This chapter is focussed on identifying ways of minimising the impacts on and improving the management of the environment around the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley.
Most of the strategies suggested throughout the chapter are environmental management guidelines. The group would like to encourage Shire Wyndham East Kimberley to develop an Environmental Management Plan using the suggested management guidelines from each issue as a starting point (the strategies in the document with an {*} are ideas for inclusion in the plan).
Other local government authorities around Australia are developing Environmental Management Plans for the better management of the environment in their local shires. Many of these organisations are using Local Agenda 21 as the basis for the environmental management strategies. Local Agenda 21 was an outcome of the International Earth Summit in Rio De Janeiro in 1992. It identifies local government as the organisation that could have a major impact upon environmental problems (www.whyalla.sa.gov.au/enviro).
The overall recommendation that the Conservation Action Group would like to make is:
“For the Shire Wyndham East Kimberley to develop an Environmental Management Plan incorporating all the issues discussed in this chapter (and other issues that come up in the future) to improve environmental management in the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley. This would encourage better management of the environment in the area and encourage the community to become more aware of the impacts they have on the environment.”
* Please note - It is important to recognise that the strategies developed in this chapter will need to be built on as new knowledge is developed and targets are achieved. At this stage they provide a starting point and a framework for commitment from all the parties involved in Land and Water Management on the Ord.
Goals
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Ensure there are no new feral species introduced into the irrigation area that have the potential to reach problem proportions and have a negative impact on native species
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Increase the understanding of pest and feral species, their impacts and control methods.
Feral animals are species that have been introduced to an area and whose populations have become naturalised. For example, cats, dogs, donkeys, goats, wild horses, etc. Some native species can become pest species if their populations reach plague proportions, for example the native brown rat Rattus villosissimus.
CALM provides advice to property owners who are controlling pest and feral animals to ensure that the impact of the control measures on the native species is minimal.
The Agricultural Protection Board plays a role in pest and feral animal control. They have a number of feral animal control programs, including the Judas program, and they work with CALM to provide advice to property owners on pest and feral animal control and they have traps available for property owners to utilise.
Current Status DonkeysWithout adequate control of donkeys it is not possible to achieve acceptable stocking rates and ensure that pastoral activities do not degrade rangelands and adversely impact on rivers and waterways (Water and Rivers Commission, 1997).
There is currently a control program under way throughout most of the East Kimberley. This program is called the Judas program – which involves using radio collars as a means of monitoring the movements of the herd and controlling numbers. As a result of this program the donkey populations in the East Kimberley are now well under control. Ivanhoe and Carlton Hill stations are involved in the program and collars should be fitted on these stations by the end of 2000.
PigsThere are feral pig populations along the Ord River - however these populations are currently not large enough to warrant a specific control program. Pigs have the ability to cause damage to riverbanks, create erosion in these areas, encourage weed growth and transmit disease. Pigs have the potential to cause damage in horticulture crops, as well as in cane, maize, and cucurbit crops. Agriculture WA provides advice and traps, but they do not have a specific control program.
CatsFeral cats can be a problem as they prey on small native animals. There are currently no by-laws for the control of cats in the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley.
During 1999 CALM carried out an initial reconnaissance survey of the status of feral cats in Purnululu National Park. CALM are planning to undertake more survey work and operational control of cats in this area in 2000 (this is subject to funding). They are also planning to undertake a feral cat survey in Mirima National Park this year (Allan Thomson pers comm).
DogsWild dogs, (which under the Agriculture Protection Board definition includes dingoes) can cause problems for property owners who have young stock, however in the irrigation area there are few reports of them being a problem. Agriculture WA provides advice and baits to affected property owners (there is a dog-baiting program across the Kimberley).
To help reduce the problem of domestic dogs going wild and adding to the wild dog population, Shire Wyndham East Kimberley offers reduced dog registration fees for sterilised dogs. The difference in registration fees for one year are – entire dog $30, sterilised dog $10, and for three years – entire dog $75, sterilised dog $10 (costs as of February 2000).
European Honey BeesEuropean Honey Bees are regularly brought into the Ord Valley to aid in the pollination of horticultural crops that are generally not pollinated by native bees. Native bees prefer small flowers, flowers in dense bunches and flowers on trees (Heard and Allan 1998).
No European Honey Bees are allowed into WA from other states and all bees that are brought into the valley are sourced from specific apiaries (due to disease constraints). The value of Honey Bees to horticultural and agricultural crops that benefit from pollination in WA has been estimated to be worth $89 million (Lee Allan, pers comm).
There is some concern in the community that the European Honey Bee may be having a detrimental impact on the native bee population by swarming into the bush and competing with them for food. There has been Australia wide debate on this issue and to date much of the research done has been inconclusive.
Beneficial InsectsWAQIS (Western Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service) is to be notified of any importation of insects into WA. There is a list of insects that can be imported and postal deliveries are subject to inspection.
When growers bring in stocks of beneficial insects for release it is called augmentation. Basically this refers to releases of large numbers of natural enemies with the view of achieving an immediate impact on the pest populations.
