Across the Outback

ACROSS THE OUTBACK

Number 46 November 2009 Produced for Outback SA

What’s your 10-year plan for the Arid Lands? The SA Arid Lands (SAAL) Natural Resources Management (NRM) Board is mid-way through consultation on its draft Regional NRM Plan, released to the public for comment on 26 October - and there’s still plenty of time for you to consider the draft and provide your written feedback.

The Regional NRM Plan for the there’s plenty of time to consider the South Australian Arid Lands affects Plan and opportunities for providing everyone who lives, works, visits and/ your feedback. or values the region. Get your copy of the Plan today... It provides a coordinated and integrated basis for managing the The draft Regional NRM Plan and natural resources in the region over Feedback Form are available on the next 10 years. It also includes our website www.saalnrm.sa.gov.au a Business Plan for the SAAL NRM or by calling our Port Augusta office Board’s activities over the next three 8648 5977. years. ... then tell us what you think The Plan provides a range of To submit your feedback, complete programs to protect valuable and post the Feedback Form, email ground and surface waters; ensure us at [email protected] or sustainable industries; help pastoral call our office to discuss your thoughts land management; conserve with one of our staff. natural ecosystems; and encourage community participation.

The implementation of the Regional Written submissions must be NRM Plan will support communities received by the SAAL NRM in the sustainable use of their natural Board’s Presiding Member by 29 resources and in maintaining natural January 2010. ecosystems.

If you missed the recent Public Meetings the SAAL NRM Board is still Further information: very keen to hear what you think and 8648 5977

Having their say - Attendees at the November Public Meetings in Lyndhurst and Roxby Downs; Public Meetings were also held in Coober Pedy, Nonning, Yunta and Adelaide.

Across the Outback is published every second month for the Outback SA Government and Community Alliances. It is currently jointly funded by the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation (on behalf of the Pastoral Board); Primary Industry and Resources at Port Augusta; the SA Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board; the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure; and the Outback Areas Community Development Trust.

Across the Outback is prepared and edited by Jenny Barker (SAAL NRM Board). Comments and suggestions are always welcome. Please contact [email protected] or 08 8463 3354 Pastoral Board

Pastoral Board and Program contacts:

The Pastoral Board of SA Soil & Water Environs Building, Entry 4, Waite Campus, Waite Road, Urrbrae SA Pastoral Board forum in Burra (GPO Box 2834, Adelaide SA 5001) Approximately 20 pastoralists from the North Eastern and General enquiries: the Eastern Pastoral Districts attended an open forum with Phone (08) 8303 9751 the Pastoral Board and Pastoral Program staff, at the Burra Fax (08) 8303 9320 Freecall 1800 678 447 Football Club on 14 October. Specific contacts in Adelaide and Port Augusta: The event provided an ideal The dust storm is a major blow, Presiding Member opportunity for lessees to discuss coming on top of several years Michael McBride 0427 087 966

issues of concern directly with Board of drought conditions. Program Manager members and staff. Glenn Gale (08) 8303 9345 Other issues discussed at the A wide range of issues were raised forum included feral goats, lease Pastoral Board matters Glenn Gale (08) 8303 9345 with frank and open discussion assessments, lease inspections, between all present. and the concept of stating stock Public Access to pastoral lands maximums to DSEs. David Oag (08) 8648 5174 Dust storms Lease Assessments Feral goats A major issue was the serious Craig Baulderstone (08) 8303 9752 damage caused by the dust The topic of feral goats led to some Lease inspections and tenure storms in the week beginning 21 robust discussion, with a range of Chris Turner (08) 8303 9755 September. views put forward by lessees on how they should be managed and the While there have been a number of level of effort that should be applied Managing the dry dust storms over the last few months, to control them. the event in September was by far conditions the worse, lasting 15 hours or more The use of goat proof boundary During the last two months pastoral and with winds of up to 100km per fencing as a barrier and to aid in inspections have focussed mainly hour. control was also discussed. on properties in the previous Eastern The storm affected vast areas of It was recognised that the heavily Districts Soil Board area north of the rangelands, causing serious wooded country in the Eastern Morgan. damage to the condition of the Districts increases the difficulty of Eight pastoral properties have been land, the vegetation and loss of feral goat control. inspected with very dry seasonal feed as well as damage to roads, The forum conclude with a conditions persisting throughout the troughs, fences, buildings and other district. infrastructure. barbeque dinner. All pastoralists are addressing the difficult stock management situation through removal of stock to sale or to other properties.

