The Wetlands Policy of the Commonwealth Government of Australia was launched on the inaugural World Wetlands Day, 2 February 1997. The goal of the policy is to promote the conservation, repair and wise use of wetlands as an official acknowledgment that Australia recognises the many values of wetlands, and is prepared to build their conservation and wise use into the daily business of Government. The policy’s six major strategies set out a range of actions designed to address the management of Commonwealth wetlands through Commonwealth legislation and programs and to act as a catalyst, stimulating and enabling Australians, including all spheres of Government, to participate in a collective effort towards the wise use of wetlands. The six major strategies address:

• managing wetlands on Commonwealth land and waters
• implementing Commonwealth policies and legislation and delivering Commonwealth programs
• involving the Australian people in wetlands management
• working in partnership with State/Territory and local Governments
• ensuring a sound scientific basis for policy and management, and
• international actions.

The Commonwealth Wetlands Policy represents a significant first step towards development of a national approach to wetlands management.

During the past triennium the Commonwealth Government has established the Natural Heritage Trust, which is a major capital investment of AUD$1.25 billion aimed at conserving and managing Australia’s biodiversity, land, water, vegetation and sea on an ecologically sustainable basis. In partnership with the community and state agencies, the Commonwealth contributes funding through the Natural Heritage Trust to a number of programs designed to protect and restore the environment. Both the National Wetlands Program and Waterwatch Australia are funded through the Trust.

Conservation of wetlands, wetland biota and habitats is a priority under the National Wetlands Program but is also possible under most other Natural Heritage Trust programs, particularly Murray-Darling 2001, Rivercare, Coasts and Clean Seas and the National Vegetation Initiative (Bushcare). One of the outcomes sought for the Trust, including the National Wetlands Program, is the development of a strategic and holistic approach to environmental and natural resource management issues which are best addressed at a regional scale. As a funding mechanism, the Trust is encouraging integrated outcomes for land, water, native vegetation and biodiversity.

The Commonwealth has specifically allocated more than $14m to the National Wetlands Program over the first five years of the Natural Heritage Trust (1997/98-2000/01). Areas funded under this Program include Waterwatch, research and development, training, community education, management planning, inventory work, new Ramsar site nominations and onground wetland activities.

A list of projects funded under the National Wetlands Program since 1996 to assist the conservation and wise use of wetlands is at Appendix 1.

A Wetlands Conservation Policy for Western Australia (Government of Western Australia 1997) was launched on 23 August 1997 by Hon Cheryl Edwardes, MLA (Minister for the Environment) and Hon Kim Hames MLA (Minister for Water Resources). The Policy has 5 principal objectives and a strategy for implementation that includes 62 actions. The State Government agencies with primary responsibility for these actions are identified. A "Wetlands Coordinating Committee" has been established to coordinate implementation of the Policy and a Program of Action is being developed. It is recognised that successful implementation will require a partnership of government, private enterprise, landholders and the community at large.

The Wetlands Management Policy was released in 1996 and is being implemented within the Total Catchment Management Framework, overseen by the State Catchment Management Coordination Committee. The aim of the policy is ‘the ecologically sustainable use, management and conservation of wetlands in New South Wales for the benefit of present and future generations’. A subcommittee, the Wetland Action Group, has been formed to prepare and annually review a Wetland Action Plan which will detail priority areas for wetland work including community based projects and Government activities such as wetland research, monitoring, management and planning. The first Wetlands Action Plan (1998/99) was released in June 1998.

The Victorian Biodiversity Strategy was released in December 1997. It includes a statement of the Victorian Government’s wetlands policy under the section Victoria’s Biodiversity. Directions in Management, Part II, Wetlands.

The Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory commissioned a report into the conservation status of wetlands in the Northern Territory (Storrs, M.J. & Finlayson, M., 1997. Overview of the conservation status of wetlands of the Northern Territory. Supervising Scientist Report 116, Commonwealth of Australia). The draft Strategy for Conservation of the Biological Diversity of Wetlands in the Northern Territory of Australia has been developed from recommendations contained in this report. It will be made available for public comment during 1999.

The State Government has adopted the Strategy for the Conservation and Management of Queensland's Wetlands. The Strategy sets out a definition, values and functions of wetlands, states objectives for conservation and management, and provides a series of initiatives for implementing each objective. A whole of government approach was taken in the development of the Strategy.

