Yorke Peninsula Council has received $10,000 from the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board’s Grassroots Grants program to implement a management plan for Minlagawi Gum Flat.

Council is among 22 organisations, including community groups, councils, schools, landholders, First Nations communities and not-for-profits, to share in a total funding pool of $192,467.

The Grassroots Grants program, funded through the landscape levy, gives local communities a financial boost to make a difference.

Council will work with Narungga (traditionally spelled Nharangga) people and community groups to protect, restore and enhance the natural, cultural, and recreational values of Minlagawi Gum Flat Reserve while encouraging sustainable use and learning opportunities.

“There are two elements to the project, including removal of the declared weed species Casuarina glauca (swamp oak), and delivery of the Narungga Cultural Day,” Environment Officer Letitia Dahl-helm said.

“Swamp oak, whilst native to New South Wales and Queensland, is not indigenous to South Australia and has become a weed, with infestations excluding other species and changing the habitat values for native flora.”

Swamp oak is a declared weed species under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019.

“The swamp oak is particularly detrimental to the river red gums, which the reserve is named after, a sub-species that is only found on Yorke Peninsula in the reserve,” Mrs Dahl-helm said.

“The river red gums are significant to Narungga people, providing food, shade, shelter, material for tools, and a range of other provisions.”

The 2023 Narungga Cultural Day will build on the successful inaugural event attended by 130 people in May 2022.

The event will be expanded to provide more activities, tastings and opportunities to come together as a community.

The Narungga Cultural Day is proudly presented by Narungga Nations Aboriginal Corporation, Nharangga Aboriginal Progress Association and Yorke Peninsula Council.

The full list of grant recipients can be found at https://www.landscape.sa.gov.au/ny/get-involved/grants-and-funding.

Yorke Peninsula Council has received $15,000 through the Northern and Yorke Landscapes Board’s Grassroots Grants for landscape management projects.

Council has received $5000 for the ongoing weed control at Minlagawi Gum Flat Reserve and $10,000 for weed control and rehabilitation at Coobowie Beach Road Reserve.

The reserve at Coobowie was previously a sand quarry and has been backfilled with rocks and rubble material in the past.

“Given sea level rises and increased storm surge activity is predicted for this coast, the maintenance of stable and vegetated foredunes is a high priority in coastal areas in order to withstand high tide events and prevent flooding,” Operations Manager Stephen Goldsworthy said.

“At Coobowie the foredune is currently stabilised which should be maintained to prevent loss of sand due to the action of wind and water.

“This could also be bolstered by additional plantings and landscaping in the area behind the dune.”

The reserve’s former use has left it uneven, and a haven for weedy plant species.

“The removal of this material would not compromise the integrity of the foredune and levelling of the land would create a native reserve which is easier to manage and more aesthetically pleasing,” Mr Goldsworthy said.

“Land uses that are compatible with the conservation zoning could include the addition of a walking trail and/or seating, revegetation with native coastal plants or other amenities which do not weaken the foredune.”

At Minlagawi, Council will complete weed control of invasive casuarina glauca (swamp oak) to protect native vegetation and Narungga cultural values.

“Swamp oak, whilst native to New South Wales and Queensland, is not indigenous to South Australia and has become a weed, with infestations excluding other species and changing the habitat values for native flora,” Mr Goldsworthy said.

“The swamp oak is particularly detrimental to the river red gums, which the reserve is named after, a sub-species that is only found on Yorke Peninsula in the reserve.

“The river red gums are significant to Narungga people, providing food, shade, shelter, material for tools, and a range of other provisions.”

Yorke Peninsula Council will receive about $550,000 to install a new staircase with platforms for divers and snorkelers to improve access and visitor experience at the Edithburgh jetty.

Council was successful in applying to the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program which provides funding to local government entities and incorporated not-for-profit organisations for capital works projects that deliver community and economic infrastructure projects.

Edithburgh Progress Association will contribute a further $10,000 towards the dive stairs project.

“The community of Edithburgh and surrounds, and the wider diving and snorkelling community in South Australia, has been excited for this project and we are pleased the successful funding has now been announced,” CEO Andrew Cameron said.

“The project will allow safe access to the water for all users and is also specifically designed to benefit divers and snorkellers who frequent Edithburgh jetty as one of Australia’s premier underwater ecosystems.

“Thank you to Council staff who developed this project with the local community and all residents and stakeholders who participated in that planning effort.

“We look forward to now delivering the project which will be a major upgrade for Edithburgh jetty.”

The dive stairs project was developed in collaboration with the local community and key stakeholders.

Consultation was extensive, and included a public co-design workshop held in Edithburgh in November 2022.

The project will create new access stairs on the north side of the jetty, replacing the former northern steps which were decommissioned after being irreparable since 2018, with platforms at different heights to allow easy access for divers regardless of the tides.

The stairs will sit atop a submerged cube structure featuring artificial reef panels to further enhance the underwater ecosystem and appeal to divers and snorkellers.

Edithburgh jetty is considered one of the best diving locations in South Australia, including being ranked first in the state by Diving Adelaide, for its diverse and rare marine life including the pyjama squid and leafy sea dragon.

This is a key reason the jetty is a major tourism driver for Yorke Peninsula, with more than 50,000 visitors per year, a number that grows almost 6% year on year.