is estimated at 3,000 ML/year (Clare Water Allocation Plan). Some sub-catchments have the potential to capture more than 100% of average annual rainfall. Wakefield River Highest levels of surface and groundwater use are in the Clare Valley (see above). Outside of this, water use is less intensive, and primarily for stock and domestic use (Favier et al. 2000). Surface water storage is estimated at 3,136 ML (Deane 2008) and the median surface runoff yield is estimated at 7,200 ML. Groundwater extraction is estimated at 1,000 ML. Light river There has been an increase in dam construction within the catchment in the past decade and the level of development is now considered to have an impact on flows (Deane 2008). Surface water storage is estimated at 3,892 ML (Deane 2008) and the median surface run- off yield is estimated at 14,400 ML. Groundwater extraction is limited due to high salinity levels (VanLaarhoven et al. 2004).

An emerging factor contributing to increased Lack of information demand on water resources is coastal Most water users outside of the Clare Valley developments and subdivision of land around have no guidance regarding an appropriate towns. level of development at a ‘whole of resource’ The increasing demand for industrial, scale, as suitable volumes have never been commercial and domestic use from the River determined. Lack of quantitative data to detect Murray supplied SA Water system may not be trends in the water resource indicators is a sustainable. This will place additional pressures significant threat to the water resource. This on groundwater management and will lead to a information is necessary in order to estimate focus on alternative water supply methods such sustainable limits of use and detect changes as desalination, already the case at Marion Bay. in use levels over time and across the region. Without this information, the region’s capacity to support landholders in implementing sustainable water management and, where necessary, regulate use to protect the resource is significantly impaired. Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 39 40

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: WATER highlighted below. the ClareValley. Someofthekeygapsare within theregionispoor, otherthanfor Knowledge ofusageand‘sustainableyields’ data. timely andeffective evaluation ofmonitoring management regimethatisinformedbythe of aflexible,adaptiveandresponsive underlines theurgentneedforestablishment processes insemi-aridenvironments. that canadequatelyestimatehydrological climatic variabilityandalackofsuitablemodels The lackofdataisfurthercompoundedby smaller managementunits. yields tobedeterminedandappliedthese least, firstorderwaterbalancesandsustainable boundaries. Suchboundarieswouldallowfor, at the delineationofdiscretewaterresource surface andgroundwaterhasprevented systems thatdictatetheinteractionbetween geology andresultinggroundwaterflow Insufficient understandingofthesub-surface rock aquiferswhichdominatetheregion. model effectively, particularlyinthefractured users, yetisinherentlydifficulttoquantifyand most importantresourceforthevastmajorityof semi-arid environment.Groundwateristhe complexities ofmanagingwaterinabroadly This situationiscompoundedbythe Light River Wakefield River Rocky River Broughton River Willochra Area Water Resource Prescribed Clare Valley and Baroota Mambray Coast basins groundwater Small State ofthe Attributes another locationfrom1973-1989. Only onegaugingstationcurrently operatingsince1985,withasecondstationoperatedat Three gaugingstations,withreliable recordsavailableatonesiteonlysince1975. Monitoring isspatiallyadequatebut toofewyearsofdata(Deane2005). Lack oflong-termscientificdataiscompoundedbyahighlyvariable system(Favier impact ofdevelopmentlevels. Lack ofinformation. on thewaterbalanceofBroughtonandWakefield Riversystemsisneeded. assessment ofimpactssurfaceandgroundwaterextractionsin the ClareValley PWR analysis hasbeenrecommended.Giventhesignificanceofreduction inflows,further years, withthecausesnotabletobeconclusivelydetermined. Board 2006).Modellinghassuggesteda40-60%declineinstreamflow overthepast20-30 Data couldbeimprovedbutissufficientforresourceallocation(Northern and seasonal cycles(Deane Little knowledgeaboutthebiologicalstructureandfunctionofpermanentpoolsthrough outside oftheClareValley andBarootaareas(MagareyDeane 2004). highlighted seriousgapsinknowledgeaboutsustainableyieldsandrechargeprocesses A 2004). riskassessmentoftheusesixsmallgroundwaterbasinswasundertakenand A This quantitativecatchmentwaterbalanceisrequiredtofurtherassess the et al.

2005). evidence inthetableopposite. deterioration throughouttheregionshow Assessment ofsourcepointspollutionand salinity) asamajorconcern. Project didnotdetectpollution(otherthan The MidNorthRiversManagementPlanning herbicides andinsecticides. dumping intowatercourses,andspray-driftof the regionincludesepticsystems,intentional bacteria. Othersourcesofwaterpollutionin contamination containingharmfulnutrientsand to watercoursepollutionthroughfaecal In someareas,stockcontributedirectly Erosionofsoilfromthecatchment,and 2. Increasingsalinityduetorisingsaline 1. quality waterresourcesintheregionare: The twomaincausesofdeteriorationthe Causes ofwaterqualitydegradation phosphorous andnitrogen. sediments oftentransportpollutantssuchas well asbeingapollutantitself,thesoil the bedandbanksofwatercourses. capture, andgroundwaterextraction; groundwater, surfacewaterdiversionand Additional datacollectionand Yorke NRM et al. As Area

State of the Attributes Small groundwater None recorded. basins Mambray Coast and None – minimal. Baroota Willochra Aerial videography has detected a number of sites where illegal dumping in the watercourse is suspected to occur, but no water quality monitoring has been conducted to detect pollution. The community has raised concerns over the effects of pesticides sprayed to control locusts, but no water quality monitoring has been conducted (Risby 2003). Natural Resource Asset: WATER Asset: Resource Natural Broughton River Reduction in sediments entering watercourses due to construction of contour banks, and reduction below reservoirs (Favier et al. 2004). Wakefield River Not raised as a concern (Favier et al. 2000). Light River High zinc levels (VanLaarhoven et al. 2004).

Climate change • expansion of irrigation leading to increased Climate change predictions indicate a severe use; reduction in the amount of surface water run-off • improved desalination technology leading to and groundwater recharge for the region. Other increased use of resources currently limited predicted threats are: by salinity; and • development of more salt-resistant crops • a decrease in the predictability and change and other industries leading to increased in the seasonal distribution of the rainfall use of resources currently limited by salinity events; • reduced water quality from increasing Inadequate capacity to manage resource salinity and poorer quality run-off due to sustainably increased water erosion events; To date, the region has had limited capacity to • increased pressure on the resource such ensure water resources are used sustainably. as deepening wells and increased dam The Clare Valley Prescribed Water Resource storages to account for increased intensity is the only area where high water use and reduced frequency of rainfall events; development is controlled. Issues limiting the • changes to surface – groundwater region’s capacity include: interaction; and • lack of any mechanism to control high water • lack of capacity to manage variation and use development outside of the Clare Valley change. PWR; Land use change • lack of any mechanism to regulate stock Land use change and development in the and domestic use within sustainable levels; region has the potential to increase the threats • limited applicability of state level water of over-use and pollution and cause direct resource management policies; damage to watercourse integrity. Some of the • lack of knowledge about the water developments likely to occur in the region, and resources, interaction between surface and their possible impacts, are: groundwater and other knowledge gaps already discussed; • urban expansion (including marina • lack of monitoring, particularly of developments) leading to increased run-off, groundwater and water-dependent demand for domestic supply, and septic ecosystems, and irregular evaluation of the pollution; monitoring that is carried out; and • subdivision of large titles to ‘lifestyle’ • delays in impacts becoming apparent due to properties with each new parcel requiring groundwater lag times. domestic and usually stock water supply, leading to increased dams and pumping; • intensive animal keeping leading to increased water use and pollution; Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 41 42

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: WATER natural limitations salt isdischargedorconcentrated. these canalsohavesecondaryimpactswhere direct impactofextractiononwaterquantity, water resourcesmayincrease. developed andadopted,demandonthese technologies andsalttolerantcropsare the levelofextraction. to beunsuitableformanyusesandhencelimit the region’s waterresourcescausethe The inherentlyhighsalinitylevelsinmanyof Technological solutionsto Light river Wakefield River Broughton River Willochra Resource Area Prescribed Water Clare Valley Baroota Mambray Coastand basins Small groundwater State ofthe Attributes As lowcostdesalination (VanLaarhoven Improved landmanagementpracticeshaveledtoadeclineinrun-off (asabove) (Favier Improved landmanagementpracticeshaveledtoadeclineinrun-off (asabove) (Favier Improved landmanagementpracticeshaveledtoadeclineinrun-off (asabove) Land managementpracticesdesignedtoreducedegradationofsoilresource Water resourceuseregulated. from landusechange. Much oftheuppercatchmentiswithinDEHreservesandthereforehashadlittleimpact development. Development limitedbywaterquality, areasofsufficientqualityareatriskfurther (Risby 2003). but thefullimpactsandinteractionwithgroundwaterrechargearenotwellunderstood (e.g. contourbanking,reducedtillage)haveprobablysurfacewaterrun-off,

et al. et al. As wellasthe 2000). 2004). et al. 2004).

Map 12: Surface water catchments. Natural Resource Asset: WATER Asset: Resource Natural Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 43 44

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: WATER Map 13:Drainage wetlands.Map linesand Map 14: Shallow groundwater basins. Natural Resource Asset: WATER Asset: Resource Natural Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 45 46

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: WATER Map 15: Priority watercourses. 15:Priority Map 5. Natural Resource Asset: Coastal, Estuarine and Marine (CEM) Environments

5.1. Overview Management of the marine environment The Coastal, Estuarine and Marine (CEM) The South Australian Government is resource asset constitutes a large proportion of establishing a network of marine protected the Northern and Yorke region and is the basis areas through the development of 19 for many of the region’s industries, including new multiple-use marine parks. The outer

fishing and tourism. While some of the resource CEM ENVIRONMENTS Asset: Resource Natural boundaries have been developed by the attributes and threats are unique to the CEM Government with assistance and advice environment, many are closely linked to the from a range of State Government agencies, terrestrial environments, such as catchment ministerial advisory groups and scientific run-off and stormwater discharge to estuaries experts. They meet the objects of the Marine and development in coastal areas. Parks Act 2007 and reflect world’s best practice The Northern and Yorke NRM Board in marine parks design. commissioned a conservation assessment South Australia’s marine parks will offer a of the region’s coast by the Department for spectrum of management strategies, ranging Environment and Heritage’s Coastal Protection from full protection to areas of general use. The Branch (Caton et al. 2007). Three areas of network will become the State’s cornerstone particular significance were identified: strategy for marine biodiversity protection and 1. The saltmarsh coast of , from will help ensure that future generations can Light River Delta to Price. continue to enjoy and benefit from healthy, 2. The saltmarsh coast of the Spencer Gulf, intact and resilient marine ecosystems. from Jarrold Point to Winninowie CP. The network of marine parks has been 3. The dune coast of western Yorke Peninsula, designed using eight bioregions that from Cape Elizabeth to Point Turton. encompass the major marine ecosystems and These areas have a high degree of connectivity habitat types within South Australia. and may provide north-south corridors in the event of climate change. The key bioregions in the Northern and Yorke region (illustrated on Map 16) are: Fifteen estuaries have been identified within the region. Estuaries are essential for the health North Spencer gulf bioregion and well-being of the marine environment and are heavily dependent on the catchment – coast The North Spencer Gulf Bioregion includes all – ocean connection. Most of the estuaries are waters north of the line between Point Riley and either outflows of rivers or tidal channels. Shoalwater Point. Spencer Gulf is classified as an inverse estuary and the North Spencer Several sites provide significant habitat for Bioregion is an area that experiences seasonal shorebirds; these include Spencer Gulf extremes in temperature. In addition, due to a (12 nationally and 10 internationally important lack of freshwater input, high evaporation and species), Price Saltfields (10 and 8) and relatively poor mixing, northern Spencer Gulf Clinton Conservation Park (7 and 6). These seawater tends to be highly saline. are biodiversity assets to the region as well as being part of the CEM resource. Spencer Gulf Bioregion The Spencer Gulf Bioregion contains the central portion of the gulf, extending from Corny Point across to Tumby Bay, and Point Riley Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 47 48

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: CEM ENVIRONMENTS Passage. and thedeepwaterenvironments ofBackstairs beds, algal-dominatedreefs, sponge gardens Other significanthabitatsinclude seagrass feeding groundsfordiversemarinefauna. important, actingasnursery, juvenileand communities. with associatedtidalmudflatsandsaltmarsh habitat forextensivemangroveforests,together a confined,inverseestuary. Itprovidesanideal Willoughby toPortElliot.GulfStVincent isalso from West CapetoBorda,and largest bioregioninSouth The GulfStVincent Bioregion isthesecond- habitats andbiota. exposed waters,accommodatingdiverse shorelines andreefstructuresinthemore waters ofthenorthernpartsgulftorocky sedimentary ecosystemsofthesheltered from mangrove-linedflatsandsoft-bottom but themappedareaofbioregionchanges the SpencerGulfBioregionremainsunmapped Ocean. Morethan60%oftheseafloorwithin water tocoolseawaterinfluxfromtheSouthern waters fromNorthSpencerGulfmixingwiththe semi-sheltered system,withwarmtemperate across toShoalwaterPoint.SpencerGulfisa Gu * CP Clinton CP /Salt Creek Point DavenportCP Althorpe IslandsCPs Innes NationalPark Gleesons Landing Leven BeachCP Goose IslandCP Goose Island Bird IslandsCPs Yatala Harbour Blanche Harbour Winninowie CP Name Table 3:ProtectedareasintheNorthernand Yorke region(suppliedbyDEH2007). lf –ConservationPark S t V incent These habitatsareecologically B ioregion Australia. Itextends Type DEH Reserve Aquatic Reserve DEH Reserve Aquatic Reserve DEH Reserve DEH Reserve DEH Reserve Rock LobsterSanctuary DEH Reserve DEH Reserve Aquatic Reserve DEH Reserves Aquatic Reserve Aquatic Reserve DEH reserve areas. Lessapparentrelationships mayexist pollution affect marineandparticularlyestuarine and themanagementofwater quantityand soils inthecatchment,theirerosion bywater, to thesea. the flowofwaterdownthroughcatchment through the‘catchmenttocoastcontinuum,’ relationships withtheinlandenvironmentis aquatic systems.Oneofthemostapparent is closelylinkedtoterrestrialandinland comprises water, soil andbiodiversity The Coastal,EstuariesandMarineenvironment 5.2 Relationship ofCEM ClintonConservationPark. • WillsCreekConservationPark • Troubridge IslandConservationPark • PointDavenportConservationPark • LevenBeachConservationPark • BirdIslandConservationPark • WinninowieConservationPark • InnesNationalPark • Costal parksinclude: aquatic reservesandHeritage estuaries arealsoprotectedwithinexistingDEH Some significantsectionsofthecoastlineand Location Upper GulfStVincent Gulf StVincent (notondatalayer) Gulf StVincent Heel of Heel of Island included) Toe of Toe of Spencer Gulf,toeof Spencer Gulf,nearCornyPoint Point, BoatRock,BikiniIslets) Goose Island,SpencerGulf(RockyIsland Goose Island,SpencerGulf Spencer Gulf,SthofWallaroo, MangrovePoint Yatala Harbour, UpperSpencerGulf Blanche Harbour, UpperSpencerGulf Near Miranda,UpperSpencerGulf and influences to otherresource assets Yorke Peninsula(HaystackIsland,Seal Yorke Peninsula Yorke Peninsula Yorke Peninsula Thus themanagementof Yorke Peninsula Agreements.

through the flow of groundwater into the sea. many of the ways in which the CEM resource Groundwater is thought to add to stream is used also cause degradation. Recognition flow in a number of estuaries in the region, and understanding of the degradation caused especially during winter months, in areas where is required. The integration of Development the watertable is shallow (Department for Planning with Marine Parks will be the primary Environment and Heritage 2007). The outflow tool with which to minimise coastal degradation of freshwater through estuaries supports in the future. However, regulating smaller-scale ecological communities such as mangroves, damage, as well as the rehabilitation of already salt marshes and seagrass communities, which degraded areas will require a raft of measures, are important for the breeding and survival of many of which will rely on the community for many fish and other species. involvement and assistance.

The erosion and deposition of coastal soils by oceans, wind and rainfall is a part of the natural 5.3. Current monitoring dynamics of CEM systems, but excessive of CEM condition erosion brought on by human disturbance, Natural Resource Asset: CEM ENVIRONMENTS Asset: Resource Natural can disrupt these systems. The deep sandy The Australian Government has developed an soils of much of the region’s coastlines are NRM Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and highly susceptible to erosion by wind once Improvement Framework with indicators for exposed or disturbed. The sodic subsoils and estuarine, coastal and marine habitat integrity poorly structured sediments comprising other that includes habitat extent, distribution and coastal areas are susceptible to water erosion. condition (biological, physical and chemical). Exposure or disturbance may be caused by the The Northern and Yorke NRM Board and the removal of native vegetation by grazing stock, Australian Government (National Heritage pest animals, tillage or mechanical removal Trust) have funded DEH to map the extent (active clearance, off-road vehicles, earthworks and distribution of nearshore habitats, mainly etc). seagrasses, sand/mud flats and reefs, in the region. While some of the flora and fauna associated with CEM environments exist exclusively Caton et al. (2007) draws together all the within those environments, others share studies of the coastal zone and provides a their distribution with inland environments, in baseline for the region’s coastal terrestrial and particular some birds, reptiles and arid plant wetland biodiversity. species. The movement and distributions There is some localised monitoring in relation to of CEM flora and fauna also connects the specific threats such as assessment of heavy Northern and Yorke region with other adjoining metal build up in the Port Pirie area (N&YAD regions, other parts of Australia and, in the case INRMC 2003). of internationally migratory fauna such as some whales and birds, other parts of the world. An inventory of fisheries habitats has been The potential for sea levels to rise through undertaken which identifies those species climate change, coupled with the development which use the habitats and actual and potential pressures on coastal environments, places the threats. It does not contain any information with habitats of internationally migratory birds at regards to the condition of the sites (Bryars). high risk.

Pest plants and animals threaten the 5.4. Key information gaps biodiversity of the CEM environment, and these There are a number of key information gaps are outlined later in Section 6. Some of the pest that limit the region’s capacity to manage the plants and animals in the coastal environments CEM resource: also threaten inland biodiversity and agriculture. Co-ordinated control across these landscapes • current and previous condition of ecological was considered in the regional pest risk communities and previous extent of assessment and prioritisation process. ecological communities (i.e. change); • impacts of climate change and how best to The CEM resource is valued by the region manage vulnerable ecosystems; and the wider community for its economic, • impacts of groundwater extraction on near- recreational and amenity values. However, shore communities; Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 49 50

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: CEM ENVIRONMENTS environmentalflowrequirementsforkey • characteristicsandconditionofestuaries; • Terrestrial (Coastal)landforms be groupedunderthepredominantlandform: range offloraandfauna.CEMcommunitiescan The CEMcommunitiesprovidehabitatfora CEM ecologicalcommunities also indicatedbykeyfaunagroups. measures ofcontaminants,sedimentqualityis the substrate. and algaecommunitiesfaunathatutilise the healthandcompositionofmarineplant condition ofmarinesedimentsinfluences As thesubstrateforplantgrowth, Sediment quality but hashighzinclevels(Gaylard2004). at PortHughesisinrelativelygoodcondition coastal watersinGulfStVincent. Water quality the EPA Water qualityatPortHughesismonitoredby incomes dependonfisheries. for floraandfauna,thepeoplewhose quality ofmarineandestuarinewateriscritical As fortheinlandWater Resource Water quality indicators. the nationalNRMestuarine,coastalandmarine The followingattributesareprimarilybasedon 5. Attributes of dispersalandeffect ofpointanddiffuse- • understandingofkeyecologicalprocesses • conservationstatusofmostmarineflora • flows) Wakefield (historical,currentanddesired riverine estuaries,e.g.Broughtonand and communities; source inputsonthehealthofmarine in themarineenvironment; Australian Sealion); and fauna(onlyknownforafewsuchas Cliffs/headlands • Dunes;theregionhasseveraltypes: • the CEMresource dunes chenier ridgesaswellconsolidated pebble ridges,beachdune ridges, asareferencesiteformetropolitan Therefore, aswelldirect

Asset, the native vegetationcover. corridor hascoastalterrestrialandwetland approximately 1,380kmlong.Only61%ofthe The coastlineisanearcontinuouscorridor supratidal cyanobacteriamatandstranded supratidal mangroves,samphire, melaleuca, intertidalcyanobacteriamat, mangroves, intertidalsamphire, intertidal mudflats,seagrasses, Wetland communitiesoccurringintheregion: sedgelands, shrublands,malleeandforest. herblands, grasslands,hummock Terrestrial communitiesoccurringintheregion: of thetotalNorthernand 110,264 haofnaturalcoastalfeatures;2.2% The CoastalStudyincludedwithinitsboundary Marine samphire. Wetland (Caton Heritage area underprotectionbyNP&W Reservesor the studyboundaryincludes10,264 haof The landstatusoftheentirecoastal areawithin 49,249 haofcoastalwetlandvegetation 11,000 hadunesand7,000hectarescliffs) and 18,215 haofcoastalterrestrial(approximately entire Northernand remnant vegetationremain,nearly6%ofthe Clifftop dunesaresignificantfeaturesin • Sub-coastalsaltlakes • Sub-coastalnon-saline • Intertidalmudflat • Saltmarsh(samphire) • Mangroveforest • Estuarine • Islands • Beaches(includesinfaunacommunities • Pinnabed(provisional) • Spongegarden(provisional) • Rockyshores/Intertidalzone • Macrophytecommunities • Algalcommunities • Seagrassmeadow • Shoalandmudflatsaresignificant • Sandandsoftsedimenthabitat • Reefs • Deepwater • and beachwrack) features inregion region etal. Agreements, andacombined Crown 2007). Yorke region. A Yorke regionarea. totalof67,465ha This includes ownership of 38,638 ha. The balance of the compared to a 1979/80 aerial survey of the coastal study, 51,098 ha, is primarily in private land that covered some marine areas to detect ownership except for land covered by road change in the extent of seagrass communities. reserves (Caton et al. 2007). A description and Preliminary results indicate there have been location map of regionally important coastal declines in seagrass in the region, in particular plant communities is given in Caton et al. Wallaroo Bay and Point Turton (Gaylard pers. (2007), pp. 39-50. comm.). The total area of seagrass, reefs and sand communities is shown in Table 5. The area of saltmarsh and mangrove is shown in Table 4. An aerial survey of coastal and The region has large areas of estuarine marine areas was undertaken in 2004 to map communities, as shown in Table 6. the seagrass communities. This has been

Table 4: Mangrove and Saltmarsh communities occurring in the Northern and Yorke coastal region, from Caton et al. (2007). Mangrove and Saltmarsh communities (SOE categories) in Northern and Yorke Total Area (ha) CEM ENVIRONMENTS Asset: Resource Natural Intertidal Mangrove 8,526 Intertidal Samphire 13,293 Intertidal Cyanobacteria Mat 1,098 Intertidal Melaleuca 6 Supratidal Mangrove 3 Supratidal Samphire 17,292 Supratidal Cyanobacteria Mat 1,605 Stranded Tidal Samphire 6,277

Table 5: Area of Marine Biounits wholly and partly within the Northern and Yorke region. Area of communities refer only to the limit of inshore aerial mapping (from Edyvane 1999). Biounit Seagrass (ha) Reef (ha) Sand (ha) Yonga 248,596 10,054 161,715 Winninowie 16,484 0 37,727 Tiparra 83,912 4,491 14,782 Wardang 26,458 54,739 65,722 Pondalowie 25 2,862 15,077 Gambier 5,123 1,865 15,160 Sturt 25,611 5,088 3,465 Investigator 0 0 490 Orontes 51,713 33,745 6,081 Clinton 132,576 3,280 21,173

Table 6: Area of communities associated with estuaries located within the Northern and Yorke region. Communities Light Wakefield Port Pt Davis / Fisherman Third Second First Port (km2) River River Broughton Broughton Creek Creek Creek Creek Pirie River Salt marshes 3.1 2.5 0.0 25.2 25.2 9.9 17.3 5.3 16.2 Mangroves 0.9 1.4 0.0 2.9 3.1 1.7 4.7 1.9 12.8 Seagrass 0.1 0.4 23.0 0.9 0.9 2.1 1.4 0.1 5.2 Intertidal 0.1 0.3 3.6 1.0 0.7 0.5 0.3 1.0 0.1 mudflats Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 51 52

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: CEM ENVIRONMENTS high degreeofendemismandalsoa floristic communitieswithintheregionshowa the CoastalDuneandClifftop Study1999.Four general coastalvegetationtypesasdefinedby The Northernand Mat Forest Shrubland Sedgeland Hummock Structural Class Table 8:Othercoastalplantcommunitiesofinterest. Shrubland Sedgeland Sedgeland Sedgeland Class Structural high degreeofendemismandrarityforSouth Australia. Table 7:FourcoastalfloristiccommunitiesfoundintheNorthernand Yorke regionhavinga diffusa ( Lepidosperma congestum Coastal Bonefruit( Coast Sword-sedge Sea Rush( sedge ( / ClusteredSword- Black GrassSaw-sedge Floristic Community Lepidosperma gladiatum Yorke coastalregionhas22 Grey Mangrove( Swamp Paper-bark Spinifex ( Floristic Community Cyanobacteria marina var. marina ssp halmaturorum ( Melaleuca halmaturorum ) Gahnia lanigera/ Juncus kraussii Triodia compacta Threlkeldia Avicennia ) ) ) ) ) ) Sites in 6 5 1 12 Coast N&Y seepage andhasuniquefreshwaterplantassociations near PortFlinders.Itsurvivesfromfreshgroundwater Very rareoccurrenceofstrandedmangrovesinSA the regionatPointDavenportCP Very rareoccurrenceofintertidalMelaleucainSA SA An uncommonoccurrenceofsupratidalCyanobacteriamatin Rocks. Uncommon onNorthernand Comment

isfoundonbroadsaltscaldsinthePortBroughtonarea

8 8 5 18 SA Sites in in coastal plantcommunitiesofinterestarelisted sedgelands andashrubland(Table 7).Other of rarityforSouth Table 8. on theborderofsemiaridcoasts it isfoundinaverynarrowrainfallrange coastal plantbutasadominanttype Threlkeldia diffusa Comment Beach CP Peninsula. StronglypresentinLeven A dunes. (Freshwaterwetlands) depression behindtheCapeElizabeth Found inonlyonesub-coastalnon-saline Port Minlacowiecoast. Yorke Peninsulaandindunesofthe A potentially threatenedspecies tallsedgelandfoundonthefootof lowsedgelandoncoastalcliffs around Australia. Yorke andfoundnearBarkers isaverycommon They includethree G. lanigera isfoundin isfound isa Yorke Much less is known about the condition of CEM significant, as improvement in the conservation communities than their extent. Most is known values could be achieved with better coastal about the coastal environment, largely due to management (Map 18). the recent assessment of the Northern and A recent survey of 11 sub-tidal reefs off the Yorke Coast commissioned by the Northern and Yorke Peninsula coast identified that seven Yorke NRM Board. This assessment focused were rated in good condition, two in moderate on the conservation value of terrestrial and and two in poor (Map 19). However, it was wetland landscapes and highlighted 35 coastal discussed that the sites in poor condition may ‘cells’ (24 coastal locations) of the highest not be disturbed and instead the indicators of conservation totals (Table 9). The assessment condition may need to be refined (Turner et al. also identified 14 additional coastal cells 2007). (13 coastal areas) which were considered

Table 9: Coastal areas with highest conservation value (Caton et al. 2007). Natural Resource Asset: CEM ENVIRONMENTS Asset: Resource Natural Landform Location Beach ridges / Saltmarsh Macs Beach Ward Point (north) Winninowie CP Cliffs-dune calcarenite Stenhouse Bay to Reef Head (Innes NP) Cliffs-dune calcarenite/ Cliff top dunes West Cape to (Innes NP) Dune ridges/ Saltmarsh Jarrold Point Wood Point Dunes/ Low hills Winninowie CP Dunes/ Headlands Daly Head to Point Annie Estuary/ Dune/ Saltmarsh Point Davenport CP Estuary/ Mangroves/ Saltmarsh Light River Delta Headlands/ Islands/ Cliff/ Dunes Royston Head to Browns Beach (Innes NP) Mangrove/ Saltmarsh Port Davis to Port Pirie Port Wakefield/ Clinton Conservation Park Price Two Hummocks Point Ward Point Winninowie Conservation Park

Table 10: Coastal areas with significant conservation value. Landform Location Dunes Daly Head Levens Beach CP Marion Bay Port Moorowie Port Rickaby to Port Victoria Tiddy Widdy Troubridge Hill to Waterloo Bay Dunes/ Saltmarsh Bird Island Conservation Park/ Cape Elizabeth Port Victoria to Reef Point Estuary Coobowie Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 53 54

