Overview

KINRM Strategy

Committee

Current events and activities:

• Alternative to 1080—On 13 October, 10a.m. to 4 p.m.- a workshop with Tony Norton, representatives of the Game Management branch, DPIPWE, and TFGA will be held about the project and its outcomes.
  More information available on 64621825


• King Island Natural Management Strategy 2010-2020 The King Island Natural Resource Management Strategy 2010-2010 (referred to as the Strategy) guides the activities of KINRM. The strategy focuses on what can be achieved on King Island in NRM over the next 10-20 years, and how best to achieve these goals for King Island's asset areas of Land, Biodiversity, Coast and Water. The goals have been developed with input from the community, interested groups and the KINRMG. The Strategy is divided into three sections: Introduction;Strategic Plan; and Implementation Plan. It has been developed to be used by anyone with an interest in King Island to help collaboratively guide King Island's natural resource management. King Island Natural Resource Management Strategy 2010-2020
  This Strategy is based on a review of The KINRMG Strategy Plan 1998-2001


• The KINRM Strategy was informed by the Draft King Island Biodiversity Management Plan, which had a great deal of community input. Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) has completed the assessment of the Draft KI Biodiversity Management Plan, with State department and public comments included. The final document awaits presentation to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.


• Regional NRM coordination
  KINRM continues to liaise with Cradle Coast NRM, DPIPWE, TIAR and other State and Australian Government agencies. KINRM raises awareness of and provides assistance to Regional, State and Australian wide project activities on King Island.


• Caring for our Country funding from Cradle Coast NRM will contribute to Implementation of KINRM strategy 2011- June 2013
  This project has various aspects all of which include community events, workshops, working bees and consultations.
  · Coastal User’s Guide- to be developed in conjunction with the KI District High School. The main focus of the guide will be “How to have fun on the coast with minimum impacts”.
  · Design layout and production of weed management guides - A Calendar will be developed for the year 2012 or 2013 with weed ID, control methods, follow up, prevention, hygiene, timing and extent of KI weeds.
  · Soil testing and analysis on 2 beef farms, an extension of the Sustainable Farm Nutrient Project


• Coastal vegetation grazing exclosure trials, continues and extends some of the monitoring of the Alternatives to 1080 Program at four priority coastal sites. Managed by the KI Field Naturalists Club with partial funding from Cradle Coast NRM, a vegetation survey and photo-point monitoring program will be implemented over a period of up to 10 years, of 12 exclosures and control plots.


• Currie Wharf Bush Restoration Project - KINRM received Caring for our Country funding from Cradle Coast NRM to coordinate improving this site to make it more accessible and user friendly, involving all stakeholders of the area.
  Community groups and organisations participating are KI Council, KI Ports, KI Tourism, Historical Society, Cultural Centre, The Men’s Shed, Lions Club, Field Naturalists, Garden Club,Phoenix,KI District High School, Ballarat/Clarendon College, Owen Smith family, and interested community volunteers.
  The area is a great example of King Island coastal bushland, including peaceful gullies and lookout spots. However, it is currently being overrun by weeds, and most of it is very difficult to access, thus very few people get to enjoy it to its full potential. This site of approximately 19 ha is located directly adjacent to the Main Street of Currie and contains some recreation tracks, seats and lookouts already established by King Island Council, making it an ideal site to access for community awareness activities in the future, as well as tourist walks. There is also quite a bit of history, which could increase the attraction.
  Activities include
  o Boxthorn removal with contributions from both KI Council and KI Ports. Erosion mitigating plants have been planted, and some weeding continues as necessary.
  o Coprosma excavation at the entrance to Little Beach, other weeds removal by volunteers, and KI coastal native plants plantings. The steps will be extended and rails replaced to make them safe for use.
  o Future stages will be planned in consultation with land owners (Council and Ports)
  o Two picnic settings will be donated by the Owen Smith family, one will be located near the lighthouse/museum, the other at Les Ross Park. These will be made by The Men’s Shed.
  o A display board is to be installed in Les Ross Park to promote the story of the Currie Wharf bush restoration project.
  o The project continues to be very well supported and highly praised by the community.


