Recommendation 6.17.4: Australian Ramsar sites
6th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties
Brisbane, Australia
19-27 March 1996
1. RECALLING that, in 1974, Australia was the first state to deposit its instrument of accession to the Ramsar Convention with UNESCO; and
2. AWARE that in the ensuing years 49 Ramsar sites have been designated in all Australian States and Territories, as well as in Australia’s island external territories;
THE CONFERENCE OF THE CONTRACTING PARTIES
3. CONGRATULATES Australian authorities for commencing management plans or strategies for more than 32 of Australia’s Ramsar sites since the last Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties;
4. REQUESTS the Australian authorities to consider prudent and feasible alternatives to proposed major developments within a number of Australian Ramsar sites or their catchment, where those developments would have significant adverse impacts on the Ramsar sites concerned ;
5. REQUESTS the Australian authorities to consider providing water to a number of Ramsar sites in inland Australia in greater quantity and with timing more closely related to natural environment conditions;
6. CALLS ON the Australian authorities to provide adequate resources to reverse threats to Ramsar sites caused by rising saline groundwater;
7. CALLS ON the Australian authorities to institute appropriate public Environmental Impact Assessment procedures, before permitting the introduction into Australia of live exotic species which have the potential for a significant impact on wetlands;
8. CONGRATULATES the Government of Australia for its joint management with Aboriginal owners in the custodianship and management of Australia’s Kakadu Ramsar site;
9. INVITES the Australian authorities to consider inclusion of sites in the Montreux Record, where this would assist substantially in monitoring, maintaining or restoring the ecological character of Ramsar sites under serious threat; and
10. URGES the Australian authorities to take immediate steps to ensure the long-term conservation of its peatlands.
