Newsletters
December 2005 - President’s Report
BEST WISHES FOR A SAFE AND MERRY CHRISTMAS
It was decided over a year ago that the Friends go into a “quiet phase” for a few years pending the implementation of the Recovery Plan and the captive breeding program. Consequently, the last 12 months, and the first year of the new Executive Committee, has been a period of consolidation and dealing with mostly administrative matters.
During the year the Friends:
- Prepared, had audited and lodged Annual Returns for 2002, 2003, 2004 to the Department of Fair Trading.
- Embarked on acquiring an Authority to Fundraise from the Department of Gaming and Racing.
- Updated the links to the Friends’ website to include Department of Environment & Conservation, Bushcare, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Waterfall Springs Conservation Association, Jenolan Caves BTRW breeding facilities, and Healesville Sanctuary.
- Prepared a draft Business Plan as a working document for the group’s priorities for the next five years.
- Contributed $1,000 to a NPWS goat cull at the Taralga BTRW colony.
- Held an Extraordinary Executive Meeting with representatives from Waterfall Springs Conservation, Central Coast, in regard to the partial sponsorship of a BTRW enclosure at Waterfall Springs. This enclosure will be used as part of the captive management program. An amount of $3,000 was donated by the Friends and this money will be used for landscaping and completion of the enclosure. A Friends working bee on the enclosure will be organised soon.
- Provided $2,000 for the second year of the Masters of Wildlife Health and Population Management scholarship at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney.
- Were successful with a funding application, prepared with the assistance of the NPWS Pest Officer, to the Catchment Management Authority for funding of alternative methods of fox control (shooting and trapping) in the areas where there are bait-shy foxes, or where baiting cannot be done due to the 1080 permit distance restrictions.
- Planned a Bush Care working bee on BTRW habitat for later this month.
- Received, read and responded to the latest draft of the Recovery Plan for the BTRW by the Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW), as the successful implementation of recovery actions relies on the participation of all sectors of the community.
- Held four Executive Committee meetings.
- Held the 10th AGM of the Friends in September last. The new Committee is Susan Robertson, President; John Rowntree, Vice President; Melinda Norton, Secretary; Brian Care, Treasurer; Ernie Dumpleton, Tess Heighes, Carla Jackett, Mark Cole, Ordinary Members. Many thanks to the previous Committee for a year of good work, and welcome to the new Committee.
We need more members. Please renew your membership and encourage others to join.
Many thanks and best Christmas wishes.
Susan Robertson,
President
NPWS News
The levels of 1080 bait takes by foxes has decreased over the past year suggesting that we may have impacted on the local fox population and are managing to limit reinvasion of foxes into the area. Thankyou to all land holders participating in the baiting program either by conducting their own baiting or allowing us to fox bait on their property.
Fox baiting has been conducted for one week ever second month throughout 2005 in Kangaroo Valley and surrounding areas. It appears that this level of baiting is necessary in order to keep fox numbers down to relatively levels. A review of the results of our fox abundance monitoring (counting fox prints on strips of sand set out along local tracks) suggests fox numbers have decreased in the valley since 2003. With the proposed ‘alternate methods of fox control’ program to be funded by the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority it is hoped that fox levels will be further reduced. Fox trapping and shooting will assist in controlling foxes in areas where fox baiting is not feasible and where we are finding foxes are not taking baits.
Again a reminder to local landholders that baiting weeks now involve 1080 baits buried in bait stations for the full week and no free feeding. Residents living in close proximity to bait stations are notified prior to baiting commencing. On properties where baiting is being conducted the dates of each baiting session are recorded on permanent signs at the properties’ entrance. Any landholders with inquiries or interested in joining the fox baiting program can contact Melinda Norton at NPWS Fitzroy Falls Office on 4887-8256.
