Willochra Creek Catchment Action Plan

Willochra Creek Catchment Action Plan Introduction The Willochra Creek Catchment Action Plan (CAP) draws together information and feedback from a wide range of community members and summarises the most important features of the catchment and the issues that we face in managing them. This summary will be used to inform the strategic direction of Natural Resources Management (NRM) in the catchment and align with other planning and natural resource management actions occurring across the Northern and Yorke region. In the decade since the previous report, there has been a substantial shift in community knowledge, expectations and attitudes towards environmental and natural resources management issues. Natural Resources Northern and Yorke has worked with the community, natural resource management experts, scientists, government agencies, local government and non-government organisations to develop this plan and capture these changing attitudes. This collaboration has helped to ensure that the CAP reflects the priorities of a wide range of community and stakeholders, including investors such as the South Australian and Australian Governments. The CAP is not intended to encompass every possible issue or action, but to identify the high priority actions without which some of our most important assets will collapse. The Willochra Creek CAP provides a strategic way forward – a plan of action – for the community who will be managing the Catchment’s natural resources into the future.

The Willochra catchment The Willochra catchment in the Southern Flinders Ranges covers an area of around 6425 square kilometres. Approximately 250 kilometres north of Adelaide it is bound to the west by the Southern Flinders Ranges; to the east by the Oladdie Hills; and to the north by the Yappala and Yourambulla Ranges. The topography of the Willochra catchment varies considerably from steep ranges to undulating hills to the Willochra Plain. Elevation varies from 965 m at Mt Brown in the southwest region of the catchment to 70 m near Lake Torrens in the northwest. All sub-catchments drain toward the central Willochra Creek. Major tributaries to the Willochra Creek from the south of the catchment include Yellowman Creek, Wild Dog Creek and Rotten Creek. Eastern tributaries include Booleroo Creek, Old Booleroo Creek, Coonatto Creek, Boolcunda Creek, and Wirreanda Creek. Western tributaries include Spring Creek, Beautiful Valley Creek, Mt Brown Creek, Pichi Richi Creek, Castle Creek, and Mt Arden Creek. Major land use across the catchment includes cropping and grazing rotation; grazing modified pastures; conservation areas; grazing native vegetation; and irrigated modified pastures. Average annual rainfall within the catchment varies from 650 mm in the southwestern region of the catchment and decreases northwards across the Willochra Plain to less than 250 mm. Potential annual evaporation varies from 2400 mm in the south of the catchment and increases to 2600 mm in the north. The catchment is located in a semi-arid to arid region with highly variable runoff and its main watercourse, the Willochra Creek, is a dry land ephemeral riparian ecosystem. A combination of permanent pools and flow events is critical to maintaining aquatic biodiversity in these types of waterways as it enables species to disperse, recruit and reproduce. Riparian vegetation varies across the catchment depending on topographical and climatic conditions. The gorge country downstream between Simmonston and Yadlamulka station is mainly Acacia shrublands. The central Willochra Plain is dominated by chenopod shrublands. The wetter western and southern tributaries are mainly Eucalypt woodlands dominated by the region’s iconic river red gums.

Edited by: Jennifer Munro, Water Officer, Natural Resources Northern and Yorke, 2016.

Photo credits: J Munro; A Brown; PIRSA; NRNY;

The Willochra catchment is divided into 14 sub-catchments

Your say More than 100 participants provided feedback on watercourse management issues and objectives through a survey (see appendix) posted to landholders and discussed at community workshops and meetings in the catchment. River red gums were consistently identified by the community as an important feature of watercourses across the catchment and were closely followed in priority by native shrubland, native grasses and groundwater. The community identified the main concerns as weeds, drying up of springs, falling water table and pool levels, degradation of riverine habitat and the impact of livestock. Boxthorn, Horehound and Bathurst burr were the highest priority weeds, closely followed by Onion weed and Caltrop. Not surprisingly, weed control; improving and/or maintaining areas of good native vegetation; fencing vulnerable assets; protecting vegetation; and managing livestock were the most important watercourse management objectives. The main barriers to managing these watercourse issues were rated by survey respondents and included conflicts between agricultural use and environmental needs; lack of funds; lack of people to undertake works; and outsides impacts, including upstream management impacting on downstream health. The watercourse management priorities and issues of each individual sub-catchment are presented in the following chapters and will inform the development of the new Northern and Yorke Strategic Plan, currently underway.

River red gums are an important part of the Willochra Catchment.

Beautiful Valley Creek sub-catchment – our natural resources and management priorities The Beautiful Valley Creek sub-catchment (29.35 km2) is relatively steep and ranges from 770 m to 340 m in altitude, decreasing from the west to east. Grazing modified pasture and livestock grazing (vegetation) are the main land uses in the catchment, covering 95% of the total catchment area.

Beautiful Valley Creek and Stony Creek are the main watercourses in the Beautiful Valley Creek sub- catchment.

