NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Glamorgan Spring Bay is a region that spans over 2,600 km² of stunning and diverse natural landscapes. Here, you’ll find breathtaking scenery and vibrant ecosystems, both on land and in water, that make this area truly unique. From traditional Aboriginal land practices to modern farming, grazing, forestry, and nature conservation, the history of Glamorgan Spring Bay has shaped a mosaic of natural and modified environments. These rich habitats support a remarkable diversity of species, with several areas recognised as biodiversity hotspots.
We all have an ongoing commitment to safeguard the natural values of Glamorgan Spring Bay for future generations. By working collectively, we can secure a sustainable future for our community while preserving the extraordinary environments that define our region.
The Glamorgan Spring Bay Natural Resource Management and Climate Resilience Strategy provides a strategic approach to addressing these complex issues.
- WHAT IS NRM?
- CATCHMENTS TO COAST
- CLIMATE CHANGE
- FLORA & FAUNA
- SUSTAINABILITY
- INVASIVE SPECIES
- PUBLICATIONS
- GET INVOLVED
Natural resource management (NRM) is about the way in which people and natural landscapes interact.
The term ‘natural resources’ refers to a broad spectrum of our ‘environmental assets’. These include air, water, land, plants, animals and micro-organisms. Individual assets are not isolated, however: they are linked together to form natural systems of varying scale such as rivers, lakes and wetlands, estuaries and coasts, forests, fields, geological systems and resources, and mountains.
Natural resource management reflects these linkages within and between natural systems. It integrates the management of social, economic and environmental values by involving the community and industry in planning and decision making.
Review of the Draft Prosser Catchment Plan
The first and only version of the Prosser Catchment Plan was compiled in 2002, although it has remained in ‘draft’ format since then. This 2002 version brought together all previous work and collective knowledge within the community (from local, state and federal governments, community and business groups, private landholders and individuals) at that time. Much of the information in the 2002 Catchment Plan is still relevant today but many aspects of it require updating to reflect new knowledge, physical changes within the Catchment as well as changes in policies and legislation.
Review of the Prosser Catchment Plan
Draft Prosser Catchment Plan 2002
Catchments to Coast
Catchments to Coast is a program of the Glamorgan Spring Bay Natural Resource Management Committee with implementation currently possible due to a co funding arrangement between Council and NRM South.
Catchments to Coast is a long term program that partners with many stakeholders to get things done on the ground broadly in line with the following Catchment Management Plans:
Swan Apsley Catchment Plan 2013
Little Swanport Catchment Plan 2010 2015
Draft Prosser Catchment Plan 2002
Highlights are featured in the attached newsletters:
Catchments to Coast newsletters
Catchments to Coast Newsletter July 2009
Catchments to Coast Newsletter February 2010
Catchments to Coast Newsletter December 2010
Catchments to Coast Newsletter July 2011
Glamorgan Spring Bay Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2023 –Endorsed by Council 23 April 2024.
Native Flora & Fauna Management Plans 2014 – 2019
In October 2014 the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council endorsed Native Flora and Fauna Management Plans for all the public reserves leased, licensed (from the Crown) and owned by Council. The intent of the Plans is to provide Council with a strategic approach to the sustainable management of the Reserves to both protect natural values whilst enhancing the associated economic and social values.
Flora and fauna management plans
Developments In Areas With Native Vegetation
For more information on what is required if you are proposing clearing any native vegetation for development please refer to the attached Guidelines.
Guidelines For Development In Areas Containing Native Vegetation
Fire Management Plans
Coles Bay Fire Management Plan
Penguins
Parks and Wildlife Service Penguin Viewing Guidelines in English
Parks and Wildlife Service Penguin Viewing Guidelines in Chinese
Guidelines for Works in, and Management of, Little Penguin Habitat
Tasmanian Devil
Save the Tasmanian Devil Roadkill Project FAQ
Map of roadkilled devils in Glamorgan Spring Bay
Shorebirds
Shorebird values at Bagot Point – Dolphin Sands
Shorebird values at the Meredith River – Swansea
Resident and migratory shorebirds of the Moulting Lagoon Game Reserve Ramsar site
There is no universally agreed definition on what sustainability means.
However most definitions include reference to three key principles:
- environmental sustainability
- economic sustainability
- social sustainability
In other words a sustainable future is one in which a healthy environment, economic prosperity and social justice are pursued simultaneously to ensure the well-being and quality of life of present and future generations.
Glamorgan Spring Bay Council can assist individuals and communities with information and education relating to local sustainability issues such as waste management, recycling, composting, energy efficiency, climate change and local food production.
A Home Energy Audit Toolkit (HEAT) is available to borrow free of charge to assist residents with monitoring their home energy use.
Recycling and waste reduction education projects are regularly held in schools throughout the municipality.
WEEDS
Weed management is a critical environmental and agricultural issue in Glamorgan Spring Bay. Weeds are a common challenge for Council, property owners, farmers, and gardeners alike.
The effects of weeds may be direct, such as:
- the loss of agricultural production as a result of weed competition with crops
- the time spent by home owners removing weeds from their gardens
- the loss of conservation values when native bushland is replaced by weeds
Or indirect, for example:
- the higher price of food due to increased production costs caused by weeds
- off-site contamination of water from herbicide application
- increased severity of bushfires due to flammable weeds.
In Glamorgan Spring Bay many of our current weed problems come from plants that were deliberately introduced to the area for a variety of reasons. A classic example is gorse which was deliberately planted for hedgerows and stock fodder. Our future weeds may be some of the plants that we are currently planting in our gardens which may become ‘garden escapees’. An example is Gazanias which are already rapidly naturalising along the coast.
