PROGRESS REPORT 2015–16 - NRM WA · STATE NRM PROGRAM PROGRESS REPORT 201516 5 The State Natural...

Supporting natural resource management in Western Australia

PROGRESS REPORT

2015–16

STATE NRM PROGRAM PROGRESS REPORT 2015–16 1

Snapshot 4

Program summary 5

Guide to this report 5

Program spending 7

2015 Community grants 8

Achievements of finished projects – community 15

State NRM Office 21

Projects 22

Contents

ISSN: 2202 7335

Disclaimer

The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Agriculture and Food and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from the use or release of this information or any part of it.

This report may contain references to, or images of, people who are now deceased. The State Natural Resource Management Office regrets any offence this may cause.

Copyright © Western Australian Agriculture Authority, 2017

This document may be available in alternative formats upon request.

3 Baron-Hay Court South Perth WA 6151Tel: +61 (0)8 9368 3168Fax: +61 (0)8 9474 3196Email: [email protected]: nrm.wa.gov.au


Western Australia is experiencing growing threats to nearshore and demersal (bottom-dwelling) finfish stocks due to increased demand for fresh seafood, population growth and increased leisure time. The nearshore and demersal finfish species (like dhufish, pink snapper and baldchin groper) along the south coast are important marine assets and support a range of recreational and commercial fisheries.

The Department of Fisheries received a $850 000 grant to conduct a strategic project in the oceans off the south coast to assess the species that are identified as at moderate to high risk. The project (PROJECT CODE 12034) delivered baseline information on the south coast demersal scalefish resource that will be incorporated into monitoring and assessment plans and used as baselines within long-term monitoring programs. Stock assessments into the status and structure will be used to develop future management plans. The project also assisted in understanding the potential impacts threatening the abundance of nearshore and demersal finfish.

The project enriched community education and increased levels of community stewardship of nearshore and demersal finfish assets on the south coast. The inclusion of over 350 volunteers to carry out the work ensured the support and engagement of the south coast community in a sustainable management of important marine assets.

‘The project was an outstanding success in all aspects – in particular, the high level of community support apparent through active involvement in sample collection.’ — Department of Fisheries

CASE STUDY: Demersal fish stock conservation on the south coast

[Right] Pink snapper are a key indicator species for the health of demersal finfish on WA’s south coast. PHOTO COURTESY DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

[Cover] Images courtesy of Tom De Silva, Reef Life Survey Foundation and State NRM Office

STATE NRM PROGRAM PROGRESS REPORT 2015–164

In 2015/16 the State NRM Office managed $16.2 MILLION worth of community-based and strategic priority projects

The State NRM Office assessed 311 grant applications (value $29 MILLION). Contracts were negotiated for 212 new projects and 5 existing projects were audited to check compliance

$12 MILLION was committed to 212 new community-based projects. Proponents pledged a further $29 MILLION towards project delivery

$4.5 MILLION worth of community projects were finalised

New projects will deliver more than 9 435 000HA of feral animal control, 20 305HA of weed control, 253 000HA protected by fencing, 564HA of revegetation, 219KM of fencing and 398 pieces of infrastructure. These projects will help protect 602 253HA of remnant bushland, 454KM of natural waterways and 47 wetlands. A further 1780 PEOPLE are to be trained in NRM activities

Finalised projects engaged more than 5000 volunteers and delivered 71 000HA of feral animal control, 6000HA of weed control, 2110HA of revegetation, 180KM of fencing and 126 pieces of infrastructure. These projects helped disease control on 1180HA. 35 waterways, wetlands and bushlands, and 16 threatened animal species were protected

Snapshot


The State Natural Resource Management (NRM) Program was launched by the Western Australian Government in 2008/09 to help manage biodiversity, biosecurity, water quality and land-use planning in Western Australia (WA).

The program was designed to encourage community participation in NRM and to leverage investment and in-kind support.

The government has committed over $94 MILLION to the program since its inception.

Almost 170 community groups and organisations, industry groups, local governments, schools and state agencies have achieved impressive results in their local environments with this support, and contributed more than $80 million in their own funds and effort.

Diverse environments – coastal and marine; agricultural, pastoral and urban; river and estuarine; natural bush; and wildlife sanctuaries – have been conserved and restored through the activities funded.

In 2015/16 the program provided grants valued at $4 million, supporting 139 new community-based projects. We also supported existing projects valued at more than $21.7 million, many of which were completed during the year.

The State NRM Office (‘the Office’) was responsible for managing and administering the program and did so at a cost of $730 000 (3% of the total value of the program).

Program summary

Guide to this reportThis report:

• lists all projects active during 2015/16 (pages 23 to 32)

• provides information on the distribution of successful grants and how the money will be spent

• summarises achievements of projects that came to completion in 2015/16

• details funding allocations to the Office

• lists the source and application of program funds.


In the Shire of Kalamunda, Lesmurdie Brook enters Mundy Regional Park about 1km east of Lesmurdie Falls. Due to early settlement of the area, land each side of the brook has undergone extensive clearing and many exotic species were planted. Now devoid of native vegetation, the area has limited scope for natural regeneration. Rehabilitation is essential to control the spread of weeds and further degradation.

Friends of Upper Lesmurdie Falls Inc. received a $40 000 community grant to conduct a project (PROJECT CODE 13003) to rehabilitate the area. Some 38 volunteers and 16 specialists or contractors offered in-kind assistance.

Weeds of particular concern were African feather grass, watsonia, blackberry, cotton bush, bridal creeper, periwinkle, century plant and annual winter weeds (including oxalis and other bulbs). The project successfully covered 3ha along the upper Lesmurdie Brook. Weeds were controlled through a combination of spraying and hand weeding. The seedbank was reduced enough to prevent smothering of native species and 390 local provenance sedges were planted.

The project also improved the habitat for reestablishing flora and fauna. Two of the bushcare activities included installing rocky barriers at strategic points along the brook to reduce erosion, provide habitat and to increase oxygen content in the water, and planting the 3 new ponds with reeds to provide habitat for aquatic fauna.

Weed control and maintenance of constructions to reestablish flora and fauna will continue with the work of volunteers and the Department of Parks and Wildlife.

CASE STUDY: Rehabilitation of the upper Lesmurdie Falls

[Above] This project rehabilitated a 3ha area along 1km of the upper Lesmurdie Brook PHOTO COURTESY CRAIG MAGOWAN


A sum of $4.7 MILLION was committed through the State NRM Program in 2015/16 through the Office for spending on:

• community grants

• program management.

Community grants

Community grants provide funding for on-ground works as well as planning, training and resource assessment activities that help to conserve, restore, rehabilitate or enhance a local natural area or conserve biodiversity. Schools, industry groups, not-for-profit organisations, local governments and environmental action groups in regional and metropolitan areas are eligible.

In 2015, $4 million was made available for community action grants of between $10 000 and $50 000 each. Of the 201 grant applications received, funding was committed to 139 projects valued at $3.9 million (see page 8 to 11 for details).

Applications for 88 community capability grants valued between $10 000 and $1 million each were received in the 2015 grant round.

State NRM Office

The State NRM Office is responsible for coordinating and supporting the delivery of the Western Australian Government State Natural Resource Management (NRM) Program. In addition to managing the funding processes, we support and provide independent advice to NRM ministers through the Minister for Agriculture and Food. We also support state NRM planning and development, establish and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders, and manage specialist projects and initiatives.

Program spending

[Above] Whale Shark PHOTO COURTESY BRAD NORMAN, ECOCEAN


Applications

Applications for some of the $4 million available through the 2015 community action grants program were open from 6 August to 31 August 2015. A total of 201 applications valued at $6.8 MILLION were received.

Applicants pledged a further $11 MILLION IN CASH AND IN-KIND contributions towards the delivery of proposed activities. This equates to almost $18 MILLION worth of on-ground activity and community capability in the protection of WA’s natural environment.

This outstanding response prompted government to commit additional funds to the 2016 community action grant program.

Successful applications

Of the total 201 applications received, 139 were funded.

The government committed $3.9 million to these projects. Groups delivering the projects pledged $8.6 million in cash and in-kind contributions. This is a combined commitment of $12.6 million – around 3 times the initial investment by government.

2015 Community grants

Where the money went


Perth $792 312 (38 projects)

Northern Agricultural $380 095 (10 projects)

South Coast $803 091 (27 projects)

Wheatbelt $156 810 (4 projects)

Cross-Regional $262 444 (8 projects)

Peel-Harvey $263 532 (10 project)

South West $595 397 (23 projects)

Rangelands $663 542 (19 projects)


Who the money went to

Nearly 98 different groups received grants, including 36 environmental groups, 22 community groups, 12 local governments, 11 Aboriginal groups, 10 land conservation district committees, 5 catchment councils and 2 education providers.

Project activities


Community grant on-ground activities

Almost 70% of grant funds will be spent delivering such on-ground actions as:

• installation of 219km of fences to protect remnant vegetation, waterways and revegetated areas, and to protect wildlife from predators

• revegetation of 564ha of cleared agricultural land and degraded river banks, wetlands and bush remnants

• removal of weeds from 20 305ha of native bushland and waterways, Crown land and privately owned land infested with WoNS

• planting of 537 490 plants to revegetate farmland, coastal area, waterways, wetland, estuary and bushland

• management and control of feral animals on 9 435 800ha.

