Wetland Conservation at Esperance WA

Recommendations for the Management of the of the Mortijinup Lakes

A report produced by Green Skills for the Natural Heritage Trust and the Water and Rivers Commission

by project officer Kevin Hopkinson

February 2001

1 Acknowledgments

Green Skills and the Water and Rivers Commission would like to thank the following people for their involvement and assistance with the production of this report.

Jamie Bowyer, Catchment Support Officer, Agriculture for providing advice and initial contacts with landholders.

All the landholders that permitted sites visits including Alan Paterson, Ken Crawford, Jeff Halford, David Johnson, John Sharpe, Barry Rollond, Ron Padgurskis, Elaine Campbell, Herb and Avis Montgomery.

Staff from CALM Esperance, in particular Tilo Massenbauer, Lake Warden Recovery Catchment Project Manager.

Support and advice from Water and Rivers Commission staff particularly Regional Manager, South Coast region Naomi Arrowsmith

Support and advice from Green Skills staff including Assistant Coordinator Basil Schur and Louise Duxbury.

Field work, photography and report compilation by Kevin Hopkinson.

2 Do you have any comments or feedback you would like to give?

This report is intended to generate community discussion as to the most practical and effective management practices that can be incorporated into the catchment planning activities of the Mortijinup Lakes Catchment area.

If you have any comments on the recommendations provided in this report, we would like to hear from you. Comments can be directed to:

Kevin Hopkinson Wetland Project Officer PO Box 525 Albany WA 6330 Ph :98410114 Fax :98421204 Email : [email protected]

3 Table of Contents

1.0 Project background…………………………………………. 1

2.0 Introduction…………………………………………………. 2

3.0 Mortijinup Lake suite – Physical description……………….. 3

4.0 Geological History of the area……………………………… 4

5.0 Hydrology…………………………………………………… 5

6.0 Significance of the Mortijinup Lake Wetlands………………… 6

6.1 -Regional and national……………………………… 6 6.2 -local………………………………………………… 7

7.0 Threats-……………………………………………………… 7

7.1 Eutrophication/sedimentation ……………………… 8 7.2 Inundation/waterlogging……………………………. 8 7.3 Salinity……………………………………………… 9 7.4 Grazing by livestock………………………………… 9 7.5 Feral Animals……………………………………….. 9 7.6 Weeds ………………………………………………. 10 7.7 Other threats ………………………………………. 10

8.0 Catchment Management Recommendations………… 11

Wetland Monitoring…………………………………………. 11 Action plan for Kateup Creek……………………………….. 12 Action plan for Telegraph Rd Creek………………………… 13

9.0 Conclusion…………………………………………………… 14

References…………………………………………………… 15

4 Recommendations for the Management of the Mortijinup Lake Wetlands Esperance, South Coast region of WA.

1.0 Summary and Project Background

The Water and Rivers Commission (WRC) is currently developing a regional water resources allocation plan for the Esperance ground water area. One of the components of this plan is to develop an understanding of the environmental significance of the wetlands of the area through a regional survey.

During 1999, the WRC initiated a regional survey and evaluation of the wetlands of the entire South Coast Region between Walpole and Esperance. The survey for the Esperance region was conducted by Ecologia Environmental Consultants and the last draft of the report was released in November, 1999.

The objectives of the report were to: • Identify regionally significant wetlands • Assign management categories and describe environmental values of these wetlands • Identify high priority wetlands and describe threatening processes and appropriate management action • Promote protection and enhancement of these wetlands. (Ecologia, 1999)

The regional survey and evaluation of wetlands is part of a broader wetland conservation project being undertaken by the Water and Rivers Commission and community group Green Skills.

The aim of the project is to focus on catchment areas within suites of significant or outstanding wetlands that have been identified in the survey by Ecologia (1999), and assisting those communities to develop and implement wetland management plans that integrate into existing catchment activities.

The Mortijinup Lake catchment was targeted due to the wetlands of the area being: 1. Threatened or at risk, 2. Locally outstanding and nationally significant, and 3. The opportunity available to work with the community and other agencies (AgWest and CALM) to incorporate wetland management into farm and catchment planning activities.

NHT funding has been secured to provide limited on ground support for wetland fencing, revegetation and strategic earthworks. The project also includes a regional wetland monitoring program and an education component aimed at raising community awareness to the values and threats to South Coast wetlands.

