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December 2001, Issue No.2 Go to previous Newsletters

Private Property Wetlands Quenched Wetland Dreamings... MWWG Major Projects Round-up Wetlands Watch' Monitoring Guide is on its Way! Commence-to-Flow Project Water Savings Use for 2001- 2002 New Incentive Scheme to Assist Landholders & the Environment Additions and Expansions MWWG Biannual Meeting Water Flows into Werai Forest Wetlands 2nd Australian Wetland Forum & ASL 40th Congress MWWG ASL Student Prize Ramsar Listing for Central Murray Forests Another Award Winning Performance!

On the 1st November the MWWG announced a new and exciting initiative involving wetlands on private property.

Chairman of the MWWG and Dareton irrigator, Mr. Howard Jones, announced the project which involves 11 wetland sites on private property within the Murray Irrigation Ltd. (MIL) Area of Operation.

"The MWWG aims to rehabilitate wetlands on private property where most wetlands are found. Many of these wetlands are suffering from a severe lack of water due to levee banks and irrigation supply needs" he said.

"The only way we can start to improve the health of our wetlands, and ultimately the River, is to work with the community and landholders. By providing this water this year, we hope to see a range of environmental benefits, such as improved wetlands, more diverse vegetation, more birds, invertebrates and frogs."

Through the cooperation of Murray Irrigation Limited and the use of their delivery channel system, water is being provided to 11 wetland areas and a total area of 230ha. "The landholders have been extremely enthusiastic and we are cooperating together in this unique venture," Mr. Jones said.

Some of the areas have rare and endangered birds breeding, therefore making them important wetlands. So far endangered species including Brolgas, Little Bitterns and Australasian Bitterns have been sighted. In addition hundreds of migratory wading birds such as Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Marsh Sandpipers and Little Stints, and Australian resident waders like the Red-kneed Dotterel and the Black-winged Stilt were also recorded.

Monitoring the response of the wetlands will be conducted every three weeks by MWWG staff, with assistance from MIL. The monitoring will focus on the changes in the vegetation, bird populations and salinity.

At the same time the MWWG is trialing its new 'Wetland Watch' monitoring guide which is user-friendly and designed for landholders. "Landholders are keen to learn more about the environment and watch what happens. Of course their kids love it too!" explained Mr. Jones.

"This water being utilised is part of the water savings that were returned to the Government last year and which we advise on how to manage. We are delivering the water through the existing irrigation infrastructure."
 

"Another year has passed and the events to date indicate continued interest in the Group's activities.

"Throughout the year all staff and executive members have continued to represent the Group on a wide cross-section of State and National environmental issues, as exemplified by the Group's incorporation on the draft NSW Murray Catchment Management Plan.

"There are a variety of projects that the Group has either continued working on or are developing. For example the Moira Lake project that has continued to display the outcomes that can be achieved with good science and vision, the Commence-to-Flow project has progressed to a point of presentation to the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, where it was received with enthusiasm and potential future funding. We have a new 'Wetland Watch' monitoring guide being trialed and soon to be published, as well as a few new projects that will soon commence in the Lower Murray-Darling region.'

"Overall 2001 has provided plenty of challenges for us all, and this will continue! I believe we have met those challenges and my thanks go to all members and staff for an exciting and productive year."
       - Howard Jones.

Major Projects Round-up.

The MWWG is currently involved in a number of differing projects. Listed below are a few of the major projects and information on their progress:

Commence-to-Flow Project:

• development of the River Murray Wetland Database is continuing.

• satellite image analysis of 5 flood events will be used to determine commence-to-flow levels for wetlands along the Murray between Euston & the S.A. border.

Moira Lake Project:

• a Fish Management Plan is currently being written by the MWWG with assistance from State Forests of NSW, NSW Fisheries and the Arthur Rylah Institute (Melbourne).

• stage 3 of the Rehabilitation Plan will commence in 2002.

• Moira Lake, as part of the Millewa State Forest complex will be nominated for a Ramsar listing.

Euston Weir Pool Trial Manipulation Project:

• the final design of the trial (i.e. the max. drawdown depth and duration) is still to be decided upon.

• the scheduled commencement date for the trial is April 2002. It is anticipated that the trial will run until October/November 2002.

• the public consultation process has begun and many invaluable comments have been received from landholders within the Robinvale/Euston region.

Thegoa Lagoon:

• a biological monitoring program commenced in November, 2001 & will be conducted every 4 months.