The beneficial insects used are species that occur naturally in the area, such as the parasite Trichogramma which parasitises eggs of Helicoverpa, and predatory lacewings, which feed on aphids and other pests. Normally as pest species increase these parasites and predators would also increase; the releases merely speed up this process (Brian Thistleton pers comm).
Since these insects are already found in the area their release is not likely to have a significant impact on native insect populations (Brian Thistleton, pers comm).
Potential Problem SpeciesThere are species found in other areas of Australia that would become a problem if they were to reach Kununurra. One example is the Cane Toad. It is important that the community is made aware of these potential problem species as well as those that are already here.
Knowledge Gaps-
Feral cat status in the area.
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The most effective way to prevent the further introduction of feral animals.
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The impact of European Honey Bees on Native Bee species in the area.
Strategies
Strategy 1
Reduce the impact of pest and feral animals by:
1. Monitoring pest, feral and potential feral species that are in the area by:
(a) Encouraging existing community groups (such as Save Endangered East Kimberley Species {SEEKS} and the LCDC) to document what they see while they are on field trips.
(b) Developing an easy to use recording system, such as a duplicate logbook, that can be used to document field trips and record species sighted (both native and feral species) and delegate responsibility for collating the information to a local group.
(c) Developing easy to read identification material on feral species (such as cane toads) to ensure ease of correct identification.
2. Educating animal owners and making them aware of the issues by: {*}
(a) Encouraging the Shire to work with animal owners and the local veterinary surgeon to reduce the impact of domestic animals on the feral population (through existing sterilisation programs, licensing, etc).
3. Researching potential feral and pest species, ways to control these species, how these species move, and how to effectively monitor these species.
Strategy 2Encourage Shire Wyndham East Kimberley, in consultation with the Agricultural Protection Board, to develop management guidelines for pest and feral species in the Shire {*}.
ResponsibilitiesResponsibility for dealing with pest and feral animals lies with a number of different organisations. Local residents (who are pet owners) have a big responsibility to ensure that they control their animals in a way to reduce the impact that they have on native species. Shire Wyndham East Kimberley has a responsibility to ensure that suitable By Laws are developed to control feral animals in the Shire.
The Agricultural Protection Board has responsibility for providing identification material and managing feral animals that may have an impact on the agricultural industry. CALM has a role to play in controlling feral animal species such as cats in areas of their Conservation Estate. Agencies or organisations (such as Universities) involved in research need to ensure this information is made available locally.
Community groups need to be involved to help increase the amount of local information available, to improve the management of pest and feral species.
ReferencesAllan Thomson, the Department of Conservation and Land Management, Kununurra Office. Brian Thistleton, Entomologist, Agriculture Western Australia, Kununurra Office. Dr. T Heard, Dr. A Dollin (1998), Crop Pollination with Australian Stingless Bees, Australian Native Bee Research Centre, Richmond, NSW. Lee Allan, Senior Apiculturist in Agriculture Western Australia, Perth Office M. P. Schwarz, P.S. Hurst (1997), Effects of Introduced Honey Bees on Australia’s Native Bee Fauna, The Victorian Naturalist, Vol. 114(1) R. Manning (1997), The Honey Bee Debate: a Critique of Scientific Studies of Honey Bees Apis melliferna and Their Alleged Impact on Australian Wildlife, The Victorian Naturalist, Vol. 114(1). Water and Rivers Commission (1997), The State of the Northern Rivers, WRAP 10.
Goals
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Increase the understanding of causes and frequency of unplanned fires and their impact to enable effective management
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Reduce the frequency of unplanned fires in the area by 10% per year over the next five years
As the project area is focused on the ORIA and the riparian areas along the Ord River, the regional issue of fire won’t be dealt with in detail.
The problem around the town of Kununurra and surrounding waterways appears to be the almost annual frequency of fires in the same areas. Constant annual burning encourages the annual grasses such as cane grass (Sorghum spp.) to take over from the perennial species (in terrestrial environments), therefore changing the ecology of these environments.
There is concern along the banks of local waterways that burning of cumbungi, which happens annually in some areas (particularly Packsaddle Swamp), is having a negative impact on riparian woodlands. With repeated burning it is possible these areas of woodland will be dramatically thinned or eliminated (Watkins et al, 1997) therefore reducing the diversity of these areas.
Fire can be a very effective tool for managing woody weed problems (such as currant bush, and chinee apple), when used appropriately. Often, when areas have not been burnt there is a noticeable increase in the density of the native trees. Different types of fires can be used as tools (hot or cool fires) to address different issues, but it is important to maintain a frequency of burning that is conducive to natural population regeneration and enable native species to out compete weeds (O’Reagain, 1999).
Cool burns (including burning in the wet season) at different times of the year, reduces the fuel loads therefore reducing the hazard of intense hot burns. Also, burning at different times of the year gives the perennial grasses and other native plant species an opportunity to survive and set seed. An increase in broad-scale early dry season burning is likely to reduce the extent of later, more destructive, fires while providing other benefits for cattle enterprises. In areas dominated by annual sorghum, which has escaped dry season fire, burning during the wet season should be effective in reducing subsequent fuel loads (Craig, 1997)
Current Status Fire ControlThere are a number of different organisations that are responsible for fire control. (Information provided by the Kimberley District Office of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of WA).