Natural assets identified for protection in the Beautiful Valley Creek sub-catchment Sub-catchment assets have been identified through the last decade, since the initial Willochra Catchment Hydrological and Ecological Assessment in 2003, including river red gums; peppermint, white and grey box woodlands; Mt Remarkable National Park; and Wilmington.

River red gums are an important part of the Beautiful Valley Creek sub-catchment.

Local and State Government, community members, and landholders, rated the condition of some of these assets using the Conservation Action Planning process in 2013. Beautiful Valley Creek Very Key asset Indicator Poor Fair Good good Peppermint and Grey box Vegetation condition x woodlands River red gums Tree health x Wilmington Stormwater management x

Beautiful Valley’s grey box grassy woodlands are considered to be in a fair condition but their understories are generally heavily grazed and there is limited tree regeneration.

In 2014-15, a survey helped provide more details on what the community valued in the sub-catchment and what threats they saw to our natural resources.

Declining river flow, springs drying up and weeds were identified as the biggest threats to watercourses by the community.

weeds declining river flow springs drying exotic trees water table and pool levels reducing livestock pest animals habitat loss

water quality salinity High priority erosion Medium priority

dams Low priority lack of native vegetation riverine habitat degredation native habitat degredation pollution from septic tanks pollution from farm chemicals groundwater extraction cultivation flood irrigation

Olives, Boxthorn and Horehound were identified as the most problematic weeds threatening watercourses.

insert pic of Enhancing the natural qualities and characteristics of the river system, allowing natural regeneration regeneration, controlling weeds and revegetating to conserve habitat were the highest community priorities for managing our river systems.

Allowing natural regeneration

Upstream management impacting on downstream health, lack of funds and a lack of community awareness were seen as the biggest barriers to effective management of watercourses in the Beautiful Valley Creek sub-catchment.

Community awareness and information

What’s next You can still contribute to our research by providing comment on our findings using the contact information below. We’ve had more than 100 participants so far and would like your support to get as much feedback as possible from the people who live, work and play in the Willochra catchment area. Your feedback will be used to help develop a new Strategic Plan for the Northern and Yorke region. For more information please contact: Natural Resources Centre – Clare Unit 2/17 Lennon Street, Clare SA 5453 Email: [email protected] Ph: (08) 8841 3400 Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

Spring Creek sub-catchment – our natural resources and management priorities The Spring Creek sub-catchment (52.80 km2) elevation ranges from 950 m to 350 m and the topography is steep. Conservation areas cover almost half of the sub-catchment, with the remaining area mostly used for grazing modified pasture. Spring Creek and Willochra Creek are the main watercourses in the sub-catchment, both flow north- easterly toward the Willochra Plain.

Natural assets identified for protection in the Spring Creek sub-catchment Sub-catchment assets have been identified through the last decade, since the initial Willochra Catchment Hydrological and Ecological Assessment in 2003, including river red gums; peppermint, white and grey box woodlands; Mt Remarkable National Park; Melrose; Spring Creek flood diversions; and Spring Creek Mine. Survey respondents from the Beautiful Valley Creek and Spring Creek sub-catchments ranked assets in order of priority with river red gums and native grasses the highest priorities.

Native vegetation covers almost half of the sub-catchment, including Mount Remarkable National Park.

Local and State Government, community members, and landholders, rated the condition of some of these assets using the Conservation Action Planning process in 2013. Spring Creek Very Key asset Indicator Poor Fair Good good Flood diversions (near Terka, Melrose and Number and effectiveness x Willochra) Grey and white box woodlands Vegetation condition x

Melrose Willochra Creek condition x

Mt Remarkable National Park Biodiversity x

River red gums Tree health x

Spring Creek mine – Town Water Supply Water quality and quantity x Wilmington

Spring Creek’s grey box grassy woodlands are considered to be in a fair condition but their understories are generally heavily grazed and there is limited tree regeneration.

In 2014-15, a survey helped provide more details on what the community valued in the sub-catchment and what threats they saw to our natural resources.

Declining river flow, springs drying up and weeds were identified as the biggest threats to watercourses by the community.

weeds declining river flow

springs drying exotic trees water table and pool levels reducing

livestock pest animals habitat loss

water quality salinity High priority erosion Medium priority

dams Low priority lack of native vegetation riverine habitat degredation native habitat degredation pollution from septic tanks pollution from farm chemicals groundwater extraction cultivation

flood irrigation

Olives, Boxthorn and Horehound were identified as the most problematic weeds threatening watercourses.

Community members were also given the chance to rate activities they thought would most help to manage rivers and creeks in the sub-catchment as well as the barriers that might prevent good management. insert pic of Enhancing the natural qualities and characteristics of the river system, allowing natural regeneration regeneration, controlling weeds and revegetating to conserve habitat were the highest community priorities for managing our river systems.