• the monitoring includes the establishment of photopoints, a vegetation survey, and measuring of the groundwater and surface water depths.

Lake Gol Gol and Gol Gol Swamp Project:

• the Gol Gol Community Reference Group (CRG), of which the MWWG has representation, received the final draft of a consultants' report focussing on the management options for the wetlands.

• unfortunately there are no inexpensive and/or easy management solutions to this difficult management problem.

• the Gol Gol CRG are pursuing a lobbying approach to raise funds so that preferred management strategies can be implemented.

Stevens Weir Fishway:

• a fishway is to be built on Stevens Weir (west of Deniliquin) to improve fish passage between the Edward-Wakool Anabranch & the Barmah-Millewa Forests. The project is a cooperative effort with NSW Fisheries, Murray Irrigation Ltd., and Southern Riverina Field Naturalists Society.

Private Wetlands Incentives:

• Five landholders have received incentives to rehabilitate wetlands on private property & to be used as demonstration sites. Four more landholders are soon to receive funding.

WETLANDS WATCH A wetland monitoring guide for landholders and the community

The long-awaited 'Wetlands Watch' Guide - designed to explain how to monitor a wetland - is now in a draft version and is currently being trialed by landholders and a community group within the central Murray region.

Interested landholders who have recently received environmental water from the MWWG for wetlands on their private property, and the Barham Landcare Group, who are monitoring Pollacks Swamp, have all volunteered to road-test the guide.

"Wetlands Watch' has been designed to assist landholders, community groups and other interested members of the general public in monitoring wetlands - whether they be on private property or on public land," said Ms. Trish Alexander, the MWWG project officer who has put together the guide.

"Monitoring is an important part of managing wetlands. We need to record the changes that happen to get a better understanding of how specific wetlands, and wetlands overall, operate".

"The guide is in a compact (A5 size) and easy-to-read format. It includes some general information and methods supplemented with lots of photographs, and recording sheets for monitoring various aspects of wetlands. The information provided in the guide is fairly general, and probably relates better to mid-Murray wetlands" explained Trish.

In the future the MWWG aims to produce accompanying booklets to the guide. These booklets will focus on a particular aspect of a wetland eg: plants, and will provide more detailed information and explain the role that particular aspects play within the wetland system.

"Once the current trial process has been completed, and the landholders' comments and suggested changes are taken into consideration, the guide will be ready for publication".

For more information on 'Wetlands Watch' contact Trish Alexander on (02) 6043 - 0124.

Commence-to-Flow Project

The Commence-to-flow project as we know it is coming to an end, but it may have a second life!

The major outcome of the project has been the development of the River Murray Wetland Database, which includes estimates of commence-to-flow data and other environmental information on over 3000 River Murray wetlands in both NSW and Victoria. Results of the project were presented at the 40th Congress of the Australian Society for Limnology in September and to the Murray Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) in October.

As a result of the MDBC meeting, there is a possibility of funding for the project in 2002, which will ensure the project will continue from the original funding by the National Heritage Trust.

Currently the Group is using part of the 'water savings' to determine the commence-to-flow level and the water requirements of a series of Common Reed (Phragmites australis) dominated wetlands in the Werai Forest. This small project will aid the development of a water management plan for the forest.

Over the next few months satellite image analysis of five flood events (1988, 1993, 1995, 1998 & 2000) will be used to determine commence-to-flow levels for wetlands along the Murray River between Euston and the S.A.

Water Savings Use in 2001-2002

As 2001 has turned out not to be a flood year, due to low rainfall, this limited the options available to the MWWG on how best to use the entrusted 'water savings' allocation (30,000ML).

In a flood year or high flow year, like last year, the MWWG have managed to 'piggy back' on the water savings allocation, thus enabling the water to reach wetlands and extend the duration of flooding. However, when there is a lack of floods or low flow in the Murray River the delivery of water to wetlands, due to restrictions on delivery infrastructure, is more difficult.

As a result, for 2001 the MWWG has decided to utilise part of the 30,000ML in the following ways:

• 6,000ML has been delivered to:
  • 11 wetlands on private properties within the Murray Irrigation Ltd. Area of Operation &
  • Werai Forest wetlands,
• 15,000ML has been traded on the temporary transfer market,

The funds generated from the temporary water transfer will be used for wetland rehabilitation works such as technical studies (eg. groundwater, fauna/flora surveys), the building of structures such as fishways or installing regulators on wetlands - that prevent the high summer flows from entering the wetlands. These works can be very expensive, however the water saved as a result then goes back into the environment or for even more productive use.
 

