etland Conservation in the ilson Inlet Catchment, A Management of selected suites: Assessment and Recommendations

A report produced by Green Skills for South Coast Natural Resource Management by etlands Project Manager, Tim Frodsham October, 2007 etland Conservation in the ilson Inlet Catchment, A

Management of selected suites: Assessment and Recommendations

by etlands Project Manager, Tim Frodsham

October, 2007 cover photo: Denmark River confluence with Wilson Inlet Estuary) Acknowledgements This plan was prepared by Greenskills, with the help of the Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee, the Department of Water in Albany, South Coast Natural Resource Management SCNRM), and the assistance of the Shire of Denmark. The Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee WICC) were a key stakeholder in the formulation of this plan.

Membership of the Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee was as below:

Tom, Zwartkruis, Treasurer Glen, Clode, Community Pam, Sounness, Community Bill, Sounness, Community Bill , Hollingworth, Community Basil, Schur, Community Melinda, Lyons, proxy Ron, Master, Ex-Officio Steve, May, Ex-Officio David, Rushton, proxy Greg , Bunker, Ex-Officio Craig, Carter, CPO Lynn, Heppell, NRMO Murray, Hollingworth, CPO

Government stakeholders The Department of Water’s Albany branch contributed technically and logistically to this plan’s preparation. Valuable contributions were made by people within this branch, but particularly Tracy Calvert, Sherrie Randell, Ania Lorenz, David Rushton,

Adam Lillicrap, Department of Agriculture and Food, DAFWA) Albany, played an important role in filling knowledge gaps in understanding acid sulfate soils around the wetlands of this catchment. Valuable catchment geomorphology information and hydrology assistance came from Ruhi Ferdowsian, regional hydrologist DAFWA, Albany). Non-Government stakeholders Justin Bellanger, of SCNRM was helpful in the structure and formulation of late drafts of this report. The Denmark Weed Action Group also conducted a separate survey for weed inventory and management for this report. Thanks goes to the DWAG for this data. Those people who collected and collated this information are: Nadine Lapthorne, Bob Fenwick, and Diane Harwood.

Community stakeholders Michael Hamblin, Garth Wilson, Mark Parre, Andrew Dickinson, Robert Churches, Alan Francis, Trevor & Phyllis Barker, Wayne Bail, Vivian Hall, Norm Hill, Arthur Paterson, Daryl Drage, Dianne and Bill Bentley, Dory Landegraaft, Des Houden.

Other acknowledgments: Support and funding and digital information through South Coast Natural Resource Management SCNRM), and the Federal Governments’ Natural Heritage Trust NHT) and National Action Plan NAP).

Technical support and digital information from Department of Water, Landgate Department for Land Information). Aerial photography by Tim Frodsham and Craig Carter. Weed inventory of selected wetland sites by Di Harwood, Nadine Lapthorne, and Bob Fenwick. Proof reading of draft and final versions of report by Justin Bellanger, Water Facilitator, South Coast Natural Resource Management SCNRM), and by Patrick Gillespie. All other people who assisted in any manner with the production of the report including Green Skills, Department of Environment and Conservation DEC), and Department of Agriculture Staff, in Albany, and David Forrest of Ashburton Air Services. The author would especially like to thank staff at the Albany branch of the Department of Water for their very helpful assistance and provision of background material for this report. Similar thanks go to Basil Schur for his many forms of assistance. The Management Plan draws on the previous inventory for the wetlands it focuses on, and background papers, published reports and oral accounts which assist the plan. The author thanks all the contributors of these documents. o you have any comments or feedback you would like to give?

This report is intended to generate community discussion as to the most effective management practices that can be incorporated into the catchment planning activities of the Wetland Systems of the Wilson Inlet Catchment. If you have any comments on the recommendations provided in this report, we would like to hear from you. Comments can be directed to:

Tim Frodsham Wetlands Project Manager P.O. Box 577, Denmark W.A. 6333 Ph: 08) 98 48 3310 Email [email protected] Web www.greenskills.green.net.au Mobile: 0437 617 292 Endorsements The following agencies and groups endorse this management plan and will work cooperatively together in its implementation to ensure that these wetlands’ environmental values are protected and enhanced.

Naomi Arrowsmith Regional Manager, Department of Water, Albany

Kim Barrow, Denmark Shire President

Alison Goode, Mayor of Albany

Kevin Forbes Plantagenet Shire President

John Blake Regional Manager, Resource Management Department of Agriculture

John Watson Regional Manager Regional Manager Conservation and Land Management

Patrick Weadon Chairman South Coast Natural Resource Management 1.0 Executive Summary

The following management report provides both an inventory of current information and a snapshot appraisal of the state of 19 various wetlands in the catchment of the Wilson Inlet estuarine system, in the great southern region of Western Australia. These wetland systems are situated in various areas up to 60 km away from the Wilson Inlet. The report is intended to be viewed as part of our ongoing understanding of these wetlands, some of which have little data available. It covers: how they originated, what processes are operating within each system, the values of each wetland, and whether these values are threatened. Resource Condition Targets RCTs) are provided, along with other recommendations and future strategies for ensuring land use productivity and wetland conservation. A tabulated list of management recommendations for each wetland is also provided. Table of Contents 1.0 Executive Summary...... 32

2.0!!Project background and purpose ...... 33

3.0 Geomorphology ...... 34

4.0 Land tenure and Use ...... 34

5.0 Indigenous Significance...... 34

6.0 Physical characteristics ...... 34

7.0 Biological and chemical characteristics...... 35

8.0 Threats...... 36

9.0 Site assessments...... 37

10.0!!!Lake Saide ...... 37 10.1.1 Location ...... 37 10.1.2 Geomorphology ...... 38 10.1.4 Indigenous Significance...... 38 10.1.5 Physical characteristics ...... 38 10.1.6 Biological characteristics...... 39 10.1.7 Chemical characteristics ...... 39 10.1.8 Threats...... 39

10.2 Blue Lake...... 40 10.2.1 Location ...... 40 10.2.2 Geomorphology ...... 40 10.2.3 Land tenure and Us ...... 40 10.2.4 Indigenous Significance...... 40 10.2.5 Physical characteristics ...... 40 10.2.6 Biological characteristics...... 41 10.2.7 Chemical characteristics ...... 41 10.2.8 Threats...... 41 10.3 Amarillup Swamp ...... 41 10.3.1 Location ...... 40 10.3.2 Geomorphology ...... 41 10.3.3 Land Tenure and Use...... 41 10.3.4 Indigenous Significance...... 42 10.3.5 Physical characteristics ...... 42 10.3.6 Biological characteristics...... 42 10.3.7 Chemical characteristics ...... 42 10.3.8 Threats...... 42

10.4 Woonanup Swamp...... 43 10.4.1 Location ...... 43 10.4.2 Geomorphology ...... 43 10.4.3 Land tenure and Use ...... 43 10.4.4 Indigenous Significance...... 43 10.4.6 Biological characteristics...... 43 10.4.7 Chemical characteristics ...... 43 10.4.8 Threats...... 43

10.5 Quechinup Swamp...... 44 10.5.1 Location ...... 44 10.5.2 Geomorphology ...... 44 10.5.3 Land tenure and Use ...... 44 10.5.4 Indigenous Significance...... 44 10.5.5 Physical characteristics ...... 44 10.5.6 Biological characteristics...... 44 10.5.7 Chemical characteristics ...... 44 10.5.8 Threats...... 44

10.6 Nenemup Lake...... 45 10.6.1 Location ...... 45 10.6.2 Geomorphology ...... 45 10.6.3 Land tenure and Use ...... 45 10.6.4 Indigenous Significance...... 45 10.6.5 Physical characteristics ...... 45 10.6.6 Biological characteristics...... 45 10.6.7 Chemical characteristics ...... 45 10.6.8 Threats...... 46

10.7 Morley Beach Lake East...... 46 10.7.1 Location ...... 46 10.7.3 Land tenure and Use ...... 46 10.7.4 Indigenous Significance...... 46 10.7.5 Physical characteristics ...... 46 10.7.6 Biological characteristics...... 47 10.7.7 Chemical characteristics ...... 47 10.7.8 Threats...... 47

10.8 Denmark High School Constructed Wetland...... 47 10.8.1 Location ...... 47 10.8.2 Geomorphology ...... 47 10.8.3 Land tenure and Use ...... 47 10.8.4 Indigenous Significance...... 48 10.8.5 Physical characteristics ...... 48 10.8.6 Biological characteristics...... 48 10.8.7 Chemical characteristics ...... 48 10.8.8 Threats...... 48

10.9 Lake Eyrie...... 48 10.9.1 Location ...... 48 10.9.2 Geomorphology ...... 48 10.9.3 Land tenure and Use ...... 49 10.9.4 Indigenous Significance...... 49 10.9.5 Physical characteristics ...... 49 10.9.6 Biological characteristics...... 49 10.9.7 Chemical characteristics ...... 49 10.9.8 Threats...... 50 10.10 Quandenup Lagoon...... 50 10.10.1 Location ...... 50 10.10.2 Geomorphology ...... 50 10.10.3 Land tenure and Use ...... 50 10.10.4 Indigenous Significance...... 50 10.10.5 Physical characteristics ...... 50 10.10.6 Biological characteristics...... 50 10.10.7 Chemical characteristics ...... 50 10.10.8 Threats...... 51

10.11 Lake Barnes ...... 51 10.11.1 Location ...... 51 10.11.2 Geomorphology ...... 51 10.11.3 Land tenure and Use ...... 51 10.11.4 Indigenous Significance...... 51 10.11.5 Physical characteristics ...... 51 10.11.6 Biological characteristics...... 51 10.11.7 Biological characteristics...... 52 10.11.8 Threats...... 52

10.12 Lake Mowilylip 10.12.1 Location ...... 52 10.12.2 Geomorphology ...... 52 10.12.3 Land tenure and Use ...... 52 10.12.4 Indigenous Significance...... 52 10.12.5 Physical characteristics ...... 52 10.12.6 Biological characteristics...... 53 10.12.7 Chemical characteristics ...... 53 10.12.8 Threats...... 53

10.13 Kokokup Lake...... 53 10.13.1 Location ...... 53 10.13.2 Geomorphology ...... 53 10.13.3 Land tenure and Use ...... 53 10.13.4 Physical characteristics ...... 54 10.13.5 Indigenous Significance...... 54 10.13.6 Biological characteristics...... 54 10.13.7 Chemical characteristics ...... 54 10.13.8 Threats...... 54

10.14 Pardellup Lagoon...... 54 10.14.1 Location ...... 54 10.14.2 Geomorphology ...... 54 10.14.3 Land tenure and Use ...... 54 10.14.4 Indigenous Significance...... 55 10.14.5 Physical characteristics ...... 55 10.14.6 Biological characteristics...... 55 10.14.7 Chemical characteristics ...... 55 10.14.8 Threats...... 55

