Environment Matters - August/Winter 2022

Planning for success Simon and Kassie knew they had purchased land in a special part of the world when they bought their 40 acre property in Goolman in 2020.

Keen to protect their land and encourage native wildlife, the pair began removing various weeds including lantana ( Lantana camara ) and climbing asparagus fern ( Asparagus africanus ). “We started removing weeds and taking note of possible habitat areas. We wanted to do more so we contacted council to discuss our options,” Kassie said. Council’s Landholder Conservation Partnerships team visited the property in 2021 and identified many species including narrow-leafed ironbark ( Eucalyptus crebra ) and spotted gum ( Corymbia citriodora ) within the open forest ecosystem which provides great habitat for various wildlife including koala. The property forms part of Flinders Karawatha Corridor which is

recognised by the State Government for its conservation values, providing many native animals habitat and refuge from various threats. Together with the Partnerships team, Simon and Kassie created a Property Management Plan to

prioritise actions and worked with the rural fire brigade to create a fire management plan. Wildlife monitoring cameras were set up to help identify animals on the property. “The cameras really helped with our planning and habitat knowledge – within the first couple of weeks we had footage of koala, whiptail wallaby, eastern grey kangaroo and black striped wallaby,” Kassie said. “We already had the passion to restore our land but the program helped us create a plan and access resources and grants. Now we have a place to go with questions and concerns and goals to aim for.” Simon and Kassie’s plan also includes installing native bees hives, targeted weed clearing, controlled burns and planting koala trees in cleared areas. 7