Kerang Wetlands Ramsar Site Strategic Management Plan · LCC former Land Conservation Council MDBC...

Kerang Wetlands Ramsar SiteStrategic Management Plan

Department ofSustainability and Environment

This Strategic Management Plan was developed by Parks Victoria on behalf of the Department of Sustainability and Environment with input from key stakeholders.

This report was prepared with financial support from the National Wetlands Program, under the Natural Heritage Trust.

© The State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment, 2004 This publication is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced, copied, transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical or graphic) without the prior written permission of the State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment. All requests and enquires should be directed to the Copyright Officer, Library Information Services, Department of Sustainability and Environment, 5/250 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002. Disclaimers This publication may be of assistance to you and every effort has been made to ensure that the information in the report is accurate. The Department of Sustainability and Environment does not guarantee that the report is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence, which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

The views and opinions expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Commonwealth Government of Australia, the Federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage, or the Department of the Environment and Heritage.

This report is prepared without prejudice to any negotiated or litigated outcome of any Native Title Determination Applications covering land or waters within the plan’s area. It is acknowledged that any future outcomes of Native Title Determination Applications may necessitate amendment of this report; and the implementation of this plan may require further notifications under the procedures in Division 3 Part 2 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cwlth). The plan is also prepared without prejudice to any future negotiated outcomes between the Government/s and Victorian Aboriginal communities. It is acknowledged that such negotiated outcomes may necessitate amendment of this plan. Published in March 2004 by the Department of Sustainability and Environment Level 14, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria. Copies of this document are available at www.dse.vic.gov.au National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry Victoria. Department of Sustainability and Environment. Kerang Wetlands Ramsar Site: Strategic Management Plan Bibliography. ISBN 1 74106 824 X

Cover: Kerang Wetlands (Photographs: Parks Victoria collection) Printed on recycled paper.

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE KERANG WETLANDS RAMSAR SITE PAGE I

Contents

GLOSSARY III

1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS STATEMENT 1 1.2 PURPOSE OF THE STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 1 1.3 CONSULTATIVE FRAMEWORK 2

2 RAMSAR SITE DESCRIPTION 3

2.1 LOCATION 3 2.2 WETLAND TYPE 3 2.3 CRITERIA MET FOR RAMSAR LISTING 3 2.4 LAND TENURE AND MANAGEMENT 3 2.5 ADJACENT LAND USE 5 2.6 CATCHMENT SETTING 5 2.7 LOCAL GOVERNMENT 6

3 POLICY FRAMEWORK 9

3.1 STRATEGIES 9 3.2 MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENTS, ZONING AND OVERLAYS 11

4 VALUES 12

4.1 WETLAND REPRESENTATIVENESS 12 4.2 FLORA AND FAUNA 12 4.3 WATERBIRDS 13 4.4 NATURAL FUNCTION 13 4.5 ABORIGINAL CULTURAL HERITAGE 14 4.6 SCENIC 14 4.7 ECONOMIC 14 4.8 EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION 14 4.9 RECREATION AND TOURISM 14 4.10 SCIENTIFIC 15 4.11 CONDITION 15

5 MANAGEMENT OF RISKS 16

5.1 ALTERED WATER REGIMES 16 5.2 SALINITY 18 5.3 POLLUTION 20 5.4 PEST PLANTS AND ANIMALS 20 5.5 RESOURCE UTILISATION 21 5.6 RECREATION 22 5.7 EROSION 23 5.8 DREDGING 23 5.9 FIRE 23 5.10 LAND MANAGEMENT 23 5.11 LEVEL OF RISK TO RAMSAR VALUES 23

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE KERANG WETLANDS RAMSAR SITE PAGE II

6 SITE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES 25

REFERENCES 31

APPENDIX 1 LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS 33

APPENDIX 2 THREATENED STATUS OF FLORA 34

APPENDIX 3 THREATENED STATUS OF FAUNA 35

APPENDIX 4 JAMBA, CAMBA AND BONN SPECIES 38

APPENDIX 5 RESOURCE LIST FOR KERANG WETLANDS 39

APPENDIX 6 KERANG WETLANDS RAMSAR INFORMATION SHEET 41

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE KERANG WETLANDS RAMSAR SITE PAGE III

Glossary

BWE Bulk Water Entitlement

CAMBA China - Australia Migratory Bird Agreement

DCFL former Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands (now DSE)

DOI Department of Infrastructure

DPI Department of Primary Industries

DSE Department of Sustainability and Environment

DEH Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage

EC Electrical Conductivity: 1 EC is equivalent to 0.6 mg/L of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

ECC former Environment Conservation Council

GMW Goulburn-Murray Water

IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (World Conservation Union)

JAMBA Japan - Australia Migratory Bird Agreement

LCC former Land Conservation Council

MDBC Murray-Darling Basin Commission

ML Megalitre

NCCMA North Central Catchment Management Authority

NRE former Department of Natural Resources and Environment (now DSE and DPI)

PV Parks Victoria

SFMP Streamflow Management Plan

SMP Strategic Management Plan

TDS Total Dissolved Solids

TIS Torrumbarry Irrigation System

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE KERANG WETLANDS RAMSAR SITE PAGE 1

1 Introduction

The Strategic Management Plan for the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site is an integral component of a program to develop a comprehensive management framework for Victoria’s Wetlands of International Importance (or ‘Ramsar sites’) listed under the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971). The primary goal of the management framework is to maintain the ecological character of Victoria’s Ramsar sites through conservation and wise use.

1.1 Strategic Directions Statement

The Strategic Directions Statement establishes Management Objectives for Victoria’s Ramsar sites and Statewide Management Strategies to achieve these objectives (NRE 2002). The Strategic Management Plans for the individual Victorian Ramsar sites apply the Management Objectives and Statewide Management Strategies, promoting a range of specific management actions that will maintain, and in some cases restore the ecological character of the sites. Individual plans cover 10 of Victoria’s 11 Ramsar sites. Victoria’s eleventh Ramsar site, the Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands, was listed in 2001 and is covered by a separate management plan. A diagram of the framework and related documents is shown below in Figure 1.1.

The Strategic Directions Statement provides the overarching policy framework for managing Ramsar sites in Victoria. It establishes Management Objectives for Ramsar site management across the State, which are then translated to the site-specific level by each of the Strategic Management Plans. The Management Objectives outlined by the Strategic Directions Statement are as follows:

1. Increase the scientific understanding of wetland ecosystems and their management requirements.

2. Maintain or seek to restore appropriate water regimes.

3. Address adverse processes and activities. 4. Manage Ramsar sites within an integrated

catchment management framework.

5. Manage resource utilisation on a sustainable basis.

6. Protect and, where appropriate, enhance ecosystem processes, habitats and species.

7. Encourage strong partnerships between management agencies.

8. Promote community awareness and understanding and provide opportunities for involvement in management.

9. Ensure recreational use is consistent with the protection of natural and cultural values.

10. Develop ongoing consistent programs to monitor ecological character.

The Strategic Directions Statement also provides background information on the suite of relevant international conventions, as well as related Commonwealth and State policy and legislation, which directs and supports the management of Ramsar sites. The Strategic Directions Statement and Strategic Management Plans are therefore intended to be read as complementary documents.

1.2 Purpose of the Strategic Management Plan

The primary purpose of the Strategic Management Plan (SMP) for the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site is to facilitate conservation and wise use of the site so as to maintain, and where practical restore, the ecological values for which it is recognised as a Ramsar wetland. This will be achieved by implementing site-specific management strategies under each of the key objectives (derived from the Strategic Directions Statement).

The SMP for the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site provides management agencies and stakeholders with an appropriate management framework and the necessary information to ensure that decisions regarding land use and development, and ongoing management are made with full regard for wetland values in environmental, social and economic terms.

Figure 1.1 Framework for the strategic management of Victoria’s Ramsar sites

STRATEGIC DIRECTIONSSTATEMENT FOR

VICTORIA’S RAMSAR SITES

CORNERINLET

BARMAHFOREST

GIPPSLANDLAKES

GUNBOWERFOREST

HATTAH-KULKYNE

LAKESPORT

PHILLIPBAYWESTERNDISTRICT

LAKESLAKE

ALBACUTYAKERANG

WETLANDSWESTERN

PORT


The SMP has been structured in order to:

• provide a comprehensive site description; • examine the legislation, policy and any related

management instruments which direct or otherwise influence management both within and adjacent to the site;

• clarify the roles and responsibilities of management agencies;

• identify the values for which the site is recognised as a Ramsar site;

• assess threats to these values through systematic analysis of both current and potential risks; and

• give priority to Site Management Strategies that minimise and, where possible, eliminate identified risks to values.

1.3 Consultative framework

The SMP has been developed collaboratively through a multi-disciplinary team comprised of Parks Victoria staff from regional and central offices. Throughout the process key local stakeholders have provided input (see Figure 1.2).

The SMP is a public document that has been formalised through a government approval process. As such, the Kerang Wetlands SMP was subject to a public comment phase commensurate with State Government consultative processes. All comments received during the public consultation phase were considered in finalising the document.

The SMP is intended to operate over a six-year time frame and will be reviewed every three years to coincide with national reporting requirements under the Convention on Wetlands.

Figure 1.2 Process for developing the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar Site Strategic Management Plan

MULTI-DISCIPLIMARYPROJECT TEAM

LOCAL REFERENCEGROUP

KEY LOCALSTAKEHOLDERS

PUBLIC COMMENT ONDRAFT DOCUMENT

KERANG WETLANDSSTRATEGIC

MANAGEMENT PLAN


2 Ramsar Site Description

2.1 Location

The Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site is located approximately 300 km northwest of Melbourne. The wetlands are located on the western extremity of the Riverine Plain and are part of an extensive wetland system of over 100 wetlands that occurs within the Loddon-Murray Region (Figure 2.1). The Ramsar site wetlands cover an area of approximately 9,419 ha and feature a variety of permanent and temporary wetlands, including permanent freshwater lagoons, permanent open freshwater lakes, deep freshwater marshes, saline and hypersaline lakes.

2.2 Wetland type

Within the Kerang Wetlands four inland wetland types and one human-made wetland type are recognised under the classification system used by the Ramsar Convention (Ramsar Convention Bureau 1997). Several of the wetlands represent a number of wetland types as shown in Table 2.1.

In Victoria, a system has been used to classify wetlands that is different to the Ramsar Convention classification. Wetlands are classified into eight categories (Corrick and Norman 1980). The Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site includes areas of six wetland types under this system: deep freshwater marsh, permanent open freshwater, shallow freshwater marsh, permanent saline, semi permanent saline and sewage pond (Table 2.2).

2.3 Criteria met for Ramsar listing

To be listed as Wetlands of International Importance, wetlands must meet one or more internationally accepted criteria in relation to their zoology, botany, ecology, hydrology or limnology and importance to waterbirds. The Ramsar Convention updated the criteria in 1999. The new criteria will be applied to Kerang Wetlands when the site Ramsar Information Sheet is next updated in 2005. The former Ramsar criteria for which the Kerang Wetlands were listed in 1982 are:

1(a) it is a particularly good representative of a natural or near-natural wetland characteristic of one, or common to more than one, biogeographical region;

1(b) it is representative of a wetland which plays an important role in the natural functioning of a major river basin or coastal system,

especially where located in a trans-border position;

2(b) it is of special value for maintaining the genetic and ecological diversity of the flora and fauna of a region;

3(a) it regularly supports >20,000 waterbirds;

3(b) it regularly supports substantial numbers of individuals from particular groups of waterbirds; and

3(c) it regularly supports 1% of the individuals of a population of one species or subspecies of waterbirds.

The listing of the Kerang Wetlands was made on the basis of their values in 1982 in the context of the purposes for which the various wetlands are managed. Their management purposes are in accordance with government accepted Land Conservation Council recommendations (LCC 1989; LCC 1985). As most of the wetlands in the site were not in their natural state at the time of listing, the challenge in managing the wetlands is to enhance their ecological functions and values while sustainably managing their approved uses.

2.4 Land tenure and management

The Kerang Wetland Ramsar site is managed by Parks Victoria, Goulburn-Murray Water, the Department of Sustainability and Environment, the Shire of Gannawarra and Lower Murray Water under the provisions of relevant legislation (Table 2.3).

Eight wetlands within the Kerang Wetland Ramsar site, including First Marsh, Second Marsh, Third Marsh, Little Lake Charm, Lake Cullen, Stevenson Swamp, Hird Swamp, Johnson Swamp and part of Cemetery Swamp are reserved under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 and are managed under the Wildlife Act 1975.

Other lakes reserved under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 are utilised for a range of other purposes including water supply (Reedy Lakes, Little Lake Charm, Lake Charm, Racecourse Lake and Kangaroo Lake) and salinity disposal (Lake Kelly, Little Lake Kelly, Lake William and Lake Tutchewop). These reserves are managed by Goulburn-Murray Water.

�

�

�

�

�

�

�

�

�

�

�

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

!��"��

#��

��

��

�

$�"��

$��

#��

�%&�%�''�

�(�'�&(

�)��(�*$

�+�$*��(�,

�+(##

�*&%�!*%�

*&��(##

$�(�'�%#

#(,%��%�(&

(��*&��')$�

��

��#��

#��

��

$��

#�"��

#��

#��#��

#��

��-��.��

#��

��#��

#��%��/0��

��

$��#��

��#��

��#��#�

��

!��

��"�

��

��

!��

��"��

��"��1��

��

#��

#��#��,��

#��,��

,�"��#��

#��

��

+��

#��$��

��

��

#��

��

��#��

-��.��

$��-$��.��

(

��

#��#��

��

(�"��23345 3 5 2 4 6 7 8 9 : ; 53 ,��

��0��

��<��

��*��

��-�� .

��-��.

��0�� '��

��

&

��


Table 2.1 Ramsar wetland types present in the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site1

Wetland Type

Wetland

Freshwater tree-

dominated wetland

Permanent freshwater lakes >8ha

Seasonal / intermittent

saline / brackish /

alkaline lakes and flats

Permanent saline /

brackish / alkaline lakes

Permanent freshwater marshes /

pools

Waste-water

treatment areas2

Lake Tutchewop �

Lake William �

Lake Kelly �

Little Lake Kelly �

Kangaroo Lake �

Racecourse Lake �

Lake Charm �

Little Lake Charm �

Top (Third) Marsh � � �

Middle (Second) Marsh

� � �

Bottom (First) Marsh

� � �

Lake Bael Bael � � �

Lake Cullen �

Stevenson Swamp

� �

Third Lake � �

Middle Lake � �

Reedy Lake � �

Back Swamp �

Town Swamp �

Cemetery Swamp �

Fosters Swamp �

Johnson Swamp �

Hird Swamp � 1 Classification is based on information from the DSE geospatial data layer WETLAND_1994. 2 Wastewater treatment areas include sewage farms, settlement ponds, oxidation basins etc.

2.5 Adjacent land use

The area surrounding the Kerang Wetlands supports a diverse range of agricultural industries including irrigated grazing, horticulture, dairy farms, dryland grazing and cropping enterprises. The township of Kerang is adjacent to the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site.

The overall health of the wetland catchments and the management of irrigation also play an important role in the ecological status of the wetlands.

2.6 Catchment setting

The Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site is located in the lower reaches of the Loddon and Avoca catchments in a regional groundwater discharge zone. Groundwater levels in the catchment have increased significantly over the past 100 years and salinisation processes have degraded many of the low-lying wetlands.

The wetlands also receive inflows from the Torrumbarry Irrigation System. As well as salt, the


catchments contribute high nutrient and sediment levels (NCCMA 2002a).

The Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site is located at the junction of three major floodplains, associated with the Avoca, Loddon and Murray Rivers, and includes a large number of wetlands, swamps, lakes and waterways (other than the Ramsar wetlands) that have high environmental values including habitat for bird species (KLAWG 1993).