10.15 Lake Byleveld ...... 55 10.15.1 Location ...... 55 10.15.2 Geomorphology ...... 56 10.15.3 Land tenure and Use ...... 56 10.15.4 Indigenous Significance...... 56 10.15.5 Physical characteristics ...... 56 10.15.6 Biological characteristics...... 56 10.15.7 Chemical characteristics ...... 56 10.15.8 Threats...... 56

10.16 Lake Williams...... 57 10.16.1 Location ...... 57 10.16.2 Geomorphology ...... 57 10.16.3 Land tenure and Use ...... 57 10.16.4 Indigenous Significance...... 57 10.16.5 Physical characteristics ...... 57 10.16.6 Biological characteristics...... 57 10.16.7 Chemical characteristics ...... 58 10.16.8 Threats...... 60 10.17 Denmark Agricultural School Wetland ...... 58 10.17.1 Location ...... 58 10.17.2 Geomorphology ...... 58 10.17.3 Land tenure and Use ...... 58 10.17.4 Indigenous Significance...... 58 10.17.5 Physical characteristics ...... 58 10.17.6 Biological characteristics...... 58 10.17.7 Chemical characteristics ...... 59 10.17.8 Threats...... 59

10.18 Shaplands Wetland...... 59 10.18.1 Location ...... 59 10.18.2 Geomorphology ...... 59 10.18.3 Land tenure and Use ...... 59 10.18.4 Indigenous Significance...... 59 10.18.5 Physical characteristics ...... 59 10.18.6 Biological characteristics...... 59 10.18.7 Chemical characteristics ...... 60 10.18.8 Threats...... 60

10.19 Ongerup Lagoon ...... 60 10.19.1 Location ...... 60 10.19.2 Geomorphology ...... 60 10.19.3 Land tenure and Use ...... 60 10.19.4 Indigenous Significance...... 60 10.19.5 Physical characteristics ...... 60 10.19.6 Biological characteristics...... 60 10.19.7 Chemical characteristics ...... 61 10.19.8 Threats...... 61

10.20.0 Lake Kwornicup...... 61 10.20.1 Location ...... 61 10.20.2 Geomorphology ...... 61 10.20.3 Land tenure and Use ...... 61 10.20.4 Indigenous Significance...... 61 10.20.5 Physical characteristics ...... 61 10.20.6 Biological characteristics...... 61 10.20.7 Chemical characteristics ...... 62 10.20.8 Threats...... 62

11.0 Conclusion ...... 62

12.0 Management Actions for Wetlands of Wilson Inlet Catchment...... 61

13.0 Key Strategies...... 62

14.0 References...... 68

List of Tables Table 1: Wetland Management Plan Projects since 1999 Table 2: Resource Condition Targets for wetlands of the Wilson Inlet Catchment Table 3: Statistics for the main waterways of the Denmark, Hay, Sleeman and Little Rivers and Lake Saide, and associated catchments within the WIC from WICC,1999). Table 4: Degradation Hazards to Lake Saide from Radys, 2000) Table 5: Wetland specific observations and recommendations Appendices Appendix 1: Maps of Wilson Inlet Catchment Appendix 2: Data for Significant Aboriginal Sites in the Wilson Inlet Catchment Appendix 3: Physical and chemical data for selected wetlands in the Great Southern Region. Appendix 4: Macroinvertebrate data for wetlands in the Great Southern Region. Appendix 5: Wetland Aerial and Ground Photographs. Appendix 6: Synopsis of the Wilson Inlet Nutrient Reduction Action Plan WINRAP). Appendix 7: Weed Inventory and Assessments of Wetlands in the Wilson Inlet Catchment. Appendix 8: Surface water chemistry observed for wetlands in the Wilson Inlet Catchment 2007)

2.0 Project Background and Purpose The surveys for the Wilson Inlet Catchment are detailed in the Wilson Inlet Catchment Compendium 1999), which will be referred to throughout this document. During 1999, the Water and Rivers Commission, now Department of Water DoW), initiated a regional survey and evaluation of the wetlands of the entire South Coast Region between Walpole and Esperance. The organisational focus has since shifted, and the reporting and documentation in this report has now been largely charged to Green Skills only, and is supported by SCNRM through the South Coast Regional Strategy.

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

The regional survey and evaluation of wetlands was part of a broader wetland conservation project being undertaken by the Department of Water DoW) and the community group Greenskills. This project was a partnership program that funded 14 wetland management plan projects since 1999. These are detailed below:

27 Table 1: etland Management Plan Projects since 1999

etland Suite Location Completed Manypeaks/Pabelup Bremer Bay 1999 Corimup Manypeaks 2000 Mortijinup lakes Esperance 2000 Mills Lake Ongerup 2001 Coobidge Creek/Lake Esperance 2001 Gore Coomalbidgup Swamp Esperance 2002 Unicup Upper Kent River catchment 2002 Moates/Gardner lakes Two Peoples Bay 2003 Roberts Swamp Grass Patch, Nth Esperance 2003 Boyatup swamp Cape Le Grand, Esperance 2004 Balicup North Stirlings 2005 South of the Stirlings South Stirling-Wellstead 2005 Owingup Swamp Denmark 2006 Benje Benjenup Lake Esperance 2006 Jerdacuttup–Shaster Lakes. Jerdacuttup-Ravensthorpe 2007

During 2005, the South Coast Natural Resource Management team South Coast NRM), in consultation with the South Coast community and regional stakeholders developed: 'Southern Prospects: An investment plan for the South Coast regional natural resource management strategy'.

Under this Investment Plan, wetland management was considered a priority activity. Consequently an expanded wetland program has been amongst the first to be funded, ensuring a continuation of the current wetland partnership program with Green Skills being directly contracted to SCNRM to deliver the project outcomes.

Funding from the Federal Government Natural Heritage Trust NHT/NAP) and provided through SCNRM has been secured to provide limited on ground support for wetland fencing, revegetation and strategic earthworks Hopkinson 2005).

28 The aim of the wetlands project is to focus on catchment areas for the suites of significant or outstanding priority wetlands which have been identified, and develop and implement wetland management plans alongside existing catchment activities.

The wetlands covered in this report are listed below. A brief outline and discussion is made of the available wetland characteristics. For each wetland, these characteristics include the physical, chemical and biological aspects. Where site assessments have been made, notes are given on the general observations made. Where possible, surveys for aquatic invertebrates and survey for surface water chemistry were made with a Hydrolab instrument. The Denmark Weed Action Group also conducted a separate survey for weed inventory and management for this report. Findings on presence of weed species for each wetland are also presented in the synopsis for each system. Complete weed inventory for each wetland surveyed for this aspect appears in Appendix 7. Aerial surveys are also referred to by the use of photographs. Photographs appear in Appendix 5. These are referred to in the main document as ‘Plates’. The wetlands that are covered are: x Lake Saide x Blue Lake x Amarillup Swamp x Woonanup Swamp x Quechinup Swamp x Nenemup Lake x Morley Beach Lake East x Denmark High School Constructed Wetland x Lake Eyrie x Quandenup Lagoon x Lake Barnes x Lake Mowilylip x Kokokup Lake x Pardellup Lagoon x Lake Byleveld x Lake Williams x Denmark Agricultural College Wetland x Shaplands Wetland x Ongerup Lagoon x Lake Kwornicup

Constructed wetlands in urban areas are of high social amenity and ecological asset value, especially in rapidly suburbanising areas. The Denmark High School constructed wetland is such a system. Hence its inclusion in this study. The previously published Wilson Inlet catchment wetlands inventory formed a foundation for specific management planning and recommendations for each wetland. This will cover such aspects as: x Fencing from stock x Riparian zone rehabilitation and revegetation x Treatment of waterways flowing into wetland 29 x Weed management x Acid sulphate soil risk potentials x Management of salinity risk, if present, x Opportunities for the wetland to be included in landcare education activities. x Management of acid sulphate soil risk, where present. x If present, management of eutrophication x Fire risk potential x Future monitoring recommended. x Special planning considerations based on the objectives and requirements of the landholders concerned.

As suggested in DEC 2007:8), Resource Condition Targets RCT) are also included to guide a management plan. Monitoring the condition of the resource against these targets also monitors the performance of the plan. If an RCT is not being achieved, then the management plan may need to be reviewed. The following RCTs are suggested for the wetlands of Wilson Inlet catchment:

Table 2: Resource Condition Targets for wetlands of the ilson Inlet Catchment Resource Condition Targets Reason Chosen How it will be measured

1. Reduced decline in wetland Wetlands are highly valued by Increased research into wetland water quality, and average water quality to be community. Water quality is a size by 2020. major influence on most social promoted by plan. Potential PhD values, but presently there is research or Department of Water insufficient information on research. Need for ongoing which to base target. surveys.

2. No net loss of wetland Wetland foreshore vegetation is Survey of wetland foreshore highly valued by community, vegetation to be undertaken in vegetation by 2020. particularly for visual 2008 to provide base. Survey to be managed by Department amenity. of Environment and Conservation.

3. Bird numbers and fish Birdlife is highly valued by Local bird watching groups to species variety to remain as community. undertake annual surveys. numerous by 2020.

4. Acid Sulfate Soil mapping Acid Sulfate Soils are becoming Acid Sulfate Soil condition to be to identify threats and assist an increasingly identified risk in fully established for wetlands for developing prioritised actions. the public domain, through this catchment by the Department radio, newspaper media and of Agriculture. educational workshops.

30 The Department of Environment and Conservation DEC) suggest that RCTs are only aspired end goals 2007: 9). Also, resource condition can often be influenced by factors beyond the control of managers, such as climate, rainfall, other countries policies and events outside the study area. The DEC also indicate that RCTs might not always be possible to achieve, but collectively they can guide management and be used to judge whether a plan has been successful. Finally, the DEC implies that: most importantly, failure to achieve these targets will inevitably mean that community values for the Wilson Inlet Catchment’s wetlands are not being met, and therefore the management plan will need to be revised.

The Wilson Inlet Catchment is bounded by Mt Barker to the North, and it is supplied by two major rivers: Denmark River to the West and Hay River sub-catchment to the East. It sits in the landscape between two other significant inlets- the Nornalup Inlet to the West near Walpole) and the Torbay Inlet to the East between Denmark and Walpole).

Map of the Wilson Inlet Catchment Area Source: http://wicc.hostwa.com.au/about.htm

The Wilson Inlet catchment WIC) area is located on the shores of the Southern Ocean in the South Coast Region of South Western Australia. It is bounded to the east by Torbay, and to the west by Parry’s inlet. In the north the key landmark is Mt Barker, and to the south the main boundary is the Southern ocean.

31 The catchment encompasses the eastern and western sectors of the Denmark and Plantagenet Shires, and a small western portion of the Albany Shire see Map 1). The catchment covers an area of some 2254 km² with its rivers flowing into Wilson Inlet. This estuary covers 48 km² and is approximately 14 km long and 4 km wide. Five rivers feed into the inlet, the two main systems being the Denmark River and Hay River. The other significant contributing rivers to inlet are the Sleeman and Little Rivers. Data for these are shown in Table 3, below. The table also shows a variety of data for catchment characteristics eg size, cleared/uncleared)

Table 3: Statistics for the main waterways of the Denmark, Hay, Sleeman and Little Rivers and Lake Saide, and associated catchments within the IC (from ICC,1999).