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: CEM ENVIRONMENTS bird familiesareincludedwith66nationally, et al. and birds andreptilesrecordedintheNorthern A subsistence. harvested commercially, forrecreationand as vertebrateanimals.Severalspeciesare Fauna speciesincludeinvertebratesaswell Fauna speciesdiversity understood andispresentedinCaton value. resource, aswellhavingitsownintrinsic of florarepresentsthehealthwholeCEM As forterrestrialspeciesdiversity, thediversity Plant andalgaespeciesdiversity Species on hyper-salinecoastalwetlands. coastal preferringnon-salinewetlandsandone on thecoastindunesandclifftops, oneissub- have anationalrating. these, 17arelistedwithaStateratingandfour or havepotentialtoberatedfortheregion.Of Coastal Studythathaveconservationstatus (2007). Stackhousia macrocarpus Senecio flabelliformis Halosarcia Yorke Peninsula Billardiera sp. Scientific Name et al.(2007),p.75. Table 11: NationallyratedplantedrecordedwithintheNorthernand Yorke coast,fromCaton leucogaster nigrogularis Psophodes Leipoa ocellata iredalei Acanthiza Scientific name Table 12:Nationallythreatenedbirdspecies foundintheNorthernand Yorke. annua numberofsignificantspeciesmammal, Yorke coastal studyboundaryinCaton (2007pp.77-89).Some26separate The diversityofcoastalspeciesisbest There are60plantsdeterminedbythe Whipbird Malleefowl Thornbill Western Slender-billed Common name Groundsel Appleberry Large Fruited Bead Samphire Common Name Annual Candles Two ofthesearefound V V V AUS Vulnerable Vulnerable Vulnerable Endangered EPBC status et al. V V R SA

E V Region Rickaby. Comments Warraben CP. locations onclifftops withlimestoneexposure and alsoin Only foundonthefootof groundwater salinity. Threats includemodificationofhabitatandchangesin included withinareserveundertheNationalParks Found innon-salinesedgelandsonlandpotentiallytobe few populationsareprotectedintheReservesystem. A Predominantly indunesonprivatepropertysouthofPort saltmarshspecialistfoundacrosstheregionbutvery National ParksandWildlife Act The HoodedPlover( fragmentation ofhabitat. are susceptibletovegetationclearanceand Three birdshavenationalsignificance. that relyonwetlandsandmarinehabitats. waders, divingbirds,wildfowlandseabirds woodlands andgrasslandsanumberof birds thatrelyoncoastalshrublands,mallee, Appendix 4). state andregionallythreatenedspecies(see . Sandercockpers.comm. 5. Footnote: listed asvulnerableforthestateunder predators andhabitatmodification. animals, off roadvehicleaccess, introduced come fromhumansandtheircompanion habitat iscriticalforsurvival.Majorthreats utilise alllevelsofthebeachzoneandthis backed bysparselyvegetateddunes. beaches withmuchbeachcastseagrassand pre-1980. coastal locationson a recoveryplan. Peninsula. Comments Resident incoastalshrublandat the footof upper SpencerGulf. Winninowie ConservationParkandsimilarhabitatof containing samphirecommunities.Foundinthe A Yorke Peninsula. Resident incoastalmallee/woodland atthefootof bushbirdthatisresidentonchenopodshrubland 5 This speciesprefersbroad,flatsandy They includeanumberofbush They havebeensightedin Yorke Peninsula.Coastal Yorke Peninsulasince Thinornis rubricollis

1972 andhas They Yorke All ) is Act. The state vulnerable heath goanna, Varanus • Corny Point rosenbergi is found in coastal locations at the • Leven Beach foot of Yorke Peninsula and relies on termite • Hardwicke Bay mounds to lay their eggs. This species is not • Point Minlacowie typically located in coastal environments, • Point Rickaby through Port Victoria and to but is likely to inhabit these areas following Point Warrenne clearance of inland vegetation communities. It • Cape Elizabeth is susceptible to further vegetation clearance and predation. • Fisherman Bay • Port Germein Four threatened mammals have been recorded • Winninowie Conservation Park from the region. The main commercial fisheries include prawns, Areas along the Northern and Yorke coast with rock lobster, abalone, squid, Australian salmon, great diversity of fauna species include: mullet, Australian herring, snapper, King George whiting, garfish, blue swimmer crabs • Port Parham to Port Clinton and leatherjackets. Recreational fishers mostly CEM ENVIRONMENTS Asset: Resource Natural • Coobowie target King George whiting, garfish, squid, • Point Gilbert to Point Davenport blue swimmer crabs, Australian herring, snook, • Marion Bay Australian salmon, snapper and blue mackerel • Althorpe Island (Deering 1998). Dryland and marine-based • aquaculture is a rapidly expanding area with • Around Daly Head ventures including scale fish, prawn, crayfish, crab, abalone and oyster.

Table 13: Nationally threatened mammal species found in Northern and Yorke region. Species Common name AUS SA Region Comment Neophoca Australian V Sealion haul out areas have been recorded at cinerea Sealion Goose Island. Megaptera Humpback V novaeangliae Whale Trichosurus Common Prop R Thought to be vulnerable in the Mid North and vulpecular Brushtail Yorke Peninsula. Has a coastal presence, Possum found in Eucalypt and Sheoak woodlands with stronger occurrence inland. Lasiorhinus Southern Hairy- R Has isolated colonies on Yorke Peninsula latifrons nosed Wombat where it is in danger of extinction. Significant populations in coastal areas are threatened by a lack of protected areas on the rural fringe.

Table 14: Summary of Commercial Fisheries and Stock Status, from Primary Industries and Resources SA (2007). Fishery, Management zone, (Main Species) Status Rock Lobster, Northern Zone (Southern Rock Lobster) Over fished Abalone, Central Zone, (Greenlip Abalone) Fully fished Abalone, Central Zone, (Blacklip Abalone) Over fished Giant Crab, Northern Zone Fully fished Sardine, State Fully fished Prawn, Gulf St Vincent (Western King Prawn) Over fished Prawn, Spencer Gulf (Western King Prawn) Fully fished King George Whiting, Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent Over fished Snapper, State Fully fished Garfish, State Over fished Southern Calamari, State Fully fished Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 55 56

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: CEM ENVIRONMENTS erosion ofcliffs anddunes. the movementofsandandsediments,tides, Other importantcoastalprocessesinclude MambrayCreek–nofreshwaterbaseflow • required. nearshore areasforsignsofpollution effects is to themarineenvironmentandmonitoringof al. in coastalareasweremappedbyCaton coast. Minoranddisuseddumpsiteslocated No majordumpsitesarestilloperatingonthe identified. however theleveltowhichthisoccursispoorly of oilandblackgreywater, andoilspills; such astheemptyingofballastwater, leaking may alsoresultfromtheactivitiesofshipping saline waterfromdesalinationplants.Pollution pollution) and,inthefuture,potentiallyhyper treatment plants,coolingwater(thermal Point sourcepollutionincludeswastewater Pollution CEM resourcearediscussedinthissection. and onlythosewhicharemorespecifictothe same threatsaffecting inland resourceassets, communities areinfluencedbymanyofthe be notedthatthecoastterrestrialandwetland CEM resourceareshownonMap20.Itshould Known locationsofanumberthreatstothe 5.6 Threats to resource Wakefield River–waterrequirementsare • it isimportant. to confirmifthisisthecaseandwhatextent along theMambrayCoast,butlittleisyetknown contribute inothercoastalareas,particular the region’s majorriveroutflows.Itmayalso is believedtocontributestreamflowfor ecology linkedtoestuaries.Groundwater ecology ofestuariesandthewidermarine Environmental flowsareimportantforthe estuary processesforriveroutflowestuaries. The fluxoffreshandsaltwaterdrives Coastal processes PortDavisCreek/BroughtonRiver–no • (2007).Leachatecontinuestobeathreat being met(Favier freshwater baseflow(Favier condition et al. 2000) et al. 2004) et MarinaatPortPirie • Caton increased recreationalpressure. and animals,physicaldestruction,pollution movements, erosion,introductionofpestplants CEM resource,includingalterationoftidal result innumberofnegativeimpactsonthe Inappropriate coastaldevelopmentscan Coastal development Moorings • Boatramps • estuaries include: Developments withthepotentialtoaffect on ramps areshowninMap20. The locationofcoastalshacksitesandboat zoning oversensitivecoastalfeatures. industry, urbancoastalandprimaryindustry investigated. areas whereinappropriatezoningshouldbe areas atriskoffuturedevelopmentand development zoningregulationstoidentify of . Eighteen sitesareregularly foot ofthe higher energysandyenvironments aroundthe the regionreportedgreatestmovement inthe for long-termchangesincoast positionfor An earlyCoastProtectionBoard assessment Creek, Parham) Mining leases(Wills Pirie) Lead zincsmelter(Port Industry cinders ponding) water disposaland Electricity plant(heating Port Port Pirie plants (WWTP) Wastewater treatment Type ofpollution – – – – – – – Augusta –2WWTP Port Port Broughton, Port Wakefield (availablehightideonly), 4 atPt Port Davis/BroughtonRiver 1 eachatWillsCreek,PortBroughton, 2 atPortPirie 2 atPortWakefield (1accessible) et al. Yorke Peninsulaandanareasouth Augusta complex. (2007) analysedcouncil These mainlydealwithextractive Augusta works (WillsCreek) River Delta),salt Salt production(Light Port for PortPirieWWTP Second Creek–outfall Some locations Augusta monitored by the Coast Protection Board, at Additionally, infrastructure associated with locations where development is sited or likely recreational use, such as boat ramps and to be sited in the near future. Of these sites, the artificial reefs, physically alters the environment Pines (between Corny Point and Point Souttar) and may bring about changes in community show the greatest degree of movement (Caton composition. et al. 2007). Damage caused by off-road vehicles occurs throughout the region with the largest problem Resource use areas being the salt marshes between Middle Inappropriate use of the CEM resources Beach and Parham, Gleesons Landing, Telowie constitutes a serious threat to the region, both Beach and Pt Augusta. The level of impact of through over-use/harvesting and off target bush camping has not been assessed (Caton et damage. For example, over-harvesting of al. 2007). commercial fisheries threatens the viability of the fish populations, but there may also be Pest plants and animals off-target damage to the physical environment Coastal weeds through trawling, and affects by-catch species. CEM ENVIRONMENTS Asset: Resource Natural Two hundred species of weeds are recorded Information regarding the harvest of regionally in the coastal zone of the Northern and Yorke managed fishery species for 2004/05, from region. As with terrestrial biodiversity, weeds Primary Industries and Resources SA (2007), is cause a decline in native plant and animal given in Table 14. species (Sandercock and Schmucker 2007). Aquaculture threatening estuarine environments The distribution of 79 priority species of coastal are located at Salt Creek/Coobowie inlet and weeds of concern from DEH records is provided Port Broughton. in Sandercock and Schmucker (2007). Four Petroleum/mineral exploration applications weed species were classified by Caton et al. affect the upper Spencer Gulf. Salt production (2007) as being ‘serious environmental weeds is concentrated at Port Price, with licences of high impact’: for further activity south of the Price saltfields. • Western coast wattle (Acacia Cyclops) – Dolomite is mined at Ardrossan adjacent to widespread in southern parts of the region. the coastal zone and limestone from the cliffs south of Stansbury. Shellgrit has been mined • Bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides) from a number of locations. While rehabilitation – most prevalent along the coast in methods have improved in recent years, older mallee, especially east coast cliffs of Yorke pits have long-term effects on conservation Peninsula and near Sultana Point. values of coastal areas. • Pyp grass (Ehrharta villosa var. maxima) – dune systems on western Yorke Peninsula. Recreational (access and facilities) • African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum) – throughout the region with heavy A range of threats may arise from recreation infestations on southern Yorke Peninsula. use of the CEM resource, primarily though off-road vehicles and bush camping, including: Other weeds of growing concern along the coast are buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris), • wildlife disturbance, harassment, beach daisy (Arctotheca populifolia) and bridal displacement and destruction veil (Asparagus declinatus). More species • disruption of feeding, breeding and predator- of invasive environmental weeds and their prey relationships threatening values are described in Caton et al. • vegetation fragmentation, degradation and (2007). destruction Coastal pest animals • propeller and trawling scouring of sea bed. • introduction of weeds and plant diseases In coastal areas the European rabbit out- • a number of other threats (see Caton et al. competes native grazing animals for food (such (2007) p.109). as southern hairy-nosed wombats) as well as destroying the vegetative habitat that native species may require. European red foxes, cats Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 57 58

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: CEM ENVIRONMENTS • • • • • • al. marine speciesrecordedinthedistrict(Lewis coast. been reportedaroundtheNorthernand A Marine pests ground. native speciesthatforageornestonnearthe and dogspreyonnativeanimals,threatening coastal study(Caton have beenincorporatedwiththeregion’s region, butareasatriskifdisturbed. (disturbed) CASSintheNorthernand been mappedbyCSIRO,showingnoactual Coastal acidsulphatesoils(CASS)have plants andanimals. which mayleachintowaterbodies,poisoning through disturbance,sulphuricacidisformed levels ofironsulphide.Ifexposedtotheair close to,thesurfaceandhavenaturallyhigh coastal areaswherethewatertableisat,or Acid sulphatesoilscommonlyoccurinlow-lying Acid sulphatesoils resources. introducing diseasesorcompetingforfood adverse impactonaquacultureorfisheriesby biodiversity. Economicallytheymayhavean alter conditions/habitats,leadingtoalossof displace and/orkillnativespeciesandpossibly compete with,interbreed,introducedisease, and economicthreat.Environmentallythey marine pestsareamajorenvironmental,social pose apotentialpestsource.Introduced Escapes fromaquacultureenclosuresalso

numberofintroducedmarinespecieshave 1998): Asian mussel( Sea squirt( Colonial ascidian( Ascidian ( Lace coral( New Zealandscrewshell( – GulfStVincent, Vincent Gulf roseus Gulf StVincent – Presumed,gulfwaters The followingisalistofintroduced ) –westcoastofSA Ascidiella aspera Styela plicata Watersipora arcuata Musculista senhousia etal. Yorke Peninsula Botryllus schlosseri 2007). ) –SpencerGulf, Maoricolpus ) –GulfSt ) –Spencer The results Yorke Yorke ) ) et TheintertidalzonesofSecondCreektoPort • MambrayCreektoBlancheHarborin • the saltmarshareas. that particularlyvulnerabletosealevelriseare affecting estuaries Poor catchmentmanagement given inCaton the coastsofNorthernand of thepotentialimpactclimatechangeon habitats andcommunities. and risingsealevelswouldleadtoashiftin Increased stormsurgesmayalterthecoastline and abundanceofarangeflorafauna. Climate changemayaffect thedistribution Climate change communities. is alsolikelytothreatensomecoastal Disturbance tolocalisedduneaquiferrecharge nutrients. water inoutflows,particularhighturbidityor also morelikelytobeimpactedbypoorquality processes thatrelyonflow. negatively onthecompositionofspeciesand developments orclimatechangecouldimpact reductions inflowstotheestuaryresultingfrom that aremorestronglyinfluencedbyriverflows, end pointofthecatchment.Forthoseestuaries catchments impactstheestuariesthatare The managementofflowsandwaterqualityin PtDavis/BroughtonRivertoFisherman • LightRiverDeltatoWillsCreek • Estuaries atriskofacidsulphatesoilsinclude: Pirie mangroves Creek et al. (2007), whichhighlights A These estuariesare detailedanalysis Yorke regionis Map 16: Marine Bioregions of the Northern and Yorke region. Natural Resource Asset: CEM ENVIRONMENTS Asset: Resource Natural Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 59 60

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: CEM ENVIRONMENTS Map 17: Marine benthic habitats and aquatic habitatsand benthic reserves. 17:Marine Map Map 18: Coastal cell conservation localities. Natural Resource Asset: CEM ENVIRONMENTS Asset: Resource Natural Missing Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 61 62

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: CEM ENVIRONMENTS Map 19: Reef health survey sites. 19:ReefMap healthsurvey Map 20: Location of known activities and pressures. Natural Resource Asset: CEM ENVIRONMENTS Asset: Resource Natural Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 63 64

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: BIODIVERSITY region’s majorcatchments. assessed theprioritywatercourseissuesof Mid NorthRiversManagementPlanningProject distinguishing thembyremotetechniques. been poorlymappedduetothedifficultyof native grasslandsfortheregionhavealso information fortheUpperNorth. by DEH,butthereremainsalackofbiological and An assessmentofthebiologyMidNorth largeremnantareas. • threatenedhabitatareas;and • ‘specialhabitats’,includingriparianand • (Graham Northern Agricultural DistrictsofSouth Australia were identifiedinthe A as aresomeelementsofcoastsandestuaries. Marine biodiversityisaddressedinSection5, subterraneanenvironments(althoughvery • inlandwaters;and • estuaries; • coasts; • inland; • communities andecosystemsof: resource assetincludesspecies,ecological For thepurposesofthisPlan,Biodiversity extinction. being significantlyreducedandsomeatriskof ecological communitiesandecosystems production hasresultedinmanyspecies, the broad-scaleclearanceforagricultural communities andecosystems.However, a diversearrayofspecies,ecological The Northernand 6.1 Description 6. Natural Resource Asset: Biodiversity threatened,endemicorgeographically • numberofsignificantbiodiversityassets reserves; floodplain habitats,roadsidesandrailway communities; little isknownaboutthelatter). isolated fauna,floraandecological Yorke Peninsulaiscurrentlyinpreparation etal. 2001): Yorke regionsupports Biodiversity Planforthe The remnant The the CEMandinlandterrestrial andaquatic areas, movebetweenoraredistributedacross and faunalivingincoastalestuarine and fauna,particularlymarinebirdsflora linked totheCEMenvironment,someflora biodiversity. Whilesomespeciesarespecifically environment alsoincorporatessignificant The Coastal,EstuarineandMarine(CEM) seasonal andpermanentpools. require sustenancewater, mostrelyingon the catchment.Manynativeterrestrialfauna through thedownstreamflowofwater which oftensustainsthemindryseasons,and catchment throughtheflowofgroundwater, dependent ecosystemsarelinkedtothewider of thespeciesinthoseecosystems.Water- The qualityofwaterflowswillaffect thehealth are criticaltoprocessessuchasrecruitment. quantity, timing,frequencyanddurationofflows hence reliant onthewaterresourcesofregionand systems andfloodplaincommunitiesareheavily Water-dependent ecosystemssuchasaquatic groundwater levels,baseflowsandsalinities. characteristics ofcatchment,whichcanaffect of thegroundwatertableandrun-off presence ofnativevegetationaffects recharge base rocksandrecyclingnutrients. role intheformationofsoilbyweathering by providingcoverandstructurehavea within thesoilcanprotectfromerosion turn, thevegetationandorganismsliving ultimately thefaunawhichdependonthem.In in thesoil,theirhealthandrecruitment, condition affect thetypeofplantsthatgrow capacity, chemicalcompositionandphysical many organismslive,thesoil’s waterholding well assoilprovidingthesubstratewithinwhich dependent onthesoilandwaterresources. The Northernand 6.2 Relationship of as aResource Influenceinthestructureof threat tobiodiversity, aswellbeingtreated Pest plantsandanimalsarelisted asaspecific environments. influences resource assetsand biodiversity to other the management Yorke biodiversityisheavily of those resources. The As The Plan. A combination of pest risk assessment some individual species is undertaken through and prioritisation, policy and operational threatened species programs. program development facilitates the strategic management of pests that predominantly threaten biodiversity, such as bridal creeper 6.4. Key information gaps (Asparagus aspargoides), as well as There are a number of key information gaps co-ordinated control of pests that threaten other that limit the region’s capacity to manage the assets, such as rabbits and foxes. biodiversity resource:

The community values areas of high • floristic mapping in the northern parts of biodiversity in the region. The two largest the region, and distribution of remnant blocks of remnant vegetation incorporate the grasslands over the whole region; Mt Remarkable and Innes National Parks, • monitoring data, resulting in difficulty in drawcards for local and interstate visitors. determining trends; BIODIVERSITY Asset: Resource Natural Remnant paddock trees and wooded slopes • population status of many species and their and ridgelines are part of the scenic landscapes ecological requirements, making it difficult to for which the region is cherished. determine their viability; The loss of biodiversity that has occurred in • impacts of climate change on biodiversity; the region, and the processes that still degrade • biodiversity of soils, including damp soils of the resource, are becoming better recognised streams and groundwater systems; and understood in the region, but the level of • aquatic biodiversity, in particular action to arrest further decline is inadequate charophytes and other freshwater in many areas. Integrating the management macroalgae, and the genetic diversity of of biodiversity into primary production requires isolated aquatic communities; new skills and infrastructure; involving • condition and composition of remnant additional resources. At the property scale, vegetation; biodiversity rehabilitation activities, such • appropriate fire regimes to restore and/ as large-scale revegetation, may in some or maintain biodiversity, especially in cases have a detrimental economic effect fragmented landscapes; on agricultural enterprises in the short term. • connectivity requirements for sustaining Finding innovative solutions to these activities populations, processes and ecosystems, will be one of the key challenges facing the across and between terrestrial, coastal and natural resource managers of the Northern and aquatic environments; and Yorke region. • condition and extent of vegetation dependent on groundwater. 6.3. Current monitoring of biodiversity 6.5. Attributes of the

The Mid North and Yorke Peninsula Biological biodiversity resource Survey (Neagle) was a systematic survey of Three attributes of biodiversity are highlighted: the flora and fauna across the majority of the Northern and Yorke NRM region. The report • remnant native vegetation; also brings together data from a range of • ecological communities; and previous surveys and provides the most up • species. to date information regarding the biodiversity Ecological community diversity and species of the region. This survey did not include the diversity are the two middle layers of a Southern Flinders or areas north of Orroroo and hierarchy of biodiversity: Peterborough, presenting a significant gap in 1. Ecosystem diversity, (which incorporate information. ecological processes). The vegetation of many of the region’s roadsides 2. Ecological community diversity. has been surveyed according to the State-wide 3. Species diversity. roadside vegetation significance system. Pastoral 4. Genetic diversity. lease lands are monitored by DWLBC and DEH Ecosystem and genetic diversity are not Parks and Reserves by DEH. Monitoring of explored further in this plan due to a lack Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 65 66

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: BIODIVERSITY ridgelines andthecoastalstrip(Miles2006). the remnantvegetationisconfinedtounarable In theagriculturalpartsofregion,most still remaining(datasuppliedbyDEH2007). there maybemanythousandsofhectares grasslands hasbeenpoorlymappedand (see Map21),althoughtheextentofnative the wholeregionismappedat161,000ha 2007). vegetation remaining(datasuppliedbyDEH several hundredshavinglessthan5%native districts havebeenextensivelycleared,with 26% remaininginagriculturalareas.Some with 94%remaininginthepastoralzoneand Yorke regionhasbeenpreferentiallycleared, Remnant nativevegetationintheNorthernand Extent ofremnantnativevegetation Remnants Remnant nativevegetation the entirehierarchy. considered withinaframeworkthatconsiders however, communityandspeciesshouldbe of regionallyspecificinformationoneither, a diversity thansmallerordegradedremnants. habitat species, are abletosupportmoreecosystemsand most TOTAL >10,000 1,000-10,000 100-1,000 20-100 1-20 Block size supplied byDEH2007). Table 15:SizeDistributionofNativeVegetation intheNorthernand Yorke NRMregion(data TOTAL Other DEH Heritage Tenure Table 16:Vegetation bytenure(datasuppliedDEH2007). SA Native Forest Locality Forest

key Water

of biodiversity

The totalvegetationremainingacross to

the

and

Agreement many

of

remaining

include original

fauna.

asset 17 160 766 8,535 9,483 5 No. blocks

a vegetation

plant

Larger greater Estimated 1,161,129 1,088,700 6,277 45,145 3,205 766 17,036

because

species

and

degree

of

Area ofVegetation (ha) 100 0.1 0.2 1.7 8.1 90.0 Blocks as%oftotalno. they

intact

the

and

contain

of region

remnants

provide genetic

are poor agriculturalproductivityofthesoils preferentially leftunclearedlargelyduetothe many largerremnantswhichhavebeen areas ofagriculturallyproductivesoils,unlike examples oftheoriginalvegetationwithin remnants oftenprovidetheonlyrepresentative coastal strip. roadsides, railreserves,cemeteriesandthe ha) blocks.Importantremnantsoccuralong an estimated8,535individualsmall(1-20 being infivelarge(>10,000ha)blocks,with sand duneswith86%oftheremnantvegetation such asalongroadsides,watercoursesand with vegetationinsmallandisolatedblocks remnant areas,thelandscapeisheavilycleared Outside oftherangelandsandotherlarge (see remnant nativevegetationisprivatelyowned and 2004.Byfarthemajorityofregion’s devolved grantsprogramsbetween1998 weed control,improvedgrazing)through received someformofprotection(e.g.fencing, Agreements. Miles(2006)estimated4,457ha additional 17,036haprotectedunderHeritage Yorke region, totalling45,145ha,withan two NationalParksintheNorthernand There are12ConservationParksand Tenure ofremnantvegetation Area (ha) 1,161,129 1,001,497 50,050 42,372 30,367 36,843 % of 100.00 93.76 0.54 3.89 0.28 0.07 1.47 Table 16). Total NativeVegetation These oftensmallandnarrow Area as%oftotalvegetation 100 86.3 4.3 3.6 2.6 3.2 % of 32.22 30.21 0.17 1.25 0.09 0.02 0.47 Total Region Condition of terrestrial VanLaarhoven et al. (2004), Favier et al. (2004) remnant native vegetation and Favier et al. (2000). Very little information is available for the In all catchments permanent pools were found region regarding the condition of remnant to be critical habitats for many species. native vegetation. The Bushland Condition Monitoring method (Croft et al. 2004) was An assessment of 29 predominantly saline and used in 2005, as part of the on-ground works brackish wetlands was carried out in 2000. No program, to assess the condition of 55 blocks sites recorded an intact wetland condition score. 6 of remnant vegetation, mostly privately owned. Seven recorded a natural score and were This method uses a system of scoring sites located within DEH, private and local government based on range of indicators including species reserves. The remaining sites all received diversity, weed cover, structural diversity and degraded condition scores (Seaman 2002). regeneration. Out of a total potential score of Natural Resource Asset: BIODIVERSITY Asset: Resource Natural 100, the highest score was 89, lowest 39, and Ecological communities average 67 (+/- 13 s.d.). While this is not by any Containing a diverse range of landforms across means a representative sample of remnants, it a range of rainfalls, the Northern and Yorke provides a baseline of the condition of a set of region contains a range of different ecological remnants, which can later be re-assessed by communities. Ecological communities the same means to detect if the condition, or are predominantly defined by vegetation indicators thereof, has changed. composition and occasionally landforms. As vegetation communities are in part dictated by The condition of roadside vegetation has been soil type, clearance for agriculture has led to assessed for most main roads and mapped the preferential clearance of certain ecological (see Map 23). communities, resulting in a loss of diversity of communities. Condition of riparian and aquatic habitats Threatened ecological communities The condition of riparian vegetation has been The following three ecological communities assessed for most of the major watercourses in occurring in the region have recently been the region and the results are briefly summarised listed as critically endangered under the below. The condition of the vegetation is an Commonwealth Environment Protection and outcome of the use and management of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999: area, but also the quantity and quality of the water resource, interconnectivity with other areas and the integrity of the watercourse. Detailed data on the condition of each vegetation type for Footnote: 6. Little disturbance, moderate to high rapid the three southern catchments is presented in assessment score.

