LORD HOWE ISLAND BOARD Community …...LORD HOWE ISLAND BOARD Community Information Bulletin December 2016 explore opportunities for air services operating out of Port Macquarie. Anthony

LORD HOWE ISLAND BOARD Community Information Bulletin

December 2016

explore opportunities for air services operating out of Port Macquarie.

Anthony Wing, Executive Director from Transport for NSW, and Lisa Landon Smith and Jenny Cham-berlin, Senior Executives from Qantas made a visit to the Island at the time of the November Board meeting to discuss the process for the licensing of air services to the Island in the next five years (see: Chair’s statement inside). The Member for Port Macquarie, the Hon Leslie Williams MP made a welcome visit to the Island at the same time. The November Board meeting had a huge agenda and many major decisions were made. The devel-opment application for the airport terminal up-grade was approved. There was also a deferred commencement condition approval for up to two wind turbines. The Weed Management Strategy 2016 outlining the way forward for weeds on Lord Howe Island for the next 10 years was approved, and the Draft Walking Track Strategy was ap-proved for public exhibition I’d liked to wish you all the very best for the festive season.

Penny Holloway, Chief Executive Officer

Welcome to the December 2016 edition of the Lord Howe Island Board Community Information Bulletin. This summer edition is the last Bulletin for 2016. Over the last few months, apart from the many very welcome tourists visiting the Island, there have been quite a few visitors for major projects and business reasons. In October, Associate Professor Rosemary Black from Charles Sturt University campus in Port Mac-quarie visited the Island to discuss joint research opportunities and also training and development possibilities. Kam Baker Fire Control Officer, Mid Coast District, RFS and Maria Frazer, A/Deputy Re-gion Controller, Mid North Coast Region, SES attend-ed the LHI Local Area Management Committee in late October. November was an extremely busy month. Consult-ants from Ramboll Environ and a representative of the Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer visited and ran a number of community forums in relation to the Human Health Risk assessment for the rodent eradication program. Rod McDonough, Manager Operations North, Roads and Maritime Services, came over for the annual oil spill exercise and a catch up on RMS matters. Repre-sentatives from Eastern Air Services made a visit to

Introduction

Chelsea Scott Photography

Airport Terminal Upgrade – Getting onto Construction

With the Development Application for the new terminal building approved at the November Board meeting, we are working with the Design/Project Manager to prepare the tender documents for advertising in mid-January 2017. Construction is still planned to commence in May 2017. The next phase of the project will be broken up into two main contracts: 1. Temporary Facilities and Demolition of Existing Terminal 2. Construction of New Building

Response to Increased Bird Strikes at the Aerodrome Bird strikes on the QantasLink aircraft have been a concerning issue recently, with the most recent event on 6 December, triggering a heightened response from the Board as the Aerodrome Operator.

As part of the Aerodrome Manual, which the Board has prepared and maintains to meet CASA regulations, a Bird and Animal Hazard Management Plan exists for the Aerodrome. This plan was initially prepared with the assistance of a professional in the area of bird management at airports, and has been adapted and reviewed by Board staff since implementation in 2009.

As part of the plan, a Bird and Animal Hazard Management Committee comprising of the positions currently held by Penny Holloway, Andrew Logan, Hank Bower, Kate Dignam and Christo Haselden, meet a minimum of 3 times per year to discuss, amongst other things, bird strike data and how effective the Plan is.

Normally, bird harassment is carried out once a day, as required, as part of the Aerodrome Serviceability Inspections, and includes a weekly bird count. Bird harassment normally involves driving a vehicle to herd the birds away from the runway.

Following the 6 December bird strike, which took the twelve month strike count to 8 birds, the trigger for the Committee to meet and review bird harassment was reached. The Committee met on 7 December and decided to trial additional and more intensive bird harassment before each QantasLink landing and take-off. This trial commenced on 7 December and will continue indefinitely. The Committee will meet again on 20 December to review the bird harassment effectiveness and whether it needs to continue.

Residents and visitors will see a Board vehicle on the runway before the arrival and departure of each QantasLink aircraft.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION BULLETIN DECEMBER 2016

Note: This picture is not LHI

This is a bird in the air intake of a C130J Hercules engine which was struck at Lord Howe last year


STATEMENT FROM THE CHAIR Lord Howe Island – Future of Air Services The Lord Howe Island Board is continuing to pursue a variety of actions to ensure ongoing air services to the Island now and into the future. At the November Board meeting, discussions were held with senior staff from Qantas and Transport for NSW. Recent meetings have also been held on Island with the Bureau of Meteorology.

Working with Transport for NSW The Board met with Anthony Wing, Executive Director, Transport for NSW, who is responsible for Aviation Licensing. The next licence for the LHI route will be advertised 12 months before the expiration of the ex-isting licence in March 2018. After advertisement in March 2017 and the required four week period for expressions of interest, the li-cence will be determined as quickly as possible to provide certainty to the licensed carrier and accommoda-tion and tourism operators. There will be an option for a longer licence period than 5 years for carriers to consider.

Working with Qantas The Board and Qantas are working collaboratively on issues affecting the LHI route in the lead-up to the next licence period, as well as the longer-term prospects for the route. The Board met with Lisa Landon-Smith, Head of Finance and Commercial, QantasLink, and Jenny Chamberlain, Chief Operating Officer, QantasLink. QantasLink is currently working through available options which best meet the needs of LHI ahead of the licence renewal process, including the sustainability of the Dash 8-200. The discussion also covered: Communication and customer service in the event of flight cancellations Options for improved recovery options when services are cancelled including a review of the flight

schedule The current visitor information survey, a collaboration between Destination NSW, Qantas, LHI Tour-

ism Association and the Board, which is collecting data on visitor profiles and preferences with a view to increasing visitor numbers

Planning a workshop of key stakeholders, including Qantas, LHITA and travel wholesalers to look at how to attract visitors in the low season and the low times during the week.

Working with Bureau of Meteorology The Board undertook to ensure that Qantas has access to good weather information, through connecting Qantas with the Bureau of Meteorology. Recent meetings on Island with senior staff from the Bureau of Meteorology confirmed that planning is underway to improve the airstrip anemometer for wind readings and to install an all-weather camera providing a 360 degree panorama to assist pilots with take-off.