Rivers/catchment Denmark Hay Sleeman Little Lake Saide River River River River

Percentage inflow 31 58 4 1.4 5 to Wilson Inlet %) Catchment area 708 1301 94 32 119 km2) Cleared area km2) 220 909 72 18.5 91.6

% area cleared 28 70 77 62 77 Length of waterway 60 80 22 10.5 8 km) Tidal distance km) 2.5 5 none ? -

Annual average 70 60.3 154 ? - runoff mm) Salinity at discharge Marginal Brackish Marginal Fresh Fresh Depth m) >4 3-4 2.5 4 4

Mean annual flow 37 70 11.3 3.2 - 106 m3/year) Divertable resource 25.9 21 3.4 ? - 106 m3/year)

Please also refer to map of wetlands included in this study of the Wilson catchment, in Wilson Catchment, in Appendix 1.

32 3.0 Geomorphology This section has overall relevance as to how wetlands are formed, why they exist in certain areas for example: possible slumping of sediments, siltation of water ways, ponding of surface waters, etc). Ferdowsian ers comm, 2007), and Semeniuk 1998:12) cite the action of rainfall, evaporation and wind as the three main causes of the formation of wetlands in this region.

An overall summary can be given here of the general geology of the Wilson Inlet Catchment WIC). The 1999 issue Wilson Inlet Catchment Compendium WICC), details the geology in a general way: "The greater part of the WIC lies in the Albany- Fraser geological province with its basement or Precambrian [older than 600 million years old myo)] granitic bedrocks overlain by Tertiary 65 to 1.8 myo) sedimentary rocks and Quatenary <1.8 myo) sands and laterite." p.2-14). It continues: "The granitic bedrock that underlies the WIC was produced some 2500 to 600 million years ago. Granitic outcrops are found around the Eastern and Western shores of the Wilson Inlet and in the hilly terrain in the East and North East of the catchment e.g Mt Lindsay). Except for these outcrops much of the granitic outcrop in the WIC is covered by a sheet of sedimentary rock that ranges in thickness from a few metres to 15 metres up to 150 metres in some places.

The WICC 1999) continues: This sedimentary rock is about 65 to 1.8 myo... the first layer of sedimentary rock (sandstone, siltstone, and dark clays) are called the Werillu formation and was derived from the weathering old bedrock material (and was deosited articularly in ancient wetlands, swams and rivers). A second sedimentary rock layer (Pallinu siltstone; songelite and siltstone) overlas the first and was derived from marine deosits when a shallow sea extended over the area. These Pallinu siltstones and other sedimentary rocks are sometimes visible in outcros in active (i.e. erosive) drainages. It concludes: The surface of much of the Wilson Inlet Catchment is covered in a variety of silts, sands and clays that have formed in the last 1.8 million years from a weathering of the sedimentary rock and the granitic bedrock. These silts sands and clays form a surface soil matrix that is tyically about 10m dee over much of the catchment, excet along the coastline. The coastline is characterised by sand dunes that may be u to 100m high. p.2-14).

Ferdowsian 2007, ers comm) also relates three key ways in which wetland systems are generally formed in the Wilson Inlet catchment. x Wind blown, or aolean) formation, x Slumping, or subsidence of ground x A combination of the above two processes.

In the first process, lighter coarser material, generally in a low lying area, becomes loosened and blown away by the wind to form a hollowed area. This erosion is generally associated with periods of aridity, during which plant material is lost and no longer holds down the soil. Water subsequently collects in this space to form a wetland. This formation of such wetlands may occur within a time frame as short as 33 tens of thousands of years, or several million years, depending on the speed of these processes. In the second process, subsidence of soil and underlying rocks is also allied to geo-chemical change, such as weathering of hollows accentuating trends in subsidence. Ferdowsian ers comm, 2007) also suggests a third mechanism that incorporates an association of the two above processes. Examples will be given in the following inventory.

4.0 Land tenure and Use The general summary for land tenure in the area is given in the WICC 1999: 5-3). Data on land tenure by percentage from Lukatelich et al 1984) is presented, but its age makes the accuracy questionable. These data show that roughly 44% of the WICC is privately cleared land, 18% is private uncleared land, 37% is forest reserve or crown land, 1% is in National Parks or conservation reserves and 0.5% is urban 1999: 5-3). Unfortunately, there is no more recent data available.

5.0 Indigenous Significance The presence of archaeological sites is strong evidence of Nyungar Aboriginal people’s occupation of Wilson Inlet and its catchment. Stone alignments, interpreted as fish traps, have been recorded and are considered to date from this time, when the Holocene rise of sea level, 8,000 to 6,000 years ago, may have been about 2 metres higher than present and there was a permanent tidal exchange WICC, 1999:5-8). Data for these sites are presented in Appendix 2 - Data on Significant Aboriginal Sites for the Wilson Inlet Catchment. Although these data do not relate to wetlands fish traps are in estuaries), it indicates that nearby wetlands, with their richness of biota were also key to Aboriginal visitation for their dietary and ceremonial needs.

6.0 Physical characteristics The soils of the area are widely varied. This is mainly due to a diversity of parent material, and varied local and regional topography and climate. Soils typically have a very thin layer of humic material, overlying a zone containing the most biological activity and may be leached of minerals [A-horizon or top soil] and below that a zone of accumulation of minerals [B-horizon or sub-soil] WICC, 1999: 2-16). The broad depressions have mainly humic podzol soils. These soils have high organic material near surface, a bleached subsoil within one metre depth and a silty layer at depth which holds fresh to brackish water. These soils contribute water to many of the wetlands.

The hilly terrain immediately west of the inlet and lower Denmark River is predominantly made up of brown gravelly duplex soils and yellow or red earths. The upper section of lower catchment is dominated by broadly undulating uplands with gravelly yellow duplexes with laterite and leached sands in the associated depressions. North-West of the inlet, there are typical granite outcrops and with a mixture of gravelly or gritty yellow duplexes, laterite, leached sands and podzols. In the lower east section of WIC, there are low-lying plains, linear dunes and swamps characterising ancient estuarine flat. Soils are mainly humic podzols with podzols on dunes and peat in swamps. To the west are yellow solonetzic soils, diatomaceous earths and organic loams on plains, swamps, lunettes and dunes. South of the inlet

34 there are parabolic dune systems with calcareous sands, podzols and unstable sands WICC, 2-17--2-18).

The Wilson Inlet Catchment has similar weather to the Mediterranean type temperate climate, with mild, wet winters and warm to hot summers. From the coast to the higher areas of the catchment there is a steep gradient for decrease in rainfall between the coast and the hinterland. The inlet itself has relatively little spring tidal range roughly 0.8 metres) but has a strong seasonal variation in the river run-off due to high rainfall during winter and little rainfall during spring and summer. In contrast, rainfall data in recent years show a distinct decrease in the Wilson Inlet Catchment. This has had the effect of reducing inflows to the estuary, as well for water levels for the Quickup Dam, Denmark’s main water supply. At the time of writing, these levels are ¼ of their full capacity; less so than in recorded history for water storage in the area. More information on the physical environment of the WIC can be found in the WICC 1999:2-1). Physical data is presented for six wetlands from the Albany Department of Water database. These are: Pardelup Lagoon, Lake Eyrie, Lake William, Lake Byleveld, Denmark Agricultural College Wetland, and Blue Lake. These data are available in Appendix 3 - Physical and Chemical Data for Six Wetlands in the Great Southern Region. Other data collected for wetlands, uncovered by research for this report, appear in Appendix 8.

7.0 Biological and chemical characteristics The WIC lies within an area known as the South-west Botanical Province WICC, 4- 2) which is in the wetter south-west corner of Western Australia. It occupies parts of the Menzies and Warren Sub-districts of the Darling Botanical District in the south of this Province.

The vegetation of the area is diverse and complex due to soil and climatic variations. WICC, 199:4-1). The natural vegetation of the area was described and mapped by Beard 1979). The WICC classifies the vegetation communities in four main areas within the WIC: Kent System, Hay System, Denmark System, and the Torndirrup System. These areas are well explained in the WICC 1999: 4-1) and so will only be briefly mentioned here. The vegetation discrimination system employed by Semeniuk et al 1990) will be employed here to ascertain and convey assemblages of vegetation throughout these varying wetland systems.

The fauna of the WICC are composed of 20 species of native mammals and 12 species of introduced mammals. The WIC supports a variety of fauna that are dependent on wetlands. The predominant types are the south-western or humid adapted species with some semi-arid species present in the northern part of the catchment Western Australian Museum, 1985, and Department of Conservation and Environment [DCE], 1982)). Extensive clearing has selected for greater bird species with a preference for open country. There are 240 land, water and marine species of birds. Trans-equatorial

35 migrant species seasonally inhabit the estuary between September and April each year WICC, 1999:4-9). The area has a good diversity of reptile species, including gecko, legless lizard, two species of monitors and 12 species of snake. The many wetlands also support a number of frog species. WICC, 1999:4-9). Macroinvertebrate data from the Albany Department of Water are also presented for six of the wetlands in this survey: Pardelup Lagoon, Lake Eyrie, Lake William, Lake Byleveld, Denmark Agricultural College Wetland, and Blue Lake. The data record extends back to 1999. There are other data presented in this survey that were collected for other wetlands in this report. They are mentioned for each wetland in this report that is specific to this data item. These results are given in Appendix 4. Macroinvertebrate Data for Six Wetlands in the Great Southern Region.

Chemical characteristics are presented in data for surface water chemistry where possible. Not all of these wetlands have any previously recorded chemical data for them. Where possible, some interpretation of chemical data is presented.

8.0 Threats There are a range of threats to the Wilson Inlet discussed in the WICC 1999). They include: x Nutrients and their impact on Wilson Inlet x Delivery of nutrients to the estuary x Nutrient runoff expressed in groundwater x Waterlogging and salinity x Acid sulphate soils x The impact of greenhouse on water supplies.

Wetlands in the WICC are also subject to these threats. Other threats have been descibed by Semeniuk 1998:119) as more fundamental to management in localised situations: x Lack of recognition of the wetland itself x Lack of recognition of the wetland boundary x Lack of recognition of linked wetland systems and wetland catchment x Wetlands in areas of groundwater rise x Inadequate and inappropriate buffer zones.

The Wilson Inlet Catchment Council WICC) is engaged in a range of ongoing and highly integrated programs to combat these threats see: http://wicc.hostwa.com.au/about.htm). It has introduced the Wilson Inlet Reduction Nutrient Action Plan WINRAP) and it continues to emphasise nutrient reduction as the favoured option for improving the condition of the Wilson Inlet over the next 5 years for reducing the cause of the algal growth.

