ACROSS THE Edition 91

OUTBACKMARCH 2021

South Australian Arid Lands Landscape Board | 1 Presiding Member Update Contents Over recent weeks the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board has celebrated 3 ENDANGERED SANDHILL some significant milestones. DUNNARTS FOUND IN GAWLER RANGES The adoption of the Far North Prescribed The Board is pleased to present a draft 4 WATER ALLOCATION PLAN Wells Area Water Allocation Plan Five Year Landscape Plan which identifies

FOR THE FAR NORTH (WAP) has occurred after three years in the high level priorities proposed for A Jensen PRESCRIBED WELLS AREA development. This has been an enduring the region and in keeping with the new 5 FUNDING TO SUPPORT WELL and complex piece of work which saw the Landscape Act under which the board was REMEDIATION former NRM Board hand a solid start to the established. Landscape Board to complete. 5 NEW REGIONAL LANDSCAPE We look forward to hearing the feedback PLAN This edition of the Across the Outback on the plan and ensuring your voice is explains more about the WAP and I urge embedded in the strategic priorities of the 6 FOCUS ON ANIMAL HEALTH people to connect with The Guide which Board over the next five years. 6 FIRST ROUND OF PROPERTY has been developed to simplify some of Enjoy this edition of the ATO and thank MAPPING PROGRAM ALMOST the key and most common elements of the you again for your continued support of COMPLETE WAP. Thank you to the many community your regional Board’s work. 7 REGENERATIVE GRAZING AT members and stakeholders who assisted Ross Sawers BUCKLEBOO in shaping this important document, Presiding Member, South Australian Arid intended to protect the water resource 8 PLANT PROPAGATION PROVES Lands Landscape Board POPULAR derived from the Great Artesian Basin, along with the rights of the many users 9 SOIL CONSERVATION WORKS TO PROTECT ALGEBUCKINA dependent on that resource. 10 LANDSCAPE EVENTS CALENDAR 11 NEW PORT AUGUSTA-QUORN General Manager Update LANDSCAPE DISTRICT Hi and welcome to this edition of Across the Outback. 12 LANDSCAPE GROUP NEWS It has certainly been a busy start to the year To follow, you will read articles ranging 14 THERE’S SOMETHING with many activities, workshops, forums from critical conservation work to protect IN THE WATER… and gatherings having already occurred and monitor endangered plants and 16 BITEBACK NEWS after a year of postponements in 2020. mammals, to the success of our Building 17 CALL FOR LANDSCAPE GROUP Our team has enjoyed reconnecting with Pastoral Sustainability project which MEMBERS the community in person and being able will soon see the first round of ‘alumni’ to finally get back out to the wide open come through the first round of Property 18 WEED RISK GROWING spaces and engage with you in 3D again! Management Planning. There are some IN LEIGH CREEK The Board will soon commence the wonderful stories of our local people and 19 NATIVE GRASSES RESPOND recruitment to our Landscape Groups places which will magnify the wonders of TO NORTH EAST RAIN which will include the inclusion of the Port our region and the privilege we all have to 20 AG WEBINAR SERIES Augusta-Quorn Landscape Group which manage it together. 20 PIG CONTROL AT will be looking for a full complement, along Enjoy the read. INNAMINCKA REGIONAL with vacancies on all other groups. Please Jodie Gregg-Smith RESERVE consider nominating if you consider you General Manager, South Australian Arid can represent the needs of your district 21 WORLD HERITAGE LISTING Lands Landscape Board FOR THE FLINDERS RANGES and its community. As you will read ahead, MOVES CLOSER the groups are fundamental to the delivery 22 PRECIOUS PURPLEWOODS of the Board and community priorities. RESEARCH 23 2021 ICPA CONFERENCE 24 NEW POPULATIONS OF OOLDEA GUINEA-FLOWER FOUND 25 BRINGING AGTECH EXPERTISE TO PASTORALISTS 26 NADINE’S PASSION FOR We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the First Peoples and PLANTS EVIDENT IN HER Nations of the lands and waters we live and work upon. We LATEST BOOK pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge and respect the deep spiritual connection and the 28 RECORD NUMBER OF THREATENED QUOLLS relationship that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people CAPTURED have to country and commit to working with the First Nations People of the SA Arid Lands as we undertake our business on this shared and sacred country. A Jensen

2 | Across the Outback Sarah and Holly set up a pitfall site

Dishy, Don, Katherine and Westy set up a camera site Endangered Sandhill dunnarts found in Gawler Ranges Two endangered Sandhill dunnarts (Sminthopsis psammophila) have been found during a survey on Pinkawillinie Conservation Park in the Gawler Ranges. The find was significant in that a male and female were trapped, indicating that breeding is occurring. The sandhill dunnart is a small carnivorous marsupial that lives in The results of this survey and ongoing camera monitoring will sandy semi-arid and arid areas of southern central Australia with help to provide valuable information about the distribution of spinifex habitat crucial to its survival. It is listed as endangered sandhill dunnarts and the availability of suitable habitat for this due to declines in its range, number of individuals and availability threatened species. This information will also help to inform of habitat. management activities such as prescribed burning, feral predator Eleven pitfall trapping sites were set up across Pinkawillinie control, herbivore control and protection of critical habitat. Conservation Park and Gawler Ranges National Park in sand The sandhill dunnart is one of the species targeted for protection dunes dominated by spinifex. Each site was trapped for three to as part of the Board’s Bounceback and Beyond project, which four nights and checked each morning and afternoon to see what aims to improve the conservation status of a range of native flora animals had been captured. and fauna species, while also reducing the impact of pest animals. Conducted by SA Arid Lands Landscape Board Ecologist Cat Bounceback and Beyond is supported by the SA Arid Lands Lynch with Katherine Moseby from Ecological Horizons, the Landscape Board, through funding from the Australian survey also included camera monitoring stations, as well as Government’s National Landcare Program. undertaking assessments of the suitability of habitat across the survey area including the height, density and structure of spinifex. Cat and Katherine were fortunate to have help from the Friends of Gawler Ranges National Park’s Dishy and Westy, Working on Country Rangers Sarah and Don from Gawler Ranges National Park and volunteer Holly from Wudinna.

South Australian Arid Lands Landscape Board | 3 Water Allocation Plan for the Far North Prescribed Wells Area A new plan to protect and manage the finite resource of the Great Artesian Basin and other groundwater resources in the State’s far north has been released. Three years in development, the new Far North Prescribed The main changes made to the 2009 Plan are: Wells Area (FNPWA) Water Allocation Plan (WAP) was adopted • Further acknowledgement of Aboriginal water interests; by Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs on 4 March • Introduction of the Stock and Domestic, All Purpose and 2021. It outlines the rules for managing the take and use of the Cultural consumptive pools; water resource to ensure its sustainability. • The removal of a volumetric cap on the water which can be Consultation with First Nations, community, and industry users used for any purpose within the FNPWA; of the FNPWA was integral to the Plan, which was developed by the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board, in partnership with the • The removal of purpose-based allocation rules; Department for Environment and Water (DEW). • Unbundling of water licences; Updated science and emerging issues since the adoption of the • Protection of significant groundwater dependent ecosystems original plan in 2009 were considered in the Board’s decision to beyond the GAB Springs; prepare a new plan. Its adoption was supported by a review and • Provision of more information on buffer zones and the taking of consultation process that started in 2017. water from priority springs; and The process involved the board undertaking pre-consultation • Principles aimed at improving water use efficiency through sessions and meetings with key stakeholders, as well as reuse or re-injection of co-produced water unless it is deemed inviting the community to information sessions to assist in the not reasonably practical. development of the draft Plan. This was followed by formal In addition to feedback received on policies and principles in consultation sessions with key stakeholders and the community the Plan, some comments received were on issues outside of between November 2019 and April 2020. the Plan’s scope, including water accounting and stock water SAAL Landscape Board chair Ross Sawers said it had taken a requirements. These comments were valuable in raising the great deal of work to bring together the new Plan. importance of the issues, and it is proposed that these issues will “I would like to thank the community for their involvement; from be progressed as ongoing priorities with DEW, supported by the early conversations with Board staff to the final consultation Board. sessions, as well as acknowledge the work of the former NRM A Guide to the Plan has also been developed to help licensees Board,” Mr Sawers said. understand rights and responsibilities under the Plan, noting “Anyone living in the far north of the State knows how precious the Guide does not replace the Plan and should be read in water from the GAB is to ensuring the livelihoods of community conjunction with it. and the sustainability of key industries for SA, including Work to implement the 10-year Plan will now begin. pastoralism, mining, oil and gas, and tourism.” You will find a copy of the Plan and Guide on the Board’s website The Great Artesian Basin Strategic Management Plan (GABSMP) at www.landscape.sa.gov.au/saal/home was a guiding document in the development of the Plan; and the To discuss the Plan, please contact Aaron Smith 0417 643 956 objectives and principles within the Plan are consistent with those [email protected] or Melissa Horgan 0409 896 402 of the GABSMP, particularly regarding the judicious use of water. [email protected] 4 | Across the Outback Funding to support well remediation More than 290 wells and associated infrastructure and distribution systems have been inspected in the Far North by Department for Environment and Water (DEW) Technical Officers. The inspections provided information Upon receiving the report, landholders Eligible projects include: about Great Artesian Basin (GAB) wells and licensees have three months to • Replacement of ageing wells and water systems and identified where develop a remediation plan outlining the • Decommissioning of wells maintenance, repair or installation is timelines and proposed corrective actions needed to achieve a mandatory closed to address each issue. • Installation of water-tight distribution infrastructure such as well headworks, water delivery system. If you need help to develop your pipe, tanks and troughs All landholders and water licensees remediation plan or want additional will be sent a report from DEW’s Water information on the bore review contact • Replacement of aging water distribution Licencing Unit detailing a summary of the DEW’s Senior Assessment and Compliance infrastructure visit. It includes where maintenance or Officer Stefan Jedrzejczak at The IGABDR program follows earlier corrective measures are needed as well as [email protected], or infrastructure programs such as the Great information about available funding to help 8463 6872. Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative with eligible well and water distribution The funding available to help landholders (GABSI), which has saved the SA portion infrastructure projects. with eligible GAB infrastructure projects of the GAB about 48,961 ML of water per is offered through the Commonwealth year through controlled bores and efficient Government’s $27.6m Improving Great piping and has been central in stabilising Artesian Basin Drought Resilience declining aquifer pressures. (IGABDR) program. This is a five-year More information about the IGABDR cooperative multi-state and territory (SA, program is available at NSW, QLD and NT) program that started www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/ on 1 July 2019. water/monitoring/projects-and-activities/ improving-great-artesian-basin-drought- resilience or from Senior Water Resource Officer Aaron Smith at [email protected] or 0417 643 956.

