Shoalwater and Corio Bays Ramsar Area

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Conservation

On-ground work, Planning

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Australian Government Regional Delivery 2013-18

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1 July 2013

30 June 2018

Key threats to the ecological character of the Shoalwater and Corio Bays Ramsar wetlands, including pest plants and animals and inappropriate vehicle usage, will be addressed in partnership with the land managers Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Defence, the Darumbal Traditional Owner Group, and other stakeholders.

Pest plants and animals and inappropriate recreational use of sensitive habitats have been identified as significant threats to the Shoalwater and Corio Bays Ramsar areas. These will be addressed throughout the sub project to protect and conserve the ecological character and values of the Ramsar site and associated nationally-listed species and ecosystems. Pest control activities are likely to include aerial shooting, trapping, baiting, direct chemical control and manual weed removal.

The capacity of Indigenous communities to conserve and protect natural resources will be enhanced by facilitating indigenous participation in the development of a management plan for the Shoalwater and Corio Bays Ramsar area. Awareness raising events will incorporate the opportunity for traditional owners to communicate cultural traditional knowledge of the Ramsar area, and become involved in the planning and delivery of the events.

The project will also focus on improving the communities' understanding of the impact of recreational use on sensitive coastal habitats in the area. Community groups and volunteers will be involved in the delivery of this sub-project through participation in awareness-raising activities aimed at increasing knowledge of the environmental values of Corio Bay. Topics covered will include threatened species in the region and information on the high species diversity and large populations of waterbirds, migratory shorebirds, turtles, dugong and fish, which use the area at different life history stages. Volunteers may also participate in on-ground restoration activities such as sand fencing to reduce dune erosion and revegetation at Corio Bay to improve diversity and increase native habitat value. Strategies to reduce threats to these sensitive areas, including reducing the impact from recreational use through undesignated access and vehicle impacts, is a key component of this project.

Because of the relevant experience and expertise available, and the sensitivities involved in delivering projects on Defence land, this sub project will be primarily implemented through third party arrangements (direct and indirect grants). FBA will provide contract management, administrative and facilitation services.

This project will:

• reduce weed and feral animal impacts  throughout the Ramsar site
• increase indigenous involvement with the Ramsar area and it's other stakeholders through the management planning process and other project activities
• increase public awareness of the site and its assets
• improve dune habitat resulting from restoration and prevention of further illegal 4WD entry.

Aerial shooting of feral pigs is more effective in the open areas of the Ramsar site than baiting; baiting is preferred where tree cover prevents aerial control.

Utilising social media to engage the public about dune restoration, as well as implementing the on-ground works, has proved successful

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