Companion Document - Australia's National Report - Eighth Conference of Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971)
18 - 26 November 2002, Valencia Spain
Wetlands Section,
Environment Australia, April 2002
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About the document
Over the past Ramsar triennium (1999 - 2002), there have been many successful and interesting projects taking place across Australia that have contributed to the fulfilment of Australia's obligations under the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971). In this Companion Document to Australia's National Report to the eighth Conference of Contracting Parties to the Convention of Wetlands, Valencia, Spain (November 2002), we present case studies to highlight some of Australia's achievements and to allow Australians and the international community alike to learn about specific projects, which may have relevance their own situations. These case studies are designed to complement the information provided in the National Report.
The case studies focus on a range of sites, including sites of international importance listed under the Ramsar convention, local streams, creeks and wetlands. The studies were undertaken by a variety of groups, including government, industry and community organisations. The case studies also cover a range of issues, including wise use, awareness raising, and conservation and have been organised and presented according to the General Objectives of the Ramsar Convention's Strategic Plan 1997-2002.
In addition to on-ground works, there is also a considerable body of policy and legislation relating to wetlands in Australia. Appendix One presents an extensive, though not exhaustive, list of current Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, which affords protection to wetlands. Similarly Appendix Two provides an extensive, though not exhaustive, list of current Commonwealth and State/Territory policies relating to wetlands. Australia also has substantial resource information covering wetland management, and this is presented in Appendix Three.
It is useful to keep in mind when reading the Companion Document that the Commonwealth of Australia is a federation of six self-governing States – New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania, and two self-governing Territories – the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. In addition, Australia has two external territories with Ramsar sites – Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island, both in the Indian Ocean. As at April 2002 Australia has 57 Ramsar sites.
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