Allowing natural regeneration

Community awareness and information

Wild Dog Creek sub-catchment – our natural resources and management priorities Wild Dog Creek sub-catchment (101.28 km2) is located in the southern region of the Willochra catchment. The topography undulates and the elevation ranges from 530 m to 330 m. Ninety-four per cent of land in the sub- catchment is used for grazing modified pasture and crop/grazing rotation. Wild Dog Creek, Pine Creek, Rotten Creek and Yellowman Creek are the main watercourses in the sub-catchment.

Natural assets identified for protection in the Wild Dog Creek sub-catchment Sub-catchment assets have been identified through the last decade, since the initial Willochra Catchment Hydrological and Ecological Assessment in 2003, including river red gums; permanent springs, native shrublands and native grasses.

River red gums are an important part of the Wild Dog Creek sub-catchment.

Local and State Government, community members, and landholders rated the condition of some of these assets using the Conservation Action Planning process in 2013.

The main asset – vegetation gradient and condition from the hills to flats – was rated at good for the Wild Dog Creek sub-catchment.

In 2014-15, a survey helped provide more details on what the community valued in the sub-catchment and what threats they saw to our natural resources.

Weeds, reducing water table levels and pest animals were identified as the biggest threats to watercourses by the community.

weeds

reducing water table and pool levels pest animals lack of native vegetation

riverine habitat degredation native habitat degradation declining river flow drying up of springs

salinity High erosion heads Medium exotic trees Low flood irrigation poor water quality structural works causing/threatened by erosion livestock impact

groundwater extraction dams loss of animal habitat cultivation

Bathurst burr, Boxthorn and Horehound were identified as the most problematic weeds threatening watercourses.

Controlling weeds and protecting remnant vegetation were the highest community priorities for managing our river systems.

Conflicting needs of agricultural and environmental land use, funds, and a lack of community knowledge were seen as the biggest barriers to effective management of watercourses in the Wild Dog Creek sub-catchment.

Community knowledge

Booleroo Creek sub-catchment – our natural resources and management priorities Booleroo Creek sub-catchment (305.84 km2) is located in the southern region of the Willochra catchment. The topography at the eastern boundary of the catchment is relatively steep at 770 m, and this decreases to 280 m at the western border. Ninety-four per cent of land in the sub-catchment is used for grazing modified pasture and crop/grazing rotation.

Booleroo Creek is the main watercourse in the sub-catchment.

Natural assets identified for protection in the Booleroo Creek sub-catchment Sub-catchment assets have been identified through the last decade, since the initial Willochra Catchment Hydrological and Ecological Assessment in 2003, including Mallee box, Booleroo Spring and whim, Pekina range and Triodia.

Mallee Box are an important feature of the Booleroo Creek sub-catchment.

Local and State Government, community members, and landholders rated the condition of some of these assets using the Conservation Action Planning process in 2013. Booleroo Creek Very Key asset Indicator Poor Fair Good good Booleroo Spring and Whim Vegetation condition x Good agricultural soil Soil condition and stability x Mallee box Vegetation condition x Native pines (Mt Robert) Vegetation condition x Pekina Range Vegetation condition x Sheoak and Triodia (Wepowie Rd) Vegetation condition x Triodia (Whitecliffs) Vegetation condition x

Triodia (spinifex) in the Booleroo Creek sub-catchment was rated at fair-good condition in 2013.

In 2014-15, a survey helped provide more details on what the community valued in the sub-catchment and what threats they saw to our natural resources.

Weeds, reducing water table levels and pest animals were identified as the biggest threats to watercourses by the community.

weeds reducing water table and pool levels pest animals lack of native vegetation riverine habitat degredation native habitat degradation declining river flow

drying up of springs

salinity High erosion heads Medium exotic trees Low flood irrigation poor water quality structural works causing/threatened by erosion

livestock impact groundwater extraction dams loss of animal habitat

cultivation

Bathurst burr, Boxthorn and Horehound were identified as the most problematic weeds threatening watercourses.

Controlling weeds and protecting remnant vegetation were the highest community priorities for managing our river systems.

Protect remnant vegetation

Community knowledge

Old Booleroo Creek sub-catchment – our natural resources and management priorities The Old Booleroo Creek sub-catchment (352.98 km2) is located in the south-east region of the Willochra catchment and varies from steep slopes on the south-eastern bounds of the catchment to flatter areas towards the west. Elevation ranges from 710 m to 280 m in altitude. Ninety-eight per cent of land in the sub-catchment is used for grazing modified pasture, grazing (vegetation) and crop/grazing rotation.

Old Booleroo Creek and Stokes Creek are the main watercourses in the sub-catchment.

Natural assets identified for protection in the Old Booleroo Creek sub-catchment Sub-catchment assets have been identified through the last decade, since the initial Willochra Catchment Hydrological and Ecological Assessment in 2003, including Willowie Springs, Pinda waterholes and Morchard.