The development of a South Australian Wetlands Policy is being funded by the National Wetlands Program under the Natural Heritage Trust. A draft is programmed for release by July 1999.

The development of a Tasmanian Wetlands Policy is being funded by the National Wetlands Program under the Natural Heritage Trust with a draft expected by mid 1999.

No strategy in place or currently proposed.

The Nature Conservation Act 1980 provides the main statutory basis for conservation in the Territory although it makes no specific reference to wetlands

The Wetlands Management Policy is implemented within the Total Catchment Management Framework, overseen by the State Catchment Management Coordination Committee. This framework is outlined in the Catchment Management Act 1989. Catchment Management Committees provide a key mechanism for planning with Regional or Local Committees, developing specific management goals for their wetlands, based on the State strategy.

Other initiatives include a major water reform program to ensure the long term sustainability of the state’s waterways. For the first time major water decisions are made by CEOs of six agencies, environment Protection Authority, Department of Land and Water Conservation, National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Fisheries, Department of agriculture and Department of Urban Affairs and planning. This has resulted in considerable more ecological emphasis on policy and management of water which benefits wetlands. The reform program includes the development of environmental objectives for all waterways and the establishment of a Healthy Rivers Commission to conduct independent public inquiries in designated catchments. A further process, involving extensive community consultation and the formation of locally based River Management Committees, has been established to develop and implement river management plans. These plans will address water quality and the management of river flows to ensure that environmental objectives are met. A policy on groundwater protection for dependent ecosystems is being prepared and will address the needs of groundwater dependent wetlands.

The NSW Government also released its Coastal Policy in 1997. This included an extensive process of review and community consultation and is based on the principles of ecologically sustainable development. Specific planning mechanisms include State Environmental Planning Policy 14 - Coastal Wetlands, which provides for thorough environmental assessment of designated developments which may impact on identified coastal wetlands, as well as for restoration orders to ensure the rehabilitation of these wetlands where appropriate.

A State Environmental Planning Policy for Land and Water Management Plans is currently in preparation. This will define the environmental assessment procedures for works proposed under government agreed Natural Resource Management Contracts, including Land and Water Management Plans. Guidelines to ensure the integration of biodiversity, natural and Aboriginal cultural heritage values into Land and Water Management Plans for irrigated areas are also being developed.

The Northern Territory Government’s draft Strategy for Conservation of the Biological Diversity of Wetlands has amongst its objectives to integrate wetland management into regional land and resource management strategies and practice.

The Northern Territory Parks Masterplan lists wetlands amongst its "essential habitats", and sets out a vision for the protection of their natural values and biodiversity.

The Mary River Integrated Catchment Management Plan addresses a number of strategic issues in the catchment including saltwater intrusion, aquatic habitat, weeds, fire, grazing, pastures, nature conservation, clearing, water quality, erosion, the visitor experience and feral pests. This plan will be underpinned by the development of Land Use Objectives which will be undertaken in consultation with the community under the Planning Act and will enshrine the primary framework for land management in the catchment. As foreshadowed in the Mary River Integrated Catchment Management Plan, a Catchment Advisory Committee will be established under the Water Act whose role will be to advise Government on any matters relating to water resource management, including any broader catchment management issues.

The Queensland Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resource Management Strategy includes as essential and highly desirable strategies, encouraging and promoting coordinated development and implementation of community and government-endorsed floodplain and natural wetland management plans, and development of effective techniques and "best-practice" guidelines for conservation, rehabilitation and management of in-stream and riparian habitats, wetlands and floodplains. Other catchment management plans are either investigating, or contain, similar provisions. The draft Queensland wetlands strategy encourages such provisions, both at the catchment and individual property level.

Water Allocation and Management Plans (WAMP), and Water Management Plans (WMP), developed under the Water Resources Act 1989, for key catchments in Queensland integrate the environmental requirements for in-stream and riverine wetlands with broad water resource planning and allocation. The Healthy Waterways initiative, launched in May 1998, aims to integrate whole catchment planning and rehabilitation of the rivers, to protect the Moreton Bay wetlands downstream.

Under the Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995 a State Coastal Management Plan and Regional Coastal Management Plans (subordinate legislation) are being prepared. These allow for coastal tidal, brackish and contiguous freshwater wetlands to be included in "control districts" which will have negotiated protection and management regimes. A specific policy within the State Plan is devoted to wetlands.