Glamorgan Spring Bay Weed Management Plan
A long spread out municipality such as Glamorgan Spring Bay has many challenges with weed management due to a diverse population with different understandings of what the issues are and different capacities to manage existing and emerging problem weeds.
The Glamorgan Spring Bay Weed Management Plan 2015-2020 provides a strategic approach to addressing weeds in the municipality.
Statutory weed management
Of the approximately 3,207 species of introduced plants that have naturalised in Australia, about 500 have been declared noxious or are under some form of legislative control in Australia. The Tasmanian Government has identified some 147 species as declared weeds – invasive plants that pose significant threats to local biodiversity, agriculture, and natural resources. Some weeds are so serious the Australian government has declared them ‘Weeds of National Significance’ (WoNS). Of the 147 declared weeds in Tasmania, 32 weeds are declared as WoNS. These include species like the blackberries and gorse.
The Tasmanian Weed Management Act 1999 identifies declared weeds, sets management responsibilities for landowners, and outlines local control measures. Under the Act, landowners are legally obligated to manage declared weeds on their properties. This includes controlling or eradicating these plants and reporting any infestations to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania or to Council.
Glamorgan Spring Bay Council as a regulator has legal authority to inspect any property and issue Weed Notices to the landowner under the Weed Management Act 1999. If the weed infestations noted in the Weed Notice are not brought under control within the defined time frame, then Council may issue a Requirement Notice. Failure to comply with a Requirement Notice can result in an on the spot fine of up to $1,000. Ongoing breaches of the Act may attract more significant penalties.
Managing Weeds on Your Property
Effective weed management encompasses four key steps:
- Site assessment – where weed species and infestations on the property are identified
- Plan development – where a tailored control strategy is created
- Plan implementation – where the management approach is executed; and
- Monitoring and review – where the effectiveness of the plan is assessed, and any necessary adjustments made.
For more information on how to prevent and control weeds on your property visit the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania website.
Reporting Weeds
It is very important that everyone is aware of and reports weeds when they see them.
One simple way to report weeds is to take a picture and upload it via iNaturalist. This is an app that can be downloaded on android devices via the Google Play Store or on Apple devices via the App Store.
Weeds can also be reported by phoning Council on 03 6256 4777.
Plants
The 10 minute tracks runs alongside the Orford Rivulet and gives walkers easy access through the Reserve. We are excited to now have a species list for the Orford Rivulet along with a brochure on the Orford Rivulet Reserve, enabling residents and tourist to fully appreciate this area. Please open the pdf files below and take a look.
‘Many thanks to the Orford Community Group for all their work at this reserve’
Coast_Wattle_Sheet__WEB_Version_1
The Glamorgan Spring Bay Council in partnership with the Dolphin Sands Ratepayers Association (DSRA) has developed an information sheet about the Coast Wattle growing extensively at Dolphin Sands. The brochure has been reviewed and approved by the Tasmanian Fire Service and it is hoped is the first in a series of ‘Biodiversity Fact Sheets’ the municipality.
Native Plants of Glamorgan Spring Bay
Animals
Orford_Rivulet_Fauna_Species_List_1_LOWRES
Shorebirds
Glamorgan Spring Bay Shorebird Awareness Poster
Invasive species
Land
Orford Rivulet Reserve Brochure 2012
Guide_to_Living_at_Nine_Mile_Beach_2009
Water
Moulting Lagoon Ramsar Site Brochure
Review of NRM Resources
Glamorgan Spring Bay has a deep and rich history of natural resource management. The Tasmanian Aboriginal people of the Paredererme nation were the first custodians of the land along the east coast, using traditional practices like fire to nurture and shape the landscape for thousands of years. Since then, many community members have devoted countless volunteer hours through groups like Landcare, Coastcare, Bushcare, and Waterwatch.
While these efforts have made a difference, our environment still faces significant challenges. No matter your background or experience, everyone has a role to play. Farmers, landowners, businesses, schools, tourists, government agencies, and everyday community members—your participation is essential in tackling these challenges.
Volunteer groups in Glamorgan Spring Bay
Bicheno Landcare
Where and when: Weekly meetings on Thursdays from 9am-11am during daylight savings, 10am-12pm outside daylight savings, across sites in Bicheno
Name: Mark Lawrence
Phone: 0408 599 845
Email: mark-lawrence1@bigpond.com
Dolphin Sands Community Association
Where and when: Fortnightly on Sundays from 9.30am-11.30am (this varies)
Name: Robyn Moore
Phone: 0448 764 332
Email: dsca.7190@gmail.com
Website: http://www.dscommunity.org.au/
Orford Community Group
Where and when: Working bees as required
Contact: Jane Wing
Phone: 0417 003 367
Email: jane.wing@bigpond.com
Friends of Orford Bird Sanctuary
Where and when: Working bees as required
Email: info@friends-of-orford-bird-sanctuary.org
Website: https://friends-of-orford-bird-sanctuary.org/
Facebook: Orford Bird Sanctuary
Instagram: @orfordbirdsanctuary
Friends of Rocky Hills Inc
Where and when: TBC
Contact: Alison Wallace
Phone: 0419 090 245
Email: alisonmwallace5@gmail.com
Friends of Triabunna Reserves
Where and when: Working bees as required
Contact: Maggie Mars
Phone: 0417 342 031
Email: maggiemyfanwy@gmail.com