• Life on the Coast offered a series of community and school days to promote weed management, shorebird awareness and living in our coastal areas, including joining the visiting Vic Waders to count and tag Ruddy turnstones. A big banner of ‘Welcome to the Shorebirds’ was made, which will be displayed to remind the community to take care not to disturb the breeding and feeding of shorebirds.
  Funded by Tasmanian Landcare Association


• Weeds Management Work
  Weeds targetted by the group to date are: Boneseed, Bridal creeper, Asparagus fern, Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea), Gorse, Serrated Tussock, Spanish Heath, Sea Spurge.
  KINRM Weed Crew are available to help land-owners complete projects and follow up on weed control. They have contributed to on-ground works for many projects and are willing to do weed control for land-holders on a Fee for Service basis. A Tasmanian Community Fund grant and contribution from KINRM retained funds, allowed purchase of a 400 litre Silvan spray unit, and a Quikspray remote controlled retractable reel to improve the efficiency of our weed control work. The unit is available for hire by Council and the community when not in use for project work.
  Sea Spurge Management Plan has been developed which aims to provide a strategic and co-ordinated approach to community-based management of sea spurge (Euphorbia paralias) on King Island. It provides a practical framework for the management of sea spurge, concentrating on on-ground work, while keeping in mind the need for integrated management including other weeds and issues of concern around the island's coastline. It provides volunteers, community groups, land managers, key stakeholders and professionals with a tool for attracting and applying human and financial resources that enable effective and strategic weed management actions.


• Rehabilitation of lower reaches of Porky Creek involves nearby landholders, the local and Ballarat/Clarendon Schools, community volunteers and staff from the KI Dairy. Weeds, such as African Boxthorn, will be removed and area revegetated. A sign about shorebirds for the Porky Creek area will be erected, with funding from Tasmanian Landcare Association.


• European Wasps have been baited on King Island over past Summers. Nests finish in autumn with new queens going off to hibernate over winter. They will then form new nests in Spring. The community is asked to watch out for and report any wasp activity including hibernating queens in wood piles, freight, and warm spots.
  Further Information on European Wasps (includes photos identifying the friendly native flower wasp and the European Wasp)


• Sustainable Farm Nutrient Management project builds capacity of farmers to use sustainable agricultural practice. This project is relevant and important for sustainable farming on King Island. Originally funded through Caring for our Country and delivered in conjunction with Dr Bill Cotching, TIAR, three extensions have been funded: one through a partnership of Landcare Australia and National Foods (Lion); the other two from Cradle Coast NRM.


• Salinity Management KISHAP - A project addressing management actions and hazard assessment of salinity on King Island, included the use of electromagnetic induction mapping and a hydrogeological study, drainage workshops and field days. Interpretation of research results across a wide range of expertise resulted in presentation for the results to the community and production of a Salinity and Waterlogging Control Manual for King Island's farmland, which is available from KINRM.


• Climate Change Impacts on Farming workshop was held, funded by Tasmanian Climate Change Office. KINRMG will actively pursue further work on issues around climate change through its normal planning processes, and seeking funding options for projects that build on this first workshop.


• Waterwatch
  Aims:
  To collect sound scientific data on the quality of King Island's key waterways;
  To inform & train the King Island community in "caring for waterways";
  To establish and maintain an island wide community-based water quality program
  Monitoring of Waterways continues to be completed by volunteers.


• Interim Cat Project-continuing in conjunction with KI Game Bird Association and other volunteers


• Fire Recovery Project
  - underway


• Orange Bellied Parrot Project
  Population monitoring and habitat restoration work is currently being completed by volunteers.

King Island Natural Resource Management Group and its projects are an initiative of the King Island community, supported by the King Island Council and the Federal Government's Natural Heritage Trust Fund.
Other contributors include Crown Consulting, King Island Ports Corporation, King Island Dairy/Lion, Elders, King Island Regional Development Organisation, and King Island Courier.

And, of course, thanks to all the volunteers, landholders and in-kind contributors!!

website last up-dated 12/9/2011