36 9.0 Site assessments More specific notes are now made on a site by site basis, with comments made where possible) on the location, physical characteristics, biological characteristics, chemical characteristics, and threats real and or potential). Where possible, chemical characteristics for each wetland are only referred to for four key measurements: Nitrogen and total organic nitrogen), as well as Sodium, total Phosphorus, and soluble sulphate. The large data sets for Lake Eyrie and Pardellup Lagoon disallowed their inclusion in the main text for each wetland section. They can instead be found in the Appendix 3 - Physical and Chemical Data for Six Wetlands in the Great Southern Region. Similarly, characteristics for physical data for the wetlands also will not be shown for either of the two above systems. Measurements are shown for turbidity, water level, water temperature, and pH. Other methods of data collection included the use of a kayak to collect data with a hydrolab probe courtesy of the Department of Water), and to measure depth to bottom, where possible.

Some notes on classification of wetlands here: The author refers generally to the work of Semeniuk 1995) to briefly describe the geomorphology of these systems. The reader will encounter such terms as: 'microscale'; definition: “tens of metres wide, hundreds of metres long”, 'mesoscale'; definition: “hundreds of metres wide, by thousands of metres long”, and: 'macroscale'; definition: “1 km or more wide by several to tens of kilometres long” p.42). The ranking of weeds at sites surveyed was done by ‘nearest neighbour’ assessments. This entailed visiting a point accessible by 4WD vehicle, where weeds were present, then radiating out at a set distance to survey for the existence of other weeds. The density of weeds was estimated. Infestations were given a ranking of either ‘heavy’, ‘medium’, ‘light’, or none.

Other disclaimers are required here. The data in Appendix 8, referring to ‘one-off’ spot assessments of certain water characteristics dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and depth) for some wetlands covered here are sometimes the only known data available. Some of these wetlands are generally not monitored by other agencies, and thus these data are only singular measurements, and cannot necessarily be interpreted as a trend over time. Further work and more resources are required to do this.

10.1 Lake Saide

Location The wetland sits at 543188.26N, 6122490.36E. This lake is a type of overflow system on the eastern edge of the Wilson Inlet. Its size is approximately 46.76 ha. The map for this system is in Appendix 1. It shows the position, size, shape and catchment characteristics of Lake Sadie.

37 Geomorphology Lake Saide lies close to the coastal dune systems formed in the late Holocene 6000 years ago). Lake Saide is part of the "Wilson Inlet Ridge/Swale Suite, which contains an estuarine ridge swale complex Semeniuk 1998:71). Its formation has been dominated by coastal processes; "wave regimes, coastal winds, Pleistocene coastal history, and magnitude and style of fluvial input interacting with the coastal zone" Semeniuk, 1998:20). Granite and ferricrete soil structures are exposed at the surface of the swales. It is thought that geological maps from the WIC compendium class the soils themselves around the lake as composed of porphyritic granite and biotite and 'adamellite' WICC, 1999: Map 2-1). Plates 1 and 2 in Appendix 5 serve to illustrate these processes.

Land Tenure and Use Land tenure in this area is shown in Map 1, in Appendix 1. The land tenure in the area is mainly private, with the exception of a parcel of land to the northwest which is managed by the State Government. This land contains an 'overflow' lake 26.7 km2), which takes excess water from the main lake. The land use in the area includes intensive horticulture mainly potato farming), and dairy farming. Plate 3, in Appendix 5 shows a depiction of Lake Sadie’s potato farming activity. One particular landholder has been especially helpful in collecting salinity data of water moving into the lake. There is a large parcel of land of 154.5ha that surrounds the buffer zone to the wetland and the land to the south-west. The main waterway is the Thompson Road drain. This drain is typical of a large number of drains in the area that are thought to be conduits of high nutrient loading in the downstream sections of the WIC WINRAP, 2003:25). See Plate 4 in Appendix 5. There are many roads and informal tracks made in this area east of the Wilson Inlet, leading to small landholdings. A visit was made to this site for acid sulphate soil potential and the data collected confirmed previous work that seasonally inundated land adjacent to this system is potentially acid sulphate soil prone.

Indigenous Significance A search with the State Government Department for Indigenous Affairs revealed no findings for material near this wetland. The closest site contained skeletal material/burials at the Young's Siding site This was revealed by a search on the Department of Indigenous Affairs website: http://www.dia.wa.gov.au/Heritage/Inquiry/Default.aspx) for Aboriginal heritage sites. Appendix 2 Data on Significant Aboriginal Site Data for the Wilson Inlet Catchment) shows findings of Aboriginal burial material at a site nearYoung's Siding, to the immediate east of the inlet. Other significant artefacts and structures in the catchment are also indicated in Appendix 2. The Aboriginal site of Koirchekup Hill is a very important heritage landmark at the nearby Young’s Siding Harwood and Parker et al, 2003).

Physical characteristics The hilly terrain to the South East of the inlet is predominantly made up of brown gravelly duplex soils and yellow or red earths. The area receives approximately

38 1000mm of rainfall per year. The topography surrounding is depicted in Plate 1 in Appendix 5.

Biological characteristics While there appear to be invertebrate data or rare, uncommon or restricted flora data for this system, Semeniuk 1998) indicates a high species richness of 35 species of water birds, with seven species breeding there. There are no data collected for invertebrates or aquatic vertebrates. Black swans and mountain ducks were observed in and around this system, especially on the floodplain areas around Lake Sadie itself. See Plate 3 in Appendix 5. A weed survey was conducted for this area. Weeds of significance are: couch grass, kikuyu grass, scotch thistle and mustard weed. The ranking given was medium to high. Tyha is also present as an aquatic weed. These were observed at the south end of this wetland.

Chemical characteristics There appear to be no data for chemical inventory for this system. Surface water chemistry readings were collected for this system, using a hydrolab instrument. These are available in Appendix 8. The data shows the pH for this system at this point in time is close to neutral.

Threats Radys 2000) lists a number of degradation hazards to this system. As indicated in the following table, he sees wind erosion as the biggest threat to this system.

Table 4: Degradation Hazards to Lake Saide (from Radys, 2000) Degradation Hazards 1=low risk, 5= high risk) Risk Rating Salinity 1 Waterlogging 1 Wind erosion 5 Water erosion 1 Soil acidity 3 Overall degradation risk rating 2

As this wetland is so close to the coast, and is offered limited protection by sparse heathland vegetation, it is often impacted by wind. Management of potential nutrient pollution from intensive horticulture in this area is also an issue relating to this particular system. Visual evidence of acid sulphate soil disturbance were found at the South East area of the wetland see Plate 5 in Appendix 5).

39 10.2 Blue Lake Location This lake is higher up in the WIC, directly 20 km NNW of Denmark, adjacent to the junction of Powley Rd and Blue Lake road in the Denbarker area. This lake is a type of overflow system on the eastern edge of the Wilson Inlet. It sits at an overflow into the catchment to the Denmark River, but it rarely does overflow. The map in Appendix 1 for Blue Lake shows its position in the WIC. The land around this system is Crown land.

Geomorphology The hydrology of Blue Lake is characterised by its position on a depression or 'saddle') of higher ground. This depression is made of more deeply weathered material from surrounding granite hills in the area. Without deeper investigations into groundwater interactions, better understanding of the hydrology may be difficult.

Land tenure and Use The wetland sits on crown land. There is a wide buffer of natural vegetation around it. See Plate 6 in Appendix 5. The land is largely unused for human activity to the immediate surrounds of the lake. Ground visits to the lake as well as aerial photography show a significant amount of surface scouring by vehicle tracks on the lake See Plate 2). Before the 1960s, stock were driven here from the hinterland to Albany for export. Water was also pumped from this wetland and trucked to nearby landholdings for stock water in dry periods that led to local water shortages Darryl Drage, ers comm, 11/08/2007).

Indigenous Significance A document search revealed a "scatter" of archaeological Artefacts as well as "deposit, camp" at the site. For more details, refer to the Appendix 2- Data on Significant Aboriginal Site Data for the Wilson Inlet Catchment.

Physical characteristics Its size is approximately 0.93 ha, and approximately 300m x 300m across in size, with a good deal of uncleared vegetation around it. Soils in this area are characterised by a large area of hills and crests up to 180m high, lying between the Denmark and Hay Rivers with typical granite outcrops and with a mixture of gravelly or gritty yellow duplexes, laterite, leached sands and podzols. There is some detail on the geomorphology of this system. Downslope of these areas are plains with drainage floors and low rises. Yellow solonetzic soils, gravelly yellow duplexes and humus podzols and reddish yellow earths WICC, 1999:2-18). As illustrated in Plate 2, the lake itself has a clay base. The clay in blue lake is suggested to have been made of migrated sub-surface material Ferdowsian, ers comm, 2007,). See Plate 7 in Appendix 5, which gives an impression of these migrated soils. The lake is a perched system; it is a recipient to surface water, and some small sub-surface flow Ferdowsian, 2007, ers comm), which helps explain its dryness at the time the above photo Plate 7) was taken in February 2007).

40 Biological characteristics There are a range of macroinvertebrate data for this lake. They are found within Appendix 3 -Physical and Chemical Data for Six Wetlands in the Great Southern Region. The range of measurements for turbidity, water level, water temperature and pH for Blue Lake are provided.

Chemical characteristics Nutrient data are available for this system were accessed using the Department of Water's 'WIN' database for wetland monitoring. In Appendix 3 - Physical and Chemical Data for Six Wetlands in the Great Southern Region', data is shown for the nitrogen and total organic nitrogen), as well as sodium, total phosphorus, and soluble sulphate. Data were collected for acid sulphate soil disturbance at the site. It was found that a high potential existed for acid sulphate soils in this wetland. Plate 8 in Appendix 5 illustrates this.

Threats There are no threats discernable in the literature. A potential threat may be in the mismanagement of the lake system by humans. The wetland is open to the general public and freely accessible by motor vehicle. See Plate 8, in Appendix 5, which illustrates this occurrence. Vehicle tracks were seen on repeated visits to the wetland. Four wheel drive vehicle disturbance may impact negatively on the habitat for benthic algae, benthic invertebrates, and heighten the risk of importation of pathogens from vehicles' tyres. This is again shown in Plate 8. Another potential threat to this system is the lack of knowledge of indigenous values associated with it. It implies a challenge, as with many of the following systems, of how to incorporate this into NRM planning for this wetland.

10.3 Amarillup Swamp Location Amarillup swamp is situated at the end of Denbarker Road, some 20 kilometers to the West of the Mt Barker-Denmark Road, and approximately 25 kilometres north of Denmark. This system lies at 615570 N and 525500 E in the upper water catchment of the Denmark River. The property was visited for survey in August 2007.

Geomorphology This system appears to be an aeolian derived system, with some subsidence potential as well refer back to page 20). There is no recorded information on the geological origins of this system. The inferences from data on the formation of other systems are possible to help explain the origin of this particular system. The area is composed of granitoid rock; porphyritic and even grained, with a subsurface weathered to clayey sand DOLAN, 1993).