Improvements to Airport infrastructure At its meeting on 22 November, the Board approved the development consent for the Airport Terminal re-placement to be completed in 2017. Funding for the replacement building includes $1.8 million through Restart NSW. Funding is still being pursued for a feasibility study into the possible extension of the runway to enable it to cater for larger aircraft. The study will look at the technical, environmental and financial feasibility of a run-way extension. For more information on the Board’s work on air services, contact Penny Holloway, Chief Executive Officer, on (02) 6563 2066. Sonja Stewart CHAIR, LORD HOWE ISLAND BOARD

Positions Vacant

Casual to part time temporary Grade 2 Bush Regeneration positions are available (up to June 30 2017).

The positions will be undertaking weed eradication and incidental threatened plant survey, funded by Office Environment and Heritage, Saving our Species (SOS) - Recovery program

Applicants will need to demonstrate high level bush fitness (for search effort in the Southern Mountains) and plant identification skills.

Forward your CV to Sue Bower the Board’s Flora Management Officer by 16 December 2016


Pinetrees Boatshed Sand Bag Wall and Nearby Coastal Erosion Works The geotextile sand bag wall completed in mid-November in front of the Pinetrees Boatshed was initially a great success. Soon after, some bag subsidence occurred, and the conclusion was that the lack of a geofabric layer behind the bags, was allowing the sand to be washed away, and the bags subsequently fell down in the hole.

The lack of a geofabric layer is an error in the design phase, and nothing to do with the Contractor, All Island Services, who built the wall.

The solution to the problem unfortunately involves removing the bags above the sand level, placing the geofabric layer, and then replacing the sand bags back to reconstruct the wall. The Board’s Mechanic, Todd Vowles, has done a fantastic job in designing and fabricating a grab for the bags, so that we can hopefully pick up the 4.5 tonne bags from on top and place them on the beach without damaging them. The initial test of the bag grab was successful.

Dar Nobbs from All Island Service is returning to the Island on 10 December and will be working on deconstructing and reconstructing the wall. It is difficult to estimate how long this may take until we commence, but we are doing our best to have it finished before Christmas.

Before Christmas we also intend to complete the final phase of coastal works in this area, with the section from the end of the new rock wall to the Pinetrees bag wall. This area will utilise the concrete beams and blocks on the beach, to provide a level of erosion protection at the base of the eroded beach scarp.

Once these 2 activities are completed, we can clean up the Foreshore area and remove the plant and equipment that has been staged there for some time.


Sirens and Emergency Information whiteboard at Board depot A purpose built ‘Emergency Information’ whiteboard has been constructed near the main gates of the Board depot. Carpenter ‘Nifty’ Neville built the structure which now houses the whiteboard. Upon the activa-tion of the emergency sirens, information concerning the emergency will be written on the whiteboard so all those responding can be informed of the type of emer-gency and location. Tasks for specific people may also be listed on the whiteboard concerning the emergency response. If the Board depot is unattended due to the emergency incident occurring on the weekend or if the depot staff have already responded to the emergency, those members of the community attending the depot will have access to all the relevant information ensuring a quick and efficient response.

The sirens are not as loud as we had hoped, so we are

investigating changing the tone of the siren to make it a

little more identifiable in the community. This will hap-

pen through December, but in the meantime, we will

continue to test the sirens at 10.00am each Wednes-

day.


Recycled Plastic Street Furniture for Lord Howe Island The Lord Howe Island Board has taken delivery of 4 sets of recycled plastic park seats. The current steel frame and timber slat seats are in constant need of repair and maintenance with the steel frames breaking due to their brittle nature.

The new recycled plastic seats look great and are maintenance free. The seats are flat packed which of course means a much lower cost of freight. Four seats are to be located at various locations around the island in order to gauge the feasibility of a gradual roll out of recycled plastic seating in public areas. The current tim-ber and steel seats with memorial plaques will continue to be maintained and will not be replaced.

Each recycled plastic seat weighs 65 kilograms which equates to a saving of approximately 15,000 plastic bags going to land fill or 0.2 m3 of landfill space saved. At an initial installation of four seats that equates to over 60,000 plastic bags or just under 1 cubic metre of

land fill space saved. This is a great achievement for the environment.

Two of the four chairs involved in the initial installation

have been privately funded by families of loved ones

with a special connection to Lord Howe Island.

Waste Management Facility – New Composting System

Following the tendering of the new composting system for the Waste Management Facility during September and October 2016, a decision on the preferred contrac-tor has been made and a recommendation sent to the NSW Minister for the Environment for sign-off.

Keeping safe with the Solanaceae Plant Family – The botanical ‘Doubled Edged Sword’ The Solanaceae or nightshade family comprises about 2,900 different plant species (herbs, vines, lianas, shrubs and trees).

This plant family is significant in providing important food species namely the humble Potato, Tomato, Eggplant, Capsicum, Chilli and Pepino.

The Solanaceae family also has a dangerous side in that many ornamental plants (e.g. Angels Trumpet and Datura) contain toxic and psychoactive alkaloids including Solanine and Tropane. Tropane is named after the Greek Fate ‘Atropos’, ‘who cut the thread of life’. This nomenclature reflects its toxicity and lethality.

Solanaceae alkaloids have been developed for medical applications and historically used by some ancient cultures in their spiritualism. In this current day and considering the isolated circumstance of LHI, dabbling with these toxic plants should be avoided as the consequences can be very serious, short to long term, for the individual and the community.

The important message is: don’t eat any part of these plants as they are extremely harmful to human health.

Glory Lily – Gloriosa suberba from the Colchicaceae plant family also contains toxic alkaloids. It is targeted for eradication on LHI as it also is a serious environmental weed.

Under the NSW Noxious Weeds Act / Biosecurity Act there are provisions for listing plants that can cause risk to the environment, agriculture, livestock and human health.


Saving Our Species (SOS) – Lord Howe Island Site Managed Species Project The Board is rolling out threatened species project work funded by the Office Environment Heritage (OEH). The SOS program may run for a five year period. This financial year is mostly focused on threatened plants and in years fol-lowing it will also include threatened animals/fauna.