This report documents the significant wetlands of the project area, explains the threatening processes that place these wetlands at risk of degradation, and includes management recommendations where appropriate. Details of revegetation and fencing demonstration projects established during 2000 are included, to provide an example of wetland rehabilitation for other landholders to follow (Appendix 2,4).

5 2.0 Introduction

The study area for this report is located approximately 20km to the west of Esperance, on the eastern south coast of WA. (Appendix 1)

Climate The area experiences a Mediterranean climate with cool wet winters and warm to hot, dry summers. Annual rainfall is approximately 620mm at Esperance, with 410mm at Scaddan, 50km to the north. Summer rainfall is infrequent but can be substantial as a result of summer thunderstorm activity and the remnants of tropical cyclones. Annual pan evaporation is 1600mm. Monthly pan evaporation is less than rainfall 7 months of the year (Ecologia 1999).

Land Use Land use ranges from sheep grazing and cropping to cattle grazing and timber plantations closer to the coast. Pre 1995 the dominant tree species planted for timber were maritime pines (Pinus pinaster). Since the mid to late 90’s, increasing areas of the higher rainfall area have been planted to Tasmanian bluegum (Eucalyptus globulus) plantations.

Report Focus The focus area of this study is the catchment of two creek lines that drain into a group of wetlands adjoining the coastal reserve. The creeks are the Kateup Creek (24km in length) and an unnamed system that is referred to as Telegraph Creek (12km) for the purposes of this report.

The creeks drain into wetlands that share a range of similar characteristics and attributes. These wetlands include Mortijinup Lake, Lake Nambarup and Nambarup west swamp and were identified as being regionally significant in the regional evaluation of wetlands of the South Coast region. The evaluation classified the group as the Mortijinup Lake suite of wetlands, named after the largest lake of the group (Ecologia 1999).

The Mortijinup Lake suite contains a range of wetlands that occur in CALM nature reserve. All nature reserves are vested in the National Parks and Nature Conservation Authority (NPNCA), and are managed on its behalf by the Department of CALM (CALM 1999).

The wetlands in these reserves have been identified as important habitat for a number of waterbirds. The system is a major breeding area for the little Black Cormorant, and is the principal refuge area in the region for the threatened Freckled Duck (ANCA 1996).

Management of the wetlands in the CALM reserve will depend upon a number of catchment based measures:

• Immediate protection of creeks and other wetlands on private property through fencing, exclusion of stock and control of feral animals. • Establishment of a vegetated buffer along watercourses to filter surface runoff and remove sediments and nutrients. • Rehabilitation of degraded sites through revegetation with native species. • Implementation of catchment activities that will stabilise the hydrology of the catchment and restore the water balance of the wetlands such as perennial pastures and commercial timber plantations.

6 3.0 Mortijinup Lake suite-physical description

Size The Mortijinup Lake Nature reserve is approximately 750ha in area, including the larger lakes Mortijinup (400ha) and Nambarup (110ha). The wetlands in the reserve form a system that is connected or linked through a series of marshes, lakes and small creeks and drains. Type The wetlands vary in size from mesoscale (approx. 500m-1000m across) to macroscale (1km-10km across), and vary between lakes (permanent water) to sumplands (seasonal).

Water Quality Water in the wetlands varies from being fresh/marginal to brackish in the swamps, and brackish to saline in the lakes, depending upon the time of year and . Despite some fresh groundwater contributions, water quality is linked very closely with the runoff from the catchment and creek lines. Algal blooms in recent years caused by nutrient enriched sediments from the catchment highlight the significance of the creek contributions to the health of the wetlands.

Landscape The surrounding landscape is varied. Mortijinup lake is separated from the marsh to the east by a sand dune, and sections of the lakes, including most of Nambarup, are fringed by limestone bluffs, a feature unique to these coastal wetlands.

Vegetation The surrounding buffer vegetation of the wetlands borders privately owned property to the north. At this point the reserve is narrow and is only 100m wide in some parts. The reserve is more substantial to the south where there is up to 1km of vegetation running down to the coast.

The dominant vegetation community surrounding the wetlands is fringing forest and scrub of salt paperbark Melaleuca cuticularis, with dense stands of sedgeland including jointed twig rush (Baumea articulata), sheath twig rush (B.vaginalis), and coast saw sedge (Gahnia trifida).

