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Townsville Plains biogeographic subregionAccess wetland mapping in PDF and KML format by selecting the desired 100K map tile below or download the data via the Queensland Government Information Service. The below map is for visual representation purposes only. For more detailed mapping, please download the boundary KML. Drag this bar to relocate the map on your screen Open WetlandMaps interactive map server
Catchment stories
|
| System | Area (ha) | % wetlands area | % total area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 135,002 | 100.0% | 17.6% |
| Total excluding riverine and artificial/highly modified riverine | 96,424 | 71.4% | 12.6% |
| Artificial and highly modified | 9,213 | 6.8% | 1.2% |
| Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) | 62,839 | 46.5% | 8.2% |
| Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) | 2,330 | 1.7% | 0.3% |
| Lacustrine (natural) | 125 | 0.1% | 0.0% |
| Lacustrine (slightly modified) | 2,009 | 1.5% | 0.3% |
| Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) | 1 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Palustrine (natural) | 6,205 | 4.6% | 0.8% |
| Palustrine (slightly modified) | 13,736 | 10.2% | 1.8% |
| Riverine | 38,545 | 28.6% | 5.0% |
| Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (highly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) | 62,839 | 46.5% | 8.2% |
| Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) | 2,330 | 1.7% | 0.3% |
| Lacustrine (artificial) | 2,203 | 1.6% | 0.3% |
| Lacustrine (highly modified) | 6,454 | 4.8% | 0.8% |
| Lacustrine (natural) | 125 | 0.1% | 0.0% |
| Lacustrine (slightly modified) | 2,009 | 1.5% | 0.3% |
| Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) | 1 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Palustrine (artificial) | 125 | 0.1% | 0.0% |
| Palustrine (highly modified) | 399 | 0.3% | 0.1% |
| Palustrine (natural) | 6,205 | 4.6% | 0.8% |
| Palustrine (slightly modified) | 13,736 | 10.2% | 1.8% |
| Riverine (artificial) | 1 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Riverine (highly modified) | 32 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Riverine (natural) | 38,494 | 28.5% | 5.0% |
| Riverine (slightly modified) | 51 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
For definitions of artificial, highly modified, modified, slightly modified and natural wetlands, see the Queensland Wetland Mapping Method - A Method to Provide Baseline Mapping of Wetland Extent and Changes in Wetland Extent in Queensland.
| Habitat | Area (ha) | % wetlands area | % total area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 58,123 | 100.0% | 7.6% |
| Mangroves - Casuarina | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Mangroves - other | 27,941 | 48.1% | 3.6% |
| Salt marsh and salt flats | 9,677 | 16.6% | 1.3% |
| Arid and semi-arid saline lake | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake | 701 | 1.2% | 0.1% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake | 109 | 0.2% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid saline swamp | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp | 157 | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp | 1,498 | 2.6% | 0.2% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp | 220 | 0.4% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp | 583 | 1.0% | 0.1% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp | 17,239 | 29.7% | 2.2% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Mangroves - Casuarina (natural) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Mangroves - Casuarina (slightly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Mangroves - other (natural) | 27,900 | 48.0% | 3.6% |
| Mangroves - other (slightly modified) | 40 | 0.1% | 0.0% |
| Salt marsh and salt flats (natural) | 8,887 | 15.3% | 1.2% |
| Salt marsh and salt flats (slightly modified) | 790 | 1.4% | 0.1% |
| Arid and semi-arid saline lake (natural) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid saline lake (slightly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (natural) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (slightly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake (slightly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (natural) | 125 | 0.2% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (slightly modified) | 576 | 1.0% | 0.1% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (natural) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (slightly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (natural) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (slightly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake (natural) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (natural) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (slightly modified) | 109 | 0.2% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (natural) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (natural) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (natural) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (natural) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (natural) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (natural) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (natural) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) | 157 | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) | 662 | 1.1% | 0.1% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) | 836 | 1.4% | 0.1% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (natural) | 199 | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) | 20 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) | 427 | 0.7% | 0.1% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) | 155 | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) | 4,618 | 7.9% | 0.6% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) | 12,620 | 21.7% | 1.6% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (natural) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (natural) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (natural) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (slightly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (natural) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (slightly modified) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Disclaimer
Areas do not include marine or estuarine waters but do include estuarine wetland vegetation
(e.g. mangroves and tidal flats).
