Naturally Inspired - Summer 2013

PROTECTING OUR WILDERNESS Biosecurity project targets four deadly killers

Fresh Focus on the ‘Channel’ Protecting Moulting Lagoon from gorse Volunteers boost survival chances for Morrisbys gum Weed strategy

NATURALLY INSPIRED SUMMER 2013

SHARING KNOWLEDGE

1

FROM THE CEO

Welcome to the summer edition of the NRM South newsletter, normally a quiet time in natural resource management.

However, this summer we have been busy supporting landholders and trying to understand the implications of recent fires for the natural and productive values of the region.

We have been well supported in these endeavours by colleagues in other regions, particularly the Goulburn Broken region of Victoria, where, four years after the devastating 2009 Victorian bushfires, they are just completing fire recovery projects.

The messages from the Victorian experience are clear: recovery can be a long process and much of it will occur naturally, however, we need to undertake a thorough assessment of the damage and consider how best to support landholders and land managers. High on the priority list is the need to prevent weed incursions and deal with increased weeds in fire affected areas. In the longer term we need to map out how to restore sites with important natural values and understand and communicate how we can better prevent wildfires.

Reading this edition, I am reminded of the guiding principles of NRM, as described in the Natural Resource Management Strategy for Southern Tasmania 2010-15. The strong partnerships underpinning the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and lower Huon Estuary project will help us better understand the pressures on the channel and prioritise management actions.

I have been really impressed with the commitment of volunteers resurveying the Eucalyptus morrisbyi population - this work will provide important information on how to assess the progress of conserving this highly threatened species and guide future protection efforts.

We are increasingly aware that any conservation efforts must be seen in a landscape context and understand how change is occurring over time in our ecosystems.

The prevention of diseases spreading into and within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area through the provision of advice and equipment has also been a partnership-based project. NRM South couldn’t have achieved the great results alone.

The Southern Tasmanian Weed Strategy is an important guide to weed management in our region and the completion of this document has provided a blueprint to better integrate weed management across many different organisations and groups as well as other management activities occurring in the region.

I am looking forward to refining our future directions and work plans in coming weeks, with the NRM South Board and many organisations, businesses and individuals that comprise the NRM sector in southern Tasmania. We will be seeking new partnerships as well as building on current projects and relationships.

Kathleen Broderick

Above: Tasmanian Environment Minister, Brian Wightman, (centre) joined NRM South CEO, Dr. Kathleen Broderick and actor, John Xintavelonis at the launch of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Biosecurity Program in December last year.

Front cover: A bushwalker crosses the beach at New Harbour in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Photo: John Sampson

INSPIRING ACTION

2

FRESH FOCUS Changing times prompt a collaborative focus on ‘the Channel’

The D’Entrecasteaux Channel is known as a playground for yachties, boaties, divers and fishers, it is the lifeblood of growing local industries including salmon and oyster farming, and is increasingly popular as a place to live.

To better understand the changes taking place within the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and lower Huon Estuary, a coalition was formed between Kingborough Council, Huon Valley Council, the Derwent Estuary Program, NRM South, Southern Water and Tassal.

The collaborative effort is bringing together and building on previous scientific work including the 1999 State of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and a number of other reports prepared as part of the former D’Entrecasteaux Channel and Catchment Integrated Land and Marine Planning Project.

Since this work was undertaken, a lot has changed: the make-up of the local population has shifted, industry has changed and there is a growing awareness of the impacts of climate change on the region. Both tourism and recreational activity have also increased along the Channel.

So far the assessment of recent environmental reports has identified that the waterways of both the Channel and Huon Estuary remain ‘substantially natural’, but a number of trends suggest growing pressures and the risks of increasing environmental degradation.

Just over 40 kilometres long from Scott Point in the south to the northern tip of Bruny Island, the D’Entrecasteaux Channel includes both the Huon Estuary, North West Bay and two marine reserves – Tinderbox and Ninepin Point.

It fringes South Bruny National Park, which harbours diverse coastal vegetation, abundant bird life and beautiful, sandy beaches.

It is an incredibly important place for its natural values, which include: 6 l^YZ gVc\Z d[ [VjcV YjZ id ^ih Y^kZghZ bVg^cZ! ZhijVg^cZ VcY foreshore habitats, including highly productive seagrass and kelp beds, and saltmarshes. ;dgin"ÃkZ hiViZ gZhZgkZh YZXaVgZY ^c i]Z lViZglVnh VcY Vadc\ i]Z XdVhi# I]gZViZcZY VcY ZcYZb^X heZX^Zh ^cXajY^c\ i]Z hediiZY ]VcYÃh]! seastar species and highly restricted algae as well as seven threatened vegetation communities.

