Wetlands Australia National Wetlands Update February 2013
Issue No. 22, February 2013
ISSN 1446-4843
Tasmanian Government Update
Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment
Although the 2012 winter was considered slightly drier than the last two, it was sufficient to keep wetlands full, especially in the north of the state. As of October 2012, the Lake Crescent Ramsar site was fully inundated and the lake overflowing.
The unusually wet conditions across the state in recent years have allowed Australasian bitterns to recolonise some of the shallow wetlands in the interior of the state that had been dry for many years. Surveys were carried out at several locations in 2011 and surveying continued in 2012.
The Glamorgan-Spring Bay Council and NRM South secured a Caring for Our Country grant to carry out work on the Apsley Marshes Ramsar site. The work will include surveys to fill knowledge gaps identified in the site's Ecological Character Description and will also tackle some of the serious weed issues at the site. One of the outcomes of the project will be a ten year plan of management for the area which is entirely privately owned. On ground work commenced in 2012 and will continue until 30 June 2013.
Workshops have been held to develop a Natural Heritage Strategy for the state. This will replace the Nature Conservation Strategy that expired in 2006. A consultation draft is being circulated to stakeholders and it is hoped that a final draft can be provided to the Minister in December.
