NSW wetlands in crisis - 2 February 2005

Many of the state’s 188 wetlands face destruction due to the pressures of development and pollution,

and require greater protection and management, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today, World Wetlands Day.


“In coastal areas, wetlands such as at Lake Cathie on the mid-north coast and Rockdale Wetlands in southern Sydney are under threat from development and pollution, while water extraction and salinity threatens the Macquarie Marshes and the Gwydir Wetlands in the state’s north-west.”


Mr Cohen called on the Minister for Planning Craig Knowles to revise and extend Environment Planning Policy, SEPP 14, to include all significant wetlands and intervene in the current destruction of wetlands through the recently introduced SEPP 71.


Inland and coastal wetlands and lakes cover around 4.5 million hectares or approximately 6 per cent of NSW.


“Over 95 percent of wetland areas are west of the Great Dividing Range and yet this is the least protected area of the state. The Carr Government has yet to deliver on its promise to end broad scale land clearing and is more than two years behind in deciding of the future of the Brigalow Belt woodlands.”


Grevillea Close-Up (by Erland Howden)Coastal wetlands currently facing development or pollution threats include:

· Jervis Bay Wetlands

· Brisbane Waters (Central Coast)

· Rockdale Wetlands (Cooks Cove)

· Lake Cathie (Camden Haven)

· Hexham Swamp (Newcastle)

· Tathra-Black Ada

· Tuckean (Northern NSW)

· Shell Harbour

· Yarrahappini (near Kempsey)



Mr Cohen also called for the recognition and involvement of Indigenous Australians in wetland management and protection.


Further information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656