Balranald/Hay management actions

Aerial view by Guy Roth
Photo: Guy Roth		 Possum in a nest by Phil Spark
Photo: Phil Spark		 People planting trees by Milly Hobson
Photo: Milly Hobson

General management action

Routine control of terrestrial and aquatic weeds, including via management agreements with NRM agencies, councils and other organisations.

Routine control of feral animals, including via management agreements with NRM agencies, councils and other organisations.

Targeted revegetation works to increase native vegetation cover over the long term, focussing efforts adjacent to existing remnant vegetation, within threatened ecological communities, within identified regional corridors, and adjacent to rivers, streams and wetlands.

Prevent livestock from having permanent access to rivers, streams and wetlands, and where possible excluding grazing altogether to allow the condition of river banks and wetlands to recover.

 

Priority management actions for this region

  • Design fences that facilitate passage of large native animals (e.g. kangaroos, emus) across the landscape.
  • Avoid the use of large fishing nets in rivers and creeks, and remove any dis-used nets that may ensnare or obstruct fish and other species such as White-bellied Sea Eagle and Platypus.
  • Create alternative watering points for livestock to avoid them accessing sensitive wetlands and waterways.
  • Prevent livestock from entering sensitive wetlands and waterways as they can degrade river banks and trample and destroy aquatic habitat.
  • Avoid removing any areas of Triodia (spinifex or porcupine grass) if it occurs on your property, as this provides important habitat for native animals such as Zebra Finch, Malleefowl and Western Blue-tongue Lizard.
  • Reduce grazing pressure from domestic livestock, particularly in times of drought, to reduce impacts on native plants such as Lanky Buttons, Old Man Saltbush, Slender Darling Pea, Winged Peppercress and Yellow Gum.
  • Ensure that rodent, rabbit and wild dog baits are applied in accordance with label specifications and best practice, as secondary poisoning of species such as Australian Bustard, Spotted Harrier and Wedge-tailed Eagle may occur on ingestion of poisoned animals.
  • Retain any hollow-bearing trees (including dead standing trees) such as River Red Gum and Black Box as ongoing habitat and refuge for species such as Inland Forest Bat, Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo, Regent Parrot, Superb Parrot and Yellow-tailed Plain Slider.
  • Retain stick and leaf litter for ground-dwelling species such as Malleefowl, Chestnut Quail-thrush, Grey-crown Babbler and Short-beaked Echidna.
  • Work with the community to control feral goats which threaten native plants including Slender Darling Pea and Menindee Nightshade.
  • Work with the community to control feral pigs which can cause considerable damage to wetland systems.
  • Work with the community to control rabbits which can greatly reduce native grass and herb biomass and cause soil erosion problems.

 

For more information about the key management actions listed above click here