The main groups of wetland birds are grebes, pelicans, cormorants, long-legged wading

birds (such as the heron) and waterfowl, as well as a large group known as 'waders'.

Waders include a variety of birds including godwits, knots, snipes, tattlers and sandpipers.

Australian wetlands provide a range of feeding grounds for these different birds. Snipes

feed in long grass at the water's edge, plovers along the muddy shores; herons stalk the

shallows, while grebes, ducks and cormorants feed in the open water. Some birds could not

survive without wetlands; others may use them only to raise their young or to roost.

Migratory shorebirds

Grebes

Cormorants and similar birds

Herons, storks and similar birds

Ducks, geese ans swans

Waders range in size from the tiny stint, about 15 centimetres tall, to the curlew, which

stands up to 60 centimetres tall. They also come in different shapes and colours and have

a variety of bills, some very oddly shaped. The shape of the bill reflects a bird's feeding

habits.

To date, 69 species of wader have been recorded in Australia. The vast majority of these

migrate. Most fly 11 000 kilometres from the Arctic, via the Asian mainland, to arrive in

Australia via our northern shores in September - October. They then return to their Siberian

breeding grounds in April - May. An estimated two million migratory waders enter Australia

each year.

While in Australia, migratory waders like to keep together. Most of them feed and roost in

coastal wetlands, usually roosting at high tide. They may travel some distance to find food

on exposed mudflats. Some of those that do not migrate also move around looking for

food, especially the plentiful supply that follows rain. This is particularly so in Australia's

arid inland.

More information on migratory shorebirds can be found on the ABC web site   .

Migratory waders shed their bright feathers for those of a duller shade in the non-breeding

season. Often, their more attractive plumage returns before they leave Australia to fly back

to their northern breeding grounds.

Grebes

Australia's three grebe species rely totally on wetlands, which provide them with food (such

as small fish and worms), protection (the birds dive to escape danger) and nesting sites

(the birds nest on floating vegetation). Grebes have large lobed feet, set well back on their

bodies. Although they are very well adapted to life in water, they are clumsy on land.

Cormorants and similar birds

Four of Australia's cormorant species are found in freshwater and coastal wetlands in all

States. (One species, the Black-faced Shag, is found only along the rocky coasts of

southern Australia.) Cormorants are medium to large birds (50–85 centimetres tall) with

webbed feed, long hooked bills, long necks and either black or black and white plumage.

All species feed on fish, insects and crustaceans (shrimps, for example). Usually, they

obtain their food by diving underwater.

The darter looks a bit like a cormorant except for its long, snake-like neck and sharply

pointed bill. Darters are found in all Australian states except Tasmania, but prefer tropical

and sub-tropical regions. The birds swim with only their necks and heads above water.

They dive to catch a fish, spearing it with their bill before returning to the surface to

swallow it. Darters tend to nest alone, although some small groups are known to live

together. Like cormorants, darters nest in trees or on rocky ledges.

The Australian Pelican - one of our most distinctive birds - is found in coastal and

freshwater wetlands all over the country. The birds work together to gather food. Groups of

them will surround schools of fish, driving them into shallow water where they can be

caught more easily. Pelicans nest in groups on sand spits or islands. They make a nest by

scraping a shallow hole in the soil.

Herons, storks and similar birds

This group of wetland birds includes a number of species: the heron, the egret, the

spoonbill, the ibis, the stork and the bittern. All have long, slender necks; long legs, with

long, unwebbed toes; and large bills, shaped to suit the way each bird feeds.

Herons and egrets are found in all types of wetland, although two species are tropical

birds. There is also a small family of herons that are active at night; the Rufous Night Heron

is the only member of this family found in Australia.

As their name suggests, spoonbills have flat, spoon-shaped bills. They feed by moving their

heads from side to side in a sweeping movement.

The ibis has a long, downward-curved bill, which it uses to snap up food such as large

insects or to probe in the mud for hidden prey.