New Regional Landscape Plan Regional Landscape Plan The newly formed SA Arid Lands Landscape Board has drafted its 2021-2026 Regional Landscape Plan 2021-2026, and sought community and South Australian Arid Lands Landscape Board stakeholder feedback on the draft throughout March. The draft plan identifies five priorities for landscape management in the SA Arid Lands, founded on what the Board has previously heard from community, and the Board’s roles and responsibilities as set out in the new Landscape South Australia Act 2019. The Landscape Act replaces the former Natural Resources Management Act 2004 which guided the former SAAL NRM Board’s plan It’s Your Place – a roadmap for managing natural resources in the SA Arid Lands region 2017-2027. The extensive community consultation that occurred in the development of the former plan formed the foundation for the Landscape Board’s draft five-year plan, given how recent and comprehensive the consultation was. When finalised, the plan will guide investment in landscape management for the region, with the Board’s investment outlined in its annual business plan. The plan is expected to DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT expected to take effect from 1 July 2021. You can find the draft plan at www.landscape.sa.gov.au/saal/about-us/our-regions-plan

South Australian Arid Lands Landscape Board | 5 South Gap Station – Cane Grass Dam Focus on animal health Animal health and nutrition workshops held at Clifton Hills in February and Yunta in December shared knowledge and experiences between presenters and participants. First round of property At Clifton Hills, presenters Deb Scammell from Talking Livestock and Trent Scholz from Primary Industries mapping program and Regions SA focused on a range of cattle health and nutrition topics related to native pastures in the SA almost complete Arid Lands. Six pastoral properties in the SA Arid Lands have received detailed Other topics included the effect of property mapping documents, and a financial plan following nutrition on animal performance and offspring; calculating food rations the completion of the second and third stages of the Property and the roles of supplements and Management Planning program. minerals; knowing the signs, symptoms The program, which is supported by the What our participants say … and management of common cattle Board as part of its Building Pastoral “We had great few days with Richard diseases as well as the role of PIRSA in Sustainability (BPS) Project, considers (Marver) and are very excited to get the general cattle health. landscape, finance and holistic business final evaluation to begin our projects At Yunta Deb Scammell presented planning over a nine-month, four-stage which includes gully head rehabilitation, information to interested landholders to process. ponding banks and contouring. Fingers increase their knowledge and capacity The second stage took information crossed the rain keeps up to maximise to make accurate and timely decisions. from property visits and discussions future progress.” Deb’s talk on ewe health and nutrition with land managers in November 2020 Amey Solly, Yednalue Station included conditioning and feeding about landscape function, pasture “Wow! What a great experience. We were strategies, as well as feeding rates identification, erosion control and grazing so lucky to have had rain before Richard’s needed for pregnant and lactating management. This was used to develop visit to help identify areas of concern ewes. The importance of testing hay a detailed Ecologically Sustainable much more easily. Richard really helped before feeding and condition scoring Rangelands Management (ESRM) plan, us learn more about our landscapes was also discussed. tailored specifically for each business by and how to support them further. It was The Clifton Hills workshop attracted 11 Richard Marver of Contour Agricultural & a great planning process and we can’t participants from the northern section Environmental Consulting. recommend it highly enough.” of the Marree Innamincka district, while Stage three was completed in March, and Kate Greenfield, South Gap Station 17 people from the North East Pastoral saw each property work with Bentleys “Richard was extremely knowledgeable district attended the December Chartered Accountants and Business on the plants and water run-off workshop. Advisors, to develop a financial plan management and was able to put it in a The workshops were offered linked to work in stages one and two. As practical and manageable way. We knew through the Board’s Building Pastoral well as plans tailored to each business, a what we would like to do, but having Sustainability project, through funding group financial workshop was also held. Richard on property to help work out from the Australian Government’s The fourth and final stage of the program priority areas and the most cost effective National Landcare Program. The will conclude with an ‘Action Planning’ way to go about them was invaluable. BPS project is designed to support workshop combining the work of the first We were able to show Richard areas we the pastoral industry to develop and three stages. have been trialling herd impact and it was promote sustainable businesses and Land managers from Buckleboo and South reassuring to have a professional there to a regionally strong and competitive Gap in the Gawler Ranges, Wintinna in the point out why it has improved; not just the industry, in a variable climate. Marla Oodnadatta district, Mt Lyndhurst volume of feed difference, but the different in the Marree Innamincka district, and species and their palatability,” Yednalue and Holowiliena in the North Francesca Fennell, Wintinna Station. Flinders district are involved in the program. The Building Pastoral Sustainability Applications for another six properties for project is supported by the SA Arid Lands the PMP program will open on Landscape Board, through funding from 1 July 2021. the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program. More information about the PMP program is on the Board’s website at landscape. sa.gov.au/saal/Projects_and_Partners/ Projects/building-pastoral-sustainability- program

6 | Across the Outback BUILDING PASTORAL SUSTAINABILITY GRANTS OPEN IN MAY A second round of Grants will be made available in May for pastoral businesses to trial management practices and technologies to better adapt to varying climates and markets and improve the sustainability of businesses. The grant round is part of the Board’s Building Pastoral Sustainability (BPS) Project with grants between $10,000 and $30,000 available. The Board will award a total of $92,000 to projects that address outcomes identified in the grant guidelines. Regenerative grazing Outcomes include: • Assisting businesses to adapt to significant changes in climate and at Buckleboo markets; A regenerative grazing project at Buckleboo Station in the Gawler • Trial sustainable agricultural practice Ranges was one of two projects funded in the first round of grants or technologies that may not yet be offered as part of the SA Arid Land Landscape Board’s Building widely adopted in the region; • Improve the capacity of pastoral Pastoral Sustainability project. businesses to demonstrate the Paroo Pastoral was awarded funds for an “Buckleboo has now changed the grazing sustainability of their operations ambitious whole-of-station regeneration regime from set-stocking to a time-control through the traceability of their plan that aims to reverse desertification grazing method and we have already seen products; and enable recovery of the bush country what can be achieved with a ten-month • Improve pastoral industry and grassland area. spell. sustainability, productivity and profitability; and It included installation of 22km of “The property has been sub-divided sub-division fencing, twelve exclusion into six grazing areas. These areas will • Increase adoption of sustainable monitoring sites and photo points that will be grazed for about three months, then agricultural practices that directly improve natural resources. also double as wild dog baiting sites, as rested for nine to ten months.” the property is organically certified. The grants will be open to all pastoral He said soil probes inserted to one metre businesses in the SA Arid Lands region The netting sub division fences have been had provided information to be used in that earn at least 50 per cent of income installed to enhance regeneration of the the monitoring of each area as part of the from sheep or cattle grazing native chenopod sites and ground covers and recovery. pastures. The grant guidelines will be trap yards have been completed around “The soil probes are telling us there’s more available on the Board’s website at every watering point on the property, moisture there than we believed,” James www.landscape.sa.gov.au/saal which will allow them to be shut off when said. In the first round of grants awarded in needed. Some watering points have been “Just the process of taking the stock off is the 2020/21 financial year, Lyndavale closed and new ones will be added to encouraging the country to recover. We’ve Cattle Co received funding for a walk- allow for more even grazing of each area. over weigh and draft system for De Rose only got spear grasses and we need to Hill Station in the Marla Oodnadatta Manager James Kerr said the station had recover the native grasses now. been grazed for many years with a set district and Paroo Pastoral was awarded “When the wet years come back, we will funds for a regenerative grazing project stocking management practice, which be ready for them. The ground cover will for Buckleboo Station in the Gawler had caused a lot of damage to perennial be better, the salt bush and blue bush Ranges. bush around watering points and a severe regenerated, the soil will be in better The Building Pastoral Sustainability reduction in quality native grasses. condition and it will all be able to cope Project is supported by the SA Arid “That method is really understocking with more rain with reduced erosion.” Lands Landscape Board, through funding but over-grazing the country and there from the Australian Government’s is evidence of the impact of this grazing National Landcare Program. method,” Mr Kerr said.

