Numbat Neighbourhood

Supporting the following Objectives

Supporting people to protect the vulnerable Noombat wioo (Numbat, Myrmecobius fasciatus) in the wild

Long Term Goal

By 2050 Threatened Species populations of the Numbat and associated species such as Woylie, Chuditch and Black-forest Cockatoos species are conserved and are more resilient across WA

Regional Land Partnerships (Australian Government) Outcomes

Primary Outcome:
By 2023, the trajectory of species targeted under the Threatened Species Strategy, and other EPBC Act priority species, is stabilised or improved.

Primary Investment Priority: Myrmecobius fasciatus (Numbat)
Secondary Investment Priorities: Bettongia penicillata (Woylie) Dasyurus geoffroii (Chuditch)
Additional: Matchstick Banksia, Red-tailed Phascogale and Malleefowl

Noombat wioo (Numbat: Myrmecobius fasciatus) is a small unique marsupial found only in Australia. Numbats are closely related to the extinct Tasmanian Tiger and while they used to cover an area from south-western NSW to south-west Western Australia, they are now rarer than giant pandas, with only ~1000 left in the wild.

Numbats are culturally significant to Noongar people and the fauna emblem of WA.

Numbats have suffered significant decline in numbers since European settlement due to threats e.g. predation by ferals, habitat loss & fragmentation, disease, climate change and inappropriate fire regimes. It is listed as endangered by the IUCN and EPBC Act.

One of the jewels of the Peel-Harvey is Dryandra Woodlands, home to one of only two naturally occurring Numbat populations left in the wild.

Our Numbat Neighbourhood project will help address the decline and improve the trajectory of Numbats in the Peel-Harvey Catchment as well as that of secondary species, Woylie (Bettongia penicillata) and Chuditch (Dasyurus geoffroii) and other species by implementing actions from recovery plans including:

Feral animal control in targeted habitat
Targeted onground works to reduce threats to threatened species
Weed control in targeted habitat over multiple seasons
Follow-up fauna surveys
Follow-up flora surveys
Maintaining feral-free enclosures
Community and stakeholder engagement and communication activities

For more detail on the project, please view the project summary here.

Secondary Outcome: By 2023, the implementation of priority actions is leading to an improvement in the condition of EPBC Act listed Threatened Ecological Communities (Eucalypt Woodlands of the Western Australian Wheatbelt)

Chuditch

Dasyurus geoffroii
Photo: Brent Johnson

Numbat

Myrmecobius fasciatus
Photo: John Lawson

Woylie

Bettongia penicillata
Photo: Roy McLean

Key Threats

Predation by feral cats and foxes
Habitat fragmentation and loss
Disturbance
Inappropriate fire regimes
Disease
Climate change
Loss of cultural knowledge and values

Management Actions

Biophysical

Feral Animal Control
Feral animal proof fencing to create safe havens
Fencing for habitat protection Revegetation and restoration
Disease management
Breeding and translocation projects
Understanding fire regimes

Non Biophysical

Establish Noongar consultation, engagement & partnerships
Community training events
Knowledge extension workshops/events
Media and promotions
Literature review of Conservation Advice and Recovery Plans
Develop network of experts
Long term monitoring and evaluation projects
Establish data storage and database
Education programs for schools

Working Together

The PHCC is delivering the Numbat Neighbourhood project in collaboration with the following:

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA)
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)
Shires of Wandering, Williams, Cuballing and Boddington
Hotham-Williams Community (schools, landholders)
WA Feral at Working Group
Project Numbat
Numbat Recovery Team
Perth Zoo
Noongar Community
Farming Community
Newmont

Project outcomes

Changes in Asset (by 2023) Actions for Climate Change are embedded into the Numbat, Woylie and Chuditch Recovery Plans

Habitat for the Numbat, Woylie and Chuditch is maintained or improved by 650ha through the protection of natural bushland and revegetation

Monitoring and Evaluation

An effective monitoring and evaluation framework is being used to ensure the Project delivers on its outcomes. Our PHCC project logic provided the framework for the design, delivery, review and evaluation of this project. Numbat Neighbourhood focusses on Dryandra Woodland and the surrounding private properties. All activities have been developed to reduce threats and improve habitat for the Numbat and associated Threatened Species to reach the 5 year and longer term Conservation Advice and Recovery Plan outcomes. Management Actions (outputs) are detailed on the graph below, with progress in delivery up to June 30, 2021 showing that we are on target to meet our targets, as defined in our Agreement with the Australian Government.