One or two leases are probably not as advanced as others with their stock removal program, but have discussed their options with pastoral inspectors.

Overall, a dry and testing time for pastoralists, but one in which everybody is doing everything they can.

2 3 Pastoral Board

PIRSA assesses Two new staff members dust storm damage Two new Land Assessment Officers recently commenced PIRSA is currently assessing working with the Pastoral Program giving a major boost to the extent of damage caused our capacity to undertake pastoral lease assessments. by recent dust storms that ripped through rural areas and their ecology. in the north-east of the State Carolyn Woods... during September. Carolyn Woods grew up in rural NSW and has 15 years ...and Augie The greatest impact appears to experience in the natural resource Facelli management field. be north of the Barrier Highway Augie Facelli was born in Argentina (Peterborough to Broken Hill) but grew up in Adelaide. and as far north as Marree and Before moving to Adelaide, Carolyn worked at Cootamundra, Oodnadatta. Augie studied environmental NSW with the Landcare community biology at the University of Collecting evidence and also the Murrumbidgee Adelaide and completed an arts Catchment Management In conjunction with the Rangelands degree, majoring in philosophy. Drought Taskforce, the Pastoral Authority working on salinity and Board, the SA Arid Lands NRM Board, water quality projects. He did his honours on the effect agribusinesses and the community, of galling thrips on arid land With the Urban Biodiversity Unit (SA PIRSA is collecting evidence that Acacia species located near the Department for Environment and can be used to build a sufficient Middleback Research Centre. case in seeking assistance under the Heritage), Carolyn worked with Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery community groups and on NRM Most recently, Augie has worked Arrangements. projects with contractors restoring for O’Connor NRM, including native vegetation in the southern writing reports on a pest control Letters have been sent to all part of Adelaide. program in the central Flinders and pastoralists in the affected regions, communicating with landholders. providing them with advice on Carolyn has a good background support already available to them as in working with local rural He has also performed vegetation part of Exceptional Circumstances communities and has good assessments in the southern drought declarations. project management skills which Adelaide Hills and Monarto area should help in the delivery of lease and has maintained databases for Local support contacts have also assessment reports. these projects. been provided, for those needing counselling, drought assistance or She has a strong interest in plants financial advice.

The letter also asks pastoralists to provide evidence to assist PIRSA in establishing the extent of damage.

So far it’s estimated that about 35 properties have been affected, including loss of feed for livestock, some structural damage to buildings, sanding up of infrastructure and damage to roads and related infrastructure. Further information Pastoralists affected by the dust storms should contact Liz Connell 0488 145 124 or [email protected]

