Enviroment Matters Summer 2011/12 - District Council of Mount ...

Welcome to the new
environmental newsletter!
It will provide a forum for council and community
members alike to inform the community on any
environmental related matters. You may have
noticed that it does not have a name. We have
purposely left it blank so that a creative community
member can name it! Put your ideas in writing
to Emma Cope, Environmental Project Officer
at ecope@dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au or PO Box 54,
Mount Barker SA 5251. The winner will be
announced in the next edition.
Laratinga (Lartingga-parri) Wetland
Laratinga (Lartingga-parri) Wetland was named after the Peramangk meaning for Mount Barker
Creek, ‘Flooding Land Creek’. The wetland and surrounds has become an increasingly important
area for locals, visitors and native wildlife.
Latham’s Snipe
Photo Kevin Williams
Spotted Grass Frog
Photo EBS Ecology
In 2011, Laratinga Wetland proudly won two awards, KESAB
Biodiversity Education Award and the National World
Environment Day Awards for the best sustainable initiative.
As a part of the recently developed Management Plan
for Laratinga Reserve, a biodiversity assessment was
undertaken. Four frog species are confirmed from Laratinga
Reserve with an additional four species within 10km of the
site. Over 150 bird species have been recorded, with up to
61 species present at any one time, some with State,
Regional and International significance, such as the Latham’s
Snipe, seen recently at the wetland.
The vulnerable Blue-Billed Duck has bred at Laratinga in
the past couple of years along with numerous Little Pied
cormorants nesting on one of the islands.
The Common Brushtail Possum and Common Ringtail Possum
are regulars at the site. At least eight species of microbat
have also been identified. The common long neck tortoise is
also commonly seen bathing on logs, particularly in Basin 2.
Historically, Laratinga Wetland has been managed as a
semi-permanent wetland with water levels fluctuating in
response to inflow management, rainfall and irrigation
use. The watering allocation and regime to the wetland
has changed as of late 2011. A suitable ecological watering
regime has been developed based on the ecological units
found as a part of the biodiversity assessment.
While such a change in water regime is beneficial over the
longer term, these changes will allow for the system to adapt
and develop resilience to a more variable watering regime,
mimicking more of a natural system. The result should lead to
a healthier biodiversity in the area and better water quality.
For more information about Laratinga Wetland or to book a
group tour, contact Emma Cope, Environmental Project Officer
on 8391 7217 or ecope@dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au
Summer 2012
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3
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The Bird ‘Lara-kins’ of Laratinga
Trees for Mount Barker
Environmental Volunteers Acknowledged
Environmental Easter
Rainwater Tank Rebates
Calendar of Environmental Events 2012
Learn how to protect our natural environment
Clean Up Australia Day

The Bird ‘Lara-kins’
of Laratinga
Affectionately known as ‘Lara-kins’, local residents Bob Snell and
Kevin Williams have been visiting Laratinga regularly since it was
first flooded back in 2000.
If you look up the word passionate in the dictionary, you will see their names
listed next to the definition. Kevin and Bob have led groups from Birds SA,
Adelaide Ornithologists Club, University of the Third Age (U3A) and various
conservation organisations on birdwatching tours of Laratinga Wetland. For the
past two years, as part of the ‘Every Generation Festival’, Kevin and Bob have
given an illustrated talk in the Mt Barker Library on the Birds of Laratinga.
Bob runs a birdwatching group for U3A and is also a group leader for some of
Birds SA’s monthly Field Trips. He also maintains the Web Page for Laratinga
on the Internet site ‘Birdpedia’, which proudly lists approximately 150 different
species of birds recorded to date.
Since 2008 Kevin and his modest wife Lyn have posted a regular monthly bird
census for Laratinga Wetland on Birdpedia and have forwarded this information
on to Birds SA and Birds Australia for inclusion in State and National Databases.
Kevin visits Laratinga most days noting bird species and abundance, informing
visitors on plants and animals at Laratinga and taking photos. Valuably, he has
taken shots of bird species that have previously never been photographed at
Laratinga. He regularly liaises with the District Council of Mount Barker, carefully
noting and reporting any issues. Kevin, Lyn and Bob are all members of Birds SA
(The South Australian Ornithological Association).
Bob Snell has been keenly birdwatching since his early teens.
Glossy Ibis
Photo Kevin Williams
White-faced Heron
Photo Bob Snell
Kevin Williams and Bob Snell
Trees for Mount Barker
Seed Propogation workshop
Photos Trees for Life
Rachel Riddle first contacted the
District Council of Mount Barker with a
generous offer to provide community
service with her church group, The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints, Mount Barker. The large group
of adults and children proudly planted
over 1000 trees throughout Laratinga
Reserve, adding to the work of other
community members and schools over
the past 12 years.
Recently, the dedicated group have
embarked on a partnership with
Council and Trees for Life, committing
to propagate 1000 native seeds. The
program, Trees for Towns, will involve
propagating native seeds at various
times depending on species sow date,
thinning of plant growth, watering
and eventually planting. The plants
are scheduled to be planted on the
undeveloped open space to the east of
Mount Barker Creek in July 2012 and will
provide valuable habitat along the creek
line and a buffer to the creek.

