A quick trip to Mumpie, to assess options for protecting Reedy Springs and St. Mary’s Pool

As mentioned earlier in this newsletter, funding is available through the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board and BHP for spring protection and other landscape protection works. Protective works have been designed for Reedy Springs and nearby St Mary’s Pool, both on Murnpeowie pastoral lease. In October 2023 FOMS members Colin Harris, Bruce Gotch and Erik Dahl visited these sites with representatives of the SAAL Board and the Dieri First Nations group, the primary aim being to obtain site clearance from the Dieri for the proposed works. Erik Dahl has prepared the following report on that trip.

Colin and Bruce at Afghan Well

Colin Harris and Erik Dahl met at Bruce and Sherrie Gotch’s Humbug Scrub property early on Thursday the 19th of October 2023. They helped load the Gotch’s Landcruiser with just a little more than they would need, or use. Leaving Sherrie to mind the fort, the three blokes hit the road travelling North on Horrocks and Barrier Highways before turning on Gum Creek Road to find a much-needed morning coffee at the Jamestown Bakery. Then on, up the

R.M. Williams Way to Hawker, with a brief stop for more coffee and lunch. With a little taste of the Flinders through the Yappala Hills the trio pushed on up the Outback Way recounting daring stories and past exploits of Wilpena Pound, Edeowie Gorge, and much more while the grand mountains passed them to the east. Finding they had a little time up their sleeves, Bruce suggested a quick trip to Beltana, to consider the beautifully built Afghan camel tank and troughs, railway dam and some of the historic town. Then, north again through Puttapa Gap and on to Leigh Creek. Late afternoon saw the weary bunch at the Leigh Creek Hotel catching up with the crew from the Landscapes Board and some of the Dieri representatives.

Some of the group at Reedy Springs with Aaron Smith pointing the way

The morning saw us congregated bright eyed and bushy tailed in the car park. Quite a mob they were. The Dieri Aboriginal Corporation representatives were Frank Warren, Gregory Warren, Raelene Hannes Warren, Jeffery Kennedy, and Phillip Naylon. SA Arid Lands people were Aaron Smith, Julia Short, Alice Smith and Glenn del Fierro, and from FOMS, Colin Harris, Bruce Gotch and Erik Dahl. After a quick briefing by Aaron Smith the search was on again for coffee as clearly some of the party were not going to function well without one. First the Copley Bakery where a bleary David informed us that we were too early. Then to the Lyndhurst Hotel where luck prevailed, and coffee was procured for the few that demanded it.

The southern end of the Strzelecki is now sealed, and following the feigned starts, the group made good time, mostly avoiding the newly laid potholes. Beyond the bitumen the road was good, but with better camouflaged potholes. At Murnpeowie Station (Mumpie to its friends), the Managers Frank (Bully, to his mates) and Joyleen Booth met the team to discuss the strategy for the day. Mumpie is leased by the Brooks family who have been very supportive of Mound Spring protection and other landscape conservation works.

On the main mound at Reedy Springs

A short drive north on wheel tracks took the group to Reedy Springs, which was circumnavigated, traversed and studied. Options were discussed and the original survey marks moved to encompass more cultural material and attempts made to avoid washaways and sodic soils. Members of the team that had been to the springs before were surprised at the lack of flow.

They then drove to the beautiful St. Mary’s Pool to discuss options for reducing tourist damage to the site. Bully suggested that some limited fencing and a gate would be adequate, this was generally agreed to. Lunch was had under the coolabahs and red gums. From there the procession moved to the proposed lookout. Although a beautiful spot of coloured breakaway the lack of flow from the springs at the time made the springs much less obvious and there was no spring tail running into the creek. Again, there was much discussion of the options and signage required. Then they climbed back into the vehicles for the long drive back to Leigh Creek.

The homeward trip differed only slightly from the expedition North and was only slightly marred by the dearth of open coffee shops after Hawker. Hawker did provide an ample morning tea, however, and an opportunity to buy more books from Teagues Service Station, and marvel at their displays. Once back at Humbug Scrub Sherrie put on a much-needed afternoon tea as a delightful end to a lightning and enlightening trip.

The group at St Mary’s Pool. Photo by Gregory Warren