Prior to European settlement the area surrounding the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site was characterised

by an abundance of natural lakes and swamps that were filled at irregular intervals by floodwater from the Loddon, Avoca and Murray Rivers. The agricultural and commercial development of the area has altered the nature and extent of all these natural areas through grazing, clearing, altered water regimes, induced salinity and competition from introduced species (KLAWG 1993).

2.7 Local Government

The Kerang Wetland Ramsar site is located within the Shire of Gannawarra.

Table 2.2 Area (ha) of Victorian wetland types present in the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site1

Wetland Type

Wetland

Deep freshwater

marsh

Permanent open

freshwater2

Shallow freshwater

marsh

Permanent saline2

Semi-permanent

saline

Sewage pond

Lake Tutchewop 752

Lake William 96

Lake Kelly and Little Lake Kelly

192

Kangaroo Lake 984

Racecourse Lake 235

Little Lake Charm 113 6

Lake Charm 520

Top (Third) Marsh 946

Middle (Second) Marsh

233 3

Bottom (First) Marsh

780

Lake Bael Bael 648

Lake Cullen 632

Stevenson Swamp

8

Third Lake 234

Middle Lake 196

Reedy Lake 196

Back Swamp 46

Town Swamp 80

Cemetery Swamp 89

Fosters Swamp 219 6

Johnson Swamp 411

Hird Swamp 344 1 Source: DSE geospatial data layer WETLAND_1994. 2 Wetlands are described as permanent if they retain water for longer than 12 months, however, they can experience periods

of drying.


Table 2.3 Land tenure and management

Wetland Land tenure Legal Status Management Agency Water source

The Marshes (Bottom, Middle and Top Marshes)*

Natural Features Reserve - Wildlife Reserve

Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978

Parks Victoria Avoca River

Lake Kelly and Little Lake Kelly

Salinity Disposal Reserve


DSE, Goulburn-Murray Water

Barr Creek

Lake William Salinity Disposal Reserve



Barr Creek

Lake Tutchewop Salinity Disposal Reserve


Goulburn-Murray Water (on behalf of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission)

Barr Creek

Reedy Lakes Water Supply Reserve and Wildlife Reserve



Torrumbarry Irrigation System

Little Lake Charm Water Supply Reserve Freehold land owned by Goulburn-Murray Water

Goulburn-Murray Water Torrumbarry Irrigation System

Lake Charm Water Supply Reserve Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978


Racecourse Lake Water Supply Reserve Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978


Kangaroo Lake Water Supply Reserve Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978


Lake Cullen Natural Features Reserve – Wildlife Reserve


Parks Victoria Torrumbarry Irrigation System

Hird Swamp Natural Features Reserve – Wildlife Reserve


Parks Victoria Torrumbarry Irrigation System

Johnson Swamp Natural Features Reserve – Wildlife Reserve


Parks Victoria Pyramid Creek / Torrumbarry Irrigation System

Stevenson Swamp Natural Features Reserve – Wildlife Reserve


Parks Victoria -

Fosters Swamp Sewerage Purposes Reserve


Lower Murray Water Tertiary treated wastewater

Town Swamp Public land vested in Water Authority

Water Act 1989 Goulburn-Murray Water Loddon River

Back Swamp Public land vested in Water Authority

Water Act 1989 Goulburn-Murray Water Loddon River

Natural Features Reserve – Wildlife Reserve


Parks Victoria

Timber Reserve Forests Act 1958 DSE

Cemetery Swamp

Municipal Purposes Reserve


Gannawarra Shire

Loddon River

* Also known as First, Second and Third Marsh


Table 2.4 Lead management agencies and their key responsibilities

Agency Responsibility Local agency

Responsibility

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE)

Strategic direction for park and reserve management; flora and fauna management and implementation of the Ramsar Convention in Victoria; catchment and water management, forest management, coastal and port management; leasing, licensing and management of public land, strategic and statutory land use planning including the administration of the Victorian Planning Provisions.

DSE (Kerang and Bendigo)

Advise on and/or manage the land component of Reedy Lakes, Little Lake Kelly, Lake Kelly and Lake William. Provide policy advice on and part-manage Cemetery Swamp. Provide policy advice for management of all of the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar sites. Manage Flora and Fauna environmental water allocation, hunting and domestic stock grazing licenses.

Department of Primary Industries (DPI)

Provides strategic direction for fisheries management and research, agricultural services and sustainable development of Victoria's energy and mineral resources.

Fisheries Victoria

Manage recreational fishing for the Ramsar site in accordance with Fisheries Act 1995.

Parks Victoria Manage parks and reserves. Parks Victoria (Kerang and Bendigo)

Manage the land and water components of The Marshes and Lake Cullen, Stevenson, Hird, Johnson and Cemetery Swamps.

Local Government / Shires

Regulate local development through planning schemes, on-ground works. Manage urban drainage.

Gannawarra Shire

Administer planning scheme. Part management of Cemetery Swamp. Management of the infrastructure within Town and Back Swamps, and bird hide at Reedy Lakes. Management of boating at Lake Charm and boating and camping at Lake Kangaroo.

Committees of Management

Manage reserved Crown Land on behalf of the Minister. Committees are usually the local Shire or publicly elected.

Kangaroo Lake Committee of Management

Manage the western foreshore of Kangaroo Lake.

Murray-Darling Basin Commission

Manage the River Murray and the Menindee Lakes system of the lower Darling River. Advise the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council on matters related to the use of environmental resources of the Murray-Darling Basin.

n/a Work cooperatively with partner governments, committees and community groups to develop and implement policies and programs aimed at integrated management of the Murray-Darling Catchment.

Victorian Catchment Management Council

Advise State Government on catchment management, and land and water resource issues and priorities. Encourage cooperation between land and water managers. Promote community awareness on catchment management issues.

North Central Catchment Management Authority

Implement Regional Catchment Strategies. Prepare and implement Action Plans. Manage surrounding catchment and inflowing streams.

Environment Protection Authority (EPA)

Coordinate all activities relating to the discharge of waste into the environment and the generation, storage, treatment, transport and disposal of industrial waste and the emission of noise and for preventing or controlling pollution and noise and protecting and improving the quality of the environment.

EPA Bendigo Licence sewage and other discharges. Monitor water quality. Develop State Environment Protection Policies (SEPPs) for specified segments of the environment - e.g.SEPP (Waters of Victoria).

Urban Water Authority Provide water and sewerage service to urban communities.

Lower Murray Water

Provide water and sewerage service to Kerang. Monitor licensed discharge of treated wastewater from treatment lagoons.

Rural Water Authority Provide irrigation, drainage, water supply, and management of specific water supply catchments.

Goulburn-Murray Water

Manage the Torrumbarry Irrigation System. Regulate agricultural extraction. Protect managed reserves.


3 Policy Framework

The suite of relevant international conventions, and the Commonwealth and Victorian legislation and policy that directs management and use of Ramsar sites are outlined in the Strategic Directions Statement. This Chapter covers the local policy framework comprising plans, strategies and municipal planning provisions.

3.1 Strategies

There are a range of existing plans and strategies that provide for the protection and enhancement of the natural and cultural values of the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site. Victoria has a strong planning framework and as a result these plans and strategies demonstrate a high level of integrated planning and address many aspects of wise use.

The North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA) has adopted a tiered planning framework. The first tier consists of the Regional Catchment Strategy which sets strategic direction and a Regional Management Plan which defines resource allocation and performance targets on an annual basis. Whole of Catchment Plans for each catchment in the Catchment Management Authority (CMA) area form the second tier. The third and fourth tiers in this framework are regional and catchment or sub-catchment based plans that are framed around specific natural resource issues. The CMA plans and strategies relevant to the Kerang Wetlands include:

• North Central Regional Catchment Strategy (1997) Reviewed 2003;

• Avoca Nutrient Management Strategy (2002); • Avoca Whole of Catchment Plan 2000-2002; • Draft North Central Native Vegetation Plan

(2000); • Loddon Catchment Water Quality Strategy

(Draft) (2002); • Loddon Murray Land and Water Management

Strategy (2002); • Loddon Murray Regional Rural Partnership

Program for a Sustainable Economy Beyond 2000 (1997).

• Loddon Whole of Catchment Plan 2000-2002; • North Central Catchment Management

Authority Regional Floodplain Management Strategy (2000);

• North Central Catchment Management Authority Regional Management Plan 2001-2002;

• Regional Floodplain Management Strategy (2000);

• Swan Hill Regional Flood Strategy (1999).

Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) in Victoria are currently reviewing their Regional Catchment Strategies. The revised regional catchment strategies will guide future investment in the catchment under some State natural resource management programs, the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality and the Natural Heritage Trust. This Strategic Management Plan will be recognised under the North Central Regional Catchment Strategic framework.

Operational plans for several wetlands have been prepared. These include:

• Reedy Lakes Environmental Status Report (2001);

• Cemetery Swamp Feasibility Study and Operational Guidelines (2001);

• Johnson Swamp (West Side) Watering and Operational Plan (2001);

• Lake Cullen Feasibility Study and Operational Guidelines (2001); and

• Hird Swamp (West Side) Watering and Operational Plan (2001).

Strategies and plans relating to allocation and management of environmental water include:

• Entitlements to the Murray – outcomes of work to define how Victoria’s River Murray water is to be shared (1999);

• Environmental Water Allocation (27,600 ML) Annual Works Program (prepared annually);

• 27,600 ML Environmental Water Allocation Review of Usage (prepared annually); and

• Kerang Lakes Wetlands Flooding Planner (prepared annually).

The future management of the Tutchewop Lakes (Lakes Tutchewop, William, Kelly and Little Kelly) as a salinity disposal basin has been assessed in a number of reports including:

• Ecological Assessment of Future Management Options for the Tutchewop Lakes; and

• Lake Tutchewop Sustainability: Projections of Physical Conditions to the Tutchewop Lakes (1999).

A number of government strategies and programs have the potential to impact on the future management of the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site


by influencing future land and water use at a State or regional scale. These include the following:

• The Government’s ‘Water for the Future’ agenda aims to secure sustainable water supplies for Victoria’s future. Two of the four major targets of the ‘Water for the Future’ policy have the potential to influence the future management of the Kerang Wetlands. These are: increasing the efficiency of irrigation systems across the State by 25 per cent by 2020 through replacing channel systems with pipelines and other improvements and reform; and significantly improving the ecological health of Victoria's rivers by 2010 by increasing environmental flows and undertaking riverbank and catchment management works. The government released ‘Securing our Water Future: a Green Paper for Discussion’ (DSE 2003c) in August 2003 to engage the community in the details of meeting water sustainability and conservation goals.

• Water trading allows water to be permanently or temporarily traded from one region to another to promote more efficient use. Water has been permanently traded away from the Kerang area over the last decade (NRE 2001). Currently this amounts to about 4% of the total water right for the Loddon Murray region per annum (NCCMA 2002c).

• The Government’s Water for Growth Initiative sets out strategies for sustainable and effective management of water. Improved efficiency in water delivery and use will change patterns of water distribution and use in irrigation areas like Kerang.

• Water savings projects in Victoria are aimed at improving water use efficiency to achieve savings that can be made available for new developments or environmental uses. The Government has adopted principles applying to water efficiency projects that include the protection and improvement of environmental outcomes.

• The Basin Salinity Management Strategy 2001-2015 (Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council, 2001) guides communities and Governments in controlling salinity. It establishes end-of-valley salinity targets for each tributary valley in the Murray-Darling Basin and for Morgan in South Australia. It uses a system of salinity credits and debits to allow flexibility in governments meeting their targets. Salt credits are required for any proposed project that increases salt loads into the Murray.

These programs are likely to bring changes in land and water management, as well as affect options for salt disposal. Outcomes may either constrain future Ramsar site management options or create opportunities. It is important to ensure that impacts and benefits are assessed in an integrated way based on agreed environmental, economic and social values of wetlands in the Ramsar site.

The Kerang-Swan Hill Future Land Use Pilot Project is investigating future land use options in the area and will use the Kerang Lakes as a case study. The project is in response to large changes in the irrigation industry. It is exploring how to optimise local infrastructure while considering social and environmental impacts, water use, floodplain management, economic growth and land use planning outcomes.

The Loddon Murray Irrigation Region Co-ordination Forum Technical Management Group is developing a wetland prioritisation framework for wetlands in the Kerang area. The framework involves a detailed risk analysis of activities across all wetlands, including those in the Ramsar site. The analysis will assist in setting priority wetlands for management of risks. Management options will then be considered for priority wetlands.

Three recently developed statewide strategies are relevant to the management of Kerang Wetlands Forest Ramsar site.

The Victorian River Health Strategy (VRHS) provides a framework that enables Government and community to manage and restore rivers in the State. The VRHS aims to achieve healthy rivers, streams and floodplains, which meet the environmental, economic, recreational and cultural needs of current and future generations (NRE 2002d). The VRHS establishes regional planning processes for CMAs to prepare regional river health strategies, which will coordinate other river-related action plans and direct the development of annual works programs.

The Indigenous Partnership Strategy (NRE 2001) provides the framework for building effective relationships with Indigenous communities, who have a fundamental role in the management of Victoria’s natural resources, as traditional custodians of the land and waters. This strategy sets out key initiatives to assist in the development and delivery of services to Indigenous people, which should be applied during management planning.

Victoria’s Native Vegetation Management – A Framework for Action (NRE 2002e) establishes the strategic direction for the protection, enhancement


and revegetation of native vegetation across the State. The framework focuses on managing native vegetation to provide sustainable landscapes and to protect productive capacity and environmental values of land and water resources.

In addition, wetlands in the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site are listed in A Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia - 3rd Edition (EA 2001) and support migratory bird species listed under the Japan-Australia and China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreements (JAMBA and CAMBA).

3.2 Municipal Strategic Statements, zoning and overlays

Gannawarra Shire Council has a Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS) and local policies as part of their planning scheme, which recognise the environmental values and importance of the Kerang Wetlands.

Zoning pursuant to the Planning and Environment Act 1987 has been applied to the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site as part of a review of local planning schemes to control land use and development. The zoning for the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site includes Public Conservation and Resource Zone (PCRZ) and Public Use Zone – Service and Utility (PUZ1). All wetlands in the Ramsar site are in the PCRZ with the exception of Fosters Swamp, which is in PUZ1.

The purpose of the PCRZ is to:

• protect and conserve the natural environment and natural processes for their historic, scientific, landscape, habitat or cultural values;

• provide facilities which assist in public education and interpretation of the natural environment with minimal degradation of the natural environment or natural processes; and

• provide for appropriate resource uses.

The purpose of the PUZ1 is to:

• recognise public land use for public utility and community services and facilities (the number “1” indicating the purpose of the public land is Service and Utility and in the case of Fosters Swamp this relates to storage of treated wastewater); and

• provide for associated uses that are consistent with the intent of the public land reservation or purpose.

Furthermore, as part of the local planning scheme review, the Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO3) has been applied to all wetlands in the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site. The purpose of this overlay is to:

• recognise the important function and significance of existing lakes in the land pattern;

• protect the visual and environmental quality and character of the lakes and their environs;

• provide for appropriate development on land adjacent to Lake Charm, Kangaroo Lake and Racecourse Lake, consistent with the inherent use of the area for tourist, holiday and recreational purposes, while protecting the natural beauty and amenity of the land and lakes themselves;

• maintain the function of the lakes as a flood control basin; and

• protect the natural beauty of the area.

It is important that a strategic approach is taken to addressing planning issues to protect Ramsar wetlands. It has been recognised that some land use changes in the region (e.g. irrigation development and a pattern of increasing residential development adjacent to lakes) have the potential to impact on wetland values. Irrigation development is subject to strict guidelines.


4 Values

The key environmental values of the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site for which it was listed (representativeness, flora and fauna and waterbirds) are summarised below. Other values described include natural function, cultural heritage, scenic, economic, education and interpretation, recreation and tourism, and scientific.