Local and State Government, community members, and landholders rated the condition of some of these assets using the Conservation Action Planning process in 2013.

Old Booleroo Creek

Very Key asset Indicator Poor Fair Good good

Morchard Vegetation condition x Pinda waterholes Water quality and quantity x Willowie Springs Vegetation condition x Willowie water scheme Water quality and quantity x

Old Booleroo Creek in flow

In 2014-15, a survey helped provide more details on what the community valued in the sub-catchment and what threats they saw to our natural resources.

Weeds, reducing water table levels and pest animals were identified as the biggest threats to watercourses by the community.

weeds reducing water table and pool levels

pest animals lack of native vegetation riverine habitat degredation

native habitat degradation declining river flow drying up of springs salinity High erosion heads Medium exotic trees Low flood irrigation poor water quality structural works causing/threatened by erosion livestock impact groundwater extraction

dams loss of animal habitat cultivation

Bathurst burr, Boxthorn and Horehound were identified as the most problematic weeds threatening watercourses.

Controlling weeds and protecting remnant vegetation were the highest community priorities for managing our river systems.

Protect remnant vegetation

Community knowledge

Mount Brown Creek sub-catchment – our natural resources and management priorities The Mount Brown Creek sub-catchment (405.8 km2) is located in the west region of the Willochra catchment. It varies in elevation above sea level from 960 m to 211 m across the catchment. Fifty four per cent of land in the sub- catchment is used for modified pastures, while 37% is used for cropping, mostly cereals.

Mount Brown Creek, Mimbadoggie Creek, Yapoona Creek and Willochra Creek are the main watercourses in the sub-catchment.

Natural assets identified for protection in the Mount Brown Creek sub-catchment Sub-catchment assets have been identified through the last decade, since the initial Willochra Catchment Hydrological and Ecological Assessment in 2003, including the Mount Brown Conservation Park and Richman Range.

Mount Brown Conservation Park is a central feature of the sub-catchment.

Local and State Government, community members, and landholders rated the condition of some of these assets using the Conservation Action Planning process in 2013.

Mt Brown Creek

Key asset Indicator Poor Fair Good Very good Flood-out plain Vegetation condition x Mt Brown Conservation Park Biodiversity x Richman Range Vegetation condition x Swamp (near Kingswood bore) Vegetation condition x

Vegetation along the Richman Range was rated as good in 2013. In 2014-15, a survey helped provide more details on what the community valued in the sub-catchment and what threats they saw to our natural resources.

River red gums, native shrublands, native grasses and flood-out plains were valued most highly by the community. The biggest threats to watercourses in the sub-catchment were rated as weeds, falling water levels in the water table and pools, livestock, drying up of springs and poor water quality. Horehound and Boxthorn were the weeds identified as the greatest concern by the community.

Managing erosion, managing areas of poor bank stability, controlling weeds and improving/maintaining areas of good native vegetation were the highest priority watercourse management objectives

A lack of people to undertake works was given as the main barrier to achieving watercourse management objectives.

Managing erosion and bank stability are a high priority in the Mount Brown Creek sub-catchment.

Amyton Creek sub-catchment – our natural resources and management priorities The Amyton Creek sub-catchment (404.2 km2) is located in the central southern region of the Willochra catchment. It varies in elevation from 639 m to 250 m across the catchment. Forty seven per cent of land in the sub-catchment is used for grazing modified pastures, while 44% is used to crop cereals.

Amyton Creek is the main watercourse in the sub-catchment

Natural assets identified for protection in the Amyton Creek sub-catchment Sub-catchment assets have been identified through the last decade, since the initial Willochra Catchment Hydrological and Ecological Assessment in 2003, including the Coonatto, Muttabee and Coomooroo Hills, native pines and the historical weir.

Local and State Government, community members, and landholders rated the condition of some of these assets using the Conservation Action Planning process in 2013.

Amyton Creek

Very Key asset Indicator Poor Fair Good good

Coomooroo Hill Vegetation condition x

Coonatto and Muttabee Hills Vegetation condition x

Historical weir Effectiveness as barrier x

Native pines Vegetation condition x

Native pines are a key feature of the Amyton Creek sub-catchment and their condition was rated as fair in the 2013 survey.

Coonatto Creek sub-catchment – our natural resources and management priorities The Coonatto Creek sub-catchment (239.2 km2) is located in the central region of the Willochra catchment. It varies in elevation from 770 m to 244 m across the catchment. Eighty eight per cent of land in the sub-catchment is used for grazing modified pastures.

Bellaratta Creek and Coonatto Creek are the main watercourses in the sub-catchment.

Natural assets identified for protection in the Coonatto Creek sub-catchment Sub-catchment assets have been identified through the last decade, since the initial Willochra Catchment Hydrological and Ecological Assessment in 2003, including permanent pools and Horseshoe Range.

