State of the Environment Report 2007
Western Australian rangelands account for 87% (about 2.175 million square kilometres) of the State's land area, including all but the South West corner (Environmental Protection Authority, 2004). About 42% of the rangelands are vested as pastoral leases. There are two broad regions of the pastoral rangelands; the grasslands of the Kimberley and Pilbara regions (known as the Northern Rangelands), and the shrublands of the Gascoyne, Murchison, Goldfields and Nullarbor regions (known as the Southern Rangelands).
Pastoralism is the extensive grazing of native vegetation by livestock. In WA it occurs on Crown land held under pastoral leases. There are 525 pastoral leases across the State, ranging in size from 3000 to 500 000 hectares (ha). Grazing of livestock (cattle, sheep and goats) represents the major land use on pastoral leases, although diversification to activities such as tourism, rural retreats, conservation, wood production, horticulture and aquaculture is becoming more common (Department for Planning and Infrastructure, 2003). Some Aboriginal communities with a historical connection to the land use leases to generate income while meeting traditional social and cultural needs.
The pastoralism sector in this report is defined as the use, management, conservation and protection of pastoral land for the purposes of livestock grazing. Grazing animals are reared for their meat and for associated products, such as wool and fibre. Pastoral production contributes about $200 million annually, which is around 3% of the State's gross value of agricultural production (Department of Agriculture, 2004b). The Southern Rangelands contributed 27% of that amount with pastoral activities consisting mostly of wool production, although meat production from cattle, sheep and goats is becoming increasingly important. The Northern Rangelands contributed 73% , mostly from meat production from cattle (Department of Agriculture, 2005b).
The State Sustainability Strategy outlines a vision for our natural resources by ensuring that they are '... conserved, protected, managed and used sustainably for the common good' (Government of Western Australia, 2003a, p. 108). Sustainable pastoralism requires objectives that reflect the above vision, including:
The Range Condition Index summarises pastoral lease performance for range condition, namely perennial vegetation and surface soil condition. Index scores range from 1 to 3, with 1 = good condition, 2 = fair condition, and 3 = poor condition. The headline indicator score of 1.79 is the average index score for all pastoral leases where recent inspections were undertaken between 1999 and 2005. This score indicates that most pastoral leases are in good to fair condition, showing a marginal improvement over time compared to range condition surveys undertaken between 1972 and 1998, when the average score was 1.85 (Department of Agriculture, unpublished).
The Western Australian Rangeland Monitoring System sites are based on the dominant vegetation type (shrubs or grasses) present on a pastoral lease. Per cent change was calculated by comparing the most recent sampling occasion with the previous sampling occasion. Generally, an increase in shrub density or perennial grass frequency is seen as an improvement. The indicator shows that shrub density or perennial grass frequency remained the same or increased for 68% of sites (984 out of 1448) over the past decade. Thirty-two per cent of sites experienced a decline.
There has been a decline in the median stocking rate of pastoral leases since the late 1990s, with current stocking rates of about 0.05 dry sheep equivalent per hectare (or about 20 hectares per head of livestock). Lower stocking rates mean fewer head of livestock being grazed on pastoral land. This may be a response to poor seasonal conditions; for example, much of the Southern Rangelands experienced drought in 2003 and 2004.
Family-owned businesses make up nearly half of the pastoral industry (Figure TS6.1). The number of pastoral leases has declined over the past decade, due largely to the purchase of leases by the Department of Environment and Conservation for the conservation reserve system. Demand for lifestyle properties is also increasing.
![Figure TS6.1: Composition of pastoral industry based on pastoral lessee types. [Data source: Pastoral Lands Board [ver. 2005].]](/site/files/images/Figure-TS6.1_Large.jpg)
Historically, sheep have been the most common pastoral livestock type in WA (Figure TS6.2). Since the mid-1990s there has been a steady decline in sheep numbers and a rising trend in cattle numbers. As of 2004, cattle numbers outweigh sheep numbers. Widespread drought, low wool prices and difficulties with labour and infrastructure for wool production have forced many pastoralists to cut sheep numbers. The gradual rise in cattle numbers was largely driven by access to new markets at profitable prices and the greater tolerance of cattle to wild dog predation. Goats are increasingly recognised by pastoralists as valuable livestock and numbers are slowly rising.