4.1 Wetland representativeness

The Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site represents six of the eight Victorian wetland categories (Table 2.2). All of the wetlands within the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar sites were modified from their original pre-European condition prior to their inclusion as Ramsar sites. In particular, the water regimes of the wetlands were significantly modified with the development of the Torrumbarry Irrigation System in the 1920s, and the associated changes to the landscape, such as rising groundwater and associated salinity, which have had a major effect on the ecology and environmental values of the region’s wetlands.

The individual wetlands that are listed as part of the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar sites are a relatively small subset of a larger wetland complex that occurs within the Loddon-Murray Region. Many of the unlisted wetlands are recognised as having high environmental value (e.g. Tragowel Swamp, Wandella State Forest).

The Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site includes areas of the State’s most depleted wetland habitats and wetlands least represented in Victoria’s protected area network (Table 4.1). Only 30% of deep freshwater marsh areas remain in Victoria making it one of the most depleted wetland types. The Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site represents more than 12% of the remaining deep freshwater marsh in Victoria.

4.2 Flora and fauna

More than 150 species of indigenous flora have been recorded at the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site (DSE 2003b). No flora species recorded in the Ramsar site are listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. However, eight flora species listed as threatened in Victoria have been recorded at the Ramsar site and a further seven species are suspected of being threatened (Appendix 2).

The Ramsar site supports a range of vegetation including Black Box and River Red Gum, Tangled Lignum, Chenopod Shrubland, Grassland, Reedbed and Aquatic plant communities (O’Donnell 1990). The Black Box woodland communities such as at Third Marsh and Cemetery Swamp are a particularly valuable vegetation community. Spiny Lignum is suspected of being threatened in Victoria and occurs at many of the wetlands in the Ramsar site.

Table 4.1 Representativeness of Victorian wetland types in the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site1

Wetland type

Pre-European

area (ha) in Victoria

Area (ha) remaining in Victoria

Area (ha) in Victoria’s protected

area network

Ramsar coverage in Victoria (ha)

Kerang Wetlands

(ha)

Deep Freshwater Marsh 176,601 54,860 21,877 9,041 1,934

Permanent Open Freshwater 70,658 190,694 55,729 25,352 2,632

Permanent Saline 155,608 154,191 70,778 131,743 1,627

Semi-permanent Saline 67,404 70,272 40,409 12,867 344

Shallow Freshwater Marsh 127,031 54,603 9,410 8,147 248

1 Source: DSE geospatial data layer WETLAND_1994. 2 The increase from “Pre-European area” to “area remaining” is due to the construction of dams, weirs and other

impoundments.


The Kerang Wetlands provide habitat for over 102 species of indigenous fauna. Of these, 24 species are listed under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (Appendix 3). In addition, 32 species listed as threatened in Victoria have been recorded at the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site with a further 17 species near-threatened (Appendix 3). Of these, the Macquarie Perch, Murray Hardyhead, Warty Bell Frog and Plains-wanderer are listed as threatened in Australia under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Appendix 3). Fifteen bird species listed under the Japan-Australia Migratory Birds Agreement (JAMBA) and 18 species under the China-Australia Migratory Birds Agreement (CAMBA) utilise the Kerang Wetlands for feeding and roosting. Fifteen of these species are common to both agreements. The Kerang Wetlands also have 32 species listed under the Bonn Convention (Appendix 4).

4.3 Waterbirds

Waterbird populations are particularly diverse and abundant within the Kerang Wetlands, with the wetlands providing important feeding, resting and breeding habitat for more than 50 waterbird species. Middle Lake and Hird Swamp in particular support large Ibis breeding colonies with tens of thousands of pairs at each site. Middle Lake is the largest regularly used Ibis rookery in Victoria.

Waterbird records show that Third Marsh is important to Eurasian Coot, Grey Teal and Hardheads. Third Marsh was the third most important wetland for Coot with 3,000 counted in Victoria in 1989 (Peter 1989); the most important wetland for Grey Teal (7,000 counted); and the fifth most important for Hardheads (85 counted) in 1988 (Hewish 1988). Third Marsh also supports the endangered Freckled Duck (maximum of 436 sighted by Corrick and Norman 1980) and the threatened Blue-billed Duck (Peter 1990).

Records show that First Marsh has had up to 200 nests for Great Cormorant, 120 for Little Black Cormorant and 300 for Little Pied Cormorant (Corrick and Norman 1980). Approximately 300 Darter nests were recorded in 1989 at Second Marsh (Lugg et al. 1989).

In most years Lake Bael Bael has been found to support the endangered Freckled Duck and Little Bittern.

Middle Lake supports more than 10% of the regional breeding population of Straw-necked Ibis and Sacred Ibis and more than 5% of Victoria’s breeding population of Royal Spoonbill. Reedy and Middle

Lakes support the threatened Blue-billed Duck. Middle Lake also occasionally supports Freckled Duck.

Freckled Duck has also been recorded at Kangaroo Lake. At times the lake supports significant numbers of Pink-eared Duck and Hardhead. These lakes can act as drought refuges.

Lake Charm supports 5% of the state or 10% of the regional population of Great Crested Grebe. Freckled Ducks have been recorded at the site. Lake Charm, Little Lake Charm, Kangaroo Lake and Racecourse Lake can act as drought refuges, however due to their water management regimes (permanent wetlands with little fluctuation in the littoral zone) they do not provide good nesting or feeding habitat for a range of different species. Johnson Swamp also supports the endangered Freckled Duck.

Hird Swamp supports regionally significant numbers of Pacific Black Duck and Maned Duck. Hird Swamp is a regionally significant breeding site for Straw-necked Ibis, Sacred Ibis and Royal Spoonbill. Freckled Ducks and Blue-billed Ducks have also been recorded at this site.

Lake Cullen is of special value because it supports a high diversity and abundance of waterbird species. Lake Cullen supports 1% of the national population of Eurasian Coot, Hardhead, Hoary-headed Grebe, Pink-eared Duck and Grey Teal (Lugg 1989, Corrick 1982, Peter 1990). Blue-billed Duck have also been reported from this site (Corrick 1982). Although Freckled Duck were recorded in significant numbers in the 1980s, more recent counts indicate numbers have decreased (Coleborn, pers. comm.).

Fosters Swamp has high water bird carrying capacity and species diversity (Lugg et al. 1989).

When the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site was listed in 1982, Lake Tutchewop supported significant numbers of Hoary-headed Grebe and Australian Shelduck. Corrick (1982) reported regular usage of the site by Freckled Duck. Lake Tutchewop’s capacity to support large numbers of waterbirds may have been compromised by increased salinity levels.

4.4 Natural function

Natural functions are activities or actions that occur naturally in wetlands as a product of the interactions between the ecosystem structure and processes.

The Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site provides a suite of important functions including wildlife habitat, water supply, flood control and salt disposal. Invertebrate


diversity also plays an important role in supporting natural functions and contributing to overall biodiversity.

The important natural functions supported by the Kerang wetlands are not just beneficial to the wetlands and the immediate local area, they also have positive implications for the wider catchment.

4.5 Aboriginal cultural heritage

The Kerang Wetlands are rich in Aboriginal cultural heritage. The Lakes provided reliable sources of water as well as a rich and diverse supply of plant and animal resources for food, medicines, shelter, clothing and tools.

All Aboriginal sites, places and objects are protected under the Archaeological and Aboriginal Relics Preservation Act 1972 (Vic.) and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 (Cwlth).

To date, a total of 425 Aboriginal sites have been registered on the Aboriginal Affairs Victoria (Department for Victorian Communities) Register of Aboriginal sites and places in the Kerang Lakes Area (this area extends beyond the Ramsar listed wetlands). These sites include mounds, scarred trees, middens, burials, hearths, surface scatters and isolated artefacts. The sites occur on river plains and floodplains within 2 kilometres of watercourses, on the margins of swamps, levees, river banks, and on lunettes around swamps. Further survey is likely to reveal more archaeological sites.

The local Aboriginal communities are the North West Nations Clans Aboriginal Corporation and the former Bendigo Dja Dja Wrung Aboriginal Association Incorporated (now defunct). Traditional owner groups are the Wamba Wamba and the Barapa Barapa. Ongoing discussions need to take place with local Aboriginal people in order to facilitate the management of Aboriginal cultural heritage. In particular, managers need to ensure that Aboriginal heritage values are not adversely impacted in the course of implementing other site management strategies.

This is being facilitated by through the North West Region Aboriginal Cultural Heritage program and the recent Protocols, Principles and Strategies Agreement for Indigenous Involvement in Land and Water Management agreed between the North Central Catchment Management Authority, the North West Nations Clans Aboriginal Corporation and the Yorta Yorta Aboriginal Corporation (VCMC 2003). In future, management agencies will liaise with and involve all relevant Indigenous communities.

Applications for Native Title Determinations lodged with the Native Title Tribunal cover the whole area including the Ramsar site.

4.6 Scenic

The Kerang Wetlands have high scenic values because of the diversity of wetland types that provide habitat for a wide variety of waterbirds.

4.7 Economic

The Kerang region has traditionally had an agricultural and service based economy. There is an increasing focus on irrigated agriculture which produces horticultural, dairy, meat and grain products. The gross value of agricultural production for the Loddon-Murray region in 1999-2000 was $399 million (NCCMA 2002c).

Recreation and tourism is also an important part of the regional economy and is mostly dependent on the ongoing viability of natural assets such as the wetlands and the Red Gum forests.

4.8 Education and interpretation

The Kerang Wetlands provide an area of high educational value, however, there has been little interpretive material developed for the region. Until the mid-1990s, interpretive services were offered at the Koorangie Ranger Station. Now the main educational feature of the area is the bird hide located at Reedy Lake, which has an associated information display. However, there are issues relating to public risk that need to be addressed at this site. There is potential for offering improved education and interpretation services for the wetlands.

The Waterwatch program provides an opportunity for high levels of community involvement in water monitoring programs.

4.9 Recreation and tourism

The Kerang Wetlands area is a valuable resource for recreation and tourism. The value of the land for recreation, in part, stems from its natural ecological assets. Activities include scenic driving, sightseeing, camping, picnicking, swimming, sailing, water skiing, boating, fishing, hunting and bird watching and nature study and appreciation.

Native fish (Murray Cod and Golden Perch) were stocked into several wetlands in 2002 following the buy-back of five Inland Access Fishing Licences with funding from the Recreational Fishing Trust Fund. The licence buy-back resulted in the cessation of


commercial net fishing for all species other than carp in 2002.

Although many of these waters already contain ‘wild’ populations of golden perch, Murray cod, redfin and carp, trial stockings and a formal monitoring program will determine the contribution that stocked fish make to the existing fish population.

To evaluate the success of these stockings, each of the yearling Murray cod, weighing around 200 grams at the time of release, were implanted with a dart tag. Individually numbered, the tags also display a phone number for anglers to ring when they catch the cod. This way, researchers can tally the fish caught by anglers and monitor their movement and their growth rate as they approach minimum size.

Several other waters, no longer open to commercial fishing (other than carp) will also be considered for stocking when current low water levels, brought on by drought, improve.

4.10 Scientific

The diversity and complexity of the Kerang Wetlands provides opportunities for a range of scientific and research orientated projects to be undertaken. Students from Deakin University have undertaken several studies in the area. Some scientific work has been undertaken on groundwater / surface water interaction and water movement within the Kerang Lakes area. Generally the understanding of groundwater with Kerang wetlands is still poor and more work is required to expand on existing knowledge. Both Sinclair Knight Merz and the Centre for Land Protection Research (Bendigo) have been studying the impact of groundwater movement on wetlands.

4.11 Condition

Vegetation

The vegetation at the Kerang wetlands supports a diversity of native flora species. However, clearing for agricultural development has resulted in native vegetation being confined to narrow corridors and disjointed and isolated patches along streams, around lakes and swamps and along roadsides. Most of these areas have been subject to heavy grazing pressures from adjacent farmland.

A combination of altered flooding regimes, high salinity surface water and saline groundwater intrusion have changed vegetation patterns and led to the stress or death of trees and associated vegetation in many of the wetlands of the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site. Absence of flooding has also impacted on the vegetation in some wetlands. As well as the death of trees, there has been significant alteration to natural vegetation patterns (i.e. changes to saltbush and halophytic species).

Water Quality

The Kerang wetlands exhibit a full range of salinities from very fresh to hypersaline. Water quality is significantly affected by rising saline groundwater, saline surface water run-off, lack of regular flushing and prolonged inundation. The deep permanent freshwater lakes (e.g. Kangaroo, Racecourse and Reedy) have salinity levels less than 500 EC, as they are regularly flushed with good quality water.

In contrast, salinity levels of wetlands such as Lake Cullen (which has been isolated from the floodplain) fluctuate in the range of 4,000 to 50,000 EC as part of the wetting/drying cycle (by comparison, sea water is approximately 50,000 EC).

Lakes Tutchewop, Kelly, Little Lake Kelly and William are used as salt disposal basins and this has caused their average salinity levels to rise steadily. Sinclair Knight Merz (1999a) estimated that over 1.3 million tonnes of salt is now stored in these lakes. Proposals to address this are described in Section 5.2. High nutrient levels also have an impact on water quality, particularly in relation to flora and fauna habitat, recreational use and domestic supply. Considerable work has been undertaken to mitigate the introduction of nutrients and salt to the lakes. For example, irrigation drainage reuse systems have been established in some areas east of the Kerang Wetlands that are utilised for intensive dairy farming.


5 Management of Risks

The key risks to the maintenance of environmental values in the Kerang Wetlands are discussed below and summarised in Table 5.1. These risks are altered water regimes, salinity, pollution, pest plants and animals, resource utilisation, recreation, erosion, dredging, fire and land management. These risks result from activities within the wetlands themselves, on adjacent land and within the catchment generally and an integrated approach to their management is required.

5.1 Altered water regimes

The Kerang area is supplied with irrigation water from the Murray River via the Torrumbarry Irrigation System (TIS). The TIS is an extensive, interlinked system of channels, lakes, weirs and streams (KLAWG 1993). Some wetlands in the Ramsar site also receive water from the Avoca system (i.e. Top, Middle and Bottom Marshes).

Several wetlands within the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site provide storage for the irrigation system (i.e. Lake Charm and the Reedy Lakes, Kangaroo and Racecourse Lakes); a number are used as evaporation basins to reduce the salt discharge into the River Murray (i.e. Lake Kelly, Little Lake Kelly, Lake William and Lake Tutchewop); some are used for flood mitigation; and many are valued for recreational purposes.

The use of the Kerang wetlands for storage and conveyance of irrigation water and the disposal of drainage water has altered the natural hydrological cycle (KLAWG 1993). These changes have affected the natural environment of the wetlands in two major ways:

• alteration of natural flooding regimes (reduced inundation and absence of natural flushing flows, increased inundation, reversal of seasonal flows);

• increasing groundwater height and salinity (see Section 5.3); and

These changes have reduced or resulted in the loss of biodiversity supported by the Ramsar site.

Alteration of natural flooding regimes Prior to European settlement, the Kerang Wetlands and surrounding region was characterised by saline, brackish and freshwater lakes, streams and semi-permanent or permanent wetlands (KLAWG 1993). Wide floodplains and flat topography allowed widespread flooding and flushing of the lakes system to occur. This flooding and flushing regime is central

to the ecology, natural processes, and biodiversity of these wetlands.

Since European settlement and the commencement of irrigation in the 1880s, water and flow regimes have been dramatically altered in a variety of ways with many impacts. These are discussed below.

Increased inundation Some wetlands within the Kerang Lakes area that were once ephemeral and intermittent wetlands have become permanent lakes (e.g. Reedy Lakes). Permanent or prolonged inundation has changed the vegetation communities associated with the wetlands. These wetlands are now dominated by Cumbungi (Typha sp.) and have lost most of their macrophytes. These changes significantly reduce available fauna habitat.