The Catchment Management Act 1995 and Water Resources Act 1997 require integrated management for key water catchments across South Australia. At present, catchment water management boards have been established in the Torrens, Onkaparinga, Sturt, Northern Adelaide/ Barossa, River Murray and South East catchments with the aim of integrating surface water and groundwater management with other land management activities within the respective catchments. Wetland management is being integrated more broadly into land use planning in SA (regionally and locally) through the incorporation and recognition of their priority environmental values in revegetation and biodiversity strategies and in local government supplementary development plans eg. wetlands are the top priority environmental ecosystem in the recently released Upper South East Regional Revegetation Strategy and will be in the forthcoming Upper South East Biodiversity Strategy. Wetland Care Australia is working with Local Action Planning Committees on the River Murray through funding provided by the NHT. Seven wetland management plans are being prepared for Paringa Paddock, Gurra Gurra wetlands complex, Wachtels Lagoon, Reedy Creek, Blanchetown East wetlands complex, Morgans lagoons, Scotts Creek and Brenda Park wetlands complex.

Tasmania is currently preparing a draft State Policy on Integrated Catchment Management and has in place a State Coastal Policy. Both these give consideration to wetlands.

A draft Model Planning Scheme is also in preparation that will set a standard format and content for municipal planning schemes. This scheme will include a Wetlands and Waterways schedule to guide Local Government authorities when dealing with wetland issues within their municipalities.

Other relevant actions are the State of the Environment report that monitors ecological condition and extent of waterways and the planned new Water Act that will determine and allocate environmental flows.

The Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 provides an integrated catchment management framework, facilitating the wise use of wetlands in a whole of catchment framework. As required by the Act, regional catchment strategies were prepared for the ten regional catchments in Victoria in 1996 by Catchment and Land Protection Boards.

The Water Act 1989 sets down a legislative framework for the allocation of environmental flows in rivers in Victoria. The legislation formally takes account of environmental requirements through mechanisms such as the granting of bulk entitlements for environmental purposes and ensuring that new developments in water management take account of environmental needs. The process of allocating environmental flows in Victorian rivers where diversions exist is about 75% complete.

The Victorian Coastal Strategy was released in 1997. The strategy sets out principles and strategies for sustaining marine environments, protecting significant natural and cultural features, including wetlands, providing direction for the future use of the coast and identifying suitable development areas and opportunities.

The Victoria Planning Provisions were introduced as part of a planning reform process in 1996 to simplify and standardise the planning process. The State Planning Policy Framework makes reference to the Ramsar Convention. The planning provisions provide for standard zones and overlays in local planning schemes, including an ‘environmental significance overlay’. These instruments provide a mechanism for local government to make planning provisions for the protection of wetlands on private land and are recognised as an important planning tool for Ramsar sites with private land such as Corner Inlet and Port Phillip Bay (Western Shoreline) and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar site.

The Heritage Rivers Act 1992 provides for the protection and management of nominated heritage rivers in line with approved recommendations of the Victorian Land Conservation Council. There are eighteen heritage rivers in Victoria. The Lake Albacutya Ramsar site is included in the Wimmera Heritage River. In 1997, draft management plans were published for each of the heritage rivers. The plans will be finalised in 1998.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 provides a legislative framework for the conservation of biodiversity in Victoria. It provides for the listing of threatened species and communities and the preparation of action statements for these species and communities. It also allows for the listing of potentially threatening processes. Several wetland species and communities and threatening processes relating to wetland habitats are listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act. Action statements have been prepared and are being implemented for 15 threatened species and one threatening process occurring in wetlands. Action statements are currently being prepared for two additional threatened wetland species.

A Coastal Action Plan is being prepared for the Gippsland Lakes which will review the existing Gippsland Lakes Strategy (1990) addressing issues such as water quality integrated catchment management. A Coastal Action Plan is planned for Western Port which will review the existing Western Port Bay Strategy (1992).

The State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP): Waters of Victoria provides the basis for protecting water quality in all surface waters in Victoria. Schedules to the SEPP provide additional direction for specific areas. A review of the SEPP: Waters of Victoria is planned for 1998/99.