All statistics are approximate and generated based on data transformed to a customised Albers equal-area projection, thus allowing wetland extent change for different regions of Queensland to be comparable.
Areas may change over time as mapping approaches improve.
Totals may not match the sum of individually displayed figures due to the rounding of displayed figures.
Wetland extent changes
| System | 2021 area (ha) |
2019 area (ha) |
2017 area (ha) |
2013 area (ha) |
2009 area (ha) |
2005 area (ha) |
2001 area (ha) |
pre-clear area (ha) |
2021/pre-clear percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 135,002 | 134,983 | 135,000 | 134,895 | 134,731 | 134,564 | 134,559 | 132,730 | * 94.8% |
| Artificial and highly modified | 9,213 | 9,158 | 9,134 | 9,044 | 8,909 | 8,632 | 8,534 | 0 | n/a |
| Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) | 62,839 | 62,838 | 62,838 | 63,096 | 63,099 | 63,113 | 63,128 | 72,597 | 86.6% |
| Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) | 2,330 | 2,330 | 2,330 | 2,338 | 2,337 | 2,337 | 2,337 | 0 | n/a |
| Lacustrine (natural) | 125 | 125 | 125 | 125 | 125 | 125 | 125 | 217 | 57.6% |
| Lacustrine (slightly modified) | 2,009 | 2,008 | 2,008 | 1,970 | 1,974 | 1,981 | 1,916 | 0 | n/a |
| Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | n/a |
| Palustrine (natural) | 6,205 | 6,209 | 6,220 | 6,223 | 6,286 | 6,297 | 6,343 | 13,070 | 47.5% |
| Palustrine (slightly modified) | 13,736 | 13,735 | 13,747 | 13,487 | 13,364 | 13,370 | 13,356 | 0 | n/a |
| Riverine | 38,545 | 38,578 | 38,597 | 38,608 | 38,633 | 38,704 | 38,815 | 46,847 | 82.3% |
| Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (highly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | n/a |
| Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) | 62,839 | 62,838 | 62,838 | 63,096 | 63,099 | 63,113 | 63,128 | 72,597 | 86.6% |
| Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) | 2,330 | 2,330 | 2,330 | 2,338 | 2,337 | 2,337 | 2,337 | 0 | n/a |
| Lacustrine (artificial) | 2,203 | 2,158 | 2,145 | 2,075 | 1,981 | 1,765 | 1,690 | 0 | n/a |
| Lacustrine (highly modified) | 6,454 | 6,443 | 6,432 | 6,415 | 6,415 | 6,365 | 6,352 | 0 | n/a |
| Lacustrine (natural) | 125 | 125 | 125 | 125 | 125 | 125 | 125 | 217 | 57.6% |
| Lacustrine (slightly modified) | 2,009 | 2,008 | 2,008 | 1,970 | 1,974 | 1,981 | 1,916 | 0 | n/a |
| Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | n/a |
| Palustrine (artificial) | 125 | 125 | 125 | 125 | 125 | 115 | 115 | 0 | n/a |
| Palustrine (highly modified) | 399 | 399 | 399 | 400 | 382 | 382 | 370 | 0 | n/a |
| Palustrine (natural) | 6,205 | 6,209 | 6,220 | 6,223 | 6,286 | 6,297 | 6,343 | 13,070 | 47.5% |
| Palustrine (slightly modified) | 13,736 | 13,735 | 13,747 | 13,487 | 13,364 | 13,370 | 13,356 | 0 | n/a |
| Riverine (artificial) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | n/a |
| Riverine (highly modified) | 32 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | n/a |
| Riverine (natural) | 38,494 | 38,528 | 38,546 | 38,559 | 38,585 | 38,655 | 38,767 | 46,847 | 82.2% |
| Riverine (slightly modified) | 51 | 51 | 51 | 48 | 48 | 48 | 48 | 0 | n/a |
* Total 2021/pre-clear percentage excludes artificial and highly modified
View 2021 wetland system extents for all biogeographic subregions
View 2019 wetland system extents for all biogeographic subregions
View 2017 wetland system extents for all biogeographic subregions
View 2013 wetland system extents for all biogeographic subregions
View 2009 wetland system extents for all biogeographic subregions
View 2005 wetland system extents for all biogeographic subregions
View 2001 wetland system extents for all biogeographic subregions
View pre-clear wetland system extents for all biogeographic subregions
View 2021/pre-clear wetland system extent percentages for all biogeographic subregions
| Habitat | 2021 area (ha) |
2019 area (ha) |
2017 area (ha) |
2013 area (ha) |
2009 area (ha) |
2005 area (ha) |
2001 area (ha) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 58,123 | 58,126 | 58,149 | 57,924 | 57,866 | 57,892 | 57,973 |
| Mangroves - Casuarina | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mangroves - other | 27,941 | 27,940 | 27,940 | 27,953 | 27,955 | 27,955 | 27,955 |
| Salt marsh and salt flats | 9,677 | 9,677 | 9,677 | 9,698 | 9,698 | 9,706 | 9,720 |
| Arid and semi-arid saline lake | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake | 701 | 701 | 701 | 701 | 701 | 701 | 701 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake | 109 | 109 | 109 | 109 | 109 | 109 | 109 |
