BEE FORAGE
From page 12
are exempt from removal.
Gum trees in urban areas are
exempt from removal if their
trunk diameter is more than
400mm (at 1 000mm height)
at the time of publishing of
the Regulations (1 October,
2014). If the gums are an
existing formal plantation, no
intervention is required.
Smallholders must guard
against unscrupulous contractors who claim that all gums
must be removed. This is not
true and the often unnecessary removal of gums can be
avoided.
However, if they are along or
near the banks of a river or
within 32m of the edge of a
lake, dam, wetland or estuary,
they must be removed, even
if any of the above is true.
Listed gums in Protected
Areas (nature reserves,
national parks) or in ecosystems identified for conservation should also be removed.
We are encouraged to look
out for Red flowering gum
(Corymbia ficifolia), Grey
ironbark (Eucalyptus
paniculata), Yellow box
(Eucalyptus melliodora) and
Black ironbark (Eucalyptus
sideroxylon) as these are
favoured by bees.
To help you to identify the
gums on your plot refer to the
booklet published by the S A
Biodiversity Institute available
for downloading at
http://www.sanbi.org/sites/def
ault/files/documents/documen
ts/gumsbees-web-versionhyperlinks.pdf.
The following are the six gum
species listed as invasive:
K River red gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
K Spider gum (Eucalyptus
conferruminata)
K Sugar gum (Eucalyptus
cladocalyx)
K Karri (Eucalyptus
diversicolor)
K Saligna gum (Eucalyptus
grandis)
K Forest red gum (Eucalyptus
tereticornis)
If the gum tree species on
your property is a listed
invasive and is not exempted
by the provisions mentioned
above, but is used as part of a
plantation, woodlot, beeforage area, wind-row or to
line avenues, you may still
maintain these gum trees.
However, you must apply for
a permit to demarcate them
as Category 2 invasive species
under the Nemba AIS
Regulations.
Category 2 listed invasive
species require a permit to
carry out a restricted activity.
The restricted activities most
relevant to landowners
include 'having in possession';
'growing, breeding, propagating'; and 'spreading or
allowing the spread of.'
Although the permit will allow
you to maintain the specimens in the demarcated area,
you will have to clear them
outside of those areas. You
will also be accountable
should your gum trees spread
into a neighbouring property.
Applicants applying for a
permit to carry out a restricted
activity involving Category 2
species need to compile a risk
assessment report that will
accompany their permit
Continued on page 16
Black ironbark flower
14
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