Central Land Management Association : Achievements

	20 Years of Achievements Since 1988, the Centralian Land Management Association Inc. has been the Landcare group for pastoralists in Central Australia. Pastoral Land Condition Re-Surveyed 158 rangeland sites were re-surveyed 30 years after being established in the mid 1960's. Soil surface stability had improved from 83% of sites eroded to 18%. Pasture cover had increased accordingly. Perennial species were dominant at 67% of sites. 65% of sites showed an increase in tree cover, and 83% an increase in shrub cover. Laser Survey and Ponding CLMA members purchased a laser survey system in 1994 for use on a cost-recovery basis. It enables accurate and rapid marking of ponding banks, diversion banks and drains. Ponding banks slow the flow of water across the landscape so water can penetrate deep into the soil. Ponding enables plants to establish on scalded surfaces. It takes about three rainfall events for soil condition to improve and a stable plant community to form. Over 2000 banks (~300 km of banks) have been constructed. Seed Harvesting A vacuum harvester and collection by hand have been used to harvest native species seed to use in rehabilitation projects. CLMA established the first native seed store in Central Australia in 1996. Harvesting is opportunistic after rains. Roads and Fencelines A large proportion of gully erosion in Central Australia is associated with poorly located roads, tracks and fencelines. Re-alignment, draining and erosion control was the focus of a series of demonstrations across the region from 1995-98. Rabbit Control and Rabbit Calicivirus Disease CLMA has conducted several regional rabbit control programs. Prior to calicivirus, rabbit grazing pressure on some stations was equivalent to 5,000 head of cattle. In total CLMA has destroyed over 35,000 warrens, covering more than 660 square kilometers. Rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD) first reached Central Australia in 1996 and reduced rabbit population levels by about 85%. CLMA, with departmental support, monitored the impact of RCD in the Northern Territory. Outbreaks of RCD now recur naturally and help to keep rabbit numbers down. Weed Control Since 1996 CLMA has conducted weed control activities, often in collaboration with the Weeds Branch of the N.T. Government. Major species targeted have been Athel Pine, Parkinsonia, Rubberbush, Noogoora Burr and Saffron Thistle. In 2004/05 CLMA successfully treated tens of thousands of declared weeds in the upper Sandover River catchment. Athel Pine Control in the Finke River Athel Pine is a fast growing, highly invasive introduced species. It displaces river red gums and depletes waterholes. It is recognised as a weed of national significance. CLMA received NHT funding to support the long-standing governmental control program. The infestation in the Finke River was the worst in Australia. Over 200km of river has been cleared of this weed and the NT project continues to work on this problem. Monitoring Rangeland Health About a third of pastoral land managers in Central Australia now conduct land monitoring. Based on fixed photo-sites and simple data sheets, they record the health of the country and any changes over time. Monitoring reveals the huge variability in seasons experienced in Central Australia. A CLMA project called 'Centre Land Watch' helped interested pastoral families to start or refine monitoring to suit their needs. Environmental Management Systems (EMS) - National Pilot Program CLMA has helped to develop and implement EMSs on 15 cattle stations to assess the value of EMS in terms of improved environmental and business outcomes. Threatened Species Pastoralists are generally willing to consider the plight of threatened species provided they are aware of them. CLMA works with the Threatened Species Network and the Parks and Wildlife Service to help individual land managers appreciate which species are at risk. CLMA has been directly involved in three threatened species projects, namely Acacia undoolyana, Ptilotus aristatus and Black-footed Rock-wallabies. Public Awareness CLMA has participated in numerous education and community activities. Show displays, field trips and school talks have provided the chance to showcase the Landcare efforts of the local pastoral industry. Ecosystems Management Understanding (EMU) To date 14 pastoralists have participated in the EMU process in the NT, with many more in nearby areas of arid SA and Qld. The total area covered in the NT alone equates to some 3840100 ha, with many more large properties set to participate in 2010 increasing this area further. Participating properties are also joining up across the landscape, making for cross- property and eventually cross- tenure land management at a grand scale.
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20 Years of Achievements

Since 1988, the Centralian Land Management Association Inc. has been the Landcare group for pastoralists in Central Australia.