Government agencies have developed a number of policy initiatives aimed at increasing the consideration given to wetlands in planning and management processes. These policy tools have been supported by inter-agency and community consultation processes. Examples of these are:

• Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines (Whelans et al. 1993)
• Waterways Management Authorities (eg. Swan River, Peel Inlet, Leschenault Inlet)
• Water Allocation and Water Use Plans

Department of Environmental Protection

• Environmental Protection Policies addressing wetland needs (Swan Coastal Plain Lakes, Peel Inlet-Harvey Estuary, Swan and Canning Rivers, South West Agricultural Zone Wetlands)
• Policies are at present being developed for protection of Western Swamp Tortoise habitat, State marine waters and State groundwater
• "Guidelines for Environmental Planning" which assist local and State government planning agencies to understand the environmental approval process, wherein wetlands are identified as one of the key points of environmental interest

Ministry for Planning

• Review of Local Government planning schemes (with benefits for wetlands) that require referrals to the Environmental Protection Authority
• A foreshore development policy is being developed
• Perth’s Bushplan (with benefits for wetlands) - integrated planning being coordinated by the Ministry for Planning with the involvement of the Department of Conservation and Land Management, Department of Environmental Protection and the Water and Rivers Commission
• Livable Neighbourhood - (Draft) Urban Design Code - a statutory planning policy to guide development (with benefits for wetlands)

A number of assessments have been and are being conducted to identify and quantify wetland resources. These provide data for input to integrated planning and management of wetlands. Examples include:

• Perth Wetlands Resource Book - (Arnold 1990)
• A Representative Marine Reserve System for Western Australia (Marine Parks and Reserves Selection Working Group 1994)
• Important Wetlands of Western Australia (Lane et al. 1996)
• Wetlands of the Swan Coastal Plain Volume 2A Wetland Mapping, Classification and Evaluation (Hill et al. 1996)
• A Systematic Overview of Environmental Values of the Wetlands, Rivers and Estuaries of the Busselton-Walpole Region (Pen 1997)
• Biodiversity (including wetlands) survey of the South West Wheatbelt Region under the Salinity Action Plan (Department of Conservation and Land Management current)

Waterwatch Australia is the national program which coordinates and supports the monitoring of our waterways by the community to facilitate action to address water quality issues. Waterwatch equips local communities with the skills and knowledge to take an active role in managing their land and water. Waterwatch Australia provides funding through the Natural Heritage Trust (see Box 2) for community groups, state governments and other organisations to support community monitoring programs. There is a Waterwatch Facilitator in every State and Territory who coordinates Waterwatch activities and provides training and resources to support activities which identify and monitor the particular traits of their local waterways and to build up a picture of the health of the catchment. A network of regional coordinators assist groups to interpret their results and plan to take action to remediate damage. Waterwatch has proved that committed, well trained communities can dramatically improve the health of their waterways.

Waterwatch Australia plays a role in the monitoring of chemicals and pollution in local waterways and wetlands. Information collected through Waterwatch monitoring can lead to action that will prevent pollution impacts. In particular, Waterwatch monitoring is valuable as an early warning of potential pollution impacts on Ramsar sites. There are 4000 Waterwatch sites across Australia being regularly monitored for chemicals and pollutants. Nearly one third of Australia's Ramsar sites and/or their catchments are monitored by over 200 Waterwatch groups at approximately 600 sites. Approximately 120 Waterwatch sites within Ramsar site boundaries are monitored by over 50 Waterwatch groups. Over 150 Waterwatch groups monitor within Ramsar catchments.

The Nature Conservation Act 1980 is the primary legislative instrument for the protection of biological diversity and the management of reserved areas in the Australian Capital Territory. The A.C.T. Nature Conservation Strategy seeks to manage urban and industrial pollution so that biodiversity values of freshwater aquatic systems remain within natural limits. Key actions under the Strategy include: monitoring sources of pollution and effectiveness of water treatment; and ensuring pollution management and water treatment programs are undertaken to ensure biodiversity values are maintained.

The current water reforms program includes the establishment of water quality objectives for the state’s waterways and the development of river management plans to achieve those objectives. A groundwater quality policy has also been prepared. The NSW government released a Waterways Package in 1997 which includes a commitment to require local councils to produce urban stormwater management plans. A guide to the preparation of these plans was also released (Managing Urban Stormwater: Council Handbook. NSW Environment Protection Authority 1997)

Recent amendments to the Environment Operations Act have increased the power of the Environment Protection Authority to regulate pollution discharges into waterways.

The Mary River Integrated Catchment Management Plan has been formulated and will be implemented by a local community-based group with Government support.

In the Arafura Swamp, on Croker Island, and in the catchments of the Daly, Finniss, Liverpool/Tompkinson, Fitzmaurice and Moyle Rivers, indigenous peoples will be the primary determinants of management prescriptions, also with Government support.

The Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist has also commenced documentation of a demonstration stream monitoring program for possible adoption by private enterprises and government regulatory agencies. This will include documentation of all planning and implementation procedures.

The Moreton Bay Ramsar site is the Queensland site at most actual or potential risk from pollution. Recently studies have been published detailing the condition of, and issues affecting, the Bay. A Waterways Management Plan for the waterways emptying into Moreton Bay was launched as part of the "Healthy Waterways" initiative in June 1998. At the same time, the State and local governments committed to, among other initiatives, $300 million over the next 20 years for sewerage treatment works upgrades, $100 million for stormwater treatment and management, and up to $1 billion for wastewater reuse projects, in an effort to improve water quality in the waterways and western areas of Moreton Bay. Coral extraction has ceased.

Watching briefs are being maintained on Queensland’s other three sites, and management planning is progressing, which will take pollution and other issues into account. Point source pollution and discharge is regulated under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and water quality is regulated through subordinate legislation (Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 1997).

The Environmental Protection Act 1993 is the key legislative instrument for ensuring the wetland resources of the State are not effected by pollution. Further, the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 provide management frameworks to regulate and control polluting activities that impinge upon biological and water resources.

In regard to South Australian Ramsar sites, issues of water quality and environmental flows are dealt within site management plans. At Coongie, these issues are partially being dealt with through the Draft Water Management Plan for Cooper Creek. In the Coorong, the draft Coorong and Lower Lakes Ramsar Management Plan proposes strategies to mitigate and utilise flows from the River Murray and through drainage works arising from the Upper South East Dryland Salinit and Flood Management Plan.

The Commonwealth is providing $3.5m in 1998/99 for the Tasmanian Regional Environment Remediation Programme which focuses on improving water quality and amenity in key rivers within Tasmania by reducing and removing sources of pollution. Funding has been provided for capital works at Orielton Lagoon, a Ramsar site in Tasmania, for remediation works to improve flushing and to divert sewage away from the site.

The State Policy on Water Quality Management came into force in 1997. It will set pollution limits in relation to the environmental values of water bodies.

The State Environment Protection Policy: Waters of Victoria sets environmental objectives that aim to prevent toxicity in wetlands. The process of issuing discharge licences by the Environmental Protection Authority ensures compliance with the policy.

Potential contamination of inland and marine waters is recognised as an important environmental issue in Western Australia. Using the OECD "pressure-state-response" model, objectives and indicators have recently been established for reporting on contamination (State of the Environment Reference Group 1998).

Discharge of waste by large industrial plants is regulated by the Department of Environmental Protection under a licence system backed by punitive action for breaches of the requirements. Problems have been recognised with the historical contamination of groundwater from chemical plants and tailings ponds.

Liquid waste discharge is permitted only into sewerage systems (meeting water quality standards) or at Industrial and Biological Waste Treatment sites. An additional "Best Practice Environmental Licence" system is being considered that provides an incentive to industry to adopt environmental responsibility and improve environmental performance. A number of special licensing systems and "codes of practice" have recently been put in place to regulate waste products from small industries and businesses.

The A.C.T. has two categories of land: National Land (Commonwealth owned and managed) and Territory Land (managed by the A.C.T. Government).

Proposals with potential to impact on National Land or Designated Areas must be referred to the National Capital Authority (NCA) for a process of works approval. If the proposal is likely to have a significant impact, the NCA has a responsibility to refer the proposal to Environment Australia under the Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974 (see ‘Commonwealth’ above).

On Territory Land any proposal that calls for: a variation to the Territory Plan (ie change in land use); the granting or variation of a lease over Territory Land; a controlled activity (such as an encroachment on public land; or any design and siting proposal) is subject under the A.C.T. Land Act to consideration by the Planning Minister. If a proposal is approved, controls can be placed on the development (eg lease and development conditions, or design and siting requirements).

The preparation of an environmental impact statement is mandatory for designated development and activities that are likely to significantly affect the environment are required under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Other relevant mechanisms include:

• State Environmental Planning Policy No.14 Coastal Wetlands, which provides for thorough environmental assessment of designated developments which may impact on identified coastal wetlands, as well as for restoration orders to ensure the rehabilitation of these wetlands where appropriate.
• Threatened Species Conservation Act, which includes in its aims to ensure that the impact of any action affecting threatened species, populations and ecological communities is properly assessed.
• Native Vegetation Conservation Act, which aims to provide for the conservation and protection of native vegetation, including wetland vegetation, on a regional basis.