Table 17: Summary of riparian vegetation issues by catchment. Catchment Riparian vegetation issues Willochra (Scholz et Significant areas of good aquatic habitat exist within the Finders Ranges, with hydrology al. 2003) being the main driver of condition. Mambray Coast Some of the best habitat was located on private land, but grazing degraded the condition. (Deane et al. 2005) Many of the aquatic habitats were located within conservation areas and were therefore at low risk. Broughton (Favier et Examples of near natural condition at Appila Springs, Mary Springs and the Lower al. 2004) Broughton River. Highly degraded sections along Appila, Pine and Narridy creeks and tributaries of Booborowie and Yackamoorundie creeks from erosion and lack of riparian vegetation. Wakefield (Favier et Highly degraded throughout but with areas of significant ecological value, including the al. 2000) Rocks Reserve and sections of the upper Wakefield River and Skillogalee Creek. Light (VanLaarhoven Riparian vegetation has been removed or is highly degraded throughout most of the et al. 2004) catchment, however important riparian habitats exist along the lower Light River where there is better cover of native vegetation and many permanent pools. Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 67 68

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: BIODIVERSITY • • • • • • • • • region are: conservation intheNorthernand Additional plantcommunitiesinneedof endangered atStatelevel(Table 19). Ten ecologicalcommunitiesintheregionare

Structures causingorthreatenedbyerosion(no.sites) Erosion heads(no.sites) Unrestricted stockaccess Lack ofnativevegetation Salinity Other (cultivatedwatercourse) Exotic trees Riparian weeds Remnant vegetation Good nativewatercoursevegetation Side gullyerosion/gullyheads Poor bankstability Important riverinehabitat Watercourse ManagementIssue and percentofpriority. Table 18:Prioritywatercoursemanagementissuesforsurveyedcatchments,showinglength No significantmanagementissue Poor nativewatercoursevegetation Grey box( Mallee gum ( Peppermint box+bluegumpink Iron grass( Scented Peppermint Scented matrush+/-stiff matrush Bull Mallee+/-whitemallee( Peppermint box+/-mallee( understorey; and mallee withasparsesclerophyllousshrub ssp. and with agrassyunderstorey; ssp. comm.). ( behriana odorata woodlands; leucoxylon woodlands; without with agrassyunderstorey; Lomandra effusa

low dura dura Eucalyptus odorata

box

hard +/- woodlands

mat +/- ) ) tussockgrassland(Sharppers.

tussock Eucalyptus microcarpa +/-

( Lomandra Eucalyptus Eucalyptus porosa

box

mat Eucalyptus dumosa rush Eucalyptus fasciculosa

( rush Eucalyptus odorata)

+/-

(

grasslands; Lomandra effusa with

Lomandra multiflora ( spp.). Lomandra multiflora

porosa a

+ grassy Eucalyptus Eucalyptus

Yorke NRM ) woodland ) and

woodlands

Eucalyptus understorey; ) open ) woodland )

with/or

) grassy

PointDavenport • (Environment Wetlands the healthofecological communities. richness, turnoverandidentity areindicatorsof biodiversity resourceasset.Species diversity, considered anattributeofthe conditionofthe status ofspeciesconsidered under threatare Therefore thenumber, characteristicsand scale, dependentontheneedsofeachspecies. biodiversity fromthesitetoregionalorbroader the successorotherwiseofmanaging are stable,increasingordecreasing)represents individual species(i.e.whethertheirpopulations a diversearrayoffloraandfauna. The Northernand Species in Australia type occurring within a biogeographic region been Eight inlandwetlandsintheregionhave Environment andHeritage2007). incorporate estuaries(Departmentfor These areallcoastalwetlandsthat WillsCreek. • NorthernSpencerGulf • Clinton • of ImportantWetlands in Australia of nationalsignificanceinthe Four wetlandsarelistedas 8 21 11.3 6.7 37 42.6 60.1 157.8 160.8 281.1 14.1 161.5 51.5 km Broughton

identified

(Seaman na na 1.1 0.7 3.7 4.3 6 15.8 16.1 28.2 1.4 16.2 5.2 % Australia 2001),theseare:

as

good examples of wetland Yorke NRMregionsupports

2002) 6 7 1.4 19.5 21.9 36.9 22.2 233.6 11.1 131.9 22.1 km Light

(Table na na 0.3 3.6 4.1 6.9 4.1 43.4 2.1 24.5 4.1 % Directory

20). The statusof 10 3.4 34 0.1 5.2 5.6 15.2 8.6 12.9 10.5 km Wakefield na 3.6 35.6 0.1 5.4 5.9 15.9 9.0 13.5 11.0 % Table 19: Ecosystems endangered at a State level occurring in the Northern and Yorke region. From DEH (2003, unpublished and in progress), with comments by N. Neagle (DEH) in italics. Ecosystem Description State Status Comments Trend Peppermint Box +/- SA Blue Endangered Highly modified by clearance and grazing, and the Declining Gum (E. odorata +/- few examples in reserves are very small. E. leucoxylon) Grassy Low E. odorata is largely confined to SA. Significant Woodland on loamy soils of low areas in Northern and Yorke (FLB2) but little hills conserved. Bull Mallee +/- Peppermint Box Endangered Original small, disjunct occurrences in SA Declining +/- White Mallee (Eucalyptus have been subject to extensive clearance and behriana, +/- E. odorata, +/- E. degradation. dumosa) Woodland/ Mallee on gilgai soils on plains Natural Resource Asset: BIODIVERSITY Asset: Resource Natural Scented Mat-rush (Lomandra Endangered Extensive areas in Northern and Yorke but heavily Declining effusa) Tussock Grassland on modified by clearance, grazing and exotics. shallow loams in low hills* Original vegetation structure probably included at least a scattering of tall shrubs, mallees or low trees. Stiff Mat-rush (Lomandra Endangered Heavily modified by grazing and exotics. Mainly in Declining multiflora ssp. dura) Tussock (endemic) Burra Hills. Grassland on shallow clay loams in low hills* Kangaroo Grass +/- Wallaby Endangered Highly modified by grazing and weed invasion and Declining Grass (Themeda triandra few examples in reserves. May be the result of +/- Danthonia spp.) Tussock clearance of overstorey. Grassland on heavy, fertile soils of plains and hill slopes*† Freshwater wetlands including Endangered Threatened by clearance, drainage, build up of Declining aquatic Herblands/Sedgelands herbicides and fertilisers from adjacent agricultural land, salinity, grazing and trampling by stock, and weed invasion. (Only threatened by grazing and trampling by stock in Pastoral areas.) In very poor condition in the Northern and Yorke region and in need of attention. Red Stringybark Vulnerable A relic occurrence with a very limited distribution Static (E. macrorhyncha ssp. in the hills near Clare. A single occurrence in SA macrorhyncha) Open Forest conserved in good condition in Spring Gully CP. Most other occurrences are degraded by grazing and weed invasion. Inland SA Blue Gum +/- Vulnerable In Mid North from Barossa to Southern Flinders. Declining Peppermint Box (E. leucoxylon Previously extensive. Poorly conserved. Highly ssp. pruinosa +/- E. odorata) modified by clearance and grazing. Lack of Grassy Low Woodland on loams regeneration. The Northern and Yorke region of hill slopes contains most of its range but little is conserved. Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina Vulnerable Formerly extensive but much lost through Declining verticillata) Grassy Low clearance. Poorly conserved. Some patches with Woodland on clay loams of low good understorey remain. Probably always patchy hills by nature. Highly modified by clearance, grazing and invasion of exotics. Patchy in ranges in Mid North, usually degraded and poorly conserved. Spinifex (Triodia compacta) Possibly rare Of limited extent and threatened by coastal Declining Hummock Grassland on sandy development and weed invasion. consolidated dunefields The data is quantitative and qualitative for all communities in all subregions. * Neagle (pers. comm.) notes that the exact extent of these communities is unknown but that the N&Y represents a major proportion of their range in SA. † DEH (2003, unpublished and in progress) does not identify this community as being present in the N&Y region but

Neagle (pers. comm.) does (see above note). NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 69 70

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: BIODIVERSITY prior distributions,suchasriverredgums main areaofdistribution,possiblyrelics occur inlocationshighlyisolatedfromtheir Additionally, populationsofsomespecies near Clareandredstringybarks( al. diversity islowinallcatchments (Scholz biodiversity assetoftheregion. Species Native fishareanimportantand sensitive Aquatic species Gully ConservationPark. macrorhyncha ssp. ( • • • • • ( limitanea dockeri bettong ( and have beenrecordedwithintheNorthern Forty-six nationallythreatenedspecies Threatened species (from N.Neaglepers.comm.): include statethreatenedspecies,inparticular further studyastheymaybeindecline,these nationally rated,butareconsideredtorequire There areseveralspeciesthatnot species haverecoveryplans. 33 – State andtwoextinctfromtheregion(see within theregion,withonenowextinctfrom threatened intheStatehavebeenrecorded One hundredandeightysixspeciesthatare have currentrecoveryactions. prepared for18ofthesespecies,which15 endangered. Recoveryplanshavebeen at Minlaton,broomwattle( wallaby ( South the wild. Tiliqua adelaidensis Eucalyptus camaldulensisspp.

2003),withnonativefishfound inthe – endangeredinSA. Daviesia sejugata Phebalium glandulosumssp. orchid) –rareinSA. Prasophyllum goldsackii – endangeredinSA. Caladenia conferta but willbenationallyendangered. (ghost spider-orchid)–notyetofficiallyrated Caladenia (glandular phebalium)–endangeredinSA. Yorke region.Ofthese,theburrowing Appendix 2).Onlynationallythreatened Australia, andthemainlandtammar ), spaldingblown-grass( The spinydaisy( Macropus eugenii Bettongia lesueur ) andthepygmybluetonguelizard sp.Brentwood(R.J.Bates53510) ) arethemostcritically (disjunctbitter-pea) (coastspider-orchid) Acanthocladium ) isnowextinctin Acacia genistifolia ) isnowextinctin (Goldsack’s leek- Lachnogrostis Eucalyptus ) inSpring et Table )

) catchments oftheMambrayCoast(Deane between 1994and1999throughtheworkof in theWakefield, LightandBroughtonRiver Aquatic macroinvertebratesweresurveyed inherent featureofthecatchments. al. water qualitysee the dataandratingsofecologicalhealth on macroinvertebratesandwaterquality. regularly monitoredsitesintheregionwithdata The EPA AUSRIVAS results. do notappeartocorrelatewiththeearlier 7. Footnote: (Goonan pers.comm.). taxa and300non-insectinvertebrate species Yorke Peninsularecordedatleast363insect The BiologicalSurveyoftheMidNorthand Invertebrates AUSRIVAS reference conditionformostsites. most waterwayswasasgoodorbetterthan ecological healthvarieswidely. quality isgenerallygoodacrosstheregion,but (VanLaarhoven this isitsnaturalstateorduetodegradation the othercatchments.Itisunclearwhether Light tohavesignificantlylessdiversitythan Wakefield andLightcatchments,foundthe surveyed macroinvertebratesintheBroughton, North RiversManagementPlanningProject also foundintheregion(Goonan). rare anduncommonmacroinvertebrateswere Tea Inneston Lake2 Inneston Lake Deep Lake Brown Lake Chain ofLakes Native HenLagoon Gum Flat Wetland Name (Seaman 2002). a biogeographicregionin Australia examples oftypeoccurringwithin Table 20:Wetlands identifiedasgood 2005).However, thelowdiversitymaybean AUS Tree Swamp tralian alsomaintainanetworkofeight 7 Program. RIV et al. er www.epa.sa.gov.a A ssessment 2004)andtheseresults The biologicaldiversityof Private Sanctuary DEH DEH DEH DEH DEH Tenure Private ownership DC Yorke Peninsula S ystem A The Mid u numberof . Water To see et Table 21: Nationally listed threatened species in the Northern and Yorke NRM region (Graham et al. 2001) (X = extinct, XW = extinct in wild, CE = critically endangered, E = endangered, V = vulnerable, R = rare, MLR = Mt Lofty Ranges, SE = South East). Scientific name Common name EPBC SA Recovery Plans Macropus eugenii Mainland Tammar Wallaby XW X Acanthocladium dockeri Spiny Daisy CE E Draft (DEH – N&Y) Tiliqua adelaidensis Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard CE E Draft (DEH – N&Y) Acacia enterocarpa Jumping-jack Wattle E E Draft (DEH – SE) Bettongia lesueur Burrowing Bettong E X Billardiera sp. Yorke Peninsula* Lehmann’s Apple-berry E E Caladenia argocalla White Beauty Spider-orchid E E Draft (DEH – N&Y, MLR) Caladenia gladiolata Bayonet Spider-orchid E E Draft (DEH – N&Y, MLR) Caladenia macroclavia Large-club Spider-orchid E E Draft (DEH – N&Y, MLR) BIODIVERSITY Asset: Resource Natural Caladenia xantholeuca Flinders Ranges white Caladenia E E Draft (DEH – N&Y, MLR) Dodonaea glandulifera ------E E Draft (DEH – Murraylands) Euphrasia collina ssp. osbornii Osborn’s Eyebright E E Draft (DEH – Murraylands) Lachnogrostis limitanea Spalding Blown Grass E E Draft (DEH – N&Y, MLR) Neophema chrysogaster Orange-bellied Parrot E E Xanthomyza phrygia Regent Honeyeater E E Sterna albifrons Little Tern E V Pterostylis aff. Boormanii Halbury Greenhood E E Draft (DEH – N&Y, MLR) Pterostylis despectans Lowly Greenhood E E Draft (DEH – N&Y, MLR) Acacia glandulicarpa Hairy-pod Wattle V E Draft (Vic DSE) Acacia rhetinocarpa Resin Wattle V V Acanthiza iredalei rosinae Samphire Thornbill V Aprasia pseudopulchella Flinders Worm Lizard V Caladenia brumalis Winter Spider-orchid V V Caladenia woolcockiorum Woolcock’s Spider-orchid V V Draft (DEH – N&Y, MLR) Chelonia mydas Green Turtle V V Codonocarpus pyramidalis* Slender Bell-fruit V E Diomeda exulans Wandering Albatross V V Diomedea chrystoma Grey-headed Albatross V V Dodonaea procumbens Trailing Hop-bush V V Draft (Vic DSE) Glycine latrobeana Clover Glycine V V Halosarcia flabelliformis Bead Samphire V V Lathamus discolor Swift Parrot V V Leipoa ocellata Malleefowl V V National Olearia pannosa ssp. pannosa Silver Daisy Bush V V Pachyptila turtur Fairy Prion V -- Pedionomus torquatus Plains Wanderer V E Petrogale xanthopus Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby V V Draft (DEH-Statewide) Pleuropappus phyllocalymmeus Silver Candles V V Prasophyllum pallidum Pale Leek-orchid V V Prasophyllum validum Mt Remarkable Leek-orchid V V Draft (DEH – N&Y, MLR) Psophodes nigrogularis Western Whipbird V V Senecio macrocarpus Large-fruit Groundsel V V Senecio megaglossus Superb Groundsel V V Draft (DEH – N&Y) Stackhousia annua Annual Candles V V *added to list Neagle pers. comm. Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 71 72

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: BIODIVERSITY to dosointhefuture,duepastmanagement have notalreadybecomeextinctaredestined have and‘extinctiondebt’,wherespeciesthat Further, manyoftheseremnantsarelikelyto • • • • occur suchas: Vegetation Act 1991 vegetation isnowregulatedunderthe While thebroadscaleclearanceofnative practices. lossofgeneticdiversity(Graham • disruptionofecologicalprocesses;and • disruptionofpopulationprocesses; • inappropriatefireregimes; • disease; • fertiliserandchemicaldrift,over- • pestanddomesticanimals; • weeds; • fauna willbedegradedordestroyedby: integrity ofremnantsandassociatedflora higher theprobabilitythatecological and moreisolatednativevegetationis,the species andlackofregeneration. the year, resultingintheremovalofpalatable grazed bydomesticstockforallorpartof blocks hasnotbeenassessed,manyare land. Whiletheconditionofremaining isolated vegetationsurroundedbyagricultural fragmented habitat,withmanyblocksof north oftheregion,thishasledtoabiologically to ecologicalprocesses.Exceptintheupper or declineofmanyspecies,anddisruption extensive areasofhabitatandresultantloss the nativevegetation,causingadirectlossof clearance hasremovedanestimated64%of In theNorthernand and isolation Clearance, fragmentation 6. Threats to biodiversity

not present. vegetation wheretreesorlarge shrubsare through lackofrecognition remnant conversion ofgrasslandstocropping overgrazing; and of development; clearance forsubdivisionsandotherforms lines andfirebreaks); clearance underexemptions(i.e.forfence 2001). spraying ofwatercoursevegetation; resource condition Yorke region,broadscale , someclearancedoesstill The smaller

et al. Native

remnant vegetationwasundertakenbyCroft An assessmentofthethreatweedsto Biological Survey(Neaglepers.comm.) sites surveyedforvegetationduringtherecent at leastoneweedspeciesrecordedin62%of Weeds arecommoninnativevegetation,with In additiontoprotectionunderthe disruption toecologicalprocesses. the permanentlossofspeciesand within atimeframeshortenoughtoprevent practices canbereversedorameliorated in whethertheeffects ofpastmanagement to resourcecondition. vegetation clearancepresentsalowthreat Due tolegislativeconstraintsfuturebroadacre Conservation Act 1999 Environment ProtectionandBiodiversity Vegetation Act • • • entire regioninclude: al. • • • of nativespeciesthrough: vegetation acrossabroadareatothedetriment are thosethatcaninvadeanddominateintact weeds consideredtoposethehighestthreat of bothdegradedandintactvegetation. been abletoinvadeandreproduceinareas intentionally andunintentionally. Manyhave to theNorthernand A Problem plants and speciesunderthe given tonationallythreatenedecosystems are poorlymapped. grasslands andveryopengrassywoodlands strips ofvegetation,scatteredtrees,native of theUpperNorth.Further, smalland/orlinear Mid Northgrasslandsandchenopodshrublands Remnant vegetationmappingisinadequatefor habitats andprocessesthatsupportthem. and communitieslisted,aswelltothe provides protection

rangeofplantspecieshavebeenintroduced (2004).Majorenvironmental weeds forthe boxthorn ( olives ( bridal creeper( and changingthefireregime(Graham altering thefuelloadsinnativevegetation prevention ofrecruitmentnativespecies; sunlight andnutrients; competition forresourcessuchasmoisture, 2001). and Olea europaea Lycium ferocissimum

1991 Asparagus asparagoides

both directlytothespecies Yorke region, both , additionalprotectionis The majorthreatlies Australian Government (EPBC ); and Act) Native ). . This Those Act et al. ); et

Other major weeds affecting parts of the region • competing with native animals for resources (from Graham et al. 2001) are: such as hollows, food or water;

• Grassy ecosystem weeds, including • spreading weed seeds on fur or through annual grasses such as bearded oats faeces; and (Avena barbata), salvation Jane (Echium • grazing native vegetation and modifying the plantagineum), quaking-grass (Briza spp.) suitability of habitat for fauna. and bromes (Bromus spp.), as well as Most non-native problem animals were thread iris (Morea setifolia) and numerous originally introduced to provide early settlers clovers (Trifolium) with a food resource or for sport. Some native • aleppo pines (Pinus halepensis) between animals have also become a problem because Maitland and Minlaton, and in the changes to the landscape (such as increasing Gladstone, Wirrabara, Wongyarra and Laura the number of water sources) have favoured

area their population expansion. The boom and BIODIVERSITY Asset: Resource Natural • phalaris (Phalaris aquatica), wild rose (Rosa bust population cycles of some problem native spp.), wild artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) animal species drive other ecological processes and blackberry (Rubus fruticosum) in the such as providing food for non-pest native riparian zones of the Mid North animals. These are further discussed in Section 7.6. • calomba daisy (Oncosiphon suffruticosum) in the Northern Adelaide Plains The control of pest animals requires an • bridal veil (Myrsiphyllum declinatum) in high integrated approach in recognition of the rainfall areas predator-prey relationships that exist between • western coastal wattle (Acacia cyclops) and pest animal species. For example, if foxes golden wreath wattle (Acacia saligna), both are removed, cats, which prey on small native non-local Australian natives, in coastal areas animals, increase in numbers; if rabbits are • gorse (Ulex europaeus) and topped removed then foxes prey on a greater number lavender (Lavendula stoechas) in the high of native animals. Therefore the control of all rainfall hills around Clare pest species needs to be co-ordinated. • wards weed (Carrichtera annua) in the pastoral zone (Neagle pers. comm.) Altered fire regimes • onion weed (Asphodelus fistulosus), Fire is an important component of the majority salvation Jane (Echium plantagineum) and of Australia’s ecosystems, with many plant and horehound (Murrabium vulgare) in areas animal species having life history strategies where grazing has been extensive (Graham reliant on certain fire regimes (the timing, et al. 2001) frequency and intensity of fire). Before the displacement of Aboriginal Australians and • riparian weeds such as desert ash and broadscale clearance the landscape may have peppercorn trees contained a mosaic of native vegetation in The results of the regional weed risk different stages of succession, due to staggered assessment and further information on problem burnings. When areas of the continuous pants are shown in Section 7.5. vegetation burnt, species that could not cope with fire could later move back from surrounding Problem animals unburnt areas. Fire now occurs less frequently, ‘Problem animals are species that have been but when it does it affects a greater proportion accidentally or deliberately introduced since of vegetation remnants and re-colonisation is European settlement or native animals that have more difficult. The negative effects of fire can greatly expanded their range in response to the also be compounded by the introduction of changed landscapes and ecological processes weeds and pest animals; for example, the build resulting from human activities’ (in Graham et al. up of exotic grasses can add to fuel loads. 2001, p. 133). Problem animals impact on native flora, fauna and habitats through: Altered fire regime is likely to have affected almost all remnant native vegetation in the • preying on native animals, impacting region. The effects are possibly most severe the populations directly but also through in small isolated remnants, which are usually disruption of predator-prey relationships; unburnt for long periods. When fire does occur Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 73 74

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: BIODIVERSITY changestosoilmoisturefromirrigation; • directapplicationsofherbicidesand • the directapplicationoffertilisersonto,and • threats alreadylisted)are: negative impactsonbiodiversity(otherthan Land usesandmanagementpracticeswith damage tothebanksofwatercourses. weeds, compactionordisturbanceofsoil,and Other impactsofstockincludethespread of vegetationandpreventingregeneration. grazing nativevegetation,causingtheremoval inappropriate stockingregimesandstock most obviousandwidespreadimpactisthrough threatens theremainingfloraandfauna. introduced pastures,landusebyhumans land usessuchascropping,horticultureor vegetation todevelopmentsoragricultural Apart fromtheintentionalconversionofnative Inappropriate landuses the degree could characteristics Spotted Rock Doves Starlings andBlackbirds Foxes Rabbits European Carp (Mosquito fish) Eastern Gambusia Animal Problem Introduced Little Corellas Kangaroos Problem Native Other IntroducedFish Deer Honeybees Goats Cats

areas ofnativevegetation; pesticides onto,andaccidentaldriftinto, vegetation; spread offertilisersinto,areasnative fire entire

be

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the

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Thought tobeincreasing,particularlyaroundPortBroughton Of concernaroundtheBeetalooReservoirandcliffs oftheUpperMidNorth. Widespread throughouttheregion. Widespread throughouttheregion. following theaccidentalreleaseofbiologicalcontrolCalicivirus. Widespread throughouttheregion,althoughnumberswerereducedforsomeyears Light RiverCatchment(VanLaarhoven Wakefield, Broughton,Willochra,BarootaCreekandBeetalooCreek). Has beenrecordedinallcatchmentsforwhichsurveyshaveconducted(Light, Distribution / River RedGumwoodlandsinthe SouthernFlindersRanges areas. Western GreyKangaroosthroughoutmostoftheregion,and RedKangaroosindrier Distribution / Goldfish, EuropeanPerch(Redfin),Brown Red DeerandFallowfoundinregion Yorke Peninsula Southern FlindersRangesandpastoralareas Varying concentrationsthroughouttheregion. elsewhere. on

have the

that et al. and

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2001). history

Area ofImpact Area ofImpact intensity

altered The

The

of physical damagetowatercoursesinthisarea region arethoughttohavecausedlimitedmajor Low stockingratesintheMambrayCoast enhance thebiodiversityofnativegrasslands. a numberofpropertiesintheMidNorthto trialled. Controlledgrazingisbeingusedon within nativegrasslandcommunitiesisbeing boundary) theuseofstocktopromotediversity Conservation Park(whichisneartheregion’s excluded fromallreserves,althoughatMokota grants projects(Miles2006).Domesticstockis Agreements, DEHReservesanddevolved conservation reserve,includingHeritage vegetation intheregioniscontaineda An estimated5.2%(67,272ha)ofnative useofpesticidestocontrollocusts. • windfarms,withregardstotheirpotential • stockingwater-wayswithintroducedfish; • wood-cuttingforfirewood; • placing thosecommunitiesatriskofregional sub-regions isseverelylimitedbystockgrazing, communities intheLowerandUpperNorth The regenerationofRiverRedGumriparian watercourses areheavilyaffected bygrazing. (Deane most The extinction. impacts onraptors;and

impact et al.

severe From Grahametal. (2001)unlessotherwisestated. etal. Trout, Rainbowtrout,Callop,Murray Cod 2004),Wakefield River, andlikelytooccur

of

on 2005).Howevermoresoutherly

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Remnants

usually which are very small and therefore have a also two large reservoirs in this catchment; relatively high proportion of edge (compared with Beetaloo and Bundaleer (Favier et al. 2004). An the overall area) are most severely affected. In assessment of the Light River catchment found the majority of cases, the size of the remnant will environmental water requirements were only be so small that these ‘edge effects’ encroach just being met (VanLaarhoven et al. 2004). into the core of the remnant. Other degradation of riparian zones Water regime changes Other than the threats already listed, threats Aquatic flora and fauna, and many terrestrial specific to riparian zones and hence species flora and fauna, have life history strategies wholly or partly reliant on these zones include: that have evolved in response to natural flow • declines in water quality; regimes, including ground and surface water. • channel barriers to fish migration and water These species are therefore highly susceptible flow; Natural Resource Asset: BIODIVERSITY Asset: Resource Natural to disruptions to natural flow systems. Aquatic • channel modifications such as dredging, habitats have a high level of dependence on widening, bank battering, and channel re- local to regional groundwater flow systems. alignment; and Features of flow regimes that are important to • erosion and sedimentation, removing native aquatic and riparian ecosystems and species vegetation and altering pool depths. include: The level of degradation of riparian zones • duration; has been assessed and mapped for the Light • volume; (VanLaarhoven et al. 2004), Wakefield (Favier • timing; and et al. 2000), Broughton (Favier et al. 2004), • connectivity up and downstream and across Willochra (Scholz et al. 2003) and Mambray the floodplain Coasts catchments (Deane et al. 2005). These features have greatly altered through water extraction from dams, bores and Land degradation watercourses, but also through changes in the The secondary impacts of inappropriate land run-off characteristics of the catchment such use and land use changes, primarily over- as increased run-off rates through vegetation grazing, land degradation such as dryland clearance. Over-extraction of water resources salinity and soil erosion, can impact on the has the potential to result in the loss of Biodiversity resource asset. Unnaturally high permanent pools and the systems and species soil and water salinity can result in the stress that rely on them. and potentially death of many native flora and fauna species. Species and habitats Reduction in surface water run-off may occurring in, or in part reliant on, watercourses, have lead to increased siltation of many floodplains and freshwater swamps are highly watercourses and is evident in some streams susceptible. Biodiversity assets at risk from of the Mambray Coast (Deane et al. 2005) and potential salinisation have been mapped most other catchments. (DWLBC 2004), but the area of actual impact While there is a lack of suitable hydrological has not. data for the Willochra catchment (Scholz et al. Soil eroded by wind often deposits among 2003) or Mambray Coast catchments (Deane narrow remnants of native vegetation along et al. 2005) anecdotal evidence suggests a fence-lines and roadsides. This results in fence- decline in groundwater levels and surface water lines and vegetation becoming entirely or partly run-off, with springs and soaks sustained by buried by sand. Apart from smothering small groundwater discharge reported dry in recent native vegetation, landholders sometimes clear years. The distribution of fish species indicates the native vegetation in the process of replacing that the dispersal of biota is being prevented the fence. due to changes in stream flow patterns, thereby increasing the potential for localised There is no data on the area of remnant species extinctions (Scholz et al. 2003). The vegetation affected by soil deposition but the most intensive use of water resources in the effects are probably most severe in highly Broughton is in the Clare Valley where controls fragmented landscapes that also have a high over use were introduced in 1996. There are potential for wind erosion. Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 75 76

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: BIODIVERSITY more frequentwildfires (Bardsley2006). • changedweed distributions;and • recorded inpartsoftheregion(Graham pers. comm.).Mundulla currently knowntoexistintheregion(Neagle rainfall vegetationaroundClare,althoughnot cinnamomi The soil-bornediseased Diseases andpathogens • • • • Other recreationalimpactsinclude: which causedestructionofhabitat illegal vehicleentryintoConservationReserves areas, withthemainareasofconcernbeing section 5.Recreationalimpactsoccurinother coastal areasandarethereforediscussedin Human recreationimpactsaremostseverein Recreational impacts knowledge gapsareoutlinedinSection6.4. maintain andrestorebiodiversity. Other ability ofresourcemanagerstomosteffectively data andpredictivemodelling,reducethe Knowledge gaps,suchasalackofbaseline Knowledge gaps proliferation ofweedspecies. loss ofnativespeciesandtheintroduction Inappropriate grazingregimescanresultinthe disruptionofpollination anddispersal • lossordeclineinwater sources; • reducedsurfaceand groundwaterflows; • include: climate changethatdegradebiodiversitycould adaptations aresuited.Flow-oneffects from which species’ patterns, varyingfromthenormalcyclesto through changingrainfallandtemperature potential fordirectimpactonthebiodiversity Climate changeprojectionsfortheregionshow Climate change well understood(MYTG2004). 2001) buttheexactnatureofthreatisnot

waders (e.g.hoodedplover) disturbance tobreedingwaterbirdsand fish; and stocking inlandwaterwayswithintroduced wood forcampfires; campfires startingwildfires,andcollectionof inland waters; recreational fishinginmarine,estuarineand processes; isapotentialthreattothehigh reproductiveandsurvival Yellows has been Phytophthora etal.