Project Activities

On-ground activities (68%)

Capacity building (15%)

Resource assessment (11%)

Planning (6%)


Infrastructure

Almost 400 pieces of infrastructure will be installed by these projects including:

• habitat boxes for Carnaby’s black-cockatoos, possums, pardalotes and bats

• bollarding and interpretative signage to restrict access and protect sensitive areas

• interpretative signs to manage the impact of visitors

• dieback signage and boot-cleaning stations for the management of dieback

• installation of water points and fencing to protect wetlands

• signage, erosion control structures and sediment traps in replanted wetlands.

Capacity building

Many projects had a strong focus on capacity building, with plans to:

• develop and deliver workshops on phytophthora dieback hygiene to target community, local government and non-profit organisations (PROJECT CODE 15422)

• develop a 10-year strategy for the Blackwood catchment (including extensive community consultation and environmental data) to improve collaborative action and capacity for landcare across 23 million hectares (PROJECT CODE 15406)

• collate information about priority flora species and their likely habitat areas to provide community volunteers with the resources, skills and support needed to search for rare and poorly known flora (listed as priority flora species) in the Goldfields–Esperance and Wheatbelt regions (PROJECT CODE15417)

• increase the capacity of traditional owners of the lower Fortescue River region to manage their country in collaboration with key stakeholders to deliver on-ground land management solutions for priority species and their habitat (PROJECT CODE 15455).

Resource assessment

Sixteen projects have a strong focus on resource assessment, including plans to:

• map the spread of rubber vine weeds along the Fitzroy River using aerial surveillance as the detection method (PROJECT CODE 15100)

• identify vegetative communities and threatened species to direct future conservation activities (PROJECT CODE 15036)

• conduct a survey of western ringtail possums within strategic reserves in the City of Albany and surrounding areas to determine distribution and abundance, and to identify core habitat, satellite populations and distribution patterns (PROJECT CODE 15037).

Planning

Two projects have a strong focus on planning. They aim to:

• develop a snapshot of regional NRM plans across WA and summarise the key issues and responses to NRM to broaden awareness (PROJECT CODE 15513)

• improve NRM decision making and action through the West Kimberley LCDC to protect and enhance the high cultural, social and economic values of the local landscape (PROJECT CODE 15508).



Focus of projects


Biodiversity conservation

Biodiversity (the richness and variety of nature) is essential to the preservation of a healthy environment. Nearly half (48%) of projects identified biodiversity conservation as a main objective of their activities. A correspondingly high proportion of funds ($1.8 million) was allocated to this priority.

More than 602 253ha of bushland will be protected by these projects, including reserves and national parks, and remnant vegetation on farmland, coastal areas, roadsides, waterways and peri-urban (transition) areas.

Some 52 plant species and 115 animal species will benefit directly from these projects. Animal species include western ringtail possums, micro bats, western ground parrots, the greater bilby, Carnaby’s black-cockatoos and rock wallabies as well as 2 species of the marsupial phascogale.

Biodiversity will be protected by:

• coordinating wattle control activities in the lower Great Southern region through partnerships with community, government agencies and private land owners and managers (PROJECT CODE 15424)

• reducing the number of feral pigs in the Chittering Valley; foxes around lakes Chittering, Needoonga and Wannamal (which devastate these wildlife refuges); and rabbits by the strategic use of the newly released calicivirus to ensure plants specifically planted for cockatoo forage will survive (PROJECT CODE 15410)

• improving community capacity and increasing the number of land managers to adopt a more coordinated approach to feral animal management (PROJECT CODE 15413)

• applying the Red Card for Rabbits and Foxes program to develop community skills and capacity for achieving high-quality conservation outcomes for the south-west of WA (PROJECT CODE 15426).

Focus of projects

Recover and conserve biodiversity $1 897 739 (48%)

Manage land resources sustainably $946 897 (24%)

Maintain and enhance the condition and beneficial uses of priority water assets $747 090 (19%)

Protect and enhance the marine and coastal environment $325 495 (8%)


Following significant conservation efforts, the endangered red-tailed phascogale (Phascogale calura) has increased its presence in the south-eastern extent of its range in the Shire of Katanning.

Katanning Landcare took on a project (PROJECT CODE 14013) to raise community awareness and reduce the threats to this small carnivorous marsupial.

The project raised community awareness through the making of a Hides n Hollows video in collaboration with local schools and a ‘collecting firewood’ book that is accessible at the Katanning Landcare Centre. The educational products show that care was required when collecting firewood because hollow logs provide a safe habitat for animals, birds and other creatures.

They further increased awareness of species of echidnas, Carnaby’s black-cockatoo and carpet pythons in the area.

This project also prompted further conversations between Katanning Landcare and the Shire of Katanning to implement a clear firewood collection and clearing policy, with recommendations going to council.

[Right] Through primary school visits, children from many migrant sub-communities learnt about the importance of hollow logs to native animals and how to protect them when collecting firewood.

PHOTO COURTESY KATANNING LCDC

CASE STUDY: Secret life in hollow logs



Managing land resources

Almost one-quarter of projects identified their activities as contributing to the sustainable management of land resources and $946 897 was allocated to this priority.

Activities include:

• increasing an area of suitable remnant vegetation, particularly old-growth trees with hollows suitable for nesting, by fencing and covenanting (PROJECT CODE 15410)

• maintaining native vegetation for flora and fauna conservation and providing corridors for movement of smaller fauna (PROJECT CODE 15496)

• promoting the rehabilitation of waterways while meeting water supply and drainage objectives for environmental and social values in the Waroona and Harvey shires (PROJECT CODE 15488)

• providing a framework that supports sustainable improvements to soil health through the Fitzgerald Biosphere Group ‘One-Paddock Challenge’ (PROJECT CODE 15448)

• increasing the public’s capacity to protect wetlands through social marketing and environmental education, with a focus on shifting cultural norms to facilitate behaviour change (PROJECT CODE 15427).

Maintaining and enhancing water assets

Thirty-two projects identified their activities as maintaining and enhancing water assets. Over $747 090 was allocated to this priority. Forty-seven wetlands, lakes and lagoons and 454km of waterways will be protected and enhanced by the activities of these projects.

Activities include:

• enabling the Peel–Harvey Catchment Council to support communities and community groups as participants and collaborators in the wise use of wetlands, leading to more effective on-ground work (PROJECT CODE 15427)

• mapping groundwater levels, chemistry and flow directions at 4 Nyikina riverside communities on the Mardoowarra (Fitzroy River) to ensure activities such as hydraulic stimulation and development of irrigated horticulture are compatible with the community water supply and will not impact cultural or biodiversity assets (PROJECT CODE 15491).

Protecting and enhancing coastal and marine environments

Fourteen projects identified their activities as contributing to the protection and enhancement of marine and coastal environments. A total of $1 million was allocated to this priority.

Activities include:

• removing marine debris from the coastline, collecting data on what is found and working on strategies that prevent marine debris from impacting local, national and international marine environments (PROJECT CODE 15450)

• magnifying the uptake and implementation of an educational package to schools and providing professional development services to teachers, enabling them to deliver activities from this package into the future (PROJECT CODE 15440)

• identifying priority assets and values in the Pilbara for protection such as coastal mangroves and intertidal mudflats, sandy beaches and dunes, rivers, creeks and associated flood plains (PROJECT CODE 15455).


The Gascoyne River catchment is a flood-prone area. Flooding causes significant erosion, resulting in the loss of topsoil nutrition, vegetation and groundcover. As a result, the exposed subsoil – with its poor physical and chemical properties – becomes unproductive, making the area more arid.

Mooloo Downs Station and Pingandy Station lie within the Gascoyne Rover catchment. The Upper Gascoyne LCDC received a community grant of $37 500 starting in 2013 to demonstrate sustainable pastoral land management practices using contemporary and innovative methods of preventing, controlling and remediating stream bank, gully and sheet erosion on the stations. This project also aligned on-ground works with the properties’ ecologically sustainable rangelands management (ESRM) plans.

Under this project (PROJECT CODE 13067), which was completed in 2015, the Upper Gascoyne LCDC installed 26 ponding banks and 32 sediment filter structures in locations where rainfall run-off causes soil erosion to slow down the movement of water across the stations. To further reduce run-off erosion through water infiltration, native species were seeded over 1400ha to renew vegetation cover.

[Right] Sediment filter structures help reduce run-off. PHOTO COURTESY UPPER GASCOYNE LCDC

CASE STUDY: Controlling soil erosion in the flood-prone upper Gascoyne


One hundred and fifty-one community projects valued at $4.4 million and engaging over 5000 volunteers reached completion in 2015/16.

Proponents comprised 28 environmental groups, 24 local government or governmental authorities, 12 catchment groups, 17 land conservation district committees; 10 Aboriginal groups; 8 industry groups; 8 educational facilities; 2 biosecurity groups; and 12 non-environment focused community groups.


