Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island ACHIEVEMENT REPORT 2016 2017 2017© Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources ISSNs Printed: 2208-8148 On-line: 2208-8156 This document may be reproduced in whole or part for the purpose of study or training, subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgment of the source and to its not being used for commercial purposes or sale. Reproduction for purposes other than those given above requires the prior written permission of the Kangaroo Island Natural Resources Management Board. All images within this document are credited to Natural Resources Kangaroo Island unless stated otherwise.

Front cover image: Community seagrass planting day. Back cover image: Recently discovered enigma moth (George Gibbs).

Work outlined in this document is funded by: Contents Message from the Presiding Member 3 Message from the Regional Director 4 Looking back 2016–17 5 Connecting achievements to the DEWNR Corporate Plan 7 Connecting achievements to the new KI NRM Plan 8 Goal 1 9 Launching the KI Wilderness Trail 11 Bringing culture and heritage to life 12 Goal 2 13 Coming back from the brink of extinction 15 From the plateau to the sea 16 Ditching the deer 17 Reducing the threat of wildfire on KI 18 Goal 3 19 Weeding away caltrop 21 Kangaroo Island’s outdoor classroom 22 Working with the Green Army 23 The mesmerising world of insects 24 Goal 4 25 Keeping out the nasties 27 Keeping commercial tour operators up to date 28 Improving soil health and productivity 29 Working with nature to manage pests 30 Goal 5 31 Investigating feral cats on Kangaroo Island 33 Understanding KI’s freshwater ecosystems 34 Managing an abundant koala population 35 Seeking private investment in NRM 36 Looking forward 37 What’s different about the new KI NRM Plan? 38 What are the KI NRM Board’s priorities? 38 How will this work be funded? 41 Working better together 42 Message from the Presiding Member

We are so fortunate to live on Kangaroo economy, and local knowledge and Island with natural resources that support governance. These elements have been us through our clean air, food, clean water, fleshed out, extended and detailed into the natural spaces and connected community. five goals of the Plan.

Kangaroo Islanders belong to their Island. Together, the KI NRM Board, Department It is more than just their home; they love of Environment, Water and Natural and respect it and are proud to be Islanders. Resources (DEWNR), the KI community, land The Kangaroo Island Natural Resources managers, non‑government organisations Management (NRM) Board is pleased to and KI Council are working to deliver a have brought Kangaroo Islanders’ ideas range of projects to implement our Plan. together into a comprehensive Kangaroo Island NRM Plan to guide us for the next This report presents some of our 10 years. achievements under each of the goals of our new plan. The work reaffirms the core From east to west across the Island, from principle of most land managers: to leave farmers to departmental heads, from our land in the same, or better, condition as sector-based focus group workshops to today. ‘my backyard’ local landscape workshops – the Kangaroo Island community has Richard Trethewey worked together to develop this plan. Presiding Member At an early stage, the people settled on Kangaroo Island Natural Resources five elements of their vision for Kangaroo Management Board Island: distinctiveness, healthy resilient environment, thriving community, vibrant

3 Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 Message from the Regional Director

Often we are asked by the community This collective arrangement ensures we and visitors who is Natural Resources can pool resources appropriately and can Kangaroo Island. We can be tagged as the work across landscapes and land tenure Board, National Parks, DEWNR or NRM. more effectively. The examples in this report Does it matter? Yes and no. We need to demonstrate this. help everyone understand what each term means, but more importantly, to ensure you The purpose of this report is to highlight know the good work we do on behalf of Natural Resources Kangaroo Island’s you, the community. achievements to you our community, through our local newspaper and our Natural Resources Kangaroo Island, a website. branch and region of the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, With Richard, I would like to share with you delivers on the priorities of the department a snap-shot of our achievements. and on the priorities of the Kangaroo Island Good reading! Natural Resources Management Board, a statutory authority comprising community Damian Miley members. The KI NRM Plan 2017–2027 Regional Director explains this arrangement more fully. Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Currently, funds come from the NRM levy, South Australian and Australian governments, and private investment and other entities.

Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 4 4 Looking back 2016–17 Welcome to Natural Resources Kangaroo Island’s »» on the Natural Resources Kangaroo Island annual achievements report for the financial Facebook page at year 2016–17. This report highlights some of the www.facebook.com/ key work undertaken and facilitated by Natural naturalresourceskangarooisland// Resources Kangaroo Island towards maintaining »» in our e-newsletter Kanga Tales at and enhancing Kangaroo Island’s beautiful natural www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/kangarooisland/ environment to sustain our resource base in the get-involved/Kanga_Tales_E-news long term while it supports industry and production. (please send an email to [email protected] to be added to the mailing list) Natural Resources Kangaroo Island works to deliver both the regional NRM plan for Kangaroo Island and »» on our website the DEWNR Corporate Plan 2016–2019. Business www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/kangarooisland plans are developed annually outlining prospective work. The NRKI website contains a wealth of information about the Island’s environment, our projects The past year’s work was delivered under the and programs, as well as news items and previous Kangaroo Island Natural Resources announcements, factsheets and reports that can be Management (KI NRM) Plan 2009–2019, but this downloaded. We are constantly working to update report aligns the year’s achievements with the goals and improve it. You are also welcome to drop in and objectives of the newly launched KI NRM Plan to the Natural Resources Centre at 37 Dauncey (the Plan) 2017–2027 to begin transitioning to this Street, Kingscote to chat to staff or pick up any of new plan. our brochures and factsheets. Finally, our popular Science in the Brewery sessions are a great way of We trust that you will enjoy reading about our work discovering more fascinating facts about the Island and hope you can follow it more often through our from our staff and guest speakers. social media posts: Maggies Photography H Groeffen C Wilson

5 Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 What are the plans we’re delivering on KI?

KI NRM Plan materials and energy for home, industry or travel, The Kangaroo Island NRM Plan provides a regional all of which are derived from natural resources. framework and guidance for everyone managing Together we are working towards a resilient future and deriving benefit from Kangaroo Island’s for the benefit of current and future generations. natural resources, as specified by the Natural Resources Management Act 2004. The Kangaroo DEWNR Corporate Plan The Department of Environment, Water and Natural Island community shaped this plan from the Resources Corporate Plan 2016–2019 outlines how bottom up and everyone is an important partner DEWNR will help South Australians to conserve, in its implementation. Implementing the Plan sustain and prosper. It reflects what DEWNR is about requires cooperation and collaboration between and sets the direction for the next three years. The all stakeholders, with financial and non‑financial Corporate Plan was shaped by staff, boards and investments from the community, private and public key partner organisations resulting in a strong and sectors. meaningful plan. The Plan is based on the best available science, The Corporate Plan outlines a series of priorities expert and local knowledge; and ongoing centred around four high level goals — responding monitoring, evaluation and improvement are to climate change, sustaining the state’s natural key elements in its implementation. The Plan resources, connecting people to nature, parks and sets the strategic direction and governance for places and managing water for the future. natural resources management on the Island and is supported by business and operational plans. 1. Taking action to address and adapt to our The community’s vision for Kangaroo Island was changing climate — South Australia is resilient crystallised into the Plan’s five goals: and adapting to the impacts of climate change. We are steadily moving towards our net zero 1. Kangaroo Island’s unique qualities and character emissions target. Adelaide is carbon neutral are protected and enhanced for the enjoyment and we have taken full advantage of economic and benefit of the community and visitors and opportunities presented by taking action on for future generations. climate change. 2. Kangaroo Island’s ecosystems are healthy and resilient, biodiversity loss is minimised and 2. Sustaining the natural resources of our state — ecosystems continue to deliver life-supporting our strong and healthy natural resource base services. supports diverse and resilient systems, a thriving economy and vibrant communities. 3. The Kangaroo Island community enjoys a high level of well-being, is resilient and connected. 3. Connecting people to nature, parks and places 4. Kangaroo Island prospers with a vibrant — people value South Australia’s natural economy that is based on sustainably managed environment and cultural assets and enjoy the natural resources, primary production and health and social benefits of parks. Sustainable, industry that underpins its brand value. nature-based tourism is flourishing, creating jobs and improving the economy. 5. The Kangaroo Island community uses an adaptive governance approach, learning 4. Managing water for the future — a sustainable and making decisions together, valuing all and fit for purpose supply of water is available knowledge types and sharing information freely. from a range of sources to support the health of the environment, industry, communities and the Responsibility for natural resources management economy. rests with everyone. We all rely on fresh air and clean water, and we all consume food, building

