As part of ElectraNet’s sustainability efforts on the Eyre Peninsula, we have been working closely with landholders and Ecological Horizons founders, John Read and Katherine Moseby.
Ecological Horizons have several environmental recovery efforts on the Eyre Peninsula, some of which our new high voltage transmission line (EP Link) pass through.
ElectraNet Environmental Field Advisor, Claire Taylor said, “We have been working hard throughout the construction of EP Link to ensure that the native flora and fauna along the route is undisturbed as much as possible. This has been achieved by using helicopter cable stringing and other environmentally conscious efforts to avoid clearing large sections of vegetation.”
“We have also been assisting Ecological Horizons in conservation efforts around Secrets Rocks, and providing resources for Kimba Area School’s environmental program,” Claire said.
Ecological Horizons founder and landholder, John Read said, “We are really impressed with how well ElectraNet and their construction partner Downer minimised impacts by flagging off significant sites and arranging pylons like a Tetris set to minimise their disturbance footprint.”
“Ecological Horizons have also been using ElectraNet offset payments to improve the conservation status of local Malleefowl populations, and reductions in regional fox, cat and kangaroo populations have helped 2022 / 23 to be our best breeding season for 15 years.”
“Our subsidised use of pest control contractors and Felixer grooming traps has benefited not only Malleefowl populations but also nationally threatened Sandhill Dunnarts,” John said.
The Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium (BGSH) have also been assisting Ecological Horizons and the Secret Rocks Nature Reserve, providing seedlings of rare species such as Chalky Wattles to colonise the small disturbance areas around each pylon pad.
BGSH Senior Project Officer, Michael Stead said, “The pads on Secret Rocks will be reseeded with a mix of eleven rare and threatened plant species. The seeds for this project were collected by our staff from Secret Rocks and surrounds in late 2022.”
“The idea of reseeding the cleared pads with threatened flora came about after the discovery of the rare Yellow Darling Pea growing on a dozer pile during the construction phase.”
“In addition, two hundred seedlings of the Chalky Wattle, a nationally endangered species, were provided to Ecological Horizons and the Kimba Area School for use in their science and environmental programs. This will effectively double the global population of this plant,” Michael said.
This is a fantastic example of ElectraNet working with our landholders to not only revegetate around our construction sites, but ensure that surrounding areas are able to thrive in a post-construction environment.
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