Achievements of finished projects – community

Project activities

where the money went

Perth $1 590 534 (63 projects)

South West $1 015 072 (32 projects)

Rangelands $603 130 (15 projects)

Northern Agricultural $423 365 (9 projects)

South Coast $433 620 (16 projects)

Wheatbelt $159 500 (7 projects)

Cross-Regional $169 330 (5 projects)

Peel-Harvey $55 060 (3 projects)

Project activities

On-ground activities (73%)

Capacity building (13%)

Resource assessment (8%)

Planning (5%)


On-ground activities

Most projects conducted on-ground activities. Seventy-three per cent (73%) of grant funds were spent delivering on-ground actions, including:

• installing 180km of fencing to protect over 3200ha of remnant vegetation, waterways and revegetated areas, and to protect wildlife from predators

• revegetating 32 waterways, wetlands and bushlands

• removing weeds including weeds of national significance (WoNS) from 6000ha of native bushland and waterways

• controlling feral animals on 71 000ha

• installing over 125 pieces of infrastructure.


Capacity building

Ten projects conducted capacity-building activities. These projects erected 63 awareness-raising signs, delivered 53 educational and training events, and produced numerous educational products.

Activities included:

• training Aboriginal rangers in first aid, chemical handling, weed control, use of chainsaws and occupational safety and health, thus allowing rangers to undertake a wider scope of practices in preserving the environment and tackling these activities safely (PROJECT CODE 13066)

• encouraging participation in the annual Carnaby’s black-cockatoo counts, which provides a greater sample size for the statistical outcome and encourages further community engagement. This increases the capacity of the community to partake in environmental and community-based activities (PROJECT CODE 13103)

• holding workshops in Albany to help the local community and school children to identify damaging weeds and to learn about the importance of native riparian zones (PROJECT CODE 13076).


Whale sharks in the world heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park are facing potential threats from land- and marine-based industries, including the direct and indirect pressures of tourism. ECOCEAN has been working on whale shark research and conservation for 18 years and believe further study is required on potential threats to the species.

With the assistance of State NRM Program funding (PROJECT 13058), ECOCEAN implemented the continued collection of data on whale shark movement and behaviour through tagging techniques. The data will determine any potential threats to whale sharks and will assist in whale shark conservation. Whale shark behaviour under non-tourism versus tourism conditions will be reviewed.

The project effectively collected and analysed 15 datasets and produced and distributed 30 reports, with results incorporated in the Wildbook for Whale Sharks photo-identification library. A review by ECOCEAN also assessed different tagging methods to determine the method that has the least impact on the species.

Awareness and education was established with stakeholders within the whale shake ecotourism industry (WSEI) at Ningaloo and members of the public. Interest and support from both parties will secure the continuation of this work to assure long-term sustainability of the WSEI and the conservation of the whale sharks on which this industry depends.

[Right] Monitoring whale sharks to save the biggest fish in the sea. PHOTO COURTESY BRAD NORMAN, ECOCEAN

CASE STUDY: Reviewing the impact of tourism on whale sharks at Ningaloo



Resource assessment

Eight projects had a strong focus on resource assessment.


• installing motion cameras to detect native and non-native fauna allowed feral animals to be identified and led to improved trapping management (PROJECT CODE 13052)

• developing and delivering material for a school education program on western ringtail possums (PROJECT CODE 13088)

• evaluating the effects of tourism on the behaviour of whale sharks at Ningaloo (PROJECT CODE 13058)

• implementing the ‘Hierarchy of trails master plan’ at Chapman River by placing signs to mark the walk track, revegetating 2.5ha within the wildlife reserve, controlling African boxthorn and rabbits; restoring a section of the degraded riverbank through sandbagging and revegetation; and undertaking community awareness activities (PROJECT CODE 13001).

Planning

Planning was a significant component of 4 projects.


• undertaking environmental assessments of current and planned bike trails in Bramley National Park near Margaret River to ensure the conservation of declared flora (PROJECT CODE 13095)

• conducting an environmental assessment and then restoring Ranford Road bushland in Canning Vale following a preliminary assessment in 2006 that concluded it has high ecological significance (PROJECT CODE 13019)

• controlling parkinsonia and mesquite on Maroonah Station after an aerial survey of the Yannarie River in the upper Gascoyne (PROJECT CODE 13081).

Focus of projects

Focus of Projectsrojects

Recover and conserve biodiversity $2 863 511 (64%)

Manage land resources sustainably $846 966 (19%)

Maintain and enhance the conditions and beneficial uses of priority water assets $446 442 (10%)

Protect and enhance the marine and coastal environment $292 691 (7%)



Biodiversity conservation

Almost 64% of projects identified their activities as contributing to the recovery and conservation of biodiversity, with more than $2 863 511 spent on this priority.

Some threatened animal species benefited directly from these projects. These were the Carnaby’s black-cockatoo, hooded plover, malleefowl, long-necked tortoise, numbat, red-tailed phascogale, brush-tailed bettong (woylie), tammar wallaby, western pygmy possum, and western ringtail possum.

Project achievements include:

• protecting and enhancing the biodiversity assets of the Moore River (PROJECT CODE 14162)

• controlling feral pigs in south-east WA (PROJECT CODE 12026)

• eradicating feral pests through the use of 1080 and research into bait palatability, attractiveness and non-target species attraction (PROJECT CODE 13110)

• enhancing biodiversity in urban bushland at Wireless Hill (PROJECT CODE 13034)

• restoring Bugle Tree Gully in Mundaring with community engagement (PROJECT CODE 13024)

• using biodiversity corridors to augment and connect existing remnant vegetation in the Shire of Mt Marshall (PROJECT CODE 13111)

• improving the biodiversity and water quality of Black Creek in the City of Canning (PROJECT CODE 14070)

• controlling weeds, feral animals and dieback fungal disease to enhance conservation and diversity of flora and fauna on the Mt Henry Peninsula near Salter Point on the Canning River (PROJECT CODE 13038).

Managing land resources

Sixteen projects had a strong focus on contributing to the sustainable management of land resources and $846 966 was allocated to this priority.


• revegetating salt land with selected casuarina and the nitrogen-fixing Frankia bacterium – freer nutrients, more pasture (PROJECT CODE 13108)

• mitigating the risk of dieback on 4 priority reserves (663ha) in Denmark through signage, community awareness, cleaning stations, management access hygiene and redefining 4WD tracks (PROJECT CODE 14182)

• controlling soil erosion in the flood-prone upper Gascoyne area by installing 26 ponding banks and 32 sediment filter structures, and seeding 1400ha with native species (PROJECT CODE 13067).

Maintaining and enhancing water assets

Fourteen projects had a focus on maintaining and enhancing water assets and $446 442 was allocated to this priority.


• managing salinity in the Dinninup catchment (PROJECT CODE14105)

• cleaning up and revegetating the Darling Downs wetlands (PROJECT CODE 13085)

• managing weeds at the wetland interface in the City of Kwinana. Activities involved site investigations (soil testing and mapping, dieback assessment and determination of boundaries and buffers) and weed control (PROJECT CODE 14033)

• reviewing the impact of tourism on the whale shark population off the Ningaloo coast (PROJECT CODE 13058)

• investigating the movement and abundance of key fishes in the Vasse–Wonnerup estuary following a substantial fish kill (PROJECT CODE 13105).

Protecting and enhancing coastal and marine environments

Eleven projects identified their activities as contributing to the protection and enhancement of marine and coastal environments. A total of $292 691 was allocated to this priority. Activities include:

• biodiversity conservation through the stabilisation of 4WD tracks within the Lowlands Coastal Reserve (PROJECT CODE 12070)

• continuation of Mullaloo dune revegetation at Mullaloo Beach over a period of 7 years (PROJECT CODE 13039)

• building community involvement in protecting the internationally threatened shorebirds of Roebuck Bay (PROJECT CODE 12052).


The western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) is a threatened species mostly found in the Busselton to Dunsborough area of WA. They can also be found in the Perth urban areas. This shy nocturnal mammal feeds mainly on the leaves of jarrah, marri, peppermint, garden plants and fruit trees.

Possums in the urban area are suffering from a lack of habitats so need to be protected by creating habitats and food sources. The Geographe Catchment Council Inc. (GeoCatch) received a $30 000 community grant (PROJECT CODE 13088) to develop a schools information package and strategic habitat enhancement plantings to improve connectivity in habitat for this species.

About 150 volunteers helped to build possum boxes and planted 1200 seedlings to create possum habitats in urban areas. Under this project, school and community engagement and educational events were conducted to increase awareness to help save this endangered animal.

GeoCatch, in partnership with Western Ringtail Action Group, has developed a 48-page western ringtail possum lesson for upper primary students in Years 4–6, which includes links with state and national curriculums.

[Right] Possum box-building workshop. PHOTO COURTESY GEOGRAPHE CATCHMENT COUNCIL INC.

CASE STUDY: Building habitats for endangered western ringtail possums


The Office coordinates and delivers the State NRM Program. It is also responsible for:

• supporting state NRM planning and development

• establishing and maintaining partnerships with key NRM stakeholders

• managing specialist NRM projects and initiatives.