| Arid and semi-arid saline swamp | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp | 157 | 157 | 157 | 157 | 125 | 125 | 125 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp | 1,498 | 1,498 | 1,498 | 1,275 | 1,252 | 1,252 | 1,254 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp | 220 | 223 | 223 | 223 | 223 | 223 | 228 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp | 583 | 583 | 583 | 563 | 563 | 564 | 564 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp | 17,239 | 17,239 | 17,261 | 17,245 | 17,239 | 17,257 | 17,317 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mangroves - Casuarina (natural) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mangroves - Casuarina (slightly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mangroves - other (natural) | 27,900 | 27,900 | 27,900 | 27,912 | 27,914 | 27,914 | 27,915 |
| Mangroves - other (slightly modified) | 40 | 40 | 40 | 41 | 41 | 41 | 41 |
| Salt marsh and salt flats (natural) | 8,887 | 8,887 | 8,887 | 8,908 | 8,908 | 8,916 | 8,930 |
| Salt marsh and salt flats (slightly modified) | 790 | 790 | 790 | 790 | 790 | 790 | 790 |
| Arid and semi-arid saline lake (natural) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid saline lake (slightly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (natural) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (slightly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake (slightly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (natural) | 125 | 125 | 125 | 125 | 125 | 125 | 125 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (slightly modified) | 576 | 576 | 576 | 576 | 576 | 576 | 576 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (natural) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (slightly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (natural) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (slightly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake (natural) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (natural) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (slightly modified) | 109 | 109 | 109 | 109 | 109 | 109 | 109 |
| Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (natural) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (natural) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (natural) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (natural) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (natural) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (natural) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (natural) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) | 157 | 157 | 157 | 157 | 125 | 125 | 125 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) | 662 | 662 | 662 | 666 | 751 | 751 | 752 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) | 836 | 836 | 836 | 609 | 501 | 501 | 501 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (natural) | 199 | 203 | 203 | 203 | 203 | 203 | 207 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) | 427 | 427 | 427 | 408 | 408 | 408 | 408 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) | 155 | 155 | 155 | 155 | 155 | 155 | 155 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) | 4,618 | 4,619 | 4,631 | 4,648 | 4,657 | 4,668 | 4,703 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) | 12,620 | 12,620 | 12,631 | 12,598 | 12,582 | 12,588 | 12,614 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (natural) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (natural) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (slightly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (natural) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (slightly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (natural) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (slightly modified) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
View 2021 wetland habitat area for all biogeographic subregions
View 2019 wetland habitat area for all biogeographic subregions
View 2017 wetland habitat area for all biogeographic subregions
View 2013 wetland habitat area for all biogeographic subregions
View 2009 wetland habitat area for all biogeographic subregions
View 2005 wetland habitat area for all biogeographic subregions
View 2001 wetland habitat area for all biogeographic subregions
Disclaimer
Areas do not include marine or estuarine waters but do include estuarine wetland vegetation
(e.g. mangroves and tidal flats).
All statistics are approximate and generated based on data transformed to a customised Albers equal-area projection, thus allowing wetland extent change for different regions of Queensland to be comparable.
