Saltfields, Creating the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary
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Saltfields Creating the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary Our vision We will create an internationally important conservation area on the fringes of Adelaide that safeguards migratory birds, improves the health of Gulf St Vincent and supports sustainable urban development. The opportunity 4 What we are trying to solve 5 What we have done so far 6 What we are going to do 7 Why this is good for South Australia 7 How this fits with the government’s priorities 8 The evidence 10 Some background 10 Gulf St Vincent 10 Land use and rehabilitation requirements 10 Internationally important migratory shorebirds 10 Dry Creek: an important flyway hub 12 Threatened and unique habitat 13 Declining water quality in the gulf 13 Green infrastructure 13 It all adds up: a strategic and timely opportunity 14 Conserving internationally important shorebird habitat 14 Network of aquatic and terrestrial conservation areas 14 Improving water quality 14 Green space supporting sustainable urban development 14 Time to act 15 The proposal 17 Conserving the Adelaide hub of the international migratory bird flyway 17 Enhancing water quality in Gulf St Vincent 17 Creating a more liveable and sustainable city 18 Offering exclusive eco-tourism experiences 20 Facilitating Indigenous involvement 20 Next steps 21 References 23 Saltfields 3 The opportunity 4 Saltfields What we are trying to solve The saltfields are listed as being Since the 1930s, the saltfields that stretch 35 kilometres along the Gulf St Vincent coastline, from Dry Creek in the south to of national and international Middle Beach in the north, have been used to provide brine significance for migratory shorebirds for the commercial production of soda ash. From June 2013, all salt production at Dry Creek ceased with that travel annually to Australia the closure of the Penrice soda ash factory. This change in land along the East Asian-Australasian use presents both challenges and opportunities. Flyway (Bamford et al. 2008), in The past 80 years have seen the saltfields develop into a patchwork of artificial and natural wetlands, providing a particular the red-necked stint and diverse range of habitat for migratory birds that travel annually to Australia from the northern hemisphere. the sharp-tailed sandpiper. With the removal of commercial salt production, some ponds are likely to dry out if water is no longer pumped through The flyway passes through them, with the possible risk of acid sulphate soil formation, 22 countries with about 55 while others might be reopened to the sea and become tidal. These changes are likely to affect important roosting and migratory species, a total of five feeding areas of migratory bird species and could result in disturbing odours affecting the amenity of the area and million birds travelling along it local residents. If no action is taken and the site is not managed in an integrated fashion, the drying of ponds and potential emergence of acid sulphate soils could have high remediation costs. These changes would also severely jeopardise conservation values by fragmenting land and degrading habitat, which is likely to lead to contravention of our conservation obligations under legislation and international agreements. The conservation significance of this area has been elevated by the destruction and disturbance of similar habitat elsewhere along the gulf and worldwide decline in migratory shorebird habitat. Additionally, water quality issues in Gulf St Vincent need to be addressed. Pollution from stormwater, wastewater and industrial discharges is a major cause of poor water quality along Adelaide’s metropolitan beaches and is contributing to coastal habitat loss. A plan is needed that capitalises on the change in land use at the saltfields in a manner that will improve environmental quality and the amenity of the area, and maintain the commercial and recreational values of the gulf including some of the state’s most significant fisheries. The area also includes two aquatic reserves – The Barker Inlet- What we have done so far St Kilda and St Kilda-Chapman Creek Aquatic Reserves – that are managed under the Fisheries Management Act 2007. The South Australian Government has long been committed These were established to conserve mangrove and seagrass to protecting Gulf St Vincent and its varied and unique coastal communities and to protect nursery areas for several important and marine ecosystems, recognising the area as a valuable commercial and recreational fish species. The reserves also asset to South Australia. Numerous initiatives and protection support important saltmarsh habitat. mechanisms are in place – both terrestrial and aquatic – that affect the saltfields area and provide a strong foundation Two conservation parks in the vicinity – the Port Gawler and for this proposal. These include a marine park, the Adelaide Torrens Island Conservation Parks – protect important saltmarsh Dolphin Sanctuary, aquatic reserves and conservation parks. and mangrove habitats. The Torrens Island Conservation Park lies adjacent to the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. The Upper Gulf St Vincent Marine Park spans the waters of the upper reaches of the Gulf and is one of the state’s There has also been attention to identify and address the network of 19 marine parks. The park features wetlands of causes of declining water quality. The recently released national importance, including the Light River Delta, which is Adelaide Coastal Water Quality Improvement Plan (EPA 2013) considered one of the most ecologically intact mangrove and sets targets and makes recommendations for improving water saltmarsh systems in South Australia. The park also protects a quality and the health of aquatic ecosystems in the gulf, major fish nursery and spawning ground and is a favoured area including taking a more integrated approach to managing and for recreational boating and fishing. treating wastewater and stormwater. The plan builds on and complements the Adelaide Coastal Waters Study (EPA 2013), The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary is a multiple-use conservation which was initiated by the Environment Protection Authority area established under the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Act in 2001, in response to concerns about declining water quality 2005. It covers 118 km2 including Port Adelaide, Barker Inlet, in Gulf St Vincent. The success of the plan relies on multiple Outer Harbor and North Haven. While the sanctuary has a government and non-government partners working together. clear focus on protecting dolphins and their habitats, the protection afforded by the sanctuary also helps improve habitat for other species including shorebirds. The sanctuary’s landward boundary includes many areas of shorebird habitat. 6 Saltfields © Marine Life Society of South Australia What we are going to do Why this is good The South Australian Government is committed to creating an for South Australia extensive conservation sanctuary over the former Dry Creek saltfields. This will fulfil our international, national and state The Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary will provide an environmental obligations and will secure social, economic extensive area of habitat within close proximity of Adelaide and environmental benefits for South Australia. The following that will deliver significant benefits to the state. initiatives are proposed: The sanctuary’s focus on protecting significant migratory shorebirds will elevate South Australia’s status nationally and 1. Protect the Adelaide hub of the international internationally as an important contributor to worldwide migratory bird ‘flyway’ shorebird conservation and support the Australian Government in achieving its international obligations. Establish the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary along a 60 kilometre stretch of the Gulf St Vincent Broader ecological benefits of the proposal, including a coastline from Barker Inlet in the south to Port cleaner, more liveable city, and improved water quality in the Parham in the north. gulf, will enhance the quality of life for all South Australians. Creating a green corridor that supports a healthy environment 2. Enhance water quality in Gulf St Vincent will improve air quality, water quality and amenity – benefits that will extend beyond the reserve boundary. Provide local councils and SA Water with the opportunity to manage and treat stormwater and The creation of the coastal reserve will provide green Bolivar wastewater before it is discharged to the gulf. infrastructure that will help protect against sea level rise and storm surges, and support the liveability and sustainability of 3. Create a more liveable and sustainable city residential development in northern Adelaide. Create a network of natural green space on the The sanctuary will also boost the state’s tourism industry by fringes of the northern Adelaide Plains that will allow attracting bird enthusiasts from around the world, marketed stormwater recycling, absorb carbon dioxide and as providing high-end, exclusive wildlife experiences. It will enhance the amenity and attractiveness of the region. also provide opportunities to respect Indigenous knowledge and involve Aboriginal people in the development and 4. Provide exclusive eco-tourism experiences implementation of the sanctuary. Provide opportunities for developing exclusive, high- end tourism experiences with a focus on national and international birdwatchers. 5. Offer opportunities for Indigenous involvement Employ and engage Aboriginal people and use Indigenous knowledge to develop and implement environmental