Welcome to our first newsletter for 2025, providing an overview of the work that we are involved with to help safeguard Eyre Peninsula’s natural and productive environments.

I’m standing in for our GM Jonathan Clark for a few weeks while he takes some well-deserved leave. Last year was again another busy and fulfilling year for our organisation, and 2025 is looking positive already with major projects now underway.

We were thrilled to see the $4.8m Flinders Island project jointly announced this week by SA Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Susan Close MP and Australian Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek MP. We are proud to be a partner in this project that will see SA’s fourth largest island secured into Australia’s network of safe havens for endangered species. There are so few places in Australia that provide such a unique opportunity for us to protect native wildlife, so it’s really an exceptional project to be involved with. We’re excited to see how this project will progress.

Our other major threatened species project, focusing on the recovery of the Drooping Sheoak Grassy Woodland vegetation community, will see more hands-on work completed this year especially around the Streaky Bay area. 

We also have a new $1.8m sustainable agriculture project getting underway this year (more details to be announced soon) as well as a focus on carbon farming including workshops in March that will help landholders understand how carbon farming can complement existing practices.

We also have major pieces of work being reviewed this year – the Eyre Peninsula Water Allocation Plan for our prescribed groundwater sources and our next five-year regional landscape plan. In addition, our Aboriginal Participation Plan has just been finalised and is now ready for implementation.

The review of our regional landscape plan is something that will certainly keep me busy this year and we’ll provide updates about this throughout the year including opportunities for community feedback as we shape our priorities for the next five years.

All the best,
Susan Stovell

Acting General Manager,
Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board

We have welcomed new staff members recently. Ananda Santos is our new Team Leader of Planning and Engagement while Kristina Miletic has joined us as our Aboriginal Engagement Officer. Both are based in our Port Lincoln office and work across the EP.

Ananda joins us from the aquaculture industry and brings strong skills in stakeholder management along with a science background. Ananda’s role involves overseeing monitoring, reporting, communications and Aboriginal engagement as well as managing regional planning issues for the Board.

Kristina – who worked with us a few years ago in human resources – is a proud Nauo woman who joins us with in-depth experience working in education and policy. She is looking forward to engaging with local Aboriginal communities as we implement our Caring for Country - Aboriginal Participation Plan.

In the administration team, we farewelled long-term staff member Jasmin Boyce late last year and have welcomed experienced business support officer Allison Smith as our Executive Support and HR Officer. Allison has worked for us previously and most recently with National Parks and Wildlife Services SA. It’s great to have these three new staff members on-board.

Landscape Officers have also been recruited recently with additions to our Streaky Bay & Cleve offices. We’ll have more information about these new staff in our next newsletter.

Welcome to Kristina Miletic, Allison Smith and Ananda Santos.

Do you use groundwater or have mains water? There’s still time to have a say about water management as part of the revision of Eyre Peninsula’s water allocation plan, which we maintain to regulate and manage how much water can be taken from the Southern Basins and Musgrave prescribed well areas.

South Australia’s water allocation plans must be reviewed every 10 years to ensure the resource is being managed sustainably, taking into consideration the latest available science and monitoring data.

We are seeking feedback from the community about the current water allocation plan which estimates how much groundwater there is, what the needs are for environmental and stock and domestic water, and then sets rules for how much of the remaining water can be extracted for licensed use in any given year, based on monitoring of the groundwater levels.

The consultation period for stage one of EP’s water allocation plan revision, is closing on February 14.

To have your say, fill out our survey (only 6 questions) on the YourSay page or see the written submission options on the YourSAy page.

Following this consultation, there will be a second consultation period - likely mid this year, once the first draft of the amended plan has been prepared.

We are encouraging landholders across EP to start baiting for foxes. We are holding distribution days across the region to help landholders easily access baits.

Wudinna-based Landscape Officer Chamaree Goonetilleke has been hearing reports in the local area of plenty of foxes being sighted and says that coordinated baiting is one of the best ways to tackle this problem.

“We are never going to eradicate foxes but we can certainly work towards reducing their numbers which can benefit not only livestock farmers but also our native wildlife,” Ms Goonetilleke says.