Areas may change over time as mapping approaches improve.
Totals may not match the sum of individually displayed figures due to the rounding of displayed figures.
Australian Land Use and Management Classification (ALUMC)
| ALUMC code and description | Area (ha) | % total area |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 765,007 | 99.6% |
| 2.1 Grazing native vegetation | 418,498 | 54.5% |
| 2.1.0 Grazing native vegetation | 418,498 | 54.5% |
| 4.3 Irrigated cropping | 101,150 | 13.2% |
| 4.3.0 Irrigated cropping | 1,324 | 0.2% |
| 4.3.3 Irrigated hay and silage | 448 | 0.1% |
| 4.3.5 Irrigated sugar | 99,372 | 12.9% |
| 4.3.9 Irrigated rice | 6 | 0.0% |
| 1.1 Nature conservation | 79,408 | 10.3% |
| 1.1.3 National park | 68,840 | 9.0% |
| 1.1.4 Natural feature protection | 8,533 | 1.1% |
| 1.1.7 Other conserved area | 2,035 | 0.3% |
| 6.5 Marsh/wetland | 55,053 | 7.2% |
| 6.5.0 Marsh/wetland | 11,670 | 1.5% |
| 6.5.1 Marsh/wetland - conservation | 2,627 | 0.3% |
| 6.5.2 Marsh/wetland - production | 10,026 | 1.3% |
| 6.5.4 Marsh/wetland - saline | 30,729 | 4.0% |
| 1.3 Other minimal use | 37,086 | 4.8% |
| 1.3.0 Other minimal use | 10,012 | 1.3% |
| 1.3.1 Defence | 8,186 | 1.1% |
| 1.3.3 Residual native cover | 18,888 | 2.5% |
| 5.4 Residential and farm infrastructure | 20,166 | 2.6% |
| 5.4.1 Urban residential | 8,144 | 1.1% |
| 5.4.2 Rural residential with agriculture | 3,629 | 0.5% |
| 5.4.3 Rural residential without agriculture | 7,273 | 0.9% |
| 5.4.4 Remote communities | 108 | 0.0% |
| 5.4.5 Farm buildings/infrastructure | 1,012 | 0.1% |
| 6.3 River | 15,228 | 2.0% |
| 6.3.0 River | 14,242 | 1.9% |
| 6.3.1 River - conservation | 984 | 0.1% |
| 6.3.3 River - intensive use | 2 | 0.0% |
| 6.2 Reservoir/dam | 9,636 | 1.3% |
| 6.2.1 Reservoir | 5,575 | 0.7% |
| 6.2.2 Water storage - intensive use/farm dams | 4,061 | 0.5% |
| 5.5 Services | 5,881 | 0.8% |
| 5.5.1 Commercial services | 809 | 0.1% |
| 5.5.2 Public services | 1,233 | 0.2% |
| 5.5.3 Recreation and culture | 3,275 | 0.4% |
| 5.5.4 Defence facilities - urban | 458 | 0.1% |
| 5.5.5 Research facilities | 106 | 0.0% |
| 5.7 Transport and communication | 4,097 | 0.5% |
| 5.7.0 Transport and communication | 1,485 | 0.2% |
| 5.7.1 Airports/aerodromes | 703 | 0.1% |
| 5.7.2 Roads | 1,223 | 0.2% |
| 5.7.3 Railways | 122 | 0.0% |
| 5.7.4 Ports and water transport | 270 | 0.0% |
| 5.7.5 Navigation and communication | 295 | 0.0% |
| 4.4 Irrigated perennial horticulture | 3,033 | 0.4% |
| 4.4.0 Irrigated perennial horticulture | 187 | 0.0% |
| 4.4.1 Irrigated tree fruits | 2,839 | 0.4% |
| 4.4.8 Irrigated citrus | 6 | 0.0% |
| 4.5 Irrigated seasonal horticulture | 2,212 | 0.3% |
| 4.5.0 Irrigated seasonal horticulture | 1,793 | 0.2% |