Bitterns feed and nest in reed beds or in thick vegetation on the water's edge, and can fly

long distances. If disturbed, they tend to become secretive. The bird has a booming call,

which is often heard at night.

Ducks, geese and swans

This group of birds, known as waterfowl, includes 21 species that breed in Australia. (Two

are introduced.) Another species, the Garganey, migrates from Eurasia to northern

Australia during the summer. Most species of waterfowl are found in the southern part of

our continent. However, five are found all over Australia and another six are found mostly

in the tropics.

Population numbers vary rapidly according to the food supply which, in turn, depends on

the rainfall. In the tropics, huge numbers of waterfowl can be seen around drying

waterholes towards the end of the dry season. They are strong flyers, however, and can

travel long distances to escape the effects of drought.

Most waterfowl nest in tree forks or in hollows lined with down. Larger species, such as

geese and swans, build nests on the ground or in floating vegetation.

The Black Swan, Australia's only native swan, is commonly found in every type of wetland

in eastern and south-western Australia. Swans usually feed by up-ending their bodies and

grazing underwater to a depth of about one metre.

The Magpie Goose is common in freshwater habitats in northern Australia and large flocks

can descend on feeding grounds. This sometimes means that crops are destroyed. As a

result, the bird is often singled out to be shot by farmers and hunters. The Cape Barren

Goose was also once a target as it was thought to compete with livestock for pasture.

Found on islands and coastal grasslands in Tasmania and southern Australia, it is now a

protected species.

Ducks feed in many different ways. Most Australian ducks are 'dabblers', that is, they up-

end their bodies in shallow water and feed along the bottom. Other species, such as the

Musk Duck and the Blue-billed Duck, dive underwater for food. The Pink-eared Duck feeds

on the surface, draining water through its bill to search for small items of food. Some

species, such as whistling ducks, both dabble and dive.

Threats to wetland Birds

Habitat destruction

Migrating waders need to roost and feed before and after their long flights between

Australia and South-East Asia. If their usual nesting and feeding places are destroyed, the

birds must find new ones. This is not always easy. Already vast areas of mangrove forest

and mudflats have been destroyed on both continents to make way for agriculture, housing

or industry. Other factors also threaten the habitat of water birds:

Domestic stock can muddy waterholes, often making them unsuitable for water

birds. This can be a real problem in drier parts of Australia.

In northern Australia, feral buffalo can break down natural land banks that separate

fresh and salty water. Saltwater can kill the freshwater vegetation on which water birds

rely.

Increased tourism and the build-up of urban areas lead to the use of wetlands for

boating and water sports, discouraging water birds.

Industrial waste, especially near large cities, has made many once rich feeding

sites unsuitable for all but a few hardy water bird species.

Hunting

Waders are a traditional food source in many Asian countries. It is estimated that between

0.25 and 1.5 million waders are killed there each year when the birds migrate from

Australia. Several wader species were also once hunted for food and sport in Australia.

So far, there is no evidence that hunting is likely to cause the extinction of any waterfowl

species found in Australia today. But this does not mean that protective measures are not

needed. In most States, surveys of bird populations are held before each hunting season.

Authorities use this information to decide whether to limit or ban the shooting of certain

species or even to close certain areas for the season.

Conservationists have another growing concern: waterfowl that use wetlands popular with

hunters may become poisoned by swallowing the lead shot that has built up in the bottom

of waterways.

Of course, people are not the only hunters of water birds. Introduced predators, such as

foxes and feral cats, take a toll on all bird species, especially their young.