6 ]^\] egdedgi^dc d[ [dgZh]dgZ gViZY Vh bdYZgViZ id ]^\] geoconservation value containing a total of 24 listed sites, including several classified nationally as geological monuments.

6i aZVhi +%% 6Wdg^\^cVa ]Zg^iV\Z h^iZh# 6eegdm^bViZan +* hiViZ"a^hiZY VcY cjbZgdjh VYY^i^dcVa adXVaan"a^hiZY European heritage sites along the coast and at the historic shipwrecks sites.

Greater access to scientific information on the health of the Channel will help industry, government and research bodies gain a greater understanding of the ecological values of this critical body of water.

Interest in this important work is growing, with new partners joining the project to contribute to the development of a coordinated management approach.

To register your interest in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel Project or to receive project updates please contact Danielle Hardie by emailing dhardie@kingborough.tas.gov.au or phone 6211 8236.

Left: The Red Velvetfish is rarely seen but often encountered in the Channel by those searching carefully. Photo: Graham Edgar Middle: Nectria ocellata, the Ocellate seastar, is a common colourful seastar in Tasmanian waters. Photo: Neville Barrett Right: A southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) in the Ninepin Point Marine Reserve eating a sea urchin, one of the key dietary items of lobsters in Tasmania.

Photo: Neville Barrett

SHARING KNOWLEDGE

3

COVER STORY

PROTECTING OUR WILDERNESS Biosecurity project targets four deadly killers While it may strike the visitor as a vast and impenetrable wilderness, Tasmania’s World Heritage Area is not immune to outside dangers, and is at risk from deadly, invisible pathogens that can sneak in on muddy boots or wet fishing gear.

As innocuous as they may seem dirty car tires or even the skids of a helicopter can introduce diseases such as the frog-killing chytrid fungus, a threat to the endemic Tasmanian tree frog.

This parasitic fungal disease is to blame for the widespread decline of many of Tasmania’s native frogs and the extinction of frog species globally. While the disease has been found in most ‘suitable’ areas of the world, some places remain uninfected, and it is believed that the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is one such place.

Above: New boot cleaning stations being installed at key entry points to Tasmania’s World Heritage Area will help hikers play their part in keeping the wilderness disease free.

Photo: Niall Doran

Phytophthora, also known as the bulldozer of the bush for its ability to wipe out native vegetation, also threatens the Wilderness World Heritage Area. This root rot is spread through mud on walkers’ boots and on vehicles.

Mucormycosis is yet another danger. It causes deadly lesions in platypus, affecting their ability to feed and regulate body temperature.

And while Didymo, known as ‘rock snot’, has not yet made it to Tasmania, biosecurity experts fear it could one day be carried in.

This northern hemisphere pest has already devastated riverbeds in New Zealand. indent. than to have a professional usefindings quote at but yourdo d to an marks to han and manually graphs tohd A mock piec I personally Flowers are let

It’s these four deadly diseases and the risks they pose to the World Heritage Area that prompted NRM South, DPIPWE, Forestry Tasmania and Hydro Tasmania to develop the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Biosecurity, Monitoring, Infrastructure and Extension Project, which commenced two years ago.

I]Z egd_ZXi lVh bVYZ edhh^WaZ i]gdj\] +%%!%%% [gdb i]Z 6jhigVa^Vc Government’s Caring for Our Country program and substantial in-kind support from partners, bringing the total value of the project to $1 million.

4 STEPS TO FRESHWATER HYGIENE Simple washdown procedures carried out by people entering Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area can help drastically reduce the threats of dangerous invasive pests and diseases:

1. CHECK

3. DISINFECT

Thoroughly CHECK your waders, footwear, equipment, boats and vehicles for mud, soil, algae and plant material before you arrive at or leave each location.

In remote areas, where completely drying footwear and equipment is not possible, DISINFECT by spraying with F10 solution (or for absorbent materials, soaking and scrubbing for at least one minute).

2. CLEAN CLEAN your waders, footwear, equipment, boats and vehicles by scrubbing in local or town water before you leave each location.

Ensure that all mud, soil and debris is removed and left on site.

4. DRY Before use at another location, completely DRY all waders, footwear, equipment, boats and vehicles.

4

CRADLE COAST NRM

NRM NORTH

NRM SOUTH LEGEND Boot cleaning station Helipad

n fact. rather s neeight ch ed a

To see the videos or download the Keeping it Clean field hygiene book, visit www.nrmsouth.org.au.

