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Woolnorth devils Page 20 Tackling Sea Spurge on Three Hummock Island
COMMUNITY ACTION TO MITIGATE ROADKILL OF TASMANIAN DEVILS AT WOOLNORTH
The Woolnorth area of Circular Head supports one of the highest densities of Tasmanian Devils in the state according to monitoring by the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program. This is mostly attributed to the continued absence of Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) in the Woolnorth devil population, and also because there are still large remnants of high-quality devil habitat in the area.
There is significant community concern about the number of devils killed on Tasmanian roads, and in particular, the high rate of roadkill in the Woolnorth area is distressing. In the last ten years there have been more than 400 recorded dead devils on Woolnorth Road. A committed community of concerned stakeholders have come together to contribute collective action to mitigate the threat to our devils.
Credit: David Bellamy
Measures and activities aimed at curbing the numbers of devil and other wildlife roadkill include the delivery of community education activities, campaign signage installed on the roads, looking at ways to reduce driving speeds, roadkill removal management, roadside slashing, virtual fencing extension and dedicated roadkill monitoring.
We are already seeing positive action from stakeholders, including a recommended reduction in speed for Fonterra drivers in the Woolnorth area. This action has been well received in the community after traffic monitoring on Woolnorth Road observed some alarming speeds of some vehicles travelling the road - not only unsafe for wildlife but also the health and safety of employees working in the area. There have been six signs recently installed along Woolnorth Rd alerting drivers to slow down for wildlife, and prior to that, Circular Head Council installed new beeper units (“virtual fencing”) designed to scare wildlife off the road.
To fund this important campaign, the Circular Head Devil Roadkill Mitigation Fund has been established to seek investment in roadkill mitigation activities, and to raise awareness about the importance of Tasmanian Devils in the Circular Head region.
Graph: Number of roadkilled devils on Woolnorth Rd reported to the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program. Note that 2021 and 2022 are incomplete.
One of six new signs installed on Woolnorth Road.
BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD - CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF TURNERS BEACH COASTCARE
ARTICLE CONTRIBUTED BY WENDY HORNIBLOW, TURNERS BEACH COASTCARE
25 years ago, a group of four residents found themselves becoming increasingly concerned about the constant threats to the local natural environment and the lack of response by those with authority. Rather than continue to lament that someone needed to take action to address the situation, they decided to be that someone and Turners Beach Coastcare Inc was formed.
While the threats persist, the existence of the group has led to greater accountability, awareness, advocacy, protection, and rehabilitation opportunities for the natural environment at Turners Beach. The simple objective to protect, preserve and enhance the local natural environment - has guided the work of the group, and has contributed to the maintenance of a diverse, robust and healthy coastal ecosystem.
25 years is quite an achievement for a group of volunteer workers. Such a celebration provides an opportunity to reflect on our achievements, including the grants received, projects undertaken, weeds removed, seedlings planted, and the hours of work put in. But it has also provided for an opportunity to reflect on why we do it.
“I love being out in the natural environment, enjoying the landscape, the vegetation, seeing and hearing the native fauna. I especially love the coastal environment, so being a part of Turners Beach Coastcare is a no brainer for me.
“I grew up at Turners Beach and was lucky as a child, to have the freedom to explore its natural environment. I think it is important that we retain as much of the natural bush as possible so that future generations can also have this experience. I also believe I have a responsibility to protect, preserve and enhance the environment for future generations. I like to think that my efforts have helped to make the world a better place.
“Coastcare is doing important work, we make a difference and I gain a sense of achievement.
Our volunteers feel connected to Turners Beach. They are passionate about the work we do and find it personally rewarding. They enjoy being part of the group; spending time together, learning and building skills, and enjoying each other’s company. The future is looking promising for Turners Beach Coastcare Inc.
After planting
If there is anyone who now feels inspired to join us, please email Wendy on wendyhorniblow@gmail.com. The group will be hosting a free sausage sizzle and plant give-away at the barbeque hut near the corner of the Esplanade and Boyes Street, on Sunday 25th September, from 11am – 1 pm. Please feel free to come along and join us.
Cheers to 25 years, Turners Beach Coastcare! If you’d like us to feature your community group’s work in the next Cradle to Coastlines, please get in touch with Hannah: hsadler@cradlecoast.com
2030 NRM STRATEGY RELEASED INTO THE WILD
Tasmania’s three natural resource management organisations, NRM South, NRM North and Cradle Coast Authority have released their new regional strategies through to 2030. Developed collaboratively across regions, the strategies adopt a consistent, scalable, whole-of-state NRM framework that the NRM organisations will use to prioritise their investment.
Produced in consultation with specialists, industry, government, and community stakeholders, the strategies identify the natural resource management priorities and emerging issues unique to each of Tasmania’s NRM regions. Leveraging investment from both the Tasmanian and Australian Governments, the strategies will assist the NRM organisations to plan, develop and deliver significant on-ground actions across the state. Focusing on the three primary themes of Land, Water and Biodiversity, the strategies provide a blueprint for the actions that each NRM organisation will focus on through to 2030. With a view to long-term outcomes that include support for Aboriginal communities, improving landscape resilience to climate change, improved waterway health, and reducing impacts on Tasmania’s threatened species, the regional strategies maintain a strong focus on improving the condition of natural resources and driving sustainable production using specific and measurable criteria.
