Salinity is the main threat to land and water quality on Eyre Peninsula. Erosion, pests and sedimentation are also matters for on-going attention.
The Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board has programs running to look at whole-of-catchment care including sustainable agricultural practices, revegetation, erosion control, salinity and water resource management.
These programs work on improving soil condition, managing weeds and pest animals, conservation of water resources (streams, wetlands and creeks) and working closely with the landscape to ensure sustainable land management which improves farm productivity and biodiversity.
Catchment projects enable community ownership and achievement, which is important to rural areas. A number of dedicated community groups help to drive some of these programs and the Board works closely with these groups to work towards long-term goals for management of our important catchment systems.
Improve whole farming systems in the Salt Creek and Brooker Catchments
This project will bring broad landscape change in the Salt Creek and Brooker Catchments (over 90,000 ha) by addressing salinity, wind erosion and whole farm profitability.
This will be achieved through electro-magnetic mapping, whole farm planning, education-extension, technical advice and incentives for landholders to undertake on-ground works. The project is strongly driven by a team of dedicated landholders who are members of Salt Creek and Brooker Catchment Steering Committees.
The Salt Creek and Brooker Catchment Steering Committee’s represent over 100 landholders, and are keen to continue the commitment to Landcare by encouraging sustainable farming practices and improving productivity through maximising plant water use and addressing soil issues.
Salinity, Waterlogging & Stream Management - Cummins-Wanilla Basin (Phase 3)
This project enhances and builds upon the last 8 years of on-ground work which is addressing the management of salinity, waterlogging and stream bank erosion in the Cummins-Wanilla Basin on lower Eyre Peninsula.
In addition to this, the project hopes to provide financial assistance (with relation to the inputs required in this activity) to the landholders who have been affected by the recent 2005 fires on Lower Eyre Peninsula. Around half of this catchment area has now been burnt out and requires:
- rehabilitation,
- revegetation,
- fencing, and
- erosion control measures.
The funding will be used for on-ground works as follows: revegetation for salinity, waterlogging and riparian management; stream bank erosion control and rehabilitation; establishment of high water use plants for recharge control; and to fence off areas of remnant vegetation, both burnt and unburnt, to enhance biodiversity through linkages of indigenous native vegetation. The project involves a large amount of in-stream and catchment work that will directly benefit the community.
The Cummins-Wanilla Basin Streamcare Group has been active since 1997, working on the placement of erosion control structures, fencing and revegetation of the stream system and protection of native vegetation in the major stream system of the Cummins-Wanilla Basin. It has also promoted the establishment of lucerne and perennial pastures in the upper catchment area to assist with salinity control.
It is a community driven group, evident by the make up of members from Edillilie, Wanilla and Marble Range Landcare groups and a member of the Oyster Growers Association.
This project continues the work of the 2001 SA Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) Rivercare Landcare Award winning group into the future.
Charlton Gully to Tulka – Integrated Environmental Management Actions
The Big & Little Swamps and Charlton Gully Catchments were identified by the local community as priority activity areas, because of the concern for the health of the significant wetlands and vegetation communities in these catchments. This has been particularly significant since the devastating 2005 bushfire on Lower Eyre Peninsula.
Many landholders have already worked strategically and very well together to rehabilitate large areas of remaining scrub. Much more is still needed.
By combining the two previous projects, the community feels this joint project will address large scale issues and limit potential confusion as many landholder property boundaries do not follow catchment boundaries.
A strong executive committee (Coomunga and Charlton Gully Executive Committee) manage this project with support from a dedicated administration officer and relevant technical and NRM staff.
For more information on the Charlton Gully to Tulka project see the
2006-08 Investment Strategy document or contact Arnd Enneking on (08) 8684 5015.