The aim is to make it second nature for all professional and recreational users of Tasmania’s World Heritage Area to clean and dry boots and equipment when moving between sites. The project built on the release in 2010 of the Keeping It Clean freshwater hygiene manual, which provides a step-by-step guide to helping staff from government agencies, local government and NRM contractors, as well as recreational users of the World Heritage Area, to Check, Clean, Disinfect and Dry field equipment.

THE PROJECT INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING KEY ELEMENTS: 1. Training and education.

2. Provision of hygiene infrastructure at key locations.

3. Establishing a chytrid spread and frog impact surveillance system to assess effectiveness of education biosecurity actions and inform on-ground management.

Over the past two years, there has been considerable progress with organisations such as Parks and Wildlife, Hydro Tasmania, Entura, Inland Fisheries and Forestry Tasmania training staff and updating their Standard Operating Procedures to include these field hygiene practices.

Recreational users, such as the Anglers’ Alliance and the Trout Guides and Lodges, have also embraced the new procedures and encouraged others to follow suit.

Tasmania’s environment minister, Brian Wightman, joined the project partners at Mount Field last December to announce the installation of 17 boot cleaning stations at key entry points around the World Heritage Area to help bushwalkers keep these diseases at bay.

He said cleaning and drying boots and equipment needs to become second nature for people using the World Heritage Area.

“Just like the Slip, Slop, Slap sunscreen message, the new hygiene protocols of Check, Clean, Disinfect and Dry are simple and effective.

They’re a practical step to keep this beautiful area healthy and protected for generations to cherish.”

As well as the boot cleaning stations three new specially-designed helicopter pads are being built at main staging areas.

There’s also a focus on educating visitors about the role they can play in keeping disease out of the World Heritage Area, with a series of videos demonstrating field hygiene protocols now available on YouTube and various websites.

NRM South CEO Dr Kathleen Broderick said the videos provide step-by-step instructions on preventative measures.

“Prevention is better than a cure and simple measures can make a big difference,” she said.

“This summer when Tasmanians, mainlanders and international visitors enter our World Heritage Area, we want them to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.”

INSPIRING ACTION

*

MOULTING LAGOON Protecting a wetland of global significance from gorse

Just one of 10 Ramsar listed wetland sites found in Tasmania Moulting Lagoon is a mecca for waterbirds, providing a critical late-summer staging area for shelducks, chestnut teal and several shorebird species.

It is also home to about 8000 black swans, and was named because the swans shed so many feathers when moulting that the feathers litter the shoreline for days.

Long before Europeans arrived in Tasmania it was occupied by the Paredarerme, also known as the Oyster Bay Nation. It continues to hold great significance for the Aboriginal community and many heritage sites have been recorded within the area.

6i )!*-% ]V i]Z aV\ddc ^h V aVg\Z! XdbeaZm VcY Y^kZghZ lZiaVcY hnhiZb! especially when paired with the nearby Apsley Marshes, another Ramsar Wetland. It forms a large estuary at the mouths of two rivers surrounded by periodically exposed saltmarsh.

A large frontal dune (Nine Mile Beach) acts as a barrier that controls incoming sea water and outflowing freshwater.

These are just some of the reasons why the future of the wetland is so important to the Catchments to Coasts team, a partnership between the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council, NRM South and the Glamorgan Spring Bay Natural Resource Management Committee.

Its current focus is gorse, a Weed of National Significance and one of the main threats to the natural values of the lagoon.

Gorse Ulex europaeus is the dominant weed in the area and while widespread, its density varies considerably. Many patches consist of dense, tall thickets but there are also substantial areas where it occurs as scattered plants or in isolated small clumps, and some sections of the foreshore remain gorse free.

The Catchments to Coasts team believes the patches of relatively low-density gorse should be manageable, and even eradicable, within the next few years. However, control of the larger infestations will require a much greater commitment.

By mapping the extent of significant weeds fringing the lagoon, the team can concentrate on priority areas for weed control and work with land owners either through incentive funding or on-ground delivery of weed control by the Catchments to Coasts team.

And while gorse has become the team’s enemy number one, they have also turned up relatively small patches of African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum), recently added to Australia’s Weeds of National Significance list.

One key outcome of the project has been the development of ‘Weed Action Plans’ with property owners. These plans map out both immediate and follow-up actions required if gorse infestations are to be kept under control.

Initial weed control based on the action plans has been encouraging, with plenty of goodwill being shown by property owners ready to work on this challenging task.

Parks and Wildlife Service staff at Freycinet have also played a role in the project by enabling gorse control in very isolated and poorly accessible areas.

NRM South, with funding from the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country program, is supporting the Moulting Lagoon project.

Like all weed projects constant vigilance will be critical to tackling new infestations before they get out of control. The Catchments to Coasts team is looking forward to continuing working with landholders over the coming years and seeing gorse relegated to the history books of Moulting Lagoon!

Article compiled by the Catchments to Coasts Team.

Above: Bird watchers find rich pickings at Moulting Lagoon. Photo: Fiona Everts

n fact. rather s neeight ch ed a

SHARING INFORMATION

+

FORCES OF NATURE Volunteers boost survival chances for Morrisbys gum On the outskirts of Hobart volunteers are playing a pivotal role in boosting chances for survival of the nationally endangered Morrisbys gum, a tree species that exists only in southern Tasmania, and only at two locations on Hobart’s eastern shore.

Eucalyptus morrisbyi, commonly known as Morrisbys gum, numbers just 2000 remaining individuals.

By far the largest population is found at Calverts Hill near Cremorne, where the Understorey Network has been co-ordinating volunteer efforts to increase the size and health of the local stand.

The latest work has focused on the installation of ‘floppy-top’ fencing to help keep browsing animals at bay.

“Volunteers from the Friends of Calverts Hill and the Pipe Clay Coastcare group helped plant the trees over a year ago, but the saplings are struggling against browsing pressure,” says Oliver Strutt from the Understorey Network.

I]Z ^c^i^Va eaVci^c\ d[ &*% Bdgg^hWnh \jbh WdVhiZY V &%% hjXXZhh rate, but the trees have been failing to grow beyond the top of the tree guards installed to protect them.

The new floppy-top fencing is expected to help solve this problem by keeping out browsing possums, rabbits and wallabies.

“Its an ongoing project,” says Oliver. “We’ll continue to monitor the plantings and coordinate any necessary watering, weed removal and the removal of tree guards.”

The project has been a team effort, and brought together volunteers from the Friends of Calverts Hill, Pipe Clay Coastcare group and Conservation Volunteers Australia, which provides volunteers ranging from students to retirees and even overseas travellers to help out with conservation projects in Tasmania.

Volunteers Weronika Leszczynski and Sebastian Szyja from Germany joined other local team members from Conservation Volunteers Australia putting up new fencing to protect Morrisbys gums. Photo: Reg Hills

The nationally endangered gum trees have been formally protected in the Calverts Hill Nature Reserve and the East Risdon State Reserve.

The Lumeah Point stand occurs in a coastal reserve that has been leased to the Clarence Council for recreational use.

This project is critical to protecting these trees and ensuring they continue to have a place in the southern Tasmanian landscape.

The new fencing to protect the trees has been funded through the latest round of NRM South’s Naturally Inspired Grants, which delivered more than $77,000 to 24 community conservation and school groups in Southern Tasmania, including eight projects on Hobart’s eastern shore.

NRM South’s grants program is funded through the Australian Government’s Caring for Our Country.

WEED STRATEGY Prevention and containment remain top priorities When tackling an NRM issue as large and widespread as weeds, a strategic approach is vital. The Southern Tasmanian Weed Strategy provides a valuable guide on how to successfully work towards controlling environmentally damaging weeds.

Currently the weed strategy targets high priority weeds that are within our ability to contain, control and in some cases eradicate.

These are weed species with limited distribution but that have the potential to increase their range if we don’t take action, such as Texan needle grass, serrated tussock and orange hawkweed.

After a revision it will also include the new Weeds of National Significance, announced in April last year, that are relevant to southern Tasmania.

Dubbed the dirty dozen, a number of these newly-listed WONS are found in southern Tasmania - African boxthorn, two more types of asparagus weed (climbing and ground), and the brooms.

In Tasmania African boxthorn is a particular problem in coastal areas, it also invades pastures, reducing access and making stock movement difficult.

Asparagus weed can smother native species while broom, which invades grasslands, woodland and open forest, competes with native plants, provides cover for pest animals such as rabbits, and reduces farm productivity.

These are just some of the issues NRM South’s new weeds coordinator Karen Ziegler will be tackling as she works in collaboration with government, farmers, industry, Coastcare and Landcare groups.

Karen will also be looking at ways we can increase training and support for preventative weed management because, as we all know, the best weed management is preventative weed management.

The Southern Tasmanian Weed Strategy can be downloaded from the NRM South website. If you would like to contact Karen you can phone her on 6221 6114 or email kziegler@nrmsouth.org.au.