Environmental impact assessment is required for developments potentially impacting on wetlands, under the Integrated Planning Act 1997, but the definition of wetlands was interpreted narrowly under previous legislation. Guidelines and principles are currently being developed for this new legislation (which came into force in April 1998).

The preparation of environmental impact statements is required pursuant to the Development Act 1993 for all major developments including those which impact upon wetland environments. Other legislation requires proponents to ensure that environmental impacts can be managed but the detail required in the assessment process is dependent upon the significance of the potential environmental impact. Other relevant mechanisms are the Native Vegetation Act 1991, Soil Conservation and Land Care Act 1989, Water Resources Act 1997 and the Environmental Protection Act 1993.

There are three pieces of legislation relating to impact assessment in Tasmania. Which Act applies depends largely on the type of proposal and the potential for ‘environmental harm’.

The Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 refers to activities which may cause environmental harm and which require a permit. Proposals are assessed by local municipal councils.

The Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 differentiates between ‘serious’ and ‘material’ environmental harm and is focussed on polluting activities. Proposals are assessed by a Board which conducts an environmental assessment while the Council assesses planning issues. The Board can direct Councils to refuse or grant a permit (with or without conditions).

Activities which are of State significance are addressed under the State Policies and Projects Act 1993. Projects are assessed under a special form of integrated assessment taking the place of all other government approvals processes.

Victoria has a process for environmental impact assessment which operates at three levels:

• planning provisions and approvals under the Planning and Environment Act 1987
• Environmental Protection Authority works approvals under the Environment Protection Act 1970
• Environmental effects statements for certain proposed works under the Environmental Effects Act 1978

Development proposals in Western Australia require environmental impact assessment to ensure that environmental impacts can be managed. The detail required in the assessment process is dependent on the significance of the potential environmental impacts. In reviewing a proposal the assessment specifically examines if there will be any adverse impact on the integrity, function and environmental values of wetlands. Public involvement is considered to be fundamental to the assessment process. Guidelines to the assessment process are available for developers and the community. A position paper on "wetland protection" is being drafted.

Increasing salinity in the southwest of Western Australia is considered to be one of the State’s most critical environmental problems. The problem has been caused by the replacement of most of the native vegetation with agricultural crops and pastures. In 1996 the Western Australian Government completed a Salinity Action Plan (Agriculture Western Australia et al. 1996). One of the four aims of this plan is to "protect and restore key water resources and high value wetlands.

As part of the Salinity Action Plan a Wetlands and Natural Diversity Recovery Program is being established that will target a minimum of six key catchments over the next ten years to ensure that "critical and regionally significant natural areas, particularly wetlands are protected". Key activities being undertaken by the Department of Conservation and Land Management as part of the program are: implementation of a recovery plan for Lake Toolibin Ramsar site, and preparation and implementation of recovery plans for Lake Muir-Unicup and the Lake Warden Ramsar site.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service have prepared a draft Strategy for the Nomination of Ramsar sites on Private Land in NSW. The document outlines four strategies for promoting the listing of Ramsar sites on private land in NSW and lists actions for each of these strategies. Management options are identified and a sample of questions and answers on the Ramsar Convention and implications of Ramsar listing for landholders is included.

The State Wetlands Action Group (SWAG) includes participation of local communities through Catchment Management Committee representatives. SWAG also administers a Wetlands Action Fund which provides funding for local communities to implement wetlands conservation and rehabilitation projects which are in accordance with the NSW Wetlands Management Policy and SWAG guidelines.

The NSW water reform program has included extensive community consultation and participation in the development of interim environmental objectives for water quality and environmental flows provision. Part of the consultation program was developed with, and targeted, indigenous communities. All River Management Committees established under the water reform program aim to have participants from local communities including indigenous communities.

Management plans for national parks, nature reserves, Ramsar sites and river valleys all have a public consultation component.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service is preparing a CD rom wetland database for rivers and wetlands which will include a bibliography of information for management of wetlands and rivers. This will assist local communities including Catchment and River Management Committees, as well as students, agencies and landholders to access information relevant to management. The first catchment to be developed is the Macquarie, which includes the Macquarie Marshes Ramsar site. As funding allows, the database will be developed for other catchments throughout the State.