Catchment Area The catchment draining into the wetland system is approximately 29300 ha. Over 27000 ha of this area is cleared farmland, leaving less than 5% of the catchment with remnant vegetation (Gee & Simons, 1997).

A significant feature of the catchment is Helms Forestry Reserve, a CALM reserve located at the watershed of the top of the Kateup Creek and the nearby eastern draining catchments. This covers over 3700ha and is the major stand of vegetation in the catchment.

Corridors Kateup creek serves as an important corridor between this reserve and the wetlands near the coast, it is therefore essential the creek and its fringing vegetation is protected and enhanced to help fauna (and associated flora) move across the catchment.

Fortunately the creek is close to being totally protected with a large fencing program due for completion this summer. Credit must be given to the landholders along the Kateup creek, who have worked together to secure NHT funding to assist them with the aim of completely fencing the entire length of the creek. 7 4.0 Geological history of the Area

The southern portion of Western Australia is underlain by basement rock from two geological units-the Yilgarn Craton and the Albany Fraser Oregon.

The boundary between these two formations is not well defined east of Ravensthorpe, however it would appear the area of this study is underlain by the younger Albany –Fraser formation (Ecologia 1999).

Antarctica began to break away from Australia 135 million years ago resulting in the sagging of the continental shelf area. Fluctuating sea levels over the following 60 million years resulted in the deposition of material that formed the Bremer Basin. This basin extends right along the South Coast and well offshore into the present sea bed.

The tertiary sediments that have since filled the Bremer basin region consist of sands overlying material known as the Plantagenet group. This group consists of material from two origins – the lower laying Werillup formation and the overlying Pallinup siltstone

The Werillup formation consists of dark clays, coarse sands, siltstone, lignite (coal) and sandstones and has infilled low lying drainage depressions and channels in the underlying ancient bedrock.

The Pallinup siltstone was formed during a shallow marine environment and consists of siltstones, sandstones and spongolite.

The Pallinup siltstone sits higher in the landscape and may overly either the Werrilup formation or lay directly over the basement bedrock.

About 30 million years ago the Darling Plateau began to be uplifted, resulting in the Southern Coastline tilting towards the south and forming the extensive Ravensthorpe Ramp. The tilting of the ramp initiated the southward drainage that is seen in the near coastal region today. Eroded coastal sediments were transported inland to form sand sheets and dunes. Continued wind and wave action during the last geological period up to 2 million years ago has led to deposition of coastal sand dunes and development of the inland sandplain. (Keen 1992).

Deposits of river borne (alluvial) material at the lower reaches of old rivers such as the Dalyup has formed impermeable layers on the plains at the termination of the southward flowing rivers, where the coastal dunes have formed a barrier between the rivers and the sea. This has led to the creation of extensive areas of wetlands, including the chains of lakes found in the Mortijinup, Warden and Gore systems (Ecologia 1999).

Underground processes and the action of the wind have formed wetlands of the inland sandplain region. Leaching of carbonates in Pallinup siltstones has caused collapsing of sediments and led to localised slumping, forming the wetland basins found across the region today.

Wind blowing across the sandplain has scoured surface sand from these basins and other flat lying terrain, enhancing the basins and exposing clays and forming claypans common to much of the sandplain area.

8 5.0 Hydrology of the Mortijinup wetlands

Water movement through the catchment depends on the gradient of the land surface and the groundwater, the hydraulic conductivity (the ability for water to travel through a soil) of the landform and the ability of the soil to store water.

The upper catchment areas are dominated by soils of the Esperance Land system. (Ecologia, 1999). This land unit is characterised by ancient bedrock overlaid by a zone of weathered bedrock and tertiary sediments. This zone of material overlying the bedrock is referred to as the regolith. Simons (2000) compares the regolith to a sponge sitting on a solid block of concrete (ie basement rock).

Most soils of the Esperance Sandplain are known as duplex soils, where a layer of sand overlays a thicker layer of clay. The upper (A) horizon allows easy infiltration of water which is perched above the more impermeable clay layer. This horizon can fill quickly and cause waterlogging and associated problems.

The coastal wetlands that comprise the Mortijinup lakes are a reflection of a perched water table that receives flow from three sources:

• Rainfall percolates through the sands of the coastal dunes and recharges the watertable within the dune system. This sandy lens of discharges through the interface with dune and wetland and will seasonally flow into the wetland system. • Surface runoff from the catchment is received via the creeks that feed the system, in this case the Kateup and Telegraph creeks. • Ground water flowing from the upper catchment towards the coast discharges into the wetlands, this flow may be negligible, however, due to the low hydraulic conductivities of the tertiary sediments containing the groundwater.