Numbat Neighbourhood Project delivery to June 30 2021

The trajectory of Numbats in the wild is improved through a subsidised breeding program

The threat of predation to Numbat, Chuditch and Woylie populations is reduced through 6,000ha of feral animal control, 60ha of weed control

Practice and Attitude Change (by 2023)

Local Noongar Elders and Traditional Owners are involved with the planning and delivery of activities to improve cultural knowledge of Numbat, Woylie and Chuditch values to the Noongar people as per the EPBC Act

A minimum of 180 members of the community (inc. landholders) have an improved understanding of the principles and practices for reducing threats, restoration and conservation activities leading to management actions on private landholdings to protect the Numbat, Woylie and Chuditch

There is an increased awareness and participation in the conservation of the Numbat with a minimum of 89 private landholders having undertaken training and onground actions to reduce threats and protect habitat for the Numbat, Woylie and Chuditch

K4	IDENTIFY AND CAPITALISE ON MARKET OPPORTUNITIES
The Peel-Harvey has competitive advantages that should enable market opportunities to be capitalized on, including its close proximity to an international airport, emerging support facilities, comparatively affordable land as metropolitan areas become more urbanized, and its natural capital including a very productive area of the Wheatbelt. Capitalising on these opportunities will assist in employment and the social issues being experienced as a result of high unemployment. The Peel-Harvey is well placed to capitalize on market opportunities and land managers need support to identify and match production to markets, promoting the Region’s clean, green production by implementing sustainable practices that protect and restore the Region’s natural capital.
K4.1	Undertake Analysis of competitive markets for sustainable production
K4.1.1	Support grower groups and similar to identify competitive advantages and provide support to match land managers to markets
K4.1.2	Prepare and communicate an analysis of strengths, assets and potential new markets
K4.1.3	Identify and facilitate network opportunities to improve local knowledge and opportunities
K4.1.4	Identify constraints and areas for development and advocate to remove identified barriers
K4.2	Provide community access to, and awareness of new technologies and information
K4.2.1	Share new technologies and information, including local successes and peer to peer learning
K4.2.2	Support next generation farming, including education and career development

K3	LAND MANAGERS TO USE BEST KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNOLOGY
Land managers use a wealth of knowledge and experience to inform the way they manage their paddock, patch or park. They may need support to access new information that has become available through research and field trials. Strategies to achieve this goal aim at information sharing between landholders, through field days, extension support, and field-based research trials.
K3.1	Relevant information/knowledge is provided to land managers
K3.1.1	Develop targeted land management extension programs responding to community needs
K3.1.2	Support and assist land managers to access relevant and contemporary information
K3.1.3	Develop, promote and support implementation of best practice management for NRM
K3.2	Use science to inform land manager programs
K3.2.1	Implement targeted extension programs to support NRM for productive environments
K3.2.2	Support relevant research trials and promote findings to land managers
K3.2.3	Demonstrate economics benefits of productivity improvements, to influence greater uptake