NEW INCENTIVE SCHEME TO ASSIST LANDHOLDERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT Do you have a wetland on your property? Do you want to protect and improve it? Need assistance? The NSW Murray Wetlands Working Group Inc. has a NHT funded incentives scheme for landholders that will provide funding assistance for wetland rehabilitation and management on private properties between Albury and Buronga in NSW. Grants of up to $2,000 per property are available for fencing, revegetation, earthworks or other on-ground rehabilitation works that contribute to wetland protection. The scheme is aimed to: protect and promote wetland ecosystems on private properties, promote integration between farm management and wetland conservation, provide demonstration sites, establish support networks for participating landholders. For more information contact: Paula D'Santos NSW Murray Wetlands Working Group Inc. Ph: (03) 5021 9446 Fax: (03) 5021 3328

Additions and Expansions The MWWG would like to welcome two new members to the committee: Dr. Stuart Blanch from the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) Cr. Mark King from the Wentworth Shire Council. The inclusion of Stuart and Mark to the committee continues to ensure that the MWWG fully represents the major stakeholders within the community and that the community has a voice in the direction and decision-making processes of our wetlands. As well as the general committee expanding, so did the Executive Committee of the Group. Ian Davidson (ACF), David Leslie (State Forests of NSW) Adrian Wells (Murray Catchment Management Board), (all existing MWWG members), join Howard Jones (Chairman), Judy Frankenberg (Vice-Chairperson), Deborah Nias (Treasurer) and Paula D'Santos (Secretary).

MWWG Biannual Meeting

Earlier this month the MWWG held its Biannual meeting and Annual General Meeting in Deniliquin.

In addition to discussions on current and future projects the meeting included four presentations. Mr. Vin Byrnes, chairman of the Murray-Darling Water Management Action Plan Steering Committee Inc., provided a summary of the Action Plan that is aimed for the water-use industries, present and future, within the Murray-Darling region. Representatives of the Department of Land and Water Conservation, Mr. Digby Jacobs and Mr. Bill Currans, presented the current status of the 'Water Sharing Plan' and the 'Catchment Management Plan' (respectively) and the application of these plans to wetland rehabilitation and conservation. The final presentation was by Murray Irrigation Limited's General Manager, Mr. George Warne, and Chairman, Mr. Bill Hetherington, on Tuppal Creek from which stemmed some positive discussions between the two Groups on possible future collaborations aimed at improving the health of Tuppal Creek.

The day after the meetings the Group visited Werai State Forest - to view areas that had recently been flooded, Wangenella Swamp and Stevens Weir - soon to have a fishway built. Accompanying the Group on the excursion was Mr. George Smith, an indigenous elder with the Deniliquin Land Council. George shared with the Group an insight into the local Aboriginal people's connection and history with the areas especially Werai Forest, as well as the fauna and flora that could once be found in the areas.

Water Flows Into Werai Forest Wetlands

Under a canopy of River Red Gums, a stand of Common Reed - thought to be remnants of more extensive reed beds, Werai Forest. - Photo courtesy of Damian Green.

The Werai Forest has been the subject for a new initiated trial watering of wetlands by the MWWG, in conjunction with the State Forests of NSW and the Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC).

In mid-November up to 4,000ML of water, made available from water savings, was directed towards the wetlands within the Werai Forest complex, recently nominated as a Wetland of International Significance under the Ramsar Convention. (see article page 8)

The project cost approximately $15,000 to fund, which included fees for water delivery. It is one example of how the MWWG utilises the funds generated from the temporary water transfer to rehabilitate wetlands.

Spokesperson for the project, David Leslie said "The information gained from the project will be vital in the development of an appropriate environmental flow regime and water management plan for the forest".

"This trial occurred over three weeks and was restricted to a series of wetlands covering several hundred hectares in the eastern end of the forest. To maintain the variety of wetland habitats within the forest we need to ensure that these particular wetlands are wetted on a regular basis. However, before we can do this we need to identify the river heights required to get water into the wetlands and the amount of water they may use" he said.

The wetlands within Werai that were inundated during the trial were shallow floodplains that contain extensive areas of Common Reed (Phragmites australis), and other aquatic plants such as Water Ribbons (Triglochin procera) and Water Milfoil (Myriophyllum sp.), growing beneath a recently developed canopy of River Red Gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). These wetlands are of significance as they are one of the single largest areas of Common Reed within the Edward-Wakool System and are thought to be remnants of more extensive reed beds.

