Biodiversity

Reducing Critical Threats- Phytophthora Dieback

Dieback (phytophthora spp.) continues to be the major threat to the unique vegetation and ecology of the South Coast NRM region and South Coast NRM has undertaken significant actions to implement the overarching South Coast NRM Regional Phytophthora Dieback Management Plan 2010-2017, and the Esperance Stakeholder Engagement and Phytophthora Dieback Action Plan. Dieback Local Area Management Plans for Mt Lindesay and for Walpole Wilderness Area East were produced to further guide onground actions and community education in these areas also. Site interpretation and assessment works are ongoing in the region and the initial version of the Dieback Information Database Management System (DIDMS) will greatly contribute to regional and state-wide initiatives.

South Coast NRM continued to support the Department of Environment and Conservation WA in their efforts to protect threatened plants and ecological communities inclusive of 29 sites comprising 260 ha within the Stirling Range and Mt Lindesay protected areas. Raising public, especially tourist, awareness of dieback ecology and appropriate hygiene controls is still a core focus of our work. This has been achieved through the installation of strategic signage, infrastructure and development of publically available information brochures.

Reducing Critical Threats- Weeds of National Significance and Environmental Weeds

Weeds of National Significance (WoNS) and other environmental weeds control initiatives continue to be a source of strategic management activity and have resulted in cross theme benefits. Weed control work has been focussed on containing larger infestations, eradication small infestations and mapping new weed areas as they are discovered. Photo point monitoring at key control sites continues across the South Coast NRM region and greatly assists us in assessing weed occurrence, composition and response to treatments.

South Coast NRM is also in the process of aligning these monitoring programs with its in house weed database recording system. The weed technical advisory group, a community and multi government agency weed advisory group, has provided strategic input through discussing weed control activities, advised how they can be complemented and how regional priorities are being met. A significant outcome from this group is more coordinated approach to weed management in the area allowing equipment to be utilised more efficiently resulting in reduced need for resources such as consumables and tools, and allowed for additional works to be achieved. It is also improving the overall capacity of the sector through sharing technical information and experience. 28 Weed recognition and weed control training sessions have been implemented this period. A major achievement in this year was the completion of the Gorse Eradication Strategy for the South Coast NRM region 2011-2021.

Collectively WoNS work across the region has controlled more than 342 hectares of Blackberry, Gorse, Lantana, Willows and Bridal creeper with considerable additional work undertaken by weed and community groups in the sub regions. Environmental weed control works were undertaken on more than 193 hectares within the South Coast region also and weeds treated include; Sydney Golden Wattle, Arum Lily, Tagasaste, Broom bush and other introduced native and foreign plant species.

Reducing Critical Threats- Vertebrate Pests

Vertebrate pest management in this year has seen a continuation of works undertaken in previous years. With a strategic coordinated approach to protect regional, state, national and internationally significant biodiversity assets to manage the impacts of vertebrate pests in these ecologically important areas. Key target pest species managed this year include; rabbits, pigs, wild dogs, and cats. These pest species create significant habitat destruction, prey on native fauna species and are associated with spreading dieback within natural and productive landscapes. Activities to control these species have included baiting, shooting, trapping and monitoring of species distribution. Distribution data has been collected post treatment to gather information to adapt our management activities into the future and to measure the effectiveness of control activities.

South Coast NRM have strengthened our relationships with the sub regional groups, the Department of Environment and Conservation WA, Lake Muir Denbarker Feral Pig Advisory Group, the Department of Agriculture and Food WA, The Northern Mallee and Ravensthorpe Declared Species Groups and the Albany Sporting Shooters Association members through our vertebrate pest management activities to support, resource and encourage the wider community in the region wide management efforts.

Biodiversity Management and Education

Significant works and management planning has been achieved in the South Coast NRM region over the past year. Highlighted activities include work to protect and restore habitat for Carnaby’s Cockatoos, protection and restoration of threatened ecological communities and species, and vegetation management activities (weed control, seedling and direct seeding of endemic plant species) on private and public lands. This work has been greatly assisted through the Southern Fund and Southern Incentives programs. Onground works to protect ecological communities and species listed under the Australian Government Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 has been a priority. South Coast NRM has driven the listing of the Obligate Seeding Proteaceae and Kwongan of the Esperance Sandplains ecological community for nomination under the EPBC Act.  

Biodiversity education and onground works of varying natures have been delivered throughout the region by the biodiversity officers East and West and the Cultural Connections team in partnership with subregional catchment groups, regional schools, the Department of Environment and Conservation, Greening Australia, Bush Heritage, Green Skills, Gondwana Link Ltd, the Mallee Fowl Preservation Group, Birds Australia and numerous other community driven organisations. Key activities include; numerous public and one on one presentations, School Education program on vertebrate pests (pigs, wild dogs and rabbits) and Indigenous perspective of the animals being protected was developed and delivered to schools in the Western Area, and Carnaby's Cockatoo schools cultural education program developed and  delivered to schools in the Eastern Area.

Biodiversity education and raising of the wider communities awareness of biodiversity issues continues to be a high priority for the South Coast NRM region. We are achieving this through collaboration with partnering organisations and via our Communications & PR Coordinator to constantly provide relevant and actionable information for people, local governments and businesses in the region.