State NRM Program management and delivery

Office staff are responsible for promoting grant rounds; developing grant guidelines, application forms and reporting processes; assessing applications; negotiating contracts with successful applicants; and monitoring the performance of contracted projects, including onsite audits.

• Guidelines and application forms for grants were updated in 2015 to include a more detailed project plan. This gave applicants a useful tool for planning their project and gave the assessment panel clear and concise information on proposed project activities, budgets and in-kind contributions.

• Over 300 community grant applications valued at $29 million were assessed.

• Contracts were negotiated for 212 new community projects valued at $12 million.

• Onsite reviews of 2 strategic priority projects and 5 community projects were undertaken to check delivery against funding agreements.

• A new online grants management program was adopted by the Office in 2015, providing a more efficient and accessible online grant application and assessment system.

State NRM Office

Grant assessment process

A 4-member panel reviewed all grant applications. The independent panel received technical and regional advice from the following:

• Department of Parks and Wildlife

• Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

• Department of Water

• Department of Planning

• Western Australian Local Government Association

• State NRM Office

• State Aboriginal NRM Coordinator

• Regional NRM groups.

Applications were assessed for eligibility, technical merit, likelihood of achieving objectives, impact, value for money, adequacy of community participation and engagement with partners.

A list of all applications, along with advice and recommendations from the panel, were provided to the Western Australian NRM Ministerial Council, which makes the final decision on which projects will be funded.


The following tables list all projects funded by the State NRM Program in 2015/16 in 4 categories:

• new community action grants approved in 2015/16

• new community capability grants approved in 2015/16

• community projects finalised in 2015/16

• strategic priority projects finalised in 2015/16

A unique code number is listed alongside each project. More information on individual projects can be found on the State NRM Office website by entering this code number in the search field.

As well as code numbers, the tables show project proponents, project names and the NRM region in which each project was delivered. The ‘Sum approved’ field shows the amount of money granted for each project.

Abbreviations

ESRM Ecologically sustainable rangeland management

GeoCatch Geographe Catchment Council

LCDC Land Conservation District Committee

NRM Natural Resource Management

SERCUL South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare

WoNS Weeds of national significance

Projects


New community action projects approved in 2015/16 ($3.9 million)

Proponent Project name Region CodeSum approved ($)

1 Friends of Upper Lesmurdie Falls Inc. Upper Lesmurdie Falls Restoration Project Perth (Swan) A15001 40 000

2 Yarra Yarra Catchment Management Group Inc.

Creating corridors and protecting fenceline flora: stage 1 Cross-regional A15002 55 000

3 Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation Protection of environmental and cultural assets by Indigenous Rangers Rangelands A15003 37 300

4 Wilson Wetlands Action Group Inc. Castledare native flora and habitat restoration project: stage 2 Perth (Swan) A15004 30 000

5 Ord Land and Water Rubber vine control and eradication in the East Kimberley Rangelands A15005 55 000

6 Moore Catchment Council Enhancing Mogumber Town Reserve as a local natural asset Northern Agricultural

A15006 34 815

7 Bush Heritage Australia Field day: 10 years of restoration in Gondwana Link (project) South Coast A15007 7 200

8 Bridgetown Greenbushes Biosecurity Group Inc.

Strategic biosecurity intervention for the containment of the environmental weed cleavers (Galium aparine)

South West A15009 14 370

9 Nyamba Buru Yawuru Partnerships to protect and restore significant wetlands on the Roebuck Plains Rangelands A15010 44 820

10 Conservation Council of WA Benchmarking the accumulation of microplastics off south-west WA Cross-regional A15011 32 458

11 Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group Project Palomino – restoring the Wungong River Perth (Swan) A15015 26 500

12 Friends of Mary Carroll Wetlands Revegetation of riparian habitat at Mary Carroll Lake, Gosnells Perth (Swan) A15017 15 500

13 Lower Kalgan Progress Association Controlling Sydney golden wattle by engaging and empowering community members

South Coast A15018 22 618

14 Seascapes Coastcare Group Educating the local community in coastal ecosystems and indigenous plant use Peel–Harvey A15020 22 200

15 Wandering–Hotham Declared Species Group

Eradicating feral pigs along the Bannister River Peel–Harvey A15022 45 000

16 Chittering Valley LCDC Creating a biodiversity link in Chittering Springs Perth (Swan) A15023 6 000

17 Dumbleyung Landcare Zone Revegetation water management and remnant bush protection across the Cridland Catchment


18 Gillamii Centre Inc. Improving the conservation value of roadsides South Coast A15025 25 000

19 Katanning LCDC Bigger than bridal creeper South West A15026 50 650

20 Friends of the Fitzgerald River National Park

Twertup Field Studies Centre: utilities, cooking area and nature walks South Coast A15027 30 000




21 Mingenew–Irwin Group A collaborative approach to successful pest management in the Northern Agricultural Region

Northern Agricultural

A15028 25 980

22 Fitzgerald Biosphere Group Inc. Protecting and restoring native vegetation within the Bremer River catchment South Coast A15030 52 400

23 Oyster Harbour Catchment Group Inc. (OHCG)

Controlling weedy acacia and watsonia to protect native vegetation South Coast A15032 44 100

24 OHCG Controlling bridal creeper in the Ranges Link and surrounds South Coast A15034 34 000

25 OHCG Western ringtail possums: filling the gaps South Coast A15035 35 000

26 OHCG Vegetation surveys and weed control in the Ranges Link South Coast A15036 20 710

27 OHCG Western ringtail possums in Albany: core habitat, abundance and distribution South Coast A15037 45 000

28 Katanning LCDC Bringing back the understorey South West A15039 7 170

29 City of Armadale Control of threatening processes and habitat supplementation in priority reserves

Perth (Swan) A15043 32 500

30 Denmark Weed Action Group Inc. Protection of biodiversity in Denmark South Coast A15044 50 000

31 Shire of Chapman Valley Protecting biodiversity along the Chapman Valley's coastal zone Northern Agricultural

A15049 40 000

32 Australian Wildlife Conservancy Excluding feral herbivores from the Synnot Valley in the Kimberley Rangelands A15050 55 000

33 Moore Catchment Council Planting food for endangered Carnaby's black-cockatoo in the Gillingarra Important Bird Area (IBA)

Northern Agricultural

A15053 52 000

34 Central Desert Native Title Services Kiwirrkurra cat control strike-force trial Rangelands A15055 50 180

35 Shire of Koorda Connecting, protecting and expanding native vegetation in Koorda, Wyalkatchemand Mukinbudin

Wheatbelt (Avon)

A15057 55 000

36 Wellstead Community Resource Centre Strategic weed control of Sydney golden wattle in Wellstead South Coast A15058 30 000

37 Dumbleyung Landcare Zone Lake Coomelberrup catchment conservation and preservation project South West A15059 23 139

38 Friends of Lake Claremont Ltd Revegetating the wetland buffer on the eastern side of Lake Claremont Perth (Swan) A15063 25 000

39 Moore Catchment Council Conserving and enhancing the Moore's natural biodiversity assets Northern Agricultural

A15066 34 500




40 Applecross Senior High School City kids to the country project Wheatbelt (Avon)

A15068 35 000

41 Wagin–Woodanilling Landcare Zone Better habitats by battling bridal creeper in Wagin South West A15069 11 600

42 Cape to Cape Catchments Group Addressing priority weeds in the Capes region South West A15071 46 500

43 City of Kwinana Fauna survey and feral animal control for priority Kwinana reserves Perth (Swan) A15073 30 000

44 Carnarvon Heritage Group Inc. Marine species protection at One Mile Jetty, Carnarvon Rangelands A15074 19 450

45 Stewards of Katherine Chauhan Reserve Interpretive trail project South West A15076 5 640

46 Sawyers Valley Primary School Bulla Biddi project, Sawyers Valley Perth (Swan) A15077 22 500

47 Green Skills Inc. Eradicating Senecio glastifolius (holly-leaved senecio) in the Albany region South Coast A15078 40 000

48 Friends of John Forrest National Park Control of geophyte, woody and herbaceous weeds Perth (Swan) A15079 18 500

49 Mullaloo Beach Community Group Inc. 2016 Mullaloo little desert regeneration project Perth (Swan) A15080 22 220

50 Friends of Lake McLarty A lifeline to help save Lake McLarty in the Shire of Murray Peel–Harvey A15082 18 000

51 Canning River Regional Park Volunteers Billabong paddock restoration Perth (Swan) A15083 9 000

52 Shire of Kondinin Restoration and rehabilitation of The Breakaways Wheatbelt (Avon)

A15084 24 310

53 Fairbridge Western Australia Inc. Fairbridge central bushland protection: stage 1 Peel–Harvey A15085 23 000

54 Nature & Wildlife Group @ Glen Forrest Primary School

Woodland restoration project: protect, connect and play Perth (Swan) A15089 20 000

55 Lake Muir – Denbarker Community Feral Pig Eradication Group

Feral pig control at Lake Muir, Denbarker and Northcliffe Cross-regional A15090 40 000

56 Karajarri Traditional Lands Association Karajarri Indigenous Protected Area: Frasier Downs Station coastal protection zone