2 3 ACROSS THE Outback Pastoral Board

Review of Impacts of waterpoint management unimproved values on biodiversity The final field work component is complete for the Land and pastoral & Water Australia project Assessing biodiversity outcomes rentals from waterpoint management in the arid rangelands. The Valuer-General will be undertaking a full and For the past three years, and composition in the gilgais (small, with the help of volunteers, a ephemeral lakes formed from a comprehensive review of the team of researchers from CSIRO, depression in the soil surface). unimproved value of pastoral Department for Environment land in 2010. & Heritage and Department Waterpoints were turned on and First reported in the March edition of Water, Land & Biodiversity off to study the effects of grazing of ATO, this review meets the Conservation, have been on the surrounding animal and requirement of the Pastoral Land undertaking mammal and plant communities. Management and Conservation vegetation surveys in the gibber Preliminary indications suggest Act 1989. deserts of far north SA. that rainfall and temperature Under The Act a determination of The research has been seasonality have a greater the unimproved value of pastoral conducted at three field sites; influence on biodiversity than land must be undertaken at least two cattle properties (Macumba grazing relaxation. every five years. and Todmorden) and the The findings of this research will The Valuer-General is responsible for Oodnadatta Town Common, all increase our understanding of determining the unimproved value representative of Saltbush–Mitchell the effects of grazing on the of the land, and fixing the annual Grass vegetation communities. biodiversity in this environment, with rent for the lease as a percentage of the unimproved value of the The research examined the the final report to be published in land. effect of rainfall seasonality on 2010. vegetation responses when Further information The Valuer-General is assessing land condition and the www.csiro.au/science/ represented in 10 regional biological responses to controlled waterpointmanagement.html offices throughout South waterpoint closure. Australia by specialist rural http://lwa.gov.au/products/list/ valuers who undertake Seeds collected from soil samples 3260?page=8; see issues 7 (Oct 08) continual analysis of rural sales. were germinated under winter and 9 (June 09) of Thinking Bush, and summer rainfall conditions Native Vegetation and Biodiversity The review will be completed to confirm species responses Program, L&WA by mid-2010, with advice being and calibrate the seed bank Anita Smyth: [email protected] forwarded to the Pastoral Board in relation to the rent notices to be issued in November 2010. Determination of unimproved values and fair rates of return for individual properties include consideration of the following factors: • the most recent land type classifications and associated information • carrying capacities • property sales and price movements within the pastoral industry • prevailing market conditions • climatic conditions • property location Trevor Hobbs (DWLBC) checking a pitfall trapline on Macumba station • access to markets

4 5 Outback Areas Community Development Trust

Helping communities to help themselves Progress Associations and community volunteers across the outback are getting help in managing local infrastructure and services. Another series of training workshops outback SA increasingly need more This will be used for landscaping, was recently conducted with more skills and knowledge to manage dog control, administration, waste than 40 locals from the Mintabie, important local infrastructure and disposal and dump maintenance. William Creek, Andamooka, essential services. Oodnadatta and Marla areas. The Indigenous Coordination Much of the funding for these Centre grants also include $26,000 The topics of governance, effective projects and services is via State for a women’s leadership project meetings and constitutions were and Australian Government grants, and $34,000 for an arts/cultural covered by experienced training with the latest round of Community (storytelling) project. provider and Kimba farmer Cecelia Infrastructure Program grants a good Woolford, who regularly runs the example (see related story below). The storytelling project aims to workshops on behalf of the Outback bring together young and old in Areas Community Development The Trust was recently successful in the Aboriginal community through Trust (the Trust). obtaining three grants – including shared stories, and to encourage $160,000 in funding for the delivery of families and individuals to become As part of the Trust’s role in building municipal services – for the Dunjiba involved in the welfare of the elderly. community capacity, communities in Community at Oodnadatta.

Federal funding at work The one-off grants announced under the Australian Government’s Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program last year have been put to good work in outback communities. The $100,000 allocated to the • Lyndhurst community hall upgrade of funding for upgrading the William Outback Areas Community - $5000 Creek, Marree and Marla runways. Development Trust (the Trust) • Aroona Council tennis court lights Other work was previously funded was used in seven “ready-to-go” - $20,000 for Manna Hill. community projects. Upgraded airstrips New legislation A $5000 community hall The upgrade of the Glendambo Funding for infrastructure and upgrade on the west coast and Marree airstrips was recently essential services in the 36 of South Australia provided a finished. communities covered by the Trust much needed contribution Both projects are among several is part of new State legislation to the Fowlers Bay Progress grants from the Australian currently before parliament. Association, with the kitchen Government’s Remote Aerodrome The Outback Communities now available for events and Safety Program helping outback SA sporting functions. (Administration and Management) airstrips to meet all-weather safety Bill aims to meet the administrative Other projects to receive standards. and management needs of funding were: With additional assistance from the outback areas, as tourism, mining • Marla Racing and Gymkhana Department for Transport, Energy and changing demographics make facilities upgrade - $10,000 and Infrastructure, more than $3m providing adequate services and • Marree hall renovations - was awarded in the previous round infrastructure ever more difficult. $20,000 • Andamooka community hall upgrade - $15,000 • Andamooka waste management - $25,000

4 5 ACROSS THE Outback South Australian Arid Lands NRM Board

Alice Springs GAB fest a success Nearly 40 people attended the first national workshop on the Great Artesian Basin (GAB) and its springs, organised by the SA Arid Lands (SAAL) Natural Resources Management (NRM) Board.