Volunteer Fire & Rescue Brigade– Located in the town-site of Kununurra. This brigade is responsible for fire related issues within the town boundaries. In addition they have the responsibility for hazardous materials related incidents and Road Accident Rescue. They will provide support to Bush Fires Brigades outside of their gazetted district if requested and deemed necessary by the brigade captain.
Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades– Are registered with their respective Local Government, have responsibilities for their areas as determined by Local Government and will provide support to the Volunteer Fire & Rescue Brigade if required. These brigades also conduct hazardous reduction burning in their respective areas and are responsible for general fire management and suppression. There are Volunteer Bushfire Brigades for different areas of the valley – Ivanhoe Plain, Crossing Falls and Packsaddle Road. The Crossing Falls brigade is the only brigade with fire fighting equipment that is recognised by the Bush Fires Service (Bishop, 2000).
There is no fire suppression equipment outside the Fire and Rescue Service gazetted area to address structural fires. The area outside the gazetted area includes two caravan parks, the Hidden Valley light industrial area and the sugar mill (Bishop, 2000).
The Department of Conservation and Land Management– Have responsibility for fire on their estates (for example in Mirima National Park), and provide a support role if requested to other fire agencies.
Bush Fire Service WA (previously Bushfires Board)– Provides an advisory and training role to Local Government and the Bush Fire Brigades throughout the Kimberley region. In addition, during large-scale wild fires they can source plant, equipment and personnel when Local Government’s resources are totally committed. They provide coordination functions during major fire emergencies.
Local Government– Local Government is the Lead Combat Agency for fires outside the Fire and Rescue Service Gazetted Area (this includes all tenures of land including unallocated crown land (UCL)) (FESA, 2000). It has statutory powers (through the Bush Fires Act) to require landowners to remove fire hazards and create firebreaks and can carry out works if owners default and charge the owners the costs involved.
The council has 18 Fire Control officers appointed under the Bush Fire Act. These officers issue burning permits and carry out inspections of property to determine fire risks. The council also contributes to the establishment of volunteer brigades and is a source of funding for equipment.
Strategies
Strategy 1
Reduce the risk of and damage caused by unplanned fires by:
1. Encouraging pro-active fire management, by;
(a) breaking up the landscape into a manageable mosaic of burnt and unburnt areas by carrying out control burns;
(b) installing and maintaining fire breaks;
(c) encouraging cool burns; and
(d) burning at different times of the year.
2. Developing an education and awareness program, which incorporates:
Strategy 2(a) providing information through mail drops, radio, newspaper;
(b) school programs; and
(c) a program highlighting the cultural significance of fire.
Encourage Shire Wyndham East Kimberley, the Volunteer Brigades and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of WA to work together to develop a detailed response plan for fire events in the Shire {*}.
Strategy 3Encourage Shire Wyndham East Kimberley to develop guidelines for pro-active fire management in the area by: {*}
Responsibilities(a) Enforcement and surveillance of council By Laws.
(b) Encouraging pro-active management on vacant town areas.
(c) Compiling a database of fire “hotspots” from around the area.
Responsibility for fire control and management lies with a number of organisations. Shire Wyndham East Kimberley plays an important role with fire management as it has statutory powers that require landholders to remove fire hazards and install firebreaks. CALM have a responsibility for control of fires on their estate, the Volunteer Brigades and the Bush Fires Service of WA also have responsibility for fire management
Landholders have a responsibility to ensure property protection through the removal of fire hazards and maintenance of fire breaks.
ReferencesA.B. Craig, (1997), A review of information on the effects of fire in relation to the management of rangelands in the Kimberley high rainfall zone, Tropical Grasslands, Vol 31, pp. 161-187. Gary Bishop, Bush Fires Service – Kimberley, Fire & Emergency Services Authority of WA, pers comm, 1 March 2000. O’Reagain, (1999), Link fire management to rainfall patterns, Savanna Links, Issue 9, March- April 1999. Richard Brooks, Director of Development Services, pers comm, 30th August 1999. Robert Harris, Director Engineering Services, pers comm, 10th September 1999. Watkins, D., Brennan, K., Lange, C., Jaensch, R., Finlayson, M., (1997), Planning for Ramsar Sites in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia, Wetlands International – Oceania, Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist Consultant.
Background
In the past the main land use in the catchment of the Ord River was grazing cattle. Initially, the river was used as the source of water for stock as there were no artificial water points in place. Much of the catchment area above Lake Argyle has been destocked or access to the river controlled by fences. Downstream of the Diversion Dam cattle are still using the river as a water source.
Current StatusCarlton Hill and Ivanhoe Stations are situated along the river downstream from the Diversion Dam. To control erosion and better manage the parts of the stations with river access, all the paddocks that have river access are being fenced. These paddocks are destocked every second wet season to allow the grasses time to grow and set seed. Initially these areas were planted with buffel grass, however this is no longer practiced.
