Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter, where we are thrilled to share with you some exciting developments from the Council and around the region.
The Rural Landholder Initiative grants program is undergoing evolution and expansion. The Environmental Strategies (ET) Team have been hard at work crafting ways to enhance the program's impact.
The ES Team's newest member, David Dreher, is leading the charge in designing a field day program focusing on bridging the gap between theory and practice in bush regeneration and empowering participants with hands-on knowledge. Dave joins the Council with working experience as a bush regenerator and can provide accurate and valuable knowledge to landholders embarking on the regenerative journey.
Friends of the Koala and many partnering organisations are participating in this September’s Koala Count! Read on for the full details of the Koala Count week.
Lastly, we’ve discussed how timely weed removal can increase your land's resilience during fire season.
Read on for the full details of biodiversity news and events.
Habitat Action Grants Open Now
The Department of Planning and Environment’s Habitat Action Grants are open from 8 August 2023 to 29 September 2023.These grants focus on inland waterways and coastal systems, each awarded up to $40,000 per project.
The Recreational Fishing Trusts support the grants, with funds being raised by the NSW Recreational Fishing Fees.
In the past, habitat rehabilitation projects which have been funded have included:
- Removal or modification of barriers to fish passage
- Rehabilitation of riparian lands (riverbanks, wetlands, mangrove forests, saltmarsh)
- Re-snagging waterways with timber structure
- The removal of exotic vegetation from waterways and replacement with native plants
- Bank stabilisation works
- Fencing to exclude livestock.
Since 2009, the Recreational Fishing Trusts have invested nearly $8 million into the Habitat Action Grants program, seeing significant improvement in fish habitat across NSW.
For more information and to apply for this round, visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/hag.
Implications of Forest Reclassification on Fire Regimes and Ecosystem Management
Whilst acknowledging the innovative power mapping technology holds, Andy Baker presented some key findings to the NCC Bushfire 2023 Conference in Sydney on a recent study conducted in the North Coast Bioregion. Dr. Andy Baker delved into the implications of the newest classification of dry-to-wet sclerophyll forests (DSF to WSF) under the NSW State Vegetation Type Map (SVTM).
According to the research that compared maps from 2004 to 2020, this reclassification has resulted in approximately 95% of DSF areas within the bioregion being reclassified as WSF in its most recent review. The study aimed to evaluate the implications of this classification shift on fire regimes and ecosystem management strategies within the region.
The shift from DSF to WSF classification is vital due to the contrasting fire regimes associated with these forest types. Dry sclerophyll forests thrive with a fire frequency ranging from approximately every 7 to 30 years, whereas wet sclerophyll forests benefit from fire occurring at intervals of roughly 25 to 60 years. These insights have been demonstrated in a Sunshine Coast National Park that hosts Australia's longest-running fire experiment. Long, unburnt DSF patches have established a dense understory of rainforest. The result has been a decline in the overall ecological functioning of the DSF forest.
The study aimed to validate the accuracy of the newest classification through a bioregion-wide review of the mapped DSFs and WSFs to determine if they met the canopy height and understory floristic features that distinguish the two types. The research also reviewed how many plots were long-unburnt at the time of the survey. The North Coast Bioregion, renowned for its prevalence of WSFs, provided an ideal setting for this research.
Results and Implications: The study's findings revealed significant discrepancies in the new classification's application. Among the 3000 plots mapped as WSF, over 80% failed to meet the height threshold of >30 meters. Around a quarter of these forests stood below 20 meters, culminating in an overall accuracy of 19% for WSF classification. On the other hand, 99% of mapped DSF fell within the expected diagnostic height range.
Regarding floristic indicators, over 30% of the plots had no floristic indicators of WSFs, resulting in 24% of forests within the bioregion being inaccurately classified as WSFs.
73% of WSFs with actual DSF structures were overdue for fire at the time of the survey, meaning that despite their DSF structure, many of the forests were misclassified at the time of the SVTM’s review.
Under the new classification, fire intervals have doubled in time across the bioregion. As Baker points out, the consequences of such is the undermining of ecological, cultural and hazard reduction burns in these forests.
The discrepancies in the newest classification, resulting in the misrepresentation of forest types, raise concerns about the effectiveness of current fire management strategies and ecosystem conservation efforts. The findings highlight the importance of refining classification methodologies and incorporating accurate data for informed decision-making in evolving ecosystems and fire regimes.
To view the presentation, click HERE.
Andy Baker’s peer-review publication is soon to be published. For further details, click HERE.