Horseshoe range is a key feature in the sub-catchment

Local and State Government, community members, and landholders rated the condition of some of these assets using the Conservation Action Planning process in 2013.

Coonatto Creek

Very Key asset Indicator Poor Fair Good good

Horseshoe Range Vegetation condition x Permanent pools Water quality and quantity x

The water quality and quantity of permanent pools in the sub-catchment was rated as in good in a 2013 survey.

Pichi Richi Creek sub-catchment – our natural resources and management priorities The Pichi Richi Creek sub-catchment (209.9 km2) is located on the western side of the Willochra catchment. It varies in topography from 835 m to 202 m across the catchment. Forty three per cent of land in the sub-catchment is used for grazing modified pastures, while 22% is used to crop cereals.

Pichi Richi Creek, Capowie Creek and Stony Creek are the main watercourses in the sub-catchment.

Natural assets identified for protection in the Pichi Richi Creek sub-catchment Sub-catchment assets have been identified through the last decade, since the initial Willochra Catchment Hydrological and Ecological Assessment in 2003, including river red gums; Pichi Richi, Quorn, Dutchman’s Stern, Warren Gorge and the Willochra-Carrieton road floodplain.

River red gums are an important part of the Pichi Richi Creek sub-catchment.

Local and State Government, community members, and landholders, rated the condition of some of these assets using the Conservation Action Planning process in 2013. Pichi Richi Creek Very Key asset Indicator Poor Fair Good good Dutchman’s Stern Biodiversity x Pichi Richi Vegetation condition x Quorn Stormwater management x River red gum Tree health x Warren Gorge Vegetation condition x Willochra-Carrieton Rd floodplain Vegetation condition x

Warren Gorge is a key feature of the sub-catchment, but its vegetation condition was ranked as poor in a 2013 survey.

In 2014-15, a survey helped provide more details on what the community valued in the sub-catchment and what threats they saw to our natural resources.

Structural works causing or threatened by erosion, springs drying up and a lack of native vegetation were identified by the community as the biggest threats to watercourses.

erosion due to structural works springs drying lack of native vegetation groundwater extraction

pest animals weeds

habitat loss native habitat degradation riverine habitat degradation High erosion heads Medium water table and pool levels reducing Low

cultivation dams uncontrolled development

livestock impact exotic trees siltation salinity

Cactus, Boxthorn and Onion weed were identified as the most problematic weeds threatening watercourses.

Community members were also given the chance to rate activities they thought would most help to manage rivers and creeks in the sub-catchment as well as the barriers that might prevent good management. insert pic of regeneration Efficient use of surface water, managing erosion and fencing vulnerable assets were the highest community priorities for managing our river systems.

Funding; community and partner communication; and insufficient catchment planning were seen as the biggest barriers to effective management of watercourses in the Pichi Richi Creek sub-catchment.

Co-ordination and communication

Mount Arden Creek sub-catchment – our natural resources and management priorities The Mount Arden Creek sub-catchment (343.6 km2) is located in the north-west of the Willochra catchment. It varies in elevation from 833 m to 159 m across the catchment. Sixty six per cent of land in the sub-catchment is used for grazing modified pastures while 27% is residual native cover. Mount Arden Creek, Castle Creek and Willochra Creek are the main watercourses in the sub- catchment.

Natural assets identified for protection in the Mount Arden Creek sub-catchment Sub-catchment assets have been identified through the last decade, since the initial Willochra Catchment Hydrological and Ecological Assessment in 2003, including river red gums and pools in the Arden Vale Ranges.

River red gums are an important part of the Mount Arden Creek sub-catchment.

Local and State Government, community members, and landholders, rated the condition of some of these assets using the Conservation Action Planning process in 2013. Mt Arden Creek

Key asset Indicator Poor Fair Good Very good Arden Vale Range Vegetation condition x Arden Vale springs/pools Vegetation condition x River red gums Tree health x

The Arden Vale Ranges are a key feature of the sub-catchment – the vegetation condition there was rated as good in 2013.

In 2014-15, a survey helped provide more details on what the community valued in the sub-catchment and what threats they saw to our natural resources.

Structural works causing or threatened by erosion, springs drying up and a lack of native vegetation were identified by the community as the biggest threats to watercourses.

erosion due to structural works

springs drying lack of native vegetation groundwater extraction pest animals

weeds habitat loss native habitat degradation

riverine habitat degradation High erosion heads Medium water table and pool levels reducing Low cultivation

dams uncontrolled development livestock impact

exotic trees siltation salinity

Cactus, Boxthorn and Onion weed were identified as the most problematic weeds threatening watercourses.

Community members were also given the chance to rate activities they thought would most help to manage rivers and creeks in the sub-catchment as well as the barriers that might prevent good management. insert pic of regeneration Efficient use of surface water, managing erosion and maintaining perennial grass cover were the highest community priorities for managing our river systems.