Since the station Management has been using the program of controlled grazing in the river areas, the native grass species in these areas have proliferated (Claire Warriner Carlton Hill Station pers comm).
Generally the impact of stock on the riparian areas of the river is very localised (see Section – Riparian Areas).
It is not economically feasible to fence off the river completely as this would mean having to provide artificial watering points and the loss of some of the most productive grazing areas (Geoff Warriner – Manager Carlton Hill Station pers comm).
Knowledge gaps-
Which grass species are dominant in the riparian areas.
-
The levels of silt that are moving as a result of stock access.
Strategies
Strategy 1
Determine the impacts of stock on the river by:
1. Installing and regularly recording monitoring sites
2. Working with station Management to increase the information on stock impacts on the river
Strategy 2Manage the impacts of grazing stock by:
1. Further developing grazing Management systems aimed at reducing the impact of stock on riparian vegetation.
2. Reducing the stocking pressure on areas adjacent to the river.
3. Strategic fencing that restricts stock access while enabling limited access for water.
4. Providing alternative watering points.
ResponsibilityThe main responsibility lies with the managers of Carlton and Ivanhoe stations to continue to improve Management of those areas along the river that are impacted by stock. They will need support from research and development agencies like Department of Agriculture and Water and Rivers Commission. The Halls Creek East Kimberley LCDC could also provide support for the development of improved grazing Management.
ReferencesClaire and Geoff Warriner, Managers Carlton and Ivanhoe Stations.
Goals
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Ensure that there are no uncontrolled outbreaks of new weed species in the area in the future.
-
Ensure the development of the Regional Weed Strategy in order to reduce the impact of current weed species on the area.
A weed can be described as any useless, troublesome, or noxious plant, especially one that grows profusely (The Penguin Macquarie Dictionary); a weed is any plant growing where it is not wanted (Hussey, 1997). Weeds can be divided up into two categories, declared weeds and environmental weeds. Declared weeds are those that have to be controlled in specific ways by law or statute. The level of control can range from eradication to containment.
Environmental weeds are plants, which are introduced to an area and have the potential to cause environmental problems if conditions are right.
In Western Australia, the Agricultural Protection Board (APB) plays the lead role in protecting the state’s agricultural industry from pest plants, pest animals and diseases. Their primary role is in protecting agricultural viability. In terms of weed control, their role is to act as a barrier to weeds entering the state.
The APB has a Regional Advisory Committee (made up of community members) who suggests which plants should be declared. Generally if the plant does not adversely impact on agriculture it will not be listed as a declared weed as once it is declared there is a responsibility to control it. This control is the responsibility of the landholder – although the APB offers advice on the method of control.
The Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) has a responsibility for controlling weeds on the Conservation Estate.
The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley can declare pest plants in the Shire (caltrop is currently a declared plant in the Shire), however once they are declared they have a responsibility to control these plants.
Current Status Terrestrial WeedsCurrently the following declared weeds occur in the Ord River Irrigation Area or along the Ord River: Chinee Apple, Parkinsonia, Sorghum alum, Thornapple, Noogoora Burr, Calotropis and Bellyache Bush (not declared on the Ord due to the large areas – for example on the Bow River).
Weeds that are listed as environmental weeds for the areas include:
Date Palm, Hyptis, Khaki Weed, Lantana, Leuceana and Prickly Acacia. These may be seen as weeds in certain situations.
Aquatic WeedsNo invasive waterweed species have become established in the area to date (2000). A small area of Salvinia was found in the town of Kununurra and eradicated during 1998. There was also another area of Salvinia found in Lake Kununurra in May 2000. The APB and WRC identified the weed and control measures have been taken.
Many aquatic plants grow profusely in the area, however they are all native to the area and following the damming of the river have proliferated. At times these plants can cause problems with recreational use of the waterway.
There are, however, invasive waterweeds found in other parts of Australia that could pose a threat and it is important to ensure they are not introduced to the ORIA.
Acrolien ® Use in the M1 ChannelNative weeds in the main irrigation delivery channel, the M1, need to be controlled as they inhibit the movement of water down the channel. The current practice used by the water delivery operators (Ord Irrigation Pty Ltd.) is to utilise Acrolien ® which kills both plants and animals living in the water by depleting oxygen levels.
Agency InvolvementThe Agriculture Protection Board has a role in keeping WA weed, pest and disease free, with their core business protecting agriculture (as mentioned in Section Surface Water Quality Goals). All cars entering Kununurra from the Northern Territory have to pass through a quarantine station. Vehicles carrying horses or cattle must be washed down at the quarantine yards or similar facility. This quarantine role is important, as there are a number of invasive weed species found in the Northern Territory that are not found in WA.
During a visit by the Northern Australian Quarantine Service (NAQS) in August 1999 to three new weed species were found – one at the quarantine yards wash down bay, one in a banana plantation and one in an area of well watered lawn. These were all in small populations and have since been controlled. NAQS carries out regular weed surveys in search of any new species of foreign plants – which can then be controlled while they are in small populations (Kimberley Pastoral Memo, August 1999).