Rangelands A15091 32 000

57 Blackwood Basin Group Bringing back the Boyup Brook South West A15092 47 000

58 Lower Blackwood Vertebrate Pest Group Vertebrate pest control South West A15096 55 000

59 North Stirlings Pallinup Natural Resources Inc.

Restoring our region’s natural assets – revegetation on the Pallinup River South Coast A15097 48 000



60 Woolkabunning Kiaka Association Inc. Woolkabunning Kiaka biodiversity management of 1ha at the Roelands Village project


61 West Kimberley Rubber Vine Steering Committee

Eradicating rubber vine along the Fitzroy River through ground control Rangelands A15099 55 000


Eradicating rubber vine along the Fitzroy River through aerial control Rangelands A15100 55 000

63 Bungendore Park Management Committee

Dieback and weed management for Bungendore Park and adjacent land Perth (Swan) A15101 18 914


Invertebrate survey of Bungendore Park Perth (Swan) A15103 7 900

65 Chittering Valley LCDC Brockman catchment – restoring the riparian zones Perth (Swan) A15106 9 000

66 Landcare SJ Inc. Encouraging sustainable land management through education in the Peel Region Peel–Harvey A15108 31 000

67 Quindanning Community Hall Inc. Post-fire revegetation at the Quindanning Hall Peel–Harvey A15111 15 000

68 Lake Clifton – Herron Landcare Group 3Rs for Lake Clifton – restore, rehabilitate and revegetate Peel–Harvey A15112 38 379

69 City of Greater Geraldton Caring for Bimarras Pools: stage 1 – Greenough River Northern Agricultural

A15115 21 500

70 Cape Conservation Group Inc. Exmouth feral cat and fox community education and control program Rangelands A15116 5 000

71 Ravensthorpe Agricultural Initiative Network Inc. (RAIN)

Protecting riparian vegetation and corridor linkages – lower Jerdacuttup catchment


72 City of Greater Geraldton Greenough River estuary nature walk trail: stage 1 Northern Agricultural

A15119 44 500

73 City of Greater Geraldton Chapman River Regional Park CARE project: stage 3 Northern Agricultural

A15120 53 000

74 City of Greater Geraldton Implementing the Chapman River estuary management plan Northern Agricultural

A15121 22 500

75 City of Joondalup Pathogen management and hygiene awareness program Perth (Swan) A15125 14 850

76 Yarra Yarra Catchment Management Group Inc.

Protecting and restoring Boojerabba Flats Northern Agricultural

A15126 51 300

77 Katanning LCDC More trees for way out west South West A15127 40 750




78 Care for Hedland Environmental Association

Renourishment of dune systems that safeguard the turtle rookery Rangelands A15128 15 000

79 Friends of the Reserves Boddington Inc. Regeneration of Camballing Reserve Peel–Harvey A15131 17 185

80 National Trust of WA (with Parkwater Community Group)

Revegetation of Parkwater Creekline South West A15134 8 558

81 South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare (SERCUL)

Restoration of Bull Creek Reserve Perth (Swan) A15137 25 000

82 SERCUL Beckenham Open Space wetland linkages restoration project Perth (Swan) A15138 25 000

83 South West Corridor Development Foundation Inc.

Improving NRM outcomes through increased community awareness and engagement

Cross-regional A15139 12 000

84 SERCUL Rehabilitating degraded saltmarsh in Canning River Regional Park tidal flats Perth (Swan) A15140 14 600

85 SERCUL Protection and enhancement of the biodiversity of Booragoon Lake Reserve Perth (Swan) A15142 26 250


Walk trail signage upgrade Perth (Swan) A15145 11 400

87 Friends of Yellagonga Regional Park Inc. Continuing rehabilitation of fringing vegetation at Lake Goollelal Perth (Swan) A15146 12 100

88 North Stirlings Pallinup Natural Resources Inc.

Emerging weeds and their management in the North Stirlings Pallinup South Coast A15148 10 000

89 Swan Estuary Reserves Action Group Inc. Weed management in Bush Forever Site 331 Perth (Swan) A15149 22 000

90 Jarlmadangah Burru Aboriginal Corporation

Revegetation of Fitzroy River floodplain of Mt Anderson: stage 1 Rangelands A15150 36 300

91 Harvey River Restoration Taskforce Inc. Improving the ecological linkage value of the Harvey River system Peel–Harvey A15151 36 956

92 GeoCatch Busselton urban wetland recovery project South West A15155 15 682

93 Katanning LCDC In them there hills South West A15156 30 000

94 Tangaroa Blue Foundation Ltd 2016 West Australian beach clean-up Cross-regional A15158 20 886

95 Friends of the Porongurup Range Assoc. Inc.

Identifying and describing indicator species for damp refuges of the Gondwanan relictual species


96 Upper Gascoyne LCDC Conserving and building rangeland biodiversity through targeted landscape interventions





97 Shire of Esperance Restoring eco-education facilities and materials at Lake Monjingup South Coast A15166 20 000

98 Landcare SJ Eradicating the prohibited organism, water hyacinth, in the Serpentine River Peel–Harvey A15167 16 812

99 Chittering Valley LCDC Managing feral pigs in the Chittering Valley Perth (Swan) A15168 52 000

100 SERCUL Enhancing habitat and biodiversity at Blue Gum Lake Perth (Swan) A15169 18 000

101 City of Fremantle Landscape connectivity restoration at Hollis Link Perth (Swan) A15171 6 000

102 Shire of Kent Revegetating biodiversity corridors, and mitigating bushland livestock and bridal creeper

Cross-regional A15172 50 000

103 GeoCatch Building habitat and communities for the western ringtail possum South West A15173 11 200

104 City of Cockburn Restoration of wetland habitat at Bibra Lake Perth (Swan) A15174 10 000

105 SERCUL Canning River foreshore restoration Perth (Swan) A15175 32 000

106 Katanning LCDC Trees of the rising sun South West A15176 30 000

107 City of Melville Black flag control at Blackwall Reach Reserve South West A15177 12 995

108 GeoCatch Protection and enhancement of biodiversity in Yoongarillup and Ambergate Reserve


109 Friends of Talbot Road Reserve Inc. Protection of high biodiversity values at Talbot Road Nature Reserve Perth (Swan) A15179 14 118

110 Green Skills Inc. Wetland and biodiversity restoration –Gondwana Link project 2016 South Coast A15181 34 000

111 BirdLife Australia (WA) Operation rainbow roost – identifying rainbow lorikeet roosts in Perth Cross-regional A15183 21 000

112 Australian Wildlife Conservancy Securing the survival of the stick-nest rat in WA Cross-regional A15184 31 100

113 SERCUL Restoration of the Yule Brook Foreshore Perth (Swan) A15185 20 000

114 Cape to Cape Catchments Group On-ground action protecting the aquatic biodiversity of the Margaret River South West A15187 32 835

115 BirdLife Australia (WA) Realizing the potential of successful starling surveillance and control South Coast A15193 19 000

116 BirdLife Australia (WA) Increasing the breeding capacity for threatened Carnaby’s black-cockatoo South Coast A15195 40 000

117 Bannister Creek Catchment Group Bannister Creek urban waterways renewal: maintenance project Perth (Swan) A15196 18 000

118 Friends of Wireless Hill Restoration through weed control at Wireless Hill Reserve Perth (Swan) A15197 19 720

119 Environs Kimberley Sharing knowledge to tackle Kimberley weed priorities – neem tree (Azidirachta indica)





120 Esperance Weeds Action Group Esperance coastal corridor weed project South Coast A15202 37 000

121 Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee Lower Hay and Sleeman rivers – Sydney golden wattle project: stage 2 South Coast A15203 11 300

122 Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council Steaming to success – non-chemical weed control Perth (Swan) A15204 10 000


Aquila project 2nd generation – using artificial intelligence to detect rubber vine


124 Australian Wildlife Conservancy Restoring ecological health to the Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary Perth (Swan) A15207 15 000

125 Friends of North Ocean Reef – Iluka Foreshore

Cape tulip control and eradication in Bush Forever Site 325 Perth (Swan) A15209 11 860

126 Lower Blackwood LCDC Plantation to pasture – understanding and preventing nutrient loss South West A15210 15 000

127 Warren Catchments Council Inc. Donnelly Vertebrate Pest Management Group 2016/17 operation South West A15211 55 000

128 Reef Life Survey Foundation Volunteer scientific monitoring of marine biodiversity in WA Rangelands A15213 15 600

129 Bushcarers Group Inc. Priority weed control initiative for Albany 2015/16 South Coast A15226 52 000


Twin Creeks front paddock revegetation project: stage 4 South Coast A15228 10 300


Visitor information signs South Coast A15229 7 300

132 Kimberley Land Council – Gooniyandi Rangers

Monitoring and managing culturally and environmentally significant waterways Rangelands A15230 9 517

133 Greenbushes Eco Cultural Discovery Centre

Mining heritage walk weed project South West A15231 7 250

134 WWF-Australia Protecting the granite outcrops – Caroline Gap Reserve resource management strategy

Wheatbelt (Avon)

A15234 42 500

135 Chittering Valley LCDC Committee Investigating and improving the health of Chittering Lakes Perth (Swan) A15235 30 880

