Partnering for Natural Resources Management achievements
Six key Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula (NREP) regional achievements where highlighted in the State Parliament last month during the tabling of Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board’s Annual Report 2015-16.
The report brings together achievements from local community, business and government agencies on natural resources management progress; sustainable agriculture, water, native conservation, citizen science, fire management and governance.
Presiding Member Diana Laube said reflecting on achievements from the 2015-16 report the Board was pleased with a number of workshops made available to local farmers, including field days and group meetings and a repeat of the popular ‘Water Use on Farms’ workshop.
“In response to information presented at the Water use on Farms workshops we know, for example, farmers have installed over 130 water leak detection devices on properties across Eyre Peninsula and we have case studies sharing how actions specific to Eyre Peninsula have helped to achieve greater sustainable water and land use, through technology, for the region. Last financial year, we had over 400 farmers that attended workshops and this year, many farmers are continuing to take advantage our other services, including fox bait distribution days, ‘Pests Cost Us All’ workshops, ‘Sheep Reproduction and Investment’ workshops which have also been supported with funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Programme," said Ms Laube.
Nature conservation continued to be a strong focus for Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula in 2015-16, with over 200 people having now completed a ‘Introduction to Bird Identification’ course, to become trained citizen scientists able to assist in monitoring native fauna and baseline biodiversity studies on Eyre Peninsula in partnership with NREP.
NREP Regional Director Jonathan Clark said Aboriginal engagement, particularly supporting employment and developing projects with Aboriginal communities is an area NREP purposefully focused on in 2015-16.
“The partnership with the Port Lincoln High School’s Aboriginal Ranger Cadetship program, preparation for the very successful Aboriginal Green Army team (which started in July 2016) and the voices of young people in natural resources management planning where highlights.I’d also like to recognise and thank the Ceduna Aboriginal Corporation Labour Hire teams for their full time work on the Australian Government funded WildEyre, National Landcare and the West Coast 20 Million Trees programs. Their contribution to the regions NRM outcomes have been amazing” said Mr Clark.
Other notable achievements include the development of Fire Management Plans in partnership with Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY), the adoption of the Water Allocation Plan for the Southern Basins and Musgrave Prescribed Wells Areas and the preparation of a new 2018-19 Business Plan.
To view the 2015-16 Annual Report visit www.landscape.sa.gov.au/ep/about-us/about-the-board or call us on (08) 8688 3111.