Land Tenure and Use This wetland sits in an 'A' class reserve area used for water catchment and is also used for recreation and camping. As can be seen from the map in Appendix 1, intensive agro forestry is used in the immediate surrounds of privately owned land in the area. The wetland and the land around it have undergone significant change since European arrival. Beef cattle are raised nearby in the adjacent property run by Darryl Drage. This lake used to be a water reservoir for a privately operated timber milling business until the 1960s. Water was extracted from two separately dug deep wells on the 41 periphery of previous outer waterline on the lakes edge. This water was pumped from these wells for supplying steam driven timber mills operating in the area in the last century. It was also a stopover point for stock herding until this decade Darryl Drage, ers comm 11/08/2007). The wetland itself has had a dam excavated in the middle of it for stock watering needs. According to Mr Drage, the vegetation around the wetland in the last 50 years has become much thicker. He reasons this as a consequence of progressive de-stocking of the country in general itself and the subsequent thickening of succession plant species Darryl Drage, ers comm, 11/08/2007).

Indigenous Significance A search on the Department of Indigenous Affairs website: http://www.dia.wa.gov.au/Heritage/Inquiry/Default.aspx) for Aboriginal heritage sites revealed a: "scatter" of archaeological artefacts as in area around this wetland. Appendix 2- Data on Significant Aboriginal Site Data for the Wilson Inlet Catchment.- shows the detail of these findings. For more details, refer to the Appendix 2- Data on Significant Aboriginal Site Data for the Wilson Inlet Catchment. Little is known about Aboriginal Heritage in the area. It was said that Aboriginal people employed as stockmen would not inexplicably) move further west of this swamp, Darryl Drage, personal communication, 11/08/2007).

Physical characteristics This wetland can be described as micro scale with strongly uniform plantation style forestry type of vegetation around its periphery. It is approximately, 0.85 ha in area, and 760m x 160m in dimension. There is ditch dug into for stock access see Plate 10). It was formerly an ovoid and mesoscale shaped wetland.

Biological characteristics There appear to be no data for biological inventory for this system. A full complement of weeds was observed in a visit to the lake. These included: Sheep’s cud weed, couch grass, kikuyu. Some evidence of typha rushes were found. A short survey of aquatic invertebrates was undertaken. Samples that were identified were: Arachnia – Lylaidae, Chironomidae, and Corixidae. Vegetation in the area consists of M. Rahiohylla, E. Camuldulensis, and Blackbutt. No waterbirds were observed at the time of visitation.

Chemical characteristics There appear to be no data for chemical inventory for this system. Some surface water chemistry data from a one-off measurement made in August, 2007) is available in Appendix 3. They reflect a reasonable state of health for this wetland.

Threats This system exists within the excised boundaries of the 'A' class reserve it was originally located in. However its location within the Denmark River catchment would suggest that activities concerning the protection would have to be considered in and around this wetland. 42 10.4 oonanup Swamp Location This wetland in the upper part of the WICC is located at 6155050N, 525400E. It borders onto State Forest No. 64, which is also part of the official Denmark River water catchment area. This wetland is located within this catchment boundary. This site was unable to be accessed. Therefore unfortunately no ground photographs were able to be obtained.

Geomorphology Its formation appears to be similar to the above Amarillup system, and also sits in a very similar geological context. The type of landform in this catchment that 'hosts' this system is similar, a low saddle of granitoid rock, which is porphyritic and even grained, with a subsurface weathered to clayey sand DOLA, 1993). It has a shallow basin. It appears to be formed through aeolian processes, and possibly some basin subsidence. Clay migration has been responsible for some minor amounts of tertiary sedimentation. This is a perched system and separate parts of it appear to be serving as both a discharge and recharge system. A geological fault line underlying a shear zone running nearby this system appear to contribute to this process Ferdowsian, ers comm, 9-10-2007).

Land tenure and Use The land tenure is private. The wetland is surrounded by a mixture of land uses: plantation forestry, native vegetation, and agriculture.

Indigenous Significance There appear to be no sites of indigenous significance at this system.

Physical characteristics The area is 20.0ha, and is approximately 430m x 600m in dimension. This system has a shallow basin. It seems to be a seasonally inundated system, or could be characterised as either a semi-permanent saline wetland - saline wetlands flooded for less than eight months of the year, including salt pans or salt meadows- or a shallow freshwater marsh: shallow freshwater wetlands that usually dry out in mid-summer and refill with the onset of winter rains Semeniuk, 1995). It could be described as an ovoid, mesoscale system. There is a large swath of ground to the north of the lake which is cleared, and may act as a floodplain for the delivery of water and nutrients into the system.

Biological characteristics There appear to be no data for biological inventory for this system.

Chemical characteristics There appear to be no data available for chemical inventory for this system.

Threats Any real threats are unknown; there are large data gaps, and there are no ground photographs for this inventory. To identify threats, more factual information is required. Lack of such basic biological and chemical information is itself a threat to a

43 wider understanding of the value of this system, and how it can be better managed for the future.

10.5 Quechinup Swamp Location This wetland is in the higher part of the catchment, 5 km south of Mt Barker. Refer to the map of this wetland in Appendix 1. The Lake is 5.2 ha in area, flush to the east side of the Albany Perth Rail line. A good deal of uncleared vegetation is within its zone of inundation or seasonal waterlogging.

Geomorphology The Quechinup Swamp system also lies in the northern part of the catchment. As with nearby formations, this system also demonstrates wind erosion of coarse sands in an enclosed depression. Some groundwater will have infiltrated through the lighter sediments in some of these depressions, sometimes becoming 'windows' to the perched local groundwater system.

The Quechinup Swamp system is similar to the Lake Eyrie system; it also appears to have experienced periods of wind action and aridity, with the same as the above results seen for Lake Eyrie.

Land tenure and Use There are various different private landholders surrounding the wetland. The land uses appears to be mainly agriculture and forestry in the area The wetland itself has gullying and erosive forces impacting from further upstream; with some modification to drainage in the area. See Plate 11, in Appendix 5, which shows the main through stream to the wetland.

Indigenous Significance A document search via the Department of Indigenous Affairs' website search engine revealed no Aboriginal sites or heritage surveys at this location.

Physical characteristics There are no physical data for this system. There are no known investigations into local groundwater interactions. There are no known salinity, pH data or other measurements for this system. There appears to be no strong evidence of salinisation from observation.

Biological characteristics There are no data for these characteristics; no ground survey has been done.

Chemical characteristics There are no data for these characteristics; no monitoring has been done.

Threats Further work is required on the ground and in collaboration with landholders to ascertain these threats. Sheep scats were observed in this drainage area for this system and its area.

44 10.6 Nenemup Lake Location This wetland is in the lower part of the catchment, 13 km east of Denmark. Refer to the map of this wetland in Appendix 1. It is accessible by local roads. The basin is described as "macroscale and rectangular". It is barred from the Wilson Inlet by a barrier of low dunes. The wetland is no longer affected by estuarine processes.

Geomorphology Nenemup lies in the coastal zone where evidence of contact exists between Pleistocene colluvial slopes and Holocene estuarine flats. It was formed by wind erosion of coarse sands in an enclosed depression in the last 40 million years. This system is indicative of wetland formation by coastal processes, principally by wind action. Refer to Appendix 1 for the aerial photo map showing the Nenemup Lake. The lake and its western overflow basin are counted as one unit.

Land tenure and Use There are various private landholders surrounding Nenemup Lake. The land uses range from horticulture, and cattle farming. ‘Lifestyle’ block ownership, with no intensive agriculture being practiced, is becoming more common. People instead tend to seek a more diverse set of incomes from non-land related sources.

Indigenous Significance A document search via the Department of Indigenous Affairs' website search engine revealed no data for this site. For more details of nearby heritage sites, refer to the Appendix 2- Data on Significant Aboriginal Site Data for the Wilson Inlet Catchment. The nearest kind of known significant site is that for Koirchekup Hill, at Youngs Siding. Details for this site are referenced in the above section for Lake Saide.

Physical characteristics The area of the system is roughly 67.0ha and the length and breadth is approximately 1300m x 500m. It is a mesoscale, ovoid wetland system. There are no known hydrological data for this system. There currently are no known investigations into local groundwater interactions. The wetland is underlain by estuarine fine quartz sand burrow mottled with shells. The salinity is said to range between freshwater and hyposaline Semeniuk, 1998:63).

Biological characteristics Typical coastal heath and other emergent species dominated by Melaleuca incana, Banksia quercifolia, B. coccinea, Hakea varia, K. ericafolia, Agonis s, and Astartia fascicularis, scrub dominated by M. rhahiohylla, M. cuticularis, and M. diosmifolia, and low heaths or herblands of Halosarcia Semeniuk,1998:63). Macroinvertebrate data was not collected or available for this system. Black Swans were observed in the system, which was fully flooded at the time of visiting, in August 2007. See Plate 13, in Appendix 5.

Chemical characteristics There are no known chemical data for this system. 45 Threats While no bio-chemical data is available from the WIN, as with the adjacent Lake Sadie and Morley Beach Lake East systems, there is a high potential threat of nutrient pollution from intensive horticulture and cattle in the area. This is enabled also by the large meterage of constructed drains conveying high nutrient loads. There is a high proportion of these drains on the Nenemup and Morley beach east areas, to the east of the inlet. There is no known survey for for indigenous values here.

The WINRAP contends that the cause of excess algae is nutrient inputs, particularly from agricultural areas. The WINRAP also recommends reductions in nutrient inputs without resorting to large scale and costly engineering solutions WINRAP, 2003:7).

10.7 Morley Beach Lake East Location This wetland is in the lower part of the catchment, 13 km east of Denmark. Refer to the map of this wetland in Appendix 1. It is accessible by local roads. The basin is described as "macroscale and rectangular". It is barred by a barrier of low dunes. The wetland is no longer affected by estuarine processes.

Geomorphology Morley Beach Lake East lies in the coastal zone where evidence of contact exists between Pleistocene colluvial slopes and Holocene estuarine flats. It was formed by wind erosion of coarse sands in an enclosed depression in the last 40 million years. This system is indicative of wetland formation by coastal processes, principally by wind action. Refer to Appendix 1 for the aerial photo map showing Morley Beach Lake East. At the time of survey, it was not possible to visit this wetland.

Land tenure and Use There are various private landholders surrounding Morley Beach Lake East. As with elsewhere in the area. The land uses in the area are prodominantly horticulture, and cattle farming.

Indigenous Significance A document search via the Department of Indigenous Affairs' website search engine revealed no data for this site. For more details of nearby heritage sites, refer to the Appendix 2- Data on Significant Aboriginal Sites in the Wilson Inlet Catchment.

Physical characteristics The area of the system is approximately 2.2ha, and the length and breadth is roughly 200mx 150m. As with the Nenemup system, there are no known hydrological data for this system. There also currently are no known investigations into local groundwater interactions. As with Nenemup Lake to the south, this wetland is underlain by estuarine fine quartz sand burrow mottled with shells. No other data is available on other physical interactions, other than what is available in the aerial photomap for this system.

