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Wetland inventory and prioritisation in the Burnett Mary Region

Wetlands in the Burnett Mary strive forward - June 2009

From October 2008 to June 2009, WetlandCare Australia has been working in partnership with the Burnett Mary Regional Group for Natural Resource Management, undertaking wetland rehabilitation, raising awareness, and forging multi-partnered approaches to wetland management within the Burnett Mary region in  Queensland.

As part of this program, seventeen of forty-two regionally prioritised wetland systems have been targeted and had significant on-ground works undertaken to improve the health of those wetland systems. Additionally another ten wetland projects have been undertaken, resulting in key rehabilitation works and building of strong partnerships within the region

Three investment streams have been supporting this work:
The Federal Governments Reef Rescue and Better Catchments incentive schemes, and the joint Federal and Queensland Government initiative Healthy Habitats have invested in these on-ground wetland management projects.

These programs have provided positive on-ground wetland outcomes, raising the resource condition of these regionally important wetlands. They have also significantly raised the profile of wetlands within the Burnett Mary region and engaged a wide range of stakeholders within the community, from landholders, community groups, local government and state government organisations, to schools and individuals. It is hoped that these programs will continue into the future to support these highly desirable and regionally significant outcomes.

Click here to download the report "Prioritised Wetlands Targeted for the Burnett Mary 2008-2009".

For more information on these programs or how you can become involved please contact Rachael Nasplezes, Project Coordinator Burnett Mary, Bundaberg, 07 4181 2999 or rachaelnasplezes@wetlandcare.com.au

Watch interviews with Landholders - 2009

Part 1:

Part 2:

 

Photos:

 

Fencing off a creek line to restrict access to stock and providing off-creek stock watering points helps to discourage cattle "pugging" the soil and fouling natural waterways. Reef Rescue aims to improve water quality flowing into the Great Barrier Reef.

 

BMRG Staff, Bundaberg Landcare members and local scientists and NGO's were all part of a workshop held to inform stakeholders of the suite of tools available for wetland management under the Queensland Wetlands Program.

 

Wetland inventory and prioritisation in the Burnett Mary Region 2009

 Wetlands play a major role in reducing sediment, pesticide and nutrient loads entering freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems. They improve the quality of surface water run-off and play a critical role in the function of their catchment. They also provide drought/breeding refuges and support animal and plant species that are considered endangered or of ecological significance in the Burnett Mary region.

The Burnett Mary region contains Ramsar listed wetlands (internationally important) as well as wetlands listed in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia (2003). The importance of recognising and protecting our wetlands is vital to the health of the overall region as well as being important to vegetation and wildlife populations.

Wetland Care Australia, in partnership with the Burnett Mary Regional Group now has a full-time project coordinator working in the Burnett Mary region, Rachael Nasplezes. Mrs Nasplezes said she would use her experience to oversee the rehabilitation of high priority wetlands, especially on private land.

"An inventory of 42 wetlands has already been prepared, so we know which ones are important and what needs to be done" she said. "My job is to make sure they are restored - by removing aquatic weeds, fencing to exclude stock, revegetating riparian areas and relocating stock watering points."

Chairman of the Burnett Mary Regional Group, Russell Stewart, said "We are delighted to be in partnership with WetlandCare Australia, as they have the expertise to get our wetlands back into good shape" he said. "For too long, wetlands have been regarded by many as swampy "wastelands" and breeding grounds for mosquitoes, but we now know they are very important for our freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems" he said.

Priority wetlands are found right across the Burnett Mary region. For more information on the project click here.

The inventory will be publicly available shortly, and copies can be obtained by contacting Rachael Nasplezes, Project Coordinator Burnett Mary, Bundaberg, 07 4181 2999 or email rachaelnasplezes@wetlandcare.com.au

 Information Bulletins:
 

• WetlandCare Australia lands in the Burnett Mary Region.pdf