Some of the risks to the survival of threatened plants and animals include small population size, interference by humans, rodent predation, smothering by weeds, climate change and diseases. The SOS program includes monitor-ing, research, threat abatement actions (weed eradication), plant propagation and raising awareness.

It is important to do a stock take on our threatened species and to try our best to ensure their survival. They are part of the unique Lord Howe Island Biodiversity.

Atropos depicted cutting the string

of life.

Angels Trumpet which contains the highly toxic Atropine

alkaloid. Probably best referred to as Devil’s Trumpet.

Saving Our Species (SOS) – Lord Howe Island Site Managed Species Project The Board is rolling out threatened species project work funded by the Office Environment Heritage (OEH). The SOS program may run for a five year period. This financial year is mostly focused on threatened plants and in years following it will also include threatened animals/fauna.

Some of the risks to the survival of threatened plants and animals include small population size, interference by humans, rodent predation, smothering by weeds, climate change and diseases. The SOS program includes monitoring, research, threat abatement actions (weed eradication), plant propagation and raising awareness.

It is important to do a stock take on our threatened species and to try our best to ensure their survival. They are part of the unique Lord Howe Island Biodiversity.


The Razor Back Mt Gower (photo S. Bower) provides unique habitat conditions for endemic and threatened plants; and access challenges.

LHI Current Bush - Coprosma inopinata (image on left). This endangered plant lives an amazing existence, recorded from two sites on remote ridge line features on LHI. Its population is estimated near 50 individuals.

Phillip Island Wheat Grass - Elymus multiflorus sbsp. kingianus . This Critically Endangered plant is also known from Norfolk Island. Locally it is only recorded from two patches, in the island’s north and again, an estimated near 50 individuals. It is located less than 5m above sea level, but it isn’t a salt water loving species. Image on left shows the mature seed head with extended pointy awns and image on the right the glaucous (grey coloured) sheath around the stem. This is an important identification feature. Maybe we should name the plant ‘Lord Howe Island Wheat Grass’?

If you think you have seen this grass, please contact the

Board.

Please note an exotic species Elymus scaber occurs below

the Get Up Place on Mt Gower. Its seed head has reduced

awns in comparison.


The way forward and future in weeding on LHI During the recent visit of the Norfolk Island Parks Australia team, the Norfolk team members were challenging us on whether there were any weed problems on Lord Howe Island. After showing some ‘before photos’ and taking them bush, they commented that we should be proud about what has been achieved. When the eradication approach first started in 2004, over 343,600 weeds were removed in the first 8 months of the program. Back then, on average a weeder would intercept 50 weed plants per hour. With the reductions in weeds, from last records in 2015-16 and within a similar 8 month time frame, an average of 6 weeds have been intercepted per hour. The LHI Weed Management Strategy 2016 – 2025 was adopted at the November 2016 Board meeting. The next decade heralds a change in approach, as the weeds are significantly less. It will require dedicated approach and mental stamina, as the same terrain needs to be searched to find the remaining weeds and to outreach weeds in hidden pockets, thickets and remote terrain.

It is easy to forget what the weeds were like now they are largely gone. Every weed counts these days. If you spot a Ground Asparagus ‘Weed of Doom’ or Cherry Guava, please inform the weed team or Board.

Over 722,000 Cherry Guavas and 720,000 Ground Asparagus have been recorded and removed to date. Whilst other Pacific Island ecologies are suffering the impacts of weeds like Cherry Guava – Lord Howe Island is shining example of what can be done. The job is getting harder to detect the remaining weeds. The updated strategy advises the eradication program to adopt some new, but old technology such as ‘weed detector dogs’ to help out. We will be looking to employ dogs, dedicated teams on ground and aerial applications into the future. The outcomes to date are a job well done by the community, current and past weeders! Many thanks to our investors who trust that we are doing our best to protect paradise from weeds.

Louis Shick beside a ‘blue stump’ of a treated

mature Cherry Guava from the Erskine Valley in

2016.

Cherry Guava thicket near Stevens Reserve in the 1990’s. This plant

is listed as one of the top 100 worst global invasive species. It can

transform intact and undisturbed plant communities. The local

community, volunteers and weed team have helped transform and

Protect this Paradise from this super invasive weed.

Other great weed - less outcomes to acknowledge

Transit Hill track in 1998 (image on left) (photo by I. Hutton) and recently in 2016 (image on right). Transit Hill should be referred to as Transformation Hill. Infestations of Ground Asparagus and other weeds including Cherry Guava, Sweet Pittosporum and Climbing Asparagus are getting hard to find – thanks to the Friends of LHI and all involved.

Eastern flank of Transit Hill Weed Mgt Block TH026. This landscape unit was once smothered in thigh high infestations of Ground Asparagus which extended throughout these steep slopes and adjacent sea cliffs (image on left - prior to treatment in 2011) and is now significantly depleted (image on right – current status 2016) (photo by H.Payten). The helicopter lance sprayer has helped to consolidated treatment of weeds on cliff lines – so all areas can be treated.

Weed management block LN007 in the lower flanks of Mt Lidgbird. Piles of chain-sawed Cherry Guava in 2005 (image on left) (Photo I. Hutton) and during follow-up for residual weeds in 2010 (image on right). Cherry Guava has advanced up to the Black Face on Mt Lidgbird. Detection and removal of outlier Cherry Guava on the Black Face and Round Face is of current priority to stop this weed invading the summit of Mt Lidgbird.



Do you have an approved DA and wish to start works?

Due to the large number of Development Applications the Board has received of late it is timely that an explanation of the process is provided to take you from approval through to comple-tion. Once a Development Application is approved there are a number of steps to be taken before you reach for the tools. These steps are regulatory requirements of the NSW Environmental Planning & Assessment Act (EP&A) 1979 and are outlined in your Letter of Determination along with any other conditions the Board has imposed. Step 1. Applying for a Construction Certificate

A Construction Certificate Application needs to be lodged with the Board. Make sure you have all the accompany-ing documentation asked for. These include: Structural Plans certified by an engineer – these plans must also address wind loads Evidence of payment to the Building & Construction Industry Long Service Levy Evidence that the builder has taken out Home Warranty Insurance Construction Management Plan including a Waste Management Plan Any outstanding matters from the DA approval process i.e. Basix Certificate In your application you will be asked if you would like the Board to be your Principal Certifying Authority (PCA). If you tick yes Board staff will undertake any critical stage inspections required, if you tick no then you are required to organise your own authorised PCA. More on this in Step 3. Your application will be assessed and if approved a Construction certificate will be issued. This certificate will be valid for a period of 5 years. Step 2. Notice to Commence

When you are ready to start you are required to give the Board notice that you will be commencing. This notice must be given to the Board at least 2 days prior to starting.