Towra Point on the southern shores of Botany Bay is this year attracting a magnificent variety of birds in numbers not seen for several years.Towra Point Nature Reserve and the adjoining Towra Point Aquatic Reserve form the biggest wetland in the Sydney region and the importance of the area has been recognised by its listing as a Ramsar wetland of international significance. It is renowned for its migratory wading bird habitat.Head of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Sally Barnes said this year a wide variety of birds had been spotted and in numbers not seen for many years."In the last few weeks our staff have spotted at least 60 endangered Little Terns that have arrived to breed. This is largest breeding congregation seen for several years and this will be important for the survival of the species," Ms Barnes said."Last year we saw 50 chicks fledge, up from 21 the previous year. And this year we're hoping to see even more chicks hatch and survive."Ms Barnes said that the NPWS had been busy preparing for the arrival of the migratory birds."Little Terns nest in the sand which means they're very vulnerable to attack from foxes," she said."Our annual fox baiting program coincides with the breeding season and this is obviously having an impact, as the number of birds fledging is increasing. In addition, we do an annual clean up to remove any rubbish and weeds from sandy areas."We've also seen large numbers of Pied Oystercatchers, which are also endangered. There's a population of more than 50 around Botany Bay and there are now numerous young birds around Towra Point."Ms Barnes said that there were hundreds of other migratory shorebirds that have flown thousands of miles from their breeding grounds in Alaska and Siberia to feed on the sand and mudflats of Botany Bay and Towra Point."Staff have also spotted two Terek Sandpipers which have flown from their breeding grounds in Siberia – they haven't been seen in Botany Bay for several years," she said."They've also recorded a Beach Stone Curlew - rarely seen south of the Manning River."Other species include the Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Ruddy Turnstone, Grey-tailed Tattler and the Eastern Curlew."We've also recently provided two artificial roosting sites at Woolooware and Quilbray Bay where birds can rest undisturbed and allow them to build up their fat reserves for their return journeys."It's amazing to think that such an important wetland is thriving right in the middle of the southern suburbs of Sydney."This is a credit not only to the staff and volunteers that look after the area but also to the residents and visitors of the adjoining land and waters."While there is limited access to Towra Point, shorebirds can be seen feeding around the sandflats at Sandringham on the falling tide.Public access to Towra Point Nature Reserve is restricted and the only place for recreation is the day use area (only accessible by water) at the north eastern side of Towra Point. This area is clearly sign posted, and visitors are encouraged to look out for the Day Use Sign on the beach area.

Stage 1 of this program aims to provide an overview of the significant wetlands in the SMCMA catchment areas for rehabilitation/conservation.  This involves the development of a prioritisation method for the Sydney Region to ensure wetland funding is directed where it is most needed.  The development of this method is being undertaken by Wetland Care Australia   and includes a review of previously developed wetland condition assessments as well as a pilot study assessing the condition of the eight Directory of Important Wetlands of Australia (DIWA) listed wetlands in the SMCMA area.NEWS:  A Wetland Prioritisation Technique for the SMCMA Area is now complete and can be downloaded hereAt the same time, existing mapping data of Sydney's wetlands has been collated to produce a more comprehensive GIS layer for the SMCMA to use in conjunction with the prioritisation method.

Stage 2 of the Project includes two rehabilitation projects in conjuction with DIWA listed wetland managers.Eve Street Wetland Remediation:This joint project with Sydney Water Corporation will improve native fish movement and wading bird habitat in a small, yet important, urban saltmarsh wetland in Arncliffe.  Project works include stabilisation and flushing of the channel connecting the saltmarsh to the Tidal Cooks River.  Recent sedimentation to the connecting channel hampered the tidal flow essential for a saltmarsh environment and reduced the area of exposed mudflats at low tide that is so important for foraging wetland birds. The wetland will continue to be monitored by Sydney Water and the Rockdale Wetlands Preservation Society to discover what affect the works have on the wetland's environment. 