46 Biological characteristics The vegetation here is also reflective of that found for Nenemup: Typical coastal heath and other emergent species dominated by Melaleuca incana, Banksia quercifolia, B. coccinea, Hakea varia, K. ericafolia, Agonis s, and Astartia fascicularis, scrub dominated by M. rhahiohylla, M. cuticularis, and M. diosmifolia, and low heaths or herblands of Halosarcia Semeniuk,1998:63). Macroinvertebrate data is not available for this system. Weed species for this system are given in Appendix 7.

Chemical characteristics There are no known chemical data, or data for surface water chemistry for this system.

Threats While no bio-chemical data are available from the WIN, as with the adjacent Lake Sadie and Nenemup systems, there is also a high potential threat of nutrient pollution from the cattle and horticulture in the area. This is enabled also by the large meterage of constructed drains conveying high nutrient loads also from horticultural activity. There is a high proportion of these drains on the Nenemup and Morley Beach east areas, to the east of the inlet. See Plate 4, in Appendix 5, to illustrate this. The WINRAP contends that the cause of excess algae is nutrient inputs, particularly from agricultural areas. The WINRAP also recommends reductions in nutrient inputs without resorting to large scale and costly engineering solutions WINRAP, 2003:7).

10.8 Denmark High School Constructed etland Location This constructed wetlands system sits on the grounds of the Denmark High School. It is less than 1km east of the centre of Denmark. An aerial view of the wetland is shown in Plate 14, in Appendix 5.

Geomorphology This is only a recently constructed, human-made system. This wetland is situated on the coastal plateau draining the Denmark River, very close to its approach to the Wilson Inlet. The dominant soil type is Holocene sands, with Tertiary colluvium on flat and slopes.

Land tenure and Use The land is owned by the state government. The Education Department owns this land. It’s key function is thus as an education facility. It also contains the building for the Centre for Sustainable Living, which directs stormwater to this wetland. It is a micro-scale system, less than 1ha in size. See Plate 15, in Appendix 5, for a closer view of this constructed wetland.

47 Indigenous Significance A document search via the Department of Indigenous Affairs' website search engine revealed no data for this site. For more details of nearby heritage sites, refer to the Appendix 2- Data on Significant Aboriginal Site Data for the Wilson Inlet Catchment.

Physical characteristics The wetland itself is approximately 20m x 15m. It is a very microscale horse shoe shaped system. It collects stormwater from the road catchment from the CSL carpark, and Southcoast Highway. It is situation on a mild gradient of approximately 2%. It is bounded by the CSL, the Denmark High School, and the Denmark River. On the west side of the wetland, there is the TAFE organic horticultural training school gardens. The wetland is planted with locally present native species in a radius of approximately 50 metres. Plants installed there are struggling against rampant weed infestation.

Biological characteristics There is a range of some biological data for this lake. There are additional data for this wetland, found within Appendix 3 -Physical and Chemical Data for Wetlands in the Great Southern Region. The range of measurements were for turbidity, water level, water temperature and pH for this system.

Chemical characteristics Limited surface water chemistry data are available as a one-off for this system. They are found in Appendix 8 -Physical and chemical Data for selected wetlands in the Great Southern Region', data is shown for the Nitrogen and total organic nitrogen), as well as sodium, total phosphorus, and soluble sulphate.

Threats The most observable threat here is that of human disturbance of the emergent vegetation. There is a big weed threat in this wetland system. Also, there is stormwater run-off from the South coastal highway, which passes through this system. See Plate 16, in Appendix 5 to observe this. Nutrient data are planned to be collected from regular stormwater sampling.

10.9 Lake Eyrie Location This wetland is in the higher part of the catchment 5 kms west of Narrikup, on the South Coastal Highway. Refer to the map of this wetland in Appendix 1. An aerial photo of this system is available in Plate 17, in Appendix 5.

Geomorphology Lake Eyrie lies in a saddle in granitoid gneissic area in the upper catchment. It was formed by wind erosion of coarse sands in an enclosed depression in the last 40 million years. Extra subsidence may also have occurred. This system is indicative of wetland sites in this upland area of the catchment which often sit between higher ridges, and faster flowing rivers in wetter periods would have brought these coarser sands up to 3mm tolerance) to settle in these depressions. Some groundwater will have infiltrated through the lighter sediments in some of these depressions, sometimes becoming 'windows' to the perched local groundwater system.

48 In drier periods, when vegetation was unable to cover and protect soils, wind action will have caused further erosion, with 'blow outs' nearby, creating the satellite systems adjacent to the main wetlands in this area. Lake Eyrie is such an example.

Land tenure and Use There are five different private landholders surrounding Lake Eyrie. The land uses range from forestry, sheep and cattle farming, and aquaculture.

There is also an intensive chicken carcass composting business directly to the north of Lake Eyrie. See Plate 18, in Appendix 5 for an overview of an aquaculture of land use.

Indigenous Significance A document search via the Department of Indigenous Affairs' website search engine revealed a "scatter" of archaeological Artefacts as well as "deposit, camp" at the site. For more details, refer to the Appendix 2- Data on Significant Aboriginal Site Data for the Wilson Inlet Catchment.

Physical characteristics The wetland is 700m x 650m across in size, with a good deal of uncleared vegetation around it. Its area is: 3.20 ha. The latest data for this system are presented in Appendix 3 . There are no known investigations into local groundwater interactions. Salinity, pH data and other measurements are given in this Appendix, and are drawn from data from the Department of Water's Wetlands Information Network WIN) system.

Biological characteristics A site visit revealed a range of different vertebrates in this system. Cattle were seen to be frequenting the lake shore from the area within the bluegum plantation area on the west side of the wetland. The value of the age of the fringing vegetation reflected in the natural hollows of older trees, such as Taxandria junierina, which provide ideal nesting sites for various birds.

According to Semeniuk 1998:92), this system contributes to the maintenance of at least 14 species of waterbird, and that three of these species are listed on both the Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement JAMBA) and the China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement CAMBA). Semeniuk also contends that two priority flora species have also been located at this site: Conystylis misera and Laxmannia jamesii.

Fringing vegetation on the western shore of the lake occurs as a shoreline samphire sarcocornia), margin upslope to Taxandria junierina, Melaleuca reisciana, Astartea, in the mid to upper shoreline, with bracken fern as an understorey. Macroinvertebrate data is also presented for this system, in Appendix 4.

Chemical characteristics These are presented in They show a potential for an acid sulfate groundwater issue, if soils were to be disturbed. The nutrient data show levels for P and N that are in normal range. Values for pH and dissolved oxygen are consistent with this observation. Eutrophication 49 may become an issue if densities of free ranging stock do increase, and other human activities, such as a neighbouring chicken carcass composting facility, are not managed carefully.

Threats The most obvious threat seen at this system was the presence of cattle 'crash' grazing on fringing vegetation of the wetland. While bio-chemical data did not reveal the issue of nutrient pollution at the time, the potential threat of nutrient pollution from cattle remains high. It has also been speculated that disruption of indigenous artefacts may be caused by cattle Justin Bellanger, ers comm., 20-9-07)

10.10 Quandenup Lagoon Location Quandenup Lagoon is some 5km northwest of the townlet of Redmond, on the Albany Highway. The system sits at the top of the catchment for Redgum creek, which is itself a tributary for the Hay River. Unfortunately this site was unable to be visited. No photographs are thus available.

Geomorphology This system appears to be formed from aeolian processes, from reworked tertiary alluvial deposits on obliquely graded valley floors. The dominant hydrogeology is from the Plantagenet group of re-worked deposits, specifically the Werillup-Pallinup siltstone formation- weathered bryozoan limestone, siltstone, sandstone, peat and basal conglomerate DOLA, 1993).

Land tenure and Use The land ownership in the area is private, with the main focus being on agricultural activity, principally cropping and livestock.

Indigenous Significance A document search via the Department of Indigenous Affairs' website search engine revealed no Aboriginal sites of significance.

Physical characteristics There have been three main systems that have been grouped together, along with the main system of Quandenup Lagoon Suite 1 ). They are non-contiguous systems. Suite 1 is the central focus, here. Sub-suite 1, lies to the north and Sub-suite 2 is between Sub-suite 1 and Quandenup Lagoon itself. Suite 1 is 0.32 ha in size. Sub- suite 1, lying to the north, is 0.27ha, and Sub-suite 2 0.13ha). This is a mesoscale ovoid system, with a shallow basin.

Biological characteristics There are no data for these characteristics; no ground survey has been done.

Chemical characteristics There are no data for these characteristics; no monitoring has been done.

50 Threats Further work is required on the ground and in collaboration with landholders to ascertain these threats. The lack of information on these aspects is thought to be a threat in itself.

10.11 Lake Barnes Location This system sits at approximately 6 kms southeast of the Kokokup siding on the Albany Highway. See the map for this system in Appendix 1.

Geomorphology The area contains numerous small microscale and macroscale ovoid sumplands like Lake Barnes itself), and Lakes Kokonup, Mowilylip and Quechenup, which are located in broad, shallow depressions related to possible Tertiary systems Semeniuk, 1998:48). Semeniuk writes that: "These depressions are adjacent to, and sometimes contiguous with, the present minor drainages of Sleeman and Kokonup creeks, and Blue Gum Cr." p48.).

Land tenure and Use The land tenure in this area is mainly in private hands. It is divided between 4 different landholders, including the DEC, formerly the Department of Conservation and Land Management. The map for this system in Appendix 1 should show the level of division of tenure. A series of ‘W’ type drains were recently dug into the lake bed to drain it of water.

Indigenous Significance A document search via the Department of Indigenous Affairs' website search engine revealed no archaeological artefacts near the site.

Physical characteristics Semeniuk, 1998:48) comments this wetland is underlain by tertiary alluvium gravel, quartz, sand and clays) and are vegetated by forest, scrub and sedgeland Churchwood et al 1982). The area of the wetland is 2.60ha in size, and approximate length and width is 700m x 650m. Plate 19 in Appendix 5 shows an image of this wetland, and its physical appearance, directly after a rainshower. As indicated in the aerial photomap, there is a substantial nature reserve to the north west of the wetland. A large ditch had been dug into the middle of the lake bed, for the purpose of building a dam, but the acidity of the groundwater made it unsuitable for stock Robert Churches, ers comm, 14-8-07).

Biological characteristics This system has limited data on avifauna, fish, or invertebrates, limited data on amphibia, and contains flora classified as rare, uncommon or restricted Semeniuk, 1998:92). There are no known chemical data for this system; it is dry because of a recently constructed drain that empties the wetland of collected water that may otherwise accumulate in its basin There is fringing vegetation of M. Cuticularis and Taxandria juniperina, which constitutes the upper storey of the vegetation complex for this system. Tree deaths have occurred but not visibly more significant than for other 51 wetlands. Birds observed during a visit to this wetland in August 2007 were: magpies, mountain ducks, rosellas, and bronze wing pigeons.