The Board’s project Allocating Attendees included representatives water and maintaining springs in from all stakeholder groups, the GAB is funded by the National including mining, pastoral, Water Commission under the indigenous, science and Raising National Water Standards management. Program. The highlights It has a budget of $17m over Presentations were made by the key four years and an operating people involved in water resource staff of approximately 40 people planning for the GAB from the NT, Qld spread across five agencies and and SA Governments. presented data on using hyperspectral universities. data to monitor the extent of, and Andy Love (chief hydrogeologist for changes to, wetland area associated Held in September in Alice Springs, the project), presented emerging with springs. the event was the first of two data being used to develop a new national workshops to be organised hydrogeological model for the GAB. A facilitated discussion session by the Board. examined workable management Laurence Clarke (Flinders University) outcomes from different stakeholder Their primary aim is to disseminate spoke about endemism in several key perspectives. data and results among the aquatic flora species from the artesian multi-disciplinary project staff and springs. Further information facilitate discussion on potential Water Program Manager (NWI) Davina White (University of Adelaide) cross-border planning issues. 8648 5977

Have you seen a Woma Python? The SAAL NRM Board is collecting sightings of Woma Pythons over the coming months to build a better picture of their number and distribution. Not much is known about Woma recently or in the past we’re keen to Pythons and it is thought that they hear about it. may be declining in some areas. To report your sighting... Those working or travelling in Fill in the survey form (enclosed in outback SA are best-placed to this edition of ATO) or contact our see these harmless snakes. Community Fauna Recovery Officer 8671 1083 or reece.pedler@saalnrm. We are interested in how common sa.gov.au Woma Pythons really are. Are they Your chance to win $100 fuel! becoming rarer in some areas? How long do they live? Are there many Every survey form accompanied by a small ones around? photo of a Woma Python and its GPS coordinates will be eligible to win one of If you have seen a Woma Python five $100 fuel vouchers.

Photo: Arid Recovery

6 7 South Australian Arid Lands NRM Board

Jumping Cholla ‘EMU’- register your interest today is cactus The SA Arid Lands NRM Board is undertaking a pilot The Kingoonya NRM Group Ecosystem Management Understanding (EMU) project for recently located the last few landholders in the Arid Lands region south of the Dog Fence remaining Jumping Cholla - and applications are now open. plants at Bulgunnia Station. EMU is an informal approach Successive diligent control incorporating pastoralist experience measures combined with and knowledge with scientific the accurate location of expertise. infestation and treated areas over the last 10 years Pastoralists learn to identify and has enabled the Bulgunnia read landscape processes, team to thwart the spread condition and trend and of the Jumping Cholla apply this information to daily (Cylindropuntia prolifera). management practices.

One of a number of invasive The SAAL NRM Board’s pilot project species of cacti in the Arid will be implemented by SAAL NRM Lands region, the Jumping Board staff and landscape ecologist Cholla (pronounced “choy– Hugh Pringle. a”) is considered to be one Aerial survey of key sites is an of the most feared and About EMU important component of the EMU program hated groups of cacti in its EMU was initially developed by areas of concern which are plotted homeland of south-west landscape ecologists Ken Tinley and on clear plastic overlays to develop America. Hugh Pringle to facilitate sustainable a property map. rangeland management. Hollow spines attach readily to Landscape processes and key anything that passes nearby; It has been adopted by pastoralists areas of the property are further when the spines come into in the Murchison Gascoyne investigated with a fly over and site contact with moisture, their catchments (WA), the southern visit and a visual record is developed tips curl to firmly attach to Northern Territory and more recently of air and ground photos. a boot, livestock or car tyre in the Marla-Oodnadatta NRM ensuring successful relocation. district. These activities provide a way of tracking change and making Further information Despite their vast size and few hands timely, strategic and relatively it is possible to manage pastoral If you find an unknown weed simple management interventions in leases effectively by focusing on species please contact the SAAL specific areas or sites that can have landscape function to identify NRM Board for identification far-reaching positive consequences. critical areas. 8648 5977. Natural and human-induced It is a way of working with the processes drive changes to natural processes rather than landscapes, their surfaces, against them. and vegetation structure and composition. How to apply Identifying these processes and their If you are a land manager in the Arid impacts (eg the action of rainwater) Lands region south of the Dog Fence assists with the development of this is your chance to combine your ‘best fit’ ecological and sustainable knowledge with ecological science to pastoral management practices. develop sustainable land management practices. How it works An initial property visit identifies Contact Janet Walton or Kurt Tschirner baseline property features and 8648 5977 for details.