     (i)  Mud flats exposed again at Eve Street Wetland (ii)  Stabilisation works to the inlet channel allowed the tide to flush the wetland (Photos: Sydney Water)

Boundary Creek Fishway:

The second project involves the construction of a fishway at Boundary Creek at Bicentennial park.  Boundary Creek is a small stream that runs into the DIWA listed Bicentennial Park Wetlands.  This project will modify a culvert and construct a rock ramp fishway at the end.  Currently, the concrete culvert has very shallow, fast moving flow and a large step at the downstream end effectively blocking fish from moving upstream.  The freshwater upstream areas of creeks such as this can be important in breeding cycles of native fish.  Partners in this project are the Sydney Olympic Park Authority and the Department of Primary Industries.

   (i)  The completed fishway structure before final re-vegetation works(ii)  A close up of the fishway cells that allow native fish to rest whilst moving up through the fishway

The only two Wetlands in the Sydney Basin deemed worthy of mention in the following directory are likely to be adversely effected by the proposed remediation if not done to almost impossibly high standards, and by the existing contamination and sewerage pollution. The amount of night time light, traffic, noise, additional stormwater run off, sewerage overflows and height of the development are likely to have a negative effect on these wetlands and the migratory birds and protected species that live in them.

Birds Australia | Southern NSW and ACT Group of Birds Australia (SNAG) | Bird Life international | Wetlands Website

The failure to provide for a Riparian Protection Zone in accordance with the NSW State Rivers and Estuaries Policy so close to such important wetlands covered by the JAMBA and CAMBA agreements is huge blow to the concept of a "green games".

Conditions should be imposed requiring such a zone for any issue of Pt 3A permits for work undertaken within 40 metres of a waterway under the Rivers and Foreshores Improvement Act.

(extracts for study purposes only)

A Directory of Important Wetlands In Australia

NEW SOUTH WALES

S.V. Briggs - National Parks and Wildlife Service

SYDNEY BASIN

Figure 5.7 Distribution of important wetlands in the Sydney Basin biogeographic region.

Latitude/Longitude measurements are represented in decimal format

71. Bicentennial Park - SB001NS

Location : 33 51' S, 115 33' E. Located approximately 12 km west of Sydney CBD, on the southern edge of the Parramatta River. Bioregion:Sydney Basin.

Area : 56 ha.

Elevation : 0 m ASL.

Wetland type(s) : A6, A7, A8.

Criteria for inclusion : 1, 2, 3, 5.

Site description : Bicentennial Park wetlands are constructed on an area of low lying mangrove swamp deposits and garbage fill areas at the southern end of Homebush Bay. The wetlands consist of estuarine/intertidal flats with mangroves, saltmarsh and artificial shallow ponds. It is a modified environment, with the original Powells Creek being

straightened in the 1940's and the saltmarsh and waterbird refuge originally created as dredging dumps in 1959/1960. These areas are now valuable habitats.

Significance : The wetlands are the largest remaining intertidal wetland on the Parramatta River. It provides one of only four know sites of the saltmarsh plant Lampranthus tegens. Over 140 species of birds have been recorded at the Park, including 5 rare and or threatened species listed under Schedule 12 of the NPWS Act. Some 27 species are covered by the JAMBA and CAMBA international migratory bird agreements. The Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea occurs at the site. The site is an important education, research and recreation centre.

Land tenure : Crown land administered by Bicentennial Park Trust.

Current land use : Nature conservation, passive recreation and research.

Disturbances or threats : Floating tidal debris, algae mats. Potential problems with large visitor number increases. Potential for industrial oil spills.

Conservation measures taken : Plan of Management being produced in 1996.

Management authority & jurisdiction : Bicentennial Park Trust.

Compiler & Date : P. Bacon, Woodlots & Wetlands, 1995. Based on information supplied by the Bicentennial Park Trust.

85. Newington Wetlands - SB015NS

Location : 33 49¢ S, 151 03¢ E; Parramatta River, 1 km west of Homebush Bay, Silverwater in the county of Cumberland. Bioregion: Sydney Basin.

Area : Wetland including adjoining Casuarina forest: 45 ha (McCallum, pers. comm., 1995); Wetland ponds: 26 ha (Fox and Assoc. 1986).