Chemical characteristics No chemical data or data for surface water chemistry were able to be collected for this system as the wetland was dry. There are only data available for acid sulphate soil potential. A test was conducted for soil pH and it was shown that the soil pH was 1.99, indicating a very high actual level of acidity.

Threats There are a variety of threats to this system. The area has been drastically altered from drains used for horticultural purposes downstream Hopkinson, pers comm., 2007). There is a general lack of information on flora and fauna. The situation is likewise for indigenous heritage surveys. Observations and tests were conducted for acid sulphate soil conditions and surprising results were found. The presence of Jarosite indicated acid sulfate soil conditions in Lake Barnes see Plate 20, in Appendix 5). Testing with a pH meter confirmed this see Plate 21) and verified extreme acid groundwater conditions. This reading was the lowest pH level so far tested in the field, for the region Adam Lillicrap, ers comm, 14-8-07). The tree deaths that were observed on the periphery of the wetland indicated the presence of acid ground water, not mortality from rising saline groundwaters. Peat fires were also observed in the lake bed in the most previous summer of 2006/7.

10.12 Lake Mowilylip Location This wetland is also known as Smithy’s Lake. The wetland is located in the upper part of the Hay River catchment. It is situated in a public use and recreation reserve, off St Werburgh's Rd and is located at approximately 557200E 6157550N, some 10 kms from the Albany –Perth Highway. The map for this lake is available in Appendix 1.

Geomorphology This system is representative of the origins of Kokokup and Lake Eyrie systems [aolean formation], except more indicative of a mesoscale ovoid sumpland, underlain by gypsum, which has been precipitated by saline groundwater. There currently are no known investigations into local groundwater interactions. It is 166 metres above mean sea level. Coarse tertiary sediments at depth and composed of clay are thought to have migrated to the base. See also Plate 22, in Appendix 5.

Land tenure and Use The nearest property owners are that of Bill and Dianne Bentley. The main land use in the area is agricultural, with a focus on cropping, beef and sheep farming.

Indigenous Significance A document search via the Department of Indigenous Affairs' website search engine revealed no archaeological artefacts at this site.

Physical characteristics It is 3.76 ha in size. The wetland is 3km due Northwest of Lake Barnes. There are no known physical data for this system. The anecdotal evidence is that the lake itself 52 drained of water shortly after the Meckering earthquake of 1968 Dianne Bentley, pers comm., 11-08-07). Little understanding of fluvial inputs was made, although the catchment for this system appears to be well filtered for nutrients, with a wide buffer of fringing vegetation around it.

Biological characteristics Cootes, musk ducks and crows were seen at this wetland. Large stands of fringing vegetation surrounded a large section of the wetland. Most prominent of the species were Juncus alidus as well as Taxandria junierina and Melaleuca rahiohylla. Aquatic invertebrates were able to be sampled as the system from the small amount of water available at the time of visiting. See Plate 23 in Appendix 5. Weeds identified were scotch thistle, capeweed, and couch grass.

Chemical characteristics Surface water chemistry data were collected for this wetland. They are available in Appendix 8. They indicate a freshwater system with a healthy pH at the time of sampling 12-08-07).

Threats No information is available on threats to this system. There is general lack of baseline information on flora, fauna, water quality, and the hydrology of this wetland.

10.13 Kokokup Lake Location This freshwater wetland is in the higher part of the catchment, 6 kms south west of Mt Barker. Refer to the map of this wetland in Appendix 1. It lies between the railway alignment and Albany Highway, some 7 kms south of Mt Barker. See the map for this system, in Appendix 1.

Geomorphology The Kokokup system also lies in the northern part of the catchment. It appears to be formed by wind erosion of fine sands in an enclosed depression in the last 40 million years. This system is indicative of wetland sites in this upland area of the catchment, which often sit between higher ridges, and faster flowing rivers in wetter periods would have brought these coarser sands up to 3mm tolerance) to settle in these depressions. Some groundwater will have infiltrated through the lighter sediments in some of these depressions, sometimes becoming 'windows' to the perched local groundwater system.

As for Lake Eyrie, the Kokokup system appears to have also experienced periods of aridity, whereby vegetation soil cover failed to protect soils, and further eroded lake beds, with 'blow outs' nearby, creating the satellite systems adjacent to the main wetlands in this area.

Land tenure and Use There is at least one private landholder surrounding the Kokokup system. A dam has been constructed in the middle of the wetland, as is evidenced in Plate 24 in Appendix 5 The land use appears to be agriculture and some quarrying activity some 100m to 53 the west of the wetland see Plate 25, in Appendix 5). Stock were seen to be grazing on the remains of the buffer vegetation of the wetland periphery.

Physical characteristics The system is 2.5 ha in area, and is approximately175m x 175m in dimension. The latest data for this system are presented below. There are no known investigations into local groundwater interactions. The geomorphology is not well understood. The wetland itself has been modified by the construction of a large dam. See Plate 26, in Appendix 5.

Indigenous Significance A document search via the Department of Indigenous Affairs' website search engine revealed a "scatter" of archaeological Artefacts as well as "deposit, camp" in the area. For more details, refer to the Appendix 2- Data on Significant Aboriginal Site Data for the Wilson Inlet Catchment. There appears to be insufficient local awareness of the location of this site.

Biological characteristics There are no data for these characteristics; no ground survey has been done. There are no macroinvertebrate data for this system. No waterbirds were observed in this wetland at the time of visiting. A large amount of the fringing vegetation was removed see Plate 27, in Appendix 5), and no sampling for macroinvertebrates was conducted. A survey for weeds was conducted and these appear in Appendix 7.

Chemical characteristics There are no chemical data for these characteristics; no surface water chemistry appears to be on the record for this system.

Threats There are a variety of threats to this system. They are listed in the Table 3, appearing at the end of the management actions at the end of this report. A weed survey conducted appears in Appendix 7. The area's drainage system may have been altered by the adjacent mining and damming activity. Lack of information about values is a threat. Nutrient pollution may be a threat. Large numbers of scats from stock and a sheep’s carcass was observed in shore, just above the waterline of the wetland.

10.14 Pardellup Lagoon Location This largely freshwater system is situated at approximately, about 1 km north of Muir's Highway, in the catchment of the Hay River.

Geomorphology Semeniuk 1998: 41) describes this suite as containing "leptoscale creeks which discharge into macroscale and microscale circular sumplands. The basins are underlain by clays, muddy sands, quartz sand and ferricrete."

Land tenure and Use Land adjacent is privately owned, with a state run prison farm in the vicinity. 54 The land adjacent was used for growing vegetables in the 1930s Glen Clode, pers comm., July 2007). A large fire visited the area in February 2007 and destroyed 50ha of the 60 ha of E. Globulus plantation see Plates 27 to 29, in Appendix 5).

Indigenous Significance A document search via the Department of Indigenous Affairs' website search engine revealed a "deposit”, and “camp" at the site. For more details, refer to the Appendix 2- Data on Significant Aboriginal Site Data for the Wilson Inlet Catchment.

Physical characteristics This wetland's area is 6.75ha, and is 1000m x 875m in size. The latest data for this system are presented in Appendix 3. There are no known investigations into local groundwater interactions. Salinity, pH data and other measurements are given in this Appendix, and are drawn from data from the Department of Water's Wetlands Information Network WIN) system. An aerial photograph is available in Plate 27, depicting the aftermath of a fire which ran through the property in February 2007.

Biological characteristics There still exists small stands of unburnt E. Globulus Tasmanian Bluegum) which surround the wetland. See Plates 27 and 29. Please refer to macroinvertebrate data for this system, in Appendix 4. A weed assessment was made and this appears in Appendix 7. Weeds observed were flatweed, copeweed, scotch thistle, watsonia, and jersey cud weed. Acacia pignantha was also seen. Cattle were seen to be browsing remnant vegetation on the periphery of the wetland on a visit in July 2007. There is approximately 120ha of remnant vegetation on the periphery of the wetland. Birds observed were: mountain ducks, and black swans. Fringing herbage of Drosera and Kunzia reticulata were observed, with woodland species of Banksia lissifolia, and Melaleuca rahiohylla. See Plate 30 in Appendix 5. The most usual groups of plants are E. occidentalis, E. cornuta, and open woodland and scrub of Taxandria Junierina. Also sparsely existing stands of Hakea, are present.

Chemical characteristics These are presented in Appendix 3. They show a picture of a system that has been slowly becoming more saline, as is the trend throughout many wetlands of the southwest of Western Australia. It is uncertain what impacts the recent amount of increasing plantation forestry will have on this wetland.

Threats There are possibly inadequate buffer zones for this system, but more information is needed to make better analysis of any potential threats. Cattle grazing on peripheral remnant and buffer vegetation in an uncontrolled way may pose a problem in the future.

10.15 Lake Byleveld Location This wetland is contained within the William Bay National Park. Some 25km west of Denmark. The location is at approximately 500133E, 6100000N. It is roughly 4km 55 inland from the coast. It is accessed by William Bay Road, which connects William Bay and the South Coast Highway. It is 37 metres above mean sea level.

Geomorphology The coastal geology here is a complex of headlands, rocky shores, inlet, deltas, barrier dunes, and local monadnocks. It is a mesoscale system, lying along contact between Pleistocene dunes which are underlain by limestone, with valleys underlain by Pleistocene colluvial sands Semeniuk, 1998). The formation of this system can be attributed largely to geological faulting of adjacent granitic hills. This has caused the forming of a deep outflow channel, bordered by high relief. Some aeolian influence is secondary, with some blockage of the outflow by coastal dunes. Secondary formation features are observed by the migration of clay, with perched sediments overlaying a subsided base under the wetland Ferdowsian, ers comm., 9-10-2007).

Land tenure and Use Being an annexure of William Bay National Park, this land is held within the boundaries of a federal crown reserve.

Indigenous Significance A document search via the Department of Indigenous Affairs' website search engine revealed a "deposit, camp" at the site. For more details, refer to the Appendix 2- Data on Significant Aboriginal Site Data for the Wilson Inlet Catchment.

Physical characteristics This wetland's area is 9.25ha, and is approximately 1000m x 1100m in dimension. The latest data for this system are presented in Appendix 3. Salinity, pH data and other measurements are given in this Appendix, and are drawn from data from the Department of Water's Wetlands Information Network WIN) system. The recent opening of a sealed section of the William Bay Road adjacent to this wetland is said to have increased the amount of stormwater catchment and subsequent throughput of surface water into this wetland Garth Wilson, pers comm, 2007). See Plate 31 in Appendix 5 for a view of this system.

Biological characteristics Macroinvertebrate data for this system are presented in Appendix 4. The most usual groups of plants are E. Occidentalis, E. cornuta, and open woodland and scrub of M cuticularis with an understorey of Baumea juncea or Gahnia trifida. Also large stands of Taxandria junierina exist here. Please refer to Plate 32 in Appendix 5 for a snapshot of remnant fringing vegetation in this wetland area.