Step 3. Critical Stage Inspections

In your letter of determination you will be provided with a list of mandatory inspections. These are known as criti-cal stage inspections and are conducted by the PCA. It is vital these inspections are carried out as they determine whether the works have been done in accordance with the National Construction Code (Building Code of Austral-ia). If works have progressed and an inspection is missed you run the risk of having to demolish works done or even engage an engineer to certify that the works comply. Step 4.Supply of Certifications

Certain works require certification from the contractor with copies provided to the Board. These include: Electrical works Waterproofing Step 5. Issue of an Occupation Certificate

Now that these steps have been completed all your legal obligations have been fulfilled and the Board can issue you with an Occupation Certificate (OC). Note an OC will only be issued when all

invoices related to applications, inspections etc. have been paid in full. Every application is different so please contact Megan Bennett A/MECS 6563 2066 ext. 18 or Kate Dignam TLCP ext. 19 to discuss your works.


Parking, Stopping on the Road and Care for Cyclists and Pedestrians We have received a number of comments from residents regarding their concerns with vehicles around the Post Office area and the impacts on pedestrians and cyclists.

A number of residents are choosing to pull up on the road out the front of the Post Office or Anchorage Restaurant and duck in to check their mail or have a chat. This road is probably the busiest on the Island and is also relatively narrow due to the bicycle parking area outside of Anchorage.

The commercial lessees of the businesses in this precinct have all been requested to park their own and their staff vehicles behind the Hall, so that the maximum number of formal car parking spaces is available for customers’ convenience.

It would be great if everyone could modify their behaviour while in their cars outside the Post Office and take the time to park properly so that pedestrians including our important visitors are not put at risk from vehicles.

Slipway Cradle Meccano Set Pieced Together Last week, Jim McFadyen and a consulting structural engineer from Advisian, Patrick McCallum, spent the best part of 3 days putting together the Slipway Association’s boat cradle.

The cradle has been bundled up in pieces near Ocean View’s tennis court for more than 5 years. The piecing together of the cradle is the next step in realising a slipway for the Island. The Advisian engineer, who is also working with the Norfolk Island community on a wharf upgrade, has the job of detailing up all the individual pieces of the cradle into an electronic file, then running a structural analysis tool on the cradle so that we can understand its capacity.

Once this part is finalised, he will then look at what is involved in modifying the cradle so that the steel wheels can be replaced with rubber tyres to enable it to run over the sand at the Waste Management Facility site. This will require further structural analysis with the rubber tyres included so that we can assess the modified cradle’s capacity to support the 20 tonne design vessel. The costs of the modifications to the cradle will then be considered and discussed with the Slipway Association.

Some of this work will be completed before Christmas, and will continue into the New Year.

Drying Out and Water Deliveries With the recent dry weather, the Board has started to receive calls from residences and businesses requesting drinking water deliveries. The Board has ample drinking water supplies available on the Island, so there is no need to rush in to request a water delivery.

However, residents should note that water deliveries take some time to arrange and with other work underway, we may not be able to provide you water for up to 2 days after your request. In addition, the Board’s limited staff over the Christmas and New Year period will make it more difficult and may extend the time in which we can respond.

Everyone can help by keeping an eye on their tank levels. If you are getting close to requiring water, please contact the Administration staff. Board staff may also inspect your property so that we can check access for the tank trailer.

There are charges associated with the supply and delivery of the water, which are on the Board’s website.

Under the Board’s NSW Health approved Drinking Water Quality Assurance Program, we are required to provide treated drinking water, which involves filling the 3,000 L tank on the trailer with water and then disinfected the tank and the water with chlorine. We may also test a sample of the water to confirm that it has been disinfected. Whilst we take responsibility for the quality of the water we deliver, once it is in your tank, the quality of the water cannot be guaranteed.


Marine Park News

Coral settlement research in North Bay Dr Anna Scott from Southern Cross University (SCU) recently visited the island to complete work associated with an NSW Environmental Trust Project entitled ‘Reef restoration: conservation solutions for critical habitats’; a project that also involves Professor Peter Harrison and Dr Steven Whalan from SCU. Corals were spawned in early 2016, attached to settlement plates and fixed to the seabed in North Bay. The recent work involved carefully removing the settlement plates, examining and measuring the corals under a microscope, and replacing them to allow fur-ther growth. The corals are now 10 months old and almost 1mm in diameter. This work is providing important information on the growth and survival of ju-venile subtropical coral recruits, and further monitoring is planned in early 2017 to quantify longer-term patterns.

Lord Howe Island Marine Park 2017 Tidal Booklets

The 2017 Lord Howe Island Marine Park Tidal Predictions booklets have arrived and are availa-ble for local residents and staff. Due to limited numbers, distribution will be limited to one per household/business. Please visit Sallyann or Joe at the Lord Howe Island Marine Parks Office (in the old powerhouse) or call us on 6563 2359 for your copy.

Staff update The newly appointed Marine Park Manager, Sallyann Gudge is on the island and has started in

her role. Joe Neilson is helping out while Tas is away, so pop into the office to say hello if you don’t already know Sallyann or Joe. For any Marine Park matters, please contact the marine park office on 02 6563 2359 or email: [email protected]

Juvenile Isopora coral under a

microscope. This coral is around 0.7mm

in diameter. (Photo: Anna Scott/SCU).


