Practical Solutions in Ramsar Wetland Conservation
Cassie Price
WetlandCare Australia, PO Box 114, 53 Tamar St, Ballina NSW 2478
ABSTRACT
For over 20 years WetlandCare Australia, the leading Australian not-for-profit wetland
conservation organisation, has been dedicated to working with communities to protect and
restore Australia’s locally, regionally and internationally significant wetlands. The global
Convention on Wetlands of International Significance (known as the Ramsar Convention)
was signed by 18 nations in 1971 and aims to stop global loss of wetlands and conserve and
sustainably manage all wetlands. There are particular wetlands recognized internationally as
being important for ecological, cultural, and commercial reasons. There are 65 such
wetlands listed within Australia.
WetlandCare Australia is actively involved in delivering community engagement programs
and on-ground works to restore and protect the biodiversity and health of all wetlands,
including at least 8 Ramsar listed wetlands around Australia. In this submission we will focus
on particular Ramsar wetland works at 5 of these sites including; Bowling Green Bay (North
Queensland), Moreton Bay (South East Queensland), Hunter Estuary (Newcastle, NSW),
Little Llangothlin Lagoon (Northern Tablelands, NSW) and Fivebough and Tuckerbil
Wetlands (Riverina, NSW).
In summary of our work at these five Ramsar listed wetlands over the past 5 years, recently
tallied statistics show that we have collaborated with over 90 government and nongovernment groups, implemented approximately 40 community events which have engaged
over 11 000 individuals. On-ground works have involved undertaking over 720ha of weed
control and over 5000 ha of feral animal control. Plus establishing approximately 78 000
native plants including the reinstatement of a wetland that will now provide a water filtering
effect to a 300ha catchment area, significantly improving water quality before it enters
Bowling Green Bay. WetlandCare Australia has also worked to develop several Ecological
Character Descriptions and Management Plans to ensure the protection and conservation of
Ramsar wetlands into the future, under which our works continue at these sites.
INTRODUCTION
The global Convention on Wetlands of International Significance (known as the Ramsar
Convention) was signed by 18 nations in 1971 and aims to stop global loss of wetlands and
conserve and sustainably manage all wetlands. There are particular wetlands recognized
internationally as being important for ecological, cultural, and commercial reasons. There are
65 such wetlands listed within Australia.
Australia’s Ramsar wetlands are protected by our Environmental Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act (EPBC Act), however they still require practical management solutions, not
only within the wetland boundary, but in their catchment area to maintain functional health
and ecological character. It is a common misconception that Ramsar wetlands have optimal
function and health because of their status and legislative protection, this is not the case.
WetlandCare Australia assist in the management of a number of Ramsar wetlands across
Australia, their needs vary greatly, but the one thing they have in common is the need for
practical management solutions that are deliverable by the local people.
The projects showcased in this paper are born out of a call for action, which in most Ramsar
wetlands usually comes from the community, WetlandCare Australia is an organisation that
Reef, Range and Red Dust 2015, Caloundra
works with the community to protect, promote and restore wetlands and does so in a
practical way. WetlandCare Australia creates grass-roots wetland solutions, based on good
science and wholly inclusive of the community in which the wetland resides. In this paper,
examples of Ramsar site works at Moreton Bay, Bowling Green Bay, Hunter Estuary, Little
Llangothlin Lagoon and Fivebough and Tuckerbil Wetlands will provide a practical look at
management solutions for Ramsar wetlands.
Moreton Bay:
Designated a Ramsar Wetland in 22 October 1993, Moreton Bay is listed as a wetland of
international importance for its environmental, cultural and economic values.
It
encompasses many and varied wetland communities providing fish habitat, supporting
migratory and resident shorebirds and numerous other threatened species, and is
particularly important for marine fauna such as turtles and dugong.
Under WCA’s Coastal 20 project, funded through the Australian Government’s Caring for our
Country Program, WCA identified 7 key locations within the Moreton Bay Ramsar wetland
catchment for restoration works. Common themes for onground restoration works included
invasive weed control; and, revegetation works to improve water quality entering the Bay,
minimise erosion, improve habitat and improve biodiversity values.
Bowling Green Bay
Listed as a Ramsar site 22 October 1993 as it met several of the criteria for a wetland of
international importance, Bowling Green Bay is important due to the diversity and extent of
its wetland types and the wildlife they support, with some of the largest colonies of fishfeeding birds in eastern Queensland occurring there (Queensland Wetlands Program, 2015).