Water is lost from the wetlands due to:

• Evaporation from summer heat and wind • Evapotranspiration from fringing wetland vegetation • Discharge of wetland into ground water, primarily through the contact with the permeable sands of the coastal dunes.

Both Mortijinup and Nambarup lakes and Nambarup West swamp are thought to be near permanent. Nambarup West Swamp is considered the deeper of the water bodies, with depths possibly exceeding 3m at times. Water depths in Mortijinup may exceed 2m in winter, with large areas of northern and eastern shoreline exposed as sand flats and extensive shallows during summer and autumn.

The marsh to the east of Mortijinup Lake is thought to be seasonal, indicating it may be buffered from flooding by the nearby large lakes. Maximum water depth is around 1m.

Records do indicate Nambarup West Swamp has been wetter in recent years. Following the wet winter of 1986, this wetland was extensively flooded until autumn 1989, when only the section against the range held water; similar flooding probably occurred in the winter of 1989 (ANCA 1996).

9 6.0 Significance of the Mortijinup wetlands

6.1 Regional and National Significance

Following the regional evaluation of wetlands, the Mortijinup suite wetlands have been identified as being both regionally significant and outstanding at a national level due to a number of features. These features range from: • the size and type of the wetlands, • the landscape setting to which they belong, and • the refuge they provide to waterbirds.

In 1993 a national project between the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments produced the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia. The directory lists Australia’s nationally important wetlands, featuring a range of wetland types and locations.

The Mortijinup lakes system is listed in the directory, cited as “A good example of a system of relatively undisturbed coastal lakes of south-western Australia, exhibiting a diversity of hydrological and vegetation characteristics”.

This national recognition is important and underlines the need for protection of these unique systems.

The wetlands in the Mortijinup Lake suite have been regularly monitored and surveyed by CALM and Birds Australia between 1981-1991, due to the large number of water birds that roost, nest and moult in the area. The wetlands have also been surveyed as part of the CALM waterfowl counts conducted annually in South Western Australia during 1988-1992.

A total of 39 species of bird have been recorded in the area, including 7 that are on international treaties. For example:

• The wetlands are the principal known refuge area for Freckled Duck Stictonetta naevosa in the bioregion.

• At least 400 pairs of Little Black Cormorant bred in paperbarks at Nambarup West Swamp from spring 1986 to autumn 1987. This colony is the largest known in South- Western Australia outside the Swan Coastal Plain and the fourth largest in WA (ANCA 1996).

6.2 Local Significance

10 The wetlands are significant on a local scale for a variety of reasons. The large nature reserves include remnant vegetation that provides a valuable area of diverse habitat that adds significantly to the area’s fauna and flora refuge qualities.

Access to the lakes is difficult. The only obvious tracks enter through private property and there appears to be few breaks in the shoreline vegetation. Human interference in the direct vicinity of the lakes is considered minimal.

This rarely-visited chain of lakes has considerable aesthetic value. It is relatively undisturbed, has stark white beaches that contrast with the lake waters and impenetrable coastal scrub, and is overlooked by high, shifting white dunes (ANCA 1996).

Nambarup Lake is considered unique because it is enclosed by limestone bluffs which is an uncommon feature of wetlands in South-Western Australia.

The vegetation of the lakes area is particularly significant because much of it remains pristine and not visibly affected by catchment processes related to clearing (salinity, waterlogging) seen in other stands of remnant vegetation in the region. The melaleuca forest in Nambarup West Swamp is probably the largest in the Esperance district not degraded by salinisation (ANCA 1996).

7.0 Threats to the Mortijinup lakes

Wetlands and waterways in southern Western Australia are under threat from changing water quality and degradation of fringing vegetation. Changes to water quality have occurred through increasing salinity, eutrophication and sedimentation. These changes are directly attributable to catchment clearing (Schofield, 1989).

Removal of native vegetation through clearing results in changes to the groundwater regime, with less groundwater being utilised through deep rooted vegetation, and more surface runoff discharging into waterways. This increase in catchment water has further degraded wetland vegetation through waterlogging.