A scientific workshop, organised by the Paroo River Association and the National Parks and Wildlife Service was held in July 1997 at Hungerford (on the QLD/NSW border). The Association is comprised largely of local landholders who convened the workshop as a way of bringing together the expertise of scientists and landholders and acknowledge the significance of the wetlands of the Paroo. The proceedings will be published as a book and deal with ecological, social and economic issues as water resource development is considered for this highly significant river system.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service, in co-operation with the World Wide Fund for Nature Australia, liaising with landholders in the Gwydir region to develop a Memorandum of Understanding for the management of the wetlands.

The Mary River Integrated Catchment Management Plan has been formulated and will be implemented by a local community-based group with Government support. Support is provided to the Lower Mary River Landcare Group as requested.

The Northern Land Council (NLC) and other agencies are actively assisting local aboriginal communities to develop management prescriptions for their wetlands and have provided training at the Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist (eriss). NLC and eriss have also drafted an information document for wetland management planning for one Aboriginal association.

NLC and eriss also assisted the Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation to prepare a paper for the IUCN/Ramsar project on developing guidelines for involving local communities in wetland management. The paper was presented at a meeting in Japan organised by the Kushiro International Wetland Centre.

For the past two years the Northern Territory University and eriss have held a two week wetland management training module as part of a MSc course. This course includes general wetland ecology and management issues, and involves ten to fifteen students at a time.

Local communities have been actively involved in the management planning process for Ramsar sites where such plans are being developed. Local communities have been consulted regarding the proposal to list the Great Sandy Strait as a Ramsar site. Community involvement is also facilitated through Catchment Coordinating Committees (Integrated Catchment Management), Waterwatch and in public consultation and Community Advisory Committees in the development of Water Management Plans.

Local communities have been empowered to contribute to wetland management through Landcare initiatives and the local action planning process. These processes have universally recognised the value of wetlands and made financial resources available to actively manage and rehabilitate wetlands. The South Australian Government has a policy to encourage joint management of reserves with indigenous communities. As part of the Ramsar management planning processes at Coongie Lakes and the Coorong local indigenous communities have been consulted, briefed and included in formulating plans for management. Final release of these plans will confirm the government's commitment to the joint management policy.

A current management planning process for all ten Ramsar sites in Victoria includes opportunities for public consultation and comment on draft plans. Management plans prepared for other wetlands in the conservation reserve network and for wetland forests covered by the forest management planning process similarly provide opportunities for public consultation and comment.

Public involvement in wetlands management is also facilitated through membership on Catchment Management Authorities, Coastal Boards and public consultation in the preparation of strategies, business and action plans. Various stakeholder groups such as the Victorian Wetlands Trust, Birds Australia, the Victorian Field and Game Association and friends groups for local wetlands continue to take an active interest in wetland conservation and management.

The largest-scale involvement of local communities has been in the "landcare" movement in agricultural regions of the south-west of Western Australia. This has involved the self empowerment of land owners and community members to address land and water conservation issues in their local catchments. The key concern has been the rise of saline ground water resulting in declining agricultural productivity, damage to infrastructure and death of lowland, including wetland, vegetation.

Four of the nine Ramsar listed wetlands in Western Australia have management advisory committees and each of these has local community representatives.

The State’s Wetlands Coordinating Committee has two members from non-government, community-based organisations.

The major estuarine waterways in the south-west have formal management authorities which include local community representatives.

The largest community based wetland monitoring project is Ribbons of Blue, the Western Australian Waterwatch Program. The program involves 106 groups monitoring 267 wetlands (many of which are rivers or streams). It is supported by 11 part time coordinators. Other community based monitoring projects focus on frogs and waterbirds.

Over the past 2 years, Environment Australia has supported the National Parks and Wildlife Service to prepare a Strategy for the Nomination of Ramsar Sites on Private Land in NSW. A Draft Strategy is complete and it provides a range of strategies to promote and assist with the voluntary nomination of Ramsar sites on private land, together with a series of questions and answers to clarify what Ramsar listing means for private landholders.

The Strategic Plan Action 2.8.1 ‘Encourage the private sector to give increased recognition to wetland attributes, functions and values when carrying out projects affecting wetlands’ is addressed through the planning mechanisms described in the responses to questions 2.5 and 2.6.

Action 2.8.2 ‘Encourage the private sector to apply the Wise Use Guidelines when executing development projects affecting wetlands’ is being addressed through the preparation of the NSW Wetlands Management Policy - Management Guidelines by the Department of Land and Water Conservation and through the planning mechanisms described in responses to questions 2.5 and 2.6.