“Foxes are Australia’s number one predator species, not only preying on lambs but also native birds and reptiles.

“Baiting is one way for landholders to play an important role in managing the damage caused by foxes, as well as fulfilling their obligation to control foxes which is part of the Landscape South Australia Act.

“The more we can get landholders in the same areas to bait, the more effective it will be.”

Find out more about fox baiting and local distribution locations and dates.

Last year we awarded close to $130,000 to 13 community groups and local councils for landscape projects under our Grassroots Grant program.

With their grant, Women Together Learning (WoTL) is planning agribusiness workshops for March to May for women to connect with others in their community and learn about carbon farming. Keep an eye on their events page for details.

Best practice management of springs, soaks and water holes is increasingly important during the current dry times.

If you are going to desilt a spring, soak or water hole that is already used for stock water, a Water Affecting Activity permit is not required as long as you follow some legal conditions.

These simple conditions aim to make sure that the work doesn’t damage the water source or the environment. See our fact sheet  and if you have any questions, contact a Landscape Officer at one of our offices.

When the first rains come for the year, residents are urged to be on the lookout for the summer growing weeds Caltrop and Khaki Weed in home gardens and driveways.

These weeds are declared pests under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019, and property owners and their lessees have a responsibility to work together to control these weeds and other declared pest plants.

What to do if you find these weeds growing in your yard? Take a look at our factsheets for recommended methods of control. If you notice these weeds growing on verges or public spaces outside your property boundaries, notify your local Council.

It is important to control these prickly pests as burrs can damage tyres and injure feet (of people and animals). The burrs are a particular nuisance at public amenity areas like ovals and parks. A united community approach is useful to effectively control these pests as they are extremely efficient weeds with seeds that are easily spread - one year of seed equals seven years of weed!

If you have any queries about control methods, or need contact details for a pest control contractor who can assist you, get in touch with your closest landscape board office.

Community members are encouraged to report any sightings of feral deer on the FeralScan app or website. 

South Australia has a feral deer eradication plan and on Eyre Peninsula, we have a real opportunity to prevent deer populations from establishing and causing detrimental effects to agriculture and biodiversity. Watch our video to find out more.

Feb 11-13: pre-sowing member days with AIR EP
Come along to hear about the latest research results from AIR EP projects and what it means for the 2025 growing season. These days include information from our soil extension project. Being held at Wirrulla on February 11, Kimba on February 12 and Ungarra on February 13. See the AIR EP events page for full details.

March 24-27: introduction to carbon farming
A series of ‘introduction to carbon farming’ workshops will be held in March, to help landholders understand how carbon farming can complement agriculture practices. Being held in Kimba – March 24, Arno Bay & Tumby Bay – March 25, Wangary & Port Kenny – March 26 and Ceduna – March 27. More details.

April 29: Elliston bird workshop
Join us for a fun and informative day, learning about local bird species in the Elliston area. This is a free workshop but RSVPs are essential. Find out more.

Expressions of interest for managing kangaroos: closing March 5
The Kangaroo Partnership Project is calling for Expressions of Interest for innovations, trials and information sharing to address overabundant kangaroos. Individuals, volunteers, community organisations, landholders, academics or businesses are encouraged to apply. Funding is for projects between $1,000 and $30,000 for completion by early 2026. Find out more.

• The Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board region extends from Whyalla in the east, along the Gawler Ranges in the north, to the edge of the Nullarbor Plain in the west. There are eight offices within the region. Want to get in touch with us? See our contact page for your nearest office.
   
• Need to check your stock water? We offer free salinity testing for landholders.
   
• Landholders have responsibility for controlling declared pest plants across the EP. See our pest plant page to find out more about the priority pest plants in our region and control options.
   
• Spot a feral deer, fox, rabbit, cat, goat or wild dog? Report your sighting on FeralScan. See our pest animal page for more details.
   
• Undertaking works on an existing or new water source? Our Water Affecting Activities page has permit information including application forms and factsheets. We also have a guide for siting, design, construction and management of EP dams.
   
• Find out what is happening across statewide landscape management on the Landscapes SA website or subscribe to the statewide newsletter to hear news from across the state.