Wetlands Australia 33: The key role of south-east Queensland wetlands for local, national and international bird communities

Author: Isobel Gordon, Healthy Land and Water

Some of the most significant wetlands in Australia are found in south-east Queensland, and the region is known for the innovative and collaborative approaches it has taken to protect and enhance these unique areas. This work is ever more important as the strong and growing population in the area brings significant additional pressures to the region.

South-east Queensland is home to a range of important coastal, marine, and freshwater wetlands. The jewel in the region’s wetland crown is Moreton Bay, which was listed under the Ramsar Convention in 1993. Extending from the foreshores of Brisbane, the 120,000 hectare wetland meets all 9 Ramsar criteria and includes one of the most extensive intertidal habitats on Australia’s east coast.

The wetland supports considerable fisheries, significant populations of marine turtles and whales, and due to the presence of more than 50,000 waterbirds, is a critical part of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway – and one of Australia’s top 12 shorebird habitats. This hub of wildlife contributes to Moreton Bay’s growing attraction as a great place to live, visit and invest.

Healthy Land and Water, the natural resource management group for south-east Queensland, is leading and facilitating several initiatives that protect, conserve, and restore our region’s wetlands.

Adverse Impacts on wetlands are created by land use and hydrological change, which is correlated to a growing human population, introduced species, poor fire management, and climate change.

Below are just a few examples of proactive action being taken by Healthy Land and Water, together with an active group of partners, to help conserve the natural values of the Moreton Bay Ramsar Site.

Shorebirds, including Bar-tailed Godwits, and Whimbrels, with terns and gills in the background. Photo: Bob Westerman.

Mountains to mangroves

This project addresses key threatening processes within the Moreton Bay Ramsar Site by controlling pest and domestic animals, restoring ecological fire regimes, removing marine debris, and reducing weeds, recreational user impacts and sediment run-off. The work enhances natural values through revegetation, creation of aquatic habitats, and coastal restoration. It is supported by Healthy Land and Water through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

Living waterways

This project involves rehabilitation of the lower Brisbane River and local waterways that flow into Moreton Bay Ramsar Site, through actions to reduce erosion and restore habitat quality and connectivity. This project received funding from the Australian Government.

Reducing threats to migratory shorebirds in Moreton Bay

This is a regional collaboration and coordinated action to identify, protect, and restore priority roosting and foraging habitats for migratory shorebirds in Moreton Bay. This project received funding from the Australian Government.

Pumicestone shellfish habitat restoration

This project involves installing artificial reefs (made from recycled oyster shells and biodegradable potato starch) to enhance fish stocks and marine biodiversity and ultimately improve water quality in Pumicestone Passage. This project is supported by Healthy Land and Water, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, Pumicestone Passage Fish Restocking Association, Moreton Bay Regional Council, Boating Camping Fishing through OzFish Unlimited, and Unitywater, with significant in-kind from OzFish volunteers in their oyster gardening project, shell recycling, and invertebrate monitoring.

Mulgowie riverbank restoration

This project aims to build resilience into more than 3.5 km of Laidley Creek, which was significantly destabilised by the devastating floods of 2011 and 2013, contributing large sediment loads to Moreton Bay. This project is supported by Urban Utilities, Port of Brisbane, the Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science, Mulgowie Farming Company and local landholders.

Healthy catchments

This project works to increase bank stability through soil conservation and landholder education in the upper Warrill, upper Bremer, and upper Laidley sub-catchments. It is supported by the Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science's Healthy Catchments Program.

Lungfish habitat restoration

This innovative project is helping to re-establish the macrophyte habitats vital to healthy lungfish populations that were damaged in significant flood events. This project is delivered by Healthy Land and Water, Seqwater, and Griffith University.

Regional report card

Healthy Land and Water has been reporting the outcomes of the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program for over 20 years to inspire and direct investment into protecting and restoring the region’s catchments, waterways, estuaries, coastal waters, and Moreton Bay.

Further information

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Coochiemudlo Island. Photo: Healthy, Land and Water.