change (Deane and swampsareverysusceptibletoclimate environments suchasridgelines,watercourses Species requiringhighrainfalland/ormoist Ranges (e.g.peppermintbox communities fromtheSouthernFlinders southward movementofspeciesandecological are currentlynoavenuesavailableforthe and Mediterraneanclimaticregions. lie ontheinterfacebetweenState’s arid biota oftheSouthernFlindersRanges,which patterns. distributions inordertoadjustshiftingclimatic is limitedscopefororganismstoshifttheir vegetation withintheregionmeansthatthere The highlyfragmentednatureofnative pers. comm.). ssp. macrorhyncha ( population nearMinlaton,southernbluegums ( Bryan, andredstringybarks( effective managementofitsbiodiversityassets. level ofresourcesrequiredbytheregionfor and communitiesatrisk,therebyincreasingthe patterns willincreasethenumberofspecies re-assessed. species’ northern areasoftheregiondeclines,this vulnerable). However, asprecipitationinthe list ofthreatenedspecies(currentlylistedas the FlinderswormlizardfromNational consideration isbeinggiventoremoving knowledge ofitsdistributionandabundance, upgraded. Forexample,duetoincreased conservation statusofmanyspeciesbeing Shifting climaticpatternswillresultinthe grasslands oftheMidNorth. from theregion.Similarthreatsfacenative entire ecologicalcommunitiescouldbelost listing). Withoutsuchavenuesformovement, odorata be especiallyatrisk,suchastheriverredgum moister environsoccurringintheregionwill populations ofspeciesassociatedwith E. bicostata Eucalyptus camaldulensisssp. grassywoodland;nominatedforEPBC conservationstatuswillneedtobe This isparticularlyrelevanttothe ) andotherplantspeciesonMt The predictedshiftinclimatic etal. ) atSpringGully(Neagle 2005).Relictoroutlier E. macrorhyncha Eucalyptus There ) Map 21: Native vegetation – broad structural formations. Natural Resource Asset: BIODIVERSITY Asset: Resource Natural Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 77 78

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: BIODIVERSITY Map 22:Significantareas.Map biodiversity Map 23: Conservation priority of roadside vegetation. Natural Resource Asset: BIODIVERSITY Asset: Resource Natural Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 79 80

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Natural Resource Asset: BIODIVERSITY Map 24:ThreatenedMap communities plant inareas surveyed. Map 25: Threatened plant species. Natural Resource Asset: BIODIVERSITY Asset: Resource Natural Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 81 82

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Resource Influence: PEST PLANTS AND ANIMALS • • • • • may include: primary productionorthecommunity. Impacts it exhibitsadverseimpactsontheenvironment, A 7.1 Overview 7. Resource Influence: The term‘declared’ some instances. brought, andarealsoconsideredaspestsin that agricultureandurbandevelopmenthas have beenadvantagedbythemodifications values tosomesectors.Severalnativespecies also simultaneouslyhavingcommercialorother their impactonanumberofassets,withsome introduced speciesareconsideredaspestsfor both intentionallyandunintentionally. Many introduced totheNorthernand Many plantsandanimalshavebeen • plants andtheir reproductiveparts(e.g.seeds The NRM prevention ofsaleandtransport, andcontrol. are notlimitedto):notification ofpresence, Management be enforcedundertheNatural Resources species forwhichstatutorymeasuresmay foulingofwater holesandphysically

plant species; animals; obstructing watercourses;and providing poorsoilcoveratcriticaltimes; structure, andthroughsomeweedspecies removing soilcoveranddisturbing soil lossthroughherbivorousanimals and animalspreyinggrazingnative plants, competitionformoistureandlight, functioning throughout-competingnative loss ofbiodiversityandecosystem poisonous plantsandpredatorypest stock injuries,illnessesanddeathfrom increased musteringcosts; management costsanddifficulties increased controlcosts, economic costssuchasyieldreductions, impacts (e.g.injurytolivestock). traffic hazards,aestheticimpacts,emotional human healthsuchasdiseasespread, Pest Plants andAnimals or animal Act definitionofplantsincludes living Act. Suchmeasuresinclude(but may isusedtoreferthose be considered Yorke region as a pest if include invertebrates. vertebrate animalsexceptfishanddoesnot and algae. plant products,bacteria,fungi,micro-organisms or bulbs),butexcludesnon-living,processed order tominimisetheimpactofpestplantsand voluntary toolsthattheregioncanadoptin management, asthereareanumberof not necessarilylimittheNRMPlaninpest NRM Plan. occur ifsupportedbytheStateorRegional but thedeclarationofnativespeciescanonly necessarily havetobeexotic Biodiversity andCoastal,EstuarineMarine to biodiversity, thissectionlinkscloselytothe Due tothethreatpestplantsandanimalspose animals. of thechannel characteristics, excessive include shading-outnativespecies, alteration and aquaticspecies.Impacts towatercourses Pest plantsofwatercoursesinclude terrestrial avoid off-target damage. disturbance, butneedstobeusedcarefully possible, whichdoesnotinvolveasmuchsoil application isincreasinglybeingusedwhere or minimiseerosionrisk.Selectiveherbicide weed managementtechniquesoftenprevent susceptible toerosion;however, integrated broadscale mechanicalremoval,leavesoil methods ofweedcontrol,suchastillageand susceptible topestplants.Historically, some native vegetationandpasturesareparticularly monoculture. Smallanddegradedareasof native vegetation,insomecasesforminga because theyimpactheavilyoncropsand Many plantspeciesattaintheirpeststatus to beco-ordinatedacrossthesesectors. productivity, andtheirmanagementneeds other resourceassets,aswellagricultural separate influencebecausetheyaffect all Pest plantsandanimalsarelistedasa 7.2 Relationship to sections.

resource assets The definitionofananimalincludes These definitions,however, do The speciesdoesnot

Australia, organic matter and nutrients and depletion 7.4. Key information gaps of oxygen from decomposing leaves, and hosting pests and diseases. Introduced fish There are a number of key information gaps in watercourses such as eastern gambusia that limit the region’s capacity to manage and (Gambusia holbrookii) prey on native aquatic reduce the negative impacts of pest plants and invertebrates and juvenile fish, while European animals: carp (Cyprinus carpio) disturb sediments and • the distribution and abundance of most pest submerged plants. Larger terrestrial pest species; animals can also foul watercourses. • likely changes in distribution and abundance if climate changes; Herbivorous pest animals such as rabbits, deer • comparative ecophysiology of pest species and goats impact native vegetation, crops and compared with natives (such as river red pastures, and subsequently fauna and primary gums compared to peppercorn trees, e.g. producers. Large pest animals also pose road which uses the most water; germinates safety hazards to the general public and can most effectively under what conditions, can be vectors for many livestock diseases. The tolerate more salty water, provides what removal of vegetation on susceptible soils can

ecological functions); and AND ANIMALS PEST PLANTS Influence: Resource result in soil erosion. • the ecological interrelationships between The most notorious carnivorous pest in the pest species and native species, and the region is the fox (Vulpes vulpes), which preys resultant ecological consequences. on grazing stock, native fauna, and other pest animals. 7.5. Pest plants The interaction between pest herbivores, The term ‘pest plants’ is used here to describe carnivores and pest plants requires a co- plants that have become invasive or over ordinated approach to minimise the impact of abundant, affecting the productivity of certain pests to the environment, primary production land uses, the health and diversity of natural and the community. The community’s ecosystems (including marine), and the health perception of what makes an organism a pest, and wellbeing of communities. their recognition of the impacts, their own goals and the availability of economically effective In the context of this plan, plants of ‘pest’ status control methods influences their willingness to can be: undertake and support control measures. • exotic plants which are well adapted and have flourished in the local conditions; and • non-local native species which spread and 7.3. Current monitoring of become over abundant. pest plants and animals They include plants that have been declared Monitoring of the distribution of declared under the NRM Act, and non-declared plants species is undertaken at a local level by that impact on agriculture, natural ecosystems Authorised Officers of the Northern and Yorke and communities. They may invade crops and NRM Board. The distribution and abundance degrade pastures, affecting the quality and of some species has been mapped in greater quantity of produce. Pest plants can result in detail in some Local Government areas and for increased input requirements, lost opportunities some biodiversity assets. At the regional scale and force changes in land-uses and lifestyles in there has been limited co-ordinated monitoring extreme cases. Pest plants can degrade native of pest plants and animals. Distribution and vegetation, out-compete native understorey abundance mapping of a number of pest species, affect plant establishment and reduce species by Hundreds has been co-ordinated an area’s habitat and biodiversity value. As well at a State level, with baseline distribution and as affecting natural ecosystems and agriculture, abundance maps available for the Northern and weeds can increase the risk of fire and change Yorke region. its behaviour, posing public safety issues. Certain pest plant species can reduce the enjoyment of amenity areas and can be a threat to public safety. Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 83 84

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Resource Influence: PEST PLANTS AND ANIMALS the future. the potentialtobecomeestablishedweedsin listed, andmanyothersplantspeciesthathave regarded as‘weeds’ 22. Notethattherearemanymorespecies Northern and agriculture, ormarineecosystemsinthe concern thatthreatennativevegetation, Established pestplantspeciesofcurrent native riparianvegetation. plants haveseriouslydamagedremaining biodiversity. Woody weedsandotherintroduced threatening nativevegetationandnatural weeds, reducingagriculturalproductivityand have proliferatedandbecomeinvasive are welladaptedtotheregionalconditions A numberofintroducedplantspeciesthat Yorke regionarelistedin intheregionthatarenot Table and marketaccess. including reducedyields,livestockhealthissues describes thoseplantsthataffect productivity, terrestrial andaquatic.‘Agriculturalweeds’ potential impactonnaturalecosystems,both describe thoseplantsthathaveanimpactora The term‘environmentalweeds’ Appendix 4. the followingtables. treated differently andtheresultsareshownin DWLBC of themanagementoptionsisoutlinedin region been undertakenfortheNorthernand A Pest plantriskassessment weedriskassessmentofpestplantshas using (DWLBC the State-wide 2005). A moredetaileddescription Different Guide isusedto land developed Yorke uses

are by Protect sites Contain spread Urban Perennial Horticulture Manage weed Non-arable Grazing Manage sites Protect sites Alert Monitor Protect sites Alert Monitor Resource Influence: PEST PLANTS AND ANIMALS PEST PLANTS Influence: Resource Land uses: Native Vegetation Manage weed Protect sites Protect sites Monitor Protect sites Alert Alert Protect sites Contain spread Alert Destroy infestations Alert Manage weed Destroy infestations Alert Alert Protect sites Contain spread Forestry Monitor Protect sites Crop-Pasture Rotation Monitor Manage sites Monitor Alert Contain spread Aquatic Alert Alert Monitor Lycium ferocissimum Lycium Pennisetum macrourum Eragrostis curvula Peganum harmala Pinus halepensis Malvella leprosa Alternanthera philoxeroides Arctotheca populifolia Arctotis stoechadifolia Sagittaria montevidensis Asparagus scandens Tamarix aphylla Tamarix Crataegus sinaica Xanthium spinosum Rubus fruticosus sp. agg. Silene vulgaris Sollya heterophylla Chrysanthemoides monilifera Orobanche ramosa Asparagus asparagoides Asparagus declinatus Achnantherum caudatum Hirschfeldia incana Cenchrus ciliaris Watsonia meriana var. bulbillifera meriana var. Watsonia Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Alkali sida^ Pest Plants Table 22: Pest plants risk assessment depending on land use. Table African feathergrass^ African lovegrass^ African rue^ Aleppo pine Alligator weed#^ Arctotheca Arctotis Arrowhead^ Asparagus fern African boxthorn^ Athel pine# ^ Azzarola^ Bathurst burr^ Blackberry# ^! Bladder campion^ Blue bell creeper Boneseed# ^ Branched broomrape^ Bridal creeper#^ Bridal veil Broad-kernel espartillo^ Buchan weed grass Buffel Bulbil watsonia^ 85 86

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Resource Influence: PEST PLANTS AND ANIMALS

Land uses: Pest Plants Aquatic Crop-Pasture Forestry Native Vegetation Non-arable Grazing Perennial Urban Rotation Horticulture Cabomba#^ Cabomba caroliniana Alert Calomba daisy^ Pentzia suffruticosa Monitor Caltrop^ Tribulus terrestris Manage weed Manage weed Manage sites Manage sites Cane needlegrass*^ Nassella hyalina Alert Alert Cape broom^ Genista monspessulana Protect sites Protect sites Cape tulip – 1 leaf^ Homeria flaccida Manage weed Cape tulip – 2 leaf^ Homeria miniata Manage weed Carrion flower Orbea variegata Protect sites Castor oil plant Ricinus communis Monitor Century plant Agave americana Protect sites Chilean dodder Cuscuta suaveolens Alert Chilean needlegrass#^ Nassella neesiana Alert Alert Clover broomrape Orobanche minor Alert Coastal teatree Leptospermum laevigatum Protect sites Coolatai grass Hyparrhenia hirta Alert Alert Creeping knapweed^ Acroptilon repens Destroy infestations Cutleaf mignonette^ Reseda lutea Manage weed Desert Ash Fraxinus angustifolia Contain spread Devils claw Martynia annua Monitor Distichlis^ Distichlis spp. Alert Dog rose^ Rose canina Monitor Dog wattle Acacia wattsiana Protect sites Elodea^ Elodea canadensis Alert Eurasian water milfoil^ Myriophyllum spicatum Alert False caper^ Euphorbia terracina Manage sites Field bindweed^ Convolvulus arvensis Contain spread Manage sites Protect sites Manage sites Protect sites Urban Destroy infestations Perennial Protect sites Horticulture Non-arable Grazing Manage weed Monitor Protect sites Protect sites Alert Monitor Destroy infestations Alert Contain spread Resource Influence: PEST PLANTS AND ANIMALS PEST PLANTS Influence: Resource Land uses: Native Vegetation Manage sites Protect sites Contain spread Protect sites Manage sites Alert Protect sites Contain spread Monitor Contain spread Alert Monitor Protect sites Forestry Monitor Protect sites Crop-Pasture Rotation Monitor Monitor Alert Manage sites Contain spread Protect sites Alert Alert Aquatic Alert Alert Protect sites Allium vineale Pennisetum setaceum Sclerolaena birchii Gazania spp Arundo donax Acacia saligna Ulex europaeus Crataegus monogyna Cardaria draba Marrubium vulgare Equisetum spp. Hydrocotyle ranunculoides Cenchrus incertus, C. longispinus Rhamnus alaternus Alternanthera pungens Kochia scoparia Lagarosiphon major Dipogon lignosus Egeria densa Diplotaxis tenuifolia Argyranthemum frutescens Prosopis spp. Nassella tenuissima Coprosma repens Disa bracteata Xanthium strumarium sp. agg. complex^ burr Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Gorse/ Furze#^ Khaki weed Pest Plants Fountain grass Galvanised burr^ Gazania Giant reed Golden wreath wattle Hawthorn (May)^ Hoary cress^ Horehound^ Horsetail* ^ Hydrocotyle^ Innocent weed^ Italian buckthorn Kochia*^ Lagarosiphon*^ Lavatory creeper Leafy elodea^ Lincoln weed^! Marguerite daisy Field garlic^ Mesquite#^ Mexican feathergrass^ Mirror bush Monodenia Noogoora 87 88

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Resource Influence: PEST PLANTS AND ANIMALS

Land uses: Pest Plants Aquatic Crop-Pasture Forestry Native Vegetation Non-arable Grazing Perennial Urban Rotation Horticulture Olive^ Olea europaea Protect sites Protect sites Pampas grass Cortaderia seloana Protect sites Parkinsonia#^ Parkinsonia aculeata Destroy infestations Parthenium weed#^ Parthenium hysterophorus Alert Alert Alert Pepper tree Schinus molle Manage weed Perennial ragweed^ Ambrosia spp. Alert Perennial veldt grass Ehrharta calycina Protect sites Periwinkle Vinca major Protect sites Monitor Pines Pinus spp Monitor Pink pampas grass^ Cortaderia jubata Alert Plumerillo^ Jarava plumosa Alert Alert Polygala Polygala myrtifolia Destroy infestations Poison buttercup^ Ranunculus sceleratus Alert Poison ivy^ Toxicodendron radicans Alert Prickly pear^ Other Opuntia spp. Manage sites Manage weed Primrose willow^ Ludwigia peruviana Alert Pyp grass Erhrharta villosa Protect sites Radiata pine Pinus radiata Monitor Ragwort^ Senecio jacobaea Alert Rhodes grass Chloris gavana Monitor Rhus tree^ Toxicodendron succedaneum Alert Sagittaria^ Sagittaria graminea Alert Salvation Jane Echium plantagineum Manage sites Manage weed Salvinia#^ Salvinia molesta Alert Scotch (English) broom^ Cytisus scoparius Protect sites Senegal tea plant*^ Gymnocoronis spilanthoides Alert Urban Perennial Horticulture Manage sites Non-arable Grazing Destroy infestations Alert Monitor Monitor Alert Monitor Protect sites Resource Influence: PEST PLANTS AND ANIMALS PEST PLANTS Influence: Resource Land uses: Native Vegetation Protect sites Protect sites Manage sites Alert Monitor Protect sites Destroy infestations Eradicate Contain spread Forestry Monitor Crop-Pasture Rotation Monitor Monitor Manage sites Contain spread Contain spread Govt. Gazette, 2005) infestations region (SA Contain spread Contain spread Contain spread Aquatic Destroy Manage sites Protect sites region Nassella trichotoma Solanum elaeagnifolium Chondrilla juncea Picnomon acarna Juncus acutus Hypericum perforatum Casuarina glauca Rosa rubiginosa Chamaecytisus proliferus Thinopyrum ponticum Tamarisk ramosissima Tamarisk Nassella leucotricha Allium triquetrum Lavandula stoechas Acacia cyclops Opuntia spp. Ratama raetam Cynara cardunculus Raphanus raphanistrum Salix spp. Amsinckia spp. Alert listed species (Department of Environment and Heritage, 2000) Act, 2004 with one or more provisions applying in the NY Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Wort St John’s Sweet briar^ Pest Plants Silverleaf nightshade^ Skeleton weed^ Soldier thistle^ Spiny rush Swamp oak Tagasaste wheatgrass Tall Tamarisk needlegrass^ Texas Three cornered garlic lavender Topped coastal wattle Western Serrated tussock#^ Wheel cactus White weeping broom* Wild artichoke^! Wild radish Willows – seeding# ^ burrweed^ Yellow ^ Declared species NRM ^! Declaration status varies within the NY * National Environmental Committee, 1999) of National Significance (Australian Weeds # Weed 89 90

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Resource Influence: PEST PLANTS AND ANIMALS virus (RHDV). introduction ofrabbithaemorrhagicdisease when raptorspeciesdeclinedfollowingthe predator species,suchaswasobserved also temporarilyand‘artificially’ pest specieslikecatsandfoxes. can promotepopulationinflationoflarger species suchasthehousemouseandrabbit and diseases.Inabundantnumbers,pest fauna andlivestock,arevectorsforweeds species forfoodandhabitat,preyonnative pressure ontheland,cancompetewithother Pest animalsincreasethetotalgrazing primary productionorcommunities. to animalsthatthreatentheenvironment, ‘Pest animals’ Australia. for enforcedcontrolbylandownersinSouth Of these,11 specieshavebeen‘declared’ established wildself-sustainingpopulations. introduced to 400 exoticanimalspecieshavebeen Committee 2007).Itisestimatedthataround based onanationallist(Vertebrate Pests All exoticanimalsin 7.6 Pest animals starling Common Red fox^ Pigeon^ Goat^ Pig^ Feral cat^ hare European Dingo^ species)^ Pest Table 23:Pestanimalriskassessmentdependingonlanduse. rabbit^ European Deer (all Animals vulgaris Sturnus vulpes Vulpes livia Columba Capra hircus Sus scrofa Felis catus cuniculus Oryctolagus europaeus Lepus dingo Canis lupus

Australia, ofwhichabout50have inthecontextofthisplanrefers Australia aredeclared, Alert Aquatic affect native They may pest Manage sites Manage pest Manage Rotation Pasture Crop-

Manage Protect Manage sites sites sites Forestry over-abundantnativeanimalsaffecting • introducedcompetitors;and • introducedpredators; • in thecontextof: natural resources,itisusefultoconsiderthem In assessingpestanimalsandtheirimpactson in somedistrictsfoxeshavereplaceddingoes irrigation systems.However, itisalsonotedthat affect horticulturalenterprises anddamage as blackberry, olivesandboneseed. a vectorofdiseasesandweedspeciessuch of manythreatenedspecies.Foxesarealso and arefrequentlyassociatedwiththedecline These speciespreyonlivestock,nativefauna, Introduced predators outlined in description ofthemanagementoptionsis below foreachlanduse. treated differently andtheresultsareshown (DWLBC 2007b).Different landusesare using theGuidedevelopedbyDWLBC undertaken fortheNorthernand A Pest animalriskassessment sites Manage pest pest Manage Alert Manage pest Manage pest sites Vegetation Manage Manage Native pestanimalriskassessmenthasbeen values andobjectives. biodiversity, agriculturalandcommunity Land uses Appendix 4. pest pest pest populations Destroy sites Grazing Manage Manage Manage Protect Non-arable A Manage Manage Manage Perennial pest sites pest Manage sites Horticulture moredetailed Yorke region They can sites pest Manage Manage pest sites Urban Manage Protect as predators and play a role in containing 7.7. Introduced invertebrates populations of kangaroos, etc. Cats and foxes occur throughout the region, with occasional A number of invertebrate species are identified reports of dingoes or wild dogs. Cats also act as having a significant impact on agricultural as vectors for diseases affecting humans and production and natural ecosystems. Pest livestock, such as toxoplasmosis. invertebrates such as insects can: • damage or destroy crops and pastures and Local examples include: therefore reduce yields; • cat (Felis catus); and • damage native vegetation; • red fox (Vulpes vulpes). • spread disease • compete with and displace native Introduced competitors invertebrate species. Introduced competitors affect most parts of White snails have become a significant and the region. Deer are increasingly becoming an widespread problem in the Mid North and issue throughout the region, once restricted Yorke Peninsula cropping districts and are also to a small number of known locations. Feral present in other areas of the region, particularly goats are primarily a problem in the north of where there are alkaline soils. Feral honeybees AND ANIMALS PEST PLANTS Influence: Resource the region; however populations elsewhere (Apis mellifera) use hollows and are in direct are reported. Escape of deer and goats from competition with other hollow-using species. livestock enterprises is a potential source They may also provide a vector of pest and of new incursions for these pests, which disease spread to commercial hives. undermines effective control programs (in addition to self-sustaining feral populations). Phylloxera is a particular insect recognised as Impacts of introduced competitors include: being a potential future risk to the viticulture • competition with native fauna for resources industry in South Australia. This aphid type (food, shelter, nesting space) insect attacks the roots and leaves of grape • vector for weed species (like olives, vines, leading to the death of vines. Phylloxera boxthorn, blackberry, etc) is found in parts of Victoria and New South • damage to native vegetation (increasing Wales. South Australia is currently phylloxera- grazing pressure, ring barking trees) free. Outbreak of the insect would have severe • compaction of soil increasing the risk of soil impacts on the wine and horticultural industries erosion and their contributions to the State’s economy. • modification of vegetation (to favour non- Similarly, the introduced fire ant has become palatable species) a major issue in Queensland, threatening • modification to aquatic ecosystems outdoor lifestyles and posing serious ecological • disease consequences. Outbreak of such pests to South Local examples include: Australia could have wide ramifications. • blackbird (Turdus merula) Invertebrate pests and disease can be spread • black rat (Rattus rattus) by natural means (e.g. via wind, water, host • brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) animal species), but can also be inadvertently • brown trout (Salmo trutta) spread via human-assisted movement of • rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) machinery, soil, agricultural products and • carp (Cyprinus carpio) materials between regions. Adopting hygienic • European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) working practices (i.e. in transporting goods and • fallow deer (Dama dama) travelling between regions) can greatly assist in • feral goat (Capra hircus) the prevention of further pest introductions. • feral pigeon or rock dove (Columba livia) Local examples include: • goldfish (Carassius auratus) • honeybees (Apis mellifera) • hare (Lepus capensis) • white snails: vineyard snail (Cernuella • house mouse (Mus domesticus) virgata), conical snail (Cochlicella acuta) • plague minnow (Gambusia holbrooki) • cabbage moth or diamond back moth • red deer (Cervus elaphus) (Plutella xylostella) • sparrow (Passer domesticus) • spotted turtle-dove (Streptopelia chinensis) • cereal curculio • starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 91 92

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Resource Influence: PEST PLANTS AND ANIMALS as Yorke Valley, impacts hasoccurred. particularly wheresocialacceptanceofthe be effectively managedin manyinstances, part ofthelocalecology. legislation andplayanintegralimportant because suchspeciesareprotectedunder native speciescreateaparticularchallenge Management ofissuesassociatedwithlocal- food fornativeanimals. agriculture, butisalsoanimportantsourceof ( to ecosystems.Forexample,theplaguelocust production, althoughtheycanalsobecritical cycles haveanegativeimpactonprimary For othernativespecies,theirpopulation usually themostobvioussign. of otherstresses,butthemistletoeclumpsare stress. the extentthathosttreesareshowingsignsof populations haveincreasedinsomelocalitiesto tree healthandnaturalpredators,boxmistletoe understorey vegetation,edgeeffects andpoor In theabsenceofnaturalfireregimes,lack ( is theincreasedincidenceofboxmistletoe abundant thanusual. well toalteredconditionsandbecomemore local nativeplantsandanimalshaveadapted systems canbecomeoutofbalance.Some In situationsofenvironmentalchange,natural 7.8 Native associated species The and Yorke region Native plantissuesintheNorthern nitrebush to Flinders highly In competition establishment region, Clearance saline. has grasses. become Chortoicetes termifera Amyema miquellii

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weed can have adverse impacts on other fauna Lerps have become over abundant, with exposed to the spray. Spraying may potentially infestation occurring on the foliage of native threaten the survival of vulnerable species trees and ultimately affecting tree health. This like the White-veined Skipper Butterfly and is a localised problem and is believed to be a affect species dependent on invertebrate symptom of the natural system out of balance. prey (such as the pygmy bluetongue lizard) Graham et al. (2001) note some evidence of by reducing their food source or via residual tree dieback associated with insect attack at impact. However, insecticides are targeted in Gum Flat. their application, with buffers required near Examples include: waterways, dams, beehives, and known pygmy bluetongue populations, consistent with best • plague locusts (Chortoicetes termifera) practice management. A biological insecticide • grasshoppers (Orthoptera family) (fungus) is an effective alternative and widely • lerps or psyllids (Psyllidae family) used wherever possible. • aphids (Aphididae family) • ornate kangaroo ticks (southern YP) • native budworm Resource Influence: PEST PLANTS AND ANIMALS PEST PLANTS Influence: Resource Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 93 94

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Resource Influence: PEOPLE practices. adopt andsupporttheadoptionofsustainable However, thebroader communityalsoneedsto landmanagers • (2006): thecharacteristicsofpractice(howwell • thecharacteristicsoffarmingfamily • identified twokeyfactors: primarily focusedonlandmanagersandhas of sustainablepractices. the factorsthataffect thecommunity’s adoption Some studieshaveattemptedtounderstand communities. activities alsobeingmembersofregional managers andthoseinvolvedininstitutional However, thereissignificantoverlap,withland community • institutional • the frameworkdevelopedbyRaymond divided intothreegroupsinaccordancewith manage naturalresources,Peopleareloosely In consideringthecapacityofPeopleto Theircapacitytomanagenaturalresources 3. Thedegreetowhichthecommunityadopts 2. TheirlevelofawarenessNRMactivities 1. need tobeconsidered: recognises threekeyareasinwhichpeople Asset, theNorthernand In consideringpeopleasaNaturalResource 8.1 Overview 8. Resource Influence: People etc) (Carey profitability, degreeofinformationrequired, it canbeintegratedwithexistingpractices, situation, etc);and (including theirattitudes,aims,financial (or deliverNRM). sustainable NRM. and drivers. et al . 2002). Yorke NRMBoard This researchhas et al.