Elevation : < 50 m ASL.

Wetland type(s) : A8, B1, B11.

Criteria for inclusion : 1, 2, 6.

Site description : The site comprises mangrove woodland and saltmarsh communities surrounding four low-lying shallow saline and brackish ponds separated by low earth bunds. The site is bounded by the Parramatta River in the north and Casuarina woodland in the south, with grassland areas east and west (CHM Hill 1994). The saltmarsh communities are in good health and display a species composition uncommon in the Sydney region. The wetland provides feeding grounds for migratory birds and contains saltmarsh species which are biogeographically disjunct and uncommon in eastern Australia. Quaternary alluvial formations consist of sand, silt and clay deposits in low river terraces and beneath marsh lands. Winiamatta shale is the youngest of the three rock deposits but because of folding in the Sydney district the rock generally outcrops at a lower geographic level than the Hawkesbury sandstone or older rocks. Swamps along the foreshore of the river consist of unconsolidated Quaternary sandy peats, peats and mud (Kachka 1993).

Significance:

Notable flora: The saltmarshes are dominated by a cover of Samphire Sarcocornia quinqueflora, Seablite Suaeda australis, Sand Couch Grass Sporobolus virginicus, Sea Rush Juncus kraussii and Halosarcia pergranulata pergranulata. Plants of botanical interest found in the marsh include the largest remaining population of the biogeographically disjunct and uncommon (rare) plant Wilsonia Wilsonia backhousei, Lampranthus Lampranthus tegens the Chenopod Halosarcia pergranulata pergranulata. Mangrove woodland consists of Grey mangroveAvicennia marina.

Notable fauna: The Parramatta River is the eighth most important estuary for waders in NSW (Anon 1986a; Fox and Assoc. 1986). The saltmarsh and mangroves provide important habitat as feeding grounds to migratory wading birds and nursery to juvenile fish. Sixty-eight bird species have been recorded, 27 species were wetland birds. Eleven migratory birds are known to use the area, the principal species include: Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva, Latham's Snipe Gallinago hardwickii, Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica baueri, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata, Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea, Greenshank Toinga nebularia. These bird species are protected under JAMBA/CAMBA. The threatened Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea has been recorded from the area (CHM Hill 1994).

Social and cultural values: The saltmarsh, casuarina forest and the eucalypt woodland provide a small intact system of pre-European vegetation no longer retained in the Sydney region. Within and adjacent to the site are numerous cultural resources reflecting the history of the area from early settlement in the late 18th century. Cultural relics include salt and lime works, an abattoir, tweed and blanket factory, the original farm site, and the current armaments depot.

Land tenure : The majority of the area is Commonwealth crown land with some state crown land.

Current land use : Royal Australian Navy armaments depot with mixed industrial, urban and vacant crown land surrounding.

Disturbances or threats : Water pollution along the Parramatta River poses the greatest threat to the ecosystem, while development in the form of landfill and seawalls reduce the area of mangrove and saltmarsh. Potential disturbance from the Homebush Bay Olympic village are currently under review by Olympic Coordination Authority and CSIRO.

Conservation measures taken : The Newington wetlands are listed in the Register of the National Estate and with the NSW National Trust (Anon 1982; AHC 1992). The area has been recorded in the Sydney Regional Environmental Plan No. 24 (Anon 1994). A environmental management plan is being produced by the Department of Defence. The NSW Government has developed a masterplan detailing conservation areas around the Homebush Bay area in coordination with the development of the Sydney Olympic Park (NSW Govt. 1994). The Olympic Coordination Authority contain, within development plans, proposals to enhance the conservation value of the site by improving the habitat of the site through remediation of adjacent land and improved water quality by increasing tidal flushing (McCallum, pers. comm., 1995).

Management authority and jurisdiction : The area was managed by the Royal Australian Navy, Department of Defence. The southern part of the site has been transferred to be managed by the Olympic Coordination Authority.

