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South - Natural Resource Management region

Regional summary

The South region of Tasmania covers 25,000 square kilometres and supports 232,000 people (about half Tasmania's population) in the municipalities of Hobart City, Huon Valley, Brighton, Central Highlands, Clarence City, Derwent Valley, Glamorgan-Spring Bay, Glenorchy City, Kingborough, Sorell, South Midlands and Tasman.

The region is characterised by dramatic landforms and rich scenery. Some features of the region include:

• four Ramsar-listed wetlands of international significance
• 27 wetlands of national significance
• important sites for migratory birds and other animals
• nine estuaries of high conservation significance
• three distinct marine bioregions, Bruny, Davey and Freycinet, including marine protected areas
• three major river and estuarine systems, the Derwent, Huon and Gordon rivers and parts of the north-flowing Macquarie and Esk rivers

The region also has extensive Aboriginal cultural heritage value and a rich European cultural and historical tradition, including many heritage sites. There are extensive areas of conservation significance, including the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and the Macquarie Island World Heritage Area.

Resource-based industries, such as agriculture, forestry, mining and fishing, are socially and economically important, with most rural towns dependent on one of them. The region is also known for its seafood, apples and cool climate wines.

Priority issues

Key natural resource management issues in the region include:

• a need for better natural resource management information and planning
• sustainable use of land and water resources
• loss of native vegetation and habitat
• weeds, animal pests and diseases
• pollution
• fire management
• soil degradation
• salinity

Regional plan

The South Regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) Committee developed the South regional plan, in consultation with the local community. This plan was based on a whole-of-region approach and will address significant NRM issues, incorporating social, environmental and economic aspects.

Once the regional plan was accredited, the South Regional NRM Committee was responsible for developing the regional investment strategy. This is essentially the business plan that will be developed to attract investment from the Australian and state governments, local government and industry. It details the specific actions, costs and timeframes required to implement the regional plan.

The South Tasmania region recognises the importance of effective NRM for a sustainable future, and has a clear vision of the environmental issues it faces, and where efforts should be focused in order to address these challenges.

Already The region identified and protected key sites, developed and implemented salinity management projects and adopted improved land and water management practices.

• South plan  - accredited March 2005

Current activities

NRM priority	Activities addressing the priority
Soil condition	the first stage of a three-stage project to establish key baseline soil condition data will identify priority soil and land use combinations at risk, locate appropriate key reference high risk sites and collect baseline information on the condition of selected soil types. By the end of stage three, 100 reference sites will have been established
Health of native vegetation communities	providing management planning and advice and direct incentives for on-ground works to retain and conserve native vegetation and waterways/ wetlands within the region. Incentives will be provided for fencing, off-stream watering points and minor rehabilitation activities. Incentives will be underwritten by voluntary ten-year management agreements that oblige participants to manage the selected areas for conservation purposes and complete the required on-ground works within predetermined timelines. Sites will be registered on a database and comprehensive monitoring and evaluation conducted using the 'habitat hectares' approach, over 160 vegetation types will be surveyed for their health and distribution at 380 sites
Estuarine, coastal and marine habitat	conducting a comprehensive assessment of the coastal vegetation, animal habitat, land use and geomorphology values for the Huon Valley, Kingborough, Hobart, Glenorchy, New Norfolk, Brighton and Glamorgan - Spring Bay Councils, approx 2500km of coastline. The information will be digitised onto GIS maps and will be made available to Local and State Governments to use as ongoing management tools for planning and development decision making in the coastal zone. Training will be provided to planners and managers
Turbidity and suspended particles in waterways	develop a Water Sensitive Development Manual with clear explanations and drawings of techniques for use by councils, developers, landholders and the broader community. A one-day introductory Water Sensitive Development forum will be held to introduce the concept, a Working Group will be established and a forum held to present the Water Sensitive Development Manual. The project is aimed at all 12 South Councils and the development industry
Weeds and feral animals	develop serrated tussock management plans covering 500 hectares with property owners so they can take responsibility for their infestations. Conduct field demonstrations of control techniques and promotional activities. Coordinate labour, control efforts and mapping system for maximum efficiencies

Contacts

Further information can be obtained by contacting the Regional Facilitators for Tasmania.