Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu

17/06/2026

Planning our water future – River Torrens catchment.

Water resources across the Mount Lofty Ranges are under pressure, and our Water Allocation Plans are being updated to better reflect changing conditions and community needs.

We’re inviting everyone who lives, works or cares about our region to take part in a Catchment Conversation, it's an opportunity to share your perspectives, ask questions and contribute local knowledge.

Our next event is on 24 June in Gumeracha and we’re keen to understand what changes you may be seeing across the River Torrens catchment. Together, we'll explore how high-demand water use is managed, the impacts of changing land uses and how environmental flows from dams and reservoirs help keep waterways healthy.

This is an important chance to reflect on how water is shared and used across our catchments, and how these choices affect our environment, farms, towns and communities. Healthy creeks and rivers support native wildlife, productive landscapes and resilient communities, and maintaining them relies on shared understanding and solutions.

✅Drop in at a time that suits you
✅Speak with water and science experts
✅Help shape how our water is managed

📍Catchment Conversations will be running across the region until October.

👉Find an event near you: https://hf.landscape.sa.gov.au/catchmentconversations

Adelaide Hills Council

Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu help people care for land, water and nature. We walk together with First Nations, land managers and the community to sustainably manage our beautiful, biodiverse and…

17/06/2026

Watercourses are a vital part of our landscapes. Many traverse private properties, giving landholders a direct role in protecting water quality. When nutrients and soil leave the farm through runoff, they don’t just disappear. They end up in our waterways, affecting water quality downstream.

Read more about how healthy rivers start on healthy farms 👉 bit.ly/HealthyRiversHealthyFarms and learn how you can contribute to improving the health of watercourses in our region.

Photo: Martin Stokes

15/06/2026

W**D ALERT: Chincherinchee 🚨

Keep a look out for the emergence of the green, grass-like foliage of chincherinchee (also known as Star of Bethlehem, Ornithogalum thyrsoides). This is a priority emerging w**d that has escaped from gardens and can quickly invade pastures and native vegetation.

While its white flowers are attractive in spring and early summer, chincherinchee is toxic to livestock and can impact pasture productivity if left unmanaged. Early control is important. Learn more - or report a sighting - here 👉 bit.ly/Chincherinchee

15/06/2026

🌿🔥 Upcoming w**d control works to protect our coastal ecosystems.

We’re undertaking upcoming w**d control works on Pullen and West Island, involving carefully managed, controlled burning as part of the H5 Bird Flu Preparedness project.

Delivered in partnership with local councils and the Department for Environment and Water, this work will target treated declared w**ds to help stop their spread across the islands.

By reducing invasive w**ds, we’re creating more space for native vegetation to recover, and importantly, improving nesting habitat for our sea and shorebirds.

These proactive steps are key to protecting vulnerable wildlife and strengthening the resilience of these important coastal ecosystems.

👉 For more information, visit https://bit.ly/4eacTE1

Environment SA News
National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia
Alexandrina Council
City of Victor Harbor
SA Country Fire Service Updates
SA Country Fire Service

12/06/2026

The new Southern Fleurieu Coastal Action Plan was officially released at Chiton Rocks on Tuesday, with around 100 coastal land managers in attendance, including those who contributed to the Plan, Ramindjeri/Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna representatives, community groups and partner organisations.

The morning opened with a smoking ceremony, stories of Country and a moving nga:tji Ke:li talkuni ringbalun (“totem Dingo ceremony and song”) led by Ramindjeri Cultural Leader Cedric Varcoe, followed by reflections from Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu’s Coast and Marine Project Officer, Caroline Taylor and Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board Chair David Greenhough. Another highlight of the day was an unexpected appearance from Kondoli (Southern Right Whale) just offshore and directly in front of the function.

The Southern Fleurieu Coastal Action Plan sets a coordinated, long-term framework for managing more than 170 km of coastline, combining Traditional Owner knowledge, updated ecological insights and practical actions across 27 coastal areas. It reflects a strong, shared commitment and responsibility to protecting this culturally and environmentally significant coastline into the future.

Learn more about the plan, including regional priorities and site-specific information at https://hf.landscape.sa.gov.au/SFCAP

Photos: M. Turner
📸 Authors Kristian Peters, Alison Turner and Caroline Taylor with the new plan (absent: Simon Bryars)
📸 Cedric Varcoe led a cultural smoking and dance ceremony
📸 Caroline Taylor thanks partners who helped brin the plan together
📸 David Greenhough shares what the plan means for the region’s coast

Alexandrina Council
City of Victor Harbor
District Council of Yankalilla
Green Adelaide
National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia
Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation
Kanyanyapilla
Environment SA News
BirdLife Australia
Second Nature Conservancy Inc. - formerly GWLAP
CLLMM Research Centre

11/06/2026

Calling all environmental volunteer groups! 📣

We’re offering fully funded Civil Liability and Personal Injury Insurance for eligible environmental volunteer groups for 2026–27.

To apply, please complete the questionnaire online here 👉 hf.landscape.sa.gov.au/get-involved/volunteer-support by 30 June 2026.

10/06/2026

When we think of land care projects, we often focus primarily on the environmental outcomes. But what if a project could also foster deeper connections within the community - not only with nature, but with each other?

According to Judith Gooden, spokesperson for Nairne Landcare Group , the Nairne Creek Project is proving that both are possible.

When the Nairne Landcare group first considered improving the Nairne creek line five years ago, they were not in a position to undertake such a large project. However, a seemingly simple question about improving water quality in the creek eight months ago spurred the group into action - and led to valuable connections with landholders along the creek line.

Read more here 👉 bit.ly/NairneCreekProject

Workshop picture: P Cullen

09/06/2026

African lovegrass is a growing threat across our region. 🚨

Government staff and contractors recently joined forces to strengthen hygiene and control practices - a crucial step in slowing its spread.

Declared under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019, this invasive w**d overtakes pastures, reduces biodiversity, increases fire intensity and persists in soil for years. Because it resembles native tussock grasses, correct identification is key.

Help protect our landscapes by learning how to spot and manage African lovegrass here 👉 bit.ly/4uWVUuF

Department of Primary Industries and Regions
Mount Barker District Council
Alexandrina Council

06/06/2026

🌦️ How do you use long-term climate information when making decisions on-farm?

CSIRO is running a short 5-minute survey to understand what’s really happening on the ground.

If you’re farming, we’d really value your input, regardless of your commodity or enterprise size.

Your responses will help shape how climate information is developed and delivered to Australian farmers.

👉 Take the survey here:
https://csiro.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cZPS7RAp5DD3fpk

05/06/2026

Happy World Environment Day! 🌏

We're celebrating by taking a squiz at the species we support through our Back from the Brink project.

This project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.