Reduced inundation/absence of flushing flows Some wetlands within the TIS that previously received regular inundation have now been isolated from the floodplain due to levee banking and flood management. This has resulted in reduced inundation and an absence of flood flows. For a myriad of flora and fauna, this has led to a lack of environmental cues (such as flooding or changes in salinity levels) that are important to the triggering of important ecological processes within the Ramsar-listed wetlands (e.g. bird breeding, fish spawning and plant germinating). The hydrological changes are also likely to have altered faunal habitat leading to lower recruitment rates (MDBMC 2002).

Wetlands that are no longer flushed naturally risk turning into hypersaline wetlands. Hypersaline wetlands may not support any vegetation or animals other than algae, halophytes and a small range of birds that rest on the surface. There are, however, issues surrounding the flushing of saline wetlands as Victoria has agreed to certain salinity targets for the Murray River at Morgan and these cannot be exceeded. Salinity credits are required to discharge salt to the Murray. The effect of saline discharges on downstream landholders also needs to be considered.

Lake Tutchewop will not be flushed as it is managed as a salinity disposal basin to prevent large salt loads from the Barr Creek catchment entering the Murray River. Lake Charm is flushed artificially according to a flushing management protocol. Flushing occurs into the Murray River when flows are high with the community meeting the cost of operations, infrastructure renewal and disposal of saline water.


Recent work to investigate options for flushing wetlands that have been isolated from the floodplain have resulted in inlets and outlets being built for Hird and Johnson Swamps to allow these wetlands to be flushed.

Reversal of seasonal flow regimes The use of streams and wetlands for storage and conveying of irrigation water has altered water regimes in the area. Contrary to natural conditions, streams now have low flows in winter and high flows in summer (KLAWG 1993). High summer flows occur when water is released for irrigation during a season in which natural flows would normally have been low. Alternatively, naturally high winter flows may be reduced and stored during the wetter part of the year, which results in wetlands not receiving their natural watering regimes. This is particularly crucial to River Red Gum wetlands that need a period of inundation, followed by an episode of summer-autumn drying in order to remain healthy (Lloyd et al. 1994).

Lakes that are linked to irrigation supply are full for nine months of the year. For the other three months water levels are maintained at lower levels. A small number of wetlands in the Kerang area (e.g. Avoca Marshes) are naturally flooded.

In managing the water regimes of wetlands in the Kerang Wetlands, it is not possible to restore natural (pre-European) water regimes for most of the wetlands. The use of many wetlands in the Ramsar site for irrigation and salinity disposal purposes imposes constraints but also creates opportunities for improving water regimes. The goal is to manage water regimes to restore sustainable ecological functions and attributes, based on natural hydrological regimes as far as practicable. This has involved establishing a preferred wetting, drying or flushing cycle for some wetlands. Inlets and outlets are being constructed at wetlands as required to facilitate appropriate water management.

In 1999 the Government approved the Murray River bulk entitlements. These formalised a Flora and Fauna entitlement first allocated in 1987 that can be used for wetlands with access to Murray River water. The entitlement is for 27,600 ML of high security water. Wetlands in the Ramsar site are considered high priority wetlands for use of the allocation and 2,600 ML is specifically set aside for Hird and Johnson Swamps.

The Department of Sustainability and Environment facilitates the Environmental Water Allocation Committee that discusses water usage within wetlands based on enhancing and maintaining existing environmental values. Three reports are

prepared annually (see Section 3.1). Two relate directly to use of the allocation and outline the recommendations for usage in the current year and review the previous year’s usage. The Environmental Water Allocation (27,600 ML) Annual Works Program for 2001/2002 outlines the decision support system used to guide allocation decisions.

The third report provides guidance to Goulburn-Murray Water on the management of flood events, if possible, to maximise environmental outcomes.

Part of the Flora and Fauna entitlement was used in the spring of 2000 to fill Lake Cullen with over 10,000 ML to flush the lake bed in line with the Lake Cullen Feasibility Study and Operational Guidelines (2001). In August 2001, a bird survey estimated that approximately 15,000 birds of 42 species were using the lake.

Over the past five years, part of this entitlement has been used to improve the ecological values of Hird, and Johnson Swamps, particularly the carrying capacity, species diversity and breeding opportunities for waterbirds.

There are significant costs associated with delivery of the Environmental Water Allocation to those wetlands where it is necessary to use irrigation infrastructure for delivery. The Victorian River Health Strategy (NRE 2002) states that costs associated with bulk entitlements for the environment will be considered as part of a proposed discussion paper on ‘Options for Providing Bulk Entitlements for the Environment’.

The current bulk entitlement conversion process for the Middle and lower Loddon River and the streamflow management plan for the Avoca River are expected to improve the health of these rivers and thus indirectly benefit wetlands in the Ramsar site that fill from them. While these processes will help river and wetland health, the bulk entitlement process will not be assessing individual water requirements of wetlands.

The management of the water regime of individual wetlands in the Ramsar site is also complicated by potential impacts on the wetlands from programs and trends operating at the regional level. These include water trading, water savings projects, improvements in efficiencies in agricultural water use and proposals to manage irrigation systems differently. The Loddon Murray Land and Water Management Strategy includes strategies to ensure wetland values are protected or enhanced as these changes take place.


The Loddon-Murray 2000 Plus regional development project identified 16 areas in the region as prime development zones with adequate infrastructure and water to support new development. This land was identified as being suitable for future irrigation development, based on land capability studies. One of the zones identified was in the vicinity of the Ramsar site at Lake Charm. The zones were subsequently assessed for land capability, salinity risks and environmental risks. Based on this assessment, the zone at Lake Charm is no longer being promoted for development due to soil type limitations.

There is concern that new irrigation development has the potential to threaten the ecological value Ramsar wetlands and other wetlands in the region. Interim guidelines have been completed for irrigation practices where new development is adjacent to Ramsar wetlands. These make recommendations on further research and monitoring (Savage and McNeill 2003).

Groundwater changes The large regional changes to water distribution and application, as well as the impacts of vegetation clearing, has meant that groundwater levels have risen, which in turn affects the water balance and water quality in wetlands. Irrigation has been the main factor in increasing local groundwater levels. Rising water tables change the water regime of wetlands that are connected to the groundwater by preventing the otherwise natural occurrence of drying out in summer.

Frequently, this groundwater in the Kerang region is highly saline, which also adversely impacts on the ecology of the wetlands in the region (Mackay and Eastburn 1990). Monitoring of the aquifer associated with the Kerang Wetlands has revealed salinity levels of commonly between 30,000 EC and 60,000 EC. The very high level of salinity renders the groundwater unsuitable for most purposes including irrigation, stock and domestic supply (NRE 2002a).

Loss of biodiversity In some cases changes in the natural flow regimes have led to a loss of biodiversity within the wetlands by lowering flora community diversity and, hence the types of habitats available to fauna. Loss of biodiversity for aquatic invertebrates also affects vertebrate fauna such as fish and waterbirds.

The management of the TIS is primarily for irrigation supply and flood mitigation. Consequently, many wetlands are kept at an unnaturally high level to maximise their value for irrigation. Permanent open freshwater wetlands such as the irrigation supply

lakes that have stable water levels have generally low conservation values except for native fish (DCFL 1989). Aquatic plants are uncommon in this wetland type, habitat diversity is low and mainly fish eating birds are present, but in low numbers (DCFL 1989).

Water levels need to fluctuate (to increase the littoral zone) and in some cases semi-permanent wetlands need to be completely dry for maximum abundance and diversity of waterbirds and aquatic invertebrates. Rising water levels are also known to be important to native fish breeding (DCFL 1989).

Exotic fish have flourished in this altered environment with European Carp, Gambusia and Redfin Perch all affecting biodiversity of the system with impacts upon habitat, competition and predation.

The Loddon Murray Irrigation Region Co-ordination Forum Technical Management Group is developing a wetland prioritisation framework for the Kerang area to assist in resolving water management issues. Management agencies (including DSE, Parks Victoria, Goulburn-Murray Water, North Central Catchment Management Authority, the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Heritage and the Murray-Darling Basin Commission) are encouraged to utilise this framework to ensure water is directed to priority wetlands, including Ramsar sites, within the catchment.

5.2 Salinity

Rising groundwater levels and salinisation of wetlands are major issues in the Kerang Lakes area. The natural groundwater table has been rising in the Kerang area since the introduction of irrigated agriculture in the 1930s, combined with extensive vegetation clearing throughout the catchment. Irrigation practices in the local area have also contributed to rising groundwater and increased salinity.

Prior to the commencement of irrigation, watertables in the Kerang region were believed to have been four to nine metres below the surface. The changes in the hydrological cycle have resulted in the majority of irrigation land within the Kerang Wetlands area being underlain by a high saline watertable that fluctuates continually between zero and two metres below ground surface (Hydrotechnology 1995). Salinity levels of the groundwater range from 30,000 to 60,000 EC (KLAWG 1993).

Direct saline intrusions of groundwater, disposal of saline drainage water, and isolation from natural flushing flows have combined to cause major salinity increases in many wetlands.


Salinity within the system can vary widely, depending on both the location and the time of the year. Essentially Murray River water, which is diverted from the Torrumbarry Weir pool, is of very low salinity, typically less than 150 EC. As this water travels through the TIS it receives inputs of saline water from groundwater sources and from streams and drains within the system.

The characteristics of some wetlands have been completely altered, causing the extinction of many freshwater dependent plant and animal species. Stevenson Swamp is a terminal lake with no recognised water supply. It is an example of a wetland which was historically fresh or brackish and has now become hypersaline, supporting virtually no flora or fauna within the flooded area (KLAWG 1993).

In order to reduce salt discharge into the Murray River, Lakes Tutchewop, William and Kelly, and Little Lake Kelly (the Tutchewop Lakes) have been managed as evaporation basins for the disposal of saline drainage water from the Barr Creek Catchment since 1968. Lakes William, Kelly and Little Kelly are naturally saline and previously followed a wet/dry cyclic pattern with considerable saline discharge. Lake Tutchewop was formerly fresh and intermittently filled by floodwaters before being isolated from the floodplain as part of the Tutchewop Lakes scheme. Diversion of water into these lakes from Barr Creek has changed them into permanent water bodies with rising salinity levels.

Salinisation of the wetlands may directly affect those fauna that breed, nest or forage in waterbodies, such as invertebrates, fish, amphibians and waterbirds. Diversity of fauna decreases with increasing salinity, with only hardy, salt tolerant species remaining. However, due to lack of competition and predation, salt-tolerant species may be very abundant and salt lakes can often support a very high biomass and some of the largest concentrations of waterbirds known. Although they are now saline, the Tutchewop lakes still qualify under the waterfowl abundance criteria of the Convention on Wetlands and form a critical waterbird habitat component of the Kerang Lakes Ramsar site (NRE 2000). Once lakes become hypersaline, however, both species diversity and abundance are severely affected.

The accumulation of salt in the Tutchewop Lakes has significantly altered ecological conditions in Lake Tutchewop, Lake Little and Lake Kelly. Lake William, always a salt lake, now has higher salinity levels (NRE 2000). Salt accumulation also limits the effectiveness of the lakes for salinity disposal as their evaporation rates decrease and salt precipitates. A change in management of the Tutchewop Lakes is

required to avoid loss of most biodiversity values in 10 to 20 years time and the increasing loss of evaporative capacity with significant consequences for Murray River salinity levels.

Approximately 50,000 tonnes of salt accumulates in the Tutchewop Lakes each year. A new higher off-take weir has been constructed on Barr Creek where water is diverted to the Tutchewop Lakes. The new weir will exclude high flows from the Little Murray River, which had the effect of diluting the saline Barr Creek water when they occurred. New operational rules have also been developed on when to pump into the Tutchewop Lakes in relation to flow and salt loads in Barr Creek. With these changes in place, 67,500 tonnes of salt will be diverted to the Tutchewop Lakes each year.

The Loddon Murray Land and Water Management Strategy (2002) outlines strategies to improve irrigation farming practices and surface water drainage management in the Loddon-Murray region, including the Barr Creek catchment. However, discharge of saline groundwater into Barr Creek will continue and salinity concentration in the Creek may increase in the future. This could come about as water efficiency measures reduce the volume of irrigation tailwater, which currently dilutes inflow from the saline watertable.

To overcome the problem of accumulation of salt in the Tutchewop Lakes, a preferred option for managing the lakes was agreed by the Department of Environment and Heritage, the Murray-Darling Basin Commission and the Department of Sustainability and Environment in 2000. The management regime involved harvesting salt from the system at the same rate at which it enters from Barr Creek. Water from Lake Tutchewop would be piped to Lake William, where evaporative salt harvesting would take place. Water from Lakes Little Kelly and Kelly would be back-flushed periodically to Lake Tutchewop to minimise their salinity levels. The Ramsar values of Lakes Tutchewop, Little Kelly and Kelly were predicted to be retained in the long-term with loss of some values at Lake William.

Agreement was also reached on a fallback option to manage the lakes until the salt harvesting option was implemented. Under that option, saline water would be accumulated first in Lake William with the other lakes kept at lower salinity levels. However, this option is not sustainable in the long term. When Lake William fills with salt, Lakes Little and Kelly would then be used to accumulate salt and lastly Lake Tutchewop. Infrastructure works are required to allow both these options to proceed.


A proposed commercial salt harvesting venture at Lake William did not proceed as planned in 2000. The Murray-Darling Basin Commission, which manages the system, is continuing to actively investigate options for removing accumulating salt from the Tutchewop Lakes and is also planning the necessary changes to infrastructure.

Lake Bael Bael and Top, Middle and Bottom Marsh are located on the northern floodplain of the Avoca River. Water quality in the Avoca River is considered poor due to high concentrations of salt, turbidity and nutrients (NCCMA 2002a). Changed flow regimes to the lower end of the Avoca River (including The Marshes) – due to changed management practices upstream and the building of farm dams in the upper catchment – have also affected water quality. Significant degradation and continued threat has also been caused by adjacent irrigation. The Avoca Marshes is currently the subject of an integrated hydrogeological study. The Avoca Whole of Catchment Plan 2000-2002 outlines strategies to improve catchment health and reduce impacts on the Ramsar wetlands.

The Pyramid Creek Groundwater Interception Scheme is being developed by Goulburn-Murray Water on behalf of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission. The concept is to pump groundwater from Pyramid Creek between Kow Swamp and Hird Swamp to safeguard water quality of the irrigation supply lakes and provide increased protection for the Murray River.

5.3 Pollution

Nutrients from fertilisers, animal industries, sewage and stormwater drains may significantly alter wetland ecosystems. High concentrations of nutrients in water or sediments promote weed and algal growth. High levels of algal populations can lead to very low oxygen concentrations, which threaten oxygen dependent aquatic biota such as fish.

The Loddon catchment has the highest incidence of blue-green algal blooms in the State (NCCMA 2002b). Water quality in the Avoca catchment is poor and there is potential for increases in the frequency of algal blooms in the catchment (NCCMA 2002a).

In recent years the frequency of blue-green algae blooms in the Kerang Wetlands have increased, reflecting the degradation of the wetlands and associated waterways. The toxins produced by blue-green algae are harmful to both humans and animals and threaten the wetland ecosystem.

The Avoca Nutrient Management Strategy (2002) and the Draft Loddon Catchment Water Quality

Strategy (2002) propose a range of strategies to reduce the nutrient load by 50% over 30 years in the Loddon catchment, and by 25% for phosphorous and 32% for nitrogen in the Avoca catchment over 30 years. Strategies have been developed consistent with the requirements of the State Environmental Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria). They include actions to control erosion, improve farming practices, rehabilitate riparian zones, improve dairy effluent storage systems, improve management of intensive animal industries as well as drainage and re-use systems in irrigation areas, urban stormwater programs and preparation of streamflow management plans and a bulk water entitlement for the Loddon catchment.