K2	INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
NRM practices must continue to evolve and adapt to the best available information. To enable this adaptive management and continuous improvement to occur, information must be collected for monitoring and evaluation purposes, science should be used to address knowledge gaps and innovation must be encouraged. The strategies to address this goal cover each of these aspects as well as incorporating the knowledge of Aboriginal people to improve the effectiveness of NRM activities.
K2.1	Maintain effective information collection, storage and analysis processes
K2.1.1	Establish and maintain an effective information collection and storage process
K2.2	Use scientific methods to develop, inform and improve natural resource management programs
K2.2.1	Assist in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of NRM activities
K2.2.2	Help educate and support land holders to improve decision making
K2.3	Incorporate Aboriginal knowledge to improve natural resource management
K2.3.1	Collaboratively document and use Aboriginal knowledge/practice in NRM programs
K2.4	Encourage Innovation in natural resource management programs
K2.4.1	Identify, assess and facilitate sharing of new techniques, particularly for agriculture and restoration
K2.4.2	Communicate and support innovation in NRM and agricultural programs and Practices

K1	INFLUENCE DECISION MAKING FOR BETTER NRM
Decision makers in government and the private sector need access to the best available research findings and information to ensure that land is managed wisely. New development and land uses should not create new NRM challenges for the future but provide for new opportunities for good stewards of the environment. A number of landmark strategies and activities will achieve this goal including the preparation of regular State of the Region reports, implementation of the Science Strategy for the Estuary (and pending Strategy for the Catchment) and establishing the first stages of a Peel Waterways Institute.
K1.1	Science is undertaken to address current and emerging environmental, economic and production issues
K1.1.1	Establish and implement a Science Program for the Peel-Harvey
K1.1.2	Prepare and implement contemporary Science Strategy’s for the Peel-Harvey
K1.1.3	Collaborate with stakeholders to target and enable priority research
K1.2	Communicate State of the Catchment and relevant science to decision makers/community
K1.2.1	Prepare and communicate a State of the Catchment Report Card/s (every 2 years)
K1.2.2	Communicate science and knowledge relevant to health of the catchment
K1.3	Establish a Peel Waterways Institute / Waterways Centre of Excellence
K1.3.1	Establish first stages of a Peel Waterways Institute to support collaborative research
K1.3.2	Advocate for a National Centre for Waterways Excellence in the Peel-Harvey