Projects Under Way-
There has been a Regional Weed Strategy initiated in the area. This will link in with the National Weed Strategy, while focusing on the Kimberley Region.
-
The ORIA Land Conservation District Committee (LCDC) undertook a Date Palm eradication program in 1998 and 1999. This focused on plants that were growing on Lake Kununurra and any small tributaries into the lake and is likely to continue (depending on funding).
-
Lack of understanding of bio-management of weed problems.
-
Incomplete knowledge of the risk of genetically modified plants cross-breeding with bush species?
-
What are the principal weeds that may cause problems in the future?
Strategies
Strategy 1
Prevent the introduction and spread of new weed species to the area by:
1. Maintaining the border checkpoint.
2. Continuing the development of the Regional Weed Strategy
3. Developing an education and awareness program about current weed species and future potential weeds by using:
a) mail drops;
b) the Kimberley Weeds section on the Ag WA website;
c) local web sites;
d) the Ribbons of Blue education program.
4. Developing an easy to read updateable booklet on weeds in the region.
5. Encouraging fishermen, bushwalkers, etc to report sightings of weed species.
6. Providing easy to access plant identification material to the general public.
Strategy 2Control the spread of existing weed species by: {*}
1. Finalising the Regional Weed Strategy (which was initiated in 1999)
2. Developing an education and awareness program (as in 3. above).
Strategy 3Eradicate weed species where appropriate and feasible.
Strategy 4Encourage Shire Wyndham East Kimberley and the Agricultural Protection Board (AGWEST) to develop guidelines for the management of weeds in the area. {*}
ResponsibilitiesThe Agriculture Protection Board has responsibility for controlling declared weed species on unallocated crown land and for providing information and awareness material to landholders and the general public. CALM have responsibility for controlling weed species on their estate. The WRC plays a role with declared weed management in local waterways. Landholders have a responsibility to ensure that they do not introduce weed species to their gardens/areas of land that have the potential to become problem species (this is particularly important for waterweed species). The Shire Wyndham East Kimberley has a responsibility for managing weed species in the Shire (they have the power to declare pest plants).
ReferencesHussey, BMJ, Keighery, GJ, Cousens, RD, Dodd, J, Lloyd, SG (1997), Western Weeds – A guide to the weeds of Western Australia, The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia.
Kimberley Pastoral Memo, August 1999, Agriculture WA, Derby
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Ensure there is no illegal off property clearing.
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Ensure that clearing that is undertaken conforms to appropriate formal processes.
The Department of Land Administration (DOLA) is responsible for the management of Unallocated Crown Land (UCL). No clearing can be undertaken on these areas without due assessment by this department in consultation with a number of other agencies, including the Water and Rivers Commission, Conservation and Land Management, Environmental Protection and the Commissioner for Soil Conservation (Derrick Chan, pers comm, August 1999).
All areas of land are vested in someone, whether it be the crown or specific Ministers. For example the area of land directly downstream of the Diversion Dam wall is vested in the Minister for Water Resources for protection of the Diversion Dam (Reserve 37380). Areas along side the river from the Diversion Dam to Riverfarm Road is vested in the Minister for Works for quarry sites along the Ord River (Reserve 36951) (Water Corporation, 1999).
Clearing areas between farms and the Ord River and Lake Kununurra, the development of tourist camps and rest stops along the river, and the clearing of road verges is of concern to the community as it reduces the available habitat for native animals and can destabilise river bank areas.
River front clearingThere is concern about the removal of riparian vegetation from areas between properties and the river. On Lake Kununurra some areas of land between farms and the river (and areas of the foreshore closer to town) are vested in the Shire and the Water and Rivers Commission. Therefore any proposed changes to these areas require the approval of both of these organisations.
There are small areas along the Ord River and Lake Kununurra that have been cleared for tour operations, or to enable access to the area. Before developments in these areas can go ahead, DOLA has to assess the proposal in consultation with the above-mentioned agencies.
As discussed in Section Riparian Areas of the river are important to animals and often support highly diverse ecosystems.
Road side clearingThe Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley currently allows landholders to utilise land as close as practical to roads on the proviso that it may be reclaimed at any time. This does not allow for any clearing of trees, this must be addressed by the landholder through the Soil and Land Conservation Act and the Commissioner for Soil Conservation.
Projects Under wayIntegrated overview of values, uses and modifying processes in the Ord River’s riparian zone.
The project leader for this project is Dr Tony Start.
Knowledge Gaps-
The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley’s environmental policy.
-
Can roadsides be used effectively as wildlife corridors?
-
Does clearing of areas along road verges and adjacent to the river have an impact on the species using these areas?
-
Future planning issues?
-
Is there soil erosion/movement from areas that are cleared? What is the impact from this?
Reduce off property clearing, by:
Ensuring guidelines for clearing and development are unambiguous{*}.
Ensuring that landholders are aware of and adhere to these guidelines by:
Strategy 2(a) Ensuring the agencies involved take responsibility to provide the relevant information to landholders;
(b) Developing guidelines for management of riparian areas and including them in a waterways management strategy.
