Priority Issues for the MMLAP
On-ground works programs provide financial support and technical advice for landholders within the MMLAP region enabling them to undertake works which will improve and enhance natural resources within the region.
Funding Options
The MMLAP regularly sources funding to assist landholders with:Protecting Remnants
Protecting and enhancing existing remnant vegetation is the most important action in arresting the decline in native vegetation in the Murray Mallee. Protecting remnants includes fencing for exclusion of stock/feral animals and the implementation of a feral animal and pest plant control program.Threat Abatement in Remnants
Weed invasion in remnant vegetation replaces native plants and can lead to land degradation. To maintain the condition of remnant vegetation, it is important to undertake an ongoing pest plant/feral animal management program. For specific environmental weeds which are of greatest threat to remnant vegetation (i.e. Bridal Creeper, Boneseed), immediate control using a targeted, minimal disturbance program is necessary. It is important to seek advice to determine correct identification and management method.Establishing Local Native Species Blocks
The aim of this option is to plant vegetation that resembles the vegetation on the site before clearance for linking and buffering remnant scrub. The block would include understorey species such as shrubs and grasses as well as trees. Local provenance seed should be used. Site requirements, seed availability and technical issues may mean that variations have to be made.Establishing Fodder Blocks
A block planting of deep rooted perennial species for fodder. May include exotic, native or indigenous species. The two main species of fodder shrubs that are planted in the Murray Mallee are saltbush (most commonly old man saltbush) and tagasaste (tree lucerne). Tagasaste prefers deep, sandy well-drained soils and is best suited to >400mm annual rainfall. Saltbush is suited to the rainfall zones below 375mm.Establishing Shelterbelts
A shelterbelt or windbreak refers to trees and shrubs planted in a row (e.g. along a fence line) to protect stock and crops from prevailing winds. A shelterbelt of local native species can work particularly well as it will include understorey shrubs as well as trees (a minimum of 10 local native species is required). This will ensure an even length of vegetation and reduce the possibility of “wind tunnels” caused by gaps between trees. Crop protection in a paddock bordered by a shelterbelt or windbreak is estimated to be 12 to 15 times the height of the windbreak.Establishing Perennial Pasture - Lucerne
In the low rainfall regions (<400mm) of the Murray-Darling Basin, the use of deep rooted lucerne has been shown to reduce recharge to the level of natural mallee vegetation (Walker, et al, 1999). Lucerne is also an excellent source of stock fodder.Earthworks
Dune stabilization can be achieved using a two step process. The first step involves levelling the sandhill and the second step is revegetating the area levelled. The term ‘levelling’ in this program includes the use of earth moving equipment to level sandhills to a point that revegetation planting machinery can traverse the area, not levelling to a completely flat plane.For more information please download our latest Funding Options brochure and Expression of Interest form.
Current Projects
Supporting Land Management Groups to Achieve Landscape Scale Conservation in the SA Murray Mallee
This project aims to improve biodiversity outcomes in the Murray Mallee region of South Australia by supporting existing landcare and land management groups as well as establishing new groups. Funding is available to local community landcare and land management groups to implement a coordinated program of on-ground works aimed a protecting and restoring privately managed priority woodland communities.
Woorinen Recovery and Restoration
This project aims to restore habitat, buffer and extend remnants, and improve condition in the priority vegetation types of the northern Murray Mallee (Lowan Mallee Sands and Woorinen Mallee Sands). The target of 150 hectares will provide habitat for threatened and declining species of flora (such as Streaked Wattle and Rolarch’s Blue Bush) and fauna (for example Scrub Robin, Hooded Robin, Shy Heathwren, Restless Flycatcher ad Malleefowl). The project will work with established landholder and community groups who have previously been involved in conservation works in this area and will build on previous on-ground works.
Increasing Community Engagement and Participation in the Murray Mallee LAP Area
Funding for this project enables the MMLAP to support community NRM groups within the Murray Mallee area, to increase volunteer involvement in NRM, to coordinate and deliver activities, such as training, workshops and field trips, and to raise community awareness, knowledge and skills.
Implementing Priority Land Management Actions in the Murray Mallee Area
This project involves an incentive program targeting landholders to address land management priorities through an on-ground works program. Funding is available for fencing to exclude stock, earthworks to “level” degraded or drifting sandhills to a point where planting machinery can traverse the area, and establishment of perennial vegetation to stabilise the area.
Implementing Priority Biodiversity Projects in the Murray Mallee Area
This project aims to improve and increase landscape scale conservation of priority woodlands in the SA Murray Mallee. Groups of landholders will be supported through technical support and financial incentives to carry out coordinated conservation planning for landscape scale projects as well as on-ground works that will achieve increased connectivity and condition of priority woodlands. Landholders will also be supported wherever possible to enter into appropriate land covenant agreements through support and links to local departments and organisations. Funding is available to erect fencing to protect high quality remnant vegetation and revegetated areas, to undertake revegetation of priority vegetation communities and to control Weeds of National Significance and South Australian priority weeds within high quality remnant vegetation.
Perennials in Low Rainfall Cropping Systems for Reduced Environmental and Production Risk: Increasing Knowledge and Exploring and Road-testing Options
This project will increase the uptake of sustainable land management practices in the Murray Mallee area, focusing on integration of perennials into cropping systems. Farmers will be trained in using pasture and fodder shrub perennials in cropping systems. They will also attend a field trip to an existing site where perennials have been successfully integrated into cropping systems. Shrub and non-shrub perennial species will be trialled locally for suitability in the Murray Mallee area.
Mallee Mentors Program
Young farmers from the SA Murray Mallee will participate in a five day tour of the Eyre Peninsula including the Minnipa Research Centre, Cleve, Port Lincoln and Streaky Bay in order to build networks between the two regions. Topics covered on the tour will include best practice cropping and grazing systems, stock management, cell grazing, pasture improvement, tillage methods and the integration of fodder.
They will also participate in three one-day workshops on Financial/Risk Management in order to build their skills and knowledge towards sustainable farming practices. The participants will be paired with a mentor and the results monitored to determine the benefits of the mentor program.
Past Projects
Since 1998 the MMLAP has sourced funding to enable members of our community to revegetate over 1000 ha of land with local native species, establish over 3,400 ha of fodder, establish over 14,900 ha of pasture, establish over 45ha of product block, control over 950 ha of eroding land and protect and enhance over 8,600 ha of remnant vegetation.
In previous years funding has been available to assist landholders to:
Protect remnants
Enhance remnants
Establish local native species blocks
Establish local native species shelterbelts
Establish wildlife corridors
Establish buffer zones
Establish woodlots or timber blocks
Establish fodder blocks
Establish product blocks
Establish timberbelts
Establish perennial pasture
Carry out Earthworks