6 7 ACROSS THE Outback South Australian Arid Lands NRM Board

Call for 2009/10 pest control and land rehab projects Interested in doing pest control or land rehabilitation works on your property? Expressions of interest are sought from interested land managers who are looking to do on-ground activities. The SA Arid Lands (SAAL) Natural Resources Several pest animal and weed species have been Management (NRM) Board has secured funds through selected for coordinated management. However the the Australian Government’s 2009/10 Caring for Our Board will also consider funding projects for other species Country program to provide technical support and considered a local, high priority. funds for on-ground works that address priority weeds and pests or improve land condition. Project applications will be assessed against regional priorities and each other to ensure the limited funds are Fill in the expression of interest form below and spent in the most effective manner. return this to the Port Augusta office before 15 January 2010. Project activities and funding amount will determine how many applications are approved. Successful Expressions of interest will be reviewed according to applications will include some land holder contribution regional priorities and available funding. to project costs, either in-kind or cash.

Those deemed most suitable will be developed into Further information project applications with the assistance of Board staff 8648 5977 who will contact the land manager directly.    Pest management and land rehabilitation programs 2009/2010 - expression of interest **Please attach additional pages if necessary** APPLICANT DETAILS Name ______Property ______

Contact Details ______District Group ______ 

ACTIVITIES FUNDED

Feral Animal Control Programs □ Rabbit control □ Feral goat control □ Camel control Land Rehabilitation Program □ Contour furrowing □ Direct seeding □ Water ponding  Weed Control Programs  □Cactus □Athel Pine □Mesquite & Parkinsonia □Buffel Grass □African Rue Indicate which activities you are interested in and provide details of the proposed project (ie. area to be treated, method, your contribution, and the amount of funding being sought).

Funding for activities not listed will be considered if details provided ______

 I am able to have this project complete by May 31, 2010: □Yes □No  Signed: ______Date: / / Gover nment of South Australia Return to SAAL NRM Board, PO Box 2227, Port Augusta SA 5067 South Australian Arid Lands Natural

Resources Management Boar d  or fax (8648 5976) by 15 January 2010  

8 9 South Australian Arid Lands NRM Board Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure

Work begins on Oodnadatta – Hamilton Station Road

Resheeting and realignment of a 28km section has begun on the Oodnadatta – Hamilton Station Road. Ceduna Bulk Hauliers won the contract, and began establishing their camp and transporting in earthmoving equipment in early October. Work on the preparation and formation of the sub- grade for the first 8km is under way and expected to be ready for resheeting in mid November 2009. Completion of the project will eliminate the worst performing sections of the Oodnadatta – Hamilton Station Road, providing significant benefits to all road users, communities, local businesses, and pastoral and tourism industries. The works include forming and sheeting of the Hamilton Sandhills for a distance of 22km, construction of 3km road realignment to provide access through an area prone to flooding, rehabilitation of borrow pits and drainage mitigation works on the approach to Fogarty’s Claypan.

It is anticipated that the works will be completed by the end of February 2010. This project is part of the State Government’s Rural Road Improvement Program and the Federal Government’s Roads to Recovery Program with a total cost of of $2.13m.

Outback Calendar

Bird Watching Walk, Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden Sunday 6 December

Last day to provide feedback draft Regional NRM Plan for the SA Arid Lands NRM region 29 January 2010

If your event or meeting date has been set, let us know. Across the Outback is published bi-monthly. Please email any additions to [email protected]

8 9 ACROSS THE Outback Have you joined The Australian Rangeland Society? The Australian Rangeland Society is an independent and non-aligned association of people interested in the management and sustainable utilisation of resources in natural or semi- natural landscapes, such as grasslands, shrublands and woodlands.