Environmental Volunteers
Acknowledged
Over 50 environmental volunteers working within
the district were recognised in a special evening
hosted by Mayor, Ann Ferguson.
The dedicated work of our passionate environmental
volunteers was celebrated with an evening of guest
speakers, and local wine and cheese. Local author, artist
and bush carer, Lyn Bartlett poetically spoke of her
experiences as a bush carer and how the land and ecology
had changed over the years with an array of beautiful
photographic visuals. Ivan Copley, highly regarded and
inspirational Peramangk Elder, kindly spoke about the
history of Mount Barker area and how the indigenous
community would work in harmony with the land.
Volunteers attended from Coppins Bush Group, Macclesfield
Bushcare Group, Nairne Creek Landcare Group, Dawesley
Creek Catchment Landcare Group, Flaxley Landcare Group,
Kanmantoo/Callington Landcare Group, Northern Bremer
Catchment Group, Hahndorf Landcare Group, the newly
formed Nairne Green Thumbs, volunteers from the Mount
Barker Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and some
dedicated individual volunteers.
Volunteer activities vary although generally include bushcare,
weeding, revegetation, seed propagation, field visits,
environmental monitoring, education and photography.
If you would like to be involved
in volunteering in our
environment, please contact
Emma Cope on 8391 7217 or
ecope@dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au
Environmental Easter
As the supermarket shelves fill with highly
packaged, and sometimes plastic Easter
products, consider an eco friendly Easter
this year and have more fun.
Try buying locally made chocolate or make your own.
There are many recipes easily available, so find a recipe
on the internet or in a cookbook that suits your family.
Making your own chocolate or decorating free range
eggs can begin a fun family tradition that your children
will remember long after the chocolate is gone.
Why don’t you decorate your own eggs with
natural colours
. For pink and red-colored eggs, use cranberry
juice, beets, or raspberries
. For yellow eggs, use saffron or turmeric
. For purple eggs, use red wine
. For blue eggs, use red cabbage leaves
or blueberries
. For brown eggs, use grape juice, rosehip tea,
or coffee
. For orange eggs, use yellow onion skins
If you have an Easter egg hunt or Easter bonnet
parade, try recycling your Easter basket or finding
some unique materials at the local op shop.
Making your own Easter cards with left over craft
material and recycled paper and cardboard can have
less impact on the environment and your wallet.
For relatives and friends in another state or country,
try an e-card.
If you have older children, donating to a charity could
be a meaningful Easter gesture.
Mayor Ann Ferguson thanking
volunteers on the night.
Rainwater Tank Rebates
In 2006, the District Council
of Mount Barker initiated the
‘Upsize & Save’ Rainwater Tank
Incentive Rebate Program.
Council offers an incentive to home
owners/builders and homeowners
undertaking major renovations/
extensions to increase the size of
water tanks. Over 80 applications have
been submitted since the onset of the
program with approximately 2279KL
of rainwater tanks installed.
South Australia has been under various
levels of water restrictions since 2003
for gardening or other purposes, so
rainwater tanks are a great way to
access more water. Australia is the
driest inhabited continent on earth, so
why are we one of the world’s largest
consumers of water
We use over 1 million litres of water
per year, per capita. That is equivalent
to 500,000 2L milk containers!
Approximately 75% of water is mainly
used for irrigation, with urban and
industrial use accounting for about
20%. The average South Australian
uses approximately 40% of water
consumption in the garden and for
outdoor purposes.
If you would like to know more about
receiving an incentive to increase the
size of your rainwater tank, visit Council’s
website; www.dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au to
see if you are eligible.

Calendar of
Environmental
Events 2012
February
Thursday 2
> World Wetlands Day
March
Friday 2
> Schools Clean Up Day
Sunday 4
> Clean Up Australia Day
Thursday 22
> World Water Day
Saturday 31
> Earth Hour
June
Tuesday 5
> World Environment Day
July
Friday 27
> Schools Tree Day
Sunday 29
> National Tree
September
Biodiversity Month
Tuesday 11
> Sustainable House Day
Thursday 27
> Earth Overshoot Day
November
Monday 12 - Sunday 18
> National Recycling Week
Learn how to protect
our natural environment
South Australia’s respected
environmental organisation
Trees For Life offers people from
all walks of life the opportunity
to help restore and protect our
State’s native vegetation.
Members of the public can gain handson
experience through TFL’s Bush For
Life program, initially by attending one
of the bush regeneration workshops
which are held throughout the greater
metropolitan area each year.
At the workshop, participants will learn:
. why the bush needs your help;
. the best strategies for restoring
ecological processes;
. minimal disturbance techniques;
. how to work safely in the bush;
. how you can get involved as a
Bush For Life volunteer
Continuous learning opportunities are
also provided through the program,
ensuring participants discover the
best techniques to get native plants
regenerating and how to defeat
invasive weeds. BFL also holds advanced
workshops which cover topics such as
native plant and grass identification,
advanced bush management techniques,
brushcutting and more.
Bush management workshops will be held
throughout 2012, including Stirling on
February 16 and Mount Barker on April 17.
There are over 20 Bush for Life Sites in
the Mount Barker District so if you are
interested in volunteering at one of
these sites or starting a new site, contact
Trees For Life on 8406 0500 or log onto
www.treesforlife.org.au.
2012 Dates:
One Day Workshops
Thu 16 Feb Stirling
Tue 17 Apr Mt Barker
Thu 10 May Auburn
Tue 5 Jun Strathalbyn
Sat 16 Jun Norton Summit
Thu 18 Oct Mt Barker
Sat 17 Nov Stirling
Clean Up
Australia Day
Clean Up Australia Day is
approaching fast.
Be a good sport and join the team to
Clean Up Australia on Sunday 4 March!
Visit www.cleanup.org.au to register
or join a site on the day.
The District Council of Mount Barker
Local Government Centre
6 Dutton Road Mount Barker
PO Box 54, Mount Barker, SA 5251
T 8391 7200 F 8391 7299
Website
www.dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au
Email
council@dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au