Wetland hot topics
Ramsar Standing Committee
The 43rd meeting of the Ramsar Standing Committee was held in Gland Switzerland from 31 October–4 November 2011. The meeting considered draft resolutions being prepared in the lead up to the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP11). Australia was represented at the meeting by the Oceania region representative. The final report of the meeting is available. See:
Australia's National Report to the 11th Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention
Australia's National Report to the 11th Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention is now available. The Report provides information on Australia's implementation of the Ramsar Convention. See:
Eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention
COP11 is scheduled for 6–13 July 2012 in Bucharest Romania with the broad theme “Wetlands, Tourism and Recreation”. A preparatory meeting for the Oceania region is currently scheduled for 26–30 March 2012 in Palau. To find out more about the Ramsar Convention see:
To find out more about Ramsar Wetlands in Australia see:
Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth Recovery Project
The Australian Government’s contribution to the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth Recovery Project to preserve the region’s unique ecological character as a wetland of international importance is now more than $168 million. As part of the up to $200 million commitment, on 18 May 2011 the Australian Government announced $118 million in funding to support the South Australian Government’s Long-Term Plan for the region including:
- Up to $39 million for a Vegetation and Fish Program to stabilise the ecology of the region and to deliver a healthy and resilient wetland through plantings to restore habitat, manage pests and to protect revegetated areas.
- Up to $46 million, to reduce salinity levels in the Coorong South Lagoon and reintroduce the aquatic plant Ruppia to the Coorong to boost the region’s ecology.
- Up to $6.3 million to build capacity in the region by supporting Ngarrindjeri Partnerships to use their long-term knowledge and traditions for restoring health of the region, the continuation of the Lakes Hubs at Milang and Meningie, and the establishment of a regional Community Advisory Panel to provide for community representation to inform planning and on-ground works.
The Australian Government has also contributed an additional $10 million for a Bioremediation and Revegetation Project to help address the risks from the exposure of acid sulfate soils and up to $120 million for an integrated network of pipes to service the Lower Lakes townships, communities and irrigators and improve their water security and water quality.