Funding; community and partner communication; and insufficient catchment planning were seen as the biggest barriers to effective management of watercourses in the Pichi Richi Creek sub-catchment.

Community knowledge and planning

Wallaby Creek sub-catchment – our natural resources and management priorities The Wallaby Creek sub-catchment (427.9 km2) is located in the centre of the Willochra catchment. It varies in elevation from 646 m to 204 m across the catchment. Ninety eight per cent of land in the sub-catchment is used for grazing modified pastures.

Wallaby Creek and Willochra Creek are the main watercourses in the catchment.

Natural assets identified for protection in the Wallaby Creek sub-catchment Sub-catchment assets have been identified through the last decade, since the initial Willochra Catchment Hydrological and Ecological Assessment in 2003, including Bruce arid shrubland, Nowhere Else Road and the Willochra Creek floodplain.

Bruce arid shrubland is a central feature of the sub-catchment.

Local and State Government, community members, and landholders rated the condition of some of these assets using the Conservation Action Planning process in 2013.

Wallaby Creek

Key asset Indicator Poor Fair Good Very good Bruce arid shrubland Vegetation condition x Nowhere Else Road Vegetation condition x Willochra Creek floodplain Vegetation condition x

Vegetation along Nowhere Else Road was rated as fair in 2013.

In 2014-15, a survey helped provide more details on what the community valued in the sub-catchment and what threats they saw to our natural resources.

River red gums, permanent springs, native grasses, groundwater and flood plains were valued most highly by the community.

The biggest threats to watercourses in the sub-catchment were rated as declining river flow, salinity, weeds, livestock, and degradation of riverine habitats. Bathurst burr and African rue were the weeds identified as the greatest concern by the community.

Bathurst burr was a weed

identified as of greatest concern

Managing livestock, allowing natural regeneration, fencing vulnerable assets and increasing monitoring were seen as the most important watercourse management priorities. The biggest barriers to managing watercourse issues were ranked as:  outside impacts, including upstream management impacting on downstream health  a lack of co-ordination and communication between organisations and individuals  inadequate or insufficient catchment management planning.

Allowing natural regeneration

Boolcunda Creek sub-catchment – our natural resources and management priorities The Boolcunda Creek sub-catchment (1424.3 km2) is located in the central-eastern area of the Willochra catchment. It varies in elevation from 781 m to 188 m across the catchment. Ninety per cent of land in the sub-catchment is used for grazing modified pastures.

Boolcunda Creek, Places Creek, Yackara Creek, Weira Creek, Yanyarrie Creek and Pekina Creek are the main watercourses in the sub-catchment.

Natural assets identified for protection in the Boolcunda Creek sub-catchment Sub-catchment assets have been identified through the last decade, since the initial Willochra Catchment Hydrological and Ecological Assessment in 2003, including Carrieton, Horseshoe Range, James Range, irongrass, native pine, Oladdie Hills and permanent pools.

Oladdie Hills are a key feature of the sub-catchment.

Local and State Government, community members, and landholders rated the condition of some of these assets using the Conservation Action Planning process in 2013.

Boolcunda Creek

Very Key attribute Indicator Poor Fair Good good

Carrieton Creek condition x Horseshoe Range Vegetation condition x Irongrass (Eurelia) Vegetation condition x James Range Vegetation condition x Native pine (Carr, Eur, Belton) Vegetation condition x Oladdie Hills Vegetation condition x Permanent pools Vegetation condition x RM Williams Way Flow impact x River red gums Tree health x

Vegetation along Horseshoe Range was rated as good in 2013.

In 2014-15, a survey helped provide more details on what the community valued in the sub-catchment and what threats they saw to our natural resources.

River red gums, permanent springs, native grasses, groundwater and flood plains were valued most highly by the community.

The biggest threats to watercourses in the sub-catchment were rated as declining river flow, salinity, weeds, livestock, and degradation of riverine habitats.

Bathurst burr and African rue were the weeds identified as the greatest concern by the community.

African rue was identified as a weed of greatest concern by the community

Managing livestock, allowing natural regeneration, fencing vulnerable assets and increasing monitoring were seen as the most important watercourse management priorities.

The biggest barriers to managing watercourse issues were ranked as:  outside impacts, including upstream management impacting on downstream health  a lack of co-ordination and communication between organisations and individuals  inadequate or insufficient catchment management planning.

Co-ordination and communication

Wirreanda Creek sub-catchment – our natural resources and management priorities The Wirreanda Creek sub-catchment (1006.2 km2) is located in the north-east of the Willochra catchment. It varies in elevation from 752 m to 160 m across the catchment. Ninety five per cent of land in the sub-catchment is used for grazing modified pastures.

Calabrinda Creek, Kanyaka Creek, Palmer Creek, Wirreanda Creek, Cameron Creek and Urripie Creek are the main watercourses in the sub-catchment.

