What NRM issues need addressing and why

What do our natural resources provide?

What natural resources management issues do we need to work on?

What impacts are these issues having on our natural resources?

Inherent values of biodiversity supported by the Fleurieu swamps.

Fragmentation of habitat due to past clearing. Decline in the extent, condition and connectivity of habitat; reduction in size and isolation of plant and animal populations; increased vulnerability to other threats (such as climate change, pests, weeds).

Increasing demand on water resources (from domestic uses, intensive agriculture and forestry plantations).

Decline in water quality and quantity, and change to flow regime impacting the condition of swamp vegetation and long-term sustainability.

Over-grazing and pugging by stock and un-managed native herbivores (kangaroos), goats, deer and pigs.

Decline and loss of palatable and grazing-sensitive species; pugging, siltation and increased nutrient loads; increased risk of erosion and weed invasion. Decline in condition of native vegetation and suitability of habitat for native species.

Environmental weeds (particularly blackberry and aquatic weeds).

Competition with native flora; decline in the condition of remnant habitat, including threatened species habitat.

Healthy soils and water resources underpinning sustainable agricultural production from grazing, dairies, irrigated viticulture and horticulture supporting farming livelihoods, tourism, lifestyle and amenity values.

High demand on water supplies. Steady growth and various high water use industries are placing pressure on water supplies. Will increase competition and therefore cost of available water supplies. Alos has potential to impact on water quality.

Increasing low input weed species. Weeds reduce the production from grazed pastures and increase soil susceptibility to erosion.

Land availability for primary production declining with elevated values for lifestyle blocks.

Less land available for primary production values (including change in land management practices) and ‘right to farm’ issues limiting management activities on productive agricultural land.

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What do we value about this area?

• ‘Lifestyle’ values; semi-rural living with high level of services and within close proximity to Adelaide

• Natural beauty; landscape aesthetic associated with patchwork of land uses and a long coastline

• High rainfall, high productivity farming area with high production from irrigated viticulture, dairies, horticulture and grazing. A diversity of farming types

• Mining and quarrying around Mount Compass

• Tourism associated with the coast and cultural values

• Biodiversity conservation; areas contains the Fleurieu swamps, a nationally important ecological community

• Aboriginal cultural values

• Markets/commodity prices; market diversification - increase in tourism, boutique food and wine; demand for milk, beef and lamb

• Demand for lifestyle blocks

• Climate change and variability

• Proximity to Adelaide via new roads (influencing urban growth)

What’s driving change?

For further information: Alison Skinner, Senior Project Officer, NRM Planning

Mount Barker Natural Resource CentreT: (08) 8391 7532 E: alison.skinner@sa.gov.au

Regional Action Plan Natural Resources SA Murray-Darling Basin SUB REGION - DRAFT (February 2016)

Southern Fleurieu

Version 1.0 - modified 16/2/16