Rising groundwater and associated waterlogging and salinisation, combined with grazing by introduced animals, is responsible for much of the decline in vegetation seen in wetlands and waterways across southern Western Australia (Olsen & Skitmore, 1991).

There are a broad range of these processes that likewise threaten the wetlands of the Mortijinup lakes.

7.1 Eutrophication and sedimentation

11 Observations made by local landholders in recent years indicate that the wetlands of the Mortijinup lakes have been subject to algal blooms at certain times during summer. This would indicate the wetlands have become nutrient enriched, receiving an input of phosphorous, nitrogen and organic material from catchment runoff.

The loss of fringing vegetation along waterways together with increased run off from catchment clearing results in the transport of nutrient rich sediments (Olsen & Skitmore, 1991) which consequently flow into the wetlands.

Nutrients in the form of nitrogen, phosphorous and organic matter may be washed down the catchment in concentration after a summer storm or high rainfall event. Some nitrogen and phosphorous may be taken up by biological processes, however most will settle into the sediments of the lake.

Inorganic or dissolved phosphorous is bonded (adsorbs) to soil particles and is readily transported with mobilised sediment (George et al 1996).

Inorganic or dissolved nitrogen occurs as ammonium, nitrate and nitrite. Ammonium adsorbs to soil particles, but is slowly oxidised to nitrite. Both nitrate and nitrite are highly soluble and easily transported by water (George et al 1996).

Organic matter is broken down and decayed by microbial activity. If large quantities of organic matter are present, the decomposition process will dramatically reduce dissolved oxygen levels in the water, making conditions unsuitable for most aquatic fauna. Low concentrations of oxygen in the water will then trigger the release of nutrients previously stored in the sediments which may cause algal blooms.

Algal blooms are dependent on a combination of the right conditions of nutrient availability, temperature, and light. During summer, physical conditions for blooms become suitable and so rely upon suitable levels of nutrients being available.

Algal blooms have harmful effects on aquatic flora and fauna. Plants will suffer from shading and reduced light penetration. Some algae contain toxins that harm fish and water birds. The blooms also utilise large amounts of oxygen from the water, both during night time respiration and as they decompose after the bloom collapses.

Sediment build up in wetlands can also physically threaten wetland function. As wetland basins fill with sediment they become shallower and so flood further and further outwards, effectively drowning fringing vegetation. Sedimentation combined with rising water tables are believed responsible for the increased water levels and vegetation decline in nearby Lake Gore (Komarzynski, 2000).

7.2 Inundation/waterlogging

Increased runoff through catchment clearing has meant more water is flowing from the catchment, particularly after high rainfall events.

With internally drained catchments such as the Mortijinup lakes wetlands, a threat exists to the health of the wetlands from water quantity as well as water quality. Pen (1997) cites wetland drowning through prolonged flooding as a problem that is particularly pertinent for internally drained wetland systems.

The larger lakes of the area have become near permanent due to this excess catchment water.

12 7.3 Salinity

Salinity of the wetlands is occurring through salts being washed down waterways from salt affected areas higher in the catchment. These upper catchment outbreaks are caused by rising ground water.

The dominant vegetation of the wetlands is saltwater paperbark, Melaleuca cuticularis. Froend (pers comm, 1999) has shown in glass house seedling tests that this species will tolerate wet, poorly drained sites and can withstand salinity levels in excess of 2000mS/m.

At present the large quantities of fresher water in the wetlands buffer the more saline catchment run off, to the extent the fringing vegetation is not under any obvious stress from salinity.

There is a real threat to the ecological function of the wetlands from steadily rising water table levels as the upper catchment becomes increasingly saline. Salinity and waterlogging combine to synergistically act together and cause more stress to plants than either factor on its own (Pen, 1997).

The rises in catchment salinity that have taken place in recent years are of concern and indicate that significant catchment based works are required to utilise more of the rainfall that hits the ground in an effort to stabilise and lower ground water levels.

7.4 Grazing by livestock

The wetlands in the study area are fenced to prevent stock access, so grazing by livestock is not a threat to the wetland vegetation. In particular, the wetlands have always been protected, and so have buffers of high quality, diverse vegetation within them.

Of importance is the width of the buffering vegetation that has been included within the nature reserves. These sites have hundreds of metres of vegetation that has been included in the surrounding buffer, creating a significant zone of diverse habitat.

7.5 Feral Animals

The isolated nature of the wetlands and surrounding vegetation in an otherwise largely cleared catchment means they are refuge sites for all fauna, including notable fauna such as waterbirds and feral animals such as foxes and rabbits.