![Figure TS6.2: Trends in stock types based on estimated number of head in pastoral Western Australia. [Data source: Department of Agriculture. Note: Goat numbers are independent of the number of feral goats in pastoral areas.]](/site/files/images/Figure-TS6.2_Large.jpg)
Sustainable use of pastoral lands is largely determined by stocking rates. Pastoralists must control the distribution of stock and the intensity and length of grazing to prevent land degradation and allow vegetation to regenerate. Comparing actual stocking numbers with the land's maximum carrying capacity is a useful method to track the sustainable use of pastoral land (Figure TS6.3). Maximum carrying capacity refers to the potential stocking rate when the land and vegetation are in good condition and the lease is fully-watered (5 km to 8 km maximum distance between watering points). A low percentage indicates that the land has low stock levels which may be the result of conservative management decisions, seasonal conditions, or degraded land condition. A high percentage (close to 100%) indicates that the land is carrying close to maximum stocking levels. Since the early to mid 1990s, increasing trends towards maximum carrying capacity have occurred in the Pilbara and Kimberley districts, with current levels at about 110% and 75% respectively. Decreasing trends have been observed for the Goldfields, Gascoyne and the Murchison in recent years.
![Figure TS6.3: Actual stocking rate compared to maximum potential carrying capacity, by district. [Data source: Department of Agriculture.]](/site/files/images/Figure-TS6.3_Large.jpg)
Pastoralists recognise the need to balance productivity increases and station performance with natural resource condition. This involves knowledge of pasture types, understanding stock distribution and grazing patterns, managing stocking rates based on land capability and pasture production, and knowing the stocking thresholds before damage occurs. Recent surveys indicate that 53% of pastoralists have a management plan that addresses land management issues (Pastoral Lands Board, unpublished data). Occasionally the Pastoral Lands Board may request a pastoral station to develop a management plan where environmental management or other issues have been identified.
Environmental management systems are tools that help businesses improve their environmental performance. They have not been widely embraced by Western Australian pastoralists, but are becoming recognised as a way of enhancing their competitiveness in international markets that are now demanding evidence of sustainable practices. Three pastoral leases in the Gascoyne-Murchison region have been involved in a trial to attain certification for food safety and environmental accreditation systems.
It is important to protect the natural assets in the pastoral rangelands in order to maintain key ecosystem services, such as soil and vegetation health, habitat provision, water capture and filtration, carbon sequestration, landscapes and a sense of place. Inadequate protection of these ecosystem services will not support productive pastoralism.
A good measure of pastoral rangeland condition is the Range Condition Index, which is derived from traverse assessments of the impact of grazing on perennial vegetation and surface soil condition collected during pastoral lease inspections. The index is scaled from 1 (good range condition) to 3 (poor range condition). Index scores for the most recent assessment show most leases in good to fair condition (Figure TS6.4). A high proportion of leases in the Southern Rangelands are in fair to poor range condition, which may be due to drought conditions, inappropriate grazing management practices or inadequate maintenance of infrastructure leading to uncontrolled grazing. Consideration should also be given to whether the Range Condition Index is stable, improving or declining over time (Figure TS6.5). Most leases show little or no change over time. However, attention should be focused on pastoral leases showing significant deterioration (large negative change) and recognition given to leases showing significant improvements (large positive change).
