Land Management Update September 2018 Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre Ordnance Point takayna
Hummocky Rangers and community members carried out a comprehensive survey of historical relics and points of interest in June. Items included middens, stone arrangements and fire pots as well as birder buildings, sheds, boat remains and other relics of life on Hummocky.
Dylan Beeton is sitting on what we now call Beeton rock, in what was historically known as 'Shag Boat Harbour'. Hummocky Directly behind are the remnants of an old birding shed. 1862, same location.
Hummocky Ambrose and Grahame keep up their relentless progress on boxthorn, with fire, tractor, chainsaw and poison.
yula monitoring 80% Big Dog Island Occupancy rates (adj) Babel Island Occupancy rates (adj) 80% 70% 60% 50% 68% 50% 64% 56% 68% 58% 58% 70% 60% 50% 55% 60% 63% 50% 51% 66% 71% 54% 40% 43% 45% 40% 30% 30% 34% 20% 20% 10% 10% 0% 0% Adults (Dec) Chicks (Mar) Adults (Dec) Chicks (Mar) 200 150 100 50 0 Average No. of burrows per 100m transect 120 128 137 147 80 94 75 87 98 70 45 41 47 34 45 Dec-13 Dec-14 Dec-15 Dec-16 Dec-17 Big Dog Babel Chappell
Big Dog Completed in June 2018 with federal funding, the Big Dog Homestead has been brought back to life and looking great, with the outside painted, weatherboards replaced and the north-facing verandah rebuilt.
Homestead The bedrooms were re-lined and are all comfortable with bunk beds and new mattresses. The new kitchen has hot and cold water and the toilet/shower block was rebuilt. With a fridge, washing machine and a wood-heater, it s perfect for camps. Bookings are available through Launceston TAC.
Midlands In April 2018, The pakana rangers undertook a 10 day fire project in an important cultural landscape near Ross. The project is an important and innovative collaboration between the Aboriginal community, the University of Tasmania and the landholder, Julian Von Bibra.
Returning patrula A community fire camp was held during the project and several important cultural sites were visited. At the time of invasion the Aboriginal people living here suffered from terrible dispossession and many atrocities occurred. After 200 years this land has been accessible again for Aboriginal people to experience its richness.
Returning patrula The project has opened up opportunities for further activity in the Midlands landscape, including the development of art projects and telling the story of the country and people in this area. A short film Returning patrula was produced to capture the project.
The project allowed for a reconnection to begin on special country where our ancestors lived for thousands of years.
lungtalanana As part of our IPA/WOC work on the islands, we monitor the lagoons to ensure they are in pristine condition and weed free etc. This year we looked at the lagoons on lungtalanana and mapped them. Extensive work is occurring on maintaining the old house, in conjunction with the cat monitoring project.
Bait station Motion sensor camera Stage 1 of getting rid of cats from lungtalanana: Finding out how many there are! We deployed cameras, sand pads and cage traps to get an idea of the number of moggies on the 8,000 hectare island.
lungtalanana Patch burning was successful in the southern central plains of the island (June 2018).
Preminghana The pakana rangers are tantalisingly close to completing ALL PRIMARY CONTROL OF GORSE at Preminghana. This is a massive achievement, with one of the last areas to tackle being the small mountain. Fire will be the primary control, which supresses regrowth but encourages germination of the existing seed stock. We will burn again and again, hopefully eliminating gorse permanently.
Preminghana Small mountain, after eco-mulch, before fire. The dead brown gorse is due to a massive spraying effort by Pakana rangers: Victor, Brenton and Fox.
Ecomulching gorse 20 Nov 2017 1 June 2018 The impact of the ecomulcher is impressive.
Preminghana Solar Power! Solar power has been installed at Preminghana. Along with batterystorage and generator back up, every building will now have lights and power connected 24/7, including power to the work shed for the first time ever. Camping will be easier and more user friendly with power at the fingertips. Using facilities will be as simple as turning a tap or flicking a switch with full-time flushing toilets
Kings Run Contacts: Adam Thompson: Adam.t@tacinc.com.au Launceston 6332 3814 Andry Sculthorpe: andry.s@tacinc.com.au piyura kitina/ Risdon Cove 0410 237 404 Jarrod Edwards: jarrod.e@tacinc.com.au Preminghana 0400 064 384 This update compiled by Shaun Thurstans shaun.t@tacinc.com.au Hobart TAC