Lord Howe Island Board Rodent Control Baiting Schedule 2017


Rodent Eradication Update

Working is continuing on the planning and approvals process, with applications for most of the required approvals now being assessed. The closing date has now passed for submissions in relation to the draft Public Environment Report (PER) for as-sessment by the Commonwealth Department of Environment. The PER provided an opportunity for the community to make written submissions in regard to the impacts of the proposed rodent eradication. Approximately 128 sub-missions were received and are being assessed and collated for reporting to the Commonwealth with the final PER. A representative from the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer (OCSE) and the consultants (Ramboll Envi-ron) selected to undertake the next Human Health Risk Assessment were on the island between 8 and 11 Novem-ber. Two community sessions were well attended and the consultants listened carefully to people’s views. Thanks to everyone who attended and shared their views. All concerns relating to human health will be addressed in the consultants’ report. The consultants will present their human health risk assessment report to the OCSE for review by an expert panel by the end of December 2016. The OCSE will then provide the final human health risk assess-ment to the Minister for the Environment. The report is expected to be released in late January or early February 2017. The Economic Evaluation of the project has now been completed. The study undertaken by Gillespie Economics compared the benefits and disbenefits of proceeding with the rodent eradication program with continuing the cur-rent rodent control. Key points from the report are that: Continued presence of rodents could affect biodiversity and the tourism experience and therefore lead to a

reduced tourism demand. Proceeding with the rodent eradication program has significant net economic benefits both to LHI residents,

tourists and Australia. The project has a Benefit to Cost Ratio of 17:1, which means it is justified on economic efficiency grounds.

In both the short term and long term the economic activity impacts on the LHI economy from the REP are likely to be positive.

A potential for reduction in tourism during the rodent eradication program was considered to be low but even if there was some reduction, it would be more than offset by demand for accommodation and meals from the project workforce. Potential short term impacts to tour operators can be offset by demand for ves-sels and vehicles for various aspects of the project.

Economic benefits of the rodent eradication program are primarily driven by improved biodiversity (including preventing further species extinctions) and increased tourism demand as a result

An increase in tourism demand would lead to An increase in the market price for accommodation on LHI during peak tourism periods (even though

no increase in visitation is possible because of the bed cap). Accommodation provider and airlines would be the main beneficiaries during peak periods

An increase in visitation and in the market price for accommodation on LHI in off peak tourism peri-ods. All tourism providers i.e. accommodation providers, tour operators, food outlets and shops would benefit during off peak periods

The Economic Evaluation report has been released publicly and distributed through the LHI Tourism Association, Community Working Group and is also available on the Board’s website.


JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

5 December 2016

Partnership to protect and grow the outstanding natural environment of Lord Howe Island

North Coast Local Land Services and the Lord Howe Island Board recently signed a new partnership agree-ment that will support the healthy natural resources and agricultural productivity of Lord Howe Island.

North Coast Local Land Services has a strong network of long-standing partnerships established across the North Coast region and continually works to develop new and strengthen existing partnerships to grow healthy environments.

The Lord Howe Island Board is a statutory authority established under the provisions of the Lord Howe Island Act 1953. The Board is responsible to the NSW Minister for the Environment and comprises four Islanders elected by the local community and three members appointed by the Minister. It is charged with the care, control and man-agement of the Island and the affairs and trade of the Island.

Mr Bruce Brown, General Manager North Coast Local Land Services said of the Agreement, “The formal part-nership with the Lord Howe Island Board will help us better understand the factors that are driving change across Lord Howe Island and how these drivers interact to provide future opportunities to protect the Islands heritage values and its outstanding natural environment.”

The exceptional natural beauty of Lord Howe Island, characterised by a diversity of distinct landscapes and wide variety of rare flora and fauna, has long been appreciated by the community. Its unique qualities received world-wide recognition when it was included in the World Heritage list in December 1992.

Penny Holloway, Chief Executive Officer of the Lord Howe Island Board said, “We have a strong relationship with North Coast Local Land Services who support a range of projects, including our efforts towards weed eradication, planning for the eradication of exotic rodents and eradication of African Big-headed Ants. Bruce continued “The services that we provide to North Coast communities, including Lord Howe Island, are funded through a variety of sources including the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme, the NSW Government’s Catchment Action program.”

Penny concluded, “The Lord Howe Island Board is pleased to work in partnership with North Coast Local Land Services to deliver a real improvement to the Lord Howe Island environment and build future economic develop-ment for Lord Howe Island residents”.

“With a specific focus on improved biosecurity measures, protecting and growing our precious biodiversity and development of sustainable agriculture, the partnership with North Coast Local Land Services will help us achieve our goals in these areas.” Penny said.

Media contacts:

Lindy Brown

Team Leader Land Services

Phone: 0437 826 152

Ms Penny Holloway

Chief Executive Officer, Lord Howe Island Board Phone:

02 6563 2066


African Big Headed Ant (ABhA) Update The Board has been implementing a strategy to eradicate African big-headed ant (ABhA) infestations from Lord Howe Island (LHI). Monitoring, mapping and treatment of infestations of ABhA have been undertaken in accord-ance with the LHI Board Work Plan since April 2012. CSIRO ant eradication specialist Dr Ben Hoffmann visited the Island in March and November 2012 to carry out train-ing for LHIB staff and visited again in November 2013, November 2014, November 2015, April 2016 and recently in November 2016 to audit to progress of the program, to develop priorities for treatment and to provide recommen-dations for each new ant baiting season. The planning and training were crucial in giving staff skills to correctly identify ant infestations, and to implement on-ground eradication works, including monitoring, mapping and baiting. In 2014 the North Coast Local Land Services provided a grant to assist the Board with the ABhA eradication pro-gram with an extension of the grant provided in June 2016. This grant enabled all known or potential ABhA infesta-tions across the island to be monitored and where detected, treated in accordance with the adopted ABhA eradica-tion methodology. The grant also funded Dr Ben Hoffman to conduct a biosecurity inspection of the Port Macquar-ie wharf facility to identify any potential biosecurity risks related to invasive ants, which was conducted in Novem-ber 2016 (report pending). Since March 2012 the Board has surveyed all areas with known or potential ABhA infestations. Approximately 190,000 lures have been laid over 355 Ha during the surveys. ABhA infestations comprised of 30 Ha (6%) of the to-tal area and approximately 55 Ha (15%) were treated for ABhA, this included a 20m buffer around each infestation.

