CSGL23059 – Strengthening community and country across the Great Southern coastal macro-corridor

2024-2026

Project Brief:

Torbay Catchment’s (TC) section of the great southern coastal macro-corridor is home to several EPBC species, including Western Ringtail Possum (WRP), Carnaby’s, Baudin’s and Forest Redtail Cockatoos. Recovery plans and conservation advice lists key actions to address threatening processes for these species.

This project aims to implement the following actions: feral predator control, provision of breeding hollows, regular and long-term monitoring, community awareness programs and addressing knowledge gaps.
These actions will complement/add value to existing recovery work in the catchment: revegetation, fencing, landscape-level feral control, WRP monitoring in adjacent land tenure, cockatoo breeding hollow monitoring/provision of hollows, cockatoo community sentinel surveys.
Since 2018 strategic feral predator control programs in the TC and surrounds have been implemented in partnership with DBCA, City of Albany(CoA), neighbouring catchments and landholders. Recent reporting for program effectiveness indicates that there has been a decrease in feral numbers (Butcher2022) and steady WRP numbers (TCG2022).

Surveys indicate that black cockatoos are roosting, foraging and breeding in the coastal macro-corridor. TCG has been working to protect habitat and more recently provide hollows for black cockatoos. Enhancing the habitat has broader biodiversity benefits and outcomes for species with similar habitats (WRP, phascogale, bandicoot).

With project funding for feral-control in the CoA coastal reserves ending, a gap will appear through the area linking the native fauna and flora across TC between West Cape Howe NP and Torndirrup NP. Without it, survival of EPBC species and other native animals will be jeopardised, as will the long-term feral control efforts across the catchment.

Outcomes:

  • Feral control implemented on 2164 ha of CoA coastal reserves twice/ year;
  • Camera monitoring on feral population implemented on 2164ha CoA reserves;
  • WRP population seasonal data collected twice per year on established transects (5th year);
  • 20 cockatubes monitored and inspected;
  • Maintenance on cockatubes where required;
  • Relocation of poorly located cockatubes;
  • 15 education events / networking opportunities;
  • Record educational snippets of events as resources for community;
  • An Environmental Youth Stewardship program implemented
  • Festival of Torbay

Objectives:

  • Reduce feral predator numbers in the CoA reserves
  • Increase WRP numbers in the CoA reserve
  • Increase knowledge on WRP’s in the Torbay Catchment
  • Nurture an environmental youth stewardship program to be the face of environmental work in the catchment to ensure stability and future advocacy
  • Provide functional cockatubes in appropriate locations for black cockatoos
  • Collect and share information/data on black cockatoo breeding in the Torbay Catchment with Birdlife Australia to support ongoing work
  • Engage, empower and provide education opportunities for community members and school groups
  • Promote community connection and inspiration to support the conservation, restoration and healthy management of the unique environment of Torbay Catchment
  • Update Website resource page with video snippets from workshops

Methodology:

  • Feral control (2164ha CoA coastal reserves CoACR) using APMS (Animal Pest Management Services- registered, experienced, reliable, ethical contractor (contracted since 2019).
  • 2-week pre/post control camera monitoring program, pre-control sand-trap monitoring to determine feral activity. Informs strategic placement of soft-foot-hold traps (10 days, twice/year).
  • Data used to determine increases/decreases in feral populations and areas of activity. Outputs- decreased numbers of feral species in the CoACR.
  • Camera monitoring feral population (CoACR 2164ha,12 months) to determine; activity (activity index), hotspots, identify species. Outputs- measuring activity index of ferals- indication of feral species decline.
  • WRP population data collected twice/year; numbers too small for distance sampling, therefore sampling twice/year, each transect thrice (recording- GPS coordinate, distance/direction from transect, height in tree, tree species) indicates WRP per/km and seasonal changes.

Outputs:

  • Change in WRP numbers and seasonal movements.
  • 20 cockatubes monitored/inspected; Birdlife Australia methodology/protocol (attached) September-January. Outputs- breeding and activity recorded.
  • Cockatube Maintenance and/or relocation; Contractor to relocate cockatube, nesting material changed, reinstalled. Outputs- appropriate hollows provided for Black cockatoos.
  • Run 15 education events using existing workshop format. Outputs- number of events & participants, attendee list, photos, surveys when appropriate.
  • Record events snippets using gimbal and microphone. Outputs- educational snippets for digital media.
  • Environmental Youth Stewardship program; in partnership with Birdlife, young environmentalists will participate in monitoring programs and workshops. Outputs- youth involvement, supported and prepared for work in conservation/ advocacy.
  • Festival of Torbay; a weekend showcase and celebration of Torbay Catchment and its partnerships. Outputs- festival

Benefits to the local community:

  • Possum surveying on public and private lands engages with local landholders and allows opportunities for volunteers to be involved most weeks with surveying
  • Tourists to the area visit to experience the unique flora and fauna of the area, supporting the ongoing ecosystem resilience through this project ensures their continued visitation
  • We have different members of our community regularly communicating their support for the works we do, this feedback reaffirms connections between primary producers, wildlife enthusiasts and other environmentally conscious community members
  • Foxes cause significant distress and hardship when they kill livestock such as poultry and lambs. This grant supports active local community members who have invested a lot of time and money to control foxes in the local area
  • Supporting trapping in the reserves will bolster community spirits which have been dented by ongoing reductions in services to maintain our iconic park and the lack of protection for our wildlife
  • Our awareness raising events are very well received and well attended by our local communities
  • Workshops and events held at local primary schools will support local youth in developing a sense of care, empowerment and hope when it comes to the unique environment the live in
  • The Festival of Torbay will provide an opportunity to showcase the Catchment and community members, stoke a sense of community spirit and inspire the ongoing engagement in positive land stewardship for the Catchment
This project is supported by funding from the Western Australian Government’s State NRM Program.