South Australian Arid Lands Landscape Board | 7 Copley workshop Leigh Creek Area School Plant propagation Oodnadatta proves popular Native plant propagation workshops held across the SA Arid Lands region in February and March have been very popular. Workshops were held at Leigh Creek Area School, Copley, Hawker, Marree and Quorn in February and were followed by additional workshops in Quorn, Roxby Downs, Oodnadatta Aboriginal School, Coober Pedy Area School and Iron Knob in March. Together they were attended by more than 200 people. Presented by ecologist and passionate arid plant enthusiast Andrea Tschirner, the workshops gave participants an understanding of the best plants to use for their local climate, how to use what they already have and how to propagate native plants from cuttings. Talks also included the use of soil seed bombs for degraded lands, the use of animal scats to help and the use of native plants to attract more birdlife. Through the workshops, Andrea has inspired attendees to grow more native plants and select those that are most suited to their area.

“I plan to grow more natives in my Roxby Downs garden to make it cooler.” Ellen “I am currently establishing a garden in Copley using all the plants used in the workshop – so this presentation has been very useful.” Jen “I am hopeful now that I can generate my own native garden without costing a fortune and it will provide lots of self- satisfaction.” Jane “After losing many plants in drought time, the workshop has helped me rethink using more natives that are more drought tolerant in my garden.” Joy

8 | Across the Outback Janet Walton discusses gully remediation works needed in the Neales River with, from left, Indianah Butler, Braden Allan, Stanley Wingfield, Soil conservation works Cameron Williams, Di Makotter, Sam Stuart and Mick Stuart to protect Algebuckina

Leigh Creek Area School

Oodnadatta The remediation of a gully complex in a flood out on The Peake Station was one of 15 projects funded in the first round of the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board’s Grassroots Grants. The project in the Marla Oodnadatta It gives the water a greater opportunity to GRASSROOTS GRANTS District received $10,000 for on-ground infiltrate and rehydrate parched subsoils, OPEN IN APRIL works for stage 2 of the project. This which are an important water source for follows the completion of stage one which arid lands vegetation, and in turn reduce The second round of the annual state- included the development of a project wide Grassroots Grants program will land degradation from erosion and open in early April, with the SA Arid plan, gaining Native Vegetation clearance, enhance the recruitment and health of Lands Landscape Board to award up to Water Affecting Activities approval, and vegetation. $100,000 through the program. consultation and site visits with Arabana The innovative soil techniques include Grant applications for up to $10,000 First Nations representatives. Stage earthworks at the gully heads and the will be sought for projects addressing one was funded through the Board’s use of a range of geo textiles. These are the Landscape SA pillars of community earlier Community Grants program. Two permeable materials manufactured in a capacity building, pest and weed significant rainfall events postponed the variety of different shapes and used to control, biodiversity protection and site visit by Arabana and during that time increase stability, prevent erosion and monitoring, along with land and water the gully heads moved more than 30m improve drainage in regeneration projects. management. upstream, creating more hydra heads and The earthworks and use of geotextiles will Round 2 of the Board’s Grassroots priority areas needing to be addressed. slow the speed of the water and spread Grants is due to open on 7 April and will The project site is situated in the highly overland water flow. close on 17 May. Successful grants will productive Neales Peake catchment. commence from 1 July 2021. The works will help protect the culturally During very high rainfall events the Information, including guidelines and and environmentally significant catchment eventually discharges into Lake application details, will be available on Algebuckina Waterhole situated upstream Eyre, potentially enabling the dispersal the Board’s website at landscape.sa.gov. from the site. Algebuckina waterhole au/saal/home and migration of aquatic species from the has been identified as the only critical Cooper and Warburton Rivers from the The first round of the grants program ‘Ark’ refuge habitat in the Neales Peake attracted strong interest from across eastern side of the lake. catchment for at least six native fish the region. Some 35 applications were The Grassroots Grant allowed the trial of species (Bony Bream, Desert Rainbowfish, received for a grant pool of $100,000, innovative soil conservation techniques Lake Eyre Hardyhead, Barred Grunter, with 15 projects awarded funding. in the Neales River catchment that were Desert Goby and Lake Eyre Golden Perch). Projects funded in the first round of the designed to work with the landscape, rather The soil conservation project sites will program are due to be completed by the than trying to control landscape processes. require ongoing management and end of May. By slowing and spreading overland maintenance and Williams Cattle Company Grassroots Grant replaces the Board’s water, the project aimed to restore has agreed to manage the project site previous Community Grants program. natural landscape function to The Neales after these works have been completed. Floodplain below Algebuckina Waterhole.

South Australian Arid Lands Landscape Board | 9 SAVE THE DATE FOR RCS GRAZING CLINIC The popular RCS Grazing Clinic will be held • The six principles of Regenerative The clinic will be held in Port Augusta on in Port Augusta in May, with subsidised Grazing Management 11-13 May as part of the Board’s Building places provided by the SA Arid Lands • Property design, water design and fence Pastoral Sustainability project. This Landscape Board, for landholders in the planning project is supported by The SA Arid Lands SAAL region. • Questions and answers Landscape Board, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare During the two-and-a-half day clinic, The practical hands-on workshop Program. facilitator Nic Kentish will cover: is designed to give pastoralists the • How to assess rest period and calculate confidence and practical know-how to More information, including costs and graze period begin implementing changes to their details on how to book your place, is • How to match stocking rate to carrying properties. available on our website at www.landscape. capacity sa.gov.au/saal/get-involved/events. Places are limited, so book early. • How to use grazing charts to plan and make confident decisions

REGISTER FOR FREE ONLINE GRANT WRITING WORKSHOP Learn the tips and tricks to writing winning grant applications in a one-day online grants session on Wednesday 7 April. This is the second time the Board has hosted the online workshop, which was very popular when held in 2020 with 35 attendees. The workshop will suit progress associations, pastoralists, sporting Landscape events calendar clubs and community groups looking 6-10 APRIL MAY DATE TBA MAY-JUNE AUGUST DATE TBA to access grant funding including Coongie Wetland Bush regeneration Far North Prescribed Kingoonya Kids Day at through the Board’s upcoming Wonders Monitoring workshops in Quorn Wells Water Allocation Arid Recovery Grassroots Grant round and the Building Pastoral Sustainability Grants. Surveys Plan Information 11-14 MAY Sessions OCTOBER It is designed to increase the success 7 APRIL RCS Grazing Malleefowl Surveys, rate in securing grants and other Online Grant Writing workshop, Port MAY-OCTOBER Gawler Ranges support for organisations, including workshop Augusta Volunteer Cactus those in the not-for-profit sector. Control, various 27-28 OCTOBER Participants will be encouraged 8 APRIL 12 MAY locations, North SA Arid Lands to share ideas and learn from Kids Day at Coober School of the Air Flinders Landscape Board other participants and will have an Pedy Area School Science Day Meeting 9 opportunity to hear about further grant 23-24 JUNE opportunities. 21-22 APRIL 13-14 MAY 2-3 DECEMBER SA Arid Lands Registrations are essential and are SA Arid Lands Kids on Country, SA Arid Lands Pastoral Landscape Board online at www.trybooking.com/BPQNW Landscape Board Hiltaba Meeting 7 Field Day at Central Meeting 6 Oval, Port Augusta. 18-20 MAY 25-26 AUGUST 20-25 APRIL Business of Managing SA Arid Lands 15-16 DECEMBER Ooldea Guinea Flower Pastoral Country Landscape Board SA Arid Lands COVID-19 herbivore impact Forum, Coober Pedy Meeting 8 Landscape Board monitoring Meeting 10 (CORONAVIRUS) 24 MAY-4 JUNE RESPONSE 30 APRIL Coongie Wetland Please be advised that due to the Meeting 39, North Wonders Vegetation changing nature of the COVID-19 East Pastoral Productivity Surveys health response, SA Arid Lands Landscape Group KEEP UP-TO-DATE Landscape Board will continue to 29 MAY All up-to-date details on the events actively monitor the health directives APRIL-MAY North East Pastoral and services being offered by the and recommendations set out by Coongie Wetland Field Day at Mannahill SA Arid Lands Landscape Board are Government, and will seek information Wonders Pest animal available on our website at landscape. from official sources to ensure that surveys sa.gov.au/saal/get-involved/events each of our events are delivered in a safe and responsible manner. 10 | Across the Outback Hannah Ling and property owner Cromer Just released cochineal biocontrol on his Saltia Creek property

