Giving blowouts the brush-off

What a difference one morning can make. Community spirit in our region was once again in full swing recently as the Friends of Lancelin Coast, Lancelin Caravan Park, Shire of...
Home 🞂 Newsroom 🞂 Giving blowouts the brush-off
What a difference one morning can make.

Community spirit in our region was once again in full swing recently as the Friends of Lancelin Coast, Lancelin Caravan Park, Shire of Gingin, Northern Agricultural Catchments Council, and Coastcare volunteers from surrounding community/progress associations in Guilderton, Seabird and Seaview Park came together to kick-start a dune restoration project at Edwards Island Point near Lancelin.

BEFORE: One of the dune blowouts at Edward Island Point showing the extent of erosion and bare, exposed sand prior to brushing
BEFORE: One of the dune blowouts at Edward Island Point showing the extent of erosion and bare, exposed sand prior to brushing

The restoration project involved ‘brushing’ (laying branches of native shrubs and trees) on areas where dune blow-outs have occurred due to damaged dune vegetation.  Covering the exposed sand with brush helps to slow down wind-borne sand and trap it in the dunes where it belongs, rather than being blown away.

AFTER: The same dune just a couple of hours later, with the sand now protected by a layer of brushing.
AFTER: The same dune just a couple of hours later, with the sand now protected by a layer of brushing.

Coastcare volunteers collected native Beach Spinifex seed, and spread it throughout the brush to help restore this vital fore-dune species. Biodegradable coir matting and logs were also used in some areas to help stabilise the soil, and to help minimise access and disturbance. In an innovative twist, project partners and community members were invited to bring along their own suitable brushing for use on the day, with trailer loads of branches being delivered by project partners and community members. The brush was screened prior to being placed in the dunes to ensure that seeds or cuttings of non-local, unwanted species wouldn’t establish in the dunes.

Brushing requires little in the way of maintenance, and results in immediate change. It is also often a lot more cost-effective than revegetation.

It was great having enough support so that a working chain could be established, helping efficiently get brushing material to the top of the dune. Many hands make light work!
It was great having enough support so that a working chain could be established, helping efficiently get brushing material to the top of the dune. Many hands make light work!

John Hatch, Secretary and Treasurer of Friends of Lancelin Coast, said he was grateful for the assistance. “It is fantastic to have this level of support at such a physical event, and we are off to a great start on this ongoing project”, he said.

NACC Coastal and Marine Project Manager Hamish Longbottom said he too was thrilled with the outcome.

“It was a pretty special event, and to get the local community, neighbouring Coastcare groups, a local business, and the local Shire all working together on a single project is a fantastic achievement,” he said. “We were inspired by the support from project partners and neighbouring Coastcarers, and believe that this event will stand as a shining example of collaboration in our region.”

The “Brushing Bunch” – some of the participants celebrating the successful event
The “Brushing Bunch” – some of the participants celebrating the successful event

 

For more information on brushing, check-out NACC’s Coastcare resources page.

This event was supported via NACC’s Elevate Your Impact project assisted by funding from the Western Australian Government’s State NRM Program supported by Royalties for Regions.

For more information about this project, visit https://www.nacc.com.au/project/elevate-your-impact/ or contact Sarah Samulkiewicz-Taylor at NACC via email sarah.taylor@nacc.com.au, or mobile 0408 891 502.

Share

We'd Love to Hear From You!

Your feedback is important to us. If you have suggestions, questions, or would like to get involved in Natural Resource Management, please use the form below or contact our Geraldton office. We’re here to listen and help

Contact Us

Geraldton Office

4 Walton Close, Geraldton
Post: PO Box 7168, Geraldton, 6531
Phone: (08) 9938 0100
Office hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm

Forms

Expression of Interest Form 🞂

Suggest a Project Form 🞂

Membership Form 🞂

Donations Form 🞂

Contacts

NACC Board Members 🞂

NACC Staff 🞂

NRM Bodies & Groups 🞂

CEO’s Report

In 2020-21 I talked about ‘raising the bar’. In 2021-22 we worked on setting the bar on fire. Over the last 12 months, the team at NACC NRM has not stopped.