Natural assets identified for protection in the Wirreanda Creek sub-catchment Sub-catchment assets have been identified through the last decade, since the initial Willochra Catchment Hydrological and Ecological Assessment in 2003, including Black Jack Range, Kanyaka Hill and Kanyaka waterhole, Simmonston ochre cliffs, and the Yappala and Yourambulla Ranges.

The Yappala Range is a key

feature of the sub-catchment.

Local and State Government, community members, and landholders rated the condition of some of these assets using the Conservation Action Planning process in 2013.

Wirreanda Creek

Very Key attribute Indicator Poor Fair Good good Black Jack Range Vegetation condition x Craddock Flow impact x Kanyaka Hill Vegetation condition x Kanyaka waterhole Vegetation condition x Permanent pools/springs Vegetation condition x Simmonston ochre cliffs Vegetation condition x Simmonston pools Vegetation condition x Yappala Range Vegetation condition x Yourambulla Range Vegetation condition x

The vegetation condition on the Black Jack Range was rated as good in 2013.

In 2014-15, a survey helped provide more details on what the community valued in the sub-catchment and what threats they saw to our natural resources.

River red gums, remnant shrubland, permanent springs, native grasses and flood plains were valued most highly by the community.

Kanyaka waterhole is a key feature of the Wirreanda Creek sub-catchment.

The biggest threats to watercourses in the sub-catchment were rated as weeds, exotic trees, declining river flow, falling water table and pool levels, pollution from farm chemicals and structural works causing or threatened by erosion. Boxthorn, Bathurst burr and Horehound were identified as the weeds of most concern to the community.

Managing livestock, controlling weeds, and protecting remnant vegetation were seen as the most important watercourse management priorities. The biggest barriers to managing watercourse issues were ranked as:  a lack of funds to address watercourse management objectives  a lack of co-ordination and communication between organisations and individuals  outside impacts, including upstream management impacting on downstream health.

Willochra Creek (downstream) sub-catchment – our natural resources and management priorities The Willochra Creek (downstream) sub-catchment (636.1 km2) is located in the northern-most tip of the Willochra catchment. It varies in topography from 638 m to 30 m across the catchment. Most of the sub-catchment is covered by native vegetation.

Willochra Creek, Bobby Creek and Gum Creek are the main watercourses in the sub-catchment.

Natural assets identified for protection in the Willochra Creek (downstream) sub-catchment Sub-catchment assets have been identified through the last decade, since the initial Willochra Catchment Hydrological and Ecological Assessment in 2003, including Lake Torrens, Partacoona, Yappala Range and the Calioota swamp.

The Yappala Range is a key

feature of the sub-catchment.

Local and State Government, community members, and landholders rated the condition of some of these assets using the Conservation Action Planning process in 2013.

Willochra Creek (downstream)

Very Key assets Indicator Poor Fair Good good Downstream floodplain (Calioota swamp) Vegetation condition x Lake Torrens Vegetation condition x Partacoona Vegetation condition x Yappala Range Vegetation condition x

The vegetation condition in the downstream floodplain was rated as fair in 2013.

In 2014-15, a survey helped provide more details on what the community valued in the sub-catchment and what threats they saw to our natural resources.

River red gums, remnant shrubland, permanent springs, native grasses and flood plains were valued most highly by the community.

River red gums and remnant shrubland were valued most highly by the community

The biggest threats to watercourses in the sub-catchment were rated as weeds, exotic trees, declining flow, falling water table and pool levels, pollution from farm chemicals and structural works causing or threatened by erosion. Boxthorn, Bathurst burr and Horehound were identified as the weeds of most concern to the community.

Declining flow was amongst the biggest threats

Managing livestock, controlling weeds, and protecting remnant vegetation were seen as the most important watercourse management priorities.

The biggest barriers to managing watercourse issues were ranked as:  a lack of funds to address watercourse management objectives  a lack of co-ordination and communication between organisations and individuals  outside impacts, including upstream management impacting on downstream health.

Co-ordination and communication

Appendix A Community Survey

Four Rivers Survey SETTING THE PRIORITIES FOR ACTION IN THE SOUTHERN FLINDERS AND NORTHERN MT LOFTY RANGES CATCHMENTS The Four Rivers Project is currently developing catchment action plans for the four catchments within the Southern Flinders and Northern Mt Lofty Ranges. We’re reviewing information collected from the community 10–15 years ago when the last river management plans were developed, and we’d like your help to find out if this information is still accurate.

We’ve identified a list of watercourse assets, threats to these assets and management actions that could be used to address them. We would like your feedback to see if these are still relevant, which issues are most important and if there are any new issues we need to address.

Your local knowledge and understanding of the river is an invaluable source of information and we would appreciate your input and time in completing this survey. We will use the information collected to help guide the development of catchment action plans and prioritise on-ground works in the region. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Name (optional) ______Email (optional) ______

Landholder: □ town □ farm □ other______

What is the closest river or creek to your property? ______-

Which catchment and sub-catchment is your property located in? Please tick.

