Rewilding Yorke Peninsula

News article |

Staff from Natural Resources Northern and Yorke will hold a series of community meetings across Southern Yorke Peninsula to seek input into the development of the Rewilding Yorke Peninsula project.

Staff from Natural Resources Northern and Yorke will hold a series of community meetings across Southern Yorke Peninsula to seek input into the development of the Rewilding Yorke Peninsula project.

This innovative project would see the reintroduction of multiple native species into their former range to assist in the restoration of natural functions, with the goal of providing positive agricultural, biodiversity and economic outcomes for Yorke Peninsula.

Key species would be chosen for their functions in the ecosystem, for example brush-tailed bettong and southern brown bandicoots to improve native vegetation condition, and red-tailed phascogale and barn owls to reduce mouse populations.

Natural Resources Northern and Yorke Landscape Ranger Jasmine Swales said that low impact predator management fences are also proposed to be installed at strategic locations to restrict fox and cat movement onto the bottom end, and improve control efforts.

"A fence would build upon the last 10 years of intensive fox control that we have worked on together through the Baiting for Biodiversity program, maintain positive outcomes gained, and reduce long term fox management costs," Mrs Swales said.

The intent of the fence is to shepherd the foxes and cats to ‘gaps’ in the fence where the existing roads pass through, allowing targeted fox control and unimpeded access by traffic.

Northern and Yorke Landscape Program Coordinator Andy Sharp said reintroducing key species back into the local ecosystem will restore some natural processes that are currently missing or costing land managers a lot to try and control long term.

"One of the primary goals of the project is to deliver tangible outcomes for local agriculture, through the reintroduction of native predators to reduce the impacts of mouse plagues on crops," Mr Sharp said.

"The establishment of Australia’s largest open-range wildlife sanctuary (250,000 ha) would benefit the local economy, providing a focal point for international tourism."

To be involved in the discussions surrounding the Rewilding Yorke Peninsula project and provide valuable input at this early planning phase, please attend one the following community meetings:

Friday, 20 October Warooka: Warooka Uniting Church Hall 5.00 pm – 7.00 pm

Saturday, 21 October Marion Bay: Marion Bay Community Hall 10.00 am – 12.00 pm

This Rewilding Yorke Peninsula project has evolved from over ten years of Community Action Planning (CAP) with key community members and stakeholder groups. A consortium of organisations is currently involved with the development of the project, including; World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Zoos SA, FAUNA Research Alliance, Greening Australia, Trees for Life, Conservation Volunteers Australia, Nature Conservation Society of SA, Ag Excellence Alliance, Regional Development Australia, Legatus, Yorke Peninsula Council, and Yorke Peninsula Tourism Board.

To register your attendance or for more information please contact Jasmine Swales, Landscape Ranger, Natural Resources Northern and Yorke on 8854 3203 or email jasmine.swales@sa.gov.au.

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