Adaptive environmental management plans

The key to ensuring wetlands are managed in an effective way is through the development of Adaptive Environmental Management Plans. These Plans are comprehensive guides for everyone involved in the management of the Gwydir Wetlands and the Macquarie Marshes.

The Plans are guides to restoring ecological structure and function. In a broad sense the Plans are guides to restoring resilience – the capacity of ecological and social systems to adapt to, and shape change. The Plans identify ecological assets and values defined from a review of the ecological system, ecological outcomes and the water requirements to achieve them. They list ecological and social issues, include a brief description of water management infrastructure, policies and procedures, refer to natural climatic variability and how climate change affects water availability, and provide details of Aboriginal cultural values. Finally, in providing implementation guidelines, they identify who has to be informed and involved and who is responsible for administering and implementing the Plans.

Macquarie Marshes

The Macquarie Marshes Adaptive Environmental Management Plan (10224MacquarieMarshAEMP.pdf, 3MB) is a key deliverable of the $26.8 million NSW Wetland Recovery Program, and is now available.

A printed copy of the plan is available from the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water office in Dubbo, or from Central West Catchment Management Authority offices. Alternatively, call 131 555 or email info@environment.nsw.gov.au to request a copy.

The plan recognises that not only are the Macquarie Marshes ecologically significant (with some parts recognised on an international scale), but they are agriculturally important for irrigated and dryland cropping, and grazing enterprises. In addition the marshes lie in the heart of Wailwan country, with a diverse range of cultural values, relationships and aspirations held by the local Aboriginal community. All of these ecological, social and Aboriginal cultural values apply to both private and public land.

Gwydir Wetlands

The Gwydir Wetlands Adaptive Environmental Management Plan (110027gwydiraemp.pdf, 4.6mb) is now available.

You may call 131 555 or email info@environment.nsw.gov.au to request a printed copy of the plan. The Moree office of the Border Rivers-Gwydir Catchment Management Authority also has a limited number of copies.

The plan recognises that the Gwydir Wetlands support large waterbird breeding colonies and provide habitat for threatened species and communities. The wetlands lie within the traditional country of the Gamilaroi people and contain many cultural sites and values that are important for the local Aboriginal community. The plan aims to guide the management of the Gwydir Wetlands by identifying ecological assets, describing their condition and water needs, and identifying actions and projects to halt the decline of the wetland system.

A submissions report (110166GwydWtldAEMPSubRpt.pdf, 66kb) has been prepared, summarising public comments on the draft plan that was released in April 2010. The report explains how issues raised by the community have been addressed in the final plan.

Information review

The Gwydir Wetlands Knowledge Audit (GwydirWetlandsKnowledgeAudit.pdf, 1.2 mb) is a compilation of the current and historic scientific information on the Gwydir Wetlands, created to inform the Gwydir Wetlands Adaptive Environmental Management Plan.

Economic reports

Economics reports were commissioned to inform the Macquarie Marshes and Gwydir Wetlands Adaptive Environmental Management Plans. These include:

• Information audit of the socio-economic activities in the Gwydir River catchment
• The economic geography of the Gwydir and Macquarie River catchment towns
• Information audit of socio-economic activities in the Macquarie River catchment
• Technical review of irrigated agriculture in the Macquarie and Gwydir River catchments

Description of ecosystems

A number of projects and actions need to be undertaken to ensure a sustainable future for the Gwydir Wetlands and Macquarie Marshes, and the Gwydir River and Macquarie River, respectively. These actions need to be underpinned by a sound understanding of the wetlands’ ecological structure and function. Specific projects have described components of the Gwydir Wetlands and Macquarie Marshes. This information has been used within the Adaptive Environmental Management Plans, and it will guide the delivery of water to the wetlands.

Particular projects are being undertaken by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water that contribute to this knowledge. These include:

• mapping inundation extent and frequency
• mapping changes in vegetation communities (1996-2008 for the Gwydir Wetlands, and 1991-2008 for the Macquarie Marshes)
• examining interactions of resources and organisms, and food webs
• compiling information on waterbirds and fish in the Gwydir Wetlands
• investigating the impact of grazing on wetlands