Improve the management of roadside verges, by: {*}
1. Managing weed species in these areas {*}.
2. Encouraging the inclusion of these areas in an “Environmental Management Plan” for the area.
3. Clarifying the purpose and use of these areas (including native species, access, etc).
ResponsibilitiesThe Shire Wyndham East Kimberley, DOLA, the Water and Rivers Commission and the Water Corporation have a responsibility to clarify how areas alongside the river are to be managed. DOLA has a responsibility to clarify the guidelines for clearing outside of property boundaries (areas that are not adjacent to the river). These organisations also have a responsibility to ensure that guidelines for the management of these areas are developed and adhered to.
The Shire Wyndham East Kimberley and property owners alongside roads have a responsibility to improve the management of roadside verges to ensure they are not acting as a source for weeds, or transferring feral animals etc.
ReferencesDerrick Chan, Department of Land Administration, pers comm, August 1999. Ross Currie, Land Matters Administrator –NWR, Water Corporation, 12 October 1999.
Goals
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Preserve the remaining areas of native vegetation that have the potential to act as wildlife corridors
-
Within 5 years identify where new corridors are required for the conservation of biodiversity.
A corridor is a linear feature of vegetation, which differs from the surrounding vegetation and connects at least two patches that were connected in historical time (Hussey et.al, 1989)
Frequently, corridors link one or more patches of habitat in the landscape and may be a pathway for animal movement, but they may also occur as isolated lines of habitat (Bennett, 1990).
The preservation of existing corridors, or the establishment of new corridors to link isolated habitats, has been widely proposed as practical conservation measures that can ameliorate the effects on wildlife of habitat loss and fragmentation (Bennett, 1990).
Corridors are important where large areas of land have been cleared of native vegetation, leaving isolated pockets of vegetation which does not “connect” to other areas – this is sometimes called fragmentation. Fragmentation can lead to loss of species diversity of both plant and animal species.
The function of corridors is to facilitate the movement of plants and animals along the corridor and between isolated populations, to act as habitat for some species, and to act as a barrier to the movement of certain species through a landscape (a river may be a natural barrier).
Current KnowledgeCorridors have many positive values in nature conservation and general land management. They may be habitat in their own right for native plants and animals, permit species to move between isolated areas of vegetation, and enable gene flow to occur between different members of a population. They can increase the diversity of the landscape, provide a tool to help control rising ground water levels, provide shelter for wildlife, improve aesthetics and help to create a more “integrated” system.
On the other hand, corridors can have negative impacts. They may channel species into areas where they face increased risk of mortality from human pressures or other predators. If corridors are open disturbed areas they can be ideal for weed establishment (Hussey et.al, 1989) and can be utilised by feral animals.
There are no areas in the ORIA that are designated as wildlife corridors (March 2000). However, there are areas around the irrigation area that may be able to be utilised as corridors. These areas may not be native vegetation but may be able to be used as managed corridors. These include sections of the D2 Drain, the M1 Channel – all the way through the irrigation area (*note: the area alongside the M1 Channel is a reserve for the M2 Channel) and the Farm Hill area (Dumas Lookout). However, there are a number of issues related to these areas including the size of the areas and possible conflicts with current surrounding land uses.
Knowledge Gaps-
Is the irrigation area large enough to warrant wildlife corridors?
-
What is the extent of habitat fragmentation in the irrigation area?
-
What would be the aim of the corridors – ie. What community/species are we trying to conserve?
-
Are there sections of the irrigation area that are more important in terms of corridors than others?
-
How do species currently found in the irrigation area move through it?
-
Do they move through fields, along channels and drains, along roads?
-
What species have reduced habitat or migration corridors that are blocked by the irrigation area?
Strategies
Strategy 1
Encourage the preservation of existing remnant vegetation areas by:{*}
1. Identifying the location of areas of remnant vegetation.
2. Working with the landholders to help manage these areas.
Strategy 2Conduct research on the geography and scale of the ORIA and its possible requirements for wildlife corridors.
ResponsibilitiesThe Shire Wyndham East Kimberley has a responsibility to develop guidelines for management of areas of remnant vegetation and integrate research results into these management guidelines.
Water Corporation has a responsibility for managing the channels and drains that have the potential to act as corridors. This responsibility may change once the irrigation distribution system is privatised.
Community groups such as the LCDC and COVE have a responsibility to help identify areas that may act as corridors and help to source funding to have research done in this area. This may include working with agencies to encourage research with Universities and other organisations.
ReferencesBennett, A.F., (1990), Habitat Corridors- Their Role in Wildlife Management and Conservation, Department of Conservation and Environment, Victoria, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research.
Hussey, B.M.J., Hobbs, R.J., Saunders, D.A., (1989), Guidelines for Bush Corridors, from workshop/conference on “Nature Conservation: the Role of Corridors” held in Western Australia.
Saunders, D.A. & Hobbs, R.J. (Eds.) (1991), Nature Conservation II: The role of corridors. Surrey Beatty & Sons Pty. Ltd.
National Parks and Conservation Reserves
Goals
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Increase the area in the reserve system by incorporating currently proposed areas (Packsaddle Swamp, Carr Boyd ranges, Cambridge Gulf Marine Reserve).