2023 Koala Count
Spring has sprung and is the perfect opportunity to get out and about and look for koalas! Lismore City Council is collaborating with the Northern Rivers Koala Network on this year’s Koala Count.
The Northern Rivers Koala Count is scheduled from 24-30 September 2023.
We are asking the community to make a special effort to report sightings of koalas during the last week of September.
It’s as easy as heading to the Friends of the Koala website throughout the last week of September.
However, if you come across an injured or sickly Koala, please immediately call the FOK hotline on (02) 6622 1233.
Sick Koalas may present their symptoms differently: If the koala displays any of the signs below, they are likely sick or injured.
- Eyes red, crusty or weepy
- Rump stained, not white or grey
- Fur missing, matted or brown
- Visible blood or wound and/or flies buzzing around
- Difficulty climbing, moving or walking
- Low in tree
- On the ground, not moving
- Does not move away when approached
- Smaller than a rockmelon on their own and/or chirping
- Discharge out of nose or mouth
- Dogs nearby, possible or at risk of dog attack
- Near the road, possible or at risk of vehicle strike
- On a pole or fence
National Tree Day
The Environmental Strategies team celebrated National Tree Day on the banks of the Wilsons River at Trinity sports field/ Dawson St Road reserve in late July, partnering with Wilsons River Landcare and St Carthages School to plant over 1100 trees and grasses to support riverbank health and water quality.
Over 60 public members attended, with an all-ages effort ensuring the trees were planted, mulched and watered in under two hours! Even the two-year-old helped by collecting empty pots.
The event also included a wonderful Welcome to Country and yarns with Aunty Thelma, catchment education with the catchment trailer, Waterbugs, and a yummy BBQ. Special mentions to Friends of the Koala Inc. for donating 305 trees from their Bushfire/Flood Recovery Project and Revive the Northern Rivers for $15,000 towards regeneration works at the Trinity Sports Field site.
Lismore Tree Day was presented by the Wilsons River Schools Project, which is a fantastic project across six schools funded by the NSW Environmental Trus, in partnership with Lismore City Council, Wilsons River Landcare, Envite Environment, Rous County Council and with the support of Big Scrub Regeneration Pty Ltd, Richmond Riverkeeper and Richmond Landcare Inc.
Photo credit: Alex Clarke for Wilsons River Landcare
Regular field days aim to engage landholder and industry groups in practical aspects of bush regeneration and other land management topics. After an unfortunate hiatus during COVID, floods, etc., the ES team is excited to deliver a field day programme that walks landowners through defining their property vision and achieving outcomes through a series of targeted projects and activities.
The upcoming workshops/ field days are on theme with Lismore City Council’s new RLI officer David Dreher’s skill set- having worked in Bush Regeneration for 22 years - David has years of practical bush regeneration knowledge and experience.
David is keen to hear back from landholders and industry groups on the types of training best suited to their needs. If you wish to submit a suggestion, please email David at david.dreher@lismore.nsw.gov.au.
Dave and the team are finalising the upcoming events and workshops. A full program of events will be available soon. Please watch the Council’s RLI webpage and Facebook for announcements.
The first two workshops will be held in October and November 2023.
Imagining the Dream: Project Planning for Bush Restoration
Goolmangar- Saturday 28 October 2023
Guests are invited to visit a former grazing property at Goolmangar that has been transformed into a farm with diversified income streams and production. The landholder has partnered with Council to complete a project funded by the RLI to improve the riparian area of Goolmangar Creek that their property fronts.
The day's themes are site planning, gathering resources, establishing your support network, and bush regeneration 101, with time for questions and discussions. The event will include a walkthrough of native plantings, riparian restoration sites, and an exploration of the various fauna onsite. The landholder will speak about his vision of transforming his overgrazed farm into a diversified rural holding.
Guests will need to BYO lunch and water bottle and be prepared for a day out (walking in areas of long grass). Council will provide morning tea. Tickets are free but you’ll need to register via Eventbrite.
October field day location: before restoration works (2020)
The current condition of the property at Goolmangar, as works continue (2023). Revegetation and a pond system in place.
November 2023
November’s field day will focus on successful project planning and management approaches. The field day will coincide with the EOI period for round 11 of the RLI.
A panel of industry experts will be available to advise landholders on developing a project plan and submitting a well-prepared funding application. We hope to have a good representation of industry and agency staff to guide guests towards the various funding sources available to landholders and community and industry groups. The day will be located in a hall setting- stalls will have access to websites and technology to help guests prepare their property plans and explore different funding opportunities.