WetlandCare Australia, with support through funding from the Australian Government’s
Clean Energy Future Biodiversity Fund, are protecting and enhancing the high ecological
functional values of the Barratta Creek Catchment which forms the main artery into the
Bowling Green Bay wetlands, the only Ramsar site in north Queensland. Barratta Creek is
one of the most high integrity floodplain creek systems on the developed east coast of
Queensland. Since the introduction of intensive irrigated agriculture the creek and wetlands
have suffered serious impacts through a lack of active management and understanding
including invasive aquatic and terrestrial weeds, hot frequent fires regimes and excessive
and nutrient rich tailwater flows. WetlandCare Australia has united multiple stakeholders to
improve biodiversity outcomes in the Barratta Creek catchment through integrated
catchment based management.
Hunter Estuary Wetlands
Consisting of two components, Kooragang Nature Reserve was listed in February 1984, with
the Hunter Wetlands Centre Australia added to the Ramsar site in 2002. The wetlands were
listed due to their importance in supporting threatened species, particularly waterbird and
migratory bird species. The site supports at least 1% of the eastern curlew (Numenius
madagascariensis) and the red-necked avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandiae) populations
(Australian Wetlands Database, 2015).
WetlandCare Australia is undertaking a project funded by the Australian Government to
restore Boatman Creek, which flows into the Hunter Wetlands Centre, a component of
the Hunter Estuary Wetlands Ramsar site. The Newcastle Riparian-Ramsar Connections
project recognises that urban impacts in the upstream riparian zone threaten the water
quality and biodiversity at the Ramsar listed wetlands downstream.
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Led by WetlandCare Australia, a consortium of five land owners and 13 partners are
tackling threats including pollution, sedimentation and weeds. The project places a high
emphasis on stakeholder engagement and building the capacity of Indigenous
Australians to manage natural resources.
Little Llangothlin Lagoon Nature Reserve
The Little Llangothlin Lagoon Nature Reserve was listed under the Ramsar Convention in
March 1996 and is located on the New England Tablelands. It contains one of the largest
and deepest lakes on the Tablelands, Little Llangothlin Lagoon, making it a relatively
permanent water source for waterbirds during times of drought. These attributes, in
conjunction with the site supporting threatened species and ecological communities, form
justification for its listing as a Ramsar site (Australian Wetlands Database, 2015).
The Northern Tablelands Local Land Services is taking a lead role in the management of the
catchment surrounding the Little Llangothlin Lagoon. They have partnered with WetlandCare
Australia to work with the landholders in the catchment surrounding the Lagoon to ensure
they are making land management changes that are positive for the health of the Lagoon.
The Lagoon reserve itself is managed by National Parks & Wildlife Services, who are
working closely with WetlandCare Australia on-Lagoon to build the buffer of vegetation
around the water, creating habitat and an inviting aesthetic.
Fivebough and Tuckerbil Swamps
Fivebough and Tuckerbil Swamps are located in the Riverina region of NSW, and are
managed for conservation, education, research and for waterbird conservation, with some
grazing leases being retained. The swamps were listed in October 2002 as they met several
criteria under the Ramsar Convention, particularly in regards to supporting waterbirds and
migratory bird species, with the abundance of some waterbird species being amongst the
highest recorded in the Murray-Darling Basin (Australian Wetlands Database, 2015).
Site manager’s NSW Department of Crown Lands, contracted WetlandCare Australia to
bring together the past management directions, current management needs and the needs
of the local community into a Ramsar Adaptive Management Plan that worked practically
with limited resources. A challenging task, but one that WetlandCare Australia faces
regularly in wetland management planning.
METHODS
WetlandCare Australia’s approach to all wetland projects is a practical one, we look closely
at the ecological elements and the catchment situation, but we look beyond that and include
the social, cultural and economic values and implications for change in our wetland planning
and implementation. From experience we have found that environmental projects that lack
community agreement, ownership and energy, lack the lasting outcomes that can only be
achieved by actively and comprehensively engaging the community in the process.
Moreton Bay:
Coastal 20 saw extensive consultation with state and local government, regional body and
community organisations, resulting in a number of potential project sites and projects put
forward for consideration. A steering group committee was established for the SEQ region,
with members tasked with reviewing and assessing potential projects to assist with the
prioritisation of investment, resulting in 11 individual project sites within Moreton Bay earmarked for restoration works. These sites ranged from Caloundra in the north to Lake
Coombabah in the south and included islands within Moreton Bay. This original consultation
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and collation of information enabled the establishment of on-going partnerships and potential
projects for continued collaborative work in the Moreton Bay and SEQ region.
Fivebough and Tuckerbil Wetlands:
WetlandCare Australia used a direct and inclusive approach to stakeholder and community
engagement. Visiting and walking the landscape with several key stakeholders before
gathering the community together to hear their views for their local wetland. This, coupled
with investigations of the hydrological and ecological science of the site ensured a holistic
approach to the management of the wetlands. It was also important that the Plan was written
in a way that was practical and achievable in terms of management actions and
arrangements, that suited both the land managers, key stakeholders and the community.