Members of the Society are generally interested in one or more of the businesses conducted in the rangelands, Membership benefits as well as the well-being of remotely living people and communities. • The Rangeland Journal International standing, high impact, four issues Rangelands are broadly defined and include drylands per year, hard copy and online access via CSIRO and wetlands, or any other environment where natural Publishing to all past papers and papers in press ecological processes predominate in land use. • The Range Management Newsletter Informative, hard and online copies, and three issues Typically, rangeland businesses harvest plant or animal per year production, mine resources, provide recreation or manage biodiversity. • Email distribution of job and publication alerts

New members are welcome. • Online services including discussion forums, an annual Membership Directory, online membership Existing members come from a wide range of payments, access to minutes of Council, Publications occupations, and include owners and managers of Committee and Annual General Meetings businesses, members of non-government organisations, scientists, communicators, government administrators, • Reduced biennial conference fees natural resource management facilitators and • Opportunities to apply for research grants and travel community leaders. fellowships

Given the diverse activities and needs of people in the • Information for personal development (eg further rangelands, the Society exists to provide a forum for education, jobs and discussion forum) the free exchange of ideas and information amongst people who live remotely or are concerned • Links with international rangeland bodies, including about rangeland issues in their work. the International Rangeland Congress Further information www.austrangesoc.com.au

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN FREE ANNUAL AUSTRALIAN RANGELAND SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP Tell us how The Australian Rangeland Society can attract more producers and land managers to win a free membership for the producer or land manager of your choice

To enter: Nominate a producer/land manager for one annual ARS membership and Tell us your idea(s) for encouraging producers and land managers to become members

Entries should be a maximum of one A4 page. Send to: Dr Carolyn Ireland (Secretary), The Australian Rangeland Society,13 Woodland Close, Aldgate SA 5154 or [email protected]

The two best ideas will win a free membership for their nominated producer and winning ideas will be published in the ARS newsletter. Council’s decision will be final. Kindly donated by a member of the ARS on the condition that preference is given to producers or land managers.

10 11 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND RESOURCES SA Biosecurity - Animal Health News

Pimelea poisoning guide to fight a $50m problem A new guide is available to help cattle producers in the battle against pimelea poisoning, a $50 million a year problem for Australia’s producers. Understanding Pimelea Poisoning serious economic consequences of Cattle is being distributed to for cattle producers, including producers around the country as reduced production, the cost of part of a joint initiative between supplementary feeding and stock Primary Industries and Resources losses. South Australia, AgForce, the Identifying and measuring toxins University of Queensland and One of the key outcomes of the NSW Department of Primary the project was developing the Industries. laboratory procedures to identify The new guide will help landowners and measure the toxins in Pimelea. identify the risk factors, particularly This information is vital to Pimelea when weather conditions may be poisoning research and helps us more favourable for Pimelea growth understand how the toxin persists in and how they can proactively the environment and works in the reduce the risk for stock. animal. The booklet details a number of trials Herbicide trials and case studies, describing the The Pimelea initiative also included The front cover of the new guide symptoms of poisoning, treatments trials of herbicides to identify the Understanding Pimelea Poisoning of Cattle and management strategies. most effective controls for the plant. What is Pimelea? These were aimed at Queensland Pimelea is a native plant that is found producers with smaller more in the drier parts of South Australia, intensive holdings. New South Wales and Queensland – between a third and a half of The aim is to give producers as Australia’s pastoral country. much information as possible If cattle eat the plant, it can about the plant and its controls result in constriction of the to help them put in place their pulmonary blood vessels, own management strategies. anaemia, diarrhoea and even Further information death. For Pimelea poisoning information or Pimelia poisoning can have to obtain a copy of the guide call Pimelia simplex 8648 5160

Congratulations... to the Blinman/Parachilna Pest Plant Control Group The Group were recognised at the 2009 State Landcare awards in Adelaide in November for their role in raising the profile of invasive Oleander and Cactus in the Flinders Ranges. The award was accepted on behalf of the Group by Lorraine Edmunds. Lorraine thanked the nine landholders, Angorichina Tourist Village, contractor Frank Bernhardt and the four volunteer groups involved (Blackwood Church of Christ, Adelaide Bushwalkers, Adelaide Retired Persons and Adelaide Toyota Landcruiser 4WD Club). She also acknowledged the personal, practical and financial support of the SA Arid Lands NRM Board and government funding. The Group, who also picked up a special commendation in the 2009 Premier’s NRM Awards, is now in the running for the 2010 National Landcare Awards in Canberra. Watch out for more on this Group and its remarkable accomplishments in the next edition of Across The Outback.