K1	INFLUENCE DECISION MAKING FOR BETTER NRM
Decision makers in government and the private sector need access to the best available research findings and information to ensure that land is managed wisely. New development and land uses should not create new NRM challenges for the future but provide for new opportunities for good stewards of the environment. A number of landmark strategies and activities will achieve this goal including the preparation of regular State of the Region reports, implementation of the Science Strategy for the Estuary (and pending Strategy for the Catchment) and establishing the first stages of a Peel Waterways Institute.
K1.1	Science is undertaken to address current and emerging environmental, economic and production issues
K1.1.1	Establish and implement a Science Program for the Peel-Harvey
K1.1.2	Prepare and implement contemporary Science Strategy’s for the Peel-Harvey
K1.1.3	Collaborate with stakeholders to target and enable priority research
K1.2	Communicate State of the Catchment and relevant science to decision makers/community
K1.2.1	Prepare and communicate a State of the Catchment Report Card/s (every 2 years)
K1.2.2	Communicate science and knowledge relevant to health of the catchment
K1.3	Establish a Peel Waterways Institute / Waterways Centre of Excellence
K1.3.1	Establish first stages of a Peel Waterways Institute to support collaborative research
K1.3.2	Advocate for a National Centre for Waterways Excellence in the Peel-Harvey
K2	INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
NRM practices must continue to evolve and adapt to the best available information. To enable this adaptive management and continuous improvement to occur, information must be collected for monitoring and evaluation purposes, science should be used to address knowledge gaps and innovation must be encouraged. The strategies to address this goal cover each of these aspects as well as incorporating the knowledge of Aboriginal people to improve the effectiveness of NRM activities.
K2.1	Maintain effective information collection, storage and analysis processes
K2.1.1	Establish and maintain an effective information collection and storage process
K2.2	Use scientific methods to develop, inform and improve natural resource management programs
K2.2.1	Assist in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of NRM activities
K2.2.2	Help educate and support land holders to improve decision making
K2.3	Incorporate Aboriginal knowledge to improve natural resource management
K2.3.1	Collaboratively document and use Aboriginal knowledge/practice in NRM programs
K2.4	Encourage Innovation in natural resource management programs
K2.4.1	Identify, assess and facilitate sharing of new techniques, particularly for agriculture and restoration
K2.4.2	Communicate and support innovation in NRM and agricultural programs and Practices
K3	LAND MANAGERS TO USE BEST KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNOLOGY
Land managers use a wealth of knowledge and experience to inform the way they manage their paddock, patch or park. They may need support to access new information that has become available through research and field trials. Strategies to achieve this goal aim at information sharing between landholders, through field days, extension support, and field-based research trials.
K3.1	Relevant information/knowledge is provided to land managers
K3.1.1	Develop targeted land management extension programs responding to community needs
K3.1.2	Support and assist land managers to access relevant and contemporary information
K3.1.3	Develop, promote and support implementation of best practice management for NRM
K3.2	Use science to inform land manager programs
K3.2.1	Implement targeted extension programs to support NRM for productive environments
K3.2.2	Support relevant research trials and promote findings to land managers
K3.2.3	Demonstrate economics benefits of productivity improvements, to influence greater uptake
K4	IDENTIFY AND CAPITALISE ON MARKET OPPORTUNITIES
The Peel-Harvey has competitive advantages that should enable market opportunities to be capitalized on, including its close proximity to an international airport, emerging support facilities, comparatively affordable land as metropolitan areas become more urbanized, and its natural capital including a very productive area of the Wheatbelt. Capitalising on these opportunities will assist in employment and the social issues being experienced as a result of high unemployment. The Peel-Harvey is well placed to capitalize on market opportunities and land managers need support to identify and match production to markets, promoting the Region’s clean, green production by implementing sustainable practices that protect and restore the Region’s natural capital.
K4.1	Undertake Analysis of competitive markets for sustainable production
K4.1.1	Support grower groups and similar to identify competitive advantages and provide support to match land managers to markets
K4.1.2	Prepare and communicate an analysis of strengths, assets and potential new markets
K4.1.3	Identify and facilitate network opportunities to improve local knowledge and opportunities
K4.1.4	Identify constraints and areas for development and advocate to remove identified barriers
K4.2	Provide community access to, and awareness of new technologies and information
K4.2.1	Share new technologies and information, including local successes and peer to peer learning
K4.2.2	Support next generation farming, including education and career development

B5	WATER RESOURCES ARE MANAGED AND USED WISELY
Water resources are essential to life. They shape our wetlands, waterways and biodiversity and influence the type and location of agricultural production. Water resources include both surface waters and groundwater, and the aquifer systems that link them both. Most of the forested areas of the Forest and Scarp Subsystem are proclaimed water supply catchments (Land Assessment, 2005). Water resources are managed under a regime which recognises both public and private use values as well as environmental water requirements. The strategies to achieve this goal support water allocation planning and other activities to ensure the wise use of resources for protection of ecosystems in the long term. These strategies complement the Department of Water’s role in water allocation planning.
B5.1	Support water allocation planning and management for wise use
B5.1.1	Undertake a water audit across the catchment to assist in water management in the long term
B5.1.2	Encourage adequate environment water allocations in and for all priority systems
B5.1.3	Support measuring and assessment of water supply systems, for environment and agriculture
B5.1.4	Support the development of water storage facilities for fire management
B5.2	Support land managers to manage water resources—for multiple benefits
B5.2.1	Support resource and land managers to assess and implement water capture, harvesting and storage facilities
B5.2.2	Support resource users to implement water efficiencies
B5.2.3	Support adaptive management systems to respond to reduced rainfall