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7 Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 Connecting our achievements to the new KI NRM Plan Coming back from the brink of extinction

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Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 8 8 Goal 1

Kangaroo Island’s unique character and qualities are protected and enhanced for the enjoyment and benefit of the extended KI community, visitors and future generations

9 Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 63 km fossil KI Wilderness dig on Trail KI constructed 1

22 different species of 29 people have fossilised million $5.8 worked on animals found at invested by the dig from the KI dig government in the 4 different KI Wilderness Trail countries 3 presentations on fossils given to walkers completed the 110 people KI Wilderness Trail

514 million 1000s of fossils year old fossil found and 300 sent found to SA Museum

95% of walkers travelled to KI especially to complete the trail

Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 10 10 Launching the KI Wilderness Trail

Following a $5.8 million government investment, The KI business community has gained significant five years of planning and three years of benefit from the KIWT with four KI companies construction, the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail providing extensive services to walkers. Survey (KIWT) opened on 1 October 2016. The Premier results indicate that the average stay on KI is seven of South Australia, the Honorary Jay Weatherill, or more nights. 95% of walkers made a special trip officially launched the trail on 15 October after to KI to complete the trail and 50% had visited the walking the trail with his family. Since then Island before. Off-Island commercial tour operators 1,124 walkers have completed one of Australia’s specialising in walking tours have also completed great walks, recognised by Trip Advisor as one of the guided walking tours along the trail and are actively top three new visitor experiences in Australia. marketing future trips up to two years in advance.

The KIWT gives visitors a chance to walk some of New jobs have been created by the KIWT. Local the most remote and stunning coastline along the residents were employed to construct the new western and southern end of Kangaroo Island. The campground facilities and 63 km walking trail, and trail meanders through a diverse range of vegetation continue to be employed to maintain the trail and types and offers a chance to encounter wildlife with facilities. sightings including kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, snakes and goannas, and a diverse range of fungi, NRKI staff have been intimately involved in all orchids, and native flora species. The sounds of birds aspects of the trail planning and construction and are never far away. Both nocturnal and day-time now the operation of the trail. They look forward to species entertain and challenge identification, while welcoming you to the trail and ensuring you to have small insect eaters flit between bushes and raptors an outstanding experience. soar above. Funded through DEWNR with Walkers have given consistently positive »» Government of South Australia feedback on their experiences. The variety of trail »» Australian Government surfaces, campground facilities, natural beauty of the vegetation, spectacular scenery, wildlife observations, sense of isolation and the chance to get away from modern technology are the main highlights.

11 Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 Bringing culture and heritage to life

NRKI has been working with Aboriginal Nations, insects, centipedes and lobsters), sponges, molluscs, particularly the Ramindjeri Heritage Association, brachiopods (bivalved marine animals with a stalk who have ongoing ties to, or a presence on connecting them to the sea floor), and a range of Kangaroo Island. They are helping to identify ways worms, including annelids (bristle worms). These in which their rich culture and heritage can be fossiliferous rocks were deposited when Australia better promoted and shared with locals and visitors straddled the equator as part of the super-continent alike. Visitors to the Island have indicated they Gondwana, which also included Antarctica, South would enjoy greater opportunities to learn about America, Africa, Arabia and India. The soft-bodied Aboriginal culture when they visit KI, identifying fossils found in the Emu Bay Shale, are most similar this as a shortcoming in their experience. Potential to those found in southern China, indicating an initiatives include establishing a cultural centre, oceanic connection during the Cambrian. improving signage and interpretation, particularly at key sites, story‑telling, and heritage trails. Some of the best finds to date include the oldest arthropod compound eyes, revealing that complex NRKI has also been supporting the work of Dr Diego and powerful vision evolved rapidly in some of the Garcia-Bellido of the University of Adelaide, earliest animals. Professor John Paterson of the University of New England, and their South Australian Museum NRKI, Kangaroo Island Council and the research colleagues at the Emu Bay Shale fossil site. team, intend to make some of the fossil finds available for viewing in a permanent public The early Cambrian Emu Bay Shale — a exhibition in Kingscote. These initiatives 514 million‑year-old site — contains fossils with complement the story of Kangaroo Island’s rich and exceptional preservation, including soft tissues interesting history, dating back millions of years and such as muscles, guts, skin and eyes. It provides a including the Earth’s first animals. critical window into the Cambrian world by giving a glimpse of complete marine organisms and their Funded through DEWNR with communities. It is the only fossil site of this type »» Government of South Australia in the Southern Hemisphere. A range of fossils »» South Australian Museum that once lived in the marine environment have »» The University of Adelaide been found, including many invertebrates, like »» University of New England arthropods (the group that includes modern spiders,

Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 12 12 Goal 2

Kangaroo Island’s ecosystems are healthy and resilient, biodiversity loss is minimised and ecosystems continue to deliver life‑supporting services

13 Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 250 7 glossy black‑cockatoo stock crossings CROSSING constructed to nests protected from possums, feral improve water bees and corellas quality

11 rabbit prescribed burns ha sightings 75 undertaken over native 3 investigated vegetation 640 ha of protected public lands with 0 from stock rabbits found by 13.5 km fencing

feral goats and 0 deer detected 2 7 after searching 18,000 ha marine pests removed from 50 and 120 km of coastline by air boats and marine infrastructure

100 1600 ha tonnes of 11 ha of weeds feed lupins revegetated controlled found contaminated with 6078 with seedlings declared weed caltrop of 60 plant species

Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 14 14 Coming back from the brink of extinction