…………………………………………………………………………………………

Towra Point is the largest wetland of Sydney. It is located 34*S, 151*10E and is 4km from Kurnell on the Southern side of Botany Bay in Sydney, Australia. Botany bay is located on the central coast of NSW, Australia. It is approximately 20km from Sydney. Botany Bay is an oval-shaped bay which is open to the pacific Ocean through the Kurnell and La Perouse Headlands. The Georges River drains into it from the South-west of the bay.

Importance of Towra Point

Last large wetland of Sydney region. · Second largest wetland (saltmarsh) in NSW Saltmarsh, rare habitat Sea grass beds; fishing, ecosystem contains 50% of mangroves near Sydney only saltmarsh habitat near Sydney wader and waterfall ( fourth important in NSW in terms of migratory waders) last remaining habitat for some non-migratory bird species rare magenta Lilli Pilli plant found in woodlands major site for wetland research scientific study of environment (35 years, over 60 research projects) Important as bench marks Ramsar site, convention wetlands of International Importance

Contains a variety of vegetation - sea grass (600ha), mangroves (400ha), saltmarsh (160ha), eucalypt and Casurina (40ha)

What is a Wetland?

A wetland is a collective term for ecosystems whose formation is dominated by water, whose processes and characteristics; vegetation and other organisms is controlled by water. Wetlands cover 6% of the Earth's surface and range from vast estuaries to small mountain bogs.

Mangroves

Mangroves are tidal forests that grow between the low and high tide marks in many tropical and sub-tropical areas. Mangroves thrive in areas where lowest average temperature is 20*C and have low seasonal range of temperature. Mangroves are adopted to unstable mud conditions and continual tidal flooding.

These adaptations include:

silt roots for anchorage Pneumatophores or breathing roots Leathery, shiny and thickened leaves to protect against sun and salt spray. Seeds that germinate while still attached to parent that allows them to grow rapidly

when they fall.

Importance of Mangroves

Mangroves and salt marshes are amongst the worlds most productive ecosystems. 2/3 of all fish caught globally breed in wetlands. They are critical to the world's fishing industry, which harvests 100million tones of fish annually. This includes:

fishing industry stabilise shorelines against erosion filter out pollutants trap silt washing from land (protects ecosystems) important for biodiversity

provide fuelwood, building material, traditional medicine in many developing countries

Mangrove ecosystems are receeding due to a number of factors: Draining for agricultural, timber production and mosquito control. Dredging for channels, navigation and residential development.

Filling in for building purposes.

Threats to Towra Point

1. Erosion of Landforms:

Changed wave energy entering Botany Bay through dredging a channel to allow ships to enter combined with the hard structure of Sydney Airport runway and Port Botany have created changed water movements and sand erosion and deposition. Sand deposition has covered sea grass beds. While erosion has attacked Towra Beach and the sand spit. "Elephant Trunk" at the western and of Towra Point has been branched in a number of places.

2. Introduced Species

Animals (Foxes, Rabbits, Dumped/Stray Cats and Dogs)o disturb roosting birdso prey on native specieso compete for food and resting places

Plants (Lantana, pampas Grass, Bitou Bush)

o Rapid growth > Monocultureo Stops native plants from growing

o attacks food supplies of native animals

3. Loss of Freshwater Lagoon:

The freshwater lagoon has suffered increased overflow of saltwater into the freshwater lagoon during times of high wave energy. The number of incursions of saltwater breeching has increased as the beach infront of the lagoon becomes eroded. The freshwater lagoon provides habitat for invertebrates and plant species which the birds rely on. It's loss has been affecting food chains.