Busy start for new Port Augusta- Quorn landscape district New to the South Australian Arid Lands, landholders and community groups in the Port Augusta-Quorn landscape district have welcomed opportunities to partner and work towards improving the district’s landscape. A Community Landscape Officer has been Cochineal biocontrol is hard at work It will be the responsibility of the recruited, with Hannah Ling joining the controlling Opuntia species in the Saltia group to provide a local perspective SAAL team in November 2020. Creek area and Port Augusta surrounds on implementing key projects and the Hannah was involved in the formation following door knocking, telephone development of relevant priorities for the and development of a coast care group, calls and surveying areas in an effort to region. Community members involved looking at issues such as microplastics and determine and control the source of local at this level are a vital, practical link for marine debris, water quality and marine cactus infestations. the community they represent to ensure biodiversity including mangrove, seagrass Stakeholders were invited to a meeting to projects are locally relevant and in line and saltmarsh health. A meeting of the discuss biodiversity issues in the Arden with the Board’s plan. group in February attracted 18 concerned Vale ranges including protection of Yellow- Landscape groups are skills-based and residents who are now developing a logo, footed Rock-wallaby populations and members are selected on their knowledge seeking funding and planning activities to monitoring of endangered plant species. of the five priority areas of the Landscape: help build awareness and knowledge of Key future activities to consider include fox soil, water, pest plants and animals, local coastal environments and issues. and cat baiting, feral herbivore control, and biodiversity and community capacity A native grass workshop in Quorn in weed eradication. building. Members will be selected based February demonstrated to participants Two native plant propagation workshops on their community background and how to identify a range of native grasses were held in Quorn in February and March, all district landscape groups will have and introduced the Bush Food Garden and teaching interested community members representation from diverse backgrounds Native Grass Orchard being developed how to select, propagate and care for and skills. by the Quorn Landcare Group and the native plants suited to the local area. ABOUT THE REGION Flinders Ranges Council. Volunteers from Board staff have also been involved in The new district stretches from Cultana on the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden, supporting Nukunu, through the Healthy the Eyre Peninsula to Port Augusta, and Quorn Community Landcare Group Country Planning process run by Northern follows the range from Wilmington through and the Pichi Richi Preservation Society and Yorke Landscape Board. benefitted from Chemcert training, held the Arden Vale ranges. in Quorn in February 2021. In the full day WHAT COMES NEXT Barngala Country falls to the west of Port workshop, participants learnt how to store, Expressions of interest will soon be called Augusta and Nukunu Country includes transport and use chemicals to ensure for people interested in joining a district Quorn, the Southern Flinders Ranges and safe and effective weed control. landscape group. the eastern coast of the Upper Spencer Gulf. Port Augusta holds connections for Roadside mapping of priority weeds Groups will be facilitated by landscape Barngala and Nukunu Nations, as well as across the district has been completed staff, who will foster the development of Adnyamathanha and Kokatha. by South Australian Arid Lands staff. vital links between the group, the Board, Information gathered from these trips will the community, volunteer groups, First Hannah Ling: 0409 753 495 be considered in the development of a Nation groups and other community [email protected] district weed strategy. partners.

South Australian Arid Lands Landscape Board | 11 Members of the Marree Innamincka Landscape Group are, from left, LANDSCAPE Mark Mayfield, Lyn Litchfield, Frank Warren, Craig Oldfield with Travis Gotch and GROUP NEWS Lucy Morphett Gawler Ranges Kingoonya Marree The Gawler Ranges and The Kingoonya Landscape Group Kingoonya Landscape Groups are is working on plans for events it Innamincka again working on plans to hold is hosting in 2021. The 68th meeting of the Marree Innamincka Landscape Group a joint meeting in 2021, where At its group meeting in February, members discuss shared district members enjoyed a presentation from was held in Port Augusta at the issues. Bush Heritage. Healthy Landscape end of January. Manager Bruce Hammond and Landscape Group members discussed the impact Plans for a joint meeting were cancelled Ecologist Graeme Finlayson were guest in 2020 due to more than 20mm of rain tourism is having on the local area, speakers and provided an update on the selected presenters for the Marree which gave landholders plenty to smile activities being undertaken on Bon Bon about. Pastoral Best Practice Bootcamp and were and Boolcoolmatta properties, as well as updated about the Flinders World Heritage Community Landscape Officer Chris talking about ecological monitoring and bid and Innamincka Regional Reserve. Fulton has been working on cactus science in the arid lands control in the district, primarily using the Four events have been held in the district The group is planning a Native Grass this year, starting with a Cattle Nutrition biological control agent cochineal. The Workshop in early May and a Kids Day cochineal is continuing to provide some and Health workshop at Clifton Hills in collaboration with Roxby Downs Station on 12 February. very good results. Environment Forum at Arid Recovery. Other events included a native plant The Gawler Ranges Landscape Group Details for both events will be propagation workshop at Marree on 19 purchased copies of Gawler Ranges sent to landholders via email and will be February which was well supported, a resident Nadine Brown’s book Rock Sand shared through the Board’s Facebook snake awareness workshop at Innamincka Salt Native Flowering Plants of the Gawler page and website. Ranges to provide landholders in the Station on 5 March which was informative Community Landscape Officer Sarah for those in attendance, and the Pastoral district. If you are yet to receive a copy of Stevens is working with School of the Air the book, please contact Chris Fulton. Best Practice Bootcamp in Marree on 27 students on a Citizen Science project. They March, held as part of the SA Arid Lands Control of wild dogs, foxes and more will be collecting cat and wild dog scats Landscape Board’s Building Pastoral recently deer, is also continuing for for genetic analysis to determine what Sustainability project. the benefit of biodiversity and pastoral native animals are being eaten by these The Bootcamp was Lucy’s last event pursuits throughout the district. predators. Genetic analysis can reveal the before taking maternity leave for the Remediation of erosion gullies will be presence of species not normally seen in arrival of her and husband Tom’s first child. the subject of a resource package being trapping surveys and can also provide data developed by the group in partnership on seasonal variation in predator diet. Charlie Eager, who joins the SAAL Landscape Board, will support the Marree- with OZ Minerals. It is hoped this package The group has two vacancies and are Innamincka district. will be available for landholders later in looking for enthusiastic community 2021. members who are interested in having a Charlie Eager: 0437 795 792 The landscape group hosted a plant say on what the local landscape group [email protected] propagation workshop at Iron Knob on 26 provides for the community. Contact March and plans to host a Kids Day in the Sarah for more information. Gawler Ranges and Kingoonya districts Sarah Stevens: 0499 983 877 at Arid Recovery in 2021. The Kids on [email protected] Country program with Nature Foundation SA will again be supported, along with School of the Air projects. Chris Fulton: 0477 307 038 [email protected]

Presenter Andrea Tschirner talked to participants of the Roxby Downs Plant Propagation workshop about a native boobialla found in the town’s Community Garden

12 | Across the Outback At the last North East Pastoral Landscape Group meeting were, from left, Di Makotter, Richard Williams, Nick Rasheed and Mick Goldsworthy

Marla North East North Flinders Members of the North Flinders Oodnadatta Pastoral Landscape Group joined the Plans for a face-to-face meeting of North East Pastoral residents have latest idnya and virlda trapping at the Marla Oodnadatta Landscape some big events to look forward Wilpena following their meeting Group in February were forced to in 2021, thanks to the district’s held in late March. online after heavy rain the night Landscape Group. Group members were updated on the before the meeting across the One event already on the calendar is the reintroduction of the two species at their south west of the district. North East Pastoral Field Day, to be held meeting and heard of the promising at the Mannahill Racecourse on Saturday The group met on MS Teams and results from the previous trapping held in 29 May. discussed ways they could facilitate December. building the capacity of those currently Plans for the day are well underway, with The group supported the update of the working in the region’s pastoral industry some great suggestions about topics and Top 10 Travel Tips poster design, to align it supply chain to be future leaders, speakers provided from landholders. The with the new Aussie Travel Code. influencers and advocates of the local day will include speakers, stall holders, Members received a presentation from industry. children’s activities, and something for the PIRSA at its October meeting detailing ladies. It’s not too late to give Community In March the group also hosted a new and emerging weeds in the district. Landscape Officer Di Makotter a call with number of native plant workshops in the They also receive regular updates from any suggestions or ideas. region at Coober Pedy Area School and the World Heritage Community Reference Oodnadatta. The workshops were popular The group is also discussing options for an group. and participants learnt how to select, erosion control workshop. An online grant Plant propagation workshops held at propagate and care for native plants writing workshop will give landholders a Leigh Creek School, Copley and Hawker suited to the region’s climate. better understanding of the process and attracted a high level of interest, with information required when applying for a The group is also planning a Kids Day at 71 people learning how to select native variety of available grants. the Coober Pedy Area School later this plants for their area and propagate them year. The children can look forward to Di will be out and about in the next few successfully. presentations from Animals Anonymous, months mapping Opuntia species and Board staff have also been working with Arid Recovery and Bugs & Slugs. keeping an eye out for buffel grass Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) rangers incursions in the district. She will also work The Board’s Injecta Drill and Fill machine at Yappala with the Injecta drill and fill with land managers to put the biocontrol has been trialled at Evelyn Downs Station machine for weed control. insect cochineal to work on large on Acacia Farnesiana trees. The fast infestations of Opuntia, where appropriate. Matthew Westover: 0438 816 210 growing Farnesiana is a perennial native to [email protected] Central and South America, and reaches All these projects follow an online 3 to 5 metres, with the ability to form very scavenger hunt for children in the North dense thickets along watercourses and East Pastoral and North Flinders districts. drainage lines. Children collected a range of items on a list prepared for them and shared their The Injecta drill works by drilling a hole findings online. in the trunk of a tree and then inserting a poison capsule. It has been trialled Di Makotter: 0408 944 751 previously in the North Flinders district [email protected] and is available for use across the SA Arid Lands. If you would like to trial this control tool on pest plants, please contact Community Landscape Officer Sarah Stevens. Sarah Stevens: 0499 983 877 [email protected]

Gerry Nunn and Bobbie Martin were Kaamaron McKenzie injects a among 20 people who attended Plant herbicide capsule into a pepper Propagation workshops in Oodnadatta tree at the Yappala IPA

South Australian Arid Lands Landscape Board | 13 There’s something in the water…

There’s a story to tell in the naming of dams and Oakden Hills’ Birthday Well was named after water was struck waterholes across the South Australian Arid Lands. on the birthday of manager Jack Beviss. A man with a vivid imagination and a teller of bush yarns, a verse was composed They are named after ancestors, stock agents, dam builders, after Jack recounted how he came to get a supply of water from managers, contractors and events that coloured news reports at the Birthday Well. the time. Colleen Manning grew up on the neighbouring Mahanewo Station Alton Downs’ Whiskey Hole Dam, Kalabity’s Broken Jaw Dam, and recalls her father, Douglas McSporran, reciting the entire Mannawarra’s Tobacco Water, Murnpeowie’s Chimney Springs, poem often – particularly at Christmas and New Year parties. She Anna Creek’s Watchamacallit Dam and Bungeroo’s Spooners said he would have been a small child at the time it was written Dam all conjure thoughts about what possible story could be and would be 101 years old if he was alive today. behind those names. Known as The Birthday Well, It starts: Variations of George’s Dam are plentiful. You’ll find them at A story is told – a lie, if you will – Bollards Lagoon, Clifton Hills, Dulkaninna, Gilles Downs, Kokatha, Macumba, Mt Arden, South Gap, Yadlamalka and twice on By the men that live past the big Tent Hill, De Rose Hill. The Yadlamalka dam is so named after George In that dreary region of sorrow and sand Mortlock, George Pearce and a third George, who dug the dam In the country known as the thirsty land. with horses at the turn of the last century. The station hands have the tale to tell. Some South Gap names come from First Nation origins, including And they laugh when they speak of “The Birthday Well”. Wangamoodla Dam, which means Dog Howling and Brillia Murra Dam, which means full hand.