INSPIRING ACTION

7

Southern Tasmania is one of the most environmentally diverse areas anywhere in Australia. Its wealth of natural resources – including soil, water and coastlines and the native vegetation and wildlife they support – underpins the economic prosperity, social well-being and environmental health of our community.

NRM South’s job is to protect and enhance these natural values for the benefit of current and future generations of Tasmanians. We do this by working closely with hundreds of organisations, agencies and community groups as well as thousands of individuals to implement the Natural Resources Management Strategy for the region.

HOBART OFFICE STAFF Dr Kathleen Broderick, CEO kbroderick@nrmsouth.org.au ......................................%( +''& +&&& Vani Welling, Operations Manager vwelling@nrmsouth.org.au ..........................................%( +''& +&,& Cathy Limb, Communications and Engagement Manager climb@nrmsouth.org.au...............................................%( +''& +&'' Sheena Bell, Finance Coordinator sbell@nrmsouth.org.au ................................................%( +''& +&&Geir Rodven, Business Services Coordinator grodven@nrmsouth.org.au...........................................%( +''& +&&' Laura Joss, Administration Officer ljoss@nrmsouth.org.au ................................................%( +''& +&&& Daniel Panek, Monitoring and Reporting Coordinator dpanek@nrmsouth.org.au............................................%( +''& +&..

Ruth Osborne, Community Support Liaison rosborne@nrmsouth.org.au .........................................%( +''& +&+& Dr Magali Wright, Biodiversity Coordinator mwright@nrmsouth.org.au ..........................................%( +''& +&)' Jill Jones, Coastal, Marine and Estuarine Coordinator jjones@nrmsouth.org.au ..............................................%( +''& +&'+ Genevieve Simard, NRM Information Coordinator gsimard@nrmsouth.org.au ......................................... %( +''& +&,, Leanne Dewar, Executive Assistant ldewar@nrmsouth.org.au ...........................................%( +''& +&'& Karen Ziegler, Weeds Coordinator kziegler@nrmsouth.org.au.......................................... %( +''& +&&) Ken Moore, Regional Landcare Facilitator kmoore@nrmsouth.org.au .......................................... %( +''& +&&,

Our three clear priorities are to: YZa^kZg egd\gVbh VcY hZgk^XZh i]Vi bV`Z i]Z W^\\Zhi difference to the most important areas h]VgZ `cdlaZY\Z VcY ^che^gZ edh^i^kZ VXi^dc VXgdhh the region Wj^aY eVgicZgh]^eh l^i] dg\Vc^hVi^dch VcY ^cY^k^YjVah ranging from state and local government to schools, community groups and farmers.

PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS STAFF Leah Page, SCAT Capacity Building Officer (Mon-Tue) leah@scat.org.au ..........................................................%( +''& +&&* Stuart Pengelly, SCAT Coastcare Facilitator stuart@scat.org.au .......................................................%( +''& +&+% Danielle Hardie, D’Entrecasteaux Channel Project Coordinator dhardie@kingborough.tas.gov.au.................................%( +'&& -'(+

LOCAL AREA NRM TEAM Holly Hansen, Mountain to Marine Coordinator (Hosted by Kingborough Council) hhansen@nrmsouth.org.au .........................................%( +''* *%%Rosie Jackson, Catchments to Coasts Administration and Communications Officer (In partnership with Glamorgan Spring Bay Council) rosie@freycinet.tas.gov.au............................................%( +'*+ *%*& Terry Higgs, Catchments to Coasts NRM Coordinator (In partnership with Glamorgan Spring Bay Council) terry@freycinet.tas.gov.au ............................................%( +'*+ *%*& Steve Joyce, Derwent Catchment NRM Officer (In partnership with Derwent Catchment NRM) steve@derwentnrm.com.au ............................................ %( +'-+ ('&& Jennifer Milne, NRM Officer (In partnership with, Tasman Council) jennifer.milne@tasman.tas.gov.au ...... %( +'*% .''& dg %)&- (*) .&.

Tim Ackroyd, Huon Valley NRM Facilitator (Hosted by Huon Valley Council) tackroyd@huonvalley.tas.gov.au...................................%( +'+) %(') Sandy Leighton, Sorell NRM Facilitator (In partnership with Sorell Council) sandy.leighton@sorell.tas.gov.au .................................%( +'+. %%%-

(&( BVXfjVg^Z HigZZi ED 7dm )'* South Hobart Tasmania 7004 Tel: %( +''& +&&& Fax: %( +''& +&++ Web: www.nrmsouth.org.au