Broughton Light □ Hutt and Hill Rivers □ Upper Light □ Booborowie & Baldry Creeks □ Mid Light □ Freshwater & Bundaleer Creeks □ Lower Light □ Yackamoorundie Creek □ Gilbert □ Rocky River Willochra □ Crystal Brook Creek □ Beautiful Valley & Spring Creeks □ Lower & Mid Broughton River □ Wild Dog, Booleroo & Old Wakefield Booleroo Creeks □ Upper Wakefield River □ Mt Brown Creeks □ Eyre Creek □ Amyton & Coonatto Creeks □ Pine & Rices Creeks □ Pichi Richi & Mt Arden Creeks □ Skillogalee Creek □ Wallaby & Boolcunda Creeks □ Hermitage & Woolshed Flat creeks □ Kanyaka & Willochra Creeks □ Lower Wakefield River

Within your sub-catchment, rate your 10 most important assets from 1 to 10, where 1 is the most important.

 other______ grey box  overstorey  short leaf honey woodlands vegetation myrtle  aquatic plants  peppermint box  blue gum  groundwater  shrimp lignum  permanent pools shrubland  chenopod shrubland  macroinvertebrates  permanent springs  spalding brown grass  estuary  maireana  red mallee  waterbirds  flood diversions  mallee box  reed beds  white box  flood plain swamps  mangroves  remnant shrubland woodlands  flood plains  native fish  riffles  other______ flood-out plain  native grasses  river red gums  other______

 good agricultural native pines  rockbars soil samphire native sedgelands   gorge  native shrublands

Within your sub-catchment, rate your 10 main threats to watercourses from 1 to 10, where 1 is the most important.

other______ siltation  lack of native vegetation  declining river flow  structural works causing or threatened degradation of riverine flooding  by erosion habitat reduction of water table and erosion heads degradation of native pool levels habitat exotic trees poor water quality loss of animal habitat weeds pollution from septic  increased reed growth tanks  livestock impact cultivation of riparian pollution from farm pest animals   land and watercourses chemicals exotic fish flood irrigation nutrient concentrations groundwater extraction in water  other ______uncontrolled drying up of springs development  salinity  dams

If you identified weeds or exotic trees as a threat, please rate your top 10 weeds from 1 to 10, where 1 is the most important.

other______ cape tulip  onion weed  tomato weed  African rue  castor oil plant  peppertrees  tree tobacco  ash  common reed  perennial thistle  variegated thistle  Bathurst burr  dog rose  pine  wild artichoke  black nightshade  fennel  radish  wild rose  blackberry  fruit trees  silverleaf  willow nightshade  boxthorn  gorse  other______ slender thistle  broom  hoary cress  soldier thistle  other______ cactus  horehound  spear thistle  caltrop  olives

Within your sub-catchment, rate your 10 most important watercourse management objectives from 1 to 10, where 1 is the most important.

 other ______ undertake engineering works  protect important riverine habitat  investigate dryland, groundwater and surface water salinity  manage livestock  maintain perennial grass cover  improve/maintain areas of good native vegetation  fence vulnerable assets  protect remnant vegetation  allow natural regeneration  control weeds  manage areas of poor bank stability  increase monitoring  manage erosion  revegetate for habitat conservation and erosion control  manage structural works causing or threatened by erosion  improve water quality  remediate inefficient groundwater use practices  enhance natural qualities and characteristics of the river system  remediate inefficient surface water use practices  improve water quantity  determine current groundwater extractions  maintain a balance between reed beds and  protect migration flows waterholes in the river system  other ______ remove exotic trees

Within your sub-catchment, rate your 10 main barriers to managing watercourse issues from 1 to 10, where 1 is the biggest barrier.

 other______ inadequate/insufficent amount and scale of catchment management planning  lack of community awareness, knowledge and information  lack of coordination and communication between organisations and individuals involved in water  lack of community knowledge and information to resource management plan actions  lack of social and regulatory consequences for  lack of necessary skills for planning, organising poor watercourse management and implementing actions  outside impacts, including upstream management  lack of funds to address watercourse management impacting on downstream health issues  other______ lack of people to undertake works  amount of time and paperwork involved in funding applications  uncertainty, infrequency or small size of funding available  growing demands on water resources  conflicts between agricultural use and environmental needs  lack of time to address watercourse management

Thank you for your input on sub-catchment management priorities.

Now, please think about the priorities for the catchment as a whole.

At a catchment scale, identify the top three actions that you would like to see taken within your catchment.

1.______

2.______

3.______

Please provide any other input on watercourse priorities that you believe will help in planning and prioritisation. ______

______

Any other comments ______

______

Thank you for participating in the Four Rivers survey.

For more information

Jennifer Munro

NRM Water Officer P 0429 362 008 E [email protected] www.nynrm.sa.gov.au