10 11 ACROSS THE Outback Your Natural Resources Management Board The SA Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board (the Board) works with all natural resources management issues across the region including soil, water, weeds and feral animals.

The Board works at the strategic level but also implements on-ground projects and has a number of staff in the region.

Your NRM Groups There are five Natural Resources Management Groups (NRM Groups) based on its five districts. A sixth Group will soon be established in the North East.

These Groups are the on-ground contact for the community, feeding district information or concerns up to the Board so that they can be dealt with.

If you are not sure which district you belong to, visit www.saalnrm.sa.gov.au and download from the front page a map of the region and its six districts.

How to be heard If you would like to discuss any NRM activities please contact one of the people listed below. Alternatively contact the Board’s office on 8648 5977. SA Arid Lands NRM Board Chris Reed (Presiding Member) Gawler Ranges NRM Group Brenton Arnold Northern Flinders NRM Group

Sandy Morris (Chair) Carolyn Ireland Leonard Nutt (Chair) Angus McTaggart Geoff Mills Nicki DePreu Catherine McTaggart Stony Steiner Trevor Whitelaw Jane Anderson Keith Bellchambers John McMahon Katherine Moseby Janet Coulthard Leonard Newton Leanne Liddle Simon Duke Keith Slade Bill McIntosh Janet Brook

Marla-Oodnadatta NRM Group Kingoonya NRM Group

Douglas Lillecrapp (Chair) Marree-Innamincka Julie Mould (Chair) Mabel Lochowiak NRM Group Rick Mould Mark Fennell John Bayley Janet Brook (Chair) Tony Williams John Reed Kelli-Jo Kovac Murray Tyler Shane Miller Kylie Fuller Darren Wilson Gordon Warren Andrew Johnston Raylene Ogilvy Have you seen a Woma Python? - you could win $100 fuel! Every survey form accompanied by a photo of a Woma Python and its GPS coordinates will be eligible to win one of five $100 fuel vouchers. See page 6 of Across The Outback for more details or call the SA Arid Lands NRM Board 8648 5977. Post your completed survey form to Threatened Fauna Recovery Officer PO Box 693 Roxby Downs SA 5725. CONTACT DETAILS Name ______Phone number (optional) ______Email address (optional) ______

Can the SA Arid Lands NRM Board contact you about your sighting? □ YES □ NO

SIGHTING DETAILS When did you see the python? Day: Month: Year: Or approx time of year? □ Dec-Feb □ Mar-May □ June- Aug □ Sept-Nov What time of day? □ Morning □ Afternoon □ Evening □ Night Size of python (approximate length): LOCATION Nearest named place & distance (eg approx. 10km north Montecollina, Strzelecki Track)

GPS Co-ordinates:

What type of habitat was it in? □ Sand Dune □ Sand Plain □ Gibber Plain/Flat □ Creekline Other (please specify)

What was it doing? □ Moving □ Basking □ Hunting □ Sheltering

Other (please specify)

COMMENTS/OTHER DETAILS (eg weather at the time of sighting, any distinctive markings, etc). Attach extra page(s).

Have you seen a Woma Python? - you could win $100 fuel! Every survey form accompanied by a photo of a Woma Python and its GPS coordinates will be eligible to win one of five $100 fuel vouchers. See page 6 of Across The Outback for more details or call the SA Arid Lands NRM Board 8648 5977. Post your completed survey form to Threatened Fauna Recovery Officer PO Box 693 Roxby Downs SA 5725. CONTACT DETAILS Name ______Phone number (optional) ______Email address (optional) ______