14 | Across the Outback While some dams don’t sound like a search of good fortunes, you Homesdale Charles Nitschke, son of the Nitschke family that would hope that Mooleulooloo’s Dismal Dam, Wallerberdina’s owned Hiltaba in the 1930s was a talented sportsman with a Absolute Zero and Mount Sarah’s Suspect Dam provided better passion for thoroughbred horse racing. Peter Pan Dam is named outcomes than their names suggest. after the dual Melbourne Cup winner which won the cup in 1932 Maybe the owners of Mutooroo named Perseverance Dam for and again in 1934. Trump Dam is named after The Trump, winner exactly that reason. The largest dam on the property, it was sunk of the 1937 Melbourne Cup and has no connection to the former in 1917, is 50-feet deep at the highwater level and was full heading US president. into Christmas 2020. Mutooroo’s Adam Lomman said a large proportion of the Yunta’s Keith Noble can share some stories as the digger of many property’s dams are named after the paddocks in which they dams in the region. sit. This applies to Sunrise, Midday and Sunset dams, all built between 1895 and 1900 and all running east to west. One of them is a dam affectionately known as Gunpowder, which sits almost on the boundary of Quinyambie and Mulyangarie The property also has Lloyd’s Lunchtime Lagoon, named after Stations. At the time it was built, the dam diggers weren’t able to heavy plant operator Lloyd Bartholomaeus who, in 1981, pulled up go as deep as they needed to and threw in some gunpowder to on a swampy claypan for lunch and dug a small hole to see if it solve the problem. would catch water. It did, and it grew in size with each rain event for a few following years. Mount Eba has a Blue Duck Dam, named because on a dewy morning it looked a little blue and the dam digger slid down the The Devil’s Playground, which sits in the Bamboo Swamp at clay and ‘ducked’ to protect himself before his machine reached the bottom of Millers Creek has a name of almost mythical the bottom. proportions. It was named well before Keith Greenfield’s parents moved to the area in 1939, when geological knowledge was not South Gap’s Treasure Dam was so named as developed as it is today. The granite boulders in the area scatter after a big flood and as a by Bob Greenfield’s great grandfather, child, Keith was told that the Devil was playing football or marbles. because he thought it would be a treasure for “It’s actually the remains of a glacial valley. The boulders would weigh a couple of tonnes each and I doubt they ever shifted at all. the station in the years to come. According It was probably the vegetation moving around them,” he said. to Bob, that’s exactly what it was. It has rarely been without water in the past five generations.

Wirrealpa named one of its watercourses Drug Creek. Warren Fargher relives the story: “A hippy bloke in a combie got stuck down there. He walked to the homestead to ask for help, so we sent Richard. He offered him a bag of ‘whoopy weed’ as thanks. The offer was declined.” Warren says the watercourse is not even a creek, but it was such as good story, the name has stuck, particularly with some restorative groundworks undertaken at the site. Adam Lomman

Trump Dam, on Hiltaba, was named after The Trump, Mutooroo’s Lamberts Dam with Perseverance Dam winning horse in the 1937 Melbourne Cup in the background

South Australian Arid Lands Landscape Board | 15 BITEBACK NEWS

Teamwork Livestock Technology Expo resolves meat in Hawker The Landscape Board’s Wild Dog Project turn off the CPE prior to using working shortage issue Officers and PIRSA’s State Wild Dog dogs, reducing the risk of accidental A shortage of meat for baiting has seen Coordinator promoted two technologies poisoning. Another benefit is that the Biteback groups working together to find aimed at helping land managers control 1080 poison is enclosed in a waterproof alternative sources. This has included and monitor wild dog activity on property capsule, reducing the risk of it breaking working with other properties to source at February’s expo, run by PIRSA’s Red down over time. unsellable or scrub cattle and coordinating Meat and Wool program. During discussions on the day, it became transport and processing the meat. This Wild Dog Scan allows users to monitor evident that many landholders were resulted in all properties at a recent wild dog activity and impacts over long unaware of the bounty on wild dogs in bait injection service having double periods of time. South Australia. You can find out more at the quantity required to meet their best The second technology promoted was at www.pirsa.sa.gov.au/biosecurity and practise guidelines level of baiting. the Canid Pest Ejector (CPEs). This device search for wild dog bounty scheme. Another Biteback group benefited from works in the same way a standard 1080 Other information discussed on the day the removal of feral donkeys. meat bait does, but is tethered to the were the March injection services and the If you have feral animals or unsaleable ground. This ensures it cannot be moved importance of maintaining control levels stock that may assist land managers for around on a property by birds or other despite wild dog numbers being low, to baiting to control wild dogs, please contact animals. It also allows land managers to prevent a resurgence. the Biteback officers: Chris Havelberg: 0458 566 536 [email protected] or Anna Rogers: 0447 134 951 [email protected] Baits have a use-by date Wild dog baits can be stored for future use as long as they are used within 12 months of receiving them. When receiving baits landholders sign a legally binding agreement to use them as specified. Long term exposure to extreme temperatures PIRSA’s State Wild Dog Coordinator Heather Miller spoke about wild dog control (heat and cold) may reduce the at the Livestock Technology Expo in Hawker and was supported by SA Arid effectiveness of the baits. Lands Biteback Officer Anna Rogers

MAP REMINDER If you are yet to send back your 2020 or earlier paper maps to record wild dog activity, please do so – even if you have had no dog activity it still provides information valuable to wild dog management. New maps for autumn 2021 should have been received in January. The data collected from the returned maps is used to target where professional trappers attend, aerial baiting flight routes, applications of new funding, and guide the on-ground work done by land managers.

16 | Across the Outback Wild Dog Scan vs Paper Maps Wild Dog Scan is part of the Feral Scan app which allows the user to record pest animal activity as a convenient and free mobile phone application. The app can be used to log various pest animal activities including sightings, damage or activity from wild dog, wild pig, goat, camel and rabbits. Call for Landscape Instead of having to remember to write information on the paper map, the app can be used at any time on property to record wild dog sightings, activity or animals trapped, and the information Group Members saved and automatically submitted when back in a mobile If you have an interest in the landscape of reception area. To use it, you will need to download the FeralScan your district, becoming a member of your local Pest Mapping from the App store or Google Play and create Landscape Group may be for you. an account. The SA Arid Lands (SAAL) Landscape Board has seven The Biteback program has access to data logged in the Feral Scan groups across the region which provide an essential link app and uses it to monitor wild dog activity. It is now transitioning between the community and the Board. Members are to the app and away from the paper maps. If you are using Feral being sought to fill vacancies that exist on the groups, Scan please do not record sightings on your paper map. including the newly created Port Augusta-Quorn group. More information is available at www.feralscan.org.au/ It is The existing groups are Kingoonya, North East Pastoral, recommended that each property has one login that is shared North Flinders, Marree-Innamincka, Marla-Oodnadatta and by all staff and managers. If the login is created with the same Gawler Ranges. email address you receive injection service invites on, you will The Board opened its call for members on 22 March 2021 automatically be added to your Biteback Group, which will allow and nominations will be accepted until 5pm on 2 May 2021. you to see group data on the app. Each landscape group has seven members and groups are Training and support is provided by the Biteback Officers and they skills-based with members selected on their knowledge of can be contacted for assistance. one or more of the following areas: • Community affairs at a district level WORKING TOGETHER TO IMPROVE • Primary production or pastoral land management WILD DOG CONTROL • Soil conservation and land management To improve the Biteback Land managers are • Water resource management program, the SA Arid Lands encouraged to continue • Business administration Landscape Board is reviewing to work together through elements of the program to coordinated Biteback groups • Local governance or administration ensure it continues to meet to implement best-practice • Aboriginal interest in the land and water, and Aboriginal the ongoing needs of land control methods that include heritage managers. ground baiting, trapping and • Pest animal and plant control As part of the review, all shooting to reduce wild dog properties south of the Dog impacts. • Natural and social science Fence in the SA Arid Lands The program includes bi- • Mining and petroleum industries region have been given the annual 1080 bait-injection • Tourism opportunity to take part in a services, year round access to survey. manufactured baits, access to a Landscape groups are actively engaged with the delivery Results from the survey will be trap loan service, monitoring of of projects and identifying issues for the SAAL Landscape used to shape how Board staff wild dog activity, and training Board. The majority of group members live in the district or support land managers in the opportunities for a range of are involved in managing the landscape in the area. integrated wild dog control control of wild dogs and will They provide a local perspective on implementing projects methods. assist in developing plans for and the development of relevant priorities for the region. targeting further investment It also manages an annual Community members involved at this level are a vital, and support in wild dog control aerial baiting program practical link for the communities they represent to ensure subject to funding availability. targeting inaccessible areas or projects are relevant to local issues. The Biteback program, wild dog hot spots inside the managed by SA Arid Lands dog fence. Annual injection Each landscape group has a dedicated engagement officer Landscape Board and funded services are available to land who provides administrative and governance support to the by the SA Sheep Industry Fund managers located outside the group and fosters the development of vital links between and the Regional Landscape dog fence to reduce impact to the group, the board, the community, volunteer groups, First Levy, remains the principal cattle when dog numbers are Nations groups and other community partners. program for managing wild too high. Nomination forms are available online at dogs in SA and works in collaboration with the PIRSA www.landscape.sa.gov.au/saal or contact Cherie Gerlach, trapper program. Team Leader Community Engagement on 8648 5979 or [email protected]