The Sustainable Agriculture team has extended the program’s reach through collaborations with grower groups in the regions. Specifically, the Beyond Reasonable Drought project and Grower Group Alliance – South West WA Drought Innovation Hub – Geraldton Node project. The Beyond Reasonable Drought partnership with grower groups supported farmers across the region to improve the environmental sustainability of their agricultural production and drought resilience. The outcomes of this project have been consolidated through our successful Expression of Interest to the South West WA Drought Innovation Hub, with support from grower groups across the region, to host the Geraldton Node of the Hub. The program continues to focus on working with agricultural networks to share technical expertise and provide opportunities that will improve land management practices in agriculture across the region.

The conservation outcomes of ranger teams have expanded through work on several land tenures. Maintaining Heritage sites such as Willi Gulli, Racecourse Paddock and Buller River has long been a priority. During 2021-22, the teams have increasingly focused on threatened species and ecosystems.

To this end, Western Mulga rangers have improved management across 19,000 ha for the conservation of Malleefowl through firebreak and access management. They completed the maintenance of water holes and supported the monitoring of over 90 Malleefowl mounds.

Similarly, the Kwelena Mambakort Aboriginal Corporate ranger team have contributed positively to Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo populations by installing artificial hollows and habitat restoration.

All ranger teams have collected native seed, propagated native plants for restoration, and planted native vegetation in key locations across the NAR. Seed collection provides valuable industry experience and has facilitated the planting of over 100,000 seedlings during the year.   

In September 2021, the NACC NRM team delivered the WA Threatened Species Forum, held in tandem with the National Malleefowl Forum. Given the impact of COVID and the timing of this event, having more than 100 delegates from all over Australia was a significant achievement. The two Forums brought together 12 events over five days and featured 14 local artists, 25 businesses and 36 youth participants.

Following the successful relaunch of our updated NARvis, NACC NRM was invited to help lead a significant piece of strategic planning work for the region with Mid West Development Commission and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. With funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, the consortia delivered a Regional Drought Resilience Plan covering the shires of Northampton and Chapman Valley and the City of Greater Geraldton, along with significant technical analysis of drought vulnerability for the South West land division. The development of this plan also included extensive community consultation to ensure that local knowledge and technical advice guided the development of priorities for action.

This planning work links to existing NACC NRM on-ground projects, including Beyond Reasonable Drought and the Chapman Catchment Collaborative regeneration project.

It was a busy year for events with face-to-face events becoming commonplace again. During 2021-22 we hosted events in Gingin, Moora, Dalwallinu, Cervantes, Jurien Bay, Walkaway, Nabawa, Perenjori, Kalannie and Morawa. We supported events in Karakin, Thundellara, Perenjori, Paynes Find, Wubin, Cataby, Warradarge, Northampton, Yuna, Dalwallinu and Dandaragan.

We also supported on-ground works throughout the region, including at the following locations Yuna, Dalwallinu, Dandaragan, Merkanooka, Goodlands, Kalannie, Bunjil, Yardarino, Canna, Kondut, Latham, Kadathinni, Nabawa, Red Gully, Sandy Gully, Waddy Forrest, Devils Creek, Perenjori, Bowgada, Ellendale, Wandana, Namban, Hill River, Warradarge, Gillingarra, Regans Ford and Moonyanooka.

Our region is vast – slightly larger than Tasmania, which for comparison, is serviced by three separate NRM organisations. Covering the NAR region and its many environmental threats is challenging. We continue to focus on partnerships and collaboration to address this challenge. We know that by working with our community through passionate delivery of collaborative on-ground projects and education, the community will value and actively protect our region’s natural capital.

This year we have launched a new Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The RAP Working Group consulted widely and developed an Innovate RAP which Reconciliation Australia approved in March 2022. The activities to fulfil these commitments are now in full swing.

Sadly, at the end of 2021, we farewelled former NACC NRM CEO Shelley Spriggs, who lost a long battle with cancer. Shelley was an inaugural inductee to the NRM Leadership Honour Roll. I will always be grateful for her guidance and no-nonsense approach, not to mention her passion for life.

While we have said farewell to some, we have welcomed many new faces across all programs, including our Administration team. We have also hosted a school-based trainee from Nagle Catholic College who has been working towards a Certificate II in Conservation and Ecosystem Management. This trial position has been very successful, and we look forward to making this opportunity available again in 2023.

During 2022 we have taken on new projects that align with our organisational and program objectives, and we have successfully completed some great initiatives that support continued conservation and sustainability outcomes. I want to thank the whole team who continue to go above and beyond for the organisation and each other proving their ongoing commitment to our purpose and our values.