Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Securing waterholes in the northern Flinders Ranges
Aboriginal communities in the northern Flinders Ranges are reviving degraded waterholes and springs as part of a project to protect environmentally and spiritually significant water features across much of South Australia.
Springs, waterholes, rockholes, creeks and underground soaks are scattered across the rugged, dry region, located near the magnificent Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park about 700 kilometres north of Adelaide.
These natural water features are critical to the survival of many plants, fish and animals, particularly during droughts. Many are also of great cultural and spiritual significance to the traditional land owners, the Adnyamathanha people.
But weeds and feral animals, particularly goats, are now threatening the area.
Funding
Last year, the South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board received more than $318,000 over three years from the Australian Government to help the Adnyamathanha people and other Indigenous communities in the northern arid and semi-arid zone restore culturally-important water bodies on their land. The South Australian Government has also provided support.
Yadgindanha Spring is one of 14 natural water features being restored by the project, a component of the Arid Rivers Natural and Cultural Heritage Program.
Activities
The project is working closely with Aboriginal communities through the Aboriginal Lands Trust to coordinate rehabilitation activities.
One of its first challenges was to repair the Yadgindanha Spring, about 300 kilometres north of Port Augusta near Nepabunna. Feral goats had degraded the native rushes along the spring's edge, leading to erosion and large amounts of sediment blocking the stream flow.
Nepabunna community members removed the sediment with a tractor to unblock the spring, and erected a kilometre-long fence on the perimeter to control goat access. They then built a trap yard with a water trough to entice and catch the animals. A solar pump draws water from the spring up to the trough.
Achievements
Wetlands Management Officer Rachael Young said the project had multiple benefits for the environment and the local Indigenous community.
"Within a couple of months the spring was looking much healthier - it's started flowing again and the native rushes are clearly recovering," Rachel said.
"The fresh flows will benefit freshwater fish, which are utterly reliant on these waterholes for survival.
"The traditional owners have not only protected the spring, they've gained new skills in modern conservation techniques. They'll also profit when the captured goats are sold to abattoirs for export to the Middle East and Europe."
More information
- Kirrilie Rowe, Water Program Manager: (08) 8204 9131 or rowe.kirrilie@saugov.sa.gov.au
- South Australian Arid Lands NRM Board
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