The Murray–Darling Basin has more than 30,000 wetlands — 16 of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, which are fundamental to the health and viability of the whole basin.
Subscribe now for unlimited access to all our agricultural news
across the nation
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder David Papps said World Wetlands Day on 2 February was an opportunity to celebrate the key role of wetlands as critical breeding grounds for fish and birds, and the benefits of providing environmental water to protect these valuable ecosystems.
“Wetlands are home to many of the basin’s unique flora and fauna. They are the kidneys of the river system, filtering the various sediments and nutrients collected from the landscape before they reach our river systems,” Mr Papps said
“Environmental watering plays a critical role in helping protect and restore wetlands in the Basin, including iconic wetlands of international importance such as the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth, Narran Lakes, Macquarie Marshes, Hattah Lakes.
“It enhances the resilience of wetlands, and long-term strategy and partnerships are needed to support lasting change and improvements to the health of the rivers, floodplains and wetlands.
“Murray—Darling Basin wetlands are a richly diverse range of ecosystems including iconic vegetation such as large floodplain forests of river red gums and a wide variety of native plant and animal species and migratory waterbirds.”
Murray—Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Executive Director of Environmental Management Carl Binning said working with communities to deliver against our objectives to protect and conserve wetlands is a key part of the Murray—Darling Basin plan.
“We identify long-term and annual priorities to help environmental water managers target water to where it will have the best impact,” Mr Binning said.
“We then collaborate with environmental water holders and communities to deliver the water required to sustain these critical ecosystems.
“This is just what the Basin Plan is designed to deliver — a healthy and productive basin for the environment, communities and industries.”
The Murray Darling Basin Plan recognises the important role wetlands play in providing significant economic, environmental, and social benefits.
They are also sacred places to local Aboriginal people and provide communities with recreation and tourism.