Foxes are a concern because they can predate heavily on breeding birds that nest amongst the wetland vegetation. Several of the wetlands support threatened species such as Freckled Duck (Jaensch, 1992). Control of these predators is vital to preserve the conservation value of the wetlands.

Rabbits can cause disturbance through digging warrens and grazing on native vegetation, particularly young seedlings. This can impinge on the ability of vegetation to regenerate after flooding or fire, and places native fauna under stress through added competition for food. The grazing and diggings of rabbits can instigate erosion on fragile sandy areas. Rabbit control is essential in these remnant areas to prevent population explosions that will devastate the area.

Sandy ridges traverse the lower catchment area and provide excellent areas for rabbits to establish large warren complexes. This is particularly the case in areas that have not 13 been cleared and not disturbed by farming activities. Where warrens are difficult to locate and access, individual bait stations may be the most effective method of controlling rabbits to any degree (Parry pers comm).

7.6 Weeds

Weeds can threaten the habitat value of a wetland by out competing native vegetation, affecting nutrient recycling, increasing fire risk, and inhibiting regeneration of natives, particularly after a disturbance such as fire or stock grazing. Fencing from stock is an effective way of reducing weed invasion. Sheep and cattle can transport weed seeds, denude native vegetation, and provide disturbed environments ideal for the establishment of fast growing weeds. (Hussey et al, 1997)

In general, the Mortijinup lake wetlands have excellent fenced buffers of native vegetation that is restricting the penetration of weeds and grasses.

The creeks feeding the lakes are a potential source of weeds, particularly with kikuyu becoming established in the upper catchment. Whilst this perennial does have important water use and stabilisation capabilities, it can easily spread by seed and runners so care must be taken to ensure it does not spread down the creeks.

7.7 Other Threats

The Esperance airport has a storm water disposal pipe emptying into the upper reaches of the Kateup Creek. The pipe leads from the western end of the main runway, and runs underground through to the adjoining property and into the creek. The pipe spills onto an area 30m upslope from the main channel that has consequently eroded and attempts have been made at stabilising the site with blocks of concrete kerbing and rocks. Water quality from this pipe has not been tested, but it has the potential to contain traces of oils, rubber and other contaminants.

Consultation with the Esperance Shire Engineering section indicates the Shire is in favour of extending the pipe and trying to stabilise the area (Spencer, pers comm 2001). A site visit will be planned for autumn 2001 to try and plan a suitable rehabilitation and stabilisation program for the site.

14 8.0 Catchment Management Recommendations

Detailed site assessments of properties within the Mortijinup Lakes catchment have not been conducted as part of this report. This is because most of the Kateup creek system and its tributaries have been, or are being totally fenced off.

Significant portions of the creek in the Telegraph Road catchment will also be protected through fencing to be erected during 2000/2001. This fencing will be complemented with a small revegetation program. Refer site map in Appendix 2 for details of proposed fencing/planting and table in Appendix 4 for recommended revegetation program.

The protection and enhancement of waterways in the catchment is a priority activity in maintaining water quality in the catchment and the downstream lakes. Having completed 90% of this task means the focus must shift to further out in the catchment to the farm paddock where the processes of recharge, discharge and surface water control will need to be managed.

Detailed farm water management is beyond the scope of this report and will require specialist advice from catchment support staff and hydrologists from AgWest. A catchment field day will be planned as part of this program to draw together landholders and AgWest staff and gauge the interest for the farmers in the catchment to work together as a group and implement measures that will have both on farm and downstream benefits.

The following tables summarise observations made at properties that were visited during 2000, and provide recommended actions.

Table 1 describes issues that are obvious on the properties along Kateup Creek north of the main highway, and recommends priority actions to complete the watercourse protection and enhancement works.

Table 2 provides similar information for the properties visited along Telegraph Rd creek, with mention of planned fencing/revegetation works.

Wetland Monitoring

A comprehensive regional wetland monitoring program has been established by the Water and Rivers Commission to sample 30 high value wetlands from across the South Coast region, including 3 sites in the Esperance area.

This program samples a range of water quality parameters and macroinvertebrate populations, to establish a base set of data for the condition of these high priority sites. This will enable early detection to changes in water quality through catchment based activities.