136 OHCG Community control of weeds along the King River and adjacent ‘wattle island’ South Coast A15237 20 500

137 Environs Kimberley Kimberley bilby project Rangelands A15238 55 000

138 Rangelands Fibre and Produce Association (Inc).

Innovative control of a significant infestation of strategically important WoNS Rangelands A15242 30 000



New community capability projects approved in 2015/16 ($8.3 million)


1 Peel–Harvey Catchment Council Waroona NRM and fire recovery support Peel–Harvey CCGL15401 120 000

2 Blackwood Basin Group A better Blackwood: strategic improvements across the catchment South West CCGL15406 130 000

3 Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council Creating a capable community in NRM Cross-regional CCGL15408 239 000

4 Ellen Brockman Integrated Catchment Group

Ecosystem protection and restoration in the Ellen Brockman region Cross-regional CCGL15410 222 250

5 Roebuck Bay Working Group Inc. Improved understanding and management of Ramsar values through innovative media, science, cultural and governance initiatives

Rangelands CCGL15411 100 000

6 Wagin–Woodanilling Landcare Zone Stronger landscapes for the future in Wagin and Woodanilling South West CCGL15412 120 000

7 Northern Agricultural Catchments Council

Feral animal education and control Northern Agricultural

CCGL15413 60 000


NARvis – supporting effective NRM in the northern agricultural region Northern Agricultural

CCGL15414 53 000

9 SERCUL Volunteer coordination and promotion for 3 not-for-profit Landcare organisations

Perth (Swan) CCGL15416 67 000

10 WWF-Australia Rare flora search and rescue – partnering with community volunteers Cross-regional CCGL15417 183 000

11 Desert Support Services (a subsidiary of Central Desert Native Title Services)

Indigenous NRM capacity-building project – Indigenous Desert Alliance Rangelands CCGL15418 240 000


NRM services for social responsibility Northern Agricultural

CCGL15419 76 336


Hands-on experience in NRM Northern Agricultural

CCGL15420 113 800

14 Greening Australia (WA) Ltd Developing Indigenous ranger teams as part of Pilbara landscapes restoration Rangelands CCGL15421 230 000

15 South Coast NRM Inc. Increasing community capability to strategically manage phytophthora dieback in WA

Cross-regional CCGL15422 300 000

16 Green Skills Inc. Regional coordination of weedy wattle control in the Lower Great Southern South Coast CCGL15424 134 000

17 Wheatbelt NRM Inc. Increasing community capacity to participate in biosecurity: Red Card feral animal control program

Cross-regional CCGL15426 200 000

18 Peel–Harvey Catchment Council Supporting people in wise use of wetlands in the Peel–Harvey region Peel–Harvey CCGL15427 110 000




19 Wheatbelt NRM Inc. Building digital capacity for community landcare Wheatbelt (Avon)

CCGL15431 58 000


Engaging education for NRM Northern Agricultural

CCGL15435 53 000

21 GeoCatch Supporting the Geographe community to improve our natural assets South West CCGL15436 130 000

22 Torbay Catchment Group Inc. 10-year progress review – future planning and stakeholder re-engagement South Coast CCGL15438 22 000


Photo-monitoring in your patch: developing Photomon Services Northern Agricultural

CCGL15440 28 000

24 Denmark Weed Action Group Inc. Protecting and connecting biodiversity to community South Coast CCGL15443 50 000

25 Dieback Working Group Inc. Building a self-sustainable dieback working group Cross-regional CCGL15444 95 000

26 Fitzgerald Biosphere Group Inc. Fitzgerald Biosphere Group’s One-Paddock Challenge South Coast CCGL15448 210 000

27 Gondwana Link Ltd Gondwana Link: achieving exponential change Cross-regional CCGL15449 230 000

28 Tangaroa Blue Foundation Ltd Capacity building that reduces marine debris in WA Cross-regional CCGL15450 200 000

29 Yaburara And Coastal Mardudhunera Aboriginal Corporation

Marduthuni Rangers: Lower Fortescue River and estuary land management program


30 Moore Catchment Council Improving NRM capability in the Moore River catchment Northern Agricultural

CCGL15456 210 000

31 Cultural Corridors Inc. Enhancing NRM capacity Peel–Harvey Perth (Swan)

CCGL15457 131 500

32 BirdLife Australia (WA) A bright future for native birds – building collective capability Cross-regional CCGL15458 424 000

33 Cape to Cape Catchments Group Enhancing NRM outcomes in the Margaret River region South West CCGL15459 200 000

34 Landcare SJ Inc. Measuring NRM successes in Serpentine Jarrahdale Peel–Harvey CCGL15461 60 000

35 Shire of Kent NRM–Landcare support in the shires of Kent and Lake Grace Cross-regional CCGL15464 200 000

36 Friends of the Western Ground Parrot Secrets at sunrise South Coast CCGL15467 149 000

37 South West Catchments Council Enhancing the capability of NRM organisations with the GRID database Cross-regional CCGL15470 174 000

38 Environs Kimberley Kimberley nature projects – facilitating effective and coordinated community conservation


39 Torbay Catchment Group Inc. Building the organisational capability of the Torbay Catchment Group South Coast CCGL15472 10 000

New community capability projects approved in 2015/16 ($8.3 million)New community capability projects approved in 2015/16 ($8.3 million)



40 Oyster Harbour Catchment Group Inc. Improving capacity and engagement in the Oyster Harbour catchment South Coast CCGL15474 130 000

41 De Grey LCDC Growing the Pilbara through coordination and partnerships Rangelands CCGL15476 120 000

42 Lower Blackwood LCDC Unlocking knowledge and raising community connectivity and capability in NRM South West CCGL15478 115 000


A helping hand to maintain your block and the environment Northern Agricultural

CCGL15479 67 000

44 Australian Wildlife Conservancy Literacy and numeracy training for Indigenous rangers – AWC’s Gowija Guardians


45 Yelakitj Moort Nyungar Association Yelakitj Moort -– connecting to landcare through culture Perth (Swan) CCGL15487 67 400

46 Harvey River Restoration Taskforce Saving the marron in the Harvey River Peel–Harvey CCGL15488 100 000

47 Peel–Harvey Catchment Council Building community NRM capacity in Hotham–Williams Peel–Harvey CCGL15489 100 000

48 Green Skills Inc. Gondwana wetland conservation capability development project Cross-regional CCGL15490 107 000

49 Dunsborough Coast and Land Care Inc. Increasing community capacity building and on-ground actions in Dunsborough surrounds

South West CCGL15492 45 000

50 South Coast NRM Inc. Increasing capability and resilience of the south coast NRM community South Coast CCGL15494 180 000

51 National Malleefowl Recovery Group Inc. Malleefowl monitoring for all of WA Cross-regional CCGL15495 66 000

52 Blackwood Environment Society A virtual innovation hub to improve community NRM South West CCGL15496 95 000

53 South Coast NRM Inc. NRM volunteer management – achieving on-ground outcomes in Esperance South Coast CCGL15498 110 000

54 South Coast NRM Inc. Restoring Connections: engaging, involving and creating opportunities for Aboriginal people

South Coast CCGL15500 170 000

55 Warren Catchments Council Inc. Tactical response: more hands make community NRM work South West CCGL15501 310 000

56 West Kimberley LCDC West Kimberley landcare – kickstart and a secure future Cross-regional CCGL15508 140 000

57 Ravensthorpe Agricultural Initiative Network Inc.

Moving forward – celebrating and promoting NRM in Ravensthorpe South Coast CCGL15509 100 000

58 Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC Building Walalakoo’s cultural and NRM capacity Rangelands CCGL15510 32 000

59 Madjulla Inc. Environmental scoping study of the Fitzroy River Nyikina Mangala Native Title Area Rangelands CCGL15512 45 000

60 Rangelands NRM Landscape-scale change in WA rangelands through community capability building Rangelands CCGL15515 325 000

61 Conservation Volunteers Australia In Safe Hands Toolkit Cross-regional CCGL15520 42 300




1 Wilson Wetlands Action Group Fern Road East revegetation: stage 2 Perth 11035 22 700

2 Swan Estuary Reserves Action Group Restoration of the ecological integrity of the Marine Park foreshore in Alfred Cove: stage 1

Perth 12042 21 089

3 Track Care WA Inc. Protection and preservation of the natural assets in priority locations on the Canning Stock Route

Rangelands 12044 50 000

4 Cockburn Wetlands Education Centre Inc. Revegetation and habitat rehabilitation of Bibra Lake Perth 12051 24 205

5 Friends of Lake Claremont Ltd Lake Claremont revegetation extension Perth 12054 50 000

6 Baldivis Children’s Forest Inc. Revegetation of tuart woodlands, feral bee control, and learning through community engagement and action

South West 12060 30 690

7 Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council Saving a keystone species and the integrity of the ecosystem Perth 12067 50 000

8 Friends of John Forrest National Park War on watsonia in John Forrest National Park – protecting the declared rare flora Diplolaena andrewsii (native wild rose)

Perth 12071 24 700

9 Dumbleyung LCDC Sustainably managing the catchments surrounding Dumbleyung Lake South West 12075 45 000

10 Shire of Kulin Shire of Kulin revegetation and native bushland protection Wheatbelt 12087 23 000

11 Shire of West Arthur Riparian protection and revegetation on the Omaru and Carragaline properties in the Manywaters catchment