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Within two years develop a plan to manage the impact of visitors on popular recreational areas that are outside national parks.
Mirima National Park (Hidden Valley) is close to Kununurra. This park has facilities such as walk trails and information boards and is utilised by local people and visitors to the area.
There are also two Nature Reserves located along the Lower Ord River, Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve and the Ord River Nature Reserve. These areas are managed primarily for nature conservation.
There is a proposed Cambridge Gulf Marine Park, which includes the Ord River Nature Reserve, portions of Carlton Hill Station, Unallocated Crown Land and the waters of the Cambridge Gulf.
Current StatusIt has been proposed that the islands of Lake Argyle and the Carr Boyd Ranges to the west and north-west of Lake Argyle be declared a class C Reserve, for the purpose of a National Park (Burbidge, McKenzie and Kenneally, 1991). See attached map.
The Packsaddle Swamps area is also an area of proposed reserve with joint vestige in the Water Corporation and the National Parks and Nature Conservation Agency (Burbidge, McKenzie and Kenneally, 1991). See attached map.
The Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) manage these areas of national parks and reserves. This management includes fire management, public access management, as well as managing the native flora and fauna found in these areas. Comments from the public on park management are invited by CALM.
Strategies
Strategy 1
Encourage joint planning on fire and weed management around National Parks and Conservation Reserves by:
1. Involving CALM, Shire Wyndham East Kimberley, DOLA, fire brigades, the Kimberley Bush Fire Service and Traditional Owners in a joint planning initiative.
Strategy 2Reduce the impacts of visitors on popular recreation areas (outside the National Parks) by: {*}
1. Education and awareness.
2. Appropriate signage.
3. Provision of facilities.
4. Involving the landholder (station management, traditional owners, DOLA (for areas of UCL) etc) and the Shire Wyndham East Kimberley in the management of the area.
ResponsibilitiesCALM has the principal responsibility for managing areas that are within their estate. Landholders surrounding national parks and conservation reserves have a responsibility for reducing their impacts on national parks by working with CALM on joint initiatives.
The community (including tourists and local residents) has a responsibility to minimise their impacts on national parks and other popular recreational areas. Shire Wyndham East Kimberley has a responsibility to help community organisations (such as LOCAC) maintain popular visitation areas.
ReferencesBurbidge, A.A., McKenzie, N.L., Kenneally, K.F., (1991), Nature Conservation Reserves in the Kimberley Western Australia, Department of Conservation and Land Management, WA.
Goals
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Maintain and protect the biodiversity of the plants and animals within the Ord River Irrigation area and surrounding areas included within this study.
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Increase the understanding of and interrelationships between native plant and animal species found in the area.
There have been a number of reports on native plants and native animals in the study area. These generally focus on one location, for example Mirima National Park or Lake Kununurra, but relate to the area as a whole.
Current Status GeneralA list of plant species found in the area is located at the WA Herbarium (Perth). There may be other plants species in the area but they have not yet been recorded.
A survey of animals was carried out by the WA museum in 1971, prior to the flooding of the Ord River to form Lake Argyle. They found that there were 26 different species of native mammals in the area. This survey focussed on the areas that are now submerged by Lake Argyle (Kitchener, 1978).
BirdsThere are approximately 200 different species of birds in the area. There are also records of large numbers of some bird species, for example, 4000 Brolgas and 500 Swamp Hens have been recorded at Lake Argyle (Steve Sharpe, Lake Argyle Cruises, pers comm). There are birds found in the area that have restricted distributions in other areas of the state, such as the Burdekin Duck, Green Pigmy Goose, White Browed Crake, Pied Heron and White Browed Robin. There are a number of species that have increased in numbers due to the permanent water supply now available. These include the Magpie Goose, Plumed Whistling Duck, Chestnut Whistling Duck, Jabiru, Brolga, and Swamp Hen (Jaensch, 1989).
CrocodilesCrocodiles are found in all waterways around the area. Lakes Kununurra and Argyle are significant breeding areas for freshwater crocodiles, Crocodylus johnstoni, and the Lower Ord River is habitat for estuarine crocodiles. Lake Kununurra and Lake Argyle are designated crocodile control zones (CCZ), which means that immediate action is taken by CALM to remove any estuarine crocodiles that are confirmed to be present.
CALM has conducted surveys on crocodile numbers in the Lower Ord River since 1986. These surveys have indicated that the crocodile population has not altered significantly over the survey period. Part of the reason for this is that significant numbers of crocodiles have been trapped for the Wyndham and Broome Crocodile Farms (Chris Done, CALM, pers comm).
WaterwaysLakes Kununurra and Argyle and the Ord River Floodplain are all listed as Ramsar wetlands. Being listed as Ramsar sites these areas are internationally recognised as “wetlands of international importance especially as waterfowl habitat”. The key concept of the Ramsar convention is to encourage the wise use of these areas (where the wise use is their sustainable utilisation for the benefit of mankind in a way compatible with the maintenance of the natural properties of the ecosystem) (www.anca.gov.au).
