BUSH BANTER

The Benefits of Fire

The Australian bush requires fire to survive. While this statement is irrefutably true, it is very broad and does not capture the many intricacies and nuances of fire regimes to determine whether a fire has been beneficial for the Australian bush. These complex concepts are rattling around in my poor brain while I’m standing looking at the burnt fire scar along the coastal vegetation at Twilight Beach. A few months ago, this bush was dense coastal shrubland, with plants such as basket bush, coastal saw sedge, coastal wattle, and cockie’s tongue dominating. Now, it is black charred plant skeletons protruding from exposed dunes. But rather than a cause for devastation, I am absolutely delighted and find it a cause for celebration.

The Twilight coastal fire could not have come at a better time (in my opinion at least). It burnt at a temperature to remove leaf litter and vegetation, but not so hot as to obliterate all the branches and roots, which will assist in reducing erosion. It burnt just after the summer winds died down and just before the winter rains arrived, the perfect ecological time for the ash to be retained as a nutrient booster for the new germinating seedlings, which will now emerge shortly after the winter rains. It burnt vegetation that was considered mature and had set lots of seed for this very purpose, to respond after fire. It has also provided an opportunity for the Shire of Esperance to proactively do some weed management and rehabilitation in areas that were previously degraded.

A few do’s to care for the regenerating vegetation:

• Do stick to the path - the exposed soil is incredibly sensitive and every step has the potential to do serious damage.

• Do tell other people to stick to the path - be proactive in our community ownership of the bush and kindly inform people you see taking photos on dunes or straying off the path to stick to the path!

• Do respect the Shire of Esperance’s management and closure of access tracks that were used to control the fire.

• Do celebrate, take notice of and wonder at the Australian bush as we observe the first green shoots and juvenile plants begin to grow.

• Do keep your ears open to hear if any rare fireresponding plants are found. Our local scientists will be busy monitoring to see if any pop up!

KATIE WHITE - CALADENIA CO.

01 University of New South Wales and Western Australian Museum entomologists discovered eight new bug species during a two-week expedition near Esperance. A stink bug species with curved horns and bright yellow tusks was among the discoveries. Tusks have never been seen in a stink bug, making the find particularly interesting. The discovery was made possible with the help of Tjaltjraak rangers and senior cultural advisor, Doc Reynolds.

02 The Port of Esperance broke its annual grain export record by more than 500,000 tonnes. According to data released last month, the Esperance port exported 3.47 million tonnes of grain in the 2022/23 financial year, surpassing the previous record of 2.97 million tonnes. Albany and Bunbury also broke their annual grain trade records, with 8.5 million tonnes of grain exported across the three ports, outperforming last year’s record of 6.8 million tonnes.

03 Three Fiordland crested penguins, one of the world's rarest penguin species, were found near Esperance, almost 4000 kilometres from the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island where they should have been for breeding season. The birds were found alive but unwell at Twilight Beach, Dunn Rock, and Wharton Beach. The species has only been recorded alive in Western Australia twice, near Perth pre-1973 and again in Eyre in 2008.

“Continuing

04 Mission to Seafarers Esperance received a $72,000 grant from Southern Ports for a new minibus. The 13-seat vehicle will replace the not-for-profit organisation’s ageing bus, which has ferried 64,000 international seafarers around Esperance for 20 years. The local Mission to Seafarers operates 364 days a year, providing services through its centre, as well as transportation around town. In 2022, it hosted more than 4400 seafarers across 200 ships.

Urgently Seeking Foster Carers For Animals In Need

We are seeking foster carers who can take on one, two, three or more of our animals who need a roof over their head. If you even have a spare room, laundry, enclosure, dog bed or play pen for a cat or dog to crash on, we would love to hear from you! We offer short-term or long-term, depending on your lifestyle, and match you to the right animal. There’s no harm in enquiring with us if you’re after a no-commitment companion! Head to safe.org.au/foster to apply.

Table Tennis Played At The Scout Hall

Thursday Mornings 9am - 11.00am. $5.00 each session.

Public Notices

OLD TIME / NEW VOGUE BALLROOM DANCING

Held at RAOB Hall every Friday, starting at 7pm. All welcomed, with or without a partner and we will teach you if you don’t know the dances. Contact Daryl on 0419370089 or Jan on 0420638851.

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