Since the end of 2000, Tamar NRM has attracted over $4M of funding into the Region (from the Natural Heritage Trust, local Government and sponsorship) to implement a range of projects. Projects are directly undertaken and managed by Tamar NRM or by partner organisations and groups with Tamar NRM’s involvement and support.

This has involved a range of activities including:

• On ground Landcare projects;
• Knowledge –research and studies; the development and implementation of strategies, local management plans, policies and surveys;
• Education and awareness - field days, forums, workshops, training sessions, surveys and guest speakers;
• Co-ordination & management – support staff, technical services and extension, monitoring and evaluation.

Other organisations and institutions are often responsible or have a role to play in implementing some of the actions identified in the Strategy, e.g. local and State Governments and in this case Tamar NRM’s role is to encourage, support and monitor their progress.
For more information on the various projects and activities undertaken to date follow the links.

Regional

October 2005

Boneseed Blitz

Landholders and community groups within the Tamar Valley were invited to join in the Boneseed Blitz planned for Wednesday 19 and Saturday 22 October 2005.

The program was supported by the Launceston City Council, West Tamar Council, Meander Valley Council, Georgetown Council, Department of Primary Industry, Water and Environment, Parks and Wildlife Service, Friends of Trevallyn Reserve and Tamar NRM.

" The blitz on Boneseed was organised to concentrate effort to remove Boneseed from both public and private land whilst it was in flower and before it set seed," said Kay Bailey, Executive Officer, Tamar NRM. "As mature plants can produce 50,000 seeds that remain viable in the soil for up to 10 years, it is important to remove the plants before this happens."

Boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera) is a woody weed originating in South Africa and is common within the Tamar Valley. It is a ‘Declared Weed’ and is the responsibility of all landholders to control on their land. Boneseed can grow densely and crowd out native vegetation and animals. It can also impact on public recreation.

" The organisations supporting the Boneseed Blitz organised control activities for this weed on the two days," said Ms Bailey. "Other landholders and community groups were also encouraged to find out what Boneseed is and how it is controlled; have a look to see if it is present in their area and arrange to remove any plants during the Blitz."

Photos of removal activity by the George Town Council on Wednesday 19 are shown:

Implementing On-Ground Priority Actions of the Tamar Region Natural Resource Management Strategy

With Natural Heritage Trust funding of $1,657,206 during 2000 – 2003, this project represented a significant investment into the environment and sustainability of the Tamar Region. The overall project comprised a consortium of sub-projects and numerous project partners. Activities included:

• 148 Landholder devolved grant projects for on-farm Landcare and Rivercare works;
• 11 Community demonstration site projects supporting community groups working to rehabilitate public reserves;
• The North Esk Ribbons of Blue Project rehabilitating the North Esk River adjacent to Launceston;
• A Backyard Biodiversity Program raising community awareness and understanding of the natural values of the back yard which is our Tamar Valley;
• Ecological monitoring of the Tamar Estuary by way of researching the biology of the early life history of fishes which are a key indicator of the estuary’s health;
• River management plans for the Pipers River and North Esk Corra Linn reach;
• Numerous studies into the region’s natural resource issues like vegetation management, riparian (waterway) health, soil degradation, landholder and community awareness and open space management;
• Co-ordination and technical support to landholders and community Landcare groups including a landholder manual and revegetation manual;
• Monitoring and evaluation and project management including a participant review of Tamar NRM devolved grant projects and a project demonstration of natural Heritage Trust data on the list.

The local community conservatively contributed over $1,597,000. Local Government funding to the project exceeded $135,000 and their in-kind supported exceeded $164,000.

For more information on the project activities refer to the links below or search the REPORTS page.

• Final Project Report – Project Summary
• Community Demonstration Sites Project - Final Report
• Landholder Devolved Grant Project - Final Report
• Studies into the Early Life History of Fishes in the Tamar Estuary - Technical Report
• Backyard Biodiversity Program 2001-2003 Final Report incorporating "The State of Knowledge"
• Backyard Biodiversity Project

Coastcare

Greens Beach/Kelso Coastal Management and Restoration Project

A partnership with the Greens Beach Landcare Group and involving the West Tamar Council and Parks & Wildlife Service, $24,589 from Coastcare (a program of the Natural Heritage Trust) supported the development of the Greens Beach / Kelso Coastal Reserve Management and Restoration Plan and on ground works undertaken by the Landcare group; including revegetation of 1000 local native plants, weed control, protection of sensitive areas via constructed pathway and walking tracks and interpretive signage and shelter shed. More info: see the Greens Beach/Kelso Coastal Management & Restoration Plan 2002 (PDF, 319Kb)

Tamar Estuary Bed & Bank Erosion Assessment

With $5526 from Coastcare (a program of the Natural Heritage Trust) the project undertook a field survey and analysis of the Tamar Estuary foreshore to prepare a scoping report on A preliminary estimation of riverbank erosion within the Tamar Estuary.
(PDF, 4.85Mb)

October 2005

GEORGE TOWN COASTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

The George Town Coastal Reserve Management Plan is now available.

This Plan has been developed for the George Town Community as a blueprint to guide the future management of the George Town Coastal Reserves.

In May 2005 Tamar NRM engaged consultants SFM Environmental Solutions to prepare the Plan which was developed in close consultation with the community and major stakeholders including the Parks and Wildlife Service and George Town Council.

A copy of the Plan is available for viewing at the George Town Council Chambers, Tamar NRM offices, Weymouth Community Hall, Launceston City Council and Tam’O’Shanter Golf Club.

To receive a copy of the plan please contact the Tamar NRM office on 0363 3310 or email tamarnrm@launceston.tas.gov.au

Landcare

Tamar Landcare Celebration Project

After over ten years of effort and activity this project celebrated the successes of the community Landcare movement in the Tamar Valley. Encapsulated in the publication Our Tamar Valley – A Celebration of Landcare Achievements are the stories as told by the groups and numerous support organisations themselves of local Landcare.