Dumping of household refuse in wetlands is mostly carried out in an illegal fashion, but sometimes wetlands are chosen as mandated sites for refuse disposal. Towards the southern end of Cemetery Swamp there is a Municipal Purposes Reserve reserved under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978. The township of Kerang uses this area as a waste transfer station. It was the site of the former Kerang landfill which closed in 1999. Rehabilitation plans for the site are currently being designed by the Gannawarra Shire and include testing for leachate. There is a fully licensed landfill site located outside the Ramsar site approximately 15 km west of Kerang currently in use.

Sedimentation is known to be a pollution issue in some wetlands of the region. Increased sedimentation can reduce the depth and alter the water regime of wetlands. In addition, large sediment loads deposited in water bodies such as wetlands can smother and destroy macrophytic and benthic organisms. The extent of this problem, however, is unknown within the region.

5.4 Pest plants and animals

Pest plants in the Kerang Wetlands are common and have benefited from the changes to the land and water management of the region, such as changes to water regimes, increased nutrient inputs, grazing of natural areas, and clearing of overstorey vegetation. There are numerous terrestrial and aquatic weed species in the Kerang Wetlands region, with Boxthorn, Willow, Spiny Rush, Cumbungi (Typha sp. - there is both an introduced and a native species of Typha which are often difficult to distinguish) and Phragmites (Phragmites australis - a native species) being the most predominant. Weeds not only pose increased competition for native species but these also provide habitat for pest animal species (KLAWG 1993) and reduce habitat for native fauna.


Some wetlands have displayed excessive Cumbungi growth within recent years (most likely due to inappropriate watering regimes such as low summer water levels and higher nutrient levels). Excessive Cumbungi reduces the habitat diversity of the wetlands (Environmental Water Allocation Proposed Works Program 1998/99).

Cumbungi is a perennial plant that plays an important role as habitat for numerous fauna and fish species, but only when it is a component of a more diverse plant community. This plant presently extends over more than 80% of both Hird and Johnson Swamps. This is considered detrimental to most waterbird species. Phragmites has spread around the shoreline of the swamps and into open ground around them. Phragmites reduces the areas available for waterbirds to graze, inhibits regeneration of trees and other plants, and invades tracks and cleared areas used for camping.

Some exotic aquatic flora species have the ability to propagate and spread rapidly in wetland environments. These plants may disturb the wetland ecosystem and affect human uses of water by interfering with irrigation systems and by clogging channels, streams and drains. Coarse Water Milfoil chokes areas of open water in Johnson Swamp, and this species may also replace other native species, further simplifying the habitat diversity (DCE 1992).

Arrowhead and Parrots Feather are two weeds that have spread quickly in the past four years and are a significant threat to the wetland system. There is a concern that these species will become established in the Kerang Wetland Ramsar site and progressively invade billabongs and wetlands, trapping silt in fringing vegetation and thus reducing the area and quality of aquatic habitat. Work is being undertaken by Goulburn-Murray Water to better understand Arrowhead and develop control measures. Parrots Feather thrives in nutrient rich water and has the capability to live in fast-running water (Backer pers. comm.). To date there are no successful control measures for Parrots Feather.

The presence of pest animals within the Kerang Wetlands is a threat to the values of the wetlands. The pest animals found within the Kerang Wetlands include rabbits, foxes, pigs, starlings and cats. Carp and Gambusia are considered pest species and have flourished and impact on native species through habitat changes, competition and predation. There is a national management strategy to control carp. Redfin Perch, an introduced important recreational fishing species, are also present.

Rabbits are distributed throughout the Kerang Wetlands system, ranging from low to moderate

numbers and have had a major impact on the flora. Rabbits have destroyed native remnant vegetation and prevented regeneration (KLAWG 1993). In addition, rabbits can severely impact on cultural site values.

Predation of native wildlife by the introduced Red Fox is listed as a threatening process under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. Foxes are relatively high in number where Lignum vegetation communities are present (e.g. The Marshes) and low in numbers where the wetlands are saline e.g. Lake Tutchewop. Foxes are known to predate upon many groups of native fauna such as arboreal mammals (including Brushtail and Ringtail possums), bird species, reptiles (such as the Carpet Python), amphibians and tortoises. Foxes also feed on tortoise eggs and, since these animals are long-lived, the impact of this predation may not be noticed until there is a sudden population decline (Turner, pers comm.).

Predation of native wildlife by cats is also listed as a threatening process under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. Cats continue to prey heavily on native mammals, reptiles and birds.

Carp are present in high numbers on the permanent lakes in the Kerang Wetland system. In high densities European Carp are believed to reduce the quality of aquatic habitat for waterbirds and native fish by reducing the diversity of aquatic flora and competing for food. The most serious impact caused by European Carp is increased turbidity within the wetlands (Koehn et al. 2000). More research is needed to quantify impacts and explore possible methods of reduction. It needs to be recognised that eradication of carp may not be feasible in the short to medium term due to the complexity and scale of the problem.

Gambusia compete with and fin-nip native fish, causing infection and disease (Lloyd 1990; KLAWG 1993). Redfin Perch is a predatory species. However, its impact on native fish in the wetlands is unknown.

5.5 Resource utilisation

Utilisation of the Kerang Wetlands is permitted for grazing, salt harvesting, and water delivery and storage.

Grazing Grazing is carried out according to grazing licences issued under the Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987. Thirteen grazing licences, eight water frontage licences and three unused road licences allow sheep and cattle to intermittently graze


numerous wetlands. Stock is often introduced into the wetlands during the summer period, when feed levels in the paddocks are low (O’Donnell 1990).

Grazing within the wetlands alters the structure of the vegetation by preventing regeneration and reducing the diversity of species in the understorey. Stock also selectively graze palatable species, destroy vegetation cover used by native animals, compact, pug and erode the soils, and manure increases nutrient concentrations. Grazing also has potential to impact on cultural site values, particularly on water frontages.

In contrast, well managed grazing may be a useful management tool in the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site and may play a role in vegetation management, controlling pest plants and animals and reducing fire hazard.

Salt harvesting Salt harvesting is undertaken at Lakes William, Kelly and Little Kelly. Salt imported from Barr Creek is stored in Lakes Tutchewop, Kelly, William and Little Kelly. It has been estimated that salt harvesting works remove 7,000 tonnes of salt per year (KLAWG 1993).

Water delivery and storage As many as 12 wetlands within the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site are supplied with water from the Torrumbarry Irrigation System, primarily for irrigation storage and delivery purposes. The current environmental values of these wetlands depend on long-established water regimes, even though the regimes are not natural and the original values are often diminished. The long-term viability of current environmental values at these wetlands is closely linked to demands for irrigation supply as well as storage management requirements. Changes to current water regimes are likely to be proposed as irrigation needs change. Effects on Ramsar site values need to be carefully assessed before decisions are made.

Wastewater treatment The EPA licences the discharge of wastes or wastewater from wastewater treatment plants, industries and septic tanks to surface waters and administers the State Environment Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria).

Lower Murray Water is responsible for urban water and wastewater services to a number of townships along the Murray, including Kerang. Fosters Swamp is used to store and evaporate wastewater, drainage and stormwater from Kerang. Lower Murray Water has an environmental management system in place

and has established a Biodiversity Asset Register encompassing all its properties including Fosters Swamp. It also has Land for Wildlife registration for Fosters Swamp.

Commercial fishing Until recently commercial fishing was permitted under licence at Kangaroo, Reedy, Middle and Third Lakes. Commercial inland fishing in Victoria has since been reviewed and resulted in the State Government buying out the remaining commercial Inland Fisheries Access Licences in 2002. The Department of Primary Industries (Fisheries Victoria) can still issue permits for the commercial exploitation of noxious aquatic species under section 81 of the Fisheries Act 1995. Two commercial operators have permits to net noxious fish, primarily carp, within a 75 km radius of their residences at Lake Boga and Cohuna and hence within all the wetlands in the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar Site. This has the potential to improve wetland values. Given the investment in stocking native fish in some of the wetlands, methods that minimise by-catch are encouraged.

5.6 Recreation

The recreational value of the Kerang Wetlands stems both from their natural ecological assets and also from their use as part of a water supply system (KLAWG 1993). The wetlands provide many opportunities for recreational activities for both local residents and visitors. The many caravan parks, hotels and motels in the area indicate that it is a popular tourist destination. It is estimated that over 4,000 people stay in caravan parks during the Christmas and Easter holidays.

Most visitor usage is concentrated on the permanent lakes. The most popular wetland areas for visitors are Lake Charm and Kangaroo Lake. Other wetlands utilised for recreation include Hird Swamp, Johnson Swamp, Middle Lake and Reedy Lake. Of the recreational activities, the most concentrated use on the wetlands is by duck hunters during the duck open season, usually March to June (subject to pre-season censuses) (NRE 2002c).

The Kerang wetlands are recognised as the most popular duck hunting locality in Victoria. The lakes and waterways often support large populations of ducks, and most are open to hunting (KLAWG 1993). The Victorian Hunting Guide 2002 provides information on bag limits, proclaimed species and techniques for reducing environmental impacts.

Proclaimed game (appropriate duck species) may be hunted during the open season only, but pest


animals may be hunted at any time on some Crown Land.

Duck hunting is subject to strict controls. It is managed by DSE to ensure harvest levels for game species are set at optimum sustainable levels, in accordance with relevant climatic and habitat variables.

The use of lead shot in cartridges for the hunting of waterbirds is listed as a potentially threatening process in Schedule 3 of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. Birds that feed in or on the edges of wetlands including dabbling ducks (e.g. Pacific Black Duck), deep diving ducks (e.g. Blue-billed Duck) and predators (e.g. Whistling Kite, Swamp Harrier and White-bellied Sea-Eagle) are at risk of lead poisoning (FFG Action Statement No.32). Lead shot was prohibited for duck hunting in Victoria in 2002 but can still be used for hunting quail, pest animals and for clay target shooting. The extent of the lead contamination in the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site is not known.

Camping on lake foreshores, particularly during the duck hunting season, can have adverse impacts on the wetlands natural and cultural values. These impacts include vegetation damage, soil compaction, collection of firewood and issues associated with rubbish disposal. Improving signage at high-use recreational nodes would assist in raising awareness of impacts associated with recreational use.

Recreational boating activities occur within the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site. Recent research demonstrates that water-skiing and high-powered boats disturb waterbirds (Paton et al. 2000). The local impacts at the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site are poorly understood and further investigation into the effect these activities are having on Ramsar values, particularly waterbirds, is warranted.

Recreational fishing is also a key activity on many of the wetlands and native fish are stocked for this purpose.

5.7 Erosion

Erosion of the banks of the rivers, lakes and wetlands occurs as a result of irrigation water operations, management activities and water-based recreation. Anecdotal evidence suggests that carp may also be contributing to shoreline erosion. Adverse impacts of erosion on the environmental value of the wetlands is considered minimal, however, there is potential for cultural sites to be negatively impacted. In relative terms, erosion is considered to having the most impact at Lake Bael

Bael, however, it is still considered a low risk to the environmental and cultural values of the lake.

5.8 Dredging

Dredging is an activity not often associated with inland wetlands, but in the case of Kerang Wetlands it has occurred in the form of alteration of inlets and outlets at a small number of wetlands. For example, at Pyramid Creek dredging was undertaken to bypass Hird and Johnson Swamps and accelerate delivery of irrigation water. This has caused changes to the water regimes of the wetlands, however, most of these changes occurred some time ago and their impact on the current values of the wetlands is negligible.

In some cases, dredging and changes to outlet structures may be needed to rehabilitate wetlands. These works should be undertaken with safeguards against short-term impacts during works.

5.9 Fire Fire is another risk that occurs in the Kerang Region due to recreation and vandalism. In some cases local landholders may burn reeds in an attempt to control them. This practice is usually ineffective in the long-term and results in direct impacts on wetland flora and fauna. Wild fires from unattended campfires or vandalism are more frequent and have the adverse impacts of destroying flora and fauna, dry organic matter (important for nutrient recycling on refilling) and woody debris (which is an important structural habitat feature).

5.10 Land management

There are uncertainties about management responsibility for some land in the Ramsar site. In addition, different managers are sometimes responsible for adjacent land at individual wetlands. This has led to inadequate or inconsistent management of some areas.

Further clarity on land tenure and management, and improved communication between respective land managers will contribute to better management and allocation of resources.

5.11 Level of risk to Ramsar values

The goal of the integrated management framework (incorporating the Strategic Directions Statement and corresponding Strategic Management Plans) is to facilitate the maintenance of ecological character at Victoria’s Ramsar sites by minimising risks to values. This objective will be achieved through the implementation of strategically prioritised management actions. The proposed management


actions are prioritised according to their ability to address the identified threats or risks.

A strategic risk assessment process based on the broad concepts and principles of ecological risk assessment has been undertaken for the Strategic Directions Statement and Strategic Management Plans – see Appendix 7 of Management of Victoria’s Wetlands: Strategic Directions Statement (NRE 2002b). This process relied on a clear understanding of the range of direct and indirect pressures facing the wetlands, and the legislative and policy context.

A systematic and strategic analysis of risk provides the necessary information to site managers; and facilitates priority setting, resource allocation and informed decision-making. It also provides a better understanding of management issues.

The strategic risk assessment process has established the basis for objectively assigning higher, medium and lower priority levels to risks at Ramsar sites and the management actions designed to

address them. The strategic risk assessment approach also facilitates an understanding of the relationship between specific risks and values. The strategic risk assessment framework draws on two major relevant documents: the US Environment Protection Authority’s Guidelines for Ecological Risk Assessment (1997), and the Ramsar Convention’s Wetland Risk Assessment (1999).

To enable comparison both within and between sites, the risks to the ecological character of the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site are summarised in Table 5.1. It should be noted that the level of risk has not been assessed against the effort currently being applied to mitigating the risk.

A more detailed risk assessment process for the Loddon Murray Wetlands (which includes the wetlands listed in the Kerang Lakes Ramsar site) is currently being undertaken.

Table 5.1 Level of risk at the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site

Risks

Alte

red

wat

er

regi

mes

Salin

ity

Pollu

tion

Pest

pla

nts

Pest

ani

mal

s

Reso

urce

ut

ilisa

tion

Recr

eatio

n

Fire

Kerang Wetlands ��

�� Higher priority risk - risks that currently or may potentially result in the significant loss of the site’s environmental values and ecological character.

�� Medium priority risk - risks that currently or may potentially result in the moderate loss of the site’s environmental values and ecological character.

� Lower priority risk - risks that currently or may potentially result in the minor loss of the site’s environmental values and ecological character.


6 Site Management Strategies

A number of Site Management Strategies have been developed in response to the analysis of risks to the values at the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site. The Site Management Strategies are grouped under the relevant Management Objectives established by the Strategic Directions Statement.

The Site Management Strategies for Kerang Wetlands promote a range of specific management actions that will maintain, and in some cases restore the ecological character of the site. The Site Management Strategies are designed to:

a) highlight existing strategies and actions that are consistent with wise use principles; and

b) address risks that are having an adverse impact, or are likely to have an adverse impact on ecological character.

The successful coordination and cooperation of the lead agencies as well as the continued efforts of the many community and interest groups, is essential for the long-term conservation of the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site. The Strategic Directions Statement, statutory mechanisms, management plans and management strategies will guide the implementation of this Strategic Management Plan.

The Department of Sustainability and Environment will have overall responsibility for:

• facilitating the implementation of the Strategic Directions Statement and Strategic Management Plans for Ramsar sites by ensuring relevant agencies incorporate relevant strategies into their work programs;

• coordinating and reporting on the progress with implementation of the Strategic Directions Statement and Strategic Management Plans for Ramsar sites;

• ensuring monitoring programs are established in accordance with the Strategic Directions Statement and Strategic Management Plans for Ramsar sites;

• ensuring the regular review of Strategic Management Plans for Ramsar sites;

• reporting triennially, in line with National Reporting commitments, to the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention; and

• the six yearly update of the Ramsar Information Sheets for each site.