a landareaof34,500km The Northernand Demographics regional South of the55+agegroupwhencompared withboth 15-34 agegroupwhileanover-representation indicates amuchlowerrepresentation ofthe The populationdistributionoftheregion South in theminingindustryonnorthernregionsof access educationalfacilities,andotherstowork centres. Manyyoungpeoplehavemovedto leaving result ofthoseunabletofindemployment areas haveaverylowunemploymentas employment opportunities.Ironically, some rural regionswithlimitededucationaland Net outflowofyouthisacharacteristic reductioninvolunteerbasetosupport • lackoforinadequateservicesprovidedfor • reduceddiversityofservicesprovidedby • include: Impacts ofdecliningandageingpopulations also increasing(see increasing innumbers,buttheaverageageis of in age. generally decreasinginnumbersandincreasing Across theregionasawhole,populationis (24%) orrurallocalities(29%). (17%). Kadina/Moonta/Wallaroo, andPeterborough (30%) andthekeyregionalcentresofClare, northern citiesofPortPirieand The populationisdistributedamongthemajor or 6.1%ofSouth residential populationof89,000(2006Census) Northern SpencerGulf.Itsupportsanestimated of coastline,mainlyon marine areaof15,200km Yorke Peninsula, wherethepopulationis community groupsandon-groundactivities. actual community);and basis, ratherthanondemographicsof offered onawhole-of-population averaging the profileofcommunity(servicesmaybe private enterpriseandgovernment; Australia. The remainderresideinsmallertowns The exceptionisthecoastalareas to look for Australia andtheState. Australia’s totalpopulation. Yorke NRMregioncovers employment Table 24). Yorke Peninsulaand 2 andanadditional 2 . Ithas1,350km in larger Augusta regional 2

Table 24: Population and population change, Northern and Yorke NRM region 1991-2006. Urban Centre/ Rural Locality 1996 2001 2006 1996-2006 2001-2006 absolute change relative change Port Pirie 13,633 13,263 13,206 -57 -0.4% Port Augusta 13,914 13,194 13,257 63 0.5% Kadina 3,589 3,745 4,026 281 7.5% Moonta 2,898 3,084 3,350 266 8.6% Clare 2,815 2,930 3,063 133 4.5%

Wallaroo 2,516 2,720 3,053 333 12.2% PEOPLE Influence: Resource Peterborough 1,855 1,683 1,689 6 0.4% Balaklava 1,441 1,522 1,627 105 6.9% Jamestown 1,430 1,352 1,407 55 4.1% Crystal Brook 1,323 1,259 1,185 -74 -5.9% Burra 1,008 1,106 978 -128 -11.6% Ardrossan 1,081 1,083 1,122 39 3.6% Quorn 1,038 1,005 1,068 63 6.3% Maitland 999 992 1,056 64 6.5% Minlaton 733 753 773 20 2.7% Port Broughton 628 730 908 178 24.4% Mallala 652 692 737 45 6.5% Riverton 694 666 723 57 8.6% Hamley Bridge 617 656 631 -25 -3.8% Yorketown 692 645 685 40 6.2% Gladstone 660 622 629 7 1.1% Stansbury 524 531 522 -9 -1.7% Laura 507 511 570 59 11.5% Orroroo 557 504 543 39 7.7% Port Wakefield 543 497 476 -21 -4.2% Port Vincent 446 453 472 19 4.2% Edithburgh 400 429 395 -34 -7.9% Snowtown 429 392 405 13 3.3% Saddleworth 409 382 425 43 11.3% Auburn 303 334 318 -16 -4.8% Port Victoria 311 333 345 12 3.6% Booleroo Centre 320 309 331 22 7.1% Fisherman Bay n/a 299 209 -90 -30.1% Hawker 319 298 229 -69 -23.2% Blyth 282 284 306 22 7.7% Port Germein 235 279 249 -30 -10.8% Bute 258 265 268 3 1.1% Napperby 241 253 249 -4 -1.6% Wilmington 261 242 220 -22 -9.1% Wirrabara 282 238 251 13 5.5% Owen 229 218 227 9 4.1% Warooka 236 218 247 29 13.3% Spalding 204 204 222 18 8.8% Melrose n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Total Urban 61,512 61,175 62,652 1,477 2.4% Rural Balance 25,145 24,323 26,391 2,068 7.8% Total 86,657 85,498 89,043 3,545 4.10% Note: ‘na’ indicates the data are not available. Either the population was below 200 persons or the locality has been incorporated into another urban centre. Rural Balance deduced from difference of total of urban centres with total Census population count. Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Source: ABS 2016.4, Selected Characteristics for Urban Centres and Localities, 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006 Census; NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Time Series Profiles 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006 95 96

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Resource Influence: PEOPLE Goals fortheNorthernand and arehencethekeytoachieving natural resourcesandinfluencesintheregion, People use,dependonandmanagethe 8.2 Relationship to ofpeople result of sustainable adoption, value Recognition this goal. are justsomeofthechallengestoachieving unpredictable behaviourofotherresourceusers between resources,imperfectknowledgeand climate, unknowninter-relationshipswithinand inherently variableandpotentiallychanging events. It people the often agencies Northern sustainable have turn This levels institutional sufficient however, to Total 55-64 45-54 35-44 25-34 20-24 15-19 5-14 0-4 Age group(years) Table 25: Age Distribution,Northernand Yorke NRMBoardregion2006. 65 andover

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resource

the

to reduces

the do

and of

and influences other resource assetsand

provide

and role Similarly,

resource

not

resources and to to such

and

degradation resource practices

the knowledge

support resource practices. support of

understand and

is has

the

Yorke

support

NRM

this as often environment.

understanding effectiveness

on people

use, soil,

support.

(knowledge,

users. NRM resource

resource is institutions other

seen use

89,195 16,427 12,437 13,162 11,982 8,342 3,850 5,456 12,480 5,059 No ofpersons These

for limited, institutional

or are of

the using

the the practices.

the

Board

users, as For the

Yorke region. For effect

institutions result an adoption sustainable users. users

such

first other natural of

such of some

and acceptable financial

including the

their resource knowledge

steps

of as to Degradation

resources

government as

institution

climatic resources,

adopt resources

of, for use

the

need to

etc) use

The water. other

100% 18.4% 13.9% 14.8% 13.4% 9.4% 4.3% 6.1% 14.0% 5.7% N&YNRM Region of

Adelaide StatisticalDivisiontotalfromthestatewideagepopulations.

in is to Note: RegionalSA %wascalculatedbysubtracting thecomparable the Northernand The Kaurnapeopleoccupiedthecentralpartof living interdependentlywiththeland. and Aboriginal peoplehavelivedintheNorthern Aboriginal heritage The community responsibility. protection ofthosevaluesisseenasabroad wider landscape.Respect,managementand as importantexistwithinandacrossthe Many ofthevalues Adnymathanha (north). groups (northeast),Barngalawest)and occupied bytheMeru(southeast),Danggali Northern and parts oftheregion.Landsoneastern Ngadjuri peopleinhabitedthecentraleastern traditional landoftheNukunupeople. to upperwesternpartoftheregionwas people occupied Aboriginal Aboriginal each knowledge acknowledged community, physical temporal:past,currentandfuture • values:social,culturalandeconomic; • additional dimensionstoNRMwithregardto: relationships ofnaturalresources,peoplebring In additiontothegeographicalscalesandinter- generations.

Source: 2006CensusofPopulationandHousing, ABS. Yorke region formanythousandsofyears, whole

one 100% 15.7% 12.7% 14.7% 14.5% 10.6% 4.9% 6.4% 14.4% 6.1% Regional SA

and

is

being. heritage

landscape

and

and an

spiritual Yorke regional boundarywere

by

integral

practices Aboriginal

Aboriginal Yorke Peninsula.

Yorke region. sections

(%) sites Aboriginal peoplehold

links is

part

part are

have

with people of

of

land

important of

100% 15.4% 11.7% 14.3% 14.5% 12.3% 6.6% 6.7% 12.8% 5.8% SA the

the

been the country. (%) The Narrungga

management wider

country retain

story. The mid

increasingly

in The

strong that

and

of

Resource use The economy has been further supported by The focus of people on NRM will depend on rapid population growth and transfer stimulated their interest related to the interaction with the by lifestyle, the mining boom and tourism which resource assets. NRM activities are inextricably has created unprecedented demand for additional linked to asset use and driven by expected rural and coastal land together with associated social, environmental and economic outcomes. community infrastructure and services.

The economy of the Northern and Yorke NRM Agricultural production region centres primarily on agriculture, forestry, Almost 80% of the region’s land is devoted

fishing and aquaculture, mining production and PEOPLE Influence: Resource to agriculture, with large-scale production of tourism. These all rely on resource asset use cereal crops, predominantly wheat and barley, and sustainable management of the assets together with livestock and viticulture. The to ensure future productivity. In most cases long-term economic viability of agricultural the resident population is intrinsically linked to enterprises is dependent on sustainable land the natural resources, although this is not as use practices and NRM. In turn, the effective significant for the tourism industry, where links implementation of NRM management practices between visitation and resource management is influenced by the economic capacity of are weaker. landholders. Other industries, including health and The extent of agriculture is quite diverse across community services, retail, manufacturing, and the region with: support activities add to the region’s economy and provide additional skills and resources • pastoral activities in the north; to enable the institutional organisations and • predominantly broad acre cropping and community to perform effective NRM. grazing in the mid region; and • viticulture supplementing that in the south.

Table 26: Employment by Industry 1996, 2001 and 2006, Northern and Yorke NRM region. Industry 1996 % of 1996 2001 % of 2001 2006 % of total total 2006 total Agriculture, forestry and fishing 6,570 19.2% 6,777 18.7% 5,780 16.4% Mining 234 0.7% 235 0.6% 530 1.5% Manufacturing 3,220 9.4% 3,737 10.3% 3,203 9.1% Electricity, gas, water and waste services 515 1.5% 444 1.2% 584 1.7% Construction 1,567 4.6% 2,074 5.7% 2,168 6.2% Wholesale trade 1,460 4.3% 1,597 4.4% 942 2.7% Retail trade 4,493 13.1% 5,276 14.5% 4,144 11.8% Accommodation and food services 1,656 4.8% 1,856 5.1% 2,361 6.7% Transport, postal and warehousing 1,674 4.9% 1,489 4.1% 1,578 4.5% Information media and telecommunications 572 1.7% 412 1.1% 240 0.7% Financial and insurance services 690 2.0% 546 1.5% 559 1.6% Rental, hiring and real estate services 1,248 3.6% 1,728 4.8% 320 0.9% Professional, scientific and technical n/a n/a 672 1.9% services Administrative and support services 1,166 3.4% 1,282 3.5% 890 2.5% Public administration and safety n/a n/a 2,023 5.7% Education and training 2,586 7.6% 2,574 7.1% 2,672 7.6% Health care and social assistance 3,488 10.2% 3,892 10.7% 4,418 12.5% Arts and recreation services 447 1.3% 393 1.1% 170 0.5% Other services 1,065 3.1% 1,184 3.3% 1,133 3.2% Inadequately described/Not stated 1,586 4.6% 777 2.1% 852 2.4% Total 34,237 100% 36,273 100% 35,239 100% Source: ABS@: 2006 Census, Time Series, T15 Industry by Sex; 20680 – Industry of Employment – 2006 ANZSIC (division) by Sex – Northern and Yorke Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 97 98

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Resource Influence: PEOPLE technical services Professional, scientificand Financial andinsurance Information mediaand Accommodation andfood Retail trade Wholesale trade waste services Electricity, gas,waterand Not stated Inadequately described/ Other services Arts andrecreation Health careandsocial Education andtraining Rental, hiring&realestate Transport, postaland Public administrationand Administrative andsupport Total services assistance safety services services services telecommunications warehousing services Construction Manufacturing Mining fishing Agriculture, forestryand Table 27:ResidentEmploymentbyIndustry Age 2006,Northernand Yorke NRMregion. 90 90 26 23 780 58 26 15-19 6.4% 2,272 14 87 38 37 9 21 12 27 425 140 202 8 159 Source: ABS@: 2006Census,B42INDUSTRY OF EMPLOYMENT(a)BY AGE BY SEX 2,542 27 53 22 56 215 415 75 179 42 282 40 301 20-24 7.2% 82 141 9 228 141 119 70 45 5,539 51 120 40 210 358 641 158 344 92 597 114 786 117 193 29 580 464 362 132 151 25-34 15.7% 8,506 35-44 24.1% 93 171 46 419 490 926 261 556 157 896 160 1,207 161 239 37 1,171 619 533 230 134 9,527 45-54 27.0% 78 128 71 461 542 849 239 566 175 826 145 1,430 162 272 36 1,578 912 657 248 152 5,461 55-64 15.5% 49 56 40 351 294 463 112 325 92 359 62 1,203 135 150 32 709 466 284 154 125 3.2% 1,124 65-74 10 12 7 51 32 61 37 55 3 43 3 504 68 42 12 61 38 27 22 36 228 75-84 0.6% – 3 – 4 4 9 4 – – – – 152 34 3 – 3 6 – – 6 45 85 – – – – – 3 – – – 33 3 3 – – 3 – – – years 0.1% – – 35,244 317 238 1,579 4,144 944 2,168 587 3,205 532 5,775 852 1,133 169 4,417 2,675 2,020 564 2,360 893 672 TOTAL 100% Table 28: Contribution to Gross Regional Product, Northern and Yorke NRM region 2005/06. Household Income Other Value Added Contribution to GRP 18 Sectors ANZIC – 1 digit $m % $m % $m % 1. Agriculture Forestry and fishing 164.2 10.3% 522 38.4% 663.2 21.5% 2. Mining 8.6 0.6% 44 3.2% 52.8 1.6% 3. Manufacturing 177.4 11.5% 184.5 13.6% 361.7 11.3% 4. Electricity, gas and water 46.3 3.0% 54.4 4.0% 100.7 3.2% 5. Construction 136.5 8.8% 69.8 5.1% 206.1 6.5%

6. Wholesale Trade 81.4 5.3% 26 1.9% 107.5 3.4% PEOPLE Influence: Resource 7. Retail trade 137.3 8.9% 35.5 2.6% 172.8 5.4% 8. Accommodation, cafes and restaurants 53.1 3.4% 25.1 1.8% 78.2 2.5% 9. Transport and storage 88.8 5.7% 30.8 2.3% 119.6 3.7% 10. Communication services 20.8 1.3% 16.5 1.2% 37.3 1.2% 11. Finance and insurance 28.6 1.8% 45.4 3.3% 74 2.3% 12. Ownership of dwellings 0 0.0% 209.9 15.4% 209.9 6.6% 13. Property and business 93.5 6.0% 33.1 2.4% 126.5 4.0% 14. Public administrative and defence 80.1 5.2% 32.5 2.4% 112.6 3.5% 15. Education 164.8 10.6% 0.6 0.0% 165.3 5.2% 16. Health and community services 185.9 12.0% 12.5 0.9% 198.4 6.2% 17. Cultural and recreational services 17.9 1.2% 9.1 0.7% 27 0.8% 18. Personal services 65.6 4.2% 11.6 0.8% 77.1 2.4% Intermediate total 1,550.7 100.0% 1,362.9 100.0% 2,913.6 91.3% Net Taxes in Final Demandb 277.6 8.70% Total 1550.7 100.0% 1362.9 100.0% 3191.2 100.0% Household income and other value added are the two components of gross regional product imputed using the income method. b: Includes net taxes (i.e. indirect taxes less subsidies) paid by households and other components of final demand. Source: EconSearch analysis, June 2007

A number of value adding ventures are also 35 oyster leases and several land-based trial emerging, including intensive livestock and sites which have significant potential for more poultry, fodder processing, feed lots, and rapid growth. machinery and equipment manufacturing, all of The fishing industry (based on western king which affect resource use and condition. prawn, southern rock lobster and blue crab) is worth around $30 million in annual sales. Forestry The Bundaleer and Wirrabara forests are the Mining production major forestry reserves in the region, covering The region has a long association with mining 10,046 ha which consists of native vegetation activities, with some major towns founded managed for conservation and plantation upon these activities. Previous exploration has forestry, predominately pine, supplying raw shown deposits of world class copper, lead, materials for local milling operations. zinc, iron ore, nickel, chromium, mineral sands, coal and diamond mineralisation. The potential Commercial fishing and aquaculture for ongoing exploration is high with several Aquaculture and commercial fishing are prospective areas identified. important and established components of the region’s economy, particularly on the Yorke Although many natural resources exist, the only Peninsula where prawns, rock lobsters, oysters, major mining activity that remains in the region abalone, blue swimmer crabs, and scale fish is for high quality slate at Mintaro and shell grit are major products. on the eastern shores of Gulf St Vincent, as well as sand, gravel, road material, dolomite, Yorke Peninsula has approximately 50 granite, gypsum, salt and diamonds. Major aquaculture operators, engaged in more than processing operations of heavy metals such as Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 99 100

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Resource Influence: PEOPLE recreation and culture. beverage industries,transport servicesand accommodation establishments, foodand in arangeofareassuchasthe smaller The tourismindustryalsoemploys people breakfast accommodation. caravan parks,heritagecottages,andbed throughout theregionincludinghotels,motels, A featuring boththeHeysenandMawson towns andnationalparkswiththeregion, Ranges provideaccesstowineries,heritage The ClareValley andtheSouthernFlinders open surfbeachesandshelteredcoves. and bushwalkinghasavarietyofclear, Peninsula) whichispopularforfishing,surfing the InnesNationalPark(atfootof In 2004,approximately143,000peoplevisited and theopportunityforcampingfarmstays. diving, thecopperminingheritageofarea such asfishing,sailing,boating,crabbingand Visitors areattractedbywater-based activities its visitorsin2004comingfromwithintheState. destination forSouth The Tourism natural resourcesandthreats. the capacityofnewlandholderstomanage modifications tothephysicallandscapeand clearance ofvegetationforinfrastructure, with increaseddemandforwaterresources, impacts onnaturalresourcesassociated Rural andcoastallivinghavecorresponding growth. sustainable developmentwithrapidresidential will betteraligntheprinciplesofecologically Regional LandUseprojects.Bothofthese through itsBetterDevelopmentPlansandalso Department forPlanningandLocalGovernment Plans arebeingupdatedandsupportedbythe marinas. LocalGovernmentDevelopment living developments,includingresidential unprecedented demandforruralandcoastal Regional Councilsareexperiencingan Rural andcoastalliving employment opportunitiesatotherminesites. increasing drainofpeoplefromtheregionby The mostsignificantimpactontheregionis Nystar PortPirie. zinc, lead,copper, silverandgoldoccuratthe goodrangeofaccommodationtypesexist Yorke Peninsula isapopularrecreational Australians, with94%of Yorke Trails. capacityofindividuals,organisationand • levelofadoptionsustainablepractices, • awareness ofNRM issueshasbeenevaluated At thenationallevel,someelements of achieved. in orderthatthegoalsofNRM Plancanbe require adequateawareness and understanding population andtheinstitutionsinregionalso programs inNRM,however, theurban the focusofawarenessandeducation currentlevelofawarenessand • manage naturalresources: that limittheregion’s Peoplecapacityto There areanumberofkeyinformationgaps 8.4 Key information gaps Community Capacity and awarenessinrelationtoNRMalthough about currentlevelsofcommunityknowledge There isrelativelylittledirectknowledge 8.3 Current monitoring to 2005/06hasbeencompleted. the region’s NRM results arenotyetavailable. Pilot KnowledgeStrategyfortheregionbut and Water (Northern and with waterresourceswasundertakenin2005 emerging. (Pannell NRM practicesadoptedacrosstheregion step thatisrequiredinordertoseesustainable all sectorsofthecommunityisacriticalfirst Awareness andunderstandingofNRMacross Awareness andunderstanding NRM (Pannell processes ofchangingpracticestosustainable Strategic Plan). to ResourceCondition relation topeopleandNRMwhichcarrythrough Three over-archingattributesareselectedin 8.5 Attributes ofthepeople groups andinstitutions(Raymond at thethreetiersofindividuals,community institutions tomanagenaturalresources. especially whennotfundedbyBoard;and non-farmers; understanding ofNRMissues,especially in relation to NRM etal. A Australia hasrecentlyundertakena targetedstudyconcerneddirectly 2006).Landholdersaretypically etal. Yorke NRMBoard2005).Land They areframedaroundthe Action Programfrom2004/05 2006),andcanbeviewed Assessment Targets inVolume B(the An evaluationof etal. Tools are 2006). by ABARE, in conjunction with characteristics • Networks and relationships of farmers reporting awareness (Hodges and • Strategic direction Goesch 2006). This evaluated landholder • Knowledge resources. reasons for retaining native vegetation, finding Produced capital that shelter and shade for stock and animals • Financial resources was the main reason (Table 29). At the Northern • Physical resources. and Yorke regional level, the recent survey by DAFF (2006) may provide information about Human capital landholders awareness of NRM at the local • Leaders level. • Human resource managers. PEOPLE Influence: Resource There is very little information as to the capacity A targeted study (Northern and Yorke NRM of individuals, community groups or institutions Board 2005) concerned directly with water to deliver NRM within the Northern and Yorke resources found that the community had low region. levels of awareness of regional water resources and their current state and appropriate A review of the delivery of the ‘NRM Action management mechanisms required at a Program’ between 2004/05 and 2005/06 has region level. been undertaken. This essentially provides some feedback to the NRM Board on its capacity The level of awareness and understanding to deliver NRM change through a devolved about NRM issues among the urban population, grants mechanism. The results indicated that community groups and institutions is unknown. the program was working well but that promotion and education could be improved. Capacity to deliver NRM The Board has adopted the indicators of Adoption of sustainable practices capacity developed by the Department of Water Significant numbers of individual residents Land and Biodiversity Conservation (Raymond and visitors are involved in natural resource et al. 2006). This framework provides that the management activities. In addition, there is indicators of current NRM delivery are functions a range of active voluntary natural resource of the stakeholder groups: management groups in the region, including • Individuals Bushcare, Landcare, Coastcare, friends of • Institutions parks groups, agricultural industry organisations • Community and many others. The framework identifies 10 elements of In relation to adoption of new practices there capacity grouped under social, produced and is clear evidence of improvements in land human capital: management practice. Over the last couple of Social capital decades landholders have undertaken changes • Engagement in soil/land management practice such as minimum/no till. An ABS survey also reveals • Shared values and beliefs that landholders are undertaking a range • Governance of NRM practices on farm, with on-average

Table 29: Landholder reasons for having native vegetation. Reasons for having native vegetation Northern and Yorke (%) South Australia (%) Provides stock grazing 51.4 32.3 Provides wildlife habitat 49 55.6 Addresses or prevents land management problems 41.5 39.3 Provides shelter and shade for stock and crops 70.7 65.1 Aesthetic reasons 41.5 43.9 Too difficult or expensive to clear ^16.7 14.8 Restrictions on vegetation removal ^21.6 31.9 Source: ABS 4620.0 – 3.11 Natural Resource Management on Australian Farms Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 101 102

Northern and Yorke NRM Board STATE OF THE REGION REPORT Resource Influence: PEOPLE The vegetation/watercourses andrevegetation. soil managementpractices;fencingoff of and managementthroughappropriate pest plantsandanimals;soilremediation Activities undertakenvarybutincludemanaging NRM programsonpropertyshownin expenditure andeffort landholdersspendingon on regional Northern and expenditure issue issue reported what were those proportion NRM Northern and Area Table 31: Proportion of agricultural establishments reporting NRM issues and/or managing them. Water Pests Weeds Total NRM Issue Table 30: Average expenditureandeffortonNRMIssuesintheNorthern Yorke . Pests Weeds NRM Issue Table 32:Proportion ofN&Y regionaffected byNRMissueandproportionmanagedforissue. South Land andSoil Native vegetation

farms

ABS 92

proportion being

issues for for that Australia

days

boundaries.

having effort expenditure in and (2006)

didn’t, of

managed. 2004/05

on

managed of

land Yorke Yorke

(Table

effort, NRM

of NRM

undertook and

managers agricultural

region

by

This

was

N&Y: 54.4%(SA:^53.2%) N&Y: 33.6%(SA:*15.9%) Proportion ofareaaffected byissue whether and 30). with

issues

This NRM issues establishments reporting Proportion ofagricultural 88.90% 86.10% for

the

indicates land $26,817 This them

weeds

^ estimatehasarelativestandarderrorof10%tolessthan25%andshouldbeusedwithcaution.

that showed previous a No properties ^570 1,898 2,226 2,588 1,985

who compared survey

the

establishments

and report

the (Table

being were issues

per

average soil for a

(INRM) of

considered greater

* estimatehasarelative standarderrorof25-50%andshould beusedwithcaution.

Table 30.

31).

the property, NRM

aware

the the with

main main Average expenditure($/property) ^2,420 ^10,118 ^4,849 15,752 ^2,348 2,6817

Source: ABS 4620.0NaturalResourceManagementon Australian Farms of Source: ABS 4620.0NaturalResourceManagementon Australian Farms Source: ABS 4620.0NaturalResource Management on Australian Farms issues andmanagingthem establishments reportingNRM Proportion oftheagricultural 98.90% 98.90% capacity andNRMinterestofthecommunity. suggests asolidbasefromwhichtoexpandthe wider community, howeveranecdotalevidence of adoptionsustainablepracticesbythe There isnodataregardingthecurrentlevel SA 40% comparedwithanaverageof45.8%for for landandsoilintheNorthern area managedfortheissue; affected byNRMissuescomparedwiththe The (Table 32). ABARE surveyalsoconsidersthearea N&Y: 45.1%(SA:^47.7%) N&Y: 29.8%(SA:^10.1%) Proportion ofareamanagedforissue Average effort persondays ^9 ^45 ^28 ^35 ^10 92 but managingthem reporting noNRMissues agricultural establishments Proportion ofthe 65.10% 57.00% Yorke was

8.6. Pressures on people’s Community expectations capacity to deliver NRM Increased community awareness and desire for input into the management of natural There are many pressures and threats which resources is perceived by many land managers diminish the ability of People to deliver as an erosion of property rights. Community NRM outcomes and these are very much expectations are directed toward the utilisation interdependent and often difficult to measure in of natural resources and in assisting those isolation from each other. As such, the following responsible for management to manage are only some of the pressures experienced by resources with lower impact. This is a pressure the region’s people. on what resource managers see as their ability PEOPLE Influence: Resource and right to manage as they see fit. While the Economic pressures trend in community expectations is increasing, The Northern and Yorke regional economy the gap between resource managers and the is largely dependent on the fortunes of community is probably decreasing. Similarly, agriculture and tourism. In particular, agriculture as community expectation increase, there is commodities rely on economic growth outside a widening gap between what the community the region. Profits relating to these products are wants to happen and governmental ability to therefore subject to world commodity prices. deliver (or assist with delivery), due to limited revenue. Adding to the complexity of these With such a high dependence on world relationships is the possibility that strong commodity prices for its major industries, community interest may be harnessed into Northern and Yorke enterprises have increased volunteering to assist with NRM experiencing long-term cost-prices squeeze, programs. with falling profit margins in these industries. Important items of increasing costs include Indirect pressures transport, labour, and compliance with Numerous other processes and externalities regulations. Within agriculture, this also has impact people’s capacity to manage natural the effect of greater risk-taking with respect resources. These include: to levels of production. Current high prices for food products may encourage more intensive • loss of rural services; production to overcome profit shortfalls from • loss of youth; previous seasons. When coupled with poor • ageing and decreasing population; and seasons, the effect can be counterproductive • lack of co-ordination to good land management practices and a reduced capacity to engage in natural resource management programs in general. With limited available capital, some landholders will find it difficult to undertake sustainable NRM practices unless more of the economic costs are shouldered by the wider community.