South Australian Arid Lands Landscape Board | 17 Weed risk growing in Leigh Creek Weeds surveys undertaken in Five lantana plants found in yards were In Leigh Creek, the cactus was found Leigh Creek have identified the destroyed during the survey. A rough- behind a back fence in one section of the textured and usually prickly shrub, town, while other plants were found in risk of garden weeds spreading Lantana’s dense flower clusters can be another area. as fences are removed in the white, yellow, orange, red, pink or multi- It is declared under the Landscape SA Act process to reduce the town’s coloured. Previously there had been just 2019. It must be controlled and its sale footprint. two records in the district, found in a creek or movement into and within SA is not line near Balcanoona in the early 1990s. permitted. Weeds currently contained in house yards Poisonous to animals and humans, will no longer have a barrier to contain Those working on the survey said local Lantana invades natural areas and can their spread, increasing the risk that reports of new weeds had been helpful form dense thickets that can restrict garden plants could become increasingly during surveys already undertaken and access and movement through the problematic. it is hoped the most recent visit, at which landscape. early signs of spread were identified, The most recent survey was carried out One Asparagus Fern, also known as will provide an opportunity to destroy late last year by SA Arid Lands Community Snakefeather, was identified. It is a infestations while numbers are low. Landscape Officer Matt Westover, New creeping or climbing vine with thornless and Emerging Weeds Facilitator Shannon Weeds surveillance will continue wiry stems, and the perennial plant Robertson from PIRSA and Weeds Botanist throughout the Leigh Creek transformation has green, delicately-branching stems Chris Brodie from DEW’s State Herbarium. and the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board giving a fern-like appearance. If spread, will work with the Outback Communities Historically, invasive weeds have the Asparagus Fern will invade native Authority and the Leigh Creek Progress become established in the landscape bushland and smother native plants. Association to control high risk species. from abandoned gardens, outstations, As WoNS weeds, Asparagus Fern homesteads and railway sidings. With All surveys already completed and Lantana are declared under the the majority of backyards in Leigh Creek have been funded through the Landscape SA Act 2019 and their sale vacated in 2016 and plans to reduce Commonwealth Government’s Agricultural and movement into and within SA are not the town’s footprint, the risk that garden Competitiveness White Paper. permitted. plants could spread into the landscape is heightened. Pine Cone Cactus (Tephrocactus articulatus) is a low growing shrubby While 110 different weeds were identified, cactus with rounded to oval stem of particular concern are the Weeds of segments that are easily detached. National Significance (WoNS) Lantana Sometimes grown as a garden or amenity (Lantana camara) and Asparagus Fern plant in arid areas, its threat is relatively (Asparagus scandens); and Pine Cone unknown although it has the potential to Cactus (Tephrocactus articulates), of which outcompete other vegetation. the first naturalised record in Australia was found in Leigh Creek during an earlier survey.

New and Emerging Weeds Facilitator Shannon Robertson with Lantana in a Leigh Creek back yard

Shannon Robertson and Chris Brodie record details of weeds in a Leigh Creek back yard

18 | Across the Outback MAY 2020 The Bundera Floodout in the grip of drought conditions

Native grasses respond to North East rain The clay systems of the Mundi Mundi Plains have shown resilience Andrea Tschirner as they respond to heavy rains received late in 2020.

The plains, in the North East Pastoral Property managers at Boolcoomatta “The diversity of a grassland is equally as district, received the first substantial rainfall have seen Eriochloa, Digitaria, Panicum, complex as a tropical rainforest – just on a since December 2017 in late September Astrebla and some Dicanthum appear in micro scale.” and October. the landscape. “Management of total grazing pressure With 67.4mm received in September and Community Landscape Officer for the and sustainable land management 49.8mm in October, the Bundera Floodout North East Pastoral District Di Makotter practices are pivotal in ensuring in the eastern paddocks of Boolcoomatta said previous vegetation surveys in the recruitment of the ecosystem’s diverse came alive with a range of grasses, district had captured more than 150 plant and unique flora. This in turn ensures chenopods and small forbs. species, many of which are rare and habitat viability for local fauna species.” Similar recovery has been experienced endemic to the area. across the North East. “This year has been a boom year for native The area has received well below average grasses which, along with the herbaceous rainfalls in 2018 and 2019, before late rains plants, serve as a haven for a variety of in 2020 provided the moisture needed for creatures,” she said. the commencement of recovery.

DECEMBER 2020 After large Spring rain events, dominant grasses, chenopods and small forbs have come to life Andrea Tschirner

South Australian Arid Lands Landscape Board | 19 Pigs trapped at Innamincka Regional Reserve A trapping program to tackle feral pigs in the Innamincka Regional Reserve is part of a integrated approach to reducing pig numbers in the area. Pig trapping and baiting in the Innamincka Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) follow the Cooper Regional Reserve is a focus of controls Creek from Queensland and pig control in 2020/21 with SA Arid Lands staff has been undertaken on Innamincka Ag webinar working with National Parks and Wildlife Regional Reserve for more than 10 years. Service SA to set traps and bait in the The control of feral pigs is designed series area. This follows on from aerial controls to improve conservation outcomes for in previous years. threatened plants and animals in the available Having identified sites showing signs of reserve. pig activity, three pig traps were set up Until eight years ago, pigs controlled online in the Cullyamurra Waterhole of Cooper in aerial operations numbered in their Creek and a bait dispenser (known as a hundreds, however the regular control An agricultural webinar series was hog-hopper) was set up at Scrubby Camp. has meant that in the past five years offered over summer as part of the the numbers found and controlled have Board’s Building Pastoral Sustainability Acting on locally obtained signs of reduced in the annual operation. project and is now available online. activity and advice from the Queensland Department of Primary Industries, each A significant component of the five-year The webinars were part of the ‘Summer trap was strategically placed to give the Coongie Wetland Wonders project, feral Series’ designed for the region’s best chance of control. animal control and removal of invasive pastoral community, using speakers weed species are completed annually in who were scheduled to present at The first pigs were trapped using a free the Malkumba-Coongie Lakes Ramsar site the 2020 SA Arid Lands Pastoral feed of barley, with another trapped in and surrounding land holdings. Field Day. Each experts in their field, January. It is expected the traps and hog- the speakers were sourced based hopper will remain in use until late autumn. The Coongie Wetland Wonders project on their knowledge of the region and The Cooper Creek is a prominant feature of is supported by the SA Arid Lands the practices used by the pastoral the Innamincka Regional Reserve, flowing Landscape Board, through funding from community. in from Queensland and branching into the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program. Seven webinars were offered to two distinct channels, west of Innamincka landholders in the region and include: township. One channel flows north-west to A wild pig visiting a trap set in the Ramsar-listed Coongie Lakes, the other • Bruce Maynard – Boosting Bottom Innamincka Regional Reserve was flows south-west to Lake Eyre. captured by a monitoring camera Lines by Behaviour • Deb Scammell – Containment Feeding Ewes Successfully • Michelle Cousins – New Technologies for the Pastoral Zone • Pene Keynes – Livestock Biosecurity- Lessons from COVID-19 • Colin Trengove – The essence of Sheep Survival in the SA Arid Lands • FarmMap 4D – Turning big data into better decisions in the paddock • Wayne Pitchford – Dark Cutting Beef - What is it and why should I care? All webinars were recorded and are available on the Board’s website at landscape.sa.gov.au/saal/news- resources/podcasts-and-videos

20 | Across the Outback World Heritage listing for the Flinders Ranges moves closer Bill Doyle