Attention! Green Army – Project One Complete Congratulations to the Green Army par-ticipants who successfully completed Project One (6 months), which ends just before Christmas. The successful participants are:

Kathryn Bewicke Henry Payten Tyrin Thompson Jackson Roberts Tebbadiah Crisp

The team members stepped into the weed eradication program at a high level. They needed to acquire botanical knowledge quickly, develop critical search ethic, technique and stamina to cope with working in a team in rugged bush; which can get the best of anyone. The job isn’t easy. These skills can be applied across a broad spectrum of environmental work. We wish them best in the future and hope their experi-ence on the program has been positive. Well done team. There will be a second Green Army project starting in January 2017 PS: A big thanks to Megan Bennett for putting in the application for the program and to Skillset for hosting the pro-

gram on Lord Howe Island.


Two leases contained the last known untreated infestation of ABhA on LHI and these infestations were treated in April 2016. Follow up monitoring of the treatment area on these leases was undertaken just recently in November 2016 and no residual ants were detected. Follow up monitoring is again scheduled for April 2017 and if no ABhA are detected the Board is hoping to be able to declare ABhA eradicated on LHI by November 2017. No other infes-tations have been detected during ongoing monitoring of all other formally treated sites, indicating that the meth-odology is delivering the desired eradication outcomes. All known infestations have now been mapped and treated as required. The Board would like to thank the community, in particular leaseholders for their ongoing support, assistance and permission to access to their private leases during this important eradication program. The Map 1 depicts the extent of ABhA infestation prior to project commencement.


Woodhen Survey 2016

The 31st Lord Howe Island Woodhen Census Survey conducted from 14 to 29 November 2016 recorded 250 individ-ual woodhens. The Woodhen Census Survey has been conducted annually since 1986 and is one of the longest on-going bird surveys in Australia. The survey gives the Island community an indication on the status of the population and monitors for increase or decrease in bird numbers each year. Woodhens are given unique coloured and numbered bands to assist the survey team identify individual birds. In most cases each bird is only caught once within its lifetime. Banding enables tracking of population numbers and bird movement throughout the Island. The survey also observes bird behaviour and its overall aim is to aid in the protection of the species. This year and last, the Board engaged Mr Dean Portelli, a zoologist and ecologist consultant to assist Board staff with the survey. The total population of woodhens on the island is estimated to be 286 (taking into account areas of the island not surveyed). The majority of recorded woodhens were found in the Settlement area south of the airstrip. It is likely the high density of woodhens in this area is due, at least in part, to supplemental feeding by residents and en-hanced resources in artificial habitat (i.e. golf course and waste management facility). The woodhen population on Mt Gower continues to be stable at around 60 juveniles and adults. Woodhens continue to persist at Grey Face, Boat Harbour and Far Flats, but the number present is considerably lower than the peak recorded in the late 1990s. The data obtained over the past 31 years suggests that we currently have a healthy, stable population but that the population is still under ongoing threats such as predation by owls and rats, competition for food by rodents and, secondary poisoning from Brodifacoum laced rodenticides and roadkill. The continued support and involvement of Island residents during these surveys is greatly appreciated. The Island community and all those involved must be congratulated for their efforts in helping to care for this endangered species.

Photo of a woodhen parent and chicks taken during the 2016 annual Woodhen survey.

Photo of two woodhens showing the unique yellow plastic numbered band given to adults. Banding enables survey teams to identify birds without the need for recapturing.


Woodhen Survey 2016

2016 Community Grants

2016 Lord Howe Island Woodhen Survey Mt Gower team. Back row (L to R): Shane Deacon, Hank Bower, visiting Norfolk Island Ranger Joel Christian, Damian Ball, Jai Shick. Front row: Erin Mayo, Megan Bennett, visiting Norfolk Island Natural Resource Manager Melinda Wilson, Christo Haselden.

LHI Nippers Club


2016 Community Grants

The Board is pleased to announce that 11 community organisations were successful in obtaining $28,500 under the 2016/17 LHIB Community Grants Program

Position/Organisation Funding Description

The Lord Howe Island Ra-

dio Station Association

$1,200 Community broadcaster association membership which al-

lows access to free Australian music and very low public

liability insurance; copyright fees so LHIRA is allowed to

broadcast music and replacement of a CD player.

The Lord Howe Island

Golf Club

$4,500 Support of the LHI Open Golf Tournament and Junior Golf

Program.

Lord Howe Island Game

Fishing Club

$2,000 Assist community fishing events and administration.

Lord Howe Island Bowling

Club

$4,500 Assist with the promotion of bowls and bowls tourism on

Lord Howe Island.

Lord Howe Island Skate

Park Association

$3,000 Assistance with the planning, design and costing of pro-

posed skate park that will service the community and visi-

tors.

Lord Howe Island Wood-

hens Rugby Club

$1,000 The purchase of sporting equipment.

Nippers Club $1,500 Assist with the new surf lifesaving junior activities program.

The use of a Lord Howe Island Board trailor has also been

approved.

Lord Howe Island Histori-

cal Society and Museum

Incorporated

$2,500 Production of Lord Howe Island Historial Place Names

book.

The Co-op Lord Howe Is-

land

$4,600 For engaging the services of a not-for-profit business advi-

sor to guide the development of a business plan for The Co-

op to achieve financial self-sustainability.

LHI Tennis Group $3,000 Re-surface the existing concrete surface of Blue Lagoon's

tennis court to prevent further flaking & chipping and im-

prove drainage.

LHI Plastic Action Group $1,200 Produce a 2017 Seabird calendar to highlight the issue of

marine plastic debris and seabirds.