The program focuses on sites that are on privately owned land, so cannot be extended to include the Mortijinup Lakes Wetlands.

The Department of CALM have responsibility to manage all nature reserves on behalf of the NPNCA. Accordingly, CALM should be encouraged to establish at least an annual program of sampling from these sites. This important data will then serve as a baseline record that will enable regular comparison to ensure variations in water quality can be detected and possibly correlated to catchment activities.

15 Table 1 - Action Plan for properties visited mid-upper sections Kateup Creek

Location Description Works Required Priority number

1386 Top of creek. 1st order tributary with good Infill planting along High riparian veg, up to 80% cover upper half of creek channel. length. Lower section is patchy, some rehab Drains/dams to harvest Medium planting during 2000. Steep hill from airport to surplus water south, has wet seep area that needs management, Other surface water possibly utilise water in dams for aquaculture. management on paddock slopes.

390/628 1st order tributaries, most within good stand of Nil fringing veg.

1400 Main channel and lower half of tributary from Continue infill High 628. Broad area fenced, large bare scalds planting, encourage present. establishment of saltbush/samphire on scalds.

Pipe from airport flows into channel on this Extend pipe to bend in location. Eroded pan where pipe empties, also outflow section. High bend in channel that directs pipe flow is eroding. Build hard apron for pipe to empty onto. Establish bed of rushes to filter flow.

1403 Near pristine block of remnant veg dissected by Nil creek channel that adjoins Helms’ block to the south.

654/655 Upper sections of broad 1st order tributary Investigate options for Medium 1413 system. Broad scald area that has been fenced water control through and extensively revegetated for 5-10 years. Still surface diversion or suffering from broadening seep areas, may need utilisation by veg. in upper catchment works to control ie discharge upper catchment control through planting insufficient.

1401 Northern tributary links chain of wetland basins Some reveg required Medium across flat channel area. Excellent fringing veg along fence line where becomes more open and sparser closer to buffer veg is sparse. junction with main channel. The whole system covers a broad area of farm and fringing veg ranges in density.

1418 Creek crosses corner of this block, which has Nil been planted to blue gums 2000.

1396 Well fenced and protected corridor with good Nil remnant fringing veg. 16 Table 2 – Action plan for properties visited along Telegraph Rd creek

Location Description Works Required Priority number

715/713 Main upper reach of creek, channel is well Complete fencing and High 748/749 fringed by stands of sedges and feeds into large establish trees in areas 747 wetland on border of this and downstream farm. adjoining rushes to Creek fencing to be implemented through farm maximise corridor plan over next 5 years, including edge of main effect. wetland to be protected 2001.

746 Large wetland adjoins above is fenced, creek is Fence creek line High open channel and flows alongside paperbark flat between wetlands and fenced and revegetated 2000/2001. revegetate to establish corridor.

745 Most of creek is fenced following project during Revegetate wetland Medium 2000 and encloses degraded paperbark wetland.

741 Significant but small channel flows through tis Infill plant to boost Medium block, and was fenced and replanted 2000. Poor 2000 planting. seasonal conditions have reduced survival rates and the site will require infill planting 2001.

744 Both watercourses wind through this block Not Applicable before broadening to wide swamp areas on lower properties leading into the lakes. Vegetation is grazed on north creek and is not regenerating. Veg on south creek is mainly dead and ground bare. No fencing planned.

17 9.0 Conclusion

This report has brought together information about the Mortijinup Lakes wetlands that will help to raise local awareness to the value and significance of these unique wetlands and aid in the future management of these sites.

Significant works have already been undertaken by some landholders in the area towards fencing and rehabilitating the catchments of these valuable wetlands.

Ongoing enhancement of these protected waterway areas is necessary to ensure the corridor of vegetation is continuous and of sufficient density to filter surface runoff from adjoining farmland.

With the bulk of the watercourse protection work completed, the priority area for management lays with utilising the water that falls on the surrounding farmland.

Increasing water usage in the upper catchment areas will have downstream benefits by reducing volumes of water that flow into the creeks and the potential pollutants (salt, sediment, nutrients) that are transported.

On farm problems of scalding/waterlogging, erosion and topsoil loss, and feed/water shortages can be addressed by diversifying farm activities and incorporating water management measures into the farm operation. Options include: • perennial vegetation (tagasaste/lucerne and kikuyu), • rehabilitation bare salt affected ground with salt tolerant plants such as fodder saltbush, • alleys of trees for fodder or on farm timber, • contour banks and shallow drains to enhance water movement and dams for harvesting.