The five year Australian Government funded project, Without this support, activities such as the Connecting, enhancing and managing glossy revegetation and annual population census would black-cockatoo habitat, concluded in June 2017. not have been possible. The project began in 2012 and planted 27.5 ha of sheoak woodland feeding habitat with 14,525 tube In 2016, Greening Australia in conjunction with stock for glossy black-cockatoos. The project also Natural Resources Kangaroo Island and Natural built and installed 40 new artificial nest boxes, with Resources Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges, received assistance from the KI Green Army team. More than funding from the Australian Government’s 250 nests were protected from possum predation 20 Million Trees program to re-establish a further and invasion by feral bees and corellas each year. 170 hectares of glossy black-cockatoo habitat. This revegetation project aims to restore drooping Building on previous successes, this project is already sheoak woodland and eucalypt forest on both showing results with a population increase from Kangaroo Island and the Fleurieu Peninsula near fewer than 300 birds in 2011 to 373 individuals Cape Jervis. The rationale is that this will further in 2016. This highest count ever recorded follows increase the eastern Kangaroo Island flock and several years of positive population growth. provide ample food for their anticipated return to the mainland. In 2017 the project also recorded a nest success of 63%, much higher than the 20 year average In mid-2017, Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers of 49%. This is a good indication that nest responded to the KI NRM Board’s call for private protection methods, such as tree collars and feral investment into the program. Their generous bee deterrents, are working well. One of the big contribution for 2017–18 will support continuation success factors is the high level of community of vital possum exclusion work, to help breeding involvement. In total, volunteers have spent more success remain high for another year. The recovery than 3,100 hours in the past five years helping the program continues to seek further private project through tree planting, collaring nest trees investment to plant glossy black-cockatoo feeding with tin, and undertaking population monitoring. habitat and support the ongoing work of the This is equivalent to someone working full time for Friends of the Glossies group. more than 18 months! Funded through the KI NRM Board with Australian Government

15 Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 From the plateau to the sea

The seagrass habitats of Kangaroo Island’s sheltered Recovery and growth is slow and could take north coast support diverse communities of fish and decades before significant results are seen. invertebrates. Monitoring assesses how the health of seagrass habitats influences the productivity To assess the effectiveness of these actions, seagrass of coastal ecosystems, by linking the condition of sites are monitored using underwater video to seagrass in Nepean Bay to the number and types of measure changes in seagrass health. marine species found there. Fish communities are assessed using baited Seagrasses are heavily impacted by human activities. remote underwater video systems (BRUVS). This The greatest threat comes from agricultural runoff, standardised method is efficient, cost effective rich in nutrients and sediments, which flow into and non-extractive and can give information on rivers and out to sea. Kangaroo Island has not fish behaviour to understand how they use these been immune to these impacts, with past land habitats. management practices probably causing the loss of Seagrass monitoring shows that no further loss of 59% of seagrass meadows in Western Cove. seagrass has been detected in Nepean Bay since Work with land managers, such as replanting 2009. However, inshore seagrass meadows in native vegetation and fencing to protect riparian Western Cove remain in a poorer condition than vegetation, is helping to deliver on-ground actions. those further offshore. At sites where seagrass These activities help to improve water quality in meadows are healthier we are seeing a greater Cygnet River, which translates to healthier seagrass diversity of fish species. communities in Nepean Bay. There is still a long way to go to restore what has To complement these environmental improvements, been lost, but by continuing to improve the way we seagrass restoration techniques have been trialled manage land and conserve the marine environment, to identify ways in which this recovery can be we are taking important steps to recovery. accelerated. Seagrasses are extremely difficult Funded through the KI NRM Board with to propagate and success has been achieved by Australian Government transplanting shoots from healthy donor beds.

Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 16 16 Ditching the deer

The eradication of feral deer on Kangaroo Island The few remaining feral deer are being destroyed is nearing completion, but the last individuals are by a combination of spotlight shooting and deer proving difficult to destroy due to the rugged stalking. In the last year, one sterile male fallow remoteness of their location. deer was spotted and destroyed leaving only two known female fallow deer. The male was confirmed This collaborative project has both project staff and to be sterile from the lack of a scrotum or testes, land managers working towards the eradication supporting records of no breeding fallow deer since goal. The ‘dob in a deer’ campaign was successful, 2012. The population is now effectively unable to with land managers calling in sightings and working breed and on the cusp of eradication. with project staff to pinpoint locations accurately. Information shared by land managers has been of A land manager engagement program aimed great value, allowing deployment of remote wildlife at preventing new populations of feral deer cameras into areas reported to have deer presence. establishing includes annual deer fence inspections. Land manager engagement such as this enables Extensive monitoring activities rolled out throughout project staff to monitor domestic herds in 2016–17 include remote wildlife camera trapping accordance with the Kangaroo Island Domestic Deer and aerial surveys. Remote wildlife camera Policy. Two farms have destocked deer and one farm monitoring deploys 20 cameras over a 500 m grid still holds an individual old red deer. This is a positive spacing for 14 days. If feral deer are in the area their outcome for Kangaroo Island and the eradication presence is likely to be captured on the cameras. program. The use of cameras has helped determine the number of deer remaining, the areas they frequent, Please note: If you see a deer or know of a deer and how often, and has improved the efficiency of sighting on KI in the past 12 months please contact deer hunting operations. feral animal project officer Brenton Florance on 0427 618 304. Aerial surveys were conducted in early 2017 across 18,000 ha with no feral deer seen. The program Funded through the KI NRM Board with will maintain monitoring and control efforts before Australian Government announcing full eradication.

17 Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 Fire management activities by Natural Resources This burn was the first stage of a planned approach Kangaroo Island aim to minimise threats from to protect the quality of water in the reservoir from wildfires to people, property and the environment, the impacts of a wildfire. Once completed, this will and are guided by carefully developed fire provide protection into the future. management plans. Key components of the fire management program are preventative activities A second smaller prescribed burn was conducted suchReducing as prescribed burning and themechanical threat hazard in Flinders of Chasewildfire National Park in the onGosselands KI reduction, for example, around assets, and fire track to continue the work being undertaken to protect upgrade and maintenance. surrounding properties and prevent a wildfire leaving and entering the park. This prescribed burning has already effectively prevented a wildfire spreading into Seal Bay The largest prescribed burn was more than 600 ha Conservation Park. In January 2016 a fire began on in the Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection private land bordering Seal Bay Conservation Park Area. This burn was unbounded so local wind and and burnt toward a prescribed burn scar from 2013. geographical features were used to manage the The formerly burnt area effectively stopped the fire burn. The burn linked into past prescribed burns to spreading, minimising its impact and assisting the create a mosaic of large-scale landscape protection responding crew’s suppression activities. in the park.

In the 2016–17 season, the DEWNR fire crew Prescribed burning operations take considerable undertook three prescribed burns over 640 ha planning and consider fuel loads, environmental within DEWNR and SA Water managed lands. These values, weather conditions and resource prescribed burns protect the landscape by creating requirements. Burning operations use ground and strategically located, fuel-reduced areas, to limit the aerial ignition. Changing weather conditions can spread and impact of wildfires on communities and be particularly challenging and the fire ground is the environment. carefully monitored and patrolled by ground crew until the area is declared safe. Working with SA Water, the DEWNR fire crew successfully burnt a 30 ha area near the Middle Funded through DEWNR with River reservoir. Government of South Australia

Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 18 18 Goal 3

The Kangaroo Island community enjoys a high level of well-being, is resilient and connected

19 Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 648 students from 22 KICE classes 45 volunteers participated in 25 excursions with NRKI helped revegetate

7.5 ha of glossy black-cockatoo nest and feeding habitat land managers 50 land managers assisted with borrowed feral pig, cat 15 on-ground works incentive grants and peacock traps

34 volunteers monitored glossy nests and populations

over 527 hours

114 land managers and 4 community groups assisted with weed control 2 Green Army teams with 10 participants hosted KICE teachers engaged with 1320 seagrass 80 NRKI Student sprigs planted by Engagement community volunteers Program and KICE students over people attended 0.2 ha 5 field days about insects

Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 20 20 Weeding away caltrop

The higher summer rainfall over the past two Information about the weed was distributed years has promoted the growth and spread of through flyers, posters, newspaper articles and the declared weed caltrop on Kangaroo Island. Facebook, bringing an excellent response from the In urban areas this pest is a major burr weed that community. With cooperation from KI Council, infests lawns, roadsides, footpaths, sports fields the community, Penneshaw and Kingscote Golf and clearings. It is a low, sprawling plant that grows Club and Dudley United Football Club, new caltrop through summer and produces hard spiny fruit that infestations were identified, mapped and managed. attach easily to shoes, tyres and animals making it Project staff frequently visited the infestations over easily spread. The burrs can hurt people’s feet, even summer, spraying the larger invasions with herbicide through footwear, and can puncture bicycle tyres, and removing the smaller incursions by hand. making it a seasonal concern to sporting clubs, recreational users and councils. To date Kangaroo Island’s agricultural land has escaped caltrop invasions. However, a number Caltrop is also an agricultural weed, invading of farmers recently discovered caltrop seeds in cultivated summer crops, pastures and vineyards and 100 tonnes of lupins purchased from the mainland is easily spread in contaminated produce and by the for stock feed. Before that discovery, approximately movement of livestock, vehicles and soil. The plant 25 tons of the contaminated lupins were fed out is toxic to sheep and the prickly burrs contaminate to stock on five farms on the Island. Samples of the wool. The burrs are also a nuisance around farm stock feed found the lupins were contaminated by buildings and can be harmful to those handling 8–40 seeds per kilogram. Testing is being conducted sheep and working in vineyards. to test the viability of the seed and the feed sites will continue to be monitored with the help of farmers. Over the past 12 months several small caltrop infestations around Penneshaw and Kingscote have With continued awareness and management of been monitored and controlled by project staff. infestations we aim to curtail the spread of this These staff have successfully eradicated two of the declared plant on Kangaroo Island. caltrop infestations around Kingscote and with ongoing monitoring and control, significantly fewer Funded through the KI NRM Board with plants have been found at other sites. Government of South Australia

21 Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 Kangaroo Island’s outdoor classroom

In 2017, 80 KI Community Education (KICE) how seagrass is lost and what can be done about teachers were introduced to the NRKI Student it. Students identified different fish in underwater Engagement Program. The program aims to video footage from KI seagrass meadows. They also foster student appreciation, understanding of and planted 1,320 seagrass cuttings in the Encounter advocacy for KI’s natural environment. Through Marine Park (near the Kingscote Yacht Club) to help the program 22 classes (648 students) from the re-establish part of a lost seagrass meadow. three KICE campuses participated in 25 excursions, covering a range of topics including the KI feral cat For the first time, a four-week environmental eradication project, park management, weather film‑making project was delivered to 43 students and erosion, protecting KI wildlife, southern brown from three classes by the NRKI Marine Parks bandicoots, collecting seed, environmental weeds, Coordinator and Coast and Marine Team. Topics KI insects and protecting shorebirds. included the importance of the marine environment in South Australia’ how threatening processes As part of the program, two students participated impact on marine ecosystems’ and actions that can in a week of NRM work experience. Field excursions be taken to address these problems. Classroom with NRKI staff focused on sustainable production sessions finished with a boat excursion with KI activities, including on-farm pH mapping; Marine Adventures. Students visited sites around the propagating tube stock at the KI native plant Bay of Shoals sanctuary zone to take underwater nursery; pest plant and animal control; and working footage of marine life and learn about the habitats, alongside the KI Green Army monitoring weeds and plants and animals seen. Students then created a tracking feral cats. Students also spent time with website, a mobile phone app, or a short film to the Glossy Black-cockatoo Recovery Program team, educate others about the project. This project and checking nest boxes and installing tree guards to some of the final products were showcased in a protect glossies from wildlife competing for nesting presentation to Minister Hunter and Minister Close spaces and preying on eggs. as part of Country Cabinet held on Kangaroo Island in June 2017. The NRKI Catchment to Coast Program engaged year nine students from Kingscote campus in its Funded through DEWNR and the KI NRM Board seagrass monitoring and restoration activities, with which have been running for three years. Students »» Government of South Australia learnt about the importance of seagrass meadows, »» Australian Government

Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 22 22 Working with the Green Army

“It has been an extraordinary and memorable sites to establish a baseline of native biodiversity experience – in an extraordinary and memorable abundance before feral cat eradication. A variety place.” These were the words of a Green Army of weed identification, control and surveillance participant at their graduation ceremony. In skills were gained while controlling 126 ha of bridal 2016–17 NRKI hosted two Green Army teams creeper, Italian buckthorn, African boxthorn, sweet with Workskil Australia. The ten participants, aged pittosporum and one-leaf Cape tulip. Participants 17–24 years, developed skills through the program also learnt how to install interpretive signs in Baudin to improve habitat and protect nationally threatened Conservation Park with the Friends of Dudley and regionally significant species and ecological Peninsula Parks group. communities on KI, while studying a Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management. As well as the on-ground environmental outcomes achieved, the Green Army helped participants to The diverse work gave participants a variety of foster environmental stewardship, to connect with new skills. They learnt how to identify native the community while working with volunteers plants, collected 21 kg of seed, and planted native and community groups, and to develop an trees and shrubs to restore 17.5 ha of glossy understanding of the KI environment. Team black‑cockatoo nesting and feeding habitat. While members worked very well together and with removing 110 kg litter from 28 km of sensitive NRKI staff members, thanks to the dedication and coastal environments, they gained skills surveying support of their supervisor. As one participant and analysing data and an understanding of acknowledged the program has “opened the ‘Green recycling criteria, and the origin and impacts of litter Army’ window for us into endless environmental on fauna. and conservation possibilities – and the journey has been fantastic – it has changed our lives”. The teams worked closely with the KI Feral Cat Eradication Project learning how to humanely Funded through DEWNR and the KI NRM Board capture and handle feral animals while trapping with 13 feral cats. Participants also tracked radio »» Government of South Australia collared feral cats to gain an understanding »» Australian Government of seasonal changes in their home ranges and »» Workskil Australia landscape use. The teams were vital in helping to develop and monitor 14 biological survey

23 Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 The mesmerising world of insects

Natural Resources Kangaroo Island, working with Aenigmatineidae. It is a very small moth with a local entomologist Dr Richard Glatz, recently body only 5 mm long and metallic dark purple completed a project to raise awareness of the and/or gold forewings. Its discovery at a site on the importance of insects to the community and the Dudley Peninsula sparked an international scientific significance of the discovery of the enigma moth collaboration and received significant media (Aenigmatinea glatzella) on the Island. attention, yet few Kangaroo Island residents were aware of this discovery. The importance of insects in the environment is often undervalued, despite comprising more than This project surveyed three sites on the Dudley 90% of animal species on land and their essential Peninsula with stands of native pines (Callitris role in the web of life in every environment. They species) which the enigma moth depends on for are the pollinators, undertakers, leaf litter sweepers, food and nesting. Happily the surveys discovered an garbage collectors, soil conditioners and natural additional population. fertiliser producers of nature. About 80% of all flowering plants on earth are pollinated by insects, The project team promoted brochures and fact who improve the yields of 75% of crops and enable sheets and hosted field days and presentations to fruits, flowers and vegetables to grow and honey, raise community awareness and understanding beeswax and silk to be produced. Insects, such as about the importance of insects. Community termites, are key decomposers of dead wood and ‘Science in the Pub’ seminars presented by plant litter, enabling their nutrients to be recycled. Dr Richard Glatz at Kingscote and Parndana were Many insects are parasitic and their consumption well attended by 85 people. He also presented five of other insect species controls their populations. family field days at Kingscote, Penneshaw, Flinders Animals, including people, eat insects making them Chase National Park, Parndana and MacGillivray, an essential part of the food chain. However, some which 105 children and adults enjoyed. The project insects are agricultural pests, for example, locusts team also visited two classes at the KICE Kingscote feeding on crops, and aphids and thrips spreading campus to talk about Kangaroo Island insects. crop viruses. Funded through DEWNR with The enigma moth was first discovered on »» Government of South Australia Kangaroo Island in 2009 and is the only known »» Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife surviving member of the primitive moth family,

Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 24 24 Goal 4

Kangaroo Island prospers with a vibrant economy that is based on sustainably managed natural resources, primary production and industry that underpin its brand value

25 Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 Agricultural trials undertaken 96,720 over 200 ha of pastures and visitors visited 85 ha of crops KI parks with commercial tour operators

Integrated Pest 4300 Management trial vehicles from established on properties3 134 Dry sheep equivalent ferry services checked increased to high for biosecurity in AGKI incursions 20s Potential Farm trials

farming entities 21managing 18,700 ha introduced to best practises at 7 field days and 18 demonstrations KI artists assisted for SALA intertidal exhibition 92 land managers supported with best practise NRM commercial Soil tested tour operators over 10,645 ha 75 licensed to visit KI parks on 28 properties

Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 26 26 Keeping out the nasties

Visitors and returning community members Agricultural and earthmoving equipment is also underwent random vehicle biosecurity checks at the inspected and owners reminded about how they Cape Jervis SeaLink terminal throughout 2016–17 can reduce the likelihood of pests and diseases in the effort to strengthen biosecurity protection arriving on the Island by taking simple measures for Kangaroo Island. The checks serve to increase like checking and cleaning equipment. Recreational travellers awareness of the importance of biosecurity boats are scanned for marine pests and awareness for agricultural production and nature conservation raised about marine park no-fish zones. Livestock on the Island. The checks focused on restrictions coming to the Island is checked in accordance with on importation of honey and used beekeeping the National Vendor Declarations and associated equipment, dirty potatoes, declared weeds and health certificates. animal pests. A few unusual items have been checked or stopped Extensive efforts to promote the Island’s biosecurity from entering the Island, including a salvation Jane requirements in the tourism sector, agricultural plant (declared weed) in a pot, a bag of blackberry industries and community have proven successful, cuttings, a few bags of potatoes covered in soil, as there has been a noticeable increase in awareness which the owner duly washed in the bathroom and understanding. Additional signage on the to ensure they complied, a few unusual animals Cape Jervis road, along with new signage and including ten snakes for a display, pet birds and amnesty bins at the Cape Jervis SeaLink Terminal, plenty of excited dogs heading over on holidays! have greatly helped stop risk items coming to the Island and reinforced how important it is to protect SeaLink staff have been very supportive in agricultural industries and the environment from promoting biosecurity and helping passengers who unwanted pests and diseases. Many travellers, were keen to be rejoined with their surrendered particularly those from overseas, are intrigued by honey after leaving Kangaroo Island. The random the requirements – especially when asked if they are checks will continue for the foreseeable future. carrying any rabbits or foxes! Funded through the KI NRM Board with Australian Government The number of honey products surrendered has noticeably decreased. Early on, honey was found in every twelfth vehicle, now it has dropped to one lot of honey for every 50 vehicles.

27 Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 Keeping commercial tour operators up to date

NRKI has been working with KI’s commercial tour NRKI facilitates the distribution of information from operators (CTOs) to ensure they are up to date these presentations to CTOs. with what is happening in parks and the work of NRKI. This information gives CTOs a wealth of CTOs have also participated in a range of field trips, information to pass on to their clients, helping them learning about echidnas with Peggy Rismiller, the to take advantage of any nature based tourism important of biosecurity, insects with Richard Glatz, opportunities that may be coming up, and allowing and glossy black-cockatoos with Karleah Berris. them to raise any issues of concern or interest. The CTOs were also given a taste of the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail, starting with the orientation CTOs are valuable partners for NRKI. 75 different video to highlight both safety issues and tips for companies are registered to visit the Island’s parks enjoying the five day trail. The group walked several each year. They bring visitors who may not be keen sections of the trail to get a sense of the scenery, to travel by themselves, increasing the diversity diverse vegetation and trail surfaces that walkers of people who can explore and enjoy our special experience. Time spent at the new campsites gave environment, and using their interpretive skills and a good understanding of the facilities available for specialist knowledge to ensure that visitors have an walkers. The day finished with discussions on how experience that is both exciting and memorable. the KIWT could be incorporated into the CTO’s CTOs cater for a diverse market ranging from the product range and the process required to be one-on-one personalised tour to larger groups of registered as a KIWT provider. people travelling together. Working in conjunction with the South Australian Two meetings are held each year to enable Tourism Commission, NRKI helps CTOs increase two‑way feedback between operators and NRKI on awareness of the Island’s parks by providing operational issues. At least two speakers are invited $30,000 worth of free entry into Flinders Chase to speak at each meeting on a range of topics, National Park for media and trade familiarisation including scientific research, to ensure that everyone visits. is using accurate, up to date and consistent messages and information. Some of the topics Funded through DEWNR with recently covered included feral cat eradication, Government of South Australia Australian sea lions, little penguins and the Emu Bay fossils.

Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 28 28 Improving soil health and productivity

Many Kangaroo Island soils are naturally acidic and and the unavailability of products when they were NRKI’s Sustainable Production Program has been needed. The trials were promoted through field days working to raise awareness of agricultural practices and demonstrations, introducing these practices that reduce soil acidity, for example the application to 21 farming entities managing 18,700 ha of KI’s of lime. The program has supported soil testing mixed farming enterprises, the SA Parliament’s over 10,645 ha across 28 properties and has trialled Natural Resources Committee, South Australian rapid pH mapping over 1,860 ha on ten properties Research and Development Institute (SARDI) to enable a variable rate of lime application on these scientists, and local and mainland agronomists. properties. In February the program brought world renowned The program has also been raising awareness of regenerative agriculture practitioner, Joel Salatin, different farming practices to improve soil health to Kangaroo Island. Joel presented two seminars and fertility through the AGKI Potential Farm trial, to regional policy makers and the community a partnership between four land managers, NRKI, and a field day which was attended by 77 local Agriculture Kangaroo Island (AgKI), PIRSA and and mainland farmers. He then presented at the KI Agvet Services, now in its third year. The trial is Scratching the Surface: Soil biology in Agriculture being conducted over 200 ha of pastures and 85 ha Forum near Strathalbyn, the proceedings of which of crops. Trial results demonstrate how rotational are available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_ grazing, with perennial grasses and summer cover qs97VrO0Q. Joel’s visit has created an interest in cropping, supplies year round groundcover that regenerative agriculture within mainstream farming improves soil organic levels in grazing and cropping on KI. The KI Regrarians group has been established systems. with 50 land managers and industry influencers, to explore and promote regenerative agriculture, In the grazing trial, carrying capacities have innovations and opportunities on KI. increased from a KI average of 12–15 DSE to the mid to high 20s, peaking at 36 DSE during lambing. Funded through the KI NRM Board with Groundcover and litter has been maintained or »» Australian Government increased at all sites, despite the increased stocking »» Government of South Australia rates. Results varied in the cropping trials, with »» Agriculture Kangaroo Island some record tonnages grown, while other yields »» KI AgVet Services were below average due to poor soil condition