Young River Red Gums are beginning to dominate the various sections within these wetlands, indicating that the vegetation is in a transition phase. This response may be due to a combination of factors including reduced flooding, increased grazing pressure and some forestry practises. It is believed that to maintain the vigour of the Common Reed, and other aquatic plants, it may be necessary to increase the flooding of these wetlands.

"These wetlands would have naturally received water nearly every year and would have provided abundant habitat and food for forest animals. However, recent river management has resulted in the wetlands being flooded much less frequently" Mr. Leslie said.

Damian Green, the MWWG project officer who has been instrumental in the success of the project, said "We have managed to inundate 131ha of wetland area within the forest. The water is now beginning to drain out but some areas will remain wet for a couple of months, which will help some of the aquatic plants and invertebrates. From this trial we now have a better understanding of the river height (or commence-to-flow level) required to flood these wetlands, as well as how the floodwaters move within the forest".

"Overall the trial has been very successful, and many thanks must go to members of State Forests of NSW, Bruce Campbell and David Clarke from the MDBC and Nawa Kudabanda from NSW State Water. This project shows how a non-government community group, such as the MWWG, and government agencies can work together to improve conditions for the wetlands in the Murray Valley".

2nd Australian Wetland Forum & ASL 40th Congress

From the 27th September to the 1st October the 2nd Australian Wetland Forum and the 40th Congress of the Australian Society for Limnology (ASL) was held in Moama, NSW. Delegates from all over Australia gathered to exchange the latest research and management information and ideas relating to inland aquatic ecosystems.

The 2nd Australian Wetland Forum, held prior to the Congress, provided an opportunity for wetland researchers and managers to discuss the problems facing wetlands, and the development of new ideas and future policy directions.

One of the more interesting and confronting discussions at the forum was led by Stuart Whitten (Uni. of NSW) concerning the need for a monetary value to be placed on wetlands. This topic may be raised more often in the future and it may be that the MWWG could be required to economically justify the use of large quantities of water to provide environmental flows to wetlands.

The ASL 40th Congress, which followed the Wetland Forum, was also very well organised and the range of topics was more varied than ever before. The conference included a larger number of talks and posters discussing 'water management' and future management direction rather than straight 'water science' - some talks had no data at all! This is a new direction for the ASL Congress and in some way makes it more relevant to groups like the MWWG and vice versa.

One of the best presentations at the congress, was by Keith Ward (North East Catchment Management Authority). Keith described the decision-making process and the results of last year's use of the Barmah-Millewa Forest Allocation. Another interesting talk was by Sarah Cartwright (Uni. of Canberra) who has been investigating the effects of different flood frequencies on zooplankton emergence from the soil of floodplain wetlands. Sarah found that the abundance and diversity of zooplankton emergence was higher in wetlands that were more frequently flooded. This observation highlights the need for river managers to also maintain the flooding frequency in wetlands and not to only concentrate on extending the duration of floods.

Trish Alexander (MWWG project officer) presented a talk based on her Honours study on waterbirds at Wonga Wetlands in Albury.

The MWWG's Damian Green & Trish Alexander also presented a poster containing information on the wetland Commence-to-Flow project and the River Murray Database that is being developed. An accompanying computer presentation of the database made it possible for interested river managers and scientists to search for information on particular wetlands at their leisure. Representatives from both Victorian and South Australian government were keen for the database to eventually include River Murray Wetlands in all three States.

MWWG's ASL Student Prize

At the recent 40th Congress of the Australian Society for Limnology, the inaugural NSW Murray Wetlands Working Group Student Prize was presented.

The Prize, valued at $100, is awarded to a student (Honours/Masters/PhD) for the presentation of either a talk or poster which has direct relevance to wetland management, preferably with community involvement. It is aimed at recognising the valuable contribution that such research studies can make to natural resource management and to provide encouragement for these students to continue their excellent work.

The recipient of the award was Hugh Robertson, a PhD student from Deakin University, Melbourne. His research is based on the Kanyapella Basin, a shallow, ephemeral wetland located on the Murray and Goulburn Rivers floodplain in Victoria. Since river regulation the extent and frequency of flooding of the wetland has decreased, and as a result, the wetland has become dry and degraded.