Monitoring results from the Western Australian Rangeland Monitoring System were analysed at the bioregion scale to determine change in vegetation condition, i.e. shrub density or perennial grass frequency (Figure TS6.6). Change was determined by comparing the most recent sampling occasion (1999-2004) with the previous sampling occasion (1993-2002). For most bioregions, shrub density or perennial grass frequency remained the same or increased on the majority of sites over the past decade (yellow or green in Figure TS6.6). Shrub density or perennial grass frequency decreased on the majority of sites for several bioregions in the Murchison and Pilbara coast (pink in Figure TS6.6). While these areas have recently been exposed to a prolonged dry period, there are also indications that inappropriate grazing management has contributed to the decrease (Department of Agriculture, unpublished).
![Figure TS6.4: Range Condition Index values at last inspection, 1999 to June 2005. [Data source: Department of Agriculture [ver. 2005], Analysis: Department of Agriculture, Presentation: EPA.]](/site/files/images/Figure-TS6.4_Large.jpg)
![Figure TS6.5: Change in Range Condition Index from historic surveys (1972–98) compared to recent inspection. [Data source: Department of Agriculture [ver. 2005], Analysis: Department of Agriculture, Presentation: EPA. Note: This map depicts change in Rangeland Condition Index (RCI) between an RCI monitoring site’s initial survey (1972 to 1998) and it’s last inspection (1999 to 2005). Negative change indicates a decline in pastoral lease condition and positive change indicates an improvement.]](/site/files/images/Figure-TS6.5_Large.jpg)
![Figure TS6.6: Per cent of Western Australian Rangeland Monitoring System sites with stable or increasing native vegetation per bioregion. [Data Source: Department of Agriculture [ver. 2005], Analysis: EPA, Presentation: EPA.]](/site/files/images/Figure-TS6.6_Large.jpg)
The sustainability of pastoralism depends on the conservation of native species (particularly perennial plant species) and the ecological processes they support, minimising land degradation, generating seed, and providing habitat for native animals that pollinate and scatter seed. Areas of land placed under conservation also helps to maintain landscape integrity and biodiversity and enable greater diversification opportunities for alternative land uses, such as ecotourism or bioprospecting.
Since 1989, a number of pastoral leases have been placed in the conservation estate for biodiversity conservation. Twenty-nine whole pastoral leases with an area of 4 527 371 ha and parts of 23 pastoral leases with an area of 1 108 280 ha have been purchased and included in the formal conservation reserve system. As a result, the area of conservation reserve in the rangelands has increased 37% over the past decade (N. Sercombe, Department of Environment and Conservation, pers. comm.). Private conservation groups have also purchased six pastoral leases. Informal conservation agreements between Department of Environment and Conservation and pastoral landholders make up only 7235 ha.
In 2015, the State Government will resume land from about 20% of pastoral leases. Just over one million hectares will be added to the State's conservation reserve system, in addition to providing land for recreation and tourism, Aboriginal uses, and townsite expansion (Table TS6.1).
Pastoralists in WA work with variable weather on a day-to-day basis. However, climate change is likely to pose a long-term challenge for the pastoral sector (Robertson, 2002). A projected rise in temperature across the State of several degrees Centigrade is likely in this century, in line with global projections. Temperature increases may have significant implications for the pasture growing season. If rainfall decreases by more than 10%, animal production will decline (Commonwealth of Australia, 2002). While significant rainfall declines are expected over the State's South West, rainfall predictions in the Northern Rangelands remain uncertain. A substantial decline in rainfall of more than 15% would markedly reduce livestock carrying capacity and the viability of the sector. In the Northern Rangelands, enhanced storm and cyclone intensity may pose an increased threat to livestock. The actual outcomes depend on global action on limiting greenhouse gas emissions over coming decades and these cannot be predicted (Indian Ocean Climate Initiative, 2005b).
Introduced grazing animals are considered threats to the pastoral sector as they compete with livestock for available feed, water and habitat, and can cause land degradation and spread of disease. These grazers include camels, pigs, buffalo, donkeys, horses, rabbits, horses and goats (Rangelands NRM Co-ordinating Group, 2005). Other introduced animals, such as foxes and wild dogs, can cause significant stock losses through predation. Even though kangaroos and emus are native, they too can pose a threat to pastoral activities, especially when large populations compete with livestock for available feed and water.
