Property planning gets underway

Posted 27 November 2020.

A property mapping program has commenced again in the region, supported by the Board as part of its Building Pastoral Sustainability (BPS) program.

Six properties who were successful in being selected for the BPS Property Management Planning (PMP) program had Richard Marver from Contour Agricultural & Environmental Consulting visit their properties as part of stage two of the four-stage program.

Richard’s Ecologically Sustainable Rangelands Management (ESRM) program works with land managers to identify and benchmark ecological indicators of landscape function and develop management plans that achieve positive outcomes across multiple values.

Properties involved included Buckleboo and South Gap in the Gawler Ranges, Wintinna in the Marla Oodnadatta district, Mt Lyndhurst in the Marree Innamincka district, and Yednalue and Holowiliena in the North Flinders district.

Richard’s visit with each business included a mapping exercise and thorough on-ground discussions about various ecological aspects of the property where ideas for future land management were discussed. Landscape function, pasture identification, erosion control and grazing management were common topics of discussion. Similar themes were identified across the properties with a range of positive, productive outcomes.

Each property is now awaiting a formal ESRM plan from Richard, which will highlight priorities for future land management.

The Property Management Planning Program is part of the Building Pastoral Sustainability Project, which is delivered by the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.