I acknowledge the traditional owners of Fogg Dam, the Limilngan-Wulner people, in particular, the Kenyon family.

It has been a busy year.  Some projects continue to be a challenge to progress and others have been successful.

Since the inception of FOFD, a priority of members has been to restore the dam to how it used to be 30 years ago, with far more open water and a location for visiting migratory birds.  It appeared that having a decision made to open up the water of the dam would take some time and it would be an expensive project.

We were delighted when, in July 2010, member Greg Miles, developed an excellent wetland proposal to create a series of connecting waterholes of differing depth on the northern side of the Fogg Dam causeway – similar to Mamukala in Kakadu.  In the dry season, birds at the waterholes could be viewed by people in cars from the causeway and attention would be drawn away from the overgrown dam area. Our formal proposal was sent to Parks & Wildlife on 27 August 2010.   As the proposal was simple and not expensive we hoped the wetland proposal could happen before the wet season of 2010.

Soon after we learned that a sluice gate was to be installed under the causeway plus dredging to open up water south of the causeway and at the end of the Woodland to Water Lily Walk.   For a short time we thought our wetland proposal could be incorporated into this project.  However, the sluice gate/dredging project was deferred to 2011.

With our goal to open up more water and once again attract migratory birds we were keen to measure changes: the area of open water; and the number and variety of birds over time. 

For monitoring open water photo points needed to be identified where regular photos could be taken to show change.   The photo points need a fixed holder for a camera to ensure all photos are taken from exactly the same site.

In October 2010 Jeremy and Heather met with Dr Simon Ward from Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts & Sport (NRETAS) Biodiversity Branch at Fogg Dam to discuss a bird monitoring project.  Dr Ward suggested having 6-7 sites to be monitored for bird specie/numbers in the open water versus two control sites.  Birds would be counted over a ten minute period at each site once a month for a year and then review the data.  Monitoring should commence before earthworks begin.  Dr Ward asked for a formal letter to be sent from Parks & Wildlife (P&W) Fogg Dam to the head of the Biodiversity Unit to request his involvement in the project.  Both projects required P&W Fogg Dam to install poles to mark the areas for bird counting and a stand to rest the camera on for continuity of photo site.  Unfortunately, due to acute staff shortage and higher priority demands for staff, these two projects have not progressed.  We hope they may commence this financial year.

What’s happened on opening the water since 30 June 2011

In September we were informed that the Department of Construction and Infrastructure (DCI) considered there was too much water behind the dam wall to install the sluice gate this year so it would have to wait until the next dry season, possibly next financial year, depending on weather.   We were informed that our Wetland Proposal would be ‘explored.’  It would be subject to (1) having funding to add it to the planned works (2) not having any adverse environmental implications for other species (eg rats and snakes) and (3) getting support from the traditional owners.   We had already obtained support of the Traditional Owners for our proposal and have since met with Dr Greg Brown of Sydney University Tropical Ecology Research Centre who says our proposal would not be a problem for the snakes and rats. 

More recently Parks and DCI have met at the dam with the intention of opening significant water along the causeway and modifying the central spillway this year.  Options and strategies to manage the dam in the long term are being considered.

A Donation box was installed at Fogg Dam but unfortunately the door was broken off shortly after and it’s awaiting replacement with a tamper proof door by Parks & Wildlife.

The booklet on the History of the Humpty Doo Rice Project funded by a Heritage NT Grant and prepared by Susan Pedersen was published on our website.

With Parks & Wildlife Fogg Dam we successfully applied for a Territory Natural Resource Management Board, Australian Government Caring for Our Country  (NRMB) grant of $4,700.00 to control and eradicate Olive Hymenachne within the Fogg Dam catchment area.  Olive Hymenachne is a weed of national significance and in the NT declared a Class B (growth and spread to be controlled)  and Class C (not to be introduced to the NT) weed. It spreads rapidly, invading water bodies displacing native flora used by birds and fish for food and shelter. The six month project commencing January 2011 to 30 June 2011 was extended to 11 August due to the heavy wet season, the wettest on record.   Weed infestation was mapped and found to be much greater than anticipated, extending around most of Fogg Dam, much of it amongst trees near the waters edge where it is difficult to access.  Initially the program was delayed by rain which made spraying impractical.  The availability of P&W airboat operators and failure of airboat pumps and motors resulted in the planned spraying program not being completed. The area was too wet to burn, as had been planned. 

During the 2010-11 financial year 198 hours of volunteer time was spent at Fogg Dam by our members and friends.   Tasks undertaken were: weeding snake weed, callopo and mission grass; spraying snake weed, oiling the floorboards and seats and painting Viewing Platforms; plus work involved with the Olive Hymenachne grant including education about identification and GPS reading, GPS mapping and airboat spraying.

The first FOFD Newsletter with information about happenings at Fogg Dam was developed in April and distributed widely.  A second Newsletter followed in July and both received positive feedback.  Thanks to Wayne Bennett for such an excellent communication and promotion tool.

FOFD had a stall at the Tropical Garden Spectacular and Top End Sustainable Living Festival on the weekend of 4,5 June.  

Before the end of the 2011 financial year applications were made for three grants:

·      2011-12 EnvironmeNT Grant with Parks & Wildlife to continue the work of the NRMB grant to control Olive Hymenachne.

·      2011-12 Heritage Grant to design and install roadside markers for a Humpty Doo Rice Trail and produce an audio guide for each site.

·      2011-12 EnvironmeNT Grant to hold a Field Day at Fogg Dam on 29 April 2012 with the theme ‘Wildlife Conservation’ and ‘Climate Change.’

Since 30 June we have  been advised that each grant application has been successful with:

·      $8,000 to continue working to control Olive Hymenachne

·      $10,000 to develop the Humpty Doo Rice Trail

·      $5,000 for a Field Day at Fogg Dam on 29 April 2012.

The year ahead will be a very busy one.

Our current membership (October) is 45 with 6 interstate and 6 international.  Numbers are important for FOFD to have a voice to be listened to. 

Our website is central to communication both for members and the public. Thanks again to Peter Walker of Imagineer Creative Designs for creating and hosting the website for us.

We maintain close links with the University of Sydney Tropical Ecology Research Centre based at Middle Point and thank Dr Michael Crossland for his interesting updates on research.

We very much appreciate the support, advice and assistance Parks & Wildlife Fogg Dam and Tim West from Landcare have given us throughout the year.   Thank you also to the Kezia Purick, MLA, member and local member for the use her meeting room.

A special thank you to all members. Your membership is valued and helps to make a difference.  Please continue your support.

Again, I’m most grateful to the exceptional committee who have been a pleasure to work with: Leisa Baldwin, Vice President and Treasurer; Jeremy Hemphill, Secretary and Public Officer; Wayne Bennett, Alan Anderson and Gemina Corpus, committee members.   Thank you.

Heather Boulden

October 2011.