B3	COASTAL AND NEARSHORE AREAS AND PROCESSES ARE RESILIENT AND VALUED
Coastal foreshores, beaches and near-shore areas have significant social, ecological and economic values. They support commercial and recreational fisheries, protect coastal residential areas and provide a diversity of habitat for flora and fauna. A key aspect of coastal management in the Region is the network of community groups, local governments and state agencies that manage coastal foreshores and maintain public access to beaches and nearshore waterways. Strategies to achieve this goal are aimed at supporting the groups and organisations who are undertaking coastal area and near-shore management.
B3.1	Protect foreshores for their ecological and recreational values
B3.1.1	Encourage/support foreshore management that enables natural process and resilience to a changing climate
B3.1.2	Support the community to value and manage coastal areas
B3.1.3	Support recreational uses consistent with environmental protection
B3.2	Protect near-shore habitats for productivity and biodiversity
B3.2.1	Support actions/activities to protect near-shore habitats for ecological, recreational and commercial productivity

B1	WETLANDS AND WATERWAYS ARE HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE
Wetlands and waterways have a special place, with all major townsites and communities living in proximity to a local waterway or wetland. Major waterway assets include the Hotham, Williams, Murray, Serpentine, North and South Dandalup and Harvey rivers. Major wetland assets include the Peel-Harvey Estuarine System and the Peel-Yalgorup Ramsar System. Key threats include poorly planned development, changing hydroperiods, reduced flow, eutrophication, ASS and MBO. Strategies to achieve this goal are designed to support coordinated management of the Estuary and Ramsar System, implement management actions to improve waterway and wetland condition, and protect groundwater quality and flows into wetlands and waterways.
B1.1	Support the establishment and operations of coordinated governance frameworks for the Peel-Yalgorup Ramsar System
B1.1.1	Work with key stakeholders to establish and operate a coordinated framework for the Peel-Harvey Estuarine System
B1.1.2	Continue to work with key stakeholders to operate a coordinated framework for the Peel-Yalgorup Ramsar System, including but not limited to the Ramsar and subsidiary TAG’s
B1.2	Improve the condition of wetlands and watercourses
B1.2.1	Prepare and implement action plans to restore the natural function of wetlands and watercourses
B1.2.2	Prepare and implement action plans to manage drains for multiple benefits, including water availability to assist with impacts of reduced rainfall and drying climate
B1.2.3	Manage issues such as erosion, sediment, nutrients and monosulphidic black ooze to improve/protect condition of wetlands and watercourses
B1.3	Protect wetlands and watercourses
B1.3.1	Influence land-use planning to afford protection to wetland and watercourse values
B1.3.2	Encourage implementation of management plans and ongoing maintenance in accordance with planning conditions and/or best management practice
B1.4	Protect groundwater quality and quantity as hydrological inputs to wetlands and watercourses
B1.4.1	Ensure environmental water provisions are adequate for maintenance or improvement of ecosystem health
B1.4.2	Ensure groundwater monitoring is sufficient to measure and assess environmental water provision adequacy and to influence regulatory change, where required