Little Llangothlin Lagoon:
In our experience working with landholders, we have found that the best success comes
from farm-specific solutions that can be discussed and deliberated one on one with the
farmer. Again, walking the landscape with the farmer has provided to produce the best
solution, and importantly an engaged landholder who understands his/her land better and
has ownership of the changes made.
WetlandCare Australia has worked with a number of landholders in the catchment
surrounding the Little Llangothlin Lagoon, to improve land management practices to benefit
the water quality, connectivity and biodiversity of the Lagoon. Activities such as planting,
fencing, watering-points and drainage redesign have achieved benefits for both the Lagoon
and landholder.
Bowling Green Bay:
WetlandCare Australia and partners have been protecting, managing and enhancing the
high ecological functional values of the Barratta Creek Catchment. Three key wetland sites
were revegetated with 3000 native trees with a view to increasing the diversity of local native
species and providing corridors to provide food and shelter for native fauna.
A key strategy for water quality improvement is the construction of wetlands, reinstating
them in the previously levelled floodplain. Constructed wetlands are used to naturally
increase the quality of run-off water or excess water not only in agriculture but also in towns
and cities across Australia. Irrigation tailwater runoff from several large cane farms in the
Burdekin-Haughton Water Supply Scheme in North Queensland is being diverted from the
current tailwater drain system through a constructed wetland via a remediation pond.
Constructed wetlands also allow for a boost to biodiversity and habitat. They boast an island
to provide safe habitat for local fauna and will also play a large role in stripping nutrient and
chemicals from the water as it flows back into the tailwater drain on its way to the natural
creek systems. The wetlands constructed during the project have served as a showcase for
the many Burdekin farmers who choose to invest in tailwater recycling to not only improve
farm water use efficiency but also to protect our environment.
Fire management has also been a critical component of managing the Barratta catchment. A
Fire Management Plan and training program led to a controlled burn off on the corner of
Orchard and McLain Roads in the Horseshoe lagoon Fire warden’s district. Local farmers
living and working in the Barratta Creek Catchment have taken on new fire management
strategies, supported by WetlandCare Australia. The strategy suggests appropriate practices
to help land managers plan hazard reduction burning and undertake planned burns to
improve production and conservation outcomes.
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The project has had a strong relationship with the Gudjuda reference group indigenous team
through their Land and Sea Ranger program.
Hunter Estuary:
The Hunter Estuary restoration work is delivered in partnership with an established
project team of land managers, community groups & education institutions. The onground activities to improve the catchment and wetlands of the Hunter Estuary has
included stabilising erosion, removing and controlling sediment and nutrient inputs,
controlling weeds and revegetating with native vegetation.
Engaging the local community to help protect the health of urban waterways is an
important part of the project. There have been education activities for a range of groups
including residents, university and school students, Landcare volunteers and industrial
premises adjacent to the wetlands. Indigenous Australians have also been actively
involved, provided with training, mentoring and employment to undertake bush
regeneration throughout the project area.
RESULTS & DISUCSSION
In summary of our work at these five Ramsar listed wetlands over the past 5 years, recently
tallied statistics show that we have collaborated with over 90 government and nongovernment groups, implemented approximately 40 community events which have engaged
over 11 000 individuals. On-ground works have involved undertaking over 720ha of weed
control and over 5000 ha of feral animal control. Plus establishing approximately 78 000
native plants including the reinstatement of a wetland that will now provide a water filtering
effect to a 300ha catchment area, significantly improving water quality before it enters
Bowling Green Bay. Some key site statistics are included in tables 1-4 below.
WetlandCare Australia has also worked to develop several Ecological Character
Descriptions, Management Plans and works schedules for each project site, providing
guiding documents for current and future on ground works and to ensure the protection and
conservation of Ramsar wetlands into the future. For example; the Managers, Management
Committee of Fivebough and Tuckerbil Wetlands and community of Leeton now have a
practical and workable Adaptive Wetland Management Plan that they all agree to and are
now busily implementing. The current actions will result in greater community ownership and
management of the site as well as greater community use of the site. The township will
benefit from the site as a drawcard for tourism, as an education resource and a place of
recreation. While the biodiversity of the wetlands will be retained and improved through a
more natural water regime favouring aquatic and bird life alike. Management of the site is
assisted by managed grazing regimes and careful monitoring by local bird enthusiasts.
A critical part of our planning is the best possible outcomes for biodiversity and in particular
threatened species. One such species that is benefiting from our habitat protection and
enhancement work at the Moreton Bay sites is the vulnerable water mouse (Xeromys
myoides). WetlandCare Australia is working with researchers, local and state government to
identify potential key habitat areas for survey and monitoring activities within the Moreton
Bay Ramsar area.