4. Recreational Use:o Popular with boat ownerso Boats dragging anchors across sea-grass bedso Jet-ski's disturb roosting birds

o minor impact of rubbish

5. Other Impacts:o horse ridingo dropping weedso nutrients from sewerage treatment plant (eutrophication)

6. Potential Threats:

Caltex oil refinery terminalo tankers may spill oilo cover breathing rootso cover sea-grass and saltmarsho kill birds and fish, etc

Residential development on sand dunes behind Towra Point

o greater stormwater to wetlando greater human movement into area

o potential for weeds from gardens

7. Possible, but unlikely:o site of future airporto canal residential development

Management of Towra Point

Management occurs at a variety of scales

1. International: RAMSAR site Convention on wetlands of International importance, known as the Ramsar Convention which was signed in 1971, It now covers over 450 wetland sites worldwide with more being added each year. The RAMSAR convention has signatories from 52 nations. Agreements have been signed with governments of China and Japan to protect migratory bird species.

2. National:

Nature Reserve - administrated by NSW National Parks and Wildlifeo higher protection order than a National Parko Legislative obligation of NPWS to protect representative samples of NSW

vegetation types

Aquatic Reserve -administered by NSW Department of Fisheries

o below high tide marko must balance needs of the birds against the economic needs of the fishing

industryo use zoning to balance competing demands on the area

o government is now buying up licenses of fisherman to remove commercial fishing from the bay The main problem of Towra is the lack of financial resources to adequately deal with the threats to the ecosystem.

3. Local: many local groups are helping with the management, such as:o North Cronulla Precinct Committeeo Cronulla Dune and Wetland Allianceo Sutherland Shire Councilo Friends of Towra Point (built sea-wall) Community groups such at

Venturer's

Strategies Can Be Implimented at a Variety of Scales

Local

Groups often emerge to address specific issues such as the protection of a local wetland, housing development, waste disposal and other local environment problems. These groups may play an important rule for influencing local government policy. Local government is responsible for planning approvals for activities within it's boundaries through zoning and development strategies. Development approval may require an Environmental Impact Statement which requires how the development will effect existing culture and natural features of the environment. Environmental cultural measures used during development and costing of alternative development measures. Councils can also promote recycling tree-planting and manage land-fill sites councils may set-up Bush management Committees and Catchment management processes.

Regional

The regional concept is hard to determine. A region may be determined on the basis of distribution of environment features (vegetation, climate, topography) or cultural features (population features, industry, etc). Therefore, it can be the Sydney Region, the equatorial region, the region serving the Port Hacking catchment or the Botany Bay region. Botany Bay is boarded by 6 councils, each council has joined forces to develop a joint management stategy and monitoring at Botany Bay within their planning guidelines. Countries containing a common characteristic or close geographical proximity may make up a region. the European Unia have formed 4 common economic regions based on the trade and managing common environmental problems between countries. the South Pacific forum focuses on common environmental threats such as sea-level rise due to global warming, nuclear testing, drift-net fishing.

National

Governments are able to make laws that regulate the behavior of individuals and corporations - the Australian constitution sets off the level of government responsibility between State and Federal governments. Both of these levels have a Minister of government agencies. In NSW, there is the NSW National Parks and Wildlife services, NSW fisheries and the NSW Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In NSW State, the Key body is the Environmental Protection Agency which has the ability to approve and reject large scale developments that are likely to impact on fragile ecosystems. The NSW land and Environment court also has the power to reject development proposals. The Federal Government signs international agreements for ecosystem protection such as World Heritage Act and RAMSAR listing.

Global

International co-operation acknowledges that the Earth's ecosystems are being affected by global problems and need collective International support

Non-Government Organisations

NGO's are becoming increasingly important player's of environment management. They are especially strong at local levels where their actions have affected land use regulation's and providing hands on work (Friends of Towra point). NGO's have to balance radical action to gain media attention against the public backlash such actions may create.

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A once-parched flood plain has become a bustling ''mini Kakadu'' after farmers used irrigation infrastructure to mimic Murrumbidgee flows, writes Debra Jopson.In a remote reach of NSW, a city of birds has suddenly appeared, building prime waterfront residences in which to pamper their young and feasting on a smorgasbord that floods and rain have brought to the Murrumbidgee.