Myrtle Rust Update

As most readers will know through distribution of a Householder and an article in the 4 November 2016 issue of the Signal, Myrtle Rust Puccina psidii was detected on the island on 14 October 2016. Lal Wilson made the discov-ery and informed Board staff that his Rose Apple Syzygium jambos was infected with yellow spores. Lucky for the island, Lal attended a Myrtle Rust community awareness and training day on island in February 2013 delivered by Bob Makinson from the Royal Botanical Garden. At this training Rose Apple was identified as a plant highly suscep-tible to Myrtle Rust and that if Myrtle Rust was to arrive on LHI it would most likely first be found on this plant. Lal was advised to keep his Rose Apple as a sentinel plant as he is an avid gardener and is centrally located and well placed to inform on any incursion (as he did). This incursion is a major biosecurity risk to the island’s plant communities and environment as the island has five species of Myrtaceae of which four are endemic and have tested susceptible to Myrtle Rust infection in laboratory conditions (2011). It is not known how the pathogen arrived on the island but this incursion highlights the im-portance of adhering to the islands Biosecurity regulations. Board staff responded immediately to the incursion in accordance with an approved rapid response plan (prepared 2015) with the aim to contain and eradicate Myrtle Rust from the Island. The Board obtained regular advice from the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Biosecurity team on the best approach to deliver the rapid re-sponse plan to achieve eradication. Implementing the rapid response plan involved collecting suspected infected samples to be sent to the NSW DPI Plant Health Diagnostic Service to confirm if the spores were Myrtle Rust, whilst also undertaking systematic searches of all leases and main tracks to collect information on all myrtaceous plants. This enabled the Board to assess the condition and collate a list of Myrtaceous plants in the Settlement in case of a serious infestation; collect samples of plants that had symptoms similar to Myrtle Rust; to ascertain which species were/were not affected; and to disseminate information to the community. Myrtle Rust was only detected at three leases and was mostly confined to Rose Apple but was also found on two Callistemon that were growing under a heavily infected Rose Apple and a nearby Fiji Fire Metrosideros collina var. vitiensis which is known to be highly susceptible. There were two leases with Rose Apple that were not infected. All infected plants were sprayed using a registered fungicide with the consent of the leaseholders and left for two weeks to enable the fungicide to kill the spores. Susceptible Myrtaceous plants in gardens located in proximity to the infection sites and any plants with blemishes similar to Myrtle Rust were also sprayed as a precaution. Following advice from NSW DPI Plant Health Diagnostic Service the Board commenced to remove all Rose Apple plants from the Island regardless of whether they were infected or not as they produce heavy spore loads that could spread spore widely across the island and infect other Myrtaceae plants when conditions are suitable. Again all leaseholders with Rose Apples (infected or not) gave their approval for the removal of Rose Apples. Subsequently, all infected plants below three metres in height were cut and painted with a registered herbicide, with cut material sprayed with fungicide and sealed in large bags and wrapped and sealed in black plastic to be so-larised to kill any remaining spores. All infected large trees have been stem injected with a registered herbicide and left intact to break down to reduce disturbance to infected biomass. Following leaf drop, all leaves and fallen stems etc will be raked and bagged in sealed black plastic and solarised and the site sprayed with a registered fun-gicide. Bagged infected material will either be incinerated or sealed in a skip and sent to the mainland for disposal. Ongoing monitoring of all infection sites is required.


Myrtle Rust Update

To compensate for the loss of Rose Apple trees the Board will provide compensatory fruit trees to the af-fected leaseholders free of charge. The Board would like to thank all leaseholders for providing access to enable inspections of their leases. Special thanks go to the leaseholders where Myrtle Rust and/or Rose Apples were found and enabling Board staff to undertake treatments and removal of affected plants and Rose Apples. Early detection ena-bles rapid response measures to be implemented, which in this case has helped to identify known infesta-tions, implement treatments and hopefully will lead toward its eradication. The Board are working closely with the NSW Department of Primary Industries to progress the eradication of this plant fungus from LHI, which at this stage appears on track. What is Myrtle Rust & what does it look like? Myrtle Rust is an exotic plant fungus from South America and is a serious plant pathogen, which can cause the decline and death of plants from the Myrtaceae plant family (e.g. Melaleuca, Leptospermum, Scalybark, Mountain Rose). It is NOT Crofton Rust. It can be spread by wind or by people – moving spores on contaminated clothing, contaminated products or infected plants. It was first detected on the Central Coast of NSW in 2010 and has spread across the east coast of Australia. The rust attacks new leaves and flower buds of host plants causing them to be disfigured and smothered by the rust causing die back. Repeat infections can kill the plant. Two native plants once common in northern NSW are considered Endangered due to the scale of their decline across the landscape due to Myrtle Rust. Myrtle Rust has two stages of infection: Early stage – purple blotching, lesions, spotting and curling of leaves. Mature stage – bright yellow (egg yolk coloured) pustule spores. This may be in localised spots or

abundant over the leaf (the infectious stage).

Spraying infected Rose Apples with registered fungicide on LHI.

Infected Rose Apple cut and bagged to solarise any remaining spores.


Myrtle Rust Update

You can help If you think you have seen Myrtle Rust contact the Board immediately. You can contact Hank Bower outside of nor-mal work time on 6563 2225. It is important to not touch or brush up against any possible infected plant material. For all visitors and returning residents – if you have been in a Myrtle Rust infected area on the mainland or LHI – wash your gear (hats, clothes, backpacks) or spray with methylated spirits 70% diluted in water. Always use the boot scrub stations at lodges and track heads. Information brochures will be disseminated via lodges, the museum, Board administration building and airport. For more information on biosecurity regulations contact the Board or see information on their website: http://www.lhib.nsw.gov.au/sites/lordhowe/files/public/images/documents/lhib/Publications/Info%20Sheets/LHI-Userguide%20V%20Aug%202014.pdf

