Progress Report 2003

On behalf of the Waterfall Springs BTRW team we are pleased to present this second quarter 2003 report to keep you updated on our progress and other relevant issues.

In July 2003, the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby was finally listed by the NSW Scientific Committee, as an ENDANGERED species in NSW This official recognition of the BTRW's precarious position will hopefully add even more momentum to the
challenge of conserving the species.

Update from the ground

Work has been continuing on the construction of the BTRW enclosures at waterfall springs. Additional rock mounds have been added to the existing enclosure, for which we would like to express enormous gratitude to Hymix Quarries for providing and loading 4000 tons of rock free of charge. Work has also commenced on a new enclosure intended to house BTRW imported from Kawau Island. For this we would like to thank Jan and Hacene from Steel Frame Fencing, for their donation of greatly needed recycled construction materials. Thanks also to our team member Jeremy Gittens for his practical assistance in obtaining these materials.

Project News

Last month Waterfall Springs received an Envirofund(Natural Heritage Trust) grant for $14,000 for native grass propagation and education. The grant will be used in part propagate native grasses within the BTRW enclosures to establish the dietary preferences of the animals. We consider this work will be a progressive step towards better captive breeding facilities, eventually affording the animals a healthier more natural diet than is often available within such facilities. There are also the broader environmental benefits of replacing exotics with natives plants which, as a centre for conservation, Waterfall Springs is keen to embrace.

Waterfall Springs was also successful in its application for funding from Australian Geographic. Thanks to Alissa Johnson for presenting this opportunity, and to Jim Reside for his letters of support. This grant is intended to assist with the import of Kawau Island BTRW. The import is still awaiting approval from various bodies and Waterfall Springs, whilst keen to get the project underway (especially given the intended extermination of the animals of they remain on Kawau), wishes to do so only with the support of the governing authorities and experts in the field.

Applications for threatened Species Network Funding were submitted early in June, for which we eagerly await the outcome. Thank you to Pam Mourant and Ruth Moncrieff for their valuable assistance in this task.

As the Representative of Waterfall Springs Lloyd Oldfield attended The Victorian BTRW Recovery Team Meeting held in Adelaide in June and gave a presentation on WS, prepared by our co-ordinator Stephen Bladwell. We are proud to pronounce that at the conclusion of this meeting the Victorian Recovery Team formally invited Waterfall Springs to join as a member of the Victorian BTRW Recovery Team and to conduct a Surrogate Breeding Programme at Waterfall Springs.

To gain necessary exposure to facilitate the BTRW project, Waterfall Springs has enlisted the help of XABC Productions. A corporate Sponsor Presentation Video is in production and XABC have taken footage from Taronga Zoo for an intended documentary on Kawau Repatriation. Thanks both to Bruce and Alissa of XABC who have given much time and expert advice in a voluntary capacity, and also to Taronga Zoo for their co-operation and support.

As we move forward with this project and gain the support of various sponsors, legal advice has been sought on how to protect the interests of sponsors and Waterfall Springs Conservation Association Inc. on projects conducted at WS. We value tremendously all the support we have so far received and hope to rally further support from individuals and corporate sponsors to enable us to further our efforts in the months to come.

Resources Required

Waterfall Springs is currently in need of the following resources. Any suggestions or offers would be gratefully received;

Volunteers;

Active Team Members who are able to get to WS and assist with on ground work on a regular basis. The nature of this work will be variable depending on project requirements and individual experience/preference.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and we again hope you have found it interesting and informative, As always any comments/feedback will be gratefully received.

Best Regards,
WS BTRW Team