EYRE PENINSULA NRM PLAN Draft Strategic Plan for the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Region 2017 - 2026 PAGE 1 MINISTER’S ENDORSEMENT I, Honourable Ian Hunter MLC, Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, after taking into account and in accordance with the requirements of Section 81 of the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 hereby approve the Strategic Plan of the Eyre Regional Natural Resources Management Region. n/a until adoption Honourable Ian Hunter MLC Date: Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation Document control Document owner: Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board Name of document: Strategic Plan for the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Region 2017-2026 Authors: Anna Pannell, Nicole Halsey and Liam Sibly Version: 1 Last updated: Monday, 28 November, 2016 FOREWORD On behalf of the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board (the Board), I am delighted to present our Strategic Plan for statutory consultation. The Strategic Plan is a second generation plan, building upon 2009 plan. Our vision remains - Natural resources managed to support ecological sustainability, vibrant communities and thriving enterprises in a changing climate The Strategic Plan is designed to be the “Region’s Plan”, where we have specifically included a range of interests and values in Natural Resources Management (NRM). The Board used a participatory approach to develop the plan, which allowed us to listen to and discuss with local communities, organisations and businesses about the places and issues of importance. This approach has built our shared understanding, broadened our perspectives and allowed us to capture a fair representation of the region’s interests and values. For those of you who offered your thoughts, I am greatly appreciative of the time and consideration you provided us. It does not end there though, as it is merely the beginning of a conversation that the Board wants to continue with you. Continuing this conversation will lead us to collectively putting our words into actions as NRM is a shared responsibility and we all have a role to play. This plan is not prescriptive instead it provides the strategic direction to overcome the challenges ahead. This approach is attempting to lay the foundations to explore future opportunities and develop partnerships to achieve beneficial outcomes for the Region. We hope that it evokes conversation about progressing NRM actions, and I look forward to future discussions with you. You will notice this Strategic Plan is centred on the triple bottom line - focusing on our outdoor lifestyles, our productive livelihoods, and our beautiful landscapes that we and our natural resources call home. These interests are integrated and reflected in the Strategic Plan’s vision and goals, and will remain at the forefront of the Board’s decision making. Integrating social, economic and environmental interests in decision making is an intricate balance that requires ongoing conversation and deliberation. We will continue to do this as we know it is critical for the success of the region. We are confident this plan will put us in good stead to strengthen our region’s sustainability into the future. I would like to finish by acknowledging the individuals, communities, organisations and businesses that continue to contribute to the Eyre Peninsula and NRM. Your efforts are greatly appreciated, and I look forward to working with you to shape our future. Diana Laube Presiding Member of the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board Page i ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY The Barngarla, Nauo, Wirangu, Kokatha and Mirning people are the traditional custodians of Eyre Peninsula and have been for thousands of years. The Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board acknowledges and respects the traditional owners of Eyre Peninsula. We acknowledge elders past and present, and we respect the relationship Aboriginal peoples have to country. This draft Strategic Plan seeks to support Traditional Owners, Aboriginal people and Aboriginal organisations’ involvement in the management of land, sea and water. This includes recognising the relationship between Aboriginal culture and natural resources, and incorporating Aboriginal knowledge of natural resources into decision making. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you to the people and organisations that helped develop this Strategic Plan. It is greatly appreciated, and the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board looks forward to continuing conservations and embarking upon the required actions. A special thank you to the Australian Government for their generous funding, which made the development of the plan possible. The Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board would like to thank the ongoing efforts of the community, volunteers, landholders and businesses who care for and maintain our beautiful Region. Sleepy lizard Page ii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This Strategic Plan sets the direction for the Eyre Peninsula’s community and stakeholders to collectively manage our natural resources over the next ten years. Community engagement has underpinned the preparation of this Strategic Plan. A range of activities were undertaken to identify what is valued on the Eyre Peninsula, and identify the opportunities to maintain these values. The land, sea and water are deeply valued by the community as they recognised that natural resources underpin their wellbeing and the viability of our agricultural, seafood and tourism industries. It was also identified that we must collectively manage these resources sustainably to ensure the Region continues to prosper. The Strategic Plan has also been prepared by applying a subregional planning approach, where efforts were directed to understand the subtleties of the Eyre Peninsula. This approach has described the different landscapes and seascapes, lifestyles and livelihoods that exist across the Eyre Peninsula; and identified the key challenges and opportunities for natural resources management (NRM) within each subregion. The identified opportunities have been grouped together to form the eight Strategic Priorities (see Figure 1), and they will guide future projects and partnerships. Figure 1 – Vision, Goals and Strategic Priorities Page iii CONTENTS Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................. iii Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................1 Structure of the plan and supporting documents ..................................................................................................... 2 Approach to prepare the Plan .................................................................................................................................... 3 Understanding the region .........................................................................................................................4 Landscapes and seascapes ......................................................................................................................................... 7 Livelihoods ................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Lifestyles ....................................................................................................................................................................10 Past, Present and Future ....................................................................................................................... 11 The Past .....................................................................................................................................................................11 Present Condition and Trends of Natural Resources ..............................................................................................13 Future Drivers ............................................................................................................................................................15 Strategic Framework.............................................................................................................................. 18 Strategic Priorities .....................................................................................................................................................20 Regional Priorities .....................................................................................................................................................26 Appendix A - Subregional Descriptions .................................................................................................. 27 Spencer subregion ....................................................................................................................................................28 Central Eyre subregion .............................................................................................................................................37 Southern Eyre ............................................................................................................................................................45 Musgrave subregion .................................................................................................................................................53 Far West.....................................................................................................................................................................60