Working together Achievements 2014–2015 Contents Foreword 4 Leading natural resources management 5 Measuring performance 7 Managing water 9 Managing land condition 11 Managing island parks 13 Managing Seal Bay 15 Managing coasts and seas 17 Managing biodiversity 19 Managing fire 21 Managing threatened plants 23 2015© Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources Managing glossy black-cockatoos 25 ISBNs Printed: 978-1-921595-19-6 On-line: 978-1-921595-20-2 Managing feral animals 27 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. Managing koalas 29 Reproduction for purposes other than those given above requires the prior written permission of the Kangaroo Island Natural Resources Management Board. Managing weeds 31 All images within this document are credited to Natural Resources Kangaroo Island unless stated otherwise. Working with volunteers 33 Front cover image: Ivy Male helps Heiri Klein to plant glossy black-cockatoo habitat. Working with junior primary students 35 Back cover image: Green carpenter bee. Working with primary students 37 Work outlined in this document is funded by: Working with land managers 39 1 2 2 Foreword With the release of the State Government’s The board and Kangaroo Island Council top economic priorities, the Kangaroo Island are advocating for a feral cat free island. region has been placed firmly in the spotlight Eradication of feral cats will take considerable with Kangaroo Island Natural Resources government, private and community resources. Management Board showcasing unique local The board, with council and the Department landscapes and the talent and passions of our of Environment Water and Natural Resources community. (DEWNR), will continue to seek investment for this program. The short, medium and long term As residents of Kangaroo Island we are very goals of the project are achievable if we act fortunate. We have a clear sense of place, with together. shared values and vision. This is the sixth achievements report to reflect 2014–2015 has been a year of building the partnership achievements of the board and partnerships, recognising that it is only by DEWNR in working with, and supporting, our working together and advocating with one communities to manage our natural resources voice that the region will continue to be heard. to deliver environmental and social outcomes The board welcomes new Kangaroo Island for long term economic benefit. Commissioner, Wendy Campana, and her role as advocate for all things ‘Kangaroo Island’. This report celebrates the many and varied projects that reaffirm the core principle of most For the board, partnerships are essential for land managers, to leave our land in the same, positive outcomes. The Farming Futures project, or better, condition as today. a partnership project between the board, Rural Solutions South Australia (RSSA) and As Presiding Member of the board, I am Agriculture Kangaroo Island (AgKI), continues pleased to release this snapshot of the to deliver outcomes relevant to all farmers and achievements in natural resource management of long-term benefit to all. in the Kangaroo Island Region for 2014–2015. Richard Trethewey Presiding Member, Kangaroo Island Natural Resources Management Board Left: Richard Trethewey at the launch of the feral cat scan at the Threatened Species Summit with Gregory Andrews, Threatened Species Commissioner and Peter West, Project Leader Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre and NSW Department of Primary Industries. 3 4 4 Leading Natural Resources Management The members of the Kangaroo Island Natural innovation and positive transformation. Resources Management Board are local – they The board and council are also leading the reside, work and invest on Kangaroo Island. development of a Climate Change Adaptation They are islanders with different backgrounds Plan for Kangaroo Island. This plan forms and perspectives. Members are appointed part of a broader state initiative to assess the by the State Minister for Sustainability, vulnerability of different regions to climate Environment and Conservation; their role is to change impacts and agree on priorities that lead, support and engage with their community need to be proactively addressed in the coming on matters relating to natural resources decades. management (NRM) on Kangaroo Island. The board, Kangaroo Island Council and The board is tasked with working with all Natural Resources Kangaroo Island in sectors of the community and all levels of collaboration with Primary Industries and Connect Membership government to provide strategic leadership for Regions South Australia (PIRSA) have released The board actively listens, discusses and » five members are current or former farmers managing the island’s natural resources. a Feral Cat Eradication Prospectus. The values contributions from the community. The on Kangaroo Island and are experienced in prospectus details how we will eradicate feral board encouraged the reinvigoration of the livestock, cropping, horticulture, soil health Lead cats by 2030 in conjunction with a gradual and KI Beekeepers Association and protection of and water resource management In partnership with the Kangaroo Island systematic phasing out of all domestic cats. This this niche industry through sound biosecurity » two members have extensive experience in Council, the board has released a joint position collaborative approach will continue with an practices. local government statement on climate change, and on feral cat overarching steering committee established to » two members are employed in the tourism eradication and management, highlighting guide project direction. It has connected with farmers over native industry their strengthening partnership and increasing vegetation management and advocated on » six members operate their own businesses collaboration. The board and council have jointly adopted their behalf for reform to legislative processes. a position statement supporting cat The board heard the concerns of fishers over » one member is a renowned scientist in The position statement for climate change management, to: the impact of sanctuary zones and advocated wildlife research is a call to action for Kangaroo Island, » protect Kangaroo Island’s unique and supported the Regional Impact Assessment » five members are or have been involved in a reflecting the community’s expressed desire biodiversity and ecosystems Study. Landcare group. to be a progressive example of best practice, » protect livestock health and hence primary production income The board actively connects community with Meetings government priorities and remains committed » enhance the value of the Kangaroo Island The board meets each month with details to ensuring Kangaroo Island groups are listened brand (clean and green, natural, pristine) appearing in The Islander or on the Natural to and their concerns acted on. » improve ecotourism credibility Resources KI website at www.naturalresouress. sa.gov.au/kangarooisland. Meeting agendas » reduce the social impacts of feral cats Achieve and minutes are available on the website or » maintain and support community and Through the Kangaroo Island regional NRM from the Natural Resources Centre. stakeholder involvement in the eradication plan and the board’s business plan, the board of feral cats from Kangaroo Island continues to achieve and monitor agreed Funding » ensure that domestic cats do not contribute outcomes. This report provides an overview Australian Government to the feral cat problem through good of the achievements of Natural Resources KI Government of South Australia legislation and adherence to local in implementing the regional NRM plan, as NRM Levy government by-laws. agreed with the board and the DEWNR. 5 6 6 476 12 36 1 171 Planning our future people BIG issues community and integrated people viewed contributing discussion staff planning climate change climate change Development of a new regional The discussion papers summarise community to planning papers workshops held vulnerability web page natural resources management inputs during one-on-one interviews, sector- process to date distributed assessment specific focus group workshops and ‘what’s plan for Kangaroo Island is going on in your backyard?’ workshops, held being funded by the Australian across the island and in Adelaide to capture as Government’s Climate Change much local knowledge as possible. Fund. The plan will address ways we The papers also outline the current state of can mitigate and adapt to climate knowledge about the issues raised, suggest change. Comprehensive community strategies and priorities for addressing them, consultation has identified the main and identify potential partners who might work issues to be addressed and priorities together to address the issues and implement for action. that part of the new NRM plan. The new plan will have an explicit focus on CASE STUDY: Developing climate change. It will represent an important a new plan for Kangaroo step forward in encouraging the community Island to think about and prepare for the 5 Kangaroo islanders have taken advantage of changes already YEAR the many opportunities to have their say in the being felt and OUTCOME development of the new ‘climate change ready’ those anticipated to NRM plan for the region. The process began in Community, come. industry and January 2014 and continued in this last financial