The project was funded by the Department of Primary, Industries Water & Environment through the Natural Heritage Trust and Tamar NRM with the support of the Tasmanian Landcare Association, North Esk Landcare Group, Tasmanian Landcare Marketing and Promotions Project Steering Committee.
(Document available in two parts: Part 1 (PDF, 9.8Mb and Part 2 13.5Mb).

LANDCARE FORUM

Don’t miss out on this one! A Tamar Region landcare and community group forum is being organised for 16 March 2006 by Tamar NRM. This forum will provide the opportunity for groups and volunteers to hear from Dr Judy Esmond who is one of the leading experts on gaining, sustaining and retaining volunteers. She is one of the most in-demand speakers on volunteering and has toured Australia, England, the United States and Canada presenting her innovative ideas. Judy is the author of ‘Count Me In! 501 Ideas on Recruiting Volunteers’, ‘101 Ways to Less Stress’ and her latest release ‘Count on Me! 501 Ideas on Retaining Recognising and Rewarding Volunteers’.

A chance to also hear from Coral Love the National Landcare Facilitator and from local groups about their success stories and achievements will ensure that this event is one to mark down in your diaries. For more information please contact Amanda Locatelli on 6323-3355.

Date: Thusday 16 March 2006
Time: 4pm to 9pm
Venue: Churchill Park Function Centre, Invermay
RSVP: Monday 6 March 2006
Amanda Bruce on 6323-3310 or email amanda.bruce@launceston.tas

FENCING FIELD DAY

Tamar NRM & TP Jones & Co Invite you to a FENCING FIELD DAY

Date: Friday 24 March 2006
Time: 10.00am – 2.00pm
Venue: "Greenhythe" East Tamar (near Batman Bridge)
Cost: Free – open to all landholders from West Tamar, George Town, Meander Valley, Dorset, Launceston and Northern Midlands

The field day will provide a hands-on opportunity for landholders to see the best technology and techniques used for erecting different types of fencing and receive advice on appropriate fencing selection. An afternoon session involving experts to provide advice on game management, weeds and remnant bush management will be organised to complement the fencing demonstration. For more information, please contact Amanda Locatelli on 6323-3355.

Here’s an experience for anyone – learn best practice fencing techniques and receive advice on managing remnant bush from experts:

Neville Prince, Fencing Expert - Australia’s most recognised and respected fencing contractor, began his trade as a humble fencing contractor in Australia having emigrated from New Zealand more than 20 years ago. With wife Judy the pair criss-cross Australia not only working in their own contracting business but getting involved in educational activities such as field days and Landcare training seminars.

Other speakers will include:
Georgia Webb, Game Management Unit, DPIWE
Jamie Cooper, Northern Regional Weed Management Officer, DPIWE
Anna Povey, Bushways Environmental Services

Greater Esk Rivers Region Landcare Facilitator Project

During 2003, Tamar NRM on behalf of a consortium including the Meander Valley Council, Northern Midlands Council and with support from the Department of Primary Industries, Water & Environment received $43,749 of Natural Heritage Trust funding to employ a Landcare Facilitator position to support local community group activity, funding, projects and the communication of contemporary NRM issues.

With changes to the regional delivery of NRM support the key activities of this position are now undertaken by 3 new Local NRM Facilitator positions in the Tamar Region, Meander Valley and Northern Midlands.

RAGWORT RAID

The 7th Annual Ragwort Raids are on again this year with Tamar NRM receiving sponsorship from TEMCO. We are looking for volunteers to help out on both days. The East Tamar Raid will be held on Saturday 28 January and the West Tamar Raid will be held on Saturday 4 February. All volunteers to contact Jayne Shapter on 6394-4376 for further information and registrations.

Dates: Saturday 28 January – East Tamar – meet at Pipers River Fire Station
Saturday 4 February – West Tamar – meet at Winkleigh Hall, Winkleigh Road

Times: 9.00am – 12.00 noon (both days)

For those who have not been to a Raid this is what will happen on the day

• Volunteers meet at Pipers River Fire Station for East Tamar Raid and Winkleigh Hall for West Tamar Raid at 9.00am to collect bags to gather the Ragwort;
• Volunteers will be directed to a roadside location to pull Ragwort and place in bags;
• Volunteers return to the meeting place at 12.00noon where the bags are collected for disposal; and
• Now the work is done – let’s party with sausage sizzle and refreshments.

Air Quality

Launceston Woodsmoke Reduction Campaign

Leadership provided by Tamar NRM was instrumental in achieving the agreement of the Australian and State Governments and Launceston City Council to the following initiatives:

• The Launceston Woodheater Replacement Program which provides a financial incentive for the replacement of polluting woodheaters with cleaner alternatives. A total of $2.05M from the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust was committed for this purpose. By December 2003, approximately 1800 woodheaters had been replaced through the program.
• A Targeted Community Education Campaign to minimise emissions from smoky chimneys funded by the Launceston City Council. This has lead to nearly 1000 households in Launceston being approached and asked to reduce smoke outputs in 2002-2003; and
• Additional air quality monitoring services provided by the Tasmanian Government.
  The woodheater program is managed by the Australian Department of Environment & Heritage and Launceston City Council. The Tamar NRM – Air Quality Working Group remains actively involved through the Steering Committee.
  (link: www.launceston.tas.gov.au/airquality)

May 2004

“Clearing the Air” Air Quality Forum 2004. Notes from Session 4 – discussion forum.

Discussion Forum Notes, click HERE (PDF, 100Kb).  For a hard copy of the Seminar Program and proceedings please contact us.