29 Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 Rounbd Rock Garden Working with nature to manage pests

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) uses native and Kangaroo Island’s well vegetated agricultural introduced insects and cultural control to reduce landscape should also provide a ready source of insecticide applications and apply insecticides in a refuges, particularly where shrubs, grasses or way that impacts on the pests and not their natural groundcovers are diverse and contain the flowering predators and beneficial insects such as pollinators. plants these insects require. Some introduced plants This reduces pest control costs for the farmer and also provide refuges. Ground dwelling predators harm to the environment and human health. (beetles, spiders, mites) can reside in pastures and crops, particularly those under no or minimum till, IPM is already being taken up by the Island’s and exert year round pressure as they progressively seed potato industry and Kangaroo Island’s well build up their populations. vegetated agricultural landscape should provide a ready source of predators. NRKI has therefore The trial has been established on three farming established a trial to determine IPM’s positive properties. The first samples taken show low pest impact in broadacre cropping and grazing systems. numbers and higher than expected predatory insect Important pest predators include lacewings, lady populations at some sites. An email network and beetles and syrphid flies. Often the larvae of information exchange has been established with these species are the predators and the adults are IPM projects in three Victorian NRM regions. The pollinators. network can share discoveries and determine if results are consistent across regions and how the Parasitic wasps and ground dwelling beetles method can be applied more broadly. and spiders can also be effective predators. Understanding how these insects behave in crops With insecticide resistance being reported in some and pastures may enable the modification of aphids and red legged earth mites in other regions, other control options to enhance the effect of options to reduce the use of insecticides, such as the predators, further reducing control costs and IPM, are becoming increasingly important. off‑target damage. Funded through the KI NRM Board with IPM works best where predators and parasites have Australian Government refuges from which they can migrate into crops and pastures to feed and lay eggs and establish resident populations.

Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 30 30 Goal 5

The Kangaroo Island community uses an adaptive governance approach, learning and making decisions together, valuing all knowledge types and sharing information freely

31 Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 30 baited remote underwater 373 video systems glossy deployed to monitor black-cockatoos seagrass fish counted in 2016 census communities

watercourse 224 video and riparian transects filmed 50 zone shapes to assess seagrass surveyed condition at Nepean Bay sites trial conducted 10 using drones to monitor koala numbers 1 in forestry plantations 14 surveys completed of feral cats tracked over ha macroinvertebrates 3,500 around Pelican Lagoon to determine in watercourses home range and landscape use

marine pest surveys 16 undertaken at high risk sites studies9 into spatial1 model 5 feral cat developed to behaviour, better target impacts and koala management control in high priority native techniques vegetation undertaken

Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 32 32 Investigating feral cats on KI

In order to eradicate feral cats from Kangaroo library of all individual cats has been developed; Island, information is needed to improve our the team can identify different cats based on their understanding of a number of issues. NRKI’s Feral coat patterns. The camera data is also being used to Cat Eradication Project therefore captured 33 feral monitor native wildlife in the study area. cats in the Dudley Peninsula study area and fitted with them with GPS and VHF radio transmitters. Audio, visual and olfactory lures have been trialled A mix of sexes and ages has been studied, including in conjunction with camera trapping, as has the concurrent monitoring of the movements of extensive non-toxic baiting. A feral cat detection adult female cats and their kittens. Data is showing dog has been trained and is currently being tested some seasonal movement of feral cats, but most in areas containing radio collared feral cats to see if cats have well defined home ranges, which are it can detect them. Extensive non-lethal trials with much smaller than previous studies on the Island the Felixer grooming trap are evaluating the trap’s indicated. The different coloured dots on the map accuracy in identifying feral cats from native wildlife. above shows the movements of 12 different feral Native fauna and introduced rodents have been cats. studied through extensive fauna monitoring across Investigations have also shown a high mortality sites on the Dudley Peninsula and western Kangaroo rate for cats from vehicle collisions. Some cats Island. This monitoring deployed pitfall, Elliot, spend considerable time along roadsides; other cats cage and camera traps, and conducted track and stay away from roads altogether. Data has been scat searches and bird surveys. The data collected gathered on the most common maternal den sites provides a baseline of feral cat prey abundance on for female cats in the study area, as well as the fine either side of the Dudley Peninsula isthmus before scale habitat usage by different cats. eradication begins on the Dudley. Allied research into the occurrence and impacts of the cat-spread In the past 12 months the project team has diseases, sarcosporidiosis and toxoplasmosis, is undertaken remote camera monitoring of cage underway, as these diseases impact on both sheep trap trials, to evaluate the effectiveness of a variety production and native wildlife. of cage traps and non-toxic baits through the seasons. Extensive camera trapping grids have Funded through the KI NRM Board with been established in the study area to monitor both »» Australian Government collared and non‑collared feral cats. An image »» Kangaroo Island Council

33 Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 Understanding KI’s freshwater ecosystems

Kangaroo Island Natural Resources Management Vegetation: The presence or absence of particular Board initiated a five year study involving NRKI staff, species of aquatic and riparian vegetation helps community members and experts in the fields of explain salinity, frequency of inundation and aquatic ecology and hydrology. The Environmental other aspects of the flow regime. The location of Assessment of Water Management Options vegetation species along each elevation transect for Kangaroo Island study seeks to inform the was captured by estimating the percentage cover development of sustainable water take limits for KI. within 1 m by 1 m quadrats. 32 vegetation surveys The project will do this in two stages: were completed in 2016–17. 1. through an ecological monitoring program to Macro-invertebrates: The presence or absence gather data on the water dependent ecosystems of sensitive macro-invertebrates is good indicator of the Island of water quality and the flow regime. The method 2. by analysing that data to establish used to collect macro-invertebrates was from the hydro‑ecological response models and using Environment Protection Authority. A combined these to understand the risks to the aquatic and 10 m sweep was conducted for each pool and riffle riparian flora and fauna of the Island. habitat (if present). 14 macro-invertebrate surveys were completed in 2016–17. The data gathered on water dependent ecosystems in 2016–17 fits into four categories. Water quality: Water quality parameters measured Watercourse shape: This is a key variable in include electrical conductivity (salinity), dissolved the modelling process determining flow level oxygen, turbidity, pH and nutrient concentrations. relationship and habitats available for aquatic and Such information helps explain the aquatic and riparian flora and fauna. Fifty surveys recorded riparian flora and fauna community, the usefulness the cross-sectional shape of the watercourse and of the water to land managers and the impact of riparian zone by measuring the location points of production practices on water quality. inflection along transect runs perpendicular to the watercourse and also along the watercourse. Funded through the KI NRM Board with Government of South Australia

Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 34 34 Managing an abundant koala population