The full suite of alternatives needs exploring with advice from qualified officers such as AgWest staff. The best opportunity for this lays with the farmers in the catchment meeting together, forming an active group and making decisions based on the needs of the whole catchment. The proposed catchment meeting in this program may be an opportunity to begin this planning process.

If the community can work and plan together as a catchment, the benefits of any activities will be enhanced so that both the farms and the wetlands at the bottom of the catchment are winners. By working together the landholders will foster a long term stewardship of the lands in the catchment and hopefully ensure protection of the important Mortijinup Lake wetlands long into the future.

18 References

BOM (Bureau of Meteorology) 1998 “Wind Frequency Analyses and Wind Roses for Albany Town and Albany Airport”. National Climate Centre, Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne.

Department of Conservation and Land Management. 1999 “ Esperance Lakes Nature Reserves Management Plan”, National parks and conservation Authority, Perth, WA.

Ecologia Environmental Consultants 1999 “ A Preliminary Evaluation of Wetlands in the Esperance Water Resource Region”

Gee, ST & Simons, JA. 1997 “Catchments of the Esperance Region of Western Australia, Resource Management Technical Report 165, Agriculture Western Australia, Esperance.

George,R. et al 1996 “Environmental Water Quality – A Guide to Sampling and Measurement” Agriculture Western Australia, Miscellaneous publication 16/96 Issn 1326-4168.

Ferdowsian, R. et al. 1996 “Wetlands on tertiary Sandplains need to be managed to Reduce Secondary Salinity” Agriculture Western Australia, 444 Albany Highway Albany, WA 6330.

Ferdowsian, R. 2000 Personal Communication, Agriculture Western Australia, 444 Albany Highway Albany, WA 6330.

Ferdowsian,R and Crossing,L 2000 “Groundwater resources in the Bremer bay Area”, Agriculture Western Australia, 444 Albany Highway Albany, WA 6330.

Hussey,B.M.J. Keighery,G.J. Cousins,R.D. Dodd,J. Lloyd,S.G. 1997 “ Western Weeds: A guide to the weeds of Western Australia”, The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia (Inc.), Park, WA, 6100.

Jaensch, R.P. 1992 “Yellilup Yate Swamp System” in Australian Nature Conservation Agency (1996) A Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia. Second Edition. ANCA, Canberra

Komarzynski, R 2000 “Surface and subsurface water management” in ‘Dalyup-State of the Catchment 2000’, AgWest Esperance publication.

Lisson, J. 1994 “Swamp Road Catchment Group Project”. Department of Agriculture, Jerramungup District Office, Western Australia.

Olsen, G & Skitmore, E. 1991 “State of the Rivers of the South West Drainage Division”, Western Australian Water Resources Council Publication No 2/91

Parry,C 2000 Personal Communication, Agriculture Protection Board, Agriculture Western Australia, 444 Albany Highway Albany, WA 6330.

Pen, L. 1997 “A Systematic Overview of Environmental Values of the Wetlands, Rivers and Estuaries of the Busselton – Walpole Region”, Water and Rivers Commission, Water Resource and Planning Series, Report No WRAP 7.

19 Pen,L. 1999 “Managing Our Rivers”, Water and Rivers Commission, 3 Plain St East Perth, WA 6004.

Schofield, N.J. 1989 “Stream Salinity and its Reclamation in South-West Western Australia”, Water Authority of Western Australia Report No WS 52

Semeniuk, V & C, Research Group 1999 Preliminary Delineation of Consanguineous Wetland Suites between Walpole and Fitzgerald Inlet, Southern Western Australia.

Simons, J. 2000 “Hydrogeology” in ‘Dalyup-State of the Catchment 2000’, AgWest Esperance publication.

Smith, R.A. 1997 Hydrogeology of the Mount Barker-Albany 1:250000 sheet: Western Australia. Water and Rivers Commission, Hydrogeological Map Explanatory Notes Series, Report HM1, 28p.

Spencer, D 2000 Personal communication, Esperance Shire.

20 Appendix 1

Location Map of Mortijinup Lakes Catchment

21 Appendix 2

Map of Revegetation and fencing projects 2000

22 Appendix 3

Wetland Aerial and Ground photographs, 2000

23 Appendix 4

Wetland Revegetation Program

24