B1	WETLANDS AND WATERWAYS ARE HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE
Wetlands and waterways have a special place, with all major townsites and communities living in proximity to a local waterway or wetland. Major waterway assets include the Hotham, Williams, Murray, Serpentine, North and South Dandalup and Harvey rivers. Major wetland assets include the Peel-Harvey Estuarine System and the Peel-Yalgorup Ramsar System. Key threats include poorly planned development, changing hydroperiods, reduced flow, eutrophication, ASS and MBO. Strategies to achieve this goal are designed to support coordinated management of the Estuary and Ramsar System, implement management actions to improve waterway and wetland condition, and protect groundwater quality and flows into wetlands and waterways.
B1.1	Support the establishment and operations of coordinated governance frameworks for the Peel-Yalgorup Ramsar System
B1.1.1	Work with key stakeholders to establish and operate a coordinated framework for the Peel-Harvey Estuarine System
B1.1.2	Continue to work with key stakeholders to operate a coordinated framework for the Peel-Yalgorup Ramsar System, including but not limited to the Ramsar and subsidiary TAG’s
B1.2	Improve the condition of wetlands and watercourses
B1.2.1	Prepare and implement action plans to restore the natural function of wetlands and watercourses
B1.2.2	Prepare and implement action plans to manage drains for multiple benefits, including water availability to assist with impacts of reduced rainfall and drying climate
B1.2.3	Manage issues such as erosion, sediment, nutrients and monosulphidic black ooze to improve/protect condition of wetlands and watercourses
B1.3	Protect wetlands and watercourses
B1.3.1	Influence land-use planning to afford protection to wetland and watercourse values
B1.3.2	Encourage implementation of management plans and ongoing maintenance in accordance with planning conditions and/or best management practice
B1.4	Protect groundwater quality and quantity as hydrological inputs to wetlands and watercourses
B1.4.1	Ensure environmental water provisions are adequate for maintenance or improvement of ecosystem health
B1.4.2	Ensure groundwater monitoring is sufficient to measure and assess environmental water provision adequacy and to influence regulatory change, where required
B2	SOILS ARE HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE
Soils and landforms are the fundamental resources which shape wetlands and waterways, biodiversity and land use, especially agriculture. Agricultural production in the Catchment is worth $469.974 million per annum (source 2021 REMPLAN) and relies directly on the health and conservation of soil resources. Soils should be managed as a living resource with consideration to soil acidity, dryland salinity, prevention of erosion and discharge of sediment. Biosecurity is an issue of significant concern to the community and is included under this goal given its impact on soils, productivity and biodiversity. Issues such as water repellence and compaction of soils may also be having an impact on farm productivity levels, although the impact on productivity is not clearly understood. Healthy soils will reduce the loss of topsoil to waterways and the impact of sediment on rivers and the Estuary. Strategies under this goal aim to assist farmers and land managers to better understand their local soils, make informed decisions on soil management practices, and support biosecurity programs. Farmers own and manage over 50% of the Region, making their increased participation in NRM essential.
B2.1	Understand soil characteristics and risks
B2.1.1	Support land managers to undertake and understand risk/soil mapping at a local level
B2.1.2	Support and share research and information that improves our collective understanding of soil characteristics and their productive potential
B2.1.3	Support land managers to understand the consequences over use of fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides
B2.2	Support land managers to match land uses and management practices to soil type and land capability
B2.2.1	Support adaptive land management practices in vulnerable areas
B2.2.2	Maintain priority areas for agricultural production (while protecting valuable environmental assets)
B2.3	Support land managers to implement sound soil management practices and use suitable land productively
B2.3.1	Encourage and support farming methods to enhance soil and soil resilience
B2.3.2	Encourage use of soil amendments for multiple benefits
B2.3.3	Support ‘whole of farm’ planning to better meet social, economic and environmental objectives
B2.4	Support biosecurity practices
B2.4.1	Support, preparation and implementation of biosecurity program/s for multiple benefits
B2.4.2	Raise awareness and educate community on local, priority biosecurity issues and provide support for management
B2.5	Influence legislation and policy
B2.1.1	Influence and support decision makers in developing policy and legislation for the protection of priority agricultural land
B2.1.2	Influence and support decision makers in developing policy and legislation for the protection of priority environmental assets
B2.1.3	Advocate for and support streamlining of planning regulation and licensing for sustainable agricultural practices
B3	COASTAL AND NEARSHORE AREAS AND PROCESSES ARE RESILIENT AND VALUED
Coastal foreshores, beaches and near-shore areas have significant social, ecological and economic values. They support commercial and recreational fisheries, protect coastal residential areas and provide a diversity of habitat for flora and fauna. A key aspect of coastal management in the Region is the network of community groups, local governments and state agencies that manage coastal foreshores and maintain public access to beaches and nearshore waterways. Strategies to achieve this goal are aimed at supporting the groups and organisations who are undertaking coastal area and near-shore management.
B3.1	Protect foreshores for their ecological and recreational values
B3.1.1	Encourage/support foreshore management that enables natural process and resilience to a changing climate
B3.1.2	Support the community to value and manage coastal areas