Wombat Woes

Scientists in New South Wales have joined forces with the state government to wage a battle for the welfare of our beloved wombats injured since the road was reopened. Some locals have even taken to creating their own signs to warn motorists of wandering critters on the road. against the deadly scourge of wombat mange.

Four esteemed universities have been awarded research grants to further the cause.

With research grants totalling a generous $452,000, the NSW Government is taking proactive measures to study effective treatments and map at-risk wombat populations.

Wombat mange, caused by scabies mite infestations, has posed a significant threat to the survival of wombats in the wild. If left untreated, the condition can be fatal, leading to the unfortunate demise of these gentle creatures. Recognising the severity of the issue, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has taken the reins in spearheading research efforts to combat this issue.

This initiative, part of a broader $2.8 million effort, aims to protect these furry creatures and ensure their survival in the face of the infestations. Moreover, the preservation of wombats is crucial not just for their sake but also for the delicate balance they bring to Australia's unique ecosystem.

The safety of our native species is sure to be on the minds of many residents of the Kiama LGA with the reopening of Jamberoo Mountain Road in July. Animals like wombats and kangaroos had free reign of the roads for more than a year, but locals have reported numerous native species that have been

Western Sydney University, one of the beneficiaries, is set to develop a monitoring assessment tool that will aid individuals in identifying the prevalence of mange in the field, working hand-in-hand with the Wombat Sarcoptic Mange (WomSAT) database. This innovative approach will enable more targeted treatments for affected wombats and help prevent further spread of the disease.

The University of the Sunshine Coast will focus on understanding mite medication resistance and the effectiveness of different medications. Its findings hold the potential to revolutionise treatment regimes and improve the prospects of managing mange in wild wombats.

The University of Tasmania's research will delve into surveys that investigate landscape and climate links to the distribution of mange. Unravelling these connections will be crucial in determining the hotspots and high-risk regions for the infestations.

Lastly, the University of Melbourne will explore how wombats metabolise treatment medication. This study could pave the way for more tailored and effective treatment plans, offering hope for wombats suffering from this debilitating condition.

This comprehensive twoyear research program, aptly named the Curb Wombat Mange program, will yield valuable insights into on-theground treatment practices.

Armed with this knowledge, wildlife conservationists can improve welfare outcomes for wombats and devise strategies to safeguard the future of these unique creatures.

Dr. Aditi Sriram, the NPWS Project Officer overseeing the Wombat Mange

Research grants, emphasises the significance of identifying infected wombats' locations and assessing the extent of the issue in each population. Armed with this data, resources can be channelled towards targeted and high-priority areas to better protect the wombats at risk.

In addition to the research grants, separate funding is available via the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife to support wildlife rehabilitators treating barenosed wombats in the wild. These devoted individuals play a crucial role in offering care and rehabilitation to these vulnerable creatures, furthering the cause of wombat preservation.

Beyond their undeniable charm, wombats play a crucial role in Australia's unique ecosystem. As burrowing herbivores, they contribute significantly to soil aeration and nutrient turnover, shaping the landscape and supporting a diverse range of plant and animal species. Their burrows also provide refuge for other wildlife during extreme weather events, making them an indispensable part of the ecological balance in the region.

The NSW Government's commitment to investing in research to combat wombat mange shines as a beacon of hope for these marsupials facing a serious threat. Through the dedicated efforts of universities and passionate wildlife advocates, we are one step closer to ensuring a brighter, healthier future for our furry friends and the vital ecosystem they inhabit. As the Curb Wombat Mange research program unfolds, we anticipate groundbreaking discoveries that will transform the landscape of wombat conservation, inspiring us all to protect and cherish the unique wildlife that makes our world so vibrant.

by Veronica Grace

Elizabeth Burnett is all about community. She is the co-owner and founder of Burnetts on Barney, a Garden Centre and a hub for gardening, landscaping and building products located in the historic blue metal quarry site in Barney Street Kiama.

Elizabeth originally trained as a journalist and after completing her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Public Relations took her first job as a journalist with the Kiama Independent newspaper, under her maiden name Hampshire. This was in the era of the great Peter Attwater who allowed her as a young journo to cover the Kim Corrigan Murder, a real opportunity to get inside the culture of the local community.

She fell in love with the people of Kiama in that time but went on to work in Sydney as Communications Manager for agribusiness GrainCorp before she and her husband Andrew Burnett, an arborist, moved to Jamberoo in 2001. They established Burnett Trees, a business which still offers tree care, pruning and tree removal throughout the Illawarra. Their son, Charlie, is following in dad’s footsteps and has become a tree surgeon with Burnett Trees. Their daughters Ellie and Annique work in the business when home from university and school.

When they moved Burnett Trees from Jamberoo to Kiama in 2012 there was no intention of opening a landscape hub or garden centre.

“We were only selling firewood and mulch in the early days,” but Elizabeth quickly realised they needed to “respond to the community need” and reopen landscape supplies. Burnetts

On Barney was opened and that small goal has since grown into the opening of a plant nursery in 2014, adding hardware supplies when Mitre 10 closed and late last year the opening of a cafe. Burnetts On Barney was recognised as ‘Illawarra Business Excellence in Sustainability in 2021’ and also won NSW and ACT Best Small Nursery in the same year.

The Quarry Cafe, which celebrates the site’s history as well as seasonal foods and homestyle cooking, catering for those who value fresh, nutritious and in-season fare as well as serving their own Quarry Blend locally-ground coffee.

Within the plant nursery setting and with a towering rock wall backdrop, it’s a fantastic spot to meet with friends, and sit in the sun amidst an array of blooms and greenery, whilst enjoying live music performed by local artists.

Elizabeth explains the business is not just about selling products nursery and landscaping supplies, “it’s a community hub; a living-working business and hopefully part of the fabric of the local community”.

“It is evolving into a place where people can connect with Kiama’s natural beauty and rich quarrying history, while meeting with others in the community,” she said.

This is Elizabeth’s twenty-third year in business.

“The business has evolved over the years and has grown to fulfil its mission: to create happy customers and visitors to the centre and while satisfying their garden needs,” she says.

During Covid lockdown Burnetts was one of the few