Hugh's research aims to develop a 'spatial model', using a Geographical Information System (GIS). Through integrating information relating to the current ecology of the wetland (i.e. extant vegetation, water quality, water flow patterns, seed bank and soil), and using spatial analysis techniques to predict the change in vegetation composition and distribution following the reintroduction of various water regimes, the model will be a useful management tool.

In 1999 a Steering Committee was formed in recognition of the wetland's environmental values and potential as a waterbird breeding site. Information resulting from Hugh's research will be in a format accessible to managers and the community and will be utilised by the Steering Committee to develop the rehabilitation and management plan for Kanyapella Basin.

Congratulations Hugh!

Ramsar Listing for Central Red-Gum Forests

STOP PRESS At the recent MWWG biannual meeting in Deniliquin, the Group decided to begin Stage 3 of the Moira Lake rehabilitation plan. The project will be funded from temporary water transfer monies.

Along the southern NSW border, 85,000 ha of wetlands and River Red Gum forests are to be nominated as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.

The Millewa, Koondrook and Werai State Forests are to be nominated because of their unique environments, as well as continuing to be managed as "working" forests.

The announcement was made in September by the NSW Minister for Forestry, Kim Yeadon. In his speech the Minister acknowledged the management of the wetlands as "revolutionary" due to its integration of conservation, agriculture, industry and recreation. "The survival of the ecosystem depends on it remaining a working forest" said Mr. Yeadon.

Amidst those gathered were many of the stakeholders. Representatives from environmental groups, Aboriginal groups, irrigation companies, farmers, graziers and local, State and Federal government agencies had come to provide their support for the nomination.

For the past 25 years these wetlands and their forest complexes have been managed by the State Forests of NSW. The Regional Director, Mr. Mike Thompson said "the nomination will ensure national and international standing. The wise-use guidelines are well and truly ensconced in the forests and have been for many years".

Tree harvesting will continue, a practise that supports Deniliquin's $20 million hardwood industry. Seasonal grazing will also be allowed as a method to combat weeds and encourage natural pastures.

The "wise use" guidelines is an important aspect of the Ramsar Convention, the first global inter-governmental treaty aimed at protecting wetlands and the wise use of its natural resources. Wetlands listed under the Convention represent rare or unique examples of a natural, or near natural, wetland type, or support vulnerable or endangered species of plants or animals.

Prior to river regulation the Central Red-Gum Forests' wetlands underwent a wetting and drying cycle - experiencing flooding in late winter/spring and then drying over the summer period. However, due to the increase of irrigation demands on the Murray during the summer months the wetlands suffered from permanent inundation. The trees and other vegetation began to die and bird numbers declined. Rehabilitation of the wetlands began in 1997 as the result of collaborations between the MWWG, State Forests of NSW and the Dept. of Land & Water Conservation. A regulator was installed to exclude regulation flows during the summer months, thus enabling the wetlands to dry out. In 1998 and 2000 environmental flows were used to extend the duration of natural floods. The reinstatement of the natural flow regime has resulted in tremendous responses in the regeneration of vegetation and bird breeding, with some bird species coming back after a 30 year absence.

Mr. George Warne, General Manager for Murray Irrigation Limited, said "some farmers thought the water could have been put to better use on their farms, but once they saw the results, most were convinced."

The nomination will be formally announced at the next Ramsar Conference being held at Valencia, Spain in November, 2002.

Ramsar nomination announcement -
NSW Minister for Forests Kim Yeadon, Deniliquin Mayor Brian Mitsch
& State Forests of NSW Regional Director Mike Thompson (from left).

Another Award Winning Performance!

Recipient of the inaugral "Vin Byrnes Award" - Vin Byrnes! Photo courtesy of Peter Lamb.

Congratulations once again to Mr. Vin Byrnes, of Dareton, for another award winning performance!

Not content with winning Diamond at the RiverCare 2000 awards in January 2001, Vin Byrnes was also the clear winner of the inaugural MWWG Door Prize - now renamed in honour of the first recipient to the "Vin Byrnes Award"!

This prestigious award (in the form of an old yabby trap!) is given to the person, or persons, who makes the MWWG Biannual Meeting memorable for doing or saying something that probably shouldn't be put in print.

Vin, who is a well known wine lover has an aversion (snobbery? - Ed.) to drinking carafe wine and refused to partake in the perfectly respectable bottle of wine which had been slyly decanted into a carafe for his benefit.

Despite encouragement from the group to 'just give it a try Vin', he stuck to his guns and drank beer instead. Which just goes to show that you can lead a horse to wine... !