One year on: Incredible transformation at Teringie after wetlands restoration
In 2024, restoration work was undertaken to add an additional 18ha of managed wetland habit to the Teringie Wetlands. A year on, on the eve of World Rivers Day (Sunday 28 September), we check in to see the positive outcomes of this remarkable transformation.
Teringie Wetlands transformation - one year on
The Teringie Wetlands habitat on Lake Alexandrina was increased in size by an additional 18 hectares (equivalent to 144 Olympic-sized swimming pools), which was an 82% increase.
The works to restore the wetland habitat were completed in 2024 and one year on in 2025, the results are incredible, including:
- a healthy wetland ecosystem
- improved water quality
- growth of aquatic vegetation and macroalgae species that support birds, fish, frogs, turtles and other species.
On-ground observations so far have reported thousands of waterbirds, predominantly swan and duck species, using the recently inundated areas. Importantly, the improvements in bird habitat and wetland management at the site will benefit the overall ecological health of the lower Murray, providing much needed foraging areas for resident and migratory shorebird species for years to come.
What was involved in restoring the wetlands?
The restoration works involved the installation of two wetland regulators – one between Lake Alexandrina and the Teringie north basin, and the other between the Teringie north and east basins. The purpose of these regulators is to:
- provide greater control of water management in and out of the wetlands, mimicking natural wetting and drying cycles
- reinstate flow to the east basin, previously disconnected for over 40 years
- keep out the invasive common carp.
What is the significance of the Teringie Wetlands?
The Teringie Wetlands are situated on the lands of the Ngarrindjeri people on the south-eastern shore of Lake Alexandrina, approximately 3 km from the township of Raukkan. The wetlands are of high cultural significance to Ngarrindjeri people, serving as an important place for cultural practices, traditional hunting and the collection of food, and a source of vegetation used for basket weaving.
The wetlands are characterized by 3 basins featuring a habitat mosaic of shallow water and mudflat, which provides essential habitat for foraging shorebird communities across the Coorong and Lower Lakes region.
Over time, infrequent inundation, groundwater salinity, pest plants and a loss of biodiversity had caused the wetlands to become degraded.
What are wetlands and how do they work?
Wetlands are a vital part of healthy river systems. They filter out pollutants like nutrients and heavy metals, recharge our underground aquifers, and capture and stabilise sediments protecting areas downstream. Wetlands are also biodiversity hotspots, providing a refuge and nursery for water dependent animal and plant species, particularly during times of adversity like droughts.
The regulation of rivers like the River Murray has altered the natural flow of water, causing many wetlands to become either too wet or too dry. This disrupts the natural balance of ecosystems that once thrived on natural flooding and drying cycles. In these circumstances, interventions like infrastructure and environmental watering can help to improve the health of our rivers, wetlands and floodplains.
More information
Read more about the Teringie Wetlands project and the Teringie Wetlands onground works completed in 2024.
Learn about the Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin program.
Acknowledgements
The Department for Environment and Water continues to work closely with Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation, Raukkan Community Council, and the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board in fostering the Teringie Wetlands to become an example of best-practice wetland management, by embedding Ngarrindjeri knowledge, practices, objectives and visions, into all aspects of wetland management and planning.
The Department for Environment and Water acknowledges the full range of First Nations’ rights, interests and obligations for the Coorong and connected waterways and the cultural connections that exist between Ngarrindjeri Nations and First Nations of the South East across the region and seeks to support their equitable engagement. We acknowledge that Aboriginal peoples’ spiritual, social, cultural and economic practices come from their lands and waters, and they continue to maintain their Lore, cultural heritage, economies and languages which are of ongoing importance.
The delivery of environmental water to the Teringie Wetlands was made possible with the support of the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder.
This project was completed under the Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin program, which is jointly funded by the Australian Government and the Government of South Australia.