An important milestone in seeking recognition for areas of the Flinders Ranges for World Heritage Listing has been made with submitting to the Federal Government a document outlining the unique World Heritage values that are proposed to be nominated. The document, called the Tentative List Conservation Park (the land acquired relationship to Country. Working with submission, outlines the reasons why from Nilpena Station that will form part the Adnyamathanha People is a critical the Flinders Ranges meets the criteria of the new Nilpena Ediacara National element of the next stage of developing for getting on the World Heritage List. Park), Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, the nomination document to ensure their Once approved it will mean that the Angorichina Station, Maynards Well Station perspectives and values are incorporated Flinders Ranges is on Australia’s Tentative and Puttapa Station. into the nomination. List for World Heritage, which provides If successful, World Heritage listing will Following the addition of the Flinders the international signal that Australia is be limited to the specific sites on the Ranges to Australia’s Tentative List for committed to the nomination. eight properties, and will not apply to the World Heritage, the next step is the World Heritage sites are places region as a whole. There will however development of the World Heritage considered to have either natural and/ be economic benefits for the region and nomination document – a complex task or cultural values that are internationally further engagement and consultation where evidence is collected, collated important. The rock exposures display the will occur to assist in planning for the and formed into a compelling story and a history of the planet and the geological anticipated growth in visitation. management regime is clearly presented. sites proposed to make up the Flinders The Adnyamathanha People, landholders, This document will be prepared over Ranges World Heritage property present community members, government and the next two years, with a target date of an effectively unbroken record over experts will collectively shape how the February 2023 for submission. 350 million years of the climate and sites will be managed and protected under The nomination of the Flinders Ranges environment conditions of Earth, and three future World Heritage Listing. Flinders for World Heritage is being led by the evolutionary events that underpin the Ranges World Heritage Community Department for Environment and Water in dawn of animal life. Reference Group Chair Cecilia Woolford partnership with the Department of Energy Eight properties in the North Flinders has been working closely with group and Mining’s Geological Survey of South have been identified as containing the members to understand what World Australia. outstanding values that will collectively tell Heritage Listing will mean for the region Further information on the Flinders Ranges the Flinders Ranges World Heritage story. and how the community can best prepare. World Heritage project is at World Heritage The sites are located within Ikara-Flinders The Flinders Ranges are the traditional for the Flinders Ranges on Facebook. Ranges National Park, Vulkathunha- lands of the Adnyamathanha People, Gammon Ranges National Park, Ediacara who have a deep and enduring

South Australian Arid Lands Landscape Board | 21 Precious Purplewoods the focus of new research Named due to the rich purple colour of the inside of its timber, the Purplewood Acacia is found in small groves across the North-East Pastoral region of SA and into western NSW and the production of viable seed is incredibly rare. The species is listed as endangered due to its restricted natural distribution, very slow growth rate and its vulnerability to grazing. In the North East Pastoral district, monitoring of the Purplewood Acacia (Acacia carneorum) is part of a collaborative research project involving the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board staff, working with Bush Heritage Australia staff and volunteers and researchers from the University of Adelaide. Together they will document the distribution and genetic health of the species throughout its range in South Australia and provide information on the threats jeopardising the future of the species. Previous research has identified that this species is almost entirely dependent on asexual reproduction through suckering, and the genetic diversity of most populations is low. The species occurs on sandy soils and is likely to provide key refuge for species such as fairy wrens and chirruping wedgebills and are a host for other important plants such as mistletoe. Its Sam Fischer largest threat is the grazing of the plant’s regrowth by herbivores, particularly rabbits. New growth of Acacia carneorum Monitoring of the species has also provided evidence that on Boolcoomatta Purplewood groves may have been sites of importance to First Nation’s people with a large proportion of them containing intact grinding stones and snapping flakes, highlighting their importance in providing shelter and food. Through the Bounceback and Beyond Project, SA Arid Lands Landscape Board staff are completing herbivore impact assessments on plants in their range. Already assessments have been completed on populations in Mt Victor, Kalabity, Billeroo West, Boolcoomatta and Wertaloona. Further assessments will be carried out on populations at Billeroo West, Curnamona, Mt Victor, Plumbago, Koonamore, Barratta, Wirrealpa and Mulyungarie in the next three to four months. Acacia A cause for concern are records that document that the majority carneorum after of these Purplewoods have not flowered for many years. recent rain with tip growth In an attempt to find some answers, DNA analysis will compare G Finlayson samples with herbarium specimens from with other sites in SA. DNA assessments will be completed on a number of properties in Through Bounceback and Beyond, samples will be collected from the region to gain a more detailed picture. across the region to include in the genetic analysis to determine If the genetic diversity is low, translocation or propagation of the health, status and distribution of a threatened plant species in plants from other areas may be considered. the region, There is limited data available on the distribution of the species Bounceback and Beyond is supported by the SA Arid Lands in the North East, with the majority of plants occurring on private Landscape Board, through funding from the Australian land. Government’s National Landcare Program.

22 | Across the Outback 2021 ICPA Conference ‘Helping Young Minds Grow’ was the theme of the 2021 Isolated Children’s Parents Association State Conference held in Port Augusta in March. The Marree Air Branch hosted this year’s Joanna Gibson, a long-term member of the Established in 1971, it represents over event which was attended by more than ICPA, serving on the North West Branch 2500 families and individual members 60 people, including School of the Air as well as State and Federal council, was from Australia’s rural communities, parents, government representatives and awarded SA ICPA State life membership in primary producers, small business stakeholders in the region. recognition for her ongoing commitment owners, schools, national and state based Items of discussion included seeking to ensuring improved access to education organisations and individuals who all support for Telstra to pursue funding for for children across the region. She was support equity of access to education for small-cell mobile towers on properties, presented the life-membership by out- geographically isolated students. lobbying for an integrated approach to going state secretary Kate Greenfield. The common goal shared by members is providing support for child health across The South Australian branch is part of ICPA to improve access to education and the the region, and supporting a national Australia, a voluntary, non-profit, apolitical provision of services for children who, motion to have a unified approach to parent body dedicated to ensuring due to distance, do not have reasonable border closures in relation to students all geographically isolated children’s daily access to an appropriate continuing attending boarding school and universities educational needs and aspirations are not education. in other states. disadvantaged because of where they live.

Top left: Marree Air Branch and Conference convening committee members, from left, Lucy Morphett, Ellen Litchfield, Lyn Litchfield, Anne Morphett, Jess Bell and Lisa Edwards

Top right: President of SA ICPA Jill Greenfield opening the conference

Left: North West Branch members, from left, Edwina Bowie, Petie Rankin, Colin Greenfield, Lynly Kerin, Joanna Gibson, Pamela Cuffe and Jill Greenfield

South Australian Arid Lands Landscape Board | 23 New populations of Ooldea

Guinea-flower An Ooldea Guinea-flower, captured by Nadine Brown at Pinkawillinie. Nadine was involved found in the collection of samples from the area

Three new populations of the vulnerable Ooldea Guinea-Flower (Hibbertia crispula) have been discovered in the Gawler Ranges, with the help of a property owner. The plants were found on Pinkawillinie “Landholders have the knowledge of A previous record discovered and Conservation Park and Moonaree Station their land and are able to direct our staff documented from the BushBlitz program through impact assessments which to where they should be looking on a in 2012 came from the Kododo Hills, recorded the shrub in the new locations. property,” SA Arid Lands Landscape Board following a survey conducted on Hiltaba The Ooldea Guinea-flower is a small, Ecologist Ben McCallum said. and the Gawler Ranges National Park. It low-growing shrub occurring on red sand was significant at the time as it extended scalds. It is known from two separate “As custodians of the the range of this species by a significant populations in the Gawler Ranges and distance. the Great Victoria Desert areas. It is also properties, a land manager’s Staff revisited this population during listed as vulnerable under the Environment knowledge is critical to the threatened species impact assessments Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999. in August 2019, as well as other historic It is a targeted species of the Bounceback work we are doing to identify populations on Lake Everard and and Beyond project, which is supported Moonaree. With guidance from the by the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board, and monitor vulnerable and landholder, the team located the shrubs, through funding from the Australian which were later confirmed as the Ooldea Government’s National Landcare Program. endangered plants.” Guinea Flower by the State Herbarium. After learning about an existing record Other assessment trips revisited the site With directions that led Ben and his on Moonaree Station that dated back of many old records, some dating back to team to the shrub, multiple specimens more than 50 years, landholder Alistair the early 1900s, which were found to have were collected, pressed and lodged McTaggart was interested in the work poor geographic accuracy and uncovered with the State Herbarium for cataloguing being done as part of the project and no signs of the shrub. and lodgement as new records on the mentioned he had seen a yellow flowering Biological Database of South Australia. shrub. He provided a hand drawn mud map with directions to the sites.

24 | Across the Outback DOG DISEASE DETECTED FOR FIRST TIME IN SA Bringing AgTech Ticks carrying Ehrlichiosis, a disease that causes fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, abnormal bleeding, pain and weight loss in dogs, has been expertise to detected in South Australia for the first time. In January this year, laboratory testing of ticks collected from dogs pastoralists in the State’s far north confirmed the Hawker hosted the first in a series of Livestock Technology Expos presence of the ehrlichiosis-causing bacteria Ehrlichia canis (E. canis). with pastoralists hearing from experts on different precision livestock The disease was first detected in management technologies. Australia in mid-2020 in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. The expo was the first for the year and The presentations also covered many more than 80 producers heard from important strategies for increasing Ehrlichiosis occurs worldwide, industry experts presenting the latest productivity and labour efficiencies on- particularly in tropical and sub-tropical regions. If not treated properly, it can advice and answering questions, as well farm and stimulated some great questions result in death. as tech suppliers demonstrating their from the audience. products. Dogs infected with the disease cannot Pastoral producer Seth Cooper of CC transmit the disease to other dogs. The free expos bring livestock technology Cooper & Co, based at Jamestown, shared The only way transmission can occur is experts and exhibitors directly to his experience with adopting eID in the through infected ticks. producers, as part of the South Australian merino flock on their pastoral property Currently, infected dog ticks are most Government’s Red Meat and Wool Growth in Western Australia, the changes they likely to be present in remote far Program. have implemented as a result and the northern areas of South Australia. It The line-up of expert speakers included: benefits this has provided to the business is unlikely that dogs in other areas of regarding productivity and efficiency gains. the State will be infected, unless they • Nathan Scott, from Achieve Ag Other livestock agtech expos were held at have recently travelled to areas where Solutions who spoke about electronic infected ticks occur. identification devices (eID) and their use Wudinna and Karoonda. Ehrlichiosisis is a notifiable disease. If in commercial enterprise The Red Meat and Wool Growth Program you suspect your dog is showing signs • Josh Cousins, from Cousins Merino is co-funded by Meat and Livestock of the disease, you must take it to your who addressed AgTech in the Australia, Sheep Connect SA, Australian local vet for examination. If the disease rangelands and pregnancy scanning Wool Innovation and the SA Sheep and is confirmed, your vet will report it to Cattle Industry Funds. the Department of Primary Industries • Emily King and Henry White, from To learn more about the program and Regions’ national Emergency Australian Wool Innovation who Animal Disease Watch hotline on 1800 and how you can get involved, visit presented information about Smart 675 888. Tags and shearing shed design. pir.sa.gov.au/redmeatandwool For more information www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurity/ animal_health/ehrlichiosis_ disease_in_dogs