Indigenous Australians have a lot of teach us of the natural history of each of these
important Ramsar sites. In the Hunter, WetlandCare Australia is working with a group of
Indigenous partners with the goal of promoting cultural connections and custodianship and
build Indigenous capacity for natural resource management. WCA has engaged Indigenous
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trainees, who have the opportunity to participate in a cultural identity training workshop to
reinforce the connections between their Aboriginality, traditional knowledge and culture, and
the on-ground work they are undertaking to restore the Ramsar wetlands.
Education of the community is crucial to the ongoing health and management of these
wetlands, particularly those that have an urban surrounding like Moreton Bay, Hunter
Estuary and Fivebough Wetland. During these projects we have continually engaged the
community with events, opportunities to participate in works, interpretive signage, news and
digital stories.
Finally, a number of ongoing research and monitoring activities continue to be underway for
many of these sites. Including an extensive water quality monitoring program at works sites
in the Hunter Estuary, numerous vegetation assessments and photo point monitoring.
Table 1. Key onground outcomes from the 11 project sites surrounding Moreton Bay.
Management Activity
Outcome
Weed control
Across 56ha
Revegetation
15 350 plants
Clean-up
4ha of shoreline
Protection of key habitats (Seagrass, 5.3ha protected through various actions
Mangrove, Saltmarsh)
Feral pest surveys and control
20 properties over 1000 ha
People engaged
280
Partners
37
Table 2. Key onground outcomes from the project sites surrounding Little Llangothlin
Lagoon.
Management Activity
Outcome
Weed control
Across 335ha
Revegetation
5 260 plants
Protection of key habitats (including 220ha
Montane Peatland & Swamps, New
England Peppermint Woodland)
People engaged
37
Partners
10
Table 3. Key onground outcomes from the project sites surrounding Bowling Green Bay.
Management Activity
Outcome
Weed control
200 h invasive pest plants eradicated
Revegetation
21500 native trees planted
Protection of Seagrass, Mangrove,
Constructed wetland improving water quality
Saltmarsh
off 300 h of cane farms run off, complete
with 3500 native trees shading the banks
Feral pest surveys and control
Feral Pest - 319 pigs shot (aerially) and
trapped Barratta environmental zone 10,000
h during Dec 2014 – June 15
Table 4. Key onground outcomes from the project sites surrounding Hunter Estuary.
Management Activity
Outcome
Weed control
Across 130 ha
Revegetation
36,083 plants
Clean-up
0.5 ha of wetland habitat and adjoining land
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Protection of critical habitat
People engaged
Partners
0.3ha
Over 675
18
TAKE HOME MESSAGES
As a result of their nationally protected status, it is often easy for natural resource managers
to forget that the Ramsar wetlands in their area are in need of direct and practical solutions
for ongoing management, particularly in the surrounding catchment area, which has
significant influence on their health.
Limited resources? Of course it depends on what you’re aiming to achieve where you put
those. Given the choice, I would still put them into walking the landscape with the land
owner, manager and/or key stakeholders before anything else, because it will mean that you
get it right the first time. Partnerships are critically important, pooling limited resources,
knowledge and networks can mean the difference between a good project outcome and an
amazing one. They take a little time, again they are well worth it.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
WetlandCare Australia achieves none of these outcomes alone, we work in close
partnership with a range of community, Not-for-Profit, Commercial and Government
organisations. We wish to thank you all for working with WetlandCare Australia to make out
projects the success that they are.
REFERENCES
Queensland Government - Queensland Wetlands Program (2015) Information on the
Moreton Bay Ramsar Site. www.wetlandinfo.ehp.qld.gov.au
Australian Government (2015) MERIT: Delivering Biodiversity Dividends to the Barratta
Creek Catchment. https://fieldcapture.ala.org.au/merit/project/index/1f49538f-d762-4d38999b-fc142e3e558b
Australian Government (2015) MERIT: Newcastle Riparian-Ramsar Connections.
https://fieldcapture.ala.org.au/merit/project/index/a3195f8e-2f00-4d23-b461-50c4bf76e3b2
Australian Government (2015) Australian Wetlands Database – Hunter Estuary
www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/wetlands/ramsardetails.pl?refcode=24
Australian Government (2105) Australian Wetlands Database – Little Llangothlin Lagoon
www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/wetlands/ramsardetails.pl?refcode=47
Australian Government (2015) Australian Wetlands Database – Fivebough and Tuckerbil
Wetlands www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/wetlands/ramsardetails.pl?refcode=62
WetlandCare Australia (2014) Fivebough and Tuckerbil Wetlands – Adaptive Environmental
Management Plan. WetlandCare Australia, Ballina NSW.
WetlandCare Australia (2014) Moreton Bay Management Plan. Coastal 20 Wetlands
Program. WetlandCare Australia, Brisbane Queensland.
Reef, Range and Red Dust 2015, Caloundra