After Morning tea, guests are invited to follow on to a nearby property to view a successful project previously funded by the RLI, allowing guests the option to ask questions and discuss the various approaches to their projects. The day should finish up mid-afternoon. Guest are encouraged to bring their lunch and water. Morning tea will be provided. Tickets are free, but you’ll need to register via Eventbrite. Watch for details on the Council's webpage and FB for the confirmed date.
Upcoming in 2024
In 2024, we will look at the practical on-ground skills required to break ground on new projects and refine the skills required to see a project through to successful completion and build capacity in landowners to take on the important maintenance of works that will provide long-term and measurable outcomes into the future. We will visit various RLI project sites and build capacity, knowledge, and a sense of community within our RLI networks.
Boatharbour Event: Community guests will again be presented with a day out in Boatharbour. Guests will glimpse into a special plant community, Lowland rainforest on floodplain- an endangered ecological community that now occurs only as small remnants in scattered localities on the NSW north coast.
These landowners have been involved in a long-term restoration and revegetation project. We will showcase the advantages of working within an association of like-minded landholders and the benefits that can be achieved both for the environment and our rural communities. Stay tuned via the RLI Council Webpage and Facebook for the event updates.
Nature-Based Solutions Event: The workshop will introduce landholders to the emerging field of nature-based solutions. We will explore environmental improvement and riparian rehabilitation works that can also serve to assist in mitigating the effects of flooding in our susceptible catchments. With our project partners, we will explore what we already know and what we can achieve by utilising nature-based techniques at a landscape level. Landholders will receive an insight into the benefits they can provide to the broader community by undertaking works on their property. This workshop will serve as an introduction to a series of ongoing workshops that will also explore landscape rehydration techniques and the field of regenerative agriculture.
The ES Team are set to deliver the next phase of the Rural Landholder Initiative. After eight years, a review of the delivery of the RLI aims to improve on-ground outcomes and streamline the program delivery.
Commencing in November 2023 the RLI program will call for new individual private rural property project applications with increased grant funds (up to $15,000) available over three years. The change acknowledges the greater landscape benefits that can be achieved by larger projects and the time frames necessary to encourage active management and gain control of sites.
The annual grant will change to a biannual grant. The alternate years will be open to applications from industry, community, and other incorporated groups with charters to achieve collective environmental improvement in the Lismore LGA.Starting in Nov 2024, larger grants of up to $50,000 over 3 years aim to attract grouped projects that address strategic outcomes across the local government area. These projects will involve multiple neighbours or industry members engaged in work such as multi-property riparian restoration or habitat connectivity.
Applications for Round 11 of the RLI will be open for Expressions of Interest to individual rural landholders in November 2023. Council encourages landholders who wish to improve their property’s environmental values to contact environmental.strategies@lismore.nsw.gov.au for advice and guidance.
Keep an eye on Council’s RLI webpage for further details.
Our youngest project partner to date has taken a gap year to manage the RLI project on his land. Under his lead, the whole of family has partnered with Lismore City Council and contractor Dave DeNardi to improve riparian areas in the Lismore LGA.
As spring begins it's crucial for landholders to remember that the changing season also signals the start of preparations for the upcoming bushfire season. Many regions have experienced intense growth in recent years due to consecutive wet seasons, leading to a potential intensity of bushfires.
The Australian Fire and Emergency Council (AFAC) has issued its report for the coming season, highlighting the potential for heightened bushfire risks. To safeguard your property and community, it's essential to take proactive steps in managing the increased fuel growth. Delaying these efforts could have dire consequences, making early intervention imperative.
A few actions that could help reduce the potential fire risk of your property are:
Fuel Reduction: Start by reducing the fuel load on your property. This can be achieved through controlled burns, slashing, or the creation of firebreaks. By doing so, you limit the available fuel for potential bushfires. Although the burn-off season has ended, slashing and creating fire breaks have an important impact.
Weed Management: Address clumping or spreading woody weeds and exotic grasses promptly. These plants can be a fire hazard and should be managed with effective weed control methods. Seek advice from local authorities or environmental experts on the best practices for weed management in your area.
The presence of invasive weeds can greatly change the vulnerability of plant communities, such as rainforests, potentially increasing the probability of them experiencing wildfires.
Clear Defensible Space: Create a defensible space around your property by clearing away dead vegetation, leaves, and other flammable materials. This buffer zone can help slow the spread of a bushfire and protect your home.
We’d love to hear from you if you have feedback on the content of this newsletter or ideas on what you’d like to hear about.
If you’d like to chat to a member of the Environmental Strategies team, phone us on (02) 6625 0500.
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