Josh Cousins from Cousins Marino, PIRSA’s Red Meat and Wool Program manager Emily Mellor and Nathan Scott from Achieve Ag Solutions were SA Arid Lands Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator Paul Wordley talks to at the Livestock Technology Expo in landholders about the Board’s Building Pastoral Sustainability project February

South Australian Arid Lands Landscape Board | 25 Nardine ready for the day with her camera in hand

Nadine’s passion for plants evident in her latest book Nadine Brown’s long term interest in plants has been nurtured by having lived in some of Australia’s most remote and unspoilt wilderness areas. Here, the Gawler Ranges resident talks about how her experiences over the past 35 years turned that love into a passion that led her to write her latest book on plants in the Gawler Ranges.

Where Nadine’s interest in set up so we were often the first rangers Her favourite plants botany began there. Summers were spent on the south I have many but you can never go past I have been interested in plants for as and east coasts, following the tourists. It the Sturt Pea as it is magnificent and long as I can remember. After training as a really was a bit like being early-onset grey not that common in the Gawlers. I love teacher and working in schools, I realised nomads. Eremophilas, they are so indicative of it was not what I wanted to do and that the We finally took up residence in the the desert. environment was my passion. I enrolled in Fitzgerald River National Park, and stayed My favourite plant is the one I’ve never a Wildlife and Park Management course for nine years. This is where my self- seen before. I get immense joy in seeing in the early eighties at what is now Uni SA education in botany began in earnest. something new or something way out of its which enhanced my interest in botany, The Fitzgerald is a world-renowned supposed range, such as the Newcastelia particularly arid and semi-arid plants. botanical hotspot and with the boys off I sited on Moonaree, which I had only ever Since then I have been fortunate in being at school I had time to really indulge my seen previously in the mid-west of WA. able to pursue this passion through having interests. It was not an option to have paid Rare plants are good to find but you tend lived in a large number of Australia’s employment within national parks, as back to think they will be flashing neon lights or remote national parks in both WA and SA, then women were not encouraged to do something but often they are insignificant, largely facilitated by my husband (Lindsay), so. Besides, we were still living in the bush boring looking plants which kind of takes and his long career in national parks. with two children to parent. away the excitement. After completing our studies, in 1986 we I began working on a herbaria for the embarked on a 12 month working holiday Park. Armed with my few volumes of How Nadine’s inspiration for writing to WA which ended up extending to a to Know Western Australian Wildflowers, Rock Sand Salt couple of decades! The first five years I started collecting. With no on-line I decided to write a book on the flowering of employment with Parks in the west resources (as there were no computers), plants of the Gawler’s as I had so many was spent as Mobile Rangers, travelling the house soon filled with plant presses photos and thought they could be of use. throughout the state in our own caravan and newspapers full of plants. A large I had written a book – Simply Saltbush for six month stints. We had two small number of these specimens were sent – in 2013, on identifying saltbush in the children at the time and home became a to the WA Herbarium for identification, Murraylands region and quickly realised succession of concrete pads with basic and often even they were unable to put a this family of amazing plants was greatly facilities (if we were lucky), no television species name to them. unappreciated. and no phone but always plenty of My passion for collecting and identifying On moving to the Gawler Ranges I was interesting plants and wildlife in amazingly plants has continued through to this day. particularly impressed by the variety of beautiful surroundings. Of course when digital photography landforms and habitats, and especially the We would winter in the north at places like began, it really set things in motion and convergence of not only arid plants in the the Bungle Bungles (Purnulu), Millstream my photographic collection of plants north with temperate plants in the south, in the Pilbara and Shark Bay. It was an era exploded. but also those from the east and west when these National Parks were being reaching their extreme limits on northern

26 | Across the Outback The Newcastelia plant found at Moonaree

Eyre Peninsula. I decided to photograph I actually worked on it for three years everything I found flowering throughout before I tentatively showed any ‘outsiders’ the year in different habitats and what I was doing. The encouragement I attempted to identify the plants. On-line received from that was much appreciated resources and personal contacts helped and spurred me on to finish the book. immensely with this. Living in the area was a huge advantage I decided on the title Rock Sand Salt to gathering information for the book. You to reflect the environments in which continually finding new plants and get to specific plants grow. I wanted it to be observe them in all seasons rather than mainly illustrative and user-friendly for just a dedicated field trip at one time of as many people as possible. The book year. I knew when I decided after four is an illustrative guide to plants found years to stop adding plants that we’d in the Gawler Ranges. It encompasses finally get good rains. Of course when the Nadine Brown with a copy of plants most commonly found on the major book was at the printers we did, so I now Rock Sand Salt landforms: limestone plains, the overlying have quite a few more I could have added. sandy dunes, rocky rhyolite ranges, and There are certainly a lot more plants out the salt lakes. there but I think the book is a reasonable snap shot in time of what was observed ACROSS THE OUTBACK On writing the book continually over a four year period Across the Outback is prepared and I worked on collecting and identifying and it may provide a bench mark for edited by the SA Arid Lands Landscape plants for four years and probably the last comparisons with other areas. Board. Comments and suggestions are two of that putting it together. I did falter There are presently so many threats to always welcome. along the way. I think living in isolation our precious and irreplaceable natural without the usual support networks that environment and there is still so much to PLEASE CONTACT other people might take for granted is learn. I feel that, if in some small way, I SA Arid Lands Landscape Board 8648 5307 a challenge. I don’t consider myself an have assisted in fostering an appreciation expert, just someone with a passion for of what we currently have in just one small PO Box 297 Port Augusta 5700 plants and learning about them. area of Australia, then the time spent in Railway Station, Stirling Road, writing this book has been well spent. Port Augusta Copies of Rock Sand Salt can be www.landscape.sa.gov.au/saal obtained directly from Nadine at www.facebook.com/ [email protected]. SAALLandscapeSA Books are also available from the [email protected] Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden in [email protected] Port Augusta, at the Kimba Council office and the Wudinna Telecentre, as well as at the State Flora nursery bookshops in Belair and Murray Bridge.

Nadine at work capturing a plant during a field trip with the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board

South Australian Arid Lands Landscape Board | 27 Western quoll (idnya)

Members of the December monitoring team were Rebecca Schaefer, Katherine Moseby, Jack Bilby, Rob Brandle, Cat Lynch, Pat Hodgens, David Peacock and Ned Ryan-Schofield Record number of threatened quolls captured A record number of western quolls (idnya) caught in Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park last year suggests the population is faring extremely well despite some of the driest conditions recorded for the region in recent years. The 91 idnya caught was a large increase on the previous record Monitoring of quolls and possums is conducted using a of 58 individuals. The captured animals were in good health and combination of camera trapping and cage trapping. Cage trapping were an even mix of males and females. The majority of animals is usually undertaken in March, however COVID-19 meant the were juveniles which suggests a successful breeding event for trapping was delayed until December 2020. 2020. Cage trapping was undertaken by a team led by South Australian As part of ongoing research into the reintroduction, 19 juveniles Arid Lands Ecologist Cat Lynch, with support from NPWSA staff, were fitted with radiocollars which will allow staff to track their external ecologists, students, volunteers and volunteer rangers. survival and dispersal. The team set cage traps at 192 trap sites across the National Park In addition to the record number of idnya, a total of 17 brushtail over five consecutive nights. possums (virlda) were also caught, which is the second highest number ever caught. The results of this trapping event highlight the Idnya and virlda were reintroduced to the Flinders in 2014 as success of the reintroduction program and part of a partnership between the Department for Environment and Water and the Foundation for Australia’s Most Endangered is an example of the positive conservation Species Ltd (FAME). The species originally existed in this area, but had become locally extinct due to a range of threats such as outcomes for threatened species that can be predation by feral cats and foxes. More than 20 years of fox control by the Department for achieved through the types of partnerships Environment and Water’s Bounceback program allowed these that have been forged as part of this project. threatened species to be reintroduced. Ongoing monitoring of the reintroduced populations is being A follow up trapping event was held in March. It provided valuable undertaken as part of the Bounceback and Beyond program, information on the survival of juveniles and distribution of animals which is supported by the South Australian Arid Lands Landscape across the landscape and results will be published once they have Board, through funding from the Australian Government’s National been collated. Landcare Program.

28 | Across the Outback