Increased climate variability and extremes also have an effect on income stability which in turn affects investment decisions, especially those relating to NRM. Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 103 9. References

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006) ‘Natural Resource Department for Environment and Heritage (2006b) Management on Australian Farms, 2004-05.’ ‘Performance Assessment System – for the Draft Spencer Bardsley D (2006) ‘There’s a Change on the Way – An Initial Gulf Marine Plan.’ Coast and Marine Conservation Branch, Integrated Assessment of Projected Climate Change Impacts South Australia. and Adaptation Options for Natural Resource Management Department for Environment and Heritage (2006c) ‘Blueprint in the Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges Region.’ Department of for the South Australian Representative System of Marine Water Land and Biodiversity, Government of South Australia. Protected Areas.’ Government of South Australia, Adelaide. Bryars S ‘An Inventory of Important Coastal Fisheries Department of Water LBC (2004) Northern and Yorke Habitats in South Australia.’ Primary Industries and Agricultural District: Biodiversity Risk Due to Salinisation Resources SA, South Australia. – Wetland Areas, Native Vegetation and Soil Biodiversity. In. Carey J, Webb T, Barr N (2002) ‘Understanding Landholders’ (South Australia) Capacity to Change to Sustainable Practices. Insights about Dooley T, Ciganovic P, Henschke C (2003) ‘Regional Salinity adoption practice and social capacity for change.’ Bureau of Management within the Northern and Yorke Agricultural Rural Sciences, Canberra. Districts.’ Rural Solutions SA, South Australia. Caton B, Detmar S, Fotheringham D, Haby N, Royal M, DWLBC (2004) Northern and Yorke Agricultural District: Sandercock R (2007) ‘Conservation Assessment of the Biodiversity Risk Due to Salinisation – Wetland Areas, Native Northern and Yorke Coast.’ Department for Environment and Vegetation and Soil Biodiversity. In. (Department of Water, Heritage, Adelaide. Land and Biodiversity Conservation: South Australia) Clark R, (2006) ‘Investigation into the timing, amount and DWLBC (2005) ‘SA Weed Risk Management Guide.’ causes of reductions in surface flows in the Clare area’ Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, Richard Clark and Associates, Adelaide Government of South Australia. Cody, K., (2004) Socioeconomic Workplan http://www.nlwra. DWLBC (2007a) ‘Report on the Condition of Agricultural Land gov.au/downloads/final_reports/NLWRA_Socioeconomic_ in the Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Management Workplan.pdf Region.’ Government of South Australia, Department of Croft SJ, Pedlar JA, Milne TI (2004) ‘Bushland Condition Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, Adelaide. Monitoring Manual: Northern Agricultural Districts, Volume DWLBC (2007b) ‘SA Pest Animal Risk Management Guide.’ 1: Field Guide to Bushland Monitoring (Draft).’ (Nature Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, Conservation Society of South Australia: Adelaide) Government of South Australia. DAFF (2006) ‘Understanding Natural Resource Management DWLBC Fact Sheet 84 ‘2007 Saltland Snapshot Northern & from a Landholder’s Perspective: Northern and Yorke Yorke Natural Resources Management Region’. Landholder Survey.’ Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment Australia (2001) ‘A Directory of Important Forestry. 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Deane D (2005) ‘Draft: Rocky River Catchment Water Fenton, DM (2004) Socioeconomic indicators for NRM: Resources Assessment.’ Department of Water, Land and Indicators of capacity, performance and change in regional Biodiversity Conservation, South Australia. NRM bodies. (NLWRA project A1.1) http://www.nlwra.gov.au/ Deane D (2008) “Preliminary Estimates of Farm Dam downloads/final_reports/EBC1_Socio_ec_Indicators_report. Development in the Northern & Yorke NRM Region” pdf Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, Gaylard S (2004) ‘Ambient Water Quality of the Gulf St South Australia. Vincent Metropolitan Coastal Waters: Report No. 2: 1995- Deane D, Phipps L, Magarey PD (2005) ‘Draft: Ecological 2002.’ Environment Protection Authority, Adelaide. Condition Assessment: Streams of the Mambray Coast.’ Goonan P ‘River Health in the Mid North.’ EPA. Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, South Australia. Government of South Australia (2006) ‘Draft Spencer Gulf Marine Plan.’ Coast and Marine Conservation Branch, Deering M (1998) ‘Yorke Peninsula Fishing Industry Strategy Natural and Cultural Heritage, Department for Environment Final Report.’ Yorke Regional Development Board. and Heritage, Adelaide. Department for Environment and Heritage (2003, unpublished Graham A, Opperman A, Inns RW (2001) ‘Biodiversity and in progress) ‘Provisional List of Threatened Ecosystems Plan for the Northern Agricultural Districts.’ Department for of South Australia.’ Government of South Australia, Adelaide. Environment and Heritage, South Australia. Department for Environment and Heritage (2004) ‘Living Harding A, Henschke C, Ciganovic P, Dooley T (2003) ‘Upper Coast Strategy for South Australia.’ Government of South Light River Salinity Management Plan.’ Rural Solutions SA, Australia, Adelaide South Australia. Department for Environment and Heritage (2007) ‘Draft: Harding A, Henschke C, Evans T, Ciganovic P, Dooley T Estuaries of the Northern and Yorke Natural Resources (2003) ‘Minlaton Ramsay Salinity Management Plan.’ Rural Management Region.’ Government of South Australia., Solutions SA, South Australia. Adelaide Harding A, Henschke C, Ciganovic P and Dooley T (2005) Department for Environment and Heritage (2006a) ‘Marine ‘Gilbert River Salinity Management Plan.’ Rural Solutions SA, Planning Framework for South Australia.’ Natural and Cultural South Australia. Heritage, Government of South Australia, Adelaide. Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 104 Harding A, Henschke C, Ciganovic P and Dooley T (2006) Pannell DJ, Marshall GR, Barr N, Curtis A, Vanclay F, ‘Northern Broughton River Salinity Management Plan.’ Rural Wilkinson R (2006) Understanding and promoting adoption Solutions SA, South Australia. of conservation practices by rural landholders. Australian Henschke C (2001) ‘Dryland Salinity in the Northern Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46, 1407-1424. Agricultural Districts.’ Unpublished Paper, PIRSA Rural Primary Industries and Resources SA (2007) ‘South Solutions. Australian Fisheries Resources – Current Status and Recent Henschke C, Dooley T and Ciganovic P (2004) ‘Lower Trends 2006.’ Broughton River Catchment – Redhill, Pirie & Wandearah Purton C, Davies B (2005) ‘Northern Dams Yield Analysis: Sub-catchments Salinity Management Plan ‘ Rural Solutions Bundaleer, Beetaloo and Baroota Reservoirs, Report to SA, South Australia. SA Water Corporation.’ Tonkins Engineering and Science, Henschke C, Longbottom H, Dooley T and Ciganovic P Adelaide. (2004) ‘Winulta – Yorke Valley – North Masitland Flat, winulta Raymond, C, Cleary, J & Cosgrove, K 2006 A Community creek, winulta south & Yorke Valley Sub-catchments – Salinity Capacity Assessment Tool and Process for Natural Resource Management Plan’ Rural Solutions SA, South Australia. Management, DWLBC Report 2006/35, Government of Henschke C, Longbotton H, Harding A, Dooley T and South Australia, through Department of Water, Land and Ciganovic P (2005) ‘Upper Yorke Catchment – Agery- Biodiversity Conservation, Adelaide.http://www.dwlbc.sa.gov. Weetulta, Cunliffe-Kadina, Paskeville-Wallaroo, Alford, Melton au/assets/files/ki_dwlbc_report_2006_35.pdf Corridor – Salinity Management Plan.’ Rural Solutions SA, Risby L (2003) Section 1: Willochra Catchment Hydrological South Australia. Assessment. In ‘Willochra Catchment Hydrological and Hodges A, Goesch T (2006) ‘Australian Farms: Natural Ecological Assessment’. (Eds L Risby, G Scholz, G Resource Management in 2004-05.’ Prepared for the vanLaarhoven and D Deane). (Department of Water, Land Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Biodiversity Conservation: South Australia) and Forestry, Canberra. Rix R, Parry K (2007) ‘SA Land Condition Monitoring Review.’ Lewis R, Edyvane KS, Newland N (1998) ‘The State of Our Government of South Australia, Department of Water, Land Coasts and Seas: Technical Reference Document for South and Biodiversity Conservation, Adelaide. Australia’s Marine and Estuarine Framework.’ Government of Sandercock R, Schmucker P (2007) ‘Weeds of Concern in South Australia. the Northern and Yorke Coastal Region.’ Department for Liddicoat C, Dooley T (2004) ‘Broughton and Light River Environment and Heritage, Adelaide. Catchments Salinity Benchmarking Strategy.’ Rural Solutions SA Water (2001) as cited by Young M-A (2002) “Deriving SA, South Australia. greater benefits from the Baroota, Beetaloo and Bundaleer Magarey P, Deane D (2005) ‘Willochra Basin Groundwater Reservoirs – how can it be done?” Rural Solutions. Monitoring Status Report 2005.’ Government of South Scholz G, VanLaarhoven J, Deane D (2003) Section 2. Australia, through Department of Water, Land and Preliminary Ecological Assessment of Significant Water Biodiversity Conservation, Adelaide. Dependent Ecosystems of the Willochra Catchment. Magarey PD, Deane D (2004) ‘Small Groundwater Basins In ‘Willochra Catchment Hydrological and Ecological Risk Assessment: Northern and Yorke Agricultural District ‘ Assessment’. (Eds L Rizby, G Scholz, G vanLaarhoven and Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, D Deane). (Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity South Australia. Conservation: South Australia). Maschmedt D (2000) ‘Assessing Agricultural Land.’ PIRSA Seaman R (2002) ‘Wetland Inventory for the Northern Land Information, Government of South Australia, Adelaide. Agricultural Districts, South Australia.’ Department for Environment and Heritage, South Australia. McCord AK, Payne RA (2004) ‘Report on the Condition of Agricultural Land in South Australia.’ Department of Water, Smith, T. and Sincock, A. (2005) Social and economic data Land and Biodiversity Conservation, Adelaide. sources for NRM http://www.nlwra.gov.au/downloads/final_ reports/ABS_Socio_Economic_Data_Sources_disc_paper.pdf Miles C (2006) ‘Integrated Vegetation Strategy for the Northern and Yorke Region.’ (Northern and Yorke Natural Turner D, Kildea T, Westphalen G (2007) ‘Examining the Resources Management Board: South Australia) health of subtidal reef environments in South Australia, Part 2: Status of selected South Australian reefs based on the MYTG (2004) ‘A Report on Mundulla Yellows in Australia.’ results of the 2005 surveys.’ South Australian Research and Mundulla Yellows Task Group. Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. Neagle (2008 ) ‘A Biological Survey of the Mid North and VanLaarhoven G, Scholz G, Phipps L, Favier D (2004) Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, 2003-2004: Assessment of ‘A River Management Plan for the Light Catchment.’ Biodiversity Assets at Risk.’ Department for Environment and Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, Heritage, South Australia. South Australia. Nelson, R., (2004) Socioeconomic Indicators for Natural Vertebrate Pests Committee (2007) ‘List of Exotic Vertebrate Resource Management: Capacity to Change and Adopt Animals in Australia. Sustainable Management Practices in Australian Agriculture http://www.nlwra.gov.au/downloads/final_reports/ABA13_ Webb T, Cody K, Harrison B, Sincock A and Mues C. SocioEcoIndicators_Nov2004.pdf (2004) Social and economic information for NRM: An initial discussion paper (NLWRA) p 37 66 http://www.nlwra.gov. NLWRA (2001) ‘Australian dryland salinity assessment 2000: au/downloads/final_reports/BRR_Social_and_economic_ extent, impacts, processes, monitoring and management info_an_initial_discussion_paper.pdf options.’ National Land and Water Resources Audit on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra. Webb TJ and Curtis A (2002) Mapping Regional Capacity A method to map regional capacity to adopt more sustainable N&YAD INRMC (2003) ‘Integrated Natural Resource NRM practices http://www.lwa.gov.au/downloads/final_ Management Plan for the Northern and Yorke Agricultural reports/BRR20.pdf District.’ (Northern and Yorke Agricultural District Integrated Natural Resources Management Committee Inc.: Clare) Wright S, Dooley T, Henschke C and Harding A (2006) ‘Wakefield and Diamond Lakes Catchments’ Salinity Northern and Yorke NRM Board (2005) ‘Capacity Building in Management Plan’ Rural Solutions SA, South Australia. Water for the Northern and Yorke Region.’ Australian Water Environments, Social and Planning Partnerships. Young M-A (2007) ‘Report on the Condition of Agricultural Land in the Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Northern and Yorke NRM Board (2006) ‘Draft Water Management Region.’ Government of South Australia, Allocation Plan for the Clare Valley Prescribed Water Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, Resource Area.’ Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Adelaide. Management Board. Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 105 Appendices Appendix 1: Water background information

Surface water monitoring sites in the Northern and Yorke region

The following table identifies surface water monitoring sites in the Northern and Yorke region, current as at 10/05/07.

• Rainfall – millimetres, • Level – metres, • Temp (temperature) – degrees Celsius, • Cond (Uncorrected conductivity) – µS/cm, • Temp Cond (Temperature corrected conductivity) – µS/cm, • Velocity – metres per second • Storage level – metres. Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 106

Storage Velocity Velocity

Cond Temp Cond Temp Cond Temp Cond Temp Cond Temp Cond Temp Cond Temp Cond Cond Cond Cond Cond

Cond

Cond Temp Temp Temp Temp Temp

Temp Temp

Temp Level Level Level Level Level Level Level Level Level Level Level Level Level Level Level

Level

Level Level Level

Level Rainfall Rainfall Rainfall Rainfall Rainfall Rainfall Rainfall Rainfall Rainfall Rainfall Rainfall Rainfall Parameters

Rainfall

Northing 6196409 6224209 6240361 6234708 6216888 6216785 6216141 6217689 6219419 6222880 6216954 6228724 6240304 6278223 6286275 6286843 6324040 6255192 6250529 6252779 6245007 6248315 6246461 6301611 6342252 6341913 6353711 6356381 6460978 Easting 313643 281439 282747 285648 270766 269334 271806 266582 264381 254042 240129 280983 282881 280272 277153 269522 240004 282203 279872 278422 282558 281631 279203 247043 244633 253387 225267 233212 225922 Zone 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 Catchment Light Wakefield Wakefield Wakefield Wakefield Wakefield Wakefield Wakefield Wakefield Wakefield Wakefield Wakefield Wakefield Broughton Broughton Broughton Broughton Broughton Broughton Broughton Broughton Broughton Broughton Broughton Broughton Broughton Baroota Baroota Willochra Tanks The Rocks Entrance The Rocks The Rocks Appila Creek Andrews Crossing Threadgold’s Auburn Site Name Light River @ Mingays Waterhole River @ near Rhynie Wakefield Eyre Creek @ Watervale Eyre Creek @ River @ 400m D/S Wakefield River @ 2km D/S Wakefield River @ U/S Wakefield River @ 8km U/S Balaklava Wakefield River @ Balaklava Wakefield River @ Whitwarta Wakefield River @ Port Wakefield Wakefield Skillogalee Creek @ Goodonga Eyre Creek Pluvio @ Watervale Hill River @ near Hutt River @ near Spalding Broughton River @ Mooroola Beetaloo Reservoir @ Meteorological Station Hutt / Hill River Catchment Pluvio @ Clare Hutt River @ Clare Caravan Park Rock @ Near Clare Neagle’s Penwortham Pluvio @ Sevenhill Pluvio @ Spring Gully Pluvio @ Rocky River D/S Rocky River @ U/S Wirrabara Pine Creek @ U/S Baroota Creek @ Reservoir Baroota Reservoir Catchment Pluvio @ Glenlossie Willochra CK @ Partacoona Site A5050532 A5060500 A5060501 A5060502 A5061001 A5061002 A5061003 A5061004 A5061005 A5061006 A5061007 A5061008 A5061009 A5070500 A5070501 A5070503 A5070506 A5070507 A5070901 A5070902 A5070903 A5070904 A5070905 A5071002 A5071003 A5071004 A5080500 A5080504 A5090502 Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 107

(m/s) Velocity

Cond Temp Cond Temp Level Level Level Rainfall Rainfall

6445849 6463380 6382137 6376346 6376200 244408 247420 239458 231664 231500 54 54 54 54 54 Willochra Willochra Willochra Willochra Willochra The Oaks Kanyaka Creek @ Old Ruins Kanyaka Creek Catchment Pluvio @ Willochra Creek @ Pinda Bridge Spring Creek @ U/S Willowie Forest Spring Creek Pluvio @ Willowie Forest A5090503 A5090505 A5091001 A5091002 A5091003 Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 108 Appendix 2: CEM background information

Threatened fauna and flora found on the Northern and Yorke Coast The following tables are from Caton et al. (2007).

Table 33: Plants with a conservation status found on the Northern and Yorke Coast (X = extinct, E = endangered, V = vulnerable, R = rare). Botanical name Common name AUS SA Reg Acacia trineura Three-nerve Wattle E Alyxia buxifolia Sea box R (SL) Angianthus tomentosus Hairy Angianthus R (YP) Pos T (SL) Arthropodium minus Small Vanilla-lily R (YP) Asteridea athrixioides f. athrixioides Wirewort Pos S (YP) Atriplex lindleyi ssp. inflata Corky Saltbush Pos T (YP) Atriplex semibaccata Berry Saltbush Pos S (YP) Austrostipa mundula Neat Spear-grass R (YP) Austrostipa nodosa Tall Spear-grass Pos S (YP) Austrostipa pilata Prickly Spear-grass V V (NL) Austrostipa puberula Fine-hairy Spear-grass R T (YP) Austrostipa scabra ssp. Rough Spear-grass Billardiera sp. Yorke Peninsula (P.C.Heyligers 80164) Lehmann’s Apple-berry V E E (YP) Brachyscome lineariloba Hard-head Daisy V (SL) Caladenia bicalliata ssp. bicalliata Western Daddy-long-legs R R (YP) Caladenia brumalis Winter Spider-orchid V V V (YP) Caladenia cardiochila Heart-lip Spider-orchid R (YP) Caladenia stricta Upright Caladenia R (YP) Calandrinia brevipedata Short-stalked Purslane Pos T (YP) Calandrinia calyptrata Pink Purslane Pos T (YP) Calandrinia granulifera Pigmy Purslane Pos S (YP) Callitris verrucosa Scrub Cypress Pine Pos T (YP) Centrolepis cephaloformis ssp. cephaloformis Cushion Centrolepis E (YP) Centrolepis polygyna Wiry Centrolepis Pos S (YP) Convolvulus remotus Grassy Bindweed Pos S (YP) Cratystylis conocephala Bluebush Daisy E (YP) Cryptandra tomentosa (NC) Heath Cryptandra R (YP) Dichelachne crinita Long-hair Plume-grass E (YP) Dissocarpus biflorus var. biflorus Two-horn Saltbush Pos T (YP+NL) Diuris orientis Wallflower Donkey-orchid R (YP) Diuris pardina Spotted Donkey-orchid T (YP) Drosera glanduligera Scarlet Sundew R (YP) Elachanthus pusillus Elachanth Pos T (YP) Eremophila deserti Turkey-bush Pos S (YP) Eucalyptus dumosa White Mallee V (YP) Eucalyptus yalatensis Yalata Mallee V (YP) Galium gaudichaudii Rough Bedstraw Pos S (YP) Geijera linearifolia Sheep Bush R (SL) Goodia lotifolia var. lotifolia (NC) Golden-tip R (YP) Halosarcia flabelliformis Bead Samphire V V V (SL) T (NL)

T (YP) NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 109 Botanical name Common name AUS SA Reg Halosarcia indica ssp. leiostachya Brown-head Samphire Pos S (YP) Hemichroa diandra Mallee Hemichroa V (SL) R (YP) Hemichroa pentandra Trailing Hemichroa R (YP) Hyalosperma semisterile Orange Sunray Pos T (YP) Hydrocotyle callicarpa Tiny Pennywort Pos S (YP) Hydrocotyle medicaginoides Medic Pennywort R (YP) Juncus kraussii Sea Rush Pos S (YP) Leionema microphyllum Limestone Phebalium R R (YP) Lepidium foliosum Leafy Peppercress Pos T (YP) Leptorhynchos tetrachaetus Little Buttons T (YP) Levenhookia dubia Hairy Stylewort R (YP Maireana erioclada Rosy Bluebush R (SL) Maireana rohrlachii Rohrlach’s Bluebush R Pos T (YP) Malva behriana Australian Hollyhock Pos T (YP) Melaleuca pauperiflora (NC) Boree V (YP) Melaleuca pauperiflora ssp. mutica Boree V (YP) Microlepidium pilosulum Hairy Shepherd’s-purse R Pos T (YP) Myoporum parvifolium Creeping Boobialla R R (YP) Myoporum viscosum (NC) Sticky Boobialla R (YP) Myosotis australis Austral Forget-me-not Pos S (YP) Olearia passerinoides ssp. glutescens Sticky Daisy-bush R R (YP) Ophioglossum lusitanicum Austral Adder’s-tongue R (YP) Ozothamnus retusus Notched Bush-everlasting Pos T (YP) Parietaria cardiostegia Mallee Smooth-nettle Pos S (YP) Picris angustifolia ssp. angustifolia Coast Picris Pos S (YP) Pimelea microcephala ssp. microcephala Shrubby Riceflower Pos S (YP) Plantago hispida Hairy Plantain Pos S (YP) Poa drummondiana Knotted Poa R Pos T (YP) Poa fax Scaly Poa R Pos T (NL) V (YP) Poranthera microphylla Small Poranthera Pos S (YP) Prasophyllum occidentale Plains Leek-orchid Pos T (YP) Prostanthera serpyllifolia ssp. microphylla Small-leaf Mintbush V (YP) Pterostylis boormanii Boorman’s Greenhood E (YP) Pycnosorus globosus Drumsticks V Schoenus nanus Little Bog-rush Pos T (YP) Sclerostegia arbuscula Shrubby Samphire Pos S (NL) Senecio macrocarpus Large-fruit Groundsel V V E (YP) Stackhousia annua Annual Candles V V V (YP) Stackhousia spathulata Coast Candles Pos T (YP) Swainsona lessertifolia Coast Swainson-pea Pos T (YP) Thysanotus baueri Mallee Fringe-lily Pos T (YP) Triglochin calcitrapum Spurred Arrowgrass Pos S (YP) Triglochin minutissumum Tiny Arrowgrass R R (YP) Triglochin mucronatum Prickly Arrowgrass Pos S (YP) Triglochin trichophorum Pos S (YP) Wahlenbergia communis Tufted Bluebell Pos S (YP) Westringia eremicola Slender Westringia R (YP) Wilsonia backhousei Narrow-leaf Wilsonia R (YP)

Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Zygophyllum apiculatum Pointed Twinleaf Pos S (YP) 110 Table 34: Plant Communities of importance (Coastal Dune and Cliff top Survey). 22 Plant Communities in Northern and Yorke of relative importance Structural Class Floristic Community Sites in Sites in % of N&Y Coast SA SA Grassland Spinifex hirsutus / *Euphorbia paralias 9 42 21.4 Sedgeland Gahnia lanigera / Lepidosperma congestum 12 18 66.7 Sedgeland Juncus kraussii 1 5 20.0 Sedgeland Lepidosperma gladiatum 5 8 62.5 Shrubland Acacia ligulata 18 27 66.7 Shrubland Alyxia buxifolia 14 22 63.6 Shrubland Atriplex cinerea 5 20 25.0 Shrubland Atriplex vesicaria ssp. 18 21 85.7 Shrubland Enchylaena tomentosa var. tomentosa 1 6 16.7 Shrubland Leucopogon parviflorus 1 16 6.3 Shrubland Leucopogon parviflorus / Olearia axillaris 22 150 14.7 Shrubland Leucophyta brownii 7 25 28.0 Shrubland M. lanceolata / A. patula / L. discolor 13 37 35.1 Shrubland Melaleuca lanceolata / Atriplex paludosa ssp. 1 26 3.8 Shrubland Melaleuca lanceolata / Tetragonia implexicoma 9 39 23.1 Shrubland Nitraria billardierei 12 24 50.0 Shrubland Olearia axillaris / Lasiopetalum discolor 15 33 45.5 Shrubland Olearia axillaris / Lycium ferocissimum* 7 12 58.3 Shrubland Olearia axillaris/Rhagodia candolleana ssp.candolleana 48 64 75.0 Shrubland Olearia axillaris / Tetragonia implexicoma 6 42 14.3 Shrubland Threlkeldia diffusa 6 8 75.0 Mallee Eucalyptus rugosa / Melaleuca laceolata 2 21 9.5 BOLD = 50 + % sites found in N&Y Coast Shaded = less than 20 sites total in South Australia * identifies introduced plant

Other plant communities of interest • Gahnia lanigera sedgelands • Triodia compacta sedgelands • Stranded Avicennia marina var. marina forest (Very rare) • Intertidal Melaleuca shrubland (Very rare) • Supratidal Cyanobacteria mat habitat (Very rare) • Gahnia filum Sub coastal sedgeland Gulf mangrove and saltmarsh habitat likely to have National importance (if mapped nationally). Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 111 Table 35: Birds found on the Northern and Yorke Coast (N&Y NRM CCS). Scientific name Common name AUS SA Region Acanthiza iredalei iredalei Slender-billed Thornbill V R V Acanthiza iredalei rosinae Samphire Thornbill V Acanthiza uropygialis Chestnut-rumped Thornbill U Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper R Aegotheles cristatus Australian Owlet-nightjar U Anas castanea Chestnut Teal U Ardea intermedia Intermediate Egret R U Ardea pacifica White-necked Heron U Arenaria interpres Ruddy Turnstone R Biziura lobata Musk Duck R U Calamanthus cautus Shy Heathwren (Shy Hylacola) R Calidris alba Sanderling R Calidris subminuta Long-toed Stint R Calidris tenuirostris Great Knot R Calyptorhynchus funereus Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo V(Va) Cereopsis novaehollandiae Cape Barren Goose R R Certhionyx niger Black Honeyeater U Charadrius mongolus Lesser Sand Plover R Chrysococcyx osculans Black-eared Cuckoo U Cladorhynchus leucocephalus Banded Stilt V Dromaius novaehollandiae Emu U, V Drymodes brunneopygia Southern Scrub-robin V Egretta garzetta / Ardea garzetta Little Egret R Egretta sacra / Ardea sacra Eastern Reef Egret R Elanus scriptus Letter-winged Kite R(Va) Falco hypoleucos Grey Falcon R Falco longipennis Australian Hobby U Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon R R Falco subniger Black Falcon U Geopelia placida Peaceful Dove V, E Haematopus fuliginosus Sooty Oystercatcher R Haematopus longirostris Pied Oystercatcher R U Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea-Eagle E V Heteroscelus brevipes Grey-tailed Tattler R Hieraaetus morphnoides Little Eagle U Larus pacificus Pacific Gull U Leipoa ocellata Malleefowl V V E Limosa lapponica Bar-tailed Godwit R Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit R Milvus migrans Black Kite U Myiagra inquieta Restless Flycatcher R V Neophema chrysostoma Blue-winged Parrot V U, V Neophema elegans Elegant Parrot R K Neophema petrophila Rock Parrot R R Numenius madagascariensis Eastern Curlew V V Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel R Nycticorax caledonicus Nankeen Night Heron R Pachycephala inornata Gilbert’s Whistler R V Pandion haliaetus Osprey E R Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 112 Scientific name Common name AUS SA Region Petroica goodenovii Red-capped Robin U Phaps elegans Brush Bronzewing U, V Phylidonyris albifrons White-fronted Honeyeater U Platalea regia Royal Spoonbill U Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis R R Pluvialis fulva Pacific Golden Plover R Podiceps cristatus Great Crested Grebe R R Psephotus haematonotus Red-rumped Parrot U Psephotus varius Mulga Parrot V Psophodes cristatus Chirruping Wedgebill U Psophodes nigrogularis leucogaster Western Whipbird V V Sterna albifrons Little Tern E Sterna nereis Fairy Tern R Taeniopygia guttata Zebra Finch U Thinornis rubricollis Hooded Plover V Trichoglossus haematodus Rainbow Lorikeet U Xenus cinereus Terek Sandpiper R Va = Vagrant

Table 36: Mammals found on the Northern and Yorke Coast (N&Y NRM CCS). Species Common name AUS SA Region Neophoca cinerea Australian Sealion V Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback Whale V Trichosurus vulpecular Common Brushtail Possum Proposed R Vombatus ursinus Common Wombat R

Table 37: Reptiles and Amphibians found on the Northern and Yorke Coast (N&Y NRM CCS). Species Common name AUS SA Region Varanus rosenbergi Heath Goanna R Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 113 Table 38: Butterflies found on the Northern and Yorke Coast. (By Grund SYP Survey) Species Common name Status Anisynta cynone gracilis Cynone Grass-skipper R Antipodia atralba Black and White Sedge-skipper R Candalides heathi heathi Rayed Blue R Cyprotides cyprotus cyprotus Cyprotus Pencilled-blue R Erina acasta Blotched Dusky-blue L Erina hyacinthina form simplexa Western Dusky-blue L Herimosa albovenata albovenata White-veined Grass-skipper V Hesperilla chrysotricha cyclospila Chrysotricha Sedge-skipper V Hesperilla donnysa donnysa – intermediate forms Donnysa Sedge-skipper L Hesperilla flavescens flavia Yellow Sedge-skipper E Hypochrysops ignitus ignitus Fiery Jewel V Jalmenus icilius Icilius Hairstreak R Jalmenus lithochroa Lithochroa Hairstreak V Lucia limbaria Small Copper R Motasingha trimaculata trimaculata Dingy Four-spot Sedge-skipper R Neolucia agricola agricola Fringed Heath-blue L Ocybadistes walkeri hypochlorus Southern Grass-dart L Ogyris amaryllis meridionalis (coastal form) Amaryllis Azure L Ogyris genoveva Genoveva Azure R Ogyris idmo halmaturia Large Bronze Azure E Ogyris olane Olane Azure L Ogyris oroetes apiculata Silky Azure R Ogyris otanes otanes Small Bronze Azure V Ogyris subterrestris subterrestris Mallee Bronze Azure V Papilio anactus Dingy Swallowtail L Taractrocera papyria papyria White-banded Grass-dart R Theclinesthes miskini miskini Wattle Blue L Trapezites luteus luteus Rare White-spot Rush-skipper V Threatened species of butterflies known or suspected to occur within the Northern andYorke (Grund 2005, R. Grund pers. comm. 2005). Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 114 Appendix 3: Biodiversity background information

