INTRODUCTION
This is a report of the activities of the Friends group in the Simpson Desert
Parks during June 2009. The working bee of twelve days duration was funded
by members of Friends of the Simpson Desert Parks (FOS). DEH Outback
Region made some fuel available for each member's vehicle. Fencing materials
used were purchased with a Volunteer Support Unit (VSU) Gant.
Ten FOS members took part, travelling in six private vehicles. Three
Outback Region Rangers transported materials and equipment and controlled
activities at the Knolls. FOS members contributed a total of 900
hours voluntary labour during the working bee and personally funded the majority
of their own travel expenses.
PLANNING AND PREPARATION
DEH, FOS and Wangkangurru representatives from Birdsville travelled on a survey
trip to the Knolls in March this year where final decisions were taken about the
protective work to be undertaken. All interested parties ultimately
ratified those decisions, plans were drawn and materials ordered in accordance
with that agreement.
ACHIEVED OBJECTIVES
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Redevelopment of the Approdinna Attora Knolls area
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General clean-up of rubbish on desert tracks and Dalhousie area
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Increased the area of protection around the Lone Gum natural regeneration
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Safety Track Marker maintenance
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Installed direction signs on desert track intersections
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Planted approx. 100 seedlings at Dalhousie Springs campground
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Installed irrigation for these seedlings
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Irrigation system maintenance
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Continued with water monitoring project at Dalhousie Ruins
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Coated Poeppel replica post with preservative stain
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Conducted photo-point survey of stockyard
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Trimmed shrubs around Dalhousie Ruins stockyard
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Located and recorded locations of Neurada procumbens (weed) east of Colson
Track
TRAVEL TO DALHOUSIE SPRINGS AND INTO THE DESERT
FOS members travelled to and within the desert by private vehicles, covering
total distances in excess of 3000 kms from Adelaide plus return. Two
members also travelled from Queensland to participate. Conditions in the
desert were very dry and sand was soft and shifting. Low tyre pressures
were essential to obtain traction and contributed to high fuel usage.
Conditions for all vehicles were very challenging in places.
PROJECTS
Lone Gum - The size and shape of the bollards and cable around a self
sown Coolabah seedling was revised to give greater protection to the tree
and other shrubs.
Redevelopment of the Approdinna Attora Knolls area - FOS has had a
continuing association with the Knolls, being almost totally responsible for
the protection of this culturally sensitive site since at least 1992 and
obtained a VSU grant of $5000 to purchase materials to construct the
southern fence, both western fences and part of the northern fence.
DEH also obtained a grant from NRM to complete the fencing along the
northern, eastern and southern sides. They also purchased materials
for the car-park.
FOS volunteers did not participate in, nor support the unplanned removal of
mature Gidgee trees during this project.
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A wire fence was constructed around the full perimeter of the Knolls to
prevent travellers from driving close or onto the Knolls. A fence
was also constructed along the western side of the track to deter
visitors from driving onto culturally and environmentally sensitive Lake
Tamblyn.
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The car-park was relocated at the southern end of the Knolls onto firmer
gypseous ground and delineated using recycled plastic posts and
stainless steel cable.
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A walking trail to the summit was marked using posts and cable.
The existing trail head sign was re-located to the start of the new
trail.
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An existing interpretive sign, originally provided by FOS, was
re-located to the new car park.
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Temporary direction signs were installed to re-direct visitors to the
new car park site.
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Coir bollards were half buried across the old walking trail to reduce
sand erosion by running water.
Neurada procumbens - District Ranger, Tony Magor, first located
infestations of this prostrate herb weed similar to tribulus at the
intersection of the Rig Road with the French Track and south along the Rig
Road in 2007. This year the team located infestations 10.5 kms east of
the Colson Track. Various other sites were recorded, mainly in the
centre of the track. The sites have been logged for future clean up
and monitoring.
Track rubbish collection - As usual all members collected rubbish as
sighted while travelling. The general level of tourist litter has
reduced as visitors become more educated and responsible. We were
still disappointed to find the occasional burial site of large quantities of
cans, bottles and food scraps partially uncovered by shifting sands.
Dalhousie Campground Area
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Collected and disposed of scattered litter.
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Checked the operation of drip lines and cleaned where necessary.
Replaced batteries in all controllers.
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Trimmed overgrown shrubs back from paths and water taps.
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Planted a mixture of local provenance Acacia victorii and Coolabah
between the campground and the day-park access track. Replaced
some failed trees around the lower campground. Approximately 100
seedlings were planted.
Dalhousie Ruins
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Conducted annual photo-point survey of posts and rails in the old
stockyards.
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Carried out water quality sampling of established sites within the
enclosure. This activity was preparation for a planned
demonstration site where subsequent monitoring of water quality
improvements are expected to be shown when some palm trees are removed.
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Commenced the removal of nitre bush in the stockyard within two metres
of any timbers to aid in their protection. Future activity will be
required to complete this labour intensive task.