Now formally approved by the Tasmanian and Australian Governments, the strategies were officially released on 4 August 2022.
The Cradle Coast 2030 NRM Strategy contains 31 priorities for collaborative action for healthy landscapes and seascapes, protected natural values, and sustainable livelihoods and lifestyles.
CCA CEO Sheree Vertigan AM, NRM Business Manager Spencer Gibbs and NRM Planning and MERI Manager Iona Flett with the 2030 NRM Strategy.
Stay tuned for exciting news coming soon about a Cradle Coast NRM website update featuring the 2030 NRM Strategy, and an afternoon information session for community groups on Wednesday 5 October.
The Tasmanian NRM Soil Extension Program recently kicked off in the Cradle Coast region. The program is a collaborative partnership delivered by the three NRM regions in the state: NRM North, NRM South and Cradle Coast NRM. The program looks to promote best practices that improve the sustainability, productivity and profitability of Tasmania’s agricultural landscapes.
A series of field days will be delivered that promote the importance of soil health and improved soil management. Field testing, soil sampling and interpreting soil test results will be a key focus of a workshop series. One-on-one assistance with soil sampling and interpretation will be available to landholders, including a subsidised soil sample.
Tom O’Malley demonstrating to participants how water moves through three different soils (left to right): a compacted red ferrosol, a sand, and an uncompacted red ferrosol.
The first field day was recently held at Mooreville. This was a joint session with the Soil Extension Officer (Nick Jamson) focusing on soil structure and physical properties, while the Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (Dr Tom O’Malley) discussed tunnelling dung beetles and pasture earthworms.
Participants learnt about the fundamental physical properties of the soils in the region and the common issues they can experience including soil structure decline and compaction. Field methods for identifying these issues were showcased including a soil structure scorecard, penetrometer, and soil water infiltration testing.
Management and prevention were discussed, with a particular focus on tunnelling dung beetles and pasture earthworms. A visit to an earthworm nursery of Black-headed Earthworms (Aporrectodea longa), established on a commercial beef farm in the region, allowed field day participants to observe the benefits of these worms firsthand and to collect their own for introduction to their properties. This species of earthworm can tunnel up to two metres down the soil profile, delivering a range of physical benefits including improved soil structure, drainage and water infiltration.
To register your interest in the soil extension program, or for further information, please contact Nick Jamson: njamson@cradlecoast.com
WHAT IS THE COST OF A LEVEE BANK IN WET AND SALTY ENVIRONMENTS?
Coastal saltmarsh wetlands are found in a narrow margin around the coastline of Tasmania in “low energy” and shallow, sheltered intertidal zones. The coastal saltmarsh wetlands in the Circular Head area form part of the largest coastal wetland system in Tasmania.
In this area, the low marsh is inundated by every tide and is characterised by pioneer saltmarsh plants such as Sarcocornia species, and in areas where enough freshwater inputs are available, reed and tussock species such as Juncus kraussi occur. The mid marsh, which is inundated less frequently, has longer-lived shrubs and sedges. The high marsh, which is rarely inundated, is dominated by grasses and rushes and is bordered by Melaleuca swamp forests.
Coastal saltmarsh is listed as a Threatened Ecological Community under the Australian Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Coastal saltmarsh areas: stabilise and buffer the coast from storms are an important food source for migratory birds and marine species provide nursery habitat and shelter for fish support highly specialised plants adjusted to salinity and waterlogging act as “buffer strips” to agricultural land and help reduce sediment and nutrients in run-off are an important carbon capture and storage area which may help landholders reach carbon neutrality in their farming enterprises.
There are a number of serious threats to coastal saltmarsh such as weed invasion, burning, rubbish and vehicle access. Built structures such as levee banks that restrict tidal movement, change water flows and concentrate drainage at limited points, are impacting saltmarsh vegetation and coastal landforms. Levee banks are usually constructed in situ and a drain may be cut along one or both sides of the levee bank.
The levee banks are expensive to construct and difficult to maintain in the wet environment. Climate change and rising sea levels are likely to mean that maintenance will be required more frequently. Outlets to get drainage from the farming land can be either a pipe through the levee or a breach in the wall. Both pipes and drainage outlets concentrate the flow of water and nutrients leaving the property, often leading to scouring, algae growth and effluent on the outside of the levee, or salt scalding from tides or leakage on the inside of the levee. Scalded and water-logged areas reduce the value of productive land.
In areas without constructed earthworks and levees, provided the fringe vegetation of Melaleuca swamp forest and eucalypt is maintained, runoff from farming land, including nutrients and effluent, is filtered before reaching the saltmarsh vegetation and allowed to spread out rather than leaving the property in a concentrated flow in a constructed drain. Over time (provided stock are excluded) you also get a natural build-up of sediment in the swamp forest buffer, which can create a natural barrier to tidal movements, except in extreme events.
Salt scalding inside a levee.
Erosion and scalding from stock access and tidal incursions along a constructed drain that flows to a breach in a levee wall.
Some land managers with levee banks adjoining saltmarsh are now looking at an interesting future option for their properties. The new “tidal restoration of blue carbon ecosystems” method under the Emissions Reduction Fund enables Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs) to be earned by projects that remove or modify tidal restriction mechanisms and allow tidal flow to be introduced to an area of land. This results in the rewetting of completely or partially drained coastal wetland ecosystems and the conversion of freshwater wetlands to brackish or saline wetlands.