LHI Board Pesticide Notification Over the next months Board staff may be using pesticides in the following areas: Playground and Oval; all picnic areas; all vacant Crown Land within the Settlement area; Road Verges and Reserves; Windy Point footpath; Airport grounds and Airstrip; the former Powerhouse grounds including the Signal building; the Community Hall grounds; LHI Co-Op, Beach Boutique and Post Office grounds; Hospital grounds; Satellite dish grounds; Jetty buildings; Lagoon Foreshore; LHIB Residences; LHI Cemetery; PPP boundaries and fence lines, all LHIB reforestation areas; for the treatment of grasses and broad-leafed weeds; or environmental weeds such as Ground Asparagus, Climbing Asparagus, Blue Periwinkle and Cherry Guava. Weed eradication works will be under-taken throughout the settlement, the PPP, Transit Hill and other crown reserves and roadsides/revegetation areas; working up to and including track edges. Product/s and active constituents to be used: For foliar spray: Clear Up Bio: active constituent Glyphosate 360g/L; Fusillade: Fluzifop-p present as butyl ester28g/L; Associate: active constituent Metsulfuron Methyl 600g/kg; Spearhead active constituent Clopyralid 20g/L 15g/L, Diflufenican 300g/L and MCPA Sierraron G: active constituent Di-chlobenil 67.5g/Kg; Starane Fluroxypr 333g/L + diesel. Cut and paint application: Clear Up Bio: active constituent Glypho-sate 360g/L; Associate: active constituent Met-sulfuron Methyl 600g/kg; Safari – (Garlon) tri-clopyr 600g/L Control of the African Big Headed Ant (Pheidole magacephala): Product/s to be used and active constituent- Amdro: 7.3g/Kg Hydramethylnon; Distance Plus 5g/kg pyriproxyfen; Advion Ant Gel 0.5 g/kg Indoxacarb. Control of rodents: Rodent stations use Ratex: active constituent Coumatetralyl 0.38g/kg; Roban blocks within buildings: 0.05 g/kg Difenacoum containing Denatonium Benzoate as bittering agent. Pesticide Use Notification Plan: Please refer to the Lord Howe Island Board’s Pesticide Use Notification Plan (2015) at www.lhib.nsw.gov.au for spe-cific details regarding the notification of the use of pesticides on the Island. For any further information please con-tact the Board.

http://www.lhib.nsw.gov.au/sites/lordhowe/files/public/images/documents/lhib/Publications/Info%20Sheets/LHI-Userguide%20V%20Aug%202014.pdf




Norfolk Island Rangers on fact finding tour to LHI Two staff from Parks Australia Norfolk Island National Park and Botanic Gardens team (Melinda Wilson and Joel Christian) visited LHI from 22 to 30 November 2016 on a fact finding mission to see how we manage our Permanent Park Preserve and other environmental assets and to ascertain whether they could use any of our experience back on Norfolk. Mel is the Natural Resource Manager who directs programs such as cat, rat and weed control, threatened species management, biosecurity and research permits. Joel is the Senior Ranger who manages the teams on the ground to

get the jobs done and oversees revegetation of Phillip Island, weed control and assisting with various recovery programs for threatened spe-cies including the Endangered Norfolk Island Green Parrot. He is also a direct Pitcairn de-scendant, lifetime resident who is passionate about restoring his island home. Mel has worked at Uluru and has long term family and friend connections on Norfolk so is relishing her job to help manage the island’s unique flora and fauna. Board staff have been in contact with Joel every two years when attending various Island Ark Symposiums (IAS) and have long discussed shar-ing ideas on managing our unique conservation assets. The last IAS was held on Norfolk Island in February 2016 where Board staff gave presenta-tions on the Weed Eradication Program, African Big-headed Ant Eradication Program and Biose-curity. Norfolk Island Parks staff gave presenta-tions on recovery of the Green Parrot and reveg-etation of Phillip Island and ran guided tours of

the national park and work sites. It is apparent that like many isolated oceanic islands, LHI and Norfolk share many of the same environmental issues such as invasive species (pest plants, ants, rats and cats) and how to fund their management with limited resources and personnel. The Norfolk Parks team who attended the IAS noted that LHI has a head start on many of the issues they are facing and thought it pertinent to come and visit the LHI Island to review the range of environment project planning methods, grants acquisition, volunteer management and implementation. Mel and Joel were initially delayed by poor weather at both Norfolk and LHI resulting in a few days in Sydney be-fore finally arriving on LHI. They were given presentations by Board staff on the various programs we manage and were shown firsthand how our projects are implemented in the field. They worked alongside Board staff and even had the opportunity to assist with the woodhen survey on Mt Gower. During their stay they were fortunate enough to catch up with friends and contacts from Norfolk now residing on LHI. Due to their busy schedule they couldn’t catch up with everyone and apologise if they missed anyone. They had a great time and look forward to any future cross-pollination of ideas. They were made to feel very wel-come and would be more than happy to show any LHI residents around Norfolk. Joel wanted to specially thank Nobbs for the invite to dinner on the Friday he arrived.

Mel and Joel at The Saddle during the 2016 Mt Gower Woodhen survey


Draft Walking Track Strategy on Public Exhibition

The Draft Lord Howe Island Walking Track Strategy 2016 will be on Public Exhibition from 14 December 2016 until the 25 January 2017. The Lord Howe Island walking track network provides almost 24km of walking on 22 tracks. Walking is one of the primary activities associated with nature based tourism on LHI, is a popular recreational activity for residents and provides opportunities to gain an understanding of LHI’s unique natural and cultural values. The Lord Howe Island Tourism Association (LHITA) identifies the walking track network as major tourism infrastruc-ture noting that ongoing maintenance and signage are two major issues. The goals of the LHI Destination Manage-ment Plan include improving the range of product services for specialist interest groups such as walking and identi-fying and correcting infrastructure gaps inhibiting tourism. The current Lord Howe Island Walking Track Strategy is almost 20 years old. Since the 1997 strategy was completed there have been updates to policy and standards relevant to walking tracks as well as upgrades to the walking track network. Taking into consideration the above factors, the Board has prepared a Draft Lord Howe Island Walking Track Strate-gy 2016 for public comment. The Draft Strategy proposes some new tracks and routes, to increase the diversity of walking experiences available on the island. Before reviewing the Draft Strategy, residents and visitors are encouraged to complete a survey of the condition, signage and interpretation of the current walking track network. Answering the questions in this survey might as-sist in the review and comment of the Draft Walking Track Strategy. The survey can be accessed on line at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LHI-Walking-Track-Survey Copies of the Draft Walking Track Survey can be obtained on the Board’s website or at the Administration Office and comments can be forwarded to: Lord Howe Island Board PO Box 5 Lord Howe Island NSW 2898 Phone: +61 2 6563 2066 Fax: +61 2 6563 2127 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.lhib.nsw.gov.au/

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LHI-Walking-Track-Survey

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LHI-Walking-Track-Survey

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.lhib.nsw.gov.au/


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LORD HOWE ISLAND BOARD Community …...LORD HOWE ISLAND BOARD Community Information Bulletin December 2016 explore opportunities for air services operating out of Port Macquarie. Anthony