Species information

Table 39: State and Nationally listed threatened species in the Northern and Yorke NRM region (data supplied by DEH 2007) (X = extinct, E = endangered, V = vulnerable, R = rare). Scientific name Common name Aust SA Recovery Plans Plants Acacia aff. halliana Hall’s Wattle V Acacia enterocarpa Jumping-jack Wattle E E Draft (DEH – SE) Acacia glandulicarpa Hairy-pod Wattle V E Draft (VIC DSE) Acacia gracilifolia Graceful Wattle R Acacia iteaphylla Flinders Ranges Wattle R Acacia montana Mallee Wattle R Acacia quornensis Quorn Wattle R Acacia rhetinocarpa Resin Wattle V V Acacia rhigiphylla Dagger-leaf Wattle R Acacia spilleriana Round-leaf Mulga-bush V Acanthocladium dockeri Spiny Daisy CE E Draft (DEH – N&Y) Anogramma leptophylla Annual Fern R Anthropodium milleflorum Pale Vanilla-lilly V Asperula syrticola Southern Flinders Woodruff R Atriplex eichleri Eichler’s Saltbush R Billardiera sp. Yorke Peninsula Lehmann’s Apple-berry E Brachycome ciliaris var. Narrow-leaf Variable Daisy R subintegrifolia Caladenia argocalla White Beauty Spider-orchid E E Draft (DEH – N&Y, MLR) Caladenia bicalliata Limestone Spider-orchid R Caladenia brumalis Winter Spider-orchid V V Caladenia conferta Coast Spider-orchid E Caladenia gladiolata Bayonet Spider-orchid E E Draft (DEH – N&Y, MLR) Caladenia macroclavia Large-club Spider-orchid E E Draft (DEH – N&Y, MLR) Caladenia valida Robust Spider-orchid R Caladenia woolcockiorum Woolcock’s Spider-orchid V V Draft (DEH – N&Y, MLR) Caladenia xantholeuca Flinders Ranges white Caladenia E E Draft (DEH – N&Y, MLR) Carex inversa var. inversa Knob Sedge R Carex inversa var. major Knob Sedge R Centrolepis cephaloformis ssp. Cushion Centrolepis R cephaloformis Choretrum glomeratum var. Yellow-flower Sour-bush R chrysanthum Correa sp. aff. calycina Correa V Cotula reptans Creeping cotula R Cryptandra amara var. longiflora Long-flower Cryptandra R Cullen parvum Small Scurf Pea V Danthonia carphoides var. Short Wallaby-grass R carphoides Danthonia duttoniana Brown-back Wallaby-grass R Danthonia laevis Smooth Wallaby-grass R Danthonia tenuior Short-awn Wallaby-grass R Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 115 Scientific name Common name Aust SA Recovery Plans Daviesia benthamii ssp humilis Mallee Bitter-pea R Derwentia decorosa Showy Speedwell R Deyeuxia densa Heath Bent-grass R Deyeuxia minor Small Bent-grass V Dianella longifolia var grandis Pale Flax-lily R Diuris behrii Behr’s Cowslip Orchid R Dodonaea glandulifera ------E E Draft (DEH – Murraylands) Dodonaea procumbens Trailing Hop-bush V V Draft (VIC DSE) Echinopogon ovatus var ovatus Rough-beard Grass R Eragrostis infecunda Infertile Love-grass R Eremocitrus glauca Desert Lime V Eremophila subfloccosa ssp Green-flower Emubush R “glandulosa” Eriostemon angustfolius ssp Narrow-leaf Wax-flower R angustifolius Eriostemon verrucosus Bendigo Wax-flower V Eryngium rostratum Blue Devil V Eucalyptus aff viridus Green Mallee R Eucalyptus albens White Box R Eucalyptus behriana Broad-leaf Box R Eucalyptus bicostata Southern Blue Gum V Eucalyptus conglobata Port Lincoln Mallee R Eucalyptus macrorhyncha ssp Red Stringybark R macrorhyncha Eucalyptus percostata Ribbed White Mallee R Euphrasia collina ssp. osbornii Osborn’s Eyebright E E Draft (DEH – Murraylands) Festuca benthamiana Bentham’s Fescue R Gahnia radula Thatch Saw-sedge R Gleichenia microphylla Scrambling Coral-fern R Glycine latrobeana Clover Glycine V V Glycine tabacina Variable Glycine V Gonocarpus humilis Shade Raspwort R Grevillea rogersii Roger’s Spider-flower R Haeckeria punctulata Sticky Haeckeria R Haegiela tatei Small Nut-heads R Halosarcia flabelliformis Bead Samphire V V Heliochrysum rutiolepsis Pale Everlasting E Hibbertia glaberrima Central Australian Guinea Flower R Hovea purpurea Tall Hovea R Isoetes drummondii ssp Plain Quillwort R drummondii Isotoma scapigera Salt Isotome R Juncus australis Austral Reed R Juncus homalocaulis Wiry Rush V Lepidium pseudotasmanicum Shade Peppercress V Leptorhynchos elongatus Lanky Buttons R Leptorhynchos scabras Annual Buttons R Leucopogon clelandii Cleland’s Beard-heath R Logania saxatilis Rock Logania R Lomandra multiflora ssp multiflora Many-flower Mat-rush E Luzula ovata Clustered Wood-rush R

Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Maireana excavata Bottle Fissure-weed V 116 Scientific name Common name Aust SA Recovery Plans Maireana rohrlachii Rohrlach’s Bluebush R Malacocera gracilis Slender Soft-horns V Mentha satureioides Native Pennyroyal R Microlepidium pilosulum Hairy Shepherd’s Purse R Montia australasia White Purslane R Muehlenbeckia coccoloboides R Muehlenbeckia horrida Spiny Lignum R Myoporum parvifolium Creeping Boobiala R Olearia pannosa ssp cardiophylla Velvet Daisy-bush R Olearia picridifolia Rasp Daisy-bush R Orobanche cernua var australiana Australian Broomrape V Ozothamus scaber Rough Bush-everlasting V Phebalium brachyphyllum Limestone Phebalium R Phebalium glandulosum ssp Glandular Phebalium E glandulosum Phyllangium sulcatum V Pimelea curviflora Curved Riceflower R Plantago aff debilis Shade Plantain R Pleuropappus phyllocalymmeus Silver Candles V V Poa drummondiana Kniotted Poa R Poa fax Scaly Poa R Poa umbricola Shady Tussock-grass R Podolepis jaceoides Showy Copper-wire Daisy R Podolepis muelleri Button Podolepis V Prasophyllum goldsackii Goldsack’s Leek-orchid R Pratia concolor Poison Pratia R Prosaphyllum pruinosum Broad-lip Leek-orchid V Prosophyllum calcicola Limestone Leek-orchid V Prostanthera chlorantha Green Mintbush R Pterostylis aff. Boormanii Halbury Greenhood E E Draft (DEH – N&Y, MLR) Pterostylis despectans Lowly Greenhood E E Draft (DEH – N&Y, MLR) Ptilotus erubescens Hairy-tails R Pultenea kraehenbuehlii Tothill Bush Pea R Pycnosorus globosus Drumsticks V Ranunculus inundatus River Buttercup R Rhodanthe anthemoides Chamomile E Samolus eremaeus Desert Samolus R Santalum spicatum Sandalwood V Scherolaena muricata var villosa Five-spine Bindyi R Scutellaria humilis Dwarf Skullcap R Sphaerolobium minus Leafless Globe-pea R Spyridium spathulatum Spoon-leaf Spyridium R Spyridium tricolor Rusty Spyridium V Stipa breviglumis Cane Spear-grass R Stipa echinata R Stipa gibbosa Fat Spear-grass R Stipa multispiculis Small-seed Spear-grass R Stipa petraea Flinders Range Spear-grass R Stipa pilata Flat-awn Spear-grass V Stipa puberula Small rusty Spear-grass R

Stipa tenuifolia R NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 117 Scientific name Common name Aust SA Recovery Plans Swainsonia behriana Behr’s Swainson-pea V Swainsonia tephrotricha Ashy-haired Swainson-pea R Thysanotus tenellus Grassy Fringe-lily R Trachymene anisocarpa Native Parsnip R Triglochin minutissmum Tiny Arrowgrass R Veronica parnkalliana Port Lincoln Speedwell V Wurmbea decumbens Inland Star-lily R Wurmbea latifolia ssp latifolia Broad-leaf Star-lily V Prasophyllum pallidum Pale Leek-orchid V V Prasophyllum validum Mt Remarkable Leek-orchid V V Draft (DEH – N&Y, MLR) Senecio macrocarpus Large-fruit Groundsel V V Senecio megaglossus Superb Groundsel V V Draft (DEH – N&Y) Lachnogrostis limitanea Spalding Blown Grass E E Draft (DEH – N&Y, MLR) Stackhousia annua Annual Candles V V Codonocarpus pyramidalis* Slender Bell-fruit V E Olearia pannosa ssp. pannosa Silver Daisy Bush V V Mammals Arctocephalus pusillus odoriferous Australian Fur-seal R Bettongia lesueur Burrowing Bettong E X Bettongia penicillata Brush-tailed Bettong R Extinct in region Dasyurus viverrinus Eastern Quoll X Extinct in state Macropus eugenii Mainland Tammar Wallaby XW X Neophoca cinerea Australian Sea-lion R Petrogale xanthopus Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby V V Draft (DEH-Statewide) Birds Acanthiza iredalei iredalei Slender-billed Thornbill V R Acanthiza iredal rosinae Samphire Thornbill V Amytornis striatus Striated Grasswren R Amytornis textilis Thick-billed Grasswren R Anas rhynchotis Australian Shoveller R Ardea intermedia Intermediate Egret R Ardeotis australis Australian Bustard V Biziura lobata Musk Duck R Botaurus poiciloptilus Australasian Bittern V Burchinus grallarius Bush Stone-curlew V Cacatua leadbeateri Major Mitchell Cockatoo R Calyptorynchus funereus Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo V Cereopsis novaehollandiae Cape Barren Goose R Chrysococcyx lucidus Shining Bronze Cuckoo R Cinclosoma castanotus Chestnut Quail-thrush R Cinclosoma punctatum Spotted Quail-thrush E Cisticola exilis Golden-headed Cistocola R Climacteris affinis White-browed Treecreeper R Coracina papuensis White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike R Coturnix psilophora Swamp Quail V Diomeda exulans Wandering Albatross V V Diomedea cauta Shy albatross V Diomedea chrystoma Grey-headed Albatross V V Egretta sacra Eastern Reef-egret R Falco hypoleucos Grey Falcon R

Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon R 118 Scientific name Common name Aust SA Recovery Plans Falcunculus frontatus Crested Shrike-tit V Gallinago hardwickii Latham’s Snipe V Gerygone olivacea White-throated Warbler R Glossopsitta pusilla Little Lorikeet V Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea-eagle V Hamirostra melanosternon Black-breasted Buzzard R Hyacola pyrrhopygia Chestnut-rumped Heathwren V Ixobrychus minutus Little Bittern R Lathamus discolor Swift Parrot V V Leipoa ocellata Malleefowl V V National Lophoictinia isura Square-tailed Kite V Manorina melanotis Black-eared Miner E E Melithreptus gularis Black-chinned Honeyeater V Extinct in region Neophema chrysogaster Orange-bellied Parrot E E Neophema chrysotoma Blue-winged Parrot V V Neophema petrophila Rock Parrot R Neophema splendida Scarlet-breasted Parrot R Ninox connivens Barking Owl R Numenius madagascariensis Eastern Curlew V Oxyura australis Blue-billed Duck R Pachyptila turtur Fairy Prion V -- Pandion haliaetus Osprey R Pedionomus torquatus Plains Wanderer V E Petroica phoenicea Flame Robin R Pezoporus wallicus Ground Parrot E Plectrohyncha lanceolata Striped Honeyeater R Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis R Podiceps cristatus Great Crested Grebe R Porzana pusilla Baillon’s Crake R Psophodes nigrogularis Western Whipbird V V Pyrrholaemus brunneus Redthroat R Rallus pectoralis Lewin’s Rail V Rostratula benghalensis Painted Snipe R Stagonopleuro guttata Diamond Firetail V Sterna albifrons Little Tern E V Sterna nereis Fairy Tern V Stictonetta naevosa Freckled Duck V Thinornis rubricollis Hooded Plover V Turnix pyrrhothorax Red-chested Button-quail R Turnix varia Painted Button-quail V Xanthomyza phrygia Regent Honeyeater E E Zoothera lunulata White’s Thrush R Reptiles Aprasia pseudopulchella Flinders Worm Lizard V Chelonia mydas Green Turtle V V Egernia cunninghamii Cunningham’s Skink V Morelia spilota Carpet Python V Tiliqua adelaidensis Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard E E Draft (DEH – N&Y) Varanus rosenbergi Heath Goanna R Varanus varius Lace Goanna R

Vermicella annulata Common Bandy-bandy R NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE *added to list Neagle pers. comm. 119 Table 40: Bird species recorded in the Mid North and Yorke Peninsula biological survey study area (Neagle 2007). I: Aboriginal/alien designation. Naturalised alien species are designated with an asterisk (*). Aus: Australian status under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 as at June 2006. SA: South Australian status under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (2000 update of schedules 7, 8 and 9). Status Codes: E = endangered; V = vulnerable; R = rare; O = occasional visitor. Family I Scientific Name Common Name Aus SA CASUARIIDAE Dromaius novaehollandiae Emu MEGAPODIIDAE Leipoa ocellata Malleefowl V V PHASIANIDAE Coturnix pectoralis Stubble Quail PHASIANIDAE Coturnix ypsilophora Brown Quail V ANATIDAE Anas castanea Chestnut Teal ANATIDAE Anas gracilis Grey Teal ANATIDAE * Anas platyrhynchos Mallard ANATIDAE Anas rhynchotis Australasian Shoveler R ANATIDAE Anas superciliosa Pacific Black Duck ANATIDAE Anas superciliosa x Anas Pacific Black Duck/Mallard platyrhynchos Hybrid ANATIDAE Aythya australis Hardhead (White-eyed Duck) ANATIDAE Biziura lobata Musk Duck R ANATIDAE Cereopsis novaehollandiae Cape Barren Goose R ANATIDAE Chenonetta jubata Australian Wood Duck, (Maned Duck) ANATIDAE Cygnus atratus Black Swan ANATIDAE Malacorhynchus Pink-eared Duck membranaceus ANATIDAE Oxyura australis Blue-billed Duck R ANATIDAE Stictonetta naevosa Freckled Duck V ANATIDAE Tadorna tadornoides Australian Shelduck PODICIPEDIDAE Podiceps cristatus Great Crested Grebe R PODICIPEDIDAE Poliocephalus poliocephalus Hoary-headed Grebe PODICIPEDIDAE Tachybaptus novaehollandiae Australasian Grebe, (Little Grebe) SPHENISCIDAE Eudyptula minor Little Penguin PROCELLARIIDAE Lugensa brevirostris Kerguelen Petrel PROCELLARIIDAE Macronectes giganteus Southern Giant-Petrel PROCELLARIIDAE Pachyptila belcheri Slender-billed Prion PROCELLARIIDAE Pachyptila desolata Antarctic Prion PROCELLARIIDAE Pachyptila turtur Fairy Prion PROCELLARIIDAE Pterodroma lessonii White-headed Petrel PROCELLARIIDAE Puffinus carneipes Fleshy-footed Shearwater R PROCELLARIIDAE Puffinus gavia Fluttering Shearwater PROCELLARIIDAE Puffinus huttoni Hutton’s Shearwater PROCELLARIIDAE Puffinus tenuirostris Short-tailed Shearwater DIOMEDEIDAE Diomedea cauta Shy Albatross V V DIOMEDEIDAE Diomedea exulans Wandering Albatross V V DIOMEDEIDAE Diomedea melanophris Black-browed Albatross V SULIDAE Morus serrator Australasian Gannet ANHINGIDAE Anhinga melanogaster Darter PHALACROCORACIDAE Phalacrocorax carbo Great Cormorant PHALACROCORACIDAE Phalacrocorax fuscescens Black-faced Cormorant Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 120 Family I Scientific Name Common Name Aus SA PHALACROCORACIDAE Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Little Pied Cormorant PHALACROCORACIDAE Phalacrocorax sulcirostris Little Black Cormorant PHALACROCORACIDAE Phalacrocorax varius Pied Cormorant PELECANIDAE Pelecanus conspicillatus Australian Pelican ARDEIDAE Ardea alba Great Egret, (White Egret) ARDEIDAE Ardea ibis Cattle Egret ARDEIDAE Ardea intermedia Intermediate Egret R ARDEIDAE Ardea pacifica White-necked Heron ARDEIDAE Botaurus poiciloptilus Australasian Bittern V ARDEIDAE Egretta garzetta Little Egret ARDEIDAE Egretta novaehollandiae White-faced Heron ARDEIDAE Egretta sacra Eastern Reef Egret R ARDEIDAE Ixobrychus minutus Little Bittern R ARDEIDAE Nycticorax caledonicus Nankeen Night Heron THRESKIORNITHIDAE Platalea flavipes Yellow-billed Spoonbill THRESKIORNITHIDAE Platalea regia Royal Spoonbill THRESKIORNITHIDAE Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis R THRESKIORNITHIDAE Threskiornis molucca Australian White Ibis THRESKIORNITHIDAE Threskiornis spinicollis Straw-necked Ibis ACCIPITRIDAE Accipiter cirrhocephalus Collared Sparrowhawk ACCIPITRIDAE Accipiter fasciatus Brown Goshawk ACCIPITRIDAE Aquila audax Wedge-tailed Eagle ACCIPITRIDAE Circus approximans Swamp Harrier ACCIPITRIDAE Circus assimilis Spotted Harrier ACCIPITRIDAE Elanus axillaris Black-shouldered Kite ACCIPITRIDAE Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea-Eagle V ACCIPITRIDAE Haliastur sphenurus Whistling Kite ACCIPITRIDAE Hieraaetus morphnoides Little Eagle ACCIPITRIDAE Lophoictinia isura Square-tailed Kite V ACCIPITRIDAE Milvus migrans Black Kite ACCIPITRIDAE Pandion haliaetus Osprey R FALCONIDAE Falco berigora Brown Falcon FALCONIDAE Falco cenchroides Nankeen Kestrel FALCONIDAE Falco hypoleucos Grey Falcon R FALCONIDAE Falco longipennis Australian Hobby FALCONIDAE Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon R FALCONIDAE Falco subniger Black Falcon GRUIDAE Grus rubicunda Brolga V RALLIDAE Fulica atra Eurasian Coot RALLIDAE Gallinula tenebrosa Dusky Moorhen RALLIDAE Gallinula ventralis Black-tailed Native-hen RALLIDAE Gallirallus philippensis Buff-banded Rail RALLIDAE Porphyrio porphyrio Purple Swamphen RALLIDAE Porzana fluminea Australian Spotted Crake RALLIDAE Porzana pusilla Baillon’s Crake R RALLIDAE Porzana tabuensis Spotless Crake OTIDIDAE Ardeotis australis Australian Bustard V TURNICIDAE Turnix pyrrhothorax Red-chested Button-quail R TURNICIDAE Turnix varia Painted Button-quail V TURNICIDAE Turnix velox Little Button-quail Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 121 Family I Scientific Name Common Name Aus SA PEDIONOMIDAE Pedionomus torquatus Plains-wanderer V E SCOLOPACIDAE Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper SCOLOPACIDAE Arenaria interpres Ruddy Turnstone SCOLOPACIDAE Calidris acuminata Sharp-tailed Sandpiper SCOLOPACIDAE Calidris alba Sanderling SCOLOPACIDAE Calidris canutus Red Knot SCOLOPACIDAE Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper SCOLOPACIDAE Calidris melanotos Pectoral Sandpiper SCOLOPACIDAE Calidris minuta Little Stint O SCOLOPACIDAE Calidris ruficollis Red-necked Stint SCOLOPACIDAE Calidris subminuta Long-toed Stint SCOLOPACIDAE Calidris tenuirostris Great Knot SCOLOPACIDAE Gallinago hardwickii Latham’s Snipe V SCOLOPACIDAE Heteroscelus brevipes Grey-tailed Tattler SCOLOPACIDAE Limicola falcinellus Broad-billed Sandpiper O SCOLOPACIDAE Limosa lapponica Bar-tailed Godwit SCOLOPACIDAE Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit SCOLOPACIDAE Numenius madagascariensis Eastern Curlew V SCOLOPACIDAE Numenius minutus Little Curlew O SCOLOPACIDAE Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel SCOLOPACIDAE Phalaropus lobatus Red-necked Phalarope O SCOLOPACIDAE Philomachus pugnax Ruff SCOLOPACIDAE Tringa glareola Wood Sandpiper SCOLOPACIDAE Tringa nebularia Common Greenshank SCOLOPACIDAE Tringa stagnatilis Marsh Sandpiper SCOLOPACIDAE Tringa totanus Common Redshank O SCOLOPACIDAE Xenus cinereus Terek Sandpiper JACANIDAE Irediparra gallinacea Comb-crested Jacana ROSTRATULIDAE Rostratula benghalensis Painted Snipe R BURHINIDAE Burhinus grallarius Bush Stone-curlew V HAEMATOPODIDAE Haematopus fuliginosus Sooty Oystercatcher HAEMATOPODIDAE Haematopus longirostris Pied Oystercatcher RECURVIROSTRIDAE Cladorhynchus leucocephalus Banded Stilt RECURVIROSTRIDAE Himantopus himantopus Black-winged Stilt RECURVIROSTRIDAE Recurvirostra novaehollandiae Red-necked Avocet CHARADRIIDAE Charadrius australis Inland Dotterel CHARADRIIDAE Charadrius bicinctus Double-banded Plover CHARADRIIDAE Charadrius leschenaultii Greater Sand Plover CHARADRIIDAE Charadrius mongolus Lesser Sand Plover CHARADRIIDAE Charadrius ruficapillus Red-capped Plover CHARADRIIDAE Charadrius veredus Oriental Plover CHARADRIIDAE Elseyornis melanops Black-fronted Dotterel CHARADRIIDAE Erythrogonys cinctus Red-kneed Dotterel CHARADRIIDAE Pluvialis fulva Pacific Golden Plover CHARADRIIDAE Pluvialis squatarola Grey Plover CHARADRIIDAE Thinornis rubricollis Hooded Plover V CHARADRIIDAE Vanellus miles Masked Lapwing CHARADRIIDAE Vanellus tricolor Banded Lapwing GLAREOLIDAE Stiltia isabella Australian Pratincole LARIDAE Catharacta skua Great Skua Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 122 Family I Scientific Name Common Name Aus SA LARIDAE Chlidonias hybridus Whiskered Tern LARIDAE Chlidonias leucopterus White-winged Black Tern LARIDAE Larus novaehollandiae Silver Gull LARIDAE Larus pacificus Pacific Gull LARIDAE Stercorarius parasiticus Arctic Jaeger (Arctic Skua) LARIDAE Sterna albifrons Little Tern E V LARIDAE Sterna bergii Crested Tern LARIDAE Sterna caspia Caspian Tern LARIDAE Sterna hirundo Common Tern R LARIDAE Sterna nereis Fairy Tern V LARIDAE Sterna nilotica Gull-billed Tern LARIDAE Sterna paradisaea Arctic Tern O COLUMBIDAE * Columba livia Rock Dove COLUMBIDAE Geopelia cuneata Diamond Dove COLUMBIDAE Geopelia placida Peaceful Dove COLUMBIDAE Ocyphaps lophotes Crested Pigeon COLUMBIDAE Phaps chalcoptera Common Bronzewing COLUMBIDAE Phaps elegans Brush Bronzewing COLUMBIDAE * Streptopelia chinensis Spotted Turtle-dove CACATUIDAE Cacatua galerita Sulphur-crested Cockatoo CACATUIDAE Cacatua roseicapilla Galah CACATUIDAE Cacatua sanguinea Little Corella CACATUIDAE Cacatua tenuirostris Long-billed Corella CACATUIDAE Nymphicus hollandicus Cockatiel PSITTACIDAE Barnardius zonarius Australian Ringneck, (Ring- necked Parrot) PSITTACIDAE Glossopsitta concinna Musk Lorikeet PSITTACIDAE Glossopsitta porphyrocephala Purple-crowned Lorikeet PSITTACIDAE Glossopsitta pusilla Little Lorikeet V PSITTACIDAE Melopsittacus undulatus Budgerigar PSITTACIDAE Neophema chrysostoma Blue-winged Parrot V PSITTACIDAE Neophema elegans Elegant Parrot PSITTACIDAE Neophema petrophila Rock Parrot R PSITTACIDAE Northiella haematogaster Blue Bonnet PSITTACIDAE Platycercus elegans Crimson Rosella PSITTACIDAE Platycercus eximius Eastern Rosella PSITTACIDAE Psephotus haematonotus Red-rumped Parrot PSITTACIDAE Psephotus varius Mulga Parrot PSITTACIDAE Trichoglossus haematodus Rainbow Lorikeet CUCULIDAE Cacomantis flabelliformis Fan-tailed Cuckoo CUCULIDAE Chrysococcyx basalis Horsfield’s Bronze-cuckoo CUCULIDAE Chrysococcyx lucidus Shining Bronze-Cuckoo R CUCULIDAE Chrysococcyx osculans Black-eared Cuckoo CUCULIDAE Cuculus pallidus Pallid Cuckoo STRIGIDAE Ninox novaeseelandiae Southern Boobook TYTONIDAE Tyto alba Barn Owl PODARGIDAE Podargus strigoides Tawny Frogmouth CAPRIMULGIDAE Eurostopodus argus Spotted Nightjar AEGOTHELIDAE Aegotheles cristatus Australian Owlet-nightjar APODIDAE Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 123 Family I Scientific Name Common Name Aus SA ALCEDINIDAE Dacelo novaeguineae Laughing Kookaburra ALCEDINIDAE Todiramphus pyrrhopygia Red-backed Kingfisher ALCEDINIDAE Todiramphus sanctus Sacred Kingfisher MEROPIDAE Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater CORACIIDAE Eurystomus orientalis Dollarbird O CLIMACTERIDAE Climacteris affinis White-browed Treecreeper R CLIMACTERIDAE Climacteris picumnus Brown Treecreeper CLIMACTERIDAE Cormobates leucophaeus White-throated Treecreeper MALURIDAE Malurus cyaneus Superb Fairy-wren MALURIDAE Malurus lamberti Variegated Fairy-wren MALURIDAE Malurus leucopterus White-winged Fairy-wren MALURIDAE Malurus splendens Splendid Fairy-wren PARDALOTIDAE Pardalotus punctatus Spotted Pardalote PARDALOTIDAE Pardalotus rubricatus Red-browed Pardalote PARDALOTIDAE Pardalotus striatus Striated Pardalote ACANTHIZIDAE Acanthiza apicalis Inland Thornbill ACANTHIZIDAE Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Yellow-rumped Thornbill ACANTHIZIDAE Acanthiza iredalei Slender-billed Thornbill V V ACANTHIZIDAE Acanthiza lineata Striated Thornbill ACANTHIZIDAE Acanthiza nana Yellow Thornbill ACANTHIZIDAE Acanthiza pusilla Brown Thornbill ACANTHIZIDAE Acanthiza reguloides Buff-rumped Thornbill ACANTHIZIDAE Acanthiza uropygialis Chestnut-rumped Thornbill ACANTHIZIDAE Aphelocephala leucopsis Southern Whiteface ACANTHIZIDAE Calamanthus campestris Rufous Fieldwren ACANTHIZIDAE Calamanthus cautus Shy Heathwren (Shy Hylacola) ACANTHIZIDAE Calamanthus pyrrhopygius Chestnut-rumped V Heathwren ACANTHIZIDAE Gerygone fusca Western Gerygone R ACANTHIZIDAE Pyrrholaemus brunneus Redthroat R ACANTHIZIDAE Sericornis frontalis White-browed Scrubwren ACANTHIZIDAE Smicrornis brevirostris Weebill MELIPHAGIDAE Acanthagenys rufogularis Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater MELIPHAGIDAE Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris Eastern Spinebill MELIPHAGIDAE Anthochaera carunculata Red Wattlebird MELIPHAGIDAE Anthochaera chrysoptera Little Wattlebird MELIPHAGIDAE Certhionyx niger Black Honeyeater MELIPHAGIDAE Certhionyx variegatus Pied Honeyeater MELIPHAGIDAE Epthianura albifrons White-fronted Chat MELIPHAGIDAE Epthianura aurifrons Orange Chat MELIPHAGIDAE Epthianura tricolor Crimson Chat MELIPHAGIDAE Gliciphila melanops Tawny-crowned Honeyeater MELIPHAGIDAE Lichenostomus chrysops Yellow-faced Honeyeater MELIPHAGIDAE Lichenostomus cratitius Purple-gaped Honeyeater MELIPHAGIDAE Lichenostomus leucotis White-eared Honeyeater MELIPHAGIDAE Lichenostomus ornatus Yellow-plumed Honeyeater MELIPHAGIDAE Lichenostomus penicillatus White-plumed Honeyeater MELIPHAGIDAE Lichenostomus plumulus Grey-fronted Honeyeater MELIPHAGIDAE Lichenostomus virescens Singing Honeyeater Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 124 Family I Scientific Name Common Name Aus SA MELIPHAGIDAE Manorina flavigula Yellow-throated Miner MELIPHAGIDAE Manorina melanocephala Noisy Miner MELIPHAGIDAE Melithreptus brevirostris Brown-headed Honeyeater MELIPHAGIDAE Melithreptus gularis Black-chinned Honeyeater V MELIPHAGIDAE Melithreptus lunatus White-naped Honeyeater MELIPHAGIDAE Phylidonyris albifrons White-fronted Honeyeater MELIPHAGIDAE Phylidonyris novaehollandiae New Holland Honeyeater MELIPHAGIDAE Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera Crescent Honeyeater MELIPHAGIDAE Plectorhyncha lanceolata Striped Honeyeater R PETROICIDAE Drymodes brunneopygia Southern Scrub-robin PETROICIDAE Melanodryas cucullata Hooded Robin PETROICIDAE Microeca fascinans Jacky Winter PETROICIDAE Petroica goodenovii Red-capped Robin PETROICIDAE Petroica multicolor Scarlet Robin PETROICIDAE Petroica phoenicea Flame Robin R POMATOSTOMIDAE Pomatostomus ruficeps Chestnut-crowned Babbler POMATOSTOMIDAE Pomatostomus superciliosus White-browed Babbler EUPETIDAE Cinclosoma castanotus Chestnut Quail-thrush R EUPETIDAE Psophodes cristatus Chirruping Wedgebill EUPETIDAE Psophodes nigrogularis Western Whipbird V V leucogaster NEOSITTIDAE Daphoenositta chrysoptera Varied Sittella PACHYCEPHALIDAE Colluricincla harmonica Grey Shrike-thrush PACHYCEPHALIDAE Falcunculus frontatus Crested Shrike-tit V PACHYCEPHALIDAE Oreoica gutturalis Crested Bellbird PACHYCEPHALIDAE Pachycephala inornata Gilbert’s Whistler PACHYCEPHALIDAE Pachycephala pectoralis Golden Whistler PACHYCEPHALIDAE Pachycephala rufiventris Rufous Whistler DICRURIDAE Grallina cyanoleuca Magpie-lark DICRURIDAE Myiagra cyanoleuca Satin Flycatcher V DICRURIDAE Myiagra inquieta Restless Flycatcher DICRURIDAE Rhipidura albiscapa Grey Fantail DICRURIDAE Rhipidura leucophrys Willie Wagtail ARTAMIDAE Artamus cinereus Black-faced Woodswallow ARTAMIDAE Artamus cyanopterus Dusky Woodswallow ARTAMIDAE Artamus personatus Masked Woodswallow ARTAMIDAE Artamus superciliosus White-browed Woodswallow ARTAMIDAE Cracticus nigrogularis Pied Butcherbird ARTAMIDAE Cracticus torquatus Grey Butcherbird ARTAMIDAE Gymnorhina tibicen Australian Magpie ARTAMIDAE Strepera versicolor Grey Currawong CAMPEPHAGIDAE Coracina novaehollandiae Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike CAMPEPHAGIDAE Coracina papuensis White-bellied Cuckoo- R shrike CAMPEPHAGIDAE Lalage tricolor White-winged Triller CORVIDAE Corvus bennetti Little Crow CORVIDAE Corvus coronoides Australian Raven CORVIDAE Corvus mellori Little Raven CORCORACIDAE Corcorax melanorhamphos White-winged Chough