In order to clarify accountabilities, the lead agencies responsible for the implementation of each strategy are identified. Lead agencies will monitor implementation of the strategies for which they are responsible. Lead agencies are encouraged to record progress on their responsibilities and extent of implementation and provide information in the form of annual summary reports to the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE). This information will be consistent with a format developed by DSE and will contribute to Victoria’s chapter in the National Report to the Convention on Wetlands, prepared every three years.

A rating of relative priority accompanies each Site Management Strategy. Definitions of these priorities are as follows:

Higher: Strategies that, when implemented, will significantly contribute to the maintenance of ecological character.

Medium: Strategies that, when implemented in conjunction with Higher priority strategies, will support the maintenance and contribute to the restoration of ecological character.

Lower: Strategies that, when implemented in conjunction with Higher and Medium priority strategies, will result in enhancement of ecological character.


Management Objective 1 Increase the scientific understanding of wetland ecosystems and their management requirements

Site Management Strategy Lead agency Priority

1.1 Undertake and support a coordinated research program to determine more appropriate water regimes for the Ramsar site based on the hydro-ecological requirements of the lakes.

PV, DSE, NCCMA Higher

1.2 Further investigate the influence of ground water and surface water interactions on lake water quality and biota composition.

PV, DSE, NCCMA Higher

1.3 Measure flows into wetlands by installing gauging stations. PV, DSE Higher

1.4 Investigate specific wetland vegetation to guide appropriate rehabilitation and revegetation that reflects individual lake variation. PV, DSE Higher

1.5 Undertake further research to improve the robustness of interim guidelines for irrigation practices adjacent to the Ramsar wetlands. DPI Higher

1.6 Encourage and support further archaeological surveys of the Kerang wetlands DSE, PV Medium

Management Objective 2 Maintain or seek to restore appropriate water regimes


2.1 Plan for the future management of the Kerang Wetlands in light of changes to water use patterns and irrigation system management, whilst ensuring no net loss to biodiversity and recognising the limited capacity to fluctuate water levels in some wetlands due to the potential for groundwater intrusion.

PV, DSE, GMW, NCCMA Higher

2.2 Continue to determine the appropriate water regime for each of the wetlands in the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site and negotiate for appropriate environmental water allocations to be able to provide these water regimes.

DSE, PV, GMW, NCCMA Higher

2.3 Review management costs for environmental bulk entitlements as part of a discussion paper on ‘Options for Providing Bulk Entitlements for the Environment’, in accordance with the Victorian River Health Strategy.

DSE Higher

2.4 Where regional benefits can be sustained, maintain or restore natural surface water flows to and from wetlands in the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site. DSE, PV, GMW Higher

2.5 Continue a program to construct wetland inlets and outlets where necessary to manage water in line with approved operational plans.

DSE, PV, GMW, NCCMA Medium

2.6 Ensure that the disposal of drainage water into the Kerang Wetlands does not adversely affect their environmental values.

DSE, DPI, GMW, NCCMA Medium

2.7 In instances where drainage/channel outfalls provide a positive benefit to wetlands, ensure this flow remains until appropriate management plans are developed to address water requirements.

DSE, DPI, GMW, NCCMA Medium

2.8 Ensure that there are no changes to the operation of the distribution system until proposed changes that have the potential to affect wetlands in the Ramsar site are assessed for their environmental impact and a strategy is in place to ameliorate any impacts to protect environmental values.

DSE, GMW Medium

Management Objective 3 Address adverse processes and activities


3.1 Seek salinity disposal credits for the environment to allow for the flushing of the wetlands in accordance with the MDBC Salinity and Drainage Strategy. DSE, PV Higher

3.2 Ensure that any water savings or transfers of water are not to the detriment of environmental values or other significant environmental features of any of the wetlands in the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site.

DSE, PV, DEH Higher

3.3 Implement the Avoca Nutrient Management Strategy and the Loddon Catchment Water Quality Strategy to improve water quality and reduce algal blooms in the Ramsar site.

NCCMA, EPA, DSE Higher


Management Objective 3 continued


3.4 Implement interim guidelines for irrigation practices where new development is adjacent to Ramsar wetlands. Apply the findings of further research that improves robustness of the interim guidelines.

PV, Shire, DSE Higher

3.5 Ensure all applications for amending land use and development in water catchments surrounding Ramsar-listed wetlands are referred to the CMA, DSE, GMW and PV to ensure potential impacts are identified and appropriately addressed.

Shire Higher

3.6 Ensure the requirements of the EPBC Act 1999 (Cwlth) are met with regard to development proposals that may impact on the ecological character of the Ramsar site. DEH Higher

3.7 Clarify the roles and responsibilities of reserve management with respect to the land and water components (including Committees of Management), and seek agreement with all parties as to these roles and responsibilities.

DSE Higher

3.8 Develop and implement a pest plant and animal action plan for each of the wetlands within the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site and have completed activities regularly reported to a central coordinating agency. Clearly define who is responsible for implementing management action plans.

PV, DSE, Shire, GMW Higher

3.9 Develop and implement the Kerang Lakes Wetlands Flooding Planner annually to establish how storage levels and flood flows are managed within the Kerang Wetlands catchment.

NCCMA, GMW, DSE Higher

3.10 Investigate options for the removal of accumulating salt in the Tutchewop Lakes salinity disposal system and ensure impacts and benefits on Ramsar values are considered in the assessment of options.

MDBC, DSE, DPI, GMW Medium

3.11 Implement the State Environment Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria) as it relates to water quality in the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site and ensure waste and sewage discharges are appropriately licensed and licences complied with.

EPA, LMW, DSE, NCCMA Medium

3.12 Undertake a risk assessment on the potential impact of aquatic weeds on the ecological character of the Ramsar site. DSE, PV, GMW Medium

3.13 Identify municipal planning issues related to land use change and development and take a strategic approach to planning to protect wetland values from potential adverse effects of land use and development.

DSE, PV, Shire Medium

3.14 Where practical reduce disturbance by carp (e.g. in wetlands where water is delivered install carp screens on regulators). Investigate other methods of control where carp screens are not practical

PV, DSE, GMW Medium

3.15 Consistent with the Regional Floodplain Management Strategy, review the impacts of levees and drains within the Loddon Murray Region on significant wetlands.

DSE, PV, NCCMA, GMW Medium

3.16 Undertake rehabilitation of the former Kerang landfill (now a Waste Transfer Station) including testing to determine whether leachate poses a threat to Cemetery Swamp. Shire Medium

3.17 Encourage and manage appropriate land use activities adjacent to the wetlands. Shire, DPI, DSE Medium

Management Objective 4 Manage within an integrated catchment management framework


4.1 Ensure this strategic management plan is recognised in the North Central Regional Catchment Strategy planning and implementation framework and catchment plans complement this plan to promote the protection of Ramsar site values.

NCCMA Higher

4.2 Ensure environmental values of the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site are considered when developing new or implementing existing land management plans and strategies.

NCCMA, PV, DSE, Shire Higher

4.3 Continue to develop and implement the North Central Regional Catchment Strategy and subsidiary plans to combat the adverse effects of rising water tables, poor water quality and land salinisation.

DSE, NCCMA, GMW, Shire Higher

4.4 Utilise the wetland prioritisation framework developed by the Loddon Murray Irrigation Region Co-ordination Forum Technical Management Group to ensure that future works/strategies are in line with agreed priorities.

DSE, PV, GMW, Shire, NCCMA Higher




4.5 Prepare management plans for individual priority wetlands that follow the priorities of the Loddon Murray Land and Water Management Strategy 2002.

DSE, PV, NCCMA Higher

4.6 Ensure pest plant and animal control efforts are coordinated across land tenures. DPI Higher

Management Objective 5 Manage resource utilisation on a sustainable basis


5.1 Review grazing licence management arrangements to ensure they are consistent with land management responsibilities and Ramsar site management objectives. DSE, PV, GMW Higher

5.2 Undertake trials to determine appropriate grazing regimes for maintaining and enhancing environmental values and review results for broader applicability. PV, DSE, GMW Higher

5.3 Review licensed grazing in areas where it can be demonstrated that it has resulted in the loss of the site’s Ramsar values.

PV, GMW, DSE, NCCMA Higher

5.4 Develop and manage the irrigation system to maintain or improve environmental outcomes in line with the Loddon Murray Land and Water Management Strategy.

GMW, DSE, DPI, NCCMA Higher

5.5 Continue to manage duck hunting sustainably. DSE, PV Higher

5.6 Continue to manage recreational fishing sustainably. DPI Higher

Management Objective 6 Protection, and where appropriate enhance, ecosystem processes, habitats and species


6.1 Use the risk assessment process in the wetland prioritisation framework developed by the Loddon Murray Irrigation Region Co-ordination Forum Technical Management Group to document in detail the current environmental values and management risks for each wetland in the Ramsar site. Identify individual environmental values that need protecting and enhancing and establish risk management protocols.

PV, GMW, DPI, DSE, NCCMA,

Shire Higher

6.2 Protect and enhance native remnant vegetation around lake boundaries. PV, DSE, NCCMA, GMW,

Shire Higher

6.3 Protect important habitat for migratory waders and species listed in appendices to JAMBA, CAMBA and the Bonn Convention. PV, DSE, GMW Higher

6.4 Manage flora and fauna in accordance with management plan priorities, management agreements, FFG Action Statements and CAMBA and JAMBA agreements. PV, DSE, GMW Medium

Management Objective 7 Encourage strong partnerships between management agencies


7.1 Involve local Aboriginal people in all facets of Ramsar site management, consistent with the Strategies Agreement for Indigenous Involvement in Land and Water Management (VCMC 2003) and the Indigenous Partnership Strategy. Ensure ongoing consultation with the local Indigenous communities during management and annual program planning for the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site.

DSE, AAV, PV Higher

7.2 Consult with local Aboriginal people to ensure that other site management strategies in this plan do not adversely impact on Aboriginal cultural heritage values.

DSE, DPI, AAV, PV Higher

7.3 Continue ongoing engagement with local Indigenous communities in the management of Aboriginal cultural heritage values. DSE, DPI, PV Higher

7.4 Support the structure of the Loddon Murray Land and Water Management Strategy (LMLWMS) implementation committee (including a Technical Working Group and Executive Officers Committee) in order to foster a consistent and integrated regional approach to the management of wetlands in the area.

PV, DPI, GMW, Shire, NCCMA,

DSE, DEH Higher




7.5 Clarify land management responsibilities for all land in the Ramsar site and improve cooperation between land managers to ensure consistent management of adjacent areas. Where opportunities arise rationalise the current land tenure arrangements (e.g. Lake Charm) in order to simplify land manager responsibilities.

PV, DPI, DSE, GMW, Shire,

NCCMA Higher

7.6 Facilitate continued development and understanding of roles and responsibilities of agencies for all aspects of management by developing a communication procedure of activities between agencies, including an accountability auditing process.

PV, DSE, GMW, Shire, NCCMA Higher

7.7 Encourage Committees of Management to manage wetlands in an environmentally sustainable manner and to develop and report on a plan of activities.

PV, Shire, GMW, DSE Higher

7.8 Determine a lead agency that will be responsible for ensuring that wetland management plans for individual wetlands in the Kerang Lakes Area are being successfully implemented.

DSE, DPI Higher

Management Objective 8 Promote community awareness and understanding and provide opportunities for involvement in management


8.1 Review opportunities for improved education and interpretive services. PV, DPI, DSE, Shire Higher

8.2 Promote community participation in wetland management including habitat protection and enhancement works. PV, DSE, DPI Higher

8.3 Promote greater understanding, awareness and protection of the Kerang Wetlands in extension and voluntary programs to landholders and to the community (e.g. Landcare and Waterwatch), through the provision of educational and promotional material.

PV, DSE, DPI, LMW, NCCMA,

Shire Higher

8.4 Identify opportunities and encourage community involvement in environmental monitoring activities (e.g. Waterwatch).

PV, DSE, NCCMA Medium

8.5 Develop and implement a communication strategy that identifies a range of informative material about the Kerang Wetlands that is suitable for a wide range of user groups. DSE, PV Medium

Management Objective 9 Ensure recreational use is consistent with the protection of natural and cultural values


9.1 In consultation with local Aboriginal communities, identify, protect and manage, where appropriate, sites of Aboriginal archaeological and historical interest and significance. Ensure this is done in accordance with Commonwealth and State legislation and in consultation with Aboriginal communities appointed under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 and Aboriginal Affairs Victoria.

DSE, DPI, PV, AAV Higher

9.2 Continue to restrict access to areas within the Ramsar sites where rare or threatened species are breeding. DSE, PV, GMW Higher

9.3 Encourage minimal impact from water-skiers on wetland habitats and disturbance to wildlife by protecting sensitive areas. DSE, GMW, PV Medium

9.4 Encourage visitors to practice minimal impact techniques and to adhere to recreational codes of conduct and laws governing these activities. DSE, GMW, PV Lower

9.5 Improve signage to assist in reducing impacts associated with recreational activities (e.g. hunting in the Marshes) and to protect people engaged in such activities (e.g. when there are algal blooms in high value recreation facilities).

PV, GMW, DSE Lower

9.6 Encourage minimal impact recreation to promote the values of the wetlands and increase community interest and involvement in their protection and enhancement. PV, DSE Lower


Management Objective 10 Develop ongoing consistent programs to monitor ecological character


10.1 Develop an ongoing, consistent and well-designed program to monitor the ecological character of the Ramsar site. The program should allow for appropriate statistical analysis, based on predefined reporting objectives. Factors such as water height, salinity, nutrients, algae (including blue-green algae), flora and fauna (including macroinvertebrates) should be measured and results recorded in appropriate databases.

DSE, PV, NCCMA Higher

10.2 Monitor the effectiveness of rehabilitation, revegetation and habitat protection works. DSE, PV, NCCMA Higher

10.3 Monitor the effectiveness of the Ramsar plan with respect to protection and enhancement of ecological, social and cultural values of the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar sites.

DPI, PV Higher

10.4 Continue to implement a program of regular bird counts in conjunction with Birds Australia and other relevant groups.

DSE, PV Higher

10.5 Record fauna species usage of the Kerang Wetlands and provide data to update relevant Victorian databases.

DSE, PV Higher

Lead agency key:

AAV Aboriginal Affairs Victoria (Department for Victorian Communities)

DOI Department of Infrastructure

DPI Department of Primary Industries

DSE Department of Sustainability and Environment

DEH Department of Environment and Heritage

GMW Goulburn-Murray Water

LMW Lower Murray Water

MDBC Murray-Darling Basin Commission

NCCMA North Central Catchment Management Authority

PV Parks Victoria

Shire Shire of Gannawarra


References

Corrick, A. H. and Norman, F. I. (1980) Wetlands of Victoria. In: Wetlands and Waterbirds of the Snowy River and Gippsland Lakes catchments. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 91:1-15.

Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands (1988) Wetlands Conservation Program for Victoria, Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, Victoria.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment (2001) The Value of Water: A Guide to Water Trading in Victoria. Department of Natural Resources and Environment. East Melbourne.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment (2001) Indigenous Partnerships Strategy. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment (2002a) ‘Groundwater Occurrence in the Murray Basin’, Groundwater Notes, GW0006. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Melbourne.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment (2002b) Management of Victoria’s Ramsar Wetlands: Strategic Directions Statement. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Melbourne.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment (2002c) Victorian Hunting Guide 2002. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Game Management Unit, Victoria.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment (2002d) Victorian River Health Strategy. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment (2002e) Victoria’s Native Vegetation Management – A framework for Action. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria.

Department of Sustainability and Environment (2003a) Atlas of Victorian Wildlife. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria.

Department of Sustainability and Environment (2003b) Flora Information System. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria.

Department of Sustainability and Environment (2003c) Securing Our Water Future: Green Paper for Discussion. Department of Sustainability and Environment. Victoria.

Environment Australia (2001) A Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia, Third Edition. Environment Australia, Canberra.