A wildlife boom inspired by an abundance of water has turned the Lowbidgee flood plain into a noisy, bustling ''mini Kakadu'' as about 20,000 ibises and thousands of other waterbirds including spoonbills and musk ducks make their nests on wetlands which until recently were parched by drought and dams.

''If you had been here 12 months ago you would have seen it at its absolute worst. It was a moonscape,'' said Michael Spinks, a member of a group of landholders on this flood plain between Hay and Balranald.

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Click to play videoThe birdlife is flocking back to the Lowbidgee Floodplain, an important breeding sanctuary and

wetlands in southern New South Wales.They use irrigation infrastructure to channel environmental flows to keep the birds happy, mimicking the flows of the mighty Murrumbidgee before it was dammed.

At the Telephone Bank rookery on Torry Plains Station, not far from the grain farm of Steve Blore, the air is rich with the honking and gamey smell of about 5000 straw-necked ibis that have built nests with glossy and white ibises.

Scientists call it a ''major breeding event'' but up close it is a dazzling assembly of lignum-twig nests like woven baskets holding blue or white eggs or wide-mouthed chicks, above which adults perch in trees carrying branches in their beaks for home improvements.

''The Lowbidgee is the most important wetland by far on the Murrumbidgee. There are very few places where you get these mega breeding events occurring,'' says Richard Kingsford, known as ''Professor Duck'', who heads the Australian wetlands and river centre at the University of NSW.

The centre manager, Sharon Ryall, who spent last week wading around the nests checking how many eggs had hatched successfully, says: ''This is a very rare thing. You don't get it very often because of the boom and bust nature of Australia.''

Ryall and research fellow Kate Brandis use a small motorboat to navigate watery roads in the bird city, with tags and waterproof notebooks to document how many young survive.

It is easy to peer right into a nest and to catch a black glossy ibis chick pecking its way out of a bright blue egg, or to see a cluster of week-old crying spoonbill chicks dusted in what looks like white snow - their parents' excrement.

Ryall can answer the question: what's to love about the white ibis?

''The white ibis you see in the parks in Sydney are a beautiful bird in their native habitat. They are not the trash birds you see in Hyde Park,'' she says.

Spinks is hoping that all three ibis species will help defend them from locust attack as authorities warn of the possibility of the worst plague in 30 years.

''We have [1620 hectares] of wheat crop and Steve and I have a rookery at each end. Ibis are known throughout the world as the farmers' friend. They will eat half a kilo in one day - and more when they have fledglings. That's a lot of grasshoppers,'' he says.

It is a mystery where the birds come from, how they know water will be there and where they go afterward.

Blore says: ''How they know has got me beat. I have been out in the swamp when it is dead dry and a duck comes out of a hollow. By the time the chicks are born, the water is there. How do they know that? You see them in the thermals. We say they are sending text messages to their mates - they've got to get up there to get coverage.''

Kingsford says research indicates they make incredible reconnaissance journeys in which they detect the approach of low-pressure weather systems signalling water in their breeding grounds.

''They just belt up and go on a sort of round trip,'' he says.

When a Deakin University scientist, David Roshier, put transmitter devices on grey teal, one from northern NSW flew 1268 kilometres over 10 days, heading west and returning via southern Queensland.

The birds are at the top of the food chain, which begins with vital eggs and seeds set down in soils during one boom event, only to flourish in the next, says Kingsford.

''As soon as that water arrives, the seeds will germinate and the invertebrates will hatch out. There are thousands of species. A sort of invertebrate soup is created,'' he says.

''Waterbirds are generally the first to breed. They arrive, there is a smorgasbord, they build up fat very quickly and as soon as they build up fat, they have the urge to breed.

''That smorgasbord also brings in fish and reptiles.

''You've got this incredibly vibrant community and everything's eating everything else.''

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/wetland-wonderland-breeds-birds-paradise-20101105-17hl6