CORCORACIDAE Struthidea cinerea Apostlebird NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 125 Family I Scientific Name Common Name Aus SA MUSCICAPIDAE * Turdus merula Eurasian Blackbird STURNIDAE * Sturnus vulgaris Common Starling HIRUNDINIDAE Cheramoeca leucosternus White-backed Swallow HIRUNDINIDAE Hirundo neoxena Welcome Swallow HIRUNDINIDAE Petrochelidon ariel Fairy Martin HIRUNDINIDAE Petrochelidon nigricans Tree Martin ZOSTEROPIDAE Zosterops lateralis Silvereye SYLVIIDAE Acrocephalus australis Australian Reed Warbler, (Clamorous Reed-Warbler) SYLVIIDAE Cincloramphus cruralis Brown Songlark SYLVIIDAE Cincloramphus mathewsi Rufous Songlark SYLVIIDAE Cisticola exilis Golden-headed Cisticola R SYLVIIDAE Megalurus gramineus Little Grassbird FRINGILLIDAE * Carduelis carduelis European Goldfinch FRINGILLIDAE * Carduelis chloris European Greenfinch ALAUDIDAE * Alauda arvensis Eurasian Skylark ALAUDIDAE Mirafra javanica Horsfield’s Bushlark DICAEIDAE Dicaeum hirundinaceum Mistletoebird PASSERIDAE * Passer domesticus House Sparrow MOTACILLIDAE Anthus novaeseelandiae Richard’s Pipit ESTRILDIDAE Neochmia temporalis Red-browed Finch ESTRILDIDAE Stagonopleura bella Beautiful Firetail R ESTRILDIDAE Stagonopleura guttata Diamond Firetail V ESTRILDIDAE Taeniopygia guttata Zebra Finch Notes: 1 = Most likely a number of these records are Acanthiza apicalis (Inland Thornbill) but unable to verify all. 2 = Includes taxa identified only to genus level.

Table 41: Mammals recorded in the Mid North and Yorke Peninsula Biological Survey (Neagle 2007). Family Name Scientific Name Common Name TACHYGLOSSIDAE Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked Echidna DASYURIDAE Sminthopsis murina Common Dunnart VOMBATIDAE Lasiorhinus latifrons Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat PHALANGERIDAE Trichosurus vulpecula Common Brushtail Possum MACROPODIDAE Macropus fuliginosus Western Grey Kangaroo MACROPODIDAE Macropus robustus Euro MACROPODIDAE Macropus rufus Red Kangaroo BURRAMYIDAE Cercartetus concinnus Western Pygmy-possum MOLOSSIDAE Mormopterus spp. (species complex) Southern Freetail-bats MOLOSSIDAE Tadarida australis White-striped Freetail-bat VESPERTILIONIDAE Nyctophilus geoffroyi Lesser Long-eared Bat VESPERTILIONIDAE Chalinolobus gouldii Gould’s Wattled Bat VESPERTILIONIDAE Chalinolobus morio Chocolate Wattled Bat VESPERTILIONIDAE Scotorepens balstoni Inland Broad-nosed Bat VESPERTILIONIDAE Vespadelus baverstocki Inland Forest Bat VESPERTILIONIDAE Vespadelus darlingtoni Large Forest Bat VESPERTILIONIDAE Vespadelus regulus Southern Forest Bat Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 126 Table 42: Reptiles recorded in the Mid North and Yorke Peninsula Biological Survey (Neagle 2007). Scientific Name Common Name Aus SA CHELIDAE Chelodina longicollis Common Long-necked Tortoise Emydura macquarii Macquarie Tortoise AGAMIDAE Ctenophorus decresii Tawny Dragon Ctenophorus pictus Painted Dragon Pogona barbata Eastern Bearded Dragon Pogona vitticeps Central Bearded Dragon Rankinia chapmani Prickly Dragon Tympanocryptis lineata Five-lined Earless Dragon GEKKONIDAE Diplodactylinae Diplodactylus vittatus Eastern Stone Gecko Nephrurus milii Barking Gecko Strophurus intermedius Southern Spiny-tailed Gecko GEKKONIDAE Gekkoninae Christinus marmoratus Marbled Gecko Gehyra ‘2n=44’ Southern Rock Dtella Gehyra variegata Tree Dtella Heteronotia binoei Bynoe’s Gecko GEKKONIDAE Pygopodinae Aprasia inaurita Red-tailed Worm-lizard Aprasia pseudopulchella Flinders Worm Lizard V V Aprasia striolata Lined Worm-lizard Delma australis Barred -lizard Delma butleri Spinifex Snake-lizard Delma molleri Adelaide Snake-lizard Lialis burtonis Burton’s Legless Lizard Pygopus lepidopodus Common Scaly-foot Pygopus schraderi Hooded Scaly-foot SCINCIDAE Cryptoblepharus carnabyi cac Desert Wall Skink Cryptoblepharus plagiocephalus pib Cryptoblepharus virgatus Striped Wall Skink Ctenotus olympicus Saltbush Ctenotus Ctenotus orientalis Eastern Spotted Ctenotus Ctenotus robustus Eastern Striped Skink Ctenotus schomburgkii Sandplain Ctenotus Cyclodomorphus venustus Saltbush Slender Bluetongue Egernia multiscutata Bull Skink Egernia striolata Eastern Tree Skink Eremiascincus richardsonii Broad-banded Sandswimmer Hemiergis decresiensis Three-toed Earless Skink Hemiergis peronii Four-toed Earless Skink Lampropholis guichenoti Garden Skink Lerista bougainvillii Bougainville’s Skink Lerista dorsalis Southern Four-toed Slider Lerista edwardsae Myall Slider Lerista punctatovittata Spotted Slider Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 127 Scientific Name Common Name Aus SA Lerista terdigitata Southern Three-toed Slider Menetia greyii Dwarf Skink Morethia adelaidensis Adelaide Snake-eye Morethia boulengeri Common Snake-eye Morethia obscura Mallee Snake-eye Pseudemoia entrecasteauxii Southern Grass Skink Tiliqua adelaidensis Pygmy Bluetongue E E Tiliqua occipitalis Western Bluetongue Tiliqua rugosa Sleepy Lizard Tiliqua scincoides Eastern Bluetongue VARANIDAE Varanus gouldii Sand Goanna Varanus rosenbergi Heath Goanna R Varanus varius Tree Goanna R BOIDAE Morelia spilota Carpet Python V Acanthophis antarcticus Common Death Adder Demansia psammophis Yellow-faced Whipsnake Drysdalia mastersii Master’s Snake Notechis ater ater Krefft’s Tiger Snake V inframacula Peninsula Brown Snake Pseudonaja nuchalis Western Brown Snake Pseudonaja textilis Simoselaps bertholdi Desert Banded Snake Suta nigriceps Mitchell’s Short-tailed Snake Suta spectabilis Mallee Black-headed Snake Suta suta Curl Snake TYPHLOPIDAE Ramphotyphlops australis Southern Blind Snake Ramphotyphlops bituberculatus Rough-nosed Blind Snake

A review of ratings has occurred (though not yet added as a schedule to NPW Act) which recommends Aprasia pseudopulchella be downrated to common. It has been recorded frequently in grassland areas of the Mid North (Neagle pers. comm.).

Table 43: Frogs recorded in the Mid North and Yorke Peninsula Biological Survey (Neagle 2007). Scientific Name Common Name Aus SA HYLIDAE Litoria ewingii Brown Tree Frog MYOBATRACHIDAE Crinia riparia Streambank Froglet Crinia signifera Common Froglet Limnodynastes dumerilii Bull Frog Limnodynastes tasmaniensis Spotted Grass Frog Neobatrachus pictus Painted Frog

Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE Pseudophryne bibronii Brown Toadlet 128 Appendix 4: Pest plant and animal background information

The following is an amalgamation of the SA Protect sites Pest Animal and Weed Management Guides Aims to prevent spread of the weed species (DWLBC 2005; DWLBC 2007b) and outlines to key sites/assets of high economic, management strategies for pest species: environmental and/or social value:

Eradicate from region • Weed/animal may be of limited current Aims to remove the weed/animal species from distribution but only threatens limited the region: industries/habitats (lower weed risk); or the weed/animal may be more widespread but • Detailed surveillance and mapping to locate is yet to invade/impact upon many key sub- all infestations/populations. regional industries/habitats (higher weed/ • Destruction of all infestations including pest animal risk). seedbanks/populations including juveniles. • Surveillance and mapping to locate all • Prevention of entry to region and movement infested sub-regions. and sale within. • Identification of key sites/assets in the • Must not grow and all cultivated plants to be region. removed (plants). • Enforce control of infestations/populations • Monitor progress towards eradication. in close proximity to key sites/assets, aiming for a significant reduction in weed/animal Destroy infestations/populations density. Aims to significantly reduce the extent of the • Permits on movement and sale of species weed/animal species in the region: within region. • Detailed surveillance and mapping to locate • Must not allow to spread from cultivated all infestations/populations. plants (if grown) in close proximity to key • Destruction of all infestations, aiming for sites/assets. local eradication at feasible sites. • Monitor change in current distribution within • Prevention of entry to region and movement and in close proximity to key sites/assets. and sale within. • Consider quarantine provisions (animals). Manage weed/pest animal Aims to reduce the overall economic, • Must not grow (plants). environmental and/or social impacts of • Monitor progress towards reduction. the weed/animal species through targeted Contain spread management: Aims to prevent the ongoing spread of the • Research and develop integrated weed/pest weed/animal species in the region animal management (IWM / IPM) packages • Surveillance and mapping to locate all for the species, including cultural, chemical infested properties. and biological control where feasible. • Enforce control of all infestations/ • Promote IWM/IPM packages to landholders. populations, aiming for a significant • Monitor decrease in weed/animal impacts reduction in weed density/pest animal with improved management. density through high level initial control and • Identify key sites/assets in the region and sustained management. ensure adequate resourcing to manage the • Prevention of entry to region and movement weed species. and sale within. • Must not allow to spread from cultivated plants (if grown) (plants). • Entry, movement and keeping may be controlled under permit conditions (animals) • Monitor change in current distribution. Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 129 Manage sites Monitor Aims to maintain the overall economic, Aims to detect any significant changes in the environmental and/or social value of key species’ weed/pest animal risk: sites/assets through improved general weed • Monitor the spread of the species management: and review any perceived changes in • Promote general IWM/IPM principles to weediness/pest animal invasiveness. landholders, including: the range of control techniques; maintaining competitive No action vegetation/crops/pastures, hygiene and The weed/animal species is perceived to be property management plans. of insufficient risk to warrant any investment in • Identify key sites/assets in the region and regional strategic management actions. ensure adequate resourcing to manage these to maintain their values. • Broaden focus beyond weeds/pest animals to all threatening processes.

Community consultation

Community participation and partnerships are The Consultation Strategy for the Regional essential for sustainable natural resources Plan included a range of tools to encourage management. This includes community and input. From mid-September to December 2008 environmental groups, volunteers, industry there were public meetings, forums, workshops, and business, government agencies, local information booths, information fact sheets and government councils, schools, research bodies, media advertising in an effort to ensure that all landowners and managers, and traditional stakeholders had an opportunity to view, obtain owners – all important stakeholders. The Plan is information, ask questions and provide input a plan for the region, not just the Northern and into the Plan. Yorke NRM Board. Further information can be obtained by phoning The Board is responsible under the Natural the Board on (08) 8636 2361. Resource Management Act 2004 to consult with stakeholders about its draft Regional Natural Resource Management Plan. The Board has consulted by calling for written submissions and holding public meetings to invite questions and comments on the draft Plan and the Board has considered all submissions made in relation to all volumes of the Plan. Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 130 Glossary

Acid Sulphate Soils: soils that either contain Broad-hectare Agricultural Production: sulphuric acid, or have the potential to form generally, commercial-scale cereal or grazing sulphuric acid, when exposed to oxygen in the air. enterprises that are mostly reliant on rainfall (rather than irrigation) for plant production. Adaptive Management: a management approach, often used in NRM, where there is Catchment: extent of land where water from rain limited information, a lot of complexity, or both, and drains into a body of water, such as a river, lake, there is a need to implement some management reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea or ocean changes sooner rather than later. It is an approach Coastal Ecosystems: an ecosystem that is that involves learning from management actions, located in a coastal environment, bounded by and using that learning to improve the next stage the coastal land margin and the continental shelf. of management. A coastal ecosystem may include dunes, sandy Agricultural Zone: generally, the areas south of beaches, limestone cliffs, rocky shores, estuaries the 250 mm isohyet (or Goyder’s line). and lakes. Off shore it may include reefs, seagrass beds and upwellings. Aquaculture: the farming of aquatic organisms for the purposes of trade, business or research. Connectivity: the extent to which patches of similar or complementary ecosystems are Aquatic Ecosystems: an ecosystem located in a water body. The two main types are marine and connected for the purpose of animal movement, freshwater ecosystems. for plant and animal reproduction, and for supporting ecosystem resilience. Aquifers: porous, water-bearing layers of sand, : the listing of a taxon on gravel, and rock below the earth’s surface; Conservation status state, Australian or international conservation lists reservoirs for groundwater. according to the threat to its viability. Asset-based Approach: an approach that : the protection, maintenance, provides a basis for the protection, rehabilitation Conservation management, sustainable use, restoration and and management of natural resources that the enhancement of the natural environment. community believes to be important. Under this approach, NRM planning focuses on protecting Contaminants: include, but are not limited to, the identified asset by addressing threats to it at a nutrients, sediments and chemicals. regional level. Desalination/reverse osmosis: a process that Assets — see Natural resources. converts seawater or brackish water to fresh or more usable water through removal of dissolved solids. Average Recurrence Interval: the average value of the periods between exceedances of a given Detention Basin: a pond or basin constructed flow or rainfall event. for the temporary detention of water to provide time for suspended sediments and other heavy Baseline Information: the known data, measured trends and the assessed status of a natural pollutants to settle before discharge into a resource (e.g. water quality in a river) or of a watercourse, lake, or other water storage. social condition relevant to natural resources Drainage Path: the path that surface water management (e.g. community knowledge of a naturally flows along over land. threatened species and the required actions for Dryland agriculture: rain-fed agriculture, its protection). Baseline information provides a practised in areas where crop/pasture production ‘benchmark’ by which the success or failure of our is limited to that part of the year when rain falls. management actions can be assessed. Dryland Salinity: the process whereby salts : the variety of life forms represented Biodiversity stored below the surface of the ground are brought by plants, animals and other organisms and micro- close to the surface by a rising watertable. The organisms, the genes that they contain, and the accumulation of salt degrades the upper soil ecosystems and ecosystem processes of which profile, with impacts on agriculture, infrastructure they form a part. and the environment. Biota: all living organisms in a given area, Ecological Processes: dynamic interactions including fungi, bacteria and algae. among and between biotic and abiotic components

of the biosphere. NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 131 Ecologically Sustainable: the use, conservation, Fragmentation: the division or separation of development and enhancement of natural resources natural areas by the clearance of native vegetation in a way, and at a rate, that will enable people for human land uses, isolating remnants and and communities to provide for their economic, species and affecting genetic flow. social and physical wellbeing while: sustaining the Geomorphic Characteristics: features of a potential of natural resources to meet the reasonably landform or landscape including, but not limited foreseeable needs of future generations. to, bed and banks of a watercourse, floodplain of Ecosystem Services: the full suite of benefits a watercourse or lake, cliffs, soils, rocks and other that human populations gain from a particular type mineral forms. of ecosystem, such as maintenance of climates; Groundwater base flow: usually, the amount of provision of clean water and air; pollination of streamflow that is due to groundwater discharge. In crops and native vegetation; fulfilment of people’s periods of low or zero rainfall, streamflow may be cultural, recreational, spiritual and intellectual comprised solely of base flows. needs; and provision of options for the future (e.g. Groundwater Recharge: the process whereby by maintaining biodiversity). water below the land surface is replenished by Ecosystem: a dynamic complex of plant, animal, either direct infiltration of rainfall or by leakage fungal and microorganism communities and the from surface water bodies like streams or lakes. associated non-living environment interacting as Groundwater: water occurring naturally below an ecological unit ground level; or water pumped, diverted or Endemic flora and fauna: plant and animal species released into a well for storage underground. that are restricted to a specified region or site. Habitat: the physical place or type of site where an Environmental Flow: the share of water provided organism, species or population naturally occurs and managed for the environment to protect river together with the characteristics and conditions health. that render it suitable to meet the lifecycle needs Environmental Values: the uses of the of that organism, species or population. environment that are recognised as being Heritage Agreement: a contract between a of value to the community. For water quality landholder and the State Government for the environmental values this might include: protection protection in perpetuity of a particular area of of aquatic ecosystems; recreational water use and native vegetation. aesthetics; potable water for drinking; agricultural Horticulture: the art, industry and science of plant and aquaculture use; and industrial use. They are cultivation. not the same as ecological values, which concern : the study of groundwater, which the elements and functions of ecosystems. Hydrogeology includes its occurrence, recharge and discharge Environmental Water Requirements: the water processes, and the properties of aquifers; see also regime needed to sustain the ecological values Hydrology. of water-dependent ecosystems, including their Hydrological Flow Regime: the flow regime processes and biological diversity, at a low level applicable to a particular watercourse or aquatic of risk. ecosystem as it varies by seasonal and more Ephemeral Flows: stream flows that only endure episodic climatic events (e.g. periodic severe for a short time following a heavy rainfall event. flooding or drought). It may be a natural regime or Estuary: a partially enclosed coastal body of water man-managed (e.g. by weir pool manipulation). that is permanently, periodically, intermittently or It also includes the water quality dimensions occasionally open to the sea within which there associated with particular flow periods (e.g. high is a measurable variation in salinity due to the salinity during periods of low flows and high mixture of seawater with water derived from or turbidity due to erosion during high flows). under the land. Hydrology: the science that describes and Feral: a species that has escaped the analyses the occurrence of water in nature, and its management and control of people and is living circulation near the surface of the earth. and reproducing in the wild. Indicators: a measure against which some Floodplain: any area of land adjacent to a aspects of performance can be assessed. watercourse, lake or estuary that is periodically Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA): a inundated with water and includes any other area voluntary agreement between a native title group designated as a floodplain by an NRM plan; or by a and others about the use and management of land Development Plan under the Development Act 1993. Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE and waters. 132 Intensive Farming: a method of keeping animals Natural Resources Management: an approach to in the course of carrying on the business of managing our environment that strives to achieve a primary production in which the animals are balance between our collective need for resources usually confined to a small space or area and and the needs of our environment. usually fed by hand or by a mechanical means. Natural Resources: include soil; water resources; Introduced Species: a species occurring in an geological features and landscapes; native area outside its historically known natural range vegetation, native animals and other native as a result of intentional or accidental dispersal by organisms; and ecosystems. human activities. Pastoral Zone: generally, the area north the 250 Keystone Aquatic Plants: those species mm isohyet (or Goyder’s line). Also referred to as whose loss from a system leads to the loss of the rangelands. other species. Keystone aquatic plants form the Pest Species: any introduced plant or animal that architecture for the wetland habitats; without them can adversely affect native species and ecosystems. the ecosystem cannot function as it should. Protected Area: an area of land and/or sea Lake: a natural lake, pond, lagoon, wetland or specifically dedicated to the protection and spring (whether modified or not) and includes part maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural of a lake, or a body of water designated as a lake and associated cultural resources, and managed by an NRM plan; or by a Development Plan under through legal or other effective means. the Development Act 1993. Rare Species: a category for threatened fauna Landscape: a heterogeneous area of local and flora under the National Parks and Wildlife Act ecosystems and land uses that is of sufficient 1972 (South Australia). size to achieve long-term outcomes in the Recharge Area: the area of land from which water maintenance and recovery of species or from the surface (rainfall, streamflow, irrigation, ecological communities, or in the protection and etc.) infiltrates into an aquifer. enhancement of ecological and evolutionary processes. Recovery Plans: documents that detail management and research actions necessary to Landscape-scale Management: strategic stop and reverse the decline of listed threatened approaches to manage natural resource species or threatened ecological communities. management values and threats at a landscape The aim of a recovery plan is to maximise the long scale, being of a sufficient size to sample all term survival in the wild of a threatened species or landforms of the landscape (i.e. from the top of the ecological community. hill to the bottom of the valley). Remnant Areas: (generally small) areas of native Macroinvertebrates: invertebrate animals plant communities that are found in otherwise (animals without a backbone) large enough to be cleared landscapes. seen without magnification. Resilience: the ability of an ecosystem to Mangroves: salt-tolerant trees or shrubs that have withstand and recover from environmental their lower trunk and roots in sea water at high tide. stresses and disturbances. Market-based Instruments: schemes that use Restoration: ecological restoration is the process market-like approaches to encourage ‘good of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has behaviour’, changing management actions to been degraded, damaged or destroyed. improve natural resource management outcomes. Riparian Vegetation: vegetation that is associated Micro-organism: small or microscopic forms of life, with streams, rivers, floodplains and lakes. including bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and moulds. Riparian zones/areas: that part of the landscape Native Animal: a protected animal within the adjacent to a water body that influences and is meaning of the National Parks and Wildlife Act influenced by watercourse processes. 1972 and any species included in Schedule 10 of that Act, not including a dingo or any other animal Runoff: water flowing over land or in a natural or of a class excluded from the ambit of this definition man-made drain, after having fallen as rain or hail by the regulations. or having precipitated in any other manner.

Native Species: a plant or animal species which Saline discharge: the process whereby excess occurs naturally in South Australia groundwater containing dissolved salts rises close to the land surface, resulting in dryland salinity — see Natural Natural resource assets problems. Saline discharge occurs into waterways resources.

when saline groundwaters enter the river channel. NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE 133 Salinisation: the process whereby land or water Turbidity: the cloudiness or haziness of water (or resources become adversely affected by high levels other fluid) caused by individual particles that are of salt (usually sodium chloride) that inhibit normal too small to be seen without magnification, thus ecosystem functioning (including crop production). being much like smoke in air.

Seascape: a heterogeneous area of local Underground water — see Groundwater. ecosystems and sea uses that is of sufficient size Vulnerable Species: a category for threatened to achieve long term outcomes in the maintenance fauna and flora under the National Parks and and recovery of species or ecological communities, Wildlife Act 1972 (South Australia) or Environment or in the protection and enhancement of ecological Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. and evolutionary processes. Water Affecting Activities: activities that can : a taxon comprising one or more Species have adverse impacts on the health and condition populations of individuals capable of interbreeding of water resources, on other water users and on to produce fertile offspring. the ecosystems that depend on water resources. Stock / domestic dam: a dam for the purpose of These water resources include watercourses, the storage of water for domestic purposes or use by lakes or dams, floodplains, groundwater, springs, livestock, with a capacity of up to 5 megalitres or wall wetlands, waterholes and catchment landscapes, height of up to 3 m from the natural ground level. among others.

Sub-catchment: the area of land determined by Water Erosion Risk Index: an indicator of topographical features within which rainfall will the level of water erosion risk expressed as contribute to runoff at a particular point. the average number of days each hectare of susceptible soil is at risk of erosion on a yearly Subspecies: set of populations within a distinct basis. geographical range that are recognisably different from the rest of the populations that make up the Water Protection Area: An area that is protected species. from pollution, contamination or unsustainable use; proposed development may be excluded from Surface water: water flowing over land (except in a watercourse), after having fallen as rain or hail or a WPA area when it is liable to impact the water having precipitated in any another manner, or after resource or aquifer recharge. rising to the surface naturally from underground. Water Resource: a watercourse or lake, surface Also, water of either kind that has been collected water, underground water, stormwater and in a dam or reservoir. effluent.

Sustainable Use of Biodiversity: the use of Water Use Efficiency (WUE): a measure of crop components of biological diversity in a way and at production per unit of water applied. The focus is a rate that does not lead to the long term decline usually on increasing WUE to make better use of of biological diversity, thereby maintaining its scarce rainfall or irrigation waters. potential to meet the needs and aspirations of Watercourse: a river, creek or other natural present and future generations watercourse (whether modified or not) in Terrestrial: pertaining to the land (contrast with which water is contained or flows, whether aquatic and marine). permanently or from time, to time and includes a dam or reservoir that collects water flowing in a Threatened Species and/or Ecological watercourse. Communities: species (at national and State levels) or ecological communities (at a national Wetland: an area that comprises land that is level) classified as being threatened by extinction permanently or periodically inundated with water and listed as either – Vulnerable, Endangered, (whether through a natural or artificial process) Critically Endangered or Presumed Extinct. where the water may be static or flowing and may range from fresh water to saline water and where Threatened species: plants or animals that are listed as rare, vulnerable, endangered or the inundation with water influences the biota or critically endangered or extinct in the wild as ecological processes. per the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 Wind Erosion Protection Index: an indicator (South Australia) or Environment Protection and of the level of wind erosion risk expressed as Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. the average number of days each hectare of susceptible soil is at risk of erosion on a yearly Threatening Process: processes that threaten basis. or may threaten the survival, abundance or evolutionary development of components of native

Northern and Yorke NRM Board Yorke Northern and THE REGION REPORT OF STATE biodiversity. 134