Natural Resources Kangaroo Island managed koalas A major review and reform process is now on the Island for around 20 years to mitigate underway at the state level to address critical over‑browsing impacts. knowledge gaps and explore new strategies and technologies for managing over-abundant koala More than 12,700 koalas have been sterilised and populations. Researchers have been investigating about 3,800 of these translocated to their historic the feasibility of using drones to count koalas in range in the South East of South Australia, making KI’s blue gum plantations. A more sophisticated it one of the largest fertility control projects in spatial model is also being developed to indicate the world. In addition, koala numbers and tree high priority areas where koala numbers are above condition are monitored regularly to determine sustainable densities and where management the effectiveness of the project and to inform efforts should be focused. The model will also management on priority areas for sterilisation. include information relating to koala movement between vegetation units. New fertility control A koala census is undertaken every five years methods being investigated include contraceptive and in 2010 the population was estimated at hormone implants, which may prove to be a more 13,000 koalas, down from 27,000 in 2001. efficient and cost-effective way of reducing the However, the 2015 census results, which included koala population. a count in the blue gum plantations for the first time, showed that koala numbers have significantly The project continues to liaise and share increased since 2010, most probably due to information, with scientists in Victoria who are favourable climatic conditions and additional habitat battling to manage growing koala populations in the form of blue gum plantations. in the south-west of the state. Knowledge from Kangaroo Island is also being shared with Despite the recent increase in koala numbers on the other South Australian regions where koala Island, census data and tree condition monitoring over‑abundance is an emerging issue. indicate that densities have decreased and tree condition has improved in areas where management Funded through DEWNR with efforts have been focused. Government of South Australia

35 Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 Rick Dawson Seeking private investment in NRM

Recognising that its traditional sources of funding and businesses, who are particularly keen to partner are declining, the KI NRM Board is now looking for on the project because of the impact that feral corporate and private sponsorships and donations cats have on sheep production through spreading to ensure the Island’s priority NRM projects can be sarcocystis and toxoplasmosis. implemented. These efforts have already borne fruit. The NRKI team developed and promoted To ensure transparency, accountability and the a Glossy‑black Cockatoo Recovery Program appropriate governance of such investments, the investment prospectus early in 2017 and as the Board has developed a Sponsorships and Donations project was about to close down, Kangaroo Island Policy to guide its decision making, ensure the Plantation Timbers stepped in with a generous integrity of the Board is beyond reproach, and that sponsorship of $72,500 for the 2017–18 financial sponsors and donors are dealt with in a consistent year. This will ensure core activities, including fashion. This policy is available for viewing on the nesting box maintenance and tree protection, can NRKI website. At this stage the Board is partnering continue. Because glossy black numbers are still with Nature Foundation South Australia, which relatively low and active intervention is still needed receives and disburses the funds in accordance to increase their population, additional funding with project objectives. Nature Foundation South is critical for their ongoing recovery. The recovery Australia also issues tax deductible receipts to program is also crucially supported by the efforts of donors and sponsors who meet the Australian Tax the Friends of the Glossies community group, who Office’s requirements. assist with a range of activities. In the coming year, the Board will be looking to A prospectus has also been developed and expand its investment prospectus and also identify promoted to raise funding for the Feral Cat other innovative means of raising the funding that is Eradication Project. A private donation of $1,000 needed to deliver the NRM outcomes that Kangaroo has been received. Softfoot Marsupial Sanctuary is Island is seeking. also partnering with the Board to erect and equip Funded through the KI NRM Board with the feral cat exclusion fence that will straddle »» Nature Foundation South Australia the isthmus and facilitate the eradication of feral »» Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers cats from Dudley Peninsula. The Board is also in »» Softfoot Marsupial Sanctuary discussions with various agricultural industry groups

Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 36 36 Looking forward

Implementing the new Kangaroo Island Natural Resources Management Plan 2017–2027 Kangaroo Island Brand Alliance

37 Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 What’s different about What are the KI NRM the new KI NRM Plan? Board’s priorities?

The KI NRM Plan 2017–2027 adopts a resilience Section 8 of the KI NRM Plan 2017–2027 outlines thinking and systems based approach, recognising the objectives and strategies aligned with the Plan’s the integrated nature of the environment, culture, five goals, together with the leads and key partners society and the economy, and the complex identified for each strategy. The KI NRM Board’s relationships between these different factors. Better immediate focus is to secure funding to implement understanding these relationships and key drivers of priority strategies, particularly where it has a lead change may allow us to take more targeted action role to play. Many of the Board’s current programs to shift systems towards more desirable states. and projects, which are funded under the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, will The previous KI NRM Plan 2009–2019 was draw to a close at the end of this financial year and developed using program logic and an assets based funding needs to be sourced for future programs approach. The work undertaken gave a solid and and projects. The Board’s review of Section 8 of the systematic base to work from in developing the new Plan has identified strategies of high importance Plan and the logic it captured remains relevant and because they have island-wide impacts/implications useful. and addressing them will have multiple, cascading benefits for the environment, the community, The new Plan places a greater emphasis on natural industry or multiple sectors. These immediate resources management being the joint responsibility priorities are discussed below. of all stakeholders with leads and key partners identified for all its strategies. This requires greater Sustainability indicators cooperation and collaboration between all parties in synergising efforts and ensuring efficient delivery. Collaboration is needed across the community, The Plan has a strengthened focus on climate non‑government organisations, the private sector change, in both regional mitigation and adaptation and government agencies to preserve the Island’s activities. There is no doubt that climate change unique character and appeal, and ensure that poses a significant challenge and that our current land‑use and development are sustainable, and level of understanding is inadequate to prepare us resource constraints are properly identified and for what is likely to come or our response to it. accounted for. KI is considered to be ‘the jewel in the crown’ of South Australia from a tourism The adaptive governance and management perspective and is under development pressure on approach of the new Plan is necessary in this a number of fronts. The Office of the Commissioner complex and changing environment. Adaptive for Kangaroo Island is leading the development of governance is the process of making decisions in Sustainability Indicators for Kangaroo Island. The complex settings under uncertainty and learning KI NRM Board is collaborating in their development and refining by doing. Creating good, adaptive to ensure that environmental, cultural, social and governance processes that use all forms of economic factors are considered in an integrated knowledge, are inclusive of stakeholders over fashion to inform appropriate trade-offs and to time as experience and knowledge is gathered, ensure that cumulative impacts are considered to is a cornerstone of meeting future challenges for avoid ‘death by a thousand cuts’. The Island can Kangaroo Island. Our community has a wealth of position itself as a leader in this regard, particularly capacity to draw on to make decisions about the by coupling this initiative with piloting a more future of our natural resources and we need to put suitable way of measuring wellbeing and progress this to good use. than gross domestic product.

Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 38 38 Bioregional planning Objectives of the plan will include: Allied to the development of sustainability indicators »» conserve biodiversity and minimise species is the need to develop a spatial planning product loss (e.g. reduce fragmentation and establish for threatened species and ecological communities, corridors, protect refugia and high value or sensitive and stressed ecosystems, and the sensitive areas) implications of climate change (e.g. sea level rise »» maintain or restore ecosystem processes and habitat retreat) to inform the Kangaroo Island (e.g. gene flow, fire) and address issues such as Development Plan and Department of Planning, salinisation, waterlogging, flooding, etc Transport and Infrastructure’s Structure Plan for the Island to ensure the proactive consideration of these »» reduce stressors and threats (e.g. weeds) issues in planning and land use decision making. »» identify priority landscapes for revegetation and restoration Systematic landscape conservation »» optimise the co-benefits of native vegetation planning and threat assessment (e.g. windbreaks, pest suppression) to the This work aims to identify and prioritise threat Island’s economy, particularly tourism and management actions and build on DEWNR’s agriculture Regional Species Conservation Assessment Project. »» identify and address practical and policy barriers A key issue is improving understanding about the to vegetation management tools (e.g. ecological anticipated impacts of climate change on different burning by land managers) species and ecosystems and identifying ways to facilitate adaptation. The output will inform land »» establish mechanisms for the coordinated use planning, development proposals, and any management of native vegetation on the Island management plans developed by local agencies, »» influence the way native vegetation is managed industry and landholders. Further projects or in bushfire prone areas to minimise destruction interventions could be identified by this work. of native vegetation while meeting legislative requirements and reducing risk Regional vegetation management »» ensure adequate understanding of, and plan appreciation for, the benefits delivered by native A regional vegetation management plan vegetation on the Island. would facilitate the proactive and coordinated management of native vegetation on Kangaroo Developing the plan will require an inclusive process Island by responsible agencies and land managers to ensure all stakeholders can share their knowledge through a tenure-blind ‘whole of landscape’ and raise the challenges they face in managing approach to achieve desired environmental, cultural, native vegetation, to ensure the plan is fit for social and economic outcomes. purpose and widely supported.

39 Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 Kangaroo Island Brand Alliance Kangaroo Island Conservation Trust domestic and business/industry needs, adaptive and innovative water management and conservation, Given declining funding, establish a Kangaroo Island and improving freshwater quality. Conservation Trust (or other suitable legal vehicle) to receive and administer donations from visitors, philanthropists, corporations and other public Pest and disease control and private agencies for biodiversity and cultural Management of Weeds of National Significance, conservation activities in accordance with the environmental weeds and ferals such as peacocks regional NRM plan. Such a trust will be governed (eradication) and pigs (control), needs to be by key Island stakeholders and be able to disburse investigated to consider if changes in approach are funds to all eligible entities undertaking work to needed due to climate change. deliver on the regional NRM plan, including local community and industry groups. Biosecurity (terrestrial and marine) The Biosecurity Strategy for Kangaroo Island Feral cat eradication 2017–2027 will develop and implement robust Work is already underway on the trials phase of the quarantine systems, community surveillance and Kangaroo Island Feral Cat Eradication Project. Once reporting and emergency response plans. It aims to the trails phase is complete, project work will try to build awareness and understanding, and strengthen eradicate feral cats from Dudley Peninsula, providing domestic animal management. Emerging and future eradication is shown to be feasible. Eradication threats due to climate change must be explored, efforts can only be successful in this long-term understood and prepared for. project with significant community engagement. Connecting community to nature Koala management (DEWNR lead) This program would further current work, seeking Koala populations on the Island need to be to improve community wellbeing through building managed to reduce their negative environmental understanding of and connection to nature, building impact and continue to explore new and improved social resilience (preparing for climate change), koala management options. supporting environmental education and career choice, enabling youth leadership and development, Freshwater management NRM volunteer expansion and management, and building capacity for business and household Water resources management will become sustainability. increasingly critical as the climate dries and rainfall becomes more erratic and intense, and as development and population pressures increase. Key considerations are understanding and preserving appropriate environmental flows while meeting

Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 40 40 Local landscape planning and soil health, working with natural systems/processes action to increase production and farm-gate profitability, integrated pest management, carbon sequestration Local landscape action plans across the Island and greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and would build environmental and social resilience encouraging farm stewardship to build natural and address local priority issues, especially those capital and promote access to discerning customers. that require coordination between land managers and a social process for their resolution (e.g. weed Knowledge management and management). It will facilitate local decision making and group learning, develop local NRM governance skills and capacity, use local knowledge, and build An applied research prospectus would address key cooperation and collaboration between all parties. knowledge gaps and build a KI discovery circle and/ or knowledge hub. It would help understanding of Building agricultural resilience system dynamics and key threatening processes. NRM information and knowledge that is accessible Primary production is the predominant land use and relevant should be appropriately managed and on the Island and is a key industry. Appropriate shared. The program would establish mechanisms farming systems and practices can build the to facilitate individual and collective learning to health and resilience of ecosystems (particularly improve and devolve decision making. soil) and support food security in the future. Farm stewardship and building natural capital is of increasing interest to banks and government. The How will this work be KI brand presents a positive opportunity for industry. Moving from the production of commodities funded? to branded, value-added products offers many benefits and the barriers to such a transformation Natural Resources Kangaroo Island is currently need to be understood and addressed where funded by multiple sources including the possible. Innovation and the trialling and uptake Government of South Australia, Australian of appropriate new technologies needs to be Government, NRM Levy, non-government encouraged. Key themes for this program include organisations and private investment. building knowledge and capacity, building The KI NRM Board receives funding from the resilience and facilitating adaptation to climate NRM levy and additional funding from the South change, promoting regenerative agriculture and Australian and Australian governments.

41 Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 This funding supports the implementation of the The Board is currently preparing applications for NRM Plan, including projects and activities to funding under the National Landcare Program 2 maintain and improve the condition of the region’s and is working with its regional partners to build natural resources and encourage their sustainable a convincing, coordinated approach with a strong use. The NRM levy makes a small but important emphasis on collaboration between all regional contribution to managing and protecting the Island’s stakeholders. The Board will increasingly be looking natural assets. The levy is collected from Kangaroo for innovative ways (e.g. philanthropic donations, Island ratepayers by local government on behalf of crowd-funding) to raise funds and finance the NRM the Board and contributes towards the control of work that is required in the region (see case study priority pest plants and animals, and water resources on page 34). management. As levy income is small, the Board depends on supplementary funding from the South Australian and Australian governments. Working better together

Funding will be received from the Australian Kangaroo Islanders are fortunate to live in a Government through a performance accreditation peaceful, healthy and secure environment with a process and competitive bids or tender process. This welcoming and supportive community. However, means funding will only be allocated to the Board we are not alone in facing a number of challenges if it meets the Australian Government’s governance in an increasingly complex and fast-changing standards. In the past, the Board has submitted world. Resources that were previously available are funding applications to the National Landcare declining. At the same time knowledge is growing Program, including priority areas such as Regional and innovations are expanding exponentially, and Delivery, Regional Landcare Facilitators, Environment we need to position ourselves to take advantage of Stewardship, Biodiversity Fund, small grants, these opportunities. 20 Million Trees Program, and the Green Army. Building community social resilience is paramount if There are no guarantees that funding applications we are to survive and thrive in these difficult times. will be successful and the Board is obliged to design We need to work together and learn together, projects that fit with the Australian Government’s trialling new ideas and new ways of doing things. priorities and themes, rather than being able to We need to encourage cohesion, cooperation and wholly determine its own priorities for funding. collaboration wherever possible, finding ways to Boards that receive a more substantial income from ensure common understanding and purpose so their levies than the KI NRM Board, have more that we can achieve our vision and aspirations, for funding available to spend at their own discretion. ourselves and our children.

Working together Natural Resources Kangaroo Island Achievement Report 2016–17 42 42 Contact Natural Resources Kangaroo Island 37 Dauncey Street Kingscote SA 5223 T (08) 8553 4444 F (08) 8553 2531 E [email protected] W www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/kangarooisland