Because of this Ramsar listing there have been a number of surveys focussing on the species found in the Lake. The following is a summary of the flora and fauna species for Lake Kununurra, therefore giving some indication of the species found in the study area.
Lake KununurraFlora: Riparian woodland has re-established along the banks (following flooding when the lake was created). Typical fringing and riparian woodland species include Melaleuca species, Pandanus aquaticus, Eucalyptus microtheca, E. camaldulensis, Sesbania formosa, Nauclea orientalis and Lophostemon grandiflorus. (Watkins et. al 1997).
Present conditions in the lake provide an ideal regime for growth of submerged aquatic plants. Common submerged or floating aquatic plants include floating pond weed Potamogeton tricarinatus, ribbon weed Vallisneria spiralis, hydrilla Hydrilla verticellata, Najas graminea, Myriophyllum verrucosum, Chara spp, white snow flake lily Nyphoides indica, and blue waterlily, Nymphaea gigantea (Watkins et. al 1997).
One of the most successful aquatic plants associated with Lake Kununurra is cumbungi Typha domingensis. Since the lake was dammed cumbungi has moved along most of the banks of the lake and associated wetlands, and is continuing to expand into open water to depths of around 2m (Watkins et. al 1997).
None of the wetland plants associated with Lake Kununurra are considered to be rare, threatened or endangered (Australian Nature Conservation Agency, 1996). No exotic waterweeds are known to occur in Lake Kununurra. However, the riparian zones support an extensive array of terrestrial weed species.
Fauna: Animal species associated with Lake Kununurra and surrounds include an extensive array of invertebrate species (Ribbons of Blue sampling has located as many as 12 different species at one site at one time) and at least 15 species of freshwater fishes (mainly catfishes, grunters and gudgeons). Extensive populations of freshwater crocodiles and three species of freshwater turtles (one of which is only found in the Kimberley-Victoria River region). Colonies of flying foxes (with the black flying foxes Pteropus alecto being resident and the little red flying fox Pteropus scapulatus is only present in the wet season), and up to 160 species of birds (Watkins et. al 1997), of which there are ten listed under treaties (ANCA, 1996).
There are species of aquatic fauna which have had their area of population distribution reduced due to the construction of the Diversion Dam. These include a number of fish species, which have migration as a vital part of their life cycles.
TerrestrialMuch of this information relates to Mirima National Park and it’s surrounds (once again as there has been study in this area and there is limited other information). This park is located on the edge of the town of Kununurra and therefore could be indicative of species found in the study area.
Flora:In the park area there have been 147 species of flora from 54 families recorded. Some examples of these species include Woollybutt (Eucalyptus miniata), and Long-fruited Bloodwood (E. polycarpa), over shrubs such as Cajanus reticulatus, Planchonia careya, Grevillia heliosperma, G. refracta and Pouteria sericea on the valley floors. The rocky walls support the Boab (Adansonia gregorii) and the figs (Ficus leucotricha and F. platypoda) and Turkey Bush (Calytrix exstipulata) (Burbidge et al, 1991).
For more information on the species found in the area see A Biological Survey of Mirima National Park Dec. 1993 – Jan. 1994.
See the weeds Section 3.3 for the status of terrestrial weeds.
Fauna:There have been 15 species of frog, 45 reptile species and 22 mammal species found in the park (with four of the mammal species being introduced).
186 species of avifauna have been recorded in the boundaries of Mirima National Park. Birds found in the park that are seen as uncommon include the pacific baza, peregrine falcon; black tailed native-hen and barn owl. The little button quail, which is on the northern edge of its distribution has also been recorded (Graham, 1994).
Strategies Strategy 1Develop a local database for recording native plants and animals by:
1 Developing an easy to use recording system to catalogue this information (such as a local herbarium).
2 Encouraging local community groups to record their results from field trips, etc.
3 Encouraging cooperation and involvement with existing research and monitoring programs.
4 Publicising the local recording system to ensure interested people utilise it.
Strategy 2Establish a corridor to allow the migration of aquatic fauna along the Ord River by:
1. Supporting the process that is already under way to investigate different options for developing an aquatic corridor.
2. Taking into account the safety concerns of river users on Lake Kununurra when developing options for a corridor.
ReferencesAustralian Nature Conservation Agency (1996), A Directory of important Wetlands in Australia Second Edition. ANCA, Canberra.
Burbidge, A., McKenzie, N.L., Kenneally K.F., (1991), Nature Conservation Reserves in the Kimberley, Western Australia, Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia.
Graham, G (1994), A Biological Survey of Mirima National Park, December 1993 – January 1994, Department of Conservation and Land Management – Western Australia. Jaensch, R. P., Birds of Wetlands and Grasslands in the Kimberley Division, Western Australia: Some Records of Interest, 1981 – 1988, Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union, RAOU Report No. 61, 1989. Kitchener, D.J., (1978), Mammals of the Ord River Area, Kimberley, Australia, Rec.West.Aust. Mus., 6 (2). Watkins, D., Brennan, K., Lange, C., Jaensch, R. P., Finlayson, M., (1997), Planning for Ramsar Sites in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia, Wetlands International – Oceania, Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist Consultant.