WWF-Australia - for a living planet

Wetland recognition a good step towards water security

26 Sep 2007

"The free-flowing state of the Paroo River makes it particularly unique in the highly modified and regulated Murray Darling system. Its biodiversity values are very high, and Ramsar's wise-use provisions will make inroads to ensuring the water resources for the area are secured for its maintenance," said Averil Bones, WWF-Australia's Biodiversity Policy Manager.

"Ongoing efforts by the area's indigenous Baakandji and Budjiti people to protect the cultural and environmental values of Paroo country deserve the full support of government and the wider community and must be commended."

"The Minister's action recognising the area's significance certainly opens the door for future heritage listing of the area," said Michael Kennedy, Director of Humane Society International.

"We look forward to working closely with the Commonwealth to achieve Australia's first nationally recognised heritage river."

The Wilderness Society's NSW Campaign Manager, Timothy King, has also welcomed the announcement, but warns there is more to be done.

"The Gwydir wetlands landclearing case early this year illustrates Federal and State governments need to be much more vigilant in protecting fragile ecosystems even after their importance has been recognised under international agreements."

Amy Hankinson from the Inland Rivers Network commented: "We look forward to the Federal Government now ensuring a secure future for the Paroo and its wildlife under the new Water Act, which seeks to actively uphold the Ramsar Convention."

"The Minister must thoroughly assess implications of the proposed Warrego water sale to ensure there is no detrimental impact on this new Ramsar site."

ACF's Healthy Rivers Campaigner Dr Arlene Buchan welcomed the announcement and called on the Commonwealth to focus more closely on delivering environmental flows to other internationally significant wetlands.

"Sites such as the Coorong and Macquarie Marshes are both desperately in need of a rescue package," said Dr Buchan.

During large floods that can cover as much as 800,000 hectares, the Paroo catchment is a magnet for waterbirds, with as many as 250,000 birds from 63 species thought to aggregate there at peak timesi. This includes the highest concentration of rare freckled ducks (Stictonetta naevosa) in Australia. This species, recognised as threatened at both national and global scales has been observed in flocks in excess of 10,000 birdsii.

The Paroo River catchment is also part of an inland route to southern Australia for migratory bird species. At least ten species, including the great egret, glossy ibis, black-tailed godwit, common greenshank, red-necked stint, sharp-tailed sandpiper, curlew sandpiper, Caspian tern, white-winged black tern and rainbow bee-eater, all listed under the Japan/Australia and China/Australia Migratory Bird Agreements have been recorded in the areaiii.

The Paroo River catchment is also home to nationally endangered vegetation species, such as the Salt pipewort, and the yet-to-be described aquatic forb Utricularia.

More information

Averil Bones, Biodiversity Policy Manager, WWF-Australia
Mobile: 0437 864 153

Michael Kennedy, HSI's Director of Conservation
Phone: 02 9973 1728

Amy Hankinson , IRN's Coordinator
Phone: 02 8270 9904

Tim King, The Wilderness Society's NSW Campaign Manager
Phone: 02 9282 9553

Dr Arlene Buchan, ACF's Healthy Rivers Campaigner
Mobile: 0407 883 907

Notes