Actions 2.8.3 ‘Encourage the private sector to work in partnership with site managers to monitor the ecological character of wetlands’ and 2.8.4 ‘Involve the private sector in the management of wetlands through participation in wetland management committees’ have not been addressed at a State wide scale but there are examples of these actions being implemented at regional/local level.

There has not been a specific review of fiscal measures affecting wetlands conservation in NSW. There has however been an amendment to the Local Government Act that has removed areas subject to Voluntary Conservation Agreements under the National Parks and Wildlife Act from the ratings base (ie made these areas exempt from Local Government rates). A current project funded under the Natural Heritage Trust is reviewing incentives and disincentives for wetland rehabilitation and will report during 1998.

An example of private sector involvement in wetland rehabilitation include over $700,000 of corporate sponsorship of the Kooragang Wetland rehabilitation Project by Port Waratah Coal Services, Transgrid, Brambles Industrial Services, BHP, Metromix Steelstone and Koppers.

The Territory encourages and supports the sustainable harvest of estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) eggs and adults. Training of aboriginal landowners and other commercial operators is provided, and landowners receive payment on each individual egg or animal harvested. This is designed to provide an incentive for the good management of wetlands.

Through Land and Water Management Plans and Property Management Plans, the private sector is encouraged to provide for the conservation and management of wetlands within the overall planning for their business. Nature Refuges and other voluntary conservation agreements, declared under the Nature Conservation Act 1994, are promoted to provide protection for areas of high conservation value on privately owned land. A "Land for Wildlife" voluntary scheme is currently being trialled. Incentive schemes are being actively explored in collaboration with the Commonwealth. Community based catchment planning and management through regional plans, ICM and Landcare takes wetlands conservation into account.

Private sector management of wetland ecosystems is encouraged and supported to achieve positive environmental. The Heritage Agreement Grant Scheme provides assitance with planning and on-ground works for areas of remnant vegetation and Landcare groups in South Australia work with private landholders to resolve issues of wetland rehabilitation and biodiversity conservation. The Wetlands and Wildlife Trust and BRL Hardy manage significant private wetland areas with assistance from NGOs (Wetland Care Australia) and government.

Land for Wildlife is a voluntary program that assists private landholders in conserving biodiversity (including wetlands) by providing advice and a forum for education and information sharing through newsletters, field days, technical notes and extension activities.

Trust for Nature (Victoria) is a statutory corporation that has a responsibility to protect significant vegetation, and some wetlands, on private land. It achieves this by negotiating the placement of voluntary protective covenants on private land, purchasing and managing properties including covenanting and on-selling.

There are about 700 Landcare groups in Victoria. Landcare groups work together to resolve issues on private land such as land protection, pest plant and animal problems, environmental restoration and biodiversity conservation.

In Western Australia the private sector has been encouraged to give increased recognition to wetland attributes, functions and values in the following ways:

• Community-based catchment planning and management by rural landholders (e.g. Salinity Action Plan, Natural Heritage Trust, Landcare, Bushcare, Demonstration Catchments in the Avon Valley) has been given recognition and support by the State Government. Though mainly focused on maintaining farm productivity, increasingly this is giving attention to regional hydrology and rehabilitation of wetlands
• Establishment of "catchment management centres" (e.g. Pinjarra) to assist the development of local land management solutions to environmental degradation (Bradby 1997)
• Preparation and distribution of booklets on planning for wetlands (guidelines for environmental planning, water sensitive designs for urban developments)
• Development of guidelines to assist the mining industry in the construction and management of tailings ponds to minimise ground and surface water contamination and impacts on wildlife

Examples of private sector involvement in wetlands in Western Australia:

• Alcoa of Australia: funding for "Rivers, Wetlands and Habitats" partnerships for community-based wetland rehabilitation and management on the Swan Coastal Plain, which have involved local communities, landholders and Local and State Government agencies
• Alcoa of Australia: support for the "Chain of Diamonds" project, conducted by Greening Western Australia, which involves conducting workshops on wetland management and rehabilitation to community groups in the Perth area
• Bunnings: support for wetland education and monitoring activities (Ribbons of Blue) in the Blackwood River catchment
• Bank West Landscope Conservation Visa Card Trust Account: Funding from the Trust Account has been used to support fencing of Pumpkin Springs