South West 12096 35 000

12 Centre for Marine Science and Technology

Developing photo-identification software for individual recognition of Australian sea lions through a community-based approach

Perth 12097 16 864

13 Shire of Kellerberrin Communities working together to control feral pests for environmental conservation

Wheatbelt 12110 25 000

14 Friends of Nangip Creek Revegetation of Nangip catchment to reduce threats of salinity in Nangip Reserve

South West 12116 50 000

15 Shire of Manjimup Mottram Street Reserve – returning a significant stream and forest reserve towards its natural state: stage 3

South West 12119 49 200

16 City of Greater Geraldton Chapman River wildlife corridor CARE project Northern 13001 49 875

17 Moore Catchment Council Planting feed species for the endangered Carnaby's black-cockatoo in the northern Swan Coastal Plain IBA

Northern 13003 45 000

18 Moore Catchment Council Reconnecting fragmented malleefowl habitat near Maya Northern 13004 36 325

Finalised projects in 2015/16 ($4.4 million)



19 Shire of Chapman Valley Implementation of invasive species plan in the western third of Chapman Valley Northern 13005 47 000

20 Shire of Chapman Valley Protecting waterways and remnant vegetation in the Chapman River catchment Northern 13006 50 000

21 Shire of Chapman Valley Revegetation of the Moresby: stage 4 Northern 13007 50 000

22 West Koojan Gillingarra LCDC Saltland stabilisation using NyPa forage grass to control erosion and improve soil drainage

Northern 13008 27 000

23 West Midlands Group Pest control to protect sensitive vegetation in the West Midlands Northern 13009 33 165

24 West Midlands Group Protecting on-farm remnant vegetation to enhance wildlife habitat in the West Midlands: stage 2

Northern 13010 50 000

25 Active Greening Inc. t/a The Greening Project

The Greening Project – a pilot Perth 13011 20 000

26 Ardross Primary School P&C Inc. Protecting bats in Melville through the provision of habitats and education Perth 13012 9 000

27 Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group Palomino seasonal damp land: stage 2 Perth 13013 12 000

28 Bannister Creek Catchment Group Nicholson Road bushland restoration and weed management (Bush Forever Site 456)

Perth 13014 25 000


Dieback treatment and weed control in Bungendore Park and adjacent land Perth 13015 18 000

30 Canning River Regional Park Volunteers Urban weed control revision Perth 13016 13 250

31 City of Armadale Conserving wetlands in Cilantro Parkway Perth 13017 20 000

32 City of Belmont Improving connectivity of a regional ecological linkage – Ascot and Rivervale foreshore

Perth 13018 13 347

33 City of Canning Ranford Bushland environmental study and rehabilitation, Canning Vale Perth 13019 28 000

34 City of Kwinana Revegetation and erosion control in the tuart woodland of Thomas Oval Bushland in Kwinana

Perth 13020 13 367

35 City of South Perth Expanding Carnaby’s black-cockatoo sanctuary areas at Collier Park Golf Course

Perth 13021 24 000

36 Dawson Park Primary School Threatened ecological species conservation project Perth 13022 10 000

37 Ellen Brockman Integrated Catchment Group

Management of wild pigs and foxes in the Ellen Brockman region Perth 13023 46 900




38 Friends of Bugle Tree Gully Reserve c/o Shire of Mundaring

Bugle Tree Gully restoration and community engagement Perth 13024 12 000

39 Friends of Gidge Reserve Management plans project for Gidge Reserve and FR Berry Reserve Perth 13025 15 000

40 Friends of John Forrest National Park (south-west)

Control of geophyte, woody and herbaceous weeds in the catchment area of Priest Creek

Perth 13026 23 150

41 Friends of Lake Claremont Ltd Extension of revegetation to the northern section of Lake Claremont to restore indigenous woodland

Perth 13027 28 000

42 Friends of Mary Carroll Wetland Revegetation of the islands at Mary Carroll Lake, Gosnells: stage 2 Perth 13028 11 000

43 Friends of Piesse Brook Watsonia control at the Piesse Brook Gorge area Perth 13029 17 000

44 Friends of Pioneer Park Sawyers Road to Lion Street heritage trail project Perth 13030 13 200

45 Friends of Queens Park Bushland Environmental weed management and revegetation in Queens Park Regional Open Space

Perth 13031 35 000

46 Friends of Talbot Road Nature Reserve Inc. Weed management Perth 13032 11 000

47 Friends of Upper Lesmurdie Falls Inc. Rehabilitation of the upper Lesmurdie Falls Perth 13033 40 000

48 Friends of Wireless Hill Enhancing biodiversity in urban bushland at Wireless Hill Perth 13034 34 000

49 Glen Forrest Primary School Rehabilitation and protection of jarrah forest at Glen Forrest Primary School Perth 13035 17 688

50 Helena College Junior School The Waabiny (‘play time’) project –connecting with nature Perth 13036 20 000

51 Mt Henry Peninsula Conservation Group Control weeds, feral animals and dieback fungal disease for conservation of flora and fauna biodiversity

Perth 13038 14 845

52 Mullaloo Beach Community Group Inc. Mullaloo dune revegetation project: year 3 Perth 13039 10 000

53 Murdoch Environmental Restoration Group

Restoration and habitat protection for endangered flora and fauna Perth 13040 46 000

54 Nature Reserves Preservation Group Inc. Targeting weeds along Crumpet Creek, Mundy Regional Park and the Rocky Pool creek line, Kalamunda National Park

Perth 13041 10 000

55 North Swan LCDC Bushland protection and restoration in Bullsbrook Perth 13042 10 757

56 Nursery and Garden Industry WA Inc. Building capacity to respond to biosecurity issues in the Perth metropolitan area: phase 1

Perth 13043 36 450




57 Friends of Bull Creek Catchment Blackberry removal and the restoration of Bull Creek Reserve Perth 13044 36 000

58 SERCUL Canning River foreshore restoration Perth 13045 50 000

59 SERCUL Construction of a bird hide and interpretive signage for the Beckenham Open Space

Perth 13046 16 570

60 SERCUL Post-fire restoration in the Canning River Regional Park Perth 13047 50 000

61 Friends of Booragoon and Blue Gum Lakes

Protection and enhancement of the biodiversity of Booragoon Lake Reserve Perth 13048 28 000

62 SERCUL Restoring the Bickley Brook upstream of the Bickley Reservoir Perth 13049 17 050

63 Swan Estuary Reserves Action Group Conservation and restoration of remnant vegetation sites in Bush Forever Site 331

Perth 13050 26 600

64 Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee Castledare revegetation and Wilson living stream Perth 13052 40 000

65 Woodvale Waters Land Owners Association Inc.

Woodvale revegetation enhancement project: stage 2 (Yellagonga Regional Park)

Perth 13053 25 000

66 Murchison LCDC Control of significant outlier infestations of strategically important WoNS Rangelands 13056 50 000

67 Central Desert Native Title Services Protecting the biodiversity values of Windich Springs and its catchment through collaborative land management on the Canning Stock Route


68 ECOCEAN Inc. Reviewing the impact of tourism on the whale shark population off the Ningaloo coast


69 Goldfields Land and Sea Council Weed management in the Great Western Woodlands Rangelands 13059 25 000

70 Goldfields Nullarbor Rangelands Biosecurity Association Inc.

Mertondale–Menzies invasive cactus round-up Rangelands 13060 40 000

71 Pilbara Mesquite Management Committee Inc.

Tackling invasive WoNS in the Ashburton catchment Rangelands 13062 50 000

72 Pilbara Mesquite Management Committee Inc.

Tackling weeds on the Yannarie River Rangelands 13063 48 250

73 Rangelands Fibre and Produce Association (Inc.)

Control of significant outlier infestations of strategically important WoNs Statewide 13064 40 000

74 Track Care WA Inc. Bringing life back to Katjarra (Carnarvon Range) Rangelands 13066 50 000




75 Upper Gascoyne LCDC Upper Gascoyne erosion and sediment control demonstration South Coast 13067 37 500

76 Albany Community Environment Centre Yakamia Creek community weed control and revegetation project South Coast 13068 10 020

77 Bush Heritage Australia Kojonup Reserve biodiversity enhancement South Coast 13070 10 000

78 Denmark Weed Action Group Inc. Protection of biodiversity in public reserves in the Shire of Denmark by on-ground action and community education

South Coast 13071 15 000

79 Flinders Park Primary School Bush tucker trail South Coast 13072 13 900

80 Friends of the Porongurup Range Inc. Declared and environmental weed control in the National Heritage-listed Porongurup National Park


81 Green Skills Eradication of Senecio glastifloius (holly-leaved senecio) South Coast 13075 38 000

82 King River Weed Control and River Restoration Group

Weed control and riparian restoration project along the King River and Willyung Creek


83 Moolyall Woodenup Catchment Group Inc.

Protection and extension of bushland corridors in the Moolyall Woodenup catchment


84 Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee Eastern states wattle control in Denbarker: phase 2 South Coast 13079 13 000