| 4.5.1 Irrigated seasonal fruits | 44 | 0.0% |
| 4.5.3 Irrigated seasonal vegetables and herbs | 131 | 0.0% |
| 4.5.4 Irrigated turf farming | 243 | 0.0% |
| 1.2 Managed resource protection | 1,966 | 0.3% |
| 1.2.0 Managed resource protection | 1,966 | 0.3% |
| 5.3 Manufacturing and industrial | 1,744 | 0.2% |
| 5.3.0 Manufacturing and industrial | 1,404 | 0.2% |
| 5.3.1 General purpose factory | 16 | 0.0% |
| 5.3.2 Food processing factory | 170 | 0.0% |
| 5.3.3 Major industrial complex | 114 | 0.0% |
| 5.3.4 Bulk grain storage | 6 | 0.0% |
| 5.3.5 Abattoirs | 23 | 0.0% |
| 5.3.7 Sawmill | < 1 | 0.0% |
| 5.3.8 Abandoned manufacturing and industrial | 9 | 0.0% |
| 5.8 Mining | 1,480 | 0.2% |
| 5.8.0 Mining | 263 | 0.0% |
| 5.8.2 Quarries | 585 | 0.1% |
| 5.8.3 Tailings | 512 | 0.1% |
| 5.8.4 Extractive industry not in use | 120 | 0.0% |
| 6.4 Channel/aqueduct | 1,417 | 0.2% |
| 6.4.0 Channel/aqueduct | 1,343 | 0.2% |
| 6.4.3 Stormwater | 74 | 0.0% |
| 2.2 Production native forests | 1,374 | 0.2% |
| 2.2.0 Production native forests | 1,374 | 0.2% |
| 4.2 Grazing irrigated modified pastures | 1,206 | 0.2% |
| 4.2.0 Grazing irrigated modified pastures | 1,206 | 0.2% |
| 6.1 Lake | 1,202 | 0.2% |
| 6.1.0 Lake | 226 | 0.0% |
| 6.1.1 Lake - conservation | 236 | 0.0% |
| 6.1.2 Lake - production | 603 | 0.1% |
| 6.1.3 Lake - intensive use | 6 | 0.0% |
| 6.1.4 Lake - saline | 130 | 0.0% |
| 4.1 Irrigated plantation forests | 928 | 0.1% |
| 4.1.1 Irrigated hardwood plantation forestry | 136 | 0.0% |
| 4.1.3 Irrigated other forest plantation | 792 | 0.1% |
| 3.3 Cropping | 753 | 0.1% |
| 3.3.0 Cropping | 76 | 0.0% |
| 3.3.3 Hay and silage | 676 | 0.1% |
| 5.2 Intensive animal production | 644 | 0.1% |
| 5.2.2 Feedlots | 87 | 0.0% |
| 5.2.3 Poultry farms | 30 | 0.0% |
| 5.2.4 Piggeries | 17 | 0.0% |
| 5.2.5 Aquaculture | 381 | 0.0% |
| 5.2.6 Horse studs | 103 | 0.0% |
| 5.2.7 Saleyards/stockyards | 13 | 0.0% |
| 5.2.8 Abandoned intensive animal husbandry | 12 | 0.0% |
| 5.9 Waste treatment and disposal | 350 | 0.0% |
| 5.9.0 Waste treatment and disposal | 95 | 0.0% |
| 5.9.1 Effluent pond | 11 | 0.0% |
| 5.9.2 Landfill | 196 | 0.0% |
| 5.9.3 Solid garbage | 3 | 0.0% |
| 5.9.5 Sewage | 45 | 0.0% |
| 5.6 Utilities | 179 | 0.0% |
| 5.6.0 Utilities | 4 | 0.0% |
| 5.6.1 Fuel powered electricity generation | 6 | 0.0% |
| 5.6.5 Electricity substations and transmission | 80 | 0.0% |
| 5.6.7 Water extraction and transmission | 89 | 0.0% |
| 4.6 Irrigated land in transition | 110 | 0.0% |
| 4.6.0 Irrigated land in transition | 37 | 0.0% |
| 4.6.2 Abandoned irrigated land | 67 | 0.0% |
| 4.6.5 Abandoned irrigated perennial horticulture | 6 | 0.0% |
| 3.2 Grazing modified pastures | 82 | 0.0% |