Invasive weeds potentially reduce the area of productive land and increase pastoral management costs. Although damaging from a biodiversity perspective, some introduced species such as buffel grass and birdwood grass are useful for pastoral grazing. Of 463 exotic pasture species introduced to northern Australia, less than 5% became useful, and less than 1% of those are useful without also being a weed. About 10% of species became weeds with no recorded use (Lonsdale, 1994). The introduction of foreign diseases also represents a significant threat to livestock and native animals.
Land degradation issues such as soil erosion, increased runoff, loss of soil health and vegetation decline all reduce the productive potential of pastoral land and the provision of ecosystem services. Inaction by pastoralists (i.e. failure to reduce stock numbers in times of drought), or re-stocking immediately following a drought (before the vegetation recovers) can result in soil erosion and loss of perennial shrubs and grasses. Grazing pressure is highest where water is available. Natural water sources often have riparian areas with soils that are highly susceptible to erosion. Excessive animal movement in these areas can severely degrade fringing vegetation, increase sediment transport and cause water pollution.
Pastoralists are reliant on access to water. Surface water availability in the Pilbara, Gascoyne-Murchison, Goldfields and Nullarbor is extremely seasonal in response to rainfall. However, most pastoral activities rely on access to groundwater and many groundwater supplies remain undiscovered or unassessed. The key challenge facing water planners is the ongoing impact of climate variability, increased water consumption and other longer-term changes in water supply.
Large-scale fires have a destructive impact on infrastructure, grazing vegetation and livestock numbers. When fire is used in a controlled manner, it can be an effective management tool. However, excessive use of controlled fires can radically alter the landscape by affecting plant community composition and biodiversity, and reducing pastoral productivity. Frequent burning also leads to increased soil erosion and air and water quality problems. The Kimberley has the most frequent and extensive fires in the State.
The rangelands in WA are currently undergoing rapid change affecting many pastoralists and local communities. Many pastoral areas are being depopulated, particularly as a result of reduced sheep numbers (and associated need for shearers) and also the fly-in fly-out policy for mine site workers. Lack of a permanent population in regional towns often results in a reduced number of services being made available to pastoralists. Some pastoral landholdings are not of an adequate size and do not have adequate carrying capacity or infrastructure required for a profitable enterprise. Sound governance is needed to prevent land degradation issues on these leases. Some leases also support large Aboriginal communities and should be considered differently to those running business enterprises.
Some pastoral leases are economically marginal and affected pastoralists face a constant struggle to make a living from the land. When markets are low or drought conditions persist these pastoralists could be forced out of the industry. At best there is limited capacity to undertake best management practices.
Review of the Pastoral Industry: The review involved an extensive public consultation process including two major pastoral industry forums (the 'Gascoyne Musters'). The Pastoralism for Sustainability report (Department for Planning and Infrastructure, 2003) outlined a number of recommendations to progress the sector towards achieving sustainable pastoral rangelands management.
Rangelands natural resource management strategy: The strategy has been developed by the Rangelands NRM Coordinating Group (2005) to ensure on-ground environmental improvements occur via a targeted strategic approach at the regional level. An investment strategy outlines specific targets and on-ground projects.
Land Administration Act 1997: The Pastoral Lands Board is established under this Act. One of its functions outlined in s. 95(c) is to '... ensure that pastoral leases are managed on an ecologically sustainable basis'. The board has developed policies relating to best pastoral and environmental practices including best management practice guidelines for sheep, cattle and goat grazing and fire management.
Management plans: The Pastoral Lands Board may require a pastoralist to develop a management plan to address specific issues that have been raised following a range condition assessment of the pastoral lease.