85 Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee Eastern states wattle control in Redmond South Coast 13080 18 000

86 Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee Implementing the management plan for Mondurup Reserve South Coast 13081 25 000

87 Freshwater Fish Group and Fish Health Unit Estuarine Research Group, Murdoch University

Conserving unique aestivating freshwater fishes in the wetlands of the south coast

Statewide 13082 41 350

88 Blackwood Basin Group On-ground salinity management of the Gnowangerup–Scott’s Brook South West 13083 25 000

89 Capel LCDC Eradication of arum lily from the capel tuart forests at Ludlow and Mininup: stage 2

South West 13084 20 000

90 Dumbleyung LCDC Continuing to sustainably manage catchments around Dumbleyung Lake South West 13086 35 000

91 GeoCatch Reducing nutrients leaving priority urban and peri-urban areas of the Vasse–Wonnerup catchment

South West 13087 40 000

92 GeoCatch Western ringtail possums in our schools and community South West 13088 30 000

93 Geographe Primary School The outdoor classroom South West 13089 17 500




94 Jarrahdale Heritage Society Gooralong Brook restoration, Jarrahdale South West 13090 15 000

95 Katanning LCDC Fighting salinity in Badgebup South West 13091 50 000

96 Katanning LCDC Bridal creeper and WoNs wars – spreading the word South West 13092 37 000

97 Katanning LCDC Environmental care on the eastern flats of Katanning South West 13093 27 000

98 Landcare SJ Inc. Weed control for improving the health and resilience of threatened ecological communities in Serpentine Jarrahdale and the North Murray

South West 13094 30 000

99 Margaret River Off-Road Cycling Association (in partnership with the Department of Parks and Wildlife)

Creation of a mountain-bike facility to reduce increased impact on threatened ecological communities

South West 13095 80 000

100 Ngalang Boodja Council Aboriginal Corporation Inc.

Restoration of native vegetation in public areas through partnerships and plant salvage

South West 13096 42 100

101 Origins Centre Inc. Weed control, reclamation and revegetation of native remnant bushland South West 13098 9 000

102 Serpentine Jarrahdale LCDC Feral animal control for increasing biodiversity on agricultural land in the coastal Peel–Harvey area

South West 13099 40 000

103 Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale Healthy Habitats: stage 3 South West 13101 30 000

104 Southern DIRT Community awareness and control of bridal creeper in the Kojonup Shire South West 13102 25 000

105 Southern DIRT Extending landcare activities in the Kojonup Shire South West 13103 24 000

106 Warren Catchment Council Investigating the effect of dung beetles on soil fertility and environmental health

South West 13104 26 482

107 Freshwater Fish Group and Fish Health Unit; Estuarine Research Group, Murdoch University

Movement and abundance of key fishes in the Vasse–Wonnerup estuary following a substantial fish kill

South West 13105 50 000

108 Gondwana Link Ltd Completing the circle of adaptive management across Gondwana Link Statewide 13106 30 000

109 Avondale Farm Project Association Inc. Implementing the Avondale flora and fauna plan: stage 2 Wheatbelt 13107 14 000

110 Avongro Inc. Revegetating saltland with selected Casuarina obesa and nitrogen-fixing Frankia bacterium: freer nutrients, more pasture


111 Shire of Mt Marshall Using biodiversity corridors to augment and connect existing remnant vegetation in Mt Marshall





112 Shire of Westonia Constructing a wheel-chair accessible bird hide at Sandford Rocks Wheatbelt 13113 29 500

113 Solomon Yulgan Catchment Group Solomon–Yulgan catchment landcare revegetation project Wheatbelt 13115 18 000

114 Millennium Kids Inc. A classroom without walls Statewide 13116 20 000

115 Wilson Wetlands Action Group Mills Street Stream – weed management in revegetated area Perth 13051 30 500

116 Carnarvon LCDC Carnarvon WoNS control partnership 2014 Perth 13055 50 000

117 Goldfields Land and Sea Council Weed control in the Dundas Nature Reserve Rangelands 14217 35 000

118 Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation Ngurrawaana Rangers controlling parkinsonia on Ieramagadu lease block Rangelands 14005 35 000

119 Meekatharra Rangelands Biosecurity Association Inc.

Walloping WoNs at Windimurra Rangelands 14010 46 930

120 Friends of Mary Carroll Wetlands Revegetation of the islands at Mary Carroll Lake Perth 14016 11 000

121 Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group Project Palomino – restoring the Wungong River Perth 14017 15 000

122 Western Australian Wildflower Society (Albany branch)

Albany Regional Herbarium Collection –building a comprehensive resource to meet community needs


123 Esperance Regional Forum Inc. Connecting gaps and protecting riparian vegetation in the Stokes catchment South Coast 14030 49 600

124 Riding for the Disabled Association (Peel group)

Site investigations and weed control for management of the wetland interface Peel Harvey 14033 14 060

125 Chittering Valley LCDC Chasing the remaining feral pigs in the Chittering Valley Perth 14042 50 000

126 Wagin–Woodanilling Landcare Zone Inc. ‘Kill the bride’ – bridal creeper control program South West 14050 10 000

127 Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee Inc. Eastern states wattle control in Redmond: phase II South Coast 14058 23 000


Weed control and dieback treatment inBungendore Park and adjacent land Perth 14065 18 000

129 SERCUL Aquatic weed capacity building and management training Perth 14068 35 000

130 City of Canning Black Creek biodiversity and water quality improvement project Perth 14070 35 000

131 Blackwood Basin Group Inc. Protecting, restoring and regenerating the Blackwood River South West 14087 35 000

132 GeoCatch A pilot of the Dairy Australia Fert$mart project in the Geographe catchment South West 14094 25 000

133 GeoCatch Protecting biodiversity in Carbunup Reserve through phytophthora management

South West 14098 20 000




134 Shire of Mundaring Environmental recovery for the Parkerville/Stoneville/Mt Helena fires 2014 Perth 14107 30 000

135 Friends of Pioneer Park Sawyers Road to Lion Street heritage trail project Perth 14110 7 302

136 Australian Wildlife Conservancy Controlling feral animals in the Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary Statewide 14112 48 000

137 Bannister Creek Catchment Group Bannister Creek living stream final stage – Iveston Road to Acacia Weir Perth 14116 40 000

138 SERCUL Blackberry removal and the restoration of Bull Creek Reserve: stage 2 Perth 14119 27 000

139 Blackadder Woodbridge Catchment Group Inc.

Blackadder wetlands transition from tidal to freshwater project Perth 14123 18 000

140 Reef Life Survey Foundation Volunteer scientific monitoring of marine biodiversity in WA Statewide 14126 29 980

141 City of Mandurah Renewable and sustainable fencing off of remnant vegetation in Marlee Reserve

Peel–Harvey 14140 24 000

142 City of Cockburn Revegetating Rose Shanks Reserve within a rabbit-proof fenced area Perth 14148 22 000

143 Carnarvon LCDC Eradicating athel pine (tamarisk) in the lower Gascoyne Rangelands 14155 35 000

144 SERCUL Canning River foreshore restoration Perth 14158 45 000

145 Moore Catchment Council Protecting and enhancing the biodiversity assets of the Moore River Northern 14162 35 000

146 Shire of Augusta – Margaret River WoNS control in priority shire reserves South West 14172 12 100

147 Katanning LCDC Battling bridal creeper – the fight continues South West 14180 40 000

148 Shire of Denmark Mitigating the risk of dieback on 4 priority reserves in Denmark South Coast 14182 10 600

149 Wandering Primary P&C Reaching out to Carnaby’s – culture and community South West 14216 10 000

150 Kimberley Land Council – Kija Rangers Control of bellyache bush ( Jatropha gossypiifolia) in the upper reaches of the Ord River catchment


151 St Stephen’s School St Stephen’s School / Scotch College Nanga NRM joint project Peel Harvey 14225 17 000




1 Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA)

Whole-farm nutrient mapping South West 12020 1 000 000

2 Department of Water Implementing the Vasse–Wonnerup water quality improvement plan South West 12021 350 000

3 Rangelands NRM Co-ordinating Group (Inc.) Kimberley rubber vine eradication Rangelands 12024 1 000 000

4 Wheatbelt NRM Coordinated predator control Wheatbelt 12027 350 000

5 Department of Parks and Wildlife Critically endangered flora recovery Cross-regional 12030 1 610 000

6 Department of Parks and Wildlife Western ground parrot conservation South Coast 12032 600 000

7 Department of Fisheries Demersal fish stock conservation on the south coast South Coast 12034 850 000


Biodiversity links: mid-west and southern rangelands Northern 12036 300 000

9 South Coast NRM Inc. Dieback management South Coast 12037 3 000 000

10 Western Australian Local Government Association

Local government biodiversity conservation Cross-regional 12038 500 000

11 State NRM Office Aboriginal engagement in natural resource management Cross-regional 12039 500 000

Finalised strategic priority projects ($10 million)

nrm.wa.gov.au

+61 (0)8 9368 3168

PROGRESS REPORT 2015–16 - NRM WA · STATE NRM PROGRAM PROGRESS REPORT 201516 5 The State Natural...

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