| 3.2.2 Woody fodder plants | 82 | 0.0% |
| 6.6 Estuary/coastal waters | 59 | 0.0% |
| 6.6.3 Estuary/coastal waters - intensive use | 59 | 0.0% |
| 3.4 Perennial horticulture | 24 | 0.0% |
| 3.4.0 Perennial horticulture | 19 | 0.0% |
| 3.4.1 Tree fruits | 5 | 0.0% |
| 3.1 Plantation forests | 20 | 0.0% |
| 3.1.0 Plantation forests | 6 | 0.0% |
| 3.1.1 Hardwood plantation forestry | 14 | 0.0% |
| 5.1 Intensive horticulture | 19 | 0.0% |
| 5.1.0 Intensive horticulture | 5 | 0.0% |
| 5.1.1 Production nurseries | 6 | 0.0% |
| 5.1.2 Shadehouses | 8 | 0.0% |
| 3.6 Land in transition | 3 | 0.0% |
| 3.6.3 Land under rehabilitation | 1 | 0.0% |
| 3.6.5 Abandoned perennial horticulture | 1 | 0.0% |
Drainage divisions
Drainage basins
Drainage sub-basins
Regional natural resource management (NRM) bodies
Local government areas
100K map tiles
Climate zones
Bioregions
IBRA bioregions
IBRA subregions
Bioregional assessment areas
Marine meso-scale bioregions
Marine provincial bioregions
Regional plans
World Heritage areas
Ramsar internationally important wetlands
DIWA nationally important wetlands
- Abbot Point - Caley Valley
- Barrattas Channels Aggregation
- Bowling Green Bay
- Burdekin-Bowen Junction and Blue Valley Weir Aggregation
- Burdekin Delta
- Burdekin - Townsville Coastal Aggregation
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
- Haughton Balancing Storage Aggregation
- Jerona Aggregation
- Junction of the Bogie River and Kirknie Creek Aggregation
- RAAF Townsville
- Ross River Reservoir
- Southern Upstart Bay
- The Serpentine Aggregation
- Wongaloo Fans Aggregation
- Wongaloo Swamps Aggregation
National parks
Marine parks (Queensland)
Study areas
Report cards
Conservation parks
- Abbot Bay Conservation Park
- Bolger Bay Conservation Park
- Bowling Green Bay Conservation Park
- Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park
- Horseshoe Bay Lagoon Conservation Park
- Horseshoe Lagoon Conservation Park
- Magnetic Island Conservation Park 1
- Magnetic Island Conservation Park 2
- Townsville Town Common Conservation Park
- Wongaloo Conservation Park
State forests
Forest reserves
Resources reserves
Timber reserves
Fish habitat areas
Coastal management district
Nature refuges
Freshwater biogeographic provinces
Aquatic Conservation Assessments (AquaBAMM) and others
Wetland (aquatic ecosystem) type—conceptual models
- Coastal and subcoastal floodplain grass, sedge, herb swamp
- Coastal and subcoastal floodplain lake
- Coastal and subcoastal floodplain tree swamp–Melaleuca spp. and Eucalyptus spp.
- Coastal and subcoastal non-floodplain grass sedge and herb swamp
- Coastal and subcoastal non-floodplain soil lake
- Coastal and subcoastal non-floodplain tree swamp—Melaleuca spp. and Eucalyptus spp.
