Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula, in conjunction with the EP Local Government Association and local EP Councils are currently developing a roadside vegetation management plan for Eyre Peninsula. The plan intends to assist Councils to manage and maintain road verges to allow for the safe passage of vehicles, including cutting back or removal of native vegetation. The management of native vegetation, including on roadsides, is regulated under the Native Vegetation Act 1991. This native vegetation can provide important habitat for native plants and animals as well as providing corridors for their movement in a fragmented landscape. Some of the roadside native vegetation may be of conservation significance.
Rainfall across Eyre Peninsula can now be observed in real time following the addition of telemetry to a number of rainfall stations across the region. Community members now have access to real-time and historic rainfall data through the Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula’s website. Rainfall data is uploaded hourly, with a historic record of daily rainfall also available for each site through WaterConnect.
A local Green Army team has been working in Arno Bay as part of the Australian Government funded Green Army initiative on Lower Eyre Peninsula. Hosted by Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula, the team has delivered strong community and environmental outcomes for the region.
Help is now at hand for educators that are enthusiastic about implementing sustainability initiatives at their school but don’t know where to start. Using an established framework, the South Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI- SA), has seen more than 350 schools and preschools register with the program across the state. Eyre Peninsula has joined their ranks, with Lake Wangary Primary School being the first to sign up for the program and they will partner with Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula.
Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum) is fast becoming a problem on the Eyre Peninsula. The grass is native to Africa and was brought to Australia as a “Garden Ornamental”. In 2015 Fountain grass became a declared weed under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004. This means that it is now illegal to transport or sell this plant and all property owners have a responsibility to control Fountain grass on their property and also on the adjacent roadside.
The Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board will contribute $200,000 to the City of Whyalla’s Northern Coastline Master Plan, specifically for works that balance economic, social and environmental protection of natural assets such the Giant cuttlefish, the shingle dune system and other local natural tourism assets.
Eyre Peninsula is set to benefit from an additional one million dollars of Natural Resources Management funding with the approval of six new projects encompassing nature-based tourism and regional climate change adaptation needs over the next two years.
Teachers, educators and students are some of the region’s most enthusiastic sustainability change-makers and Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula is keen to help local schools and education centre’s get the help, resources and direction they need through the South Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI- SA).
Eyre Peninsula educators, community and local government value time in nature for children, discussed in last month’s Nature Play SA workshops. Three workshops in Ceduna explored how unstructured outdoor play in nature can benefit children’s physical and mental health.
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.