Hewish, M. (1989) Waterfowl count in Victoria, February 1988. RAOU Report No. 52. Prepared for the Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands.

Kerang Lakes Area Working Group (1993) Kerang Lakes Area Salinity Management Plan. Plan prepared by the Kerang Lakes Area Working Group.

Koehn, J. D., Gehrke, P.C. and Brumley, A. R. (2000) Managing the Impacts of Carp, Bureau of Rural Sciences, Canberra.

Land Conservation Council (1985) Final Recommendations: Murray Valley area. Land Conservation Council, Melbourne, Victoria.

Land Conservation Council (1989) Mallee Area Review: Final Recommendations. Land Conservation Council, Melbourne, Victoria.

Lloyd, L. N. (1990) Ecological interactions of Gambusia holbrooki with Australian native fish. In: Pollard, D.A. ASFB Workshop on introduced and translocated fishes and their ecological effects. Bureau of Rural Resources Proceedings No. 8, AGPS Press, Canberra.

Lloyd, L. N., Atkins, B. P., Boon, P. I., Roberts, J. and Jacobs, T. (1993) Natural Processes in floodplain ecosystems. In: Proceedings of the Murray-Darling Basin Floodplain Wetlands Management Workshop. Murray-Darling Basin Commission, Canberra.

Mackay, N. J. and Eastburn, D. (1990) The Murray. Murray-Darling Basin Commission, Canberra.

Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council (2001) Basin Salinity Management Strategy 2001-2015. Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council, Canberra.


North Central Catchment Management Authority (1997) Loddon Murray Regional Rural Partnership Program for a Sustainable Economy Beyond 2000. North Central Catchment Management Authority, Huntly.

North Central Catchment Management Authority (2000) Regional Floodplain Management Strategy. North Central Catchment Management Authority, Huntly.

North Central Catchment Management Authority (2002a) Avoca Nutrient Management Strategy. North Central Catchment Management Authority, Huntly.

North Central Catchment Management Authority (2002b) Draft Loddon Catchment Water Quality Strategy. North Central Catchment Management Authority, Huntly.

North Central Catchment Management Authority (2002c) Loddon Murray Land and Water Management Strategy. North Central Catchment Management Authority, Huntly.

O’Donnell, T. (1990) Vegetation of the Wetlands in the Kerang Lakes Area. Report to Kerang Lakes Area Working Group.

Paton, D. C., Ziembicki, M., Owen, P. and Heddle, C. (2000) Disturbance Distances for Water Birds and the Management of Human Recreation with Special Reference to the Coorong Region of South Australia. Final report for the Migratory Waterbird Component of the National Wetlands Program, Environment Australia, Canberra.

Peter, J. (1989) Waterfowl count in Victoria, February 1989. RAOU Report No. 57. Prepared for the Department of Conservation, Forests and Land.

Peter, J. (1990) Waterfowl Count in Victoria, February 1990. RAOU Report No. 72. Prepared for the Department of Conservation, Forests and Land.

Ramsar Convention Bureau (1997) The Ramsar Convention Manual: a Guide to the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971), 2nd ed. Ramsar Convention Bureau, Gland, Switzerland.

Savage, G. and McNeill, J. (2003) Irrigation Guidelines for Wetlands Conservation in the Loddon-Murray region. Centre for Land Protection Research Report No. 34. Department of Primary Industries.

Victorian Catchment Management Council (2003) Strategies Agreement for Indigenous Involvement in Land and Water Management. Victorian Catchment Management Council. Melbourne.


Appendix 1 List of Contributors

Multi-disciplinary Project Team members

Kate Maltby Conservation Strategy Officer, Conservation Division, Parks Victoria

Tony Long Chief Environmental Ranger, Central Region, Parks Victoria

Roy Speechley Senior Project Officer, Central Region, Parks Victoria

Mark Tscharke Ranger in Charge, Kerang Parks Victoria

Janet Holmes Senior Policy Officer, Department of Sustainability and Environment

Local Reference Group members

Andrea Joyce Wetland Co-ordinator, North West Region, Department of Sustainability and Environment

Merryn Kelly Senior Policy Officer, Department of Sustainability and Environment

Rob Price Manager Flora and Fauna, North West Region, Department of Sustainability and Environment

Greg Turner Leader of Environment Team, North Central Region, Department of Sustainability and Environment

John Ginnivan Manager, Natural Resources (Kerang), Goulburn-Murray Water

Rohan Hogan North Central Catchment Management Authority

Steven Walsh Director, Planning and Infrastructure, Shire of Gannawarra

John McCurdy Development Approvals Officer, Shire of Gannawarra

Colin Campbell Lower Murray Water

Project Consultants

Dr Suzanne Moore ECOS Environmental Consulting

Lance Lloyd Lloyd Environmental Consultants

Public Submissions

Australasian Wader Studies Group

Birds Australia

Bird Observers Club of Australia

Coalition Against Duck Shooting

Department of Natural Resources and Environment

Department of Environment and Heritage

Goulburn-Murray Water

Lower Murray Water

Marshall S and S

Soren, J

Swan Hill Rural City Council

Wehner, B (Parks Victoria, Shepparton)

Tscharke, M (Parks Victoria, Kerang)

VRFish - Fish for the Future


Appendix 2 Threatened Status of Flora

Common name Scientific name FFG Listed Status in Victoria

Status in Australia

Australian Millet Panicum decompositum k

Brown Beetle-grass Leptochloa fusca ssp. fusca r

Bundled Peppercress Lepidium fasciculatum k

Forde Poa Poa fordeana k

Matted Water-starwort Callitriche sonderi k

Native Couch Cynodon dactylon var. pulchellus k

Sickle Love-grass Eragrostis falcata k

Six-point Arrowgrass Triglochin hexagonum v

Small Monkey-flower Mimulus prostratus r

Spiny Lignum Muehlenbeckia horrida ssp. horrida k

Spreading Emu-bush Eremophila divaricata ssp. divaricata r

Sweet Fenugreek Trigonella suavissima r

Twin-leaf Bedstraw Asperula gemella r

Umbrella Wattle Acacia oswaldii v

Waterbush Myoporum montanum r

Source: Victorian Flora Information System DSE (2003b)

FFG Listed

L Listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988

A An action statement has been prepared for the management of this species.

Status in Victoria

e Endangered in Victoria, i.e. rare and at risk of disappearing from the wild state if present land use and other causal factors continue.

v Vulnerable in Victoria, i.e. rare, not presently endangered but likely to become so soon due to continued depletion, or which largely occur on sites likely to experience changes in land use which threaten the survival of the species.

r Plants which are rare in Victoria but which are not considered otherwise threatened. This category indicates relatively few known stands.

k species poorly known, suspected of being in one of the above categories.

Status in Australia under the EPBC Act 1999

CE A native species is eligible to be included in the critically endangered category at a particular time if, at that time, it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria.

E A native species is eligible to be included in the endangered category at a particular time if, at that time: (a)it is not critically endangered; and (b)it is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria.

V A native species is eligible to be included in the vulnerable category at a particular time if, at that time: (a)it is not critically endangered or endangered; and (b)it is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria.


Appendix 3 Threatened Status of Fauna

Common name Scientific name FFG Listed Status in Victoria Status in Australia

Birds

Australasian Shoveler Anas rhynchotis Vul

Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla L Vul

Black Falcon Falco subniger Vul

Black-chinned Honeyeater Melithreptus gularis LR

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Vul

Blue-billed Duck Oxyura australis L End

Brolga Grus rubicunda L Vul

Brown Quail Coturnix ypsilophora LR

Brown Treecreeper Climacteris picumnus LR

Caspian Tern Sterna caspia L LR

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Vul

Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis LR

Freckled Duck Stictonetta naevosa L, A End

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus LR

Great Egret Ardea alba L Vul

Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris L End

Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii Vul

Grey Falcon Falco hypoleucos L End

Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica L End

Hardhead Aythya australis Vul

Hooded Robin Melanodryas cucullata L LR

Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia L CEn

Latham's Snipe Gallinago hardwickii LR

Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus L End

Little Button-quail Turnix velox LR

Little Egret Egretta garzetta L End

Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta DD

Magpie Goose Anseranas semipalmata Vul

Musk Duck Biziura lobata Vul

Nankeen Night Heron Nycticorax caledonicus LR

Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva LR


Common name Scientific name FFG Listed Status in Victoria Status in Australia

Birds continued

Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis L CEn

Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius LR

Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus L, A CEn V

Red Knot Calidris canutus LR

Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia Vul

Sanderling Calidris alba LR

Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis LR

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus LR

White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster L, A Vul

White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus LR

Reptiles

Carpet Python Morelia spilota metcalfei L End

Tree Goanna Varanus varius Vul

Amphibians

Warty Bell Frog Litoria raniformis L End V

Fish

Flat-headed Galaxias Galaxias rostratus L# DD

Freshwater Catfish Tandanus tandanus L, L# End

Golden Perch Macquaria ambigua L# Vul

Macquarie Perch Macquaria australasica L, L# End CE

Murray Cod Maccullochella peelii peelii L, L# End V

Murray Hardyhead Craterocephalus fluviatilis L, L# CEn V

Silver Perch Bidyanus bidyanus L, L# CEn

Unspecked Hardyhead Craterocephalus stercusmuscarum fulvus

L, L#

Source: Atlas of Victorian Wildlife DSE (2003a)


FFG Listed

L Listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.

L# Listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 as part of the Lowland Riverine Fish Community of the Southern Murray-Darling Basin.

A An action statement has been prepared for the management of this species.

Status in Victoria

CEn Critically Endangered: A taxon that is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future.

End Endangered: A taxon that is not Critically Endangered but is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future.

Vul Vulnerable: A taxon that is not Critically Endangered or Endangered but is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future.

LR Lower Risk – near threatened: A taxon that has been evaluated, does not satisfy the criteria for any of the threatened categories, but which is close to qualifying for Vulnerable. In practice, these species are most likely to move into a threatened category should current declines continue or catastrophes befall the species.

DD Data Deficient - A taxon where there is inadequate information to make a direct or indirect assessment of its risk of extinction based on its distribution or population status. Listing of taxa in this category indicates that more information is required and acknowledges the possibility that future investigation will show that a threatened classification is appropriate. Status in Australia under the EPBC Act 1999

Status in Australia under the EPBC Act 1999

CE A native species is eligible to be included in the critically endangered category at a particular time if, at that time, it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria.

E A native species is eligible to be included in the endangered category at a particular time if, at that time: (a)it is not critically endangered; and (b)it is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria.

V A native species is eligible to be included in the vulnerable category at a particular time if, at that time: (a)it is not critically endangered or endangered; and (b)it is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria.


Appendix 4 JAMBA, CAMBA and Bonn Species

Common name Scientific name JAMBA CAMBA Bonn

Australasian Shoveler Anas rhynchotis �

Australian Shelduck Tadorna tadornoides �

Black Kite Milvus migrans �

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa � � �

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus �

Blue-billed Duck Oxyura australis �

Caspian Tern Sterna caspia � �

Chestnut Teal Anas castanea �

Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia � � �

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos � � �

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea � � �

Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis � � �

Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus � �

Freckled Duck Stictonetta naevosa �

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus � �

Great Egret Ardea alba � �

Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii � � �

Grey Falcon Falco hypoleucos �

Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis � � �

Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles �

Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa �

Pink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus membranaceus �

Plumed Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna eytoni �

Red Knot Calidris canutus � � �

Red-capped Plover Charadrius ruficapillus �

Red-kneed Dotterel Erythrogonys cinctus �

Red-necked Avocet Recurvirostra novaehollandiae �

Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis � � �

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres � � �

Sanderling Calidris alba � � �

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata � � �

Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax �

White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster � �

White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus � � �

Source: Atlas of Victorian Wildlife DSE (2003a)


Appendix 5 Resource List for Kerang Wetlands

Further reading: North Central Catchment Management Authority, Regional Management Plan 2001-2002. Unpublished.

Loddon Murray Land and Water Management Strategy (2002).

North Central Catchment Management Authority, Avoca Whole of Catchment Plan 2000-2002. Unpublished.

North Central Catchment Management Authority (1997) Loddon Murray Regional Rural Partnership Program for a Sustainable Economy Beyond 2000. North Central Catchment Management Authority, Huntly.

North Central Catchment Management Authority, Loddon Whole of Catchment Plan 2000-2002. Unpublished. North Central Catchment Management Authority (2000) Regional Floodplain Management Strategy. North Central Catchment Management Authority, Huntly. North Central Catchment Management Authority (2002) Draft North Central Native Vegetation Plan 2000 Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Huntly.

North Central Catchment Management Authority (2002) Avoca Nutrient Management Strategy, North Central Catchment Management Authority, Huntly

Sinclair Knight Merz (1999) Swan Hill Regional Flood Strategy, Completion Phase, Consultation and Review Group to Community. Unpublished report.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment (2002) Ecological Assessment of Future Management Options for the Tutchewop Lakes. Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment (2002) Management of Victoria’s Wetlands: Strategic Directions Statement. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria.

Sinclair Knight Merz (1999a) Lake Tutchewop Sustainability: Projections of Physical Conditions to the Tutchewop Lakes, Background Document. Report to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Unpublished.

Sinclair Knight Merz (1999b) Lake Tutchewop Sustainability: Projections of Physical Conditions to the Tutchewop Lakes, Supplementary Document. Report to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Unpublished.


Appendix 5 continued

Contacts for further information and collaboration:

• Allinjarra Aboriginal Association Inc. • Bendigo Field and Game • Bendigo Field Naturalists • Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE • Benjeroop Landcare Group • Bird Observers Club of Australia (Echuca

Branch) • Birds Australia • Campaspe Shire Council • Central Highlands Waterwatch c/o Creswick

Landcare Centre • Deakin University • Echuca Moama Field and Game Association • Fairley Bael Bael Landcare Group • Gannawarra Shire Council • Goulburn-Murray Water • Greening Australia • Kerang Landcare Group • Koroop/Gannawarra Landcare Group • Lake Charm Landcare Group • Lake Charm Yacht Club

• Latrobe University (Environment Section, Science Department)

• Loddon Shire Council • Macorna Landcare Group • Melbourne University • Mid Murray Field Naturalists • Murrabit Landcare Group • Murray-Darling Association • Murray-Darling Basin Commission • Mystic Park and District Landcare Group • North Central Catchment Management

Authority • North Central Waterwatch c/- NCCMA • North West Region Aboriginal Cultural

Heritage • Trust for Nature - North Central • University of Ballarat • Victorian Apiarists Association • Victoria National Parks Association (VNPA) • Wandella Landcare Group

Related Websites:

www.ramsar.org www.parkweb.vic.gov.au www.dse.vic.gov.au www.deh.gov.au


Appendix 6 Kerang Wetlands Ramsar Information Sheet1

1 Ramsar Information Sheets are updated every six years. The last update was in 1999. New or revised information will be incorporated in the next update, due in 2005.

Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands

Categories approved by Recommendation 4.7 of the Conference of the Contracting Parties.

1. Date this sheet was completed/updated: May 1999 2. Country: Australia 3. Name of wetland: Kerang Wetlands, Victoria 4. Geographical coordinates: Latitude: (approx) 35° 30' to 35° 50'S Longitude: (approx) 143° 42' to 144° 10'E 5. Altitude: Approx 80 metres 6. Area: 9,419 hectares Note: This is a revised area figure based on GIS Mapping (1995) and does not represent any change to the Ramsar Site boundary.

7. Overview: The Kerang wetlands are a system of lakes and swamps that differ widely in permanence, depth, salinity and amounts of aquatic vegetation. The wetlands are important waterbird habitats. They support large populations of some common endemic Australian species and they also provide habitat for migratory species listed under the Japan-Australia and the China-Australia Migratory Birds Agreements.

