Flinders Island on-ground works begin

This is a vital milestone for transforming the island into a safe haven for threatened species.

Aviation and pest management teams arrived in Elliston earlier in the week, with everything now set for them to move offshore for the first eradication sweep.

The island is now closed to visitors for the rest of the year to ensure the health and safety of the public and the success of the operations. This includes a marine buffer in place 100m offshore from the high tide mark – from the first bait drop on May 5 until mid June, subject to weather conditions.

For more details, see the marine closure map on the timeline on our project page or call Landscape Officer Gemma Bawden on 0409 849 820.

The restoration of Flinders Island will secure South Australia’s fourth largest island (4,000 ha) into Australia’s network of havens which consists of more than 100 predator free islands and 20 fenced areas that contain vulnerable mammals.

The project aims to protect and restore the island’s unique ecosystem by eradicating cats, rats and mice. Upon successful eradication of these pests, threatened plant and animal species can be introduced to the island. This will create a lasting impact that will stimulate conservation and nature-based tourism with opportunities for the community to get involved.

We will use current best practice rodent and feral cat eradication on the island with the engagement of technical experts.

This project is jointly funded by the Australian Government, the South Australian Department for Environment and Water and the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board in partnership with the Woolford family. Our funding for the project comes from the Landscape Priorities Fund which enables regional landscape boards to invest in large projects.