Pastoral Land Condition Re-Surveyed

158 rangeland sites were re-surveyed 30 years after being established in the mid 1960's. Soil surface stability had improved from 83% of sites eroded to 18%. Pasture cover had increased accordingly. Perennial species were dominant at 67% of sites. 65% of sites showed an increase in tree cover, and 83% an increase in shrub cover.

Laser Survey and Ponding

CLMA members purchased a laser survey system in 1994 for use on a cost-recovery basis. It enables accurate and rapid marking of ponding banks, diversion banks and drains. Ponding banks slow the flow of water across the landscape so water can penetrate deep into the soil. Ponding enables plants to establish on scalded surfaces. It takes about three rainfall events for soil condition to improve and a stable plant community to form. Over 2000 banks (~300 km of banks) have been constructed.

Seed Harvesting

A vacuum harvester and collection by hand have been used to harvest native species seed to use in rehabilitation projects. CLMA established the first native seed store in Central Australia in 1996. Harvesting is opportunistic after rains.

Roads and Fencelines

A large proportion of gully erosion in Central Australia is associated with poorly located roads, tracks and fencelines. Re-alignment, draining and erosion control was the focus of a series of demonstrations across the region from 1995-98.

Rabbit Control and Rabbit Calicivirus Disease

CLMA has conducted several regional rabbit control programs. Prior to calicivirus, rabbit grazing pressure on some stations was equivalent to 5,000 head of cattle. In total CLMA has destroyed over 35,000 warrens, covering more than 660 square kilometers.

Rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD) first reached Central Australia in 1996 and reduced rabbit population levels by about 85%. CLMA, with departmental support, monitored the impact of RCD in the Northern Territory. Outbreaks of RCD now recur naturally and help to keep rabbit numbers down.

Weed Control

Since 1996 CLMA has conducted weed control activities, often in collaboration with the Weeds Branch of the N.T. Government. Major species targeted have been Athel Pine, Parkinsonia, Rubberbush, Noogoora Burr and Saffron Thistle. In 2004/05 CLMA successfully treated tens of thousands of declared weeds in the upper Sandover River catchment.

Athel Pine Control in the Finke River

Athel Pine is a fast growing, highly invasive introduced species. It displaces river red gums and depletes waterholes. It is recognised as a weed of national significance. CLMA received NHT funding to support the long-standing governmental control program. The infestation in the Finke River was the worst in Australia. Over 200km of river has been cleared of this weed and the NT project continues to work on this problem.

Monitoring Rangeland Health

About a third of pastoral land managers in Central Australia now conduct land monitoring. Based on fixed photo-sites and simple data sheets, they record the health of the country and any changes over time. Monitoring reveals the huge variability in seasons experienced in Central Australia. A CLMA project called 'Centre Land Watch' helped interested pastoral families to start or refine monitoring to suit their needs.

Environmental Management Systems (EMS) - National Pilot Program

CLMA has helped to develop and implement EMSs on 15 cattle stations to assess the value of EMS in terms of improved environmental and business outcomes.

Threatened Species

Pastoralists are generally willing to consider the plight of threatened species provided they are aware of them. CLMA works with the Threatened Species Network and the Parks and Wildlife Service to help individual land managers appreciate which species are at risk. CLMA has been directly involved in three threatened species projects, namely Acacia undoolyana, Ptilotus aristatus and Black-footed Rock-wallabies.

Public Awareness

CLMA has participated in numerous education and community activities. Show displays, field trips and school talks have provided the chance to showcase the Landcare efforts of the local pastoral industry.

Ecosystems Management Understanding (EMU)

To date 14 pastoralists have participated in the EMU process in the NT, with many more in nearby areas of arid SA and Qld. The total area covered in the NT alone equates to some 3840100 ha, with many more large properties set to participate in 2010 increasing this area further. Participating properties are also joining up across the landscape, making for cross- property and eventually cross- tenure land management at a grand scale.

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