Rangeland Resource Inventory: This inventory provides detailed mapping of landforms, soils and vegetation types in the rangelands. It provides information comparing pre-settlement condition and condition following land use development or degradation. Almost 87% of the pastoral rangelands are mapped to land system level.
Pastoral lease inspections: provide advice on range condition and trend, infrastructure issues, and plant and animal pests at the paddock and property scale. Pastoral leases are assessed on a 1-6 year cycle according to land management issues on the lease. A Range Condition Index has recently been developed to summarise this information at the lease scale.
Western Australian Rangeland Monitoring System: This system provides regional and district scale trend assessments of perennial vegetation and soil surface condition. Currently, it is made up of 1628 sites, comprising 996 shrubland sites and 632 grassland sites. Shrubland sites are assessed every five years in the southern Pilbara through to the Nullarbor. Grassland sites are assessed every three years in the Kimberley, Pilbara and north-western Gascoyne. About 400 sites are reassessed each year.
2015 lease exclusions: All pastoral leases expire on 30 June 2015. Most leases have been offered for renewal after this date. Under the lease renewal process parts of a number of leases will be excluded for conservation, recreation and tourism, Aboriginal uses and townsite expansion.
Unsustainable pastoral practices result in lost productive potential for an industry that occupies a large percentage of WA's land area. Such practices can result in loss or decline in vegetation, reduced biodiversity, invasion of weed and introduced species, soil erosion, sedimentation, eutrophication, and contamination of waterways and wetlands. They may also render the land unsuitable for other potential land uses. Unsustainable pastoral practices may result in a net migration of people away from pastoral stations, when leases are no longer profitable or become degraded. A decreasing population base will generally result in a gradual loss of community services and business interests that support the pastoral industry.
9.23 Develop a State strategic policy for the rangelands, providing for effective, coordinated and integrated sustainable management of natural resources.
9.24 Develop an action plan to progress implementation of the Pastoral Industry Review.
9.25 Encourage diversification of activities beyond traditional cattle and sheep production on pastoral leases, based on sound sustainability planning.
The Gascoyne-Murchison Strategy was a collaborative effort between the State and Commonwealth governments and the local community. The goal of this innovative strategic approach was to establish '... a socially and economically viable community involved in a range of industries, based on the use of the rangelands in a sustainable way' (Department of Agriculture, 2004b, p. 6). One of the strategies was the establishment of a regional environmental management program to promote sustainable land and water management and biodiversity conservation through grants to implement best practices. The strategy has been independently evaluated recently (URS Australia Pty Ltd, 2004). Two examples from this report that highlight successful actions at the pastoral lease scale are discussed below.
Assistance was provided to the Dowden family of Challa Station, Mount Magnet, to develop an environmental management system for their business (URS Australia Pty Ltd, 2004). The family found it a lengthy process, but they now have an accredited management system under the Safe Quality Food 1000 standard. Although obtaining accreditation came at a cost, the owners recognise definite benefits for the business, including:
A family in the Shire of Meekatharra sought to improve the efficiencies of cattle mustering on their pastoral lease (URS Australia Pty Ltd, 2004). Normal operations involved several mustering vehicles to gather the cattle and the occasional use of a plane. This represented a drain on staff time, money and resources that could be used elsewhere on the property. With the assistance of the Gascoyne-Murchison Strategy, the family installed several total grazing management yards to trial. These yards use a trapping system to control entry of livestock and feral animals to watering points, thereby allowing animals to be gathered together without mustering. The family's experience was very positive, with several advantages being noted, including:
While costs involved the initial construction and ongoing maintenance of the yards, the family recognised that the benefits heavily outweighed the costs. Eventually, all 22 watering points on the property were set up with total grazing management yards. The family said that the general concept of total grazing management yards was 'fantastic' and that they made a significant improvement in the capacity to manage the property. Approximately 1000 total grazing management yards have been installed across 8 million hectares of pastoral land in the Gascoyne-Murchison region (Rangelands NRM Coordinating Group, 2005).