Wetland (aquatic ecosystem) type—management profiles
Groundwater dependent ecosystem type—conceptual models
Healthy Land and Water conceptual models
Water resource planning areas
Aquatic ecosystem monitoring programs
- Aerial surveys of waterbirds in eastern Australia
- Black Ross (Townsville) water quality improvement plan event monitoring
- Creek to Coral community monitoring
- Environmental flows assessment program (EFAP)
- Framework for the assessment of river and wetland health (FARWH) – Queensland trials
- Groundwater ambient network (GWAN) – water quality
- Groundwater water level network
- Long term historical trend water quality monitoring data
- Reef Plan paddock to reef integrated monitoring, modelling and reporting program (Paddock to Reef program)
- Queensland wetland mapping
- Stream and estuary assessment program (SEAP) – freshwater
- Surface water ambient network (SWAN) – water quality
- Surface water monitoring network
- The Lakes environmental and ecosystem health
Point source monitoring
Wetland soil indicator case studies
Wetland management case studies
Wetland projects
Barratta Creek wetlands
Bioreactors for GBR - Cane
Building resilience in the Burdekin grazing industry
Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM Regional Investment Strategy (RIS) 2004-2008 Final Report
Burdekin Shire Council - Aquatic Weed Control
Clean up Magnetic Island significant creeks and riparian areas
Community-led coastal environmental inventory and monitoring program
Coordinated regional pest and weed management in the Burdekin Dry Tropics
Crooked Waterhole - restoration of Great Barrier Reef wetlands and coastal ecosystems
Delivering Biodiversity Dividends for the Barratta Creek Catchment
Healey’s Lagoon wetland rehabilitation
Horseshoe Lagoon wetland rehabilitation
Improving landscape resilience in the important sugar production area of the Lower Burdekin Delta
Initiation of a Lower Burdekin Water Quality and Salinity Management Program
Landscape Resilience—Improving Coastal Wetland Ecosystems Through Improved Understanding of Best Irrigation Management Practice in the Lower Burdekin
Landscape Resilience in the important sugar production area of the Lower Burdekin Delta
NQ Dry Tropics Community Landcare Grants (2015–16)
NQ Dry Tropics Community Landcare Grants (2016–17)
Nutrient management in barramundi ponds
On-farm wetland demonstration site–Lower Burdekin
Prawn Farming - Productivity Trial
Proof of Concept: determining the role of a constructed surface-flow treatment wetland system in improving water quality in the Barratta Creek Catchment
Protecting and revitalising the natural and cultural aspects of the Juru Walk Precinct
Restoring wetland function at Spotswood Lagoon
Revitalising Estuaries: Jerona Bund
Ross River Community weed control
Sea Turtle Volunteer Stranding Response Coordination
Serpentine wetland rehabilitation
Stuart Creek wetland rehabilitation
Sun Sun Prawn Aquaculture Farm rehabilitation
Systems repair in the Lower Burdekin
Townsville Riparian Revegetation Project
Turning creek weeds into compost in the Lower Burdekin
Virtual Bus Tour: Conjunctive use dewatering bore to address a rising groundwater problem
West Haughton Denitrification Bioreactor
Wetland habitat exotic aquatic weed control
Whitsunday Integrated Pest Management to Protect Wetlands of National Significance
Wongaloo-Bowling Green Bay Parks rehabilitation and management
Area specific conceptual model case studies
Paddock to Reef (P2R) report cards
Water Quality Improvement Plan catchments
EPP (Water) scheduled environmental values and water quality objectives
Shorebird zones
Biopassage structures
Related legislation/policies
Wildlife
|
Kingdom
Class
|
Native | Introduced | Wetland indicator species |
Rare or threatened species |
All |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL | 2,602 | 378 | 410 | 75 | 2,981 |
| Animals | 827 | 34 | 213 | 59 | 861 |
| Mammals | 88 | 14 | 6 | 10 | 102 |
| Birds | 431 | 9 | 95 | 33 | 440 |
| Reptiles | 155 | 2 | 23 | 10 | 157 |
| Amphibians | 31 | 1 | 13 | 2 | 32 |
| Ray-finned fishes | 56 | 7 | 62 | 1 | 63 |
| Cartilaginous fishes | 6 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 6 |
| Insects | 57 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 58 |
| Malacostracans | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Bacteria | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Chromists | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Fungi | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Plants | 1,742 | 344 | 197 | 16 | 2,087 |
Note: Wildlife statistics are based on information that has been submitted to the DETSI WildNet database and converted to a 10km² grid. The grid information has been intersected with the mapping polygons to determine the species lists. Click here to view the species grid metadata.
Information from WildNet can also be accessed via Wildlife Online and WetlandMaps.
Rare or threatened includes species listed as extinct, extinct in the wild, critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or conservation dependent under either the Nature Conservation Act or Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
Disclaimer: While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this product, the Queensland Government and Australian Government make no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaim all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which might be incurred as a consequence of reliance on the product, or as a result of the product being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason.
This page should be cited as:
Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2013) Townsville Plains biogeographic subregion — facts and maps, WetlandInfo website, accessed 8 May 2025. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/facts-maps/biogeographic-subregion-townsville-plains/


— Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation