Breaking ground on wetland restoration projects
Exciting wetland restoration works are now underway across 35 sites in South Australia.
The joint $17 million Shorebird and Wetland Habitat program will support a diverse range of plants and animals across the Lower Murray River ecosystem, which was recently listed as critically endangered.
The program involves sites across the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth - including the internationally recognised Coorong and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert Ramsar wetland - as well as the state’s South East. It is delivered by the state government using federal funding.
Wetlands across the Coorong, Lower Lakes, Murray Mouth and South East are vital for migratory shorebirds and provide significant economic benefits to communities across South Australia.
Wetlands and bird watching are also among the many reasons seven out of 10 South Australians visit National Park sites and tourism attractions each year, contributing about $374 million to the state’s economy.
The works include the construction of new regulator infrastructure to improve the health of Lake George, an important area for migratory birds, on the banks of Beachport Conservation Park.
Traditionally, the lake has provided critical refuge and foraging habitat for migratory shorebirds during droughts, and it is also a popular recreational destination for both locals and visitors.
New regulating infrastructure and associated works in Reedy Creek M drain will provide additional flows to Lake George to improve water levels, increase waterbird habitat and support wetland health.
This project is the first stage of a project that aims to safeguard 5,900 hectares of wetland habitat that has been drying in recent years due to low rainfall and changing climate conditions.
Work is also progressing well at another project at Butchers Lake, south of Kingston, to replace the site’s dilapidated regulator.
The project is being undertaken by the South Eastern Water Conservation and Drainage Board in partnership with Burrandies Aboriginal Corporation.
This will improve lake-level control and extend foraging habitat for shorebirds next summer. The project will be bolstered by the installation of new steel gates in early May, allowing the lake’s levels to be managed more effectively.
For a list of projects, visit the webpage: www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/water-and-river-murray/projects-plans-security-and-legislation/water-projects/shorebird-and-wetland-habitat
