Chainsaws Assisting in Superb Parrot Recovery

The sound of chainsaws reverberating around the region is often bad news for many of our threatened species, but over the next month the roar of chainsaws tearing into timber will be the sound of good news for Superb Parrots.

Central Tablelands Local Land Services has partnered with the Environment & Waterways Alliance to engage an arborist to create around 200 hollows in standing trees across our region.  This is being done using the hollow augmentation technique, a method where hollows are cut into standing trees to create habitat.

The Project Support Officer for the Environment & Waterways Alliance, Mr Mick Callan, says that this technique creates a much more natural hollow structure than traditional nest boxes.

“What we see with nest boxes is that many species of hollow dependent fauna choose not to use them for a variety of reasons.  The hollow augmentation technique provides a much more natural hollow structure for hollow users with better insulative properties, a more natural appearance and the absence of unnatural square edges and manufactured materials not found in natural hollows.”

The hollow augmentation technique was first introduced to this region in April at a Hollows for Habitat Forum held in Orange.  Prior to this event the options for creating habitat for animals that require hollows for breeding or shelter was the installation of nest boxes or simply waiting for hollows to form naturally.

“It takes around 100 years for a small hollow to form naturally in our woodland communities and around 200 to 300 years for large hollows to develop that can support large animals such as cockatoos and owls” explained Mr Callan.

“Due to historic land clearing and in many cases the absence of old, mature trees in our landscape we are witnessing a decline in the numbers and distribution of many hollow dependent species.  Creating these hollows utilising the hollow augmentation technique allows us to create a solution to habitat loss in the medium to long term while revegetation plantings mature and begin to generate hollows naturally.”

The Superb Parrot project will see hollows created in the Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra and Orange Local Government Areas with all of these Councils partnering in the project.  In coming weeks these Councils, as well as Local Land Services offices across the region, will be distributing educational materials relating to the Superb Parrot including stickers and brochures.

Additionally, revegetation works will be happening with trees being planted across the project region in the aim of creating habitat in the long term. 

“Trees selected for this project are known hollow bearing species that are used by the Superb Parrot” said Land Services Officer, Miss Clare Kerr of Central Tablelands Local Land Services.

“As the project manager for the Planning for Climate Change project at Central Tablelands Local Land Services, I am enthusiastic about the prospect of these trees being planted in current areas of Superb Parrot distribution, but also to the east of their current range to account for climate change projections over the period in which these trees will mature.”

This project is supported by the NSW Government through their Catchment Action Program and is addressing listed threats to the Superb Parrot including:

·        Loss of living and dead hollow bearing trees

·        Loss of breeding and foraging habitat

·        Poor regeneration of nesting trees and food resources

·        Feeding on grain spills and subsequently being struck by vehicles

If you have seen Superb Parrots in your area and would like to become involved in a Citizen Science project, please visit the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage website: https://engage.environment.nsw.gov.au/superb-parrot

Illegal Firewood Collecting on Travelling Stock Reserves Under the Spotlight

Central West Local Land Services is giving people notice that they are closely monitoring travelling stock reserves (TSRs) for illegal firewood collection.

Fines of up to $5,500 can apply to people caught carrying out illegal activity on TSRs under the Local Land Services Act 2013.

People using TSRs legally for such things as bushwalking and birdwatching are also being encouraged to report any suspicious activity.

Local Land Services is responsible for maintaining these public assets and protecting them from illegal activities, Central West Local Land Services Team Leader Peta Holcombe said.

“We are closely watching a number of TSRs in our region and will be taking legal action against anyone found removing firewood, dumping rubbish and dirt bike riding,” Ms Holcombe said.

Local Land Services is using surveillance cameras, staff inspections and public reports to identify and fine offenders.

“TSRs have social, grazing, ecological and cultural heritage value and can be easily damaged through removing timber and other illegal activities.”

People can report any illegal activity to Local Land Services on 1300 795 299 or their local police station.

“We encourage everyone to report suspicious behaviour on TSRs and to record as much detail as possible," Ms Holcombe said.

“Information such as registration numbers, descriptions, locations and dates will help us fine those responsible.

“We encourage all users of TSRs to take steps to protect these valuable public assets.”

Special use permits are available from your Local Land Services Office for a range of non-destructive recreational activities. Camping on TSRs is prohibited at all times unless you are with travelling stock.

People can collect firewood from selected state forests with a firewood permit. For more information, visit www.forestrycorporation.com.au

For more information on TSRs visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 795 299.

2016-17 FUNDING FOR THE CENTRAL TABLELANDS TO BE REVEALED AT THE MUDGEE SMALL FARM FIELD DAYS

Central Tablelands Local Land Services will unveil a host of exciting and innovative funding initiatives at the Mudgee Small Farm Field Days to support resilient and productive landholders, landscapes and communities.

The 2016-2017 Funding and Grants Program will be launched at Mudgee this year on Friday the 15th of July, offering funding to farmers, landholders, and community groups such as Local Councils, Landcare Groups and Indigenous groups across the Central Tablelands.

Funding will be targeted towards remnant woodland conservation, native grasslands and revegetation activities, property planning, groundcover management, the protection of threatened species, and the restoration and protection of creeks and rivers.

"We know that farmers place a high importance on improving the health and productivity of their land, so it’s very pleasing to be able to offer help with funding for projects that we know many farmers have been considering," said Ian Rogan, Acting Chairman of Central Tablelands Local Land Services Board.

Assistance will be available to help restore and protect riparian areas, and to protect remnant bushland and targeted native grasslands that will link and enhance habitat for threatened species.

Direct support for agriculture will include property planning courses for landholders, land managers and rural employees, and assistance with the establishment of confined stock feeding areas to protect groundcover during declining seasonal conditions. 

Incentives will also be available for Landcare, Aboriginal Communities and Local Government groups for environmental and sustainable agriculture projects.

Local Land Services will also fund community events to provide information about the diversity of intriguing threatened species that can be found in the Central Tablelands region.

These projects are provided by Central Tablelands Local Land Services through funding from the Australian Governments National Landcare Programme and Catchment Action NSW.

Landholders are encouraged to visit the Local Land Services stand at site 548 and find out more about the wide array of services available to landholders and community groups.

For more information about the 2016-2017 Funding and Grants Program to be launched at the Mudgee Small Farm Field Days, contact Clayton Miller at Central Tablelands Local Land Services on phone: 02 6333 2314 or email: clayton.miller@lls.nsw.gov.au