8. Wetland Type: Inland: O, Q, Tp and Ts. 9. Ramsar Criteria: 1a, 1b, 2b, 3a, 3b, and 3c. Please specify the most significant criterion applicable to the site 10. Map of site included? No map included. 11. Name and address of the compiler of

this form: Parks Victoria 378 Cotham Road Kew VIC 3101 Australia 12. Justification of the criteria selected

under point 9: 1(a) The wetland is a particularly good representative example of a natural or near-natural

wetland characteristic of the appropriate biogeographical region.

The Kerang Wetlands are a particularly good example of a diverse system of inland wetlands in the Riverina biogeographic region.

1(b) The wetland is a particularly good representative example of a natural or near-natural wetland common to more than one biogeographical region.

The Kerang Wetlands are a particularly good example of diverse systems of inland lakes and swamps associated with river floodplains in the Murray-Darling Basin.

2(b) A wetland is of special value for maintaining the genetic and ecological diversity of a region because of the quality and peculiarities of its flora and fauna.

Kerang wetlands are of special value because it supports a high diversity and abundance of waterfowl species (Lugg et al. 1989). It also supports a large number of native plant species including a community of Tangled Lignum shrubland that is under represented in Victoria wetland reserves (O’Donnell 1990).

3(a) Regularly supports 20,000 waterfowl Wetlands in the Ramsar site regularly support more than 20,000 waterfowl, including large numbers of ducks, eurasian coot, cormorants, Australian pelicans and ibis (up to 11,000 straw-necked ibis at Hird Swamp and 3,300 at Johnson’s Swamp). Many wetlands support large numbers of hoary-headed Grebes (6,500 at Lake Cullen), ibis and waders (ANCA 1996).

3(b) Regularly supports substantial numbers of waterfowl from particular groups. Most of the Kerang Wetlands support significant numbers of ducks including Grey Teal (up to 85,00 Grey Teal at Lake Cullen), black duck (up to 11,000 at Lake Cullen, 3,000 at Hird Swamp, 2,000 at Johnson’s Swamp), Australian Shelduck (up to 4,500 at Lake Bael Bael, 8,000 at Lake Cullen), pink-eared Duck (up to 5,000 at Lake Cullen) and Australasian shoveler (up to 2,400 at Lake Cullen) (ANCA 1996).


Lake Cullen has supported up to 44,000 eurasian coot (ANCA 1996).

Third, Middle and Reedy lakes and Hird and Johnson’s Swamps are important for straw-necked and white ibis (see below).

3(c ) Regularly supports 1% on the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies. Third, Middle and Reedy lakes have supported more than 10% of the regional breeding population of Straw-necked Ibis and Australian White Ibis and more than 5% of the Victorian breeding population of Royal Spoonbill (ANCA 1996).

Internationally significant numbers of banded stilts have been recorded at Lake Cullen (6,500) and Lake William (3,000) (Watkins 1993).

13. General location: Lower reaches of the Avoca and Loddon Rivers and the Pyramid Creek near Kerang in northern Victoria.

14. Physical features: Much of the Kerang Lakes area consists of Tertiary alluvium, some being overlain by Quaternary alluvium from the Avoca and Loddon Rivers. Lunettes (Quaternary aeolian deposits) occur on the eastern flanks of many of the wetlands. These plus the adjacent lakes represent small localised land systems upon the broad alluvial plains. The lake sediments are grey, often saline calcareous clays, while the lunette deposits are finely textured duplex soils of red sands and calcareous clays. Soil erosion and salting are common problems

The region has a 'semi-arid' climate, with an annual rainfall of less than 400 mm. Summers are typically hot and winters mild. Rainfall mainly occurs as low intensity winter falls, the remainder is largely via irregular summer storms.

The individual shallow swamps and lakes of this system range in salinity from freshwater marshes to highly saline lakes. Permanent wetlands are the dominant type within the area. This is due to a constantly available water supply - irrigation quality water in the supply lakes and drainage water in the saline lakes and evaporation basins. Water depths vary from very shallow, i.e. less than 1 metre, to in excess of 8 metres. Kangaroo Lake is the deepest lake at 8.4 metres.

15. Hydrological values: Eight of the wetlands are Water Supply Reserves (Reedy Lake, Middle Lake, Third Lake, Little Lake Charm, Lake Charm, Racecourse Lake, Kangaroo Lake and Cullen's Lake) and three are Salinity

Disposal Reserves (Lake Kelly, Lake William and Lake Tutchewop)

16. Ecological features: The deep permanent freshwater lakes generally support a sparse aquatic vegetation apart from a narrow fringe of Typha spp. The shallow seasonal wetlands have the most diverse vegetation. These wetlands often support an over-storey of trees (red gum and/or black box), an understorey of shrubs (lignum) and ground layers of grasses and herbs. During prolonged flooding an aquatic and semi-aquatic flora develops, with rushes, sedges, pondweeds, milfoils, azollas and duckweeds becoming common.

Semi-permanent freshwater swamps such as Hird’s and Johnson’s Swamps are dominated by vegetation, including cumbungi (Typha spp.), pondweeds, milfoils, eel-grass, floating duck-weeds and azollas.

Saline wetlands are dominated by sea tassel (Ruppia spp.) and alga (Characea). These species are abundant at the lower salinities (e.g. 10,000 - 30,000 EC) but become progressively less common up to 100,000 EC (i.e. in hypersaline wetlands).

The diversity of wetland type and the associated diversity of vegetation types present a wide range of habitats for waterbirds.

17. Noteworthy flora: Acacia oswaldii (umbrella wattle) - depleted in Victoria.

Present in black box and tangled lignum vegetation communities of Lake Bael Bael.

Asperula gemella (twin-leaf bedstraw) - vulnerable in Victoria.

Present in periodically flooded situations in red gum, black box and tangled lignum communities of Third Lake, Town Swamp and Cemetery Swamp.

Muehlenbeckia horrida (spiny lignum) - rare in Victoria.

Restricted to clay soils. Found mainly in open chenopod shrublands, but also in Red Gum, Black Box and dry grassland communities. Reedy Lake, Middle Lake, Little Lake Charm, Racecourse Lake, Kangaroo Lake, Lake Charm and Cullen's Lake

Ranunculus undosus (swamp buttercup) - vulnerable in Victoria. Found in swamp margins and in drainage lines, in shallow water and wet or drying mud. Restricted to


areas of regular shallow flooding. Within reedbed, Tangled Lignum or wet grassland (herbfield) communities of Reedy Lake, Town Common (Back Swamp) and Town Swamp.

Callitris columellaris (white cypress pine) and Allocasuarina leuhmanii (buloke) - both depleted in Victoria.

These have highly depleted distributions in the Kerang Lakes area. Formerly with extensive coverage across the plains, these species have been heavily cleared, and are now limited to a few locations. Most individuals remaining are overmature, with little chance of regeneration due to high intensity grazing. Both species are found at Lake Bael Bael. White Cypress Pine is also found at Kangaroo Lake and Buloke is also found at Cullen's Lake.

Species of Significant Environmental Value:

Species such as red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and black box (E. largiflorens) are important in that they provide a habitat capable of supporting a range of flora and fauna. Tangled Lignum (Muehlenbeckia cunninghamii) is the major nesting site for ibis (Threskiornis spp.), an abundant bird of the Kerang Lakes area. Reedbeds of Cumbungi (Typha spp.) and common reed (Phragmites australis) are also significant, providing important habitat for birds such as the Clamorous Reed Warbler (Acrocephalum stentoreus). Black-seeded glasswort (Halosarcia pergranulata ssp. pergranulata) is the major plant capable of dominating saline soils in the Kerang Lakes area; without it, problems of erosion and environmental degradation would be much worse. Sea tassel (Ruppia spp.) is the only aquatic macrophyte to dominate saline lakes; without it, the potential of these lakes to support a diverse fauna is markedly diminished.

Additional threatened species:

Eragrostis falcata (sickle love-grass) - rare in Victoria

Panicum decompositum (Australian millet) - rare in Victoria

Atriplex stipitata (kidney saltbush) - vulnerable in Victoria

Trigonella suavissima (sweet fenugreek) - rare in Victoria

Diplachne fusca (brown beetle-grass) - rare in Victoria

Cynodon dactylon var. pulchellus (native couch) - insufficiently known in Victoria

18. Noteworthy fauna: The lakes with flooded forest, reedbeds or tangled lignum are important breeding areas for waterbirds (e.g. Middle Lake and Hird Swamp regularly contain more than 1000 nesting straw-necked and sacred Ibis; Second and Third Marsh support breeding colonies of pied, little pied, black and little black cormorants, darter, yellow and royal spoonbill and high densities of hollow nesting waterfowl.) During summer and particularly during drought large flocks of waterfowl concentrate on the more open lakes (e.g. Cullens Lake 100000 Hardhead in 1975, 70000 Grey Teal in 1988). Migratory waders are common around saline lakes. A number of waders species seen rarely in Victoria have been recorded.

Bony bream (Nematolos erebi) is a rare fish species in Victoria. In the Kerang wetlands, this fish is found in Kangaroo Lake, Lake Bael Bael and Lake Charm.

Threatened bird species: • Darter (Anhinga melanogaster) - restricted

colonial breeding in Victoria • Great Egret (Ardea alba) - restricted colonial

breeding in Victoria • Whiskered Tern (Childonias hybridus) -

restricted colonial breeding in Victoria • Grey Falcon (Falco hypoleucos) - vulnerable

in Victoria • Black Falcon (Falco subniger) - rare in Victoria • White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus

leucogaster) - rare in Victoria • Eastern Curlew (Numenius

madagascariensis) - rare in Victoria • Blue-billed Duck (Oxyura australis) - rare in

Victoria • Plains Wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus) -

vulnerable in Victoria and nationally • Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius) -

restricted colonial breeding in Victoria • Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia) - restricted

colonial breeding in Victoria • Painted Snipe (Rostratula benghalensis) -

insufficiently known • Gull-billed Tern (Sterna nilotica) - restricted

colonial breeding in Victoria • Freckled Duck (Stictonetta naevosa) - rare in

Victoria • Regent Honeyeater (Xanthomyza phrygia) -

endangered in Victoria and nationally


Threatened fish species: • Golden Perch (Macquaria ambigua) - rare in

Victoria • Murray Hardyhead (Craterocephalus

fluviatilis) - rare in Victoria • Silver Perch (Bidyanus bidyanus) - vulnerable

in Victoria • Freshwater Catfish (Tandanus tandanus) -

vulnerable in Victoria

Threatened reptile species: • Carpet Python (Morelia spilota variegata) -

vulnerable in Victoria

19. Social and cultural values: (no information entered on sheet)

20. Land tenure/ownership: Of the 22 wetlands, 7 are State Wildlife Reserves (Lake Bael Bael, First Marsh, Second Marsh, Third Marsh, Stevenson Swamp, Hird Swamp and Johnson Swamp), 8 are Water Supply Reserves (Reedy Lake, Middle Lake, Third Lake, Little Lake Charm, Lake Charm, Racecourse Lake, Kangaroo Lake and Lake Cullen), 3 are Salinity Disposal Reserves (Lake Kelly, Lake William and Lake Tutchewop) and 4 are Crown Land without specific reservation.

21. Current land use: • the site: The lakes are used for nature

conservation, recreation, saline water disposal, irrigation water storage and transport, duck hunting and sewerage disposal.

• the surroundings/catchment: Dryland and irrigation farming.

22. Factors (past, present or potential) adversely affecting the site's ecological character, including changes in land use and development projects:

Ecological change has not been significant since the Ramsar information sheet for the site was last updated in 1992.

Historically, the Kerang Lakes have undergone significant changes in water regime since the development of the Torrumbarry Irrigation System in 1896. After the upgrading of the system in 1923, land salinisation became a major problem and shallow water tables became widespread leading to an increase in the salinity levels in many of the wetlands.

Altered catchment hydrology resulting in greater river flows has caused lakes on the Avoca River to fill more frequently causing decline of Red Gum forests.

Saline groundwater intrusion from local and regional groundwater tables, saline irrigation tailwater disposal to wetlands and the isolation of wetlands from the natural flood flows is causing increases in lake salinity and associated changes in biota.

23. Conservation measures taken: The values of First, Second and Third Marshes and Cullen's Lake have been recognised by listing on the Register of the National Estate.

The conservation values of the Kerang Wetlands have been identified in a series of studies (on waterbirds, vegetation, invertebrates, fish and recreation) by the Kerang Lakes Assessment Group. These studies contribute to a wider Irrigation Management Plan for the Kerang Area. The studies identified actions required to maintain or enhance the conservation values of the Kerang Lakes.

An Environmental Watering Program has commenced to restore more natural watering regimes in several of the wetlands.

The outlet at Third Marsh has been modified to alleviate prolonged flooding.

Action Statements under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 have been produced for the following fauna species which occur at this Ramsar site. The statements outline conservation measures for these species.

• Grey Falcon (1997) • White-bellied Sea-eagle (1994) • Plains Wanderer (1995) • Regent Honeyeater (1994)

24. Conservation measures proposed but not yet implemented:

Lake Bael Bael and First, Second and Third Marshes:

modification of the upper catchment to reduce flooding and salinity of Avoca River water. a strategy to eradicate the problem of saline groundwater inflows to Second and Third Marshes.

Cullen's Lake:

regular flushing to reduce salinity levels, prevention of uncontrolled grazing and cultivation along shoreline.

In an integrated approach to planning at Ramsar sites, management strategies are being prepared for all Ramsar sites in Victoria, including the Kerang Wetlands, to provide general strategic


direction and site specific strategies. The strategies will be completed by June 1999.

25. Current scientific research and facilities:

Much survey work was undertaken during the planning phase of the 1992 Salinity Management Plan on flora and fauna inhabiting the Lakes.

Tree health and water quality have been monitored for many Kerang wetlands.

Water quality monitoring is ongoing.

26. Current conservation education: There is a bird hide located at Reedy Lake with an associated information display.

27. Current recreation and tourism: The public land of the Kerang Lakes area is a very valuable resource for recreation. Land based activities, water based activities and water enhanced activities are all catered for. The value of the land for recreation partially stems from its natural ecological assets, its plant life and its wildlife, but also from the reliable supply of fresh water which has been brought into the area for irrigation purposes. Activities include pleasure driving/sightseeing, camping, picnicking, swimming, sailing, waterskiing, boating, fishing, hunting and nature study/appreciation.

28. Jurisdiction: Government of Victoria.

29. Management authority: Managed under the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Parks Program by Parks Victoria - 8,389 Ha (89%)

Natural Resources and Environment - 169 Ha (1.8%) Water Authority - 861 Ha (9.2%)

30. Bibliographical references: Fleming, G. (1990). Report to the Kerang Lakes Area Working Group. Report No. 3. The Aquatic Invertebrate and Fish Faunas of the Kerang Lakes Area. Department of Conservation and Environment, Bendigo Region.

Heron, S. and C. Nieuwland. (1989). Recreation on Public Land in the Kerang Lakes Area.

Lugg, A. (1989). Report to the Kerang Lakes Area Working Group. Report No. 4. Waterbirds of the Wetlands of the Kerang Lakes Area. Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, Bendigo Region.

Lugg, A., S. Heron, G. Fleming and T. O'Donnell. (1989). Report to the Kerang Lakes Area Working Group. Report No. 1. Conservation Value of Wetlands in the Kerang Lakes Area. Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, Bendigo Region.

O'Donnell, T. (1990). Report to the Kerang Lakes Area Working Group. Report No. 2. Vegetation of the Wetlands in the Kerang Lakes Area. Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, Bendigo Region.

Wetlands Scientific Committee. (1993). Victoria’s High Value Wetlands. Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Kerang Wetlands Ramsar SiteStrategic Management Plan

Department ofSustainability and Environment

Kerang Wetlands Ramsar Site Strategic Management Plan · LCC former Land Conservation Council MDBC...

Documents

Transcript of Kerang Wetlands Ramsar Site Strategic Management Plan · LCC former Land Conservation Council MDBC...