Chemical characteristics These are presented in Appendix 3. The pH and salinity levels suggest a relatively freshwater system with a reasonably neutral pH.

Threats It has been asserted that encroachment and nutrient pollution from livestock, are potential issues for this system Garth Wilson, ers comm, 2007). There are possibly

56 inadequate buffer zones for this system. No evidence of P. Cinnamoni are present on site inspection.

10.16 Lake illiams Location This lake is situated on Lights Road, immediately north of Tower Hill, which is some 15km west of Denmark.

Geomorphology The dominant system contains microscale linear shaped lakes non-cosanguinous) and sumplands lying in contact between Pleistocene dunes which are underlain by limestone, and valleys underlain by Pleistocene colluvial sand Semeniuk 1998:56). Semeniuk 1998) also observes that the wetlands are located in a valley tract which has been blocked by coastal dunes p.56). The system lies in a local depression that has been accentuated by the chemical weathering action of dissolved limestone base from the deposition of decayed coral and other marine sediments. Subsidence of these sediment base has also been responsible for the formation of this system Ferdowsian, ers comm., 9-10-2007).

Land tenure and Use This is an intermediate system, and like Lake Byleveld, is also an annexure of William Bay National Park. Access is via Lights Road.

Indigenous Significance A document search via the Department of Indigenous Affairs' website search engine yielded no sites of significance in the area. Monkey rock, a nearby landmark, is a site of aboriginal heritage.

Physical characteristics This system is 2.2ha in area. The approximate dimensions are 200m x 140m. It is possible this may be a perched system; although the wetlands are underlain by a white quartz, there is evidence of localised sub-surface aquitards. The water is fresh. Semeniuk 1998:57). See Plate 33 in Appendix 5, for an impression of this wetland.

Biological characteristics The peripheral vegetation comprises Agonis juniperina Semeniuk 1998:57). Macroinvertebrate data for this system are presented in Appendix 4. Other fringing vegetation observed were: M. Longifilia, and Baumea articulata.

There are signs of potential presence of Phytothera cinnamoni at this site Bob Fenwick, ers comm.16-08-2007). This wetland contributes to the habitat of at least one species of waterbird, in the swamp harrier Semeniuk,1998:100). It has not been recorded as a habitat for freshwater fish Jaensch, 1992), but does support long necked tortoise, amphibian Litoria adelaidensis and Crinea glauerti) and koonacs. The low fringing vegetation make this and ideal habitat for amphibian. See Plate 34, for another perspective of Lake Williams. One priority flora species, a fern, has been located around this wetland Semeniuk,1998:100). A weed and flora survey was conducted, and its results appear in Appendix 7. 57 Chemical characteristics These data are presented in Appendix 3. They suggest a reasonably healthy system.

Threats There are visual data which suggest that P. Cinnamoni is a potential risk n the area. See Plate 35 in Appendix 5. There are a variety of weeds here that also require control.

10.17 Denmark Agricultural School etland

Location This system is located some 3km east of Denmark. Access is from Atkinson Road, via the South Coast Hwy. It is a constructed system. The land was a previously degraded swamp, and has been planted and fenced purposefully, since 1995. See Plate 36, in Appendix 5, for an aerial view of this system.

Geomorphology The dominant soil type in this area are colluvial sands overlaying Tertiary flats with a siltstone and sandstone basement adjacent to Proterozoic granite hills.

Land tenure and Use The land is owned by the state government. Its key function is as an education facility for students of various types of agricultural and silvicultural activity. Trees at this site are E. botryoides, E. saligna, and E. grandis.

Indigenous Significance A document search via the Department of Indigenous Affairs' website search engine yielded no sites of significance in the area, however trees and shrubs have been planted to resemble a serpentine shape when viewed from the air. This was designed as a symbol of healing and growth to be identified by many cultural viewpoints Greenskills, 2000).

Physical characteristics This seasonal system's area is about 1ha in area and is 240m x 50m. It shrinks in area over summer as the system is not perched and quite porous drainage exists underneath the top soil layer. It is dry for approximately half the year.

Biological characteristics There are a number of key species of saw log species of trees established around this wetland. Edge species of plants are typically Banksia semi-nuda, and E. diversicolor. There are biological data available in Appendix 3 and 4. Weed species observed are recorded and presented in Appendix 7. Some of them were: polygala, dock and jersey cudweed. Remnant fringing vegetation were Banksia attenuata, and Banksia littoralis. See also Plate 37, in Appendix 5. Plates 38 and 39 show alternative views of this system. 58 Chemical characteristics These are presented in Appendix 3. They show a situation of reasonable wetland health.

Threats There were threats to the survival of this system, before fencing, rehabilitation and replanting work began in 1994. These have been largely mitigated. They were: threats to remnant paperbark trees from stock damage by herbivory and damage from physical contact, and possibly nutrient pollution to the system from livestock.

10.18 Shaplands etland Location This system is located some 20km east of Denmark, on the Sleeman River floodplain. Access is via the South Coast Hwy. There are a series of low lying and interconnected swamps that form chains of water to make up the system. See Plate 40, in Appendix 5, for a view of this system.

Geomorphology The dominant soil type in this area are colluvial sands overlaying Tertiary flats with a siltstone and sandstone basement. This is a discharge system.

Land tenure and Use The land is situated on the Shapland family’s cattle property. The dominant land use is beef cattle production.

Indigenous Significance A document search via the Department of Indigenous Affairs' website search engine yielded no sites of significance in the area.

Physical characteristics This is an episodic system. It is about 3ha in area. It periodically shrinks in area over dryer months of the year. The system is partially perched and receives some groundwater flow. It is a chain of smaller, linked wetlands on a seasonally inundated spillover zone, in between the section between the lower Sleeman and Hay rivers.

Biological characteristics There are a number of key species of wetland plants and trees established around this wetland. Among these are species of Casuarina. There are biological data available in Appendix 3 and 4. There were a number of waterbirds sighted at this wetland in August 2007, including a flock of some 100 heron, swans, and cootes. Vegetation recently planted here it is a demonstration wetland recovery site, established by Greenskills in 1997) will in the long term contribute to the groundwater regime.

59 Chemical characteristics These are presented in Appendix 8. They are once only measurements and thus do not point to any wider trend. They show an overall healthy system that reflects a reasonable state of aquatic health.

Threats There are a minor number of weeds in this system, including typha, but these have been largely mitigated. Before fencing there were potential threats to remnant paperbark trees from stock damage by herbivory and damage from physical contact, and possibly nutrient pollution to the system from livestock.

10.19 Ongerup Lagoon Location This system is located some 80km north of Denmark, in the upper catchment of the Wilson Inlet. Access is via Muirs Highway.

Geomorphology Its formation appears to be similar to the above Woonanup system, and sits in a reasonably similar geological context. The type of landform in this catchment that belongs to this system is similar, a low saddle of granitoid rock, which is porphyritic and even grained, with a sub-surface weathered to clayey sand DOLA, 1993). It has a shallow basin. It appears to be formed through aeolian processes, and possibly some basin subsidence. The system is 196m above mean sea level. Evidence of shear zones exist in cases where clay migration and subsidence have occurred, such as at this wetland. Tertiary sediments at depth are thought to have slumped and have caused this subsidence. This wetland appears to be a recipient of groundwater. To the south, the clogged drainage appears to be part of a lunette system that has blocked flow Ferdowsian, ers comm., 9-10-2007).

Land tenure and Use The land is situated on private land, featuring mostly cattle as livestock.

Indigenous Significance A document search via the Department of Indigenous Affairs' website search engine yielded no sites of significance in the area.

Physical characteristics This is a perennial wetland. It is about 10.5ha in area. The perimeter is 1.2kms long. Surface drainage to this system has increased since removal of vegetation. A drain was dug out to run water from the wetland and into the drainage via the nature reserve to the south of the area. See Plate 43, in Appendix 5.

Biological characteristics There are a number of key species of wetland plants and trees established around this wetland. Among these are species of Casuarina s., E. Rudens, E. camuldulensis, and E. marginata. There are some biological data available in Appendix 3 and 4. There were a number of waterbirds sighted at this wetland in August 2007, including a flock of some 150 mountain ducks.

60 Chemical characteristics Some data were collected for pH, dissolved oxygen, and salinity. They show reasonably acceptable readings for this system. These are presented in Appendix 8.

Threats There are a variety of weeds in this system, many of which exist in the adjacent bush reserve. Such weeds are: kikuyu, couch grass, jersey cud weed, capeweed, and scotch thistle. Remnant fringing vegetation such as M. cuticularis and Taxandria junierina are open to damage from stock by herbivory and from physical contact. There is also a possible management issue of nutrient pollution to the system from excessive numbers of livestock. Data collected on pH and dissolved oxygen do not reflect this, but data for nutrient content has not been collected.

10.20 Lake Kwornicup

Location This system is located some 90 km north of Denmark, in the upper catchment of the Wilson Inlet. Access is via Kwornicup Road, via Boyup Road and Muir’s Highway.

Geomorphology The dominant soil type in this area is tertiary sands overlaying Tertiary flats with a siltstone and siltstone. The landscape has low relief in it, with a consequently more connected and wider groundwater system. For example, the groundwater system for Kwornicup is more locally connected with the Wamballup system to the immediate north. Werrillup siltstone sediments do exist at deeper levels. Evidence of clay migration was observed. Some subsidence of this system has also occurred. Like many wetlands in the southwest, this system was historically a freshwater wetland, but has since become salty and has trended from being a recharge system to a discharge system. Aeolian formation is evident here, as well, in the form of a lunette to the east side of the wetland Ferdowsian, ers comm., 9-10-2007).

Land tenure and Use The land is situated on private land, featuring cattle. Sheep are also grazed locally. Plantation forestry with a focus on E. Globulus) is an emerging trend in the area.

Indigenous Significance A document search via the Department of Indigenous Affairs' website search engine yielded no sites of significance in the area.

Physical characteristics This is an ephemeral system, but has been known to have water remaining in it for long periods of time. It is about 215ha in area. The perimeter is 5.2kms. Surface drainage to this system has increased since removal of vegetation. Soils are composed of a sandy lateritic gravel duplex. Origin of this system appears to be of aeolian derivation.

Biological characteristics A weed survey was conducted in July 2007. Main weed species discovered were: watsonia, Its results are included in Appendix 7. There are a number of key species of 61 wetland plants and trees established around this wetland. Among these are species of the Casuarina spp., E camuldulensis, and E marginata. There were a number of waterbirds sighted at this wetland in August 2007, including a flock of some 50 mountain ducks. Swans were also observed. No macro invertebrate data are available. Samphire and halosarcia s. appear on the shoreline See Plate 43, Appendix 5).

Chemical characteristics No data were collected for pH, dissolved oxygen, and salinity were collected. They show reasonably acceptable readings for this system. These are presented in Appendix 3. The system appears to be brackish to salty, if halophytic plants as indicators are to be used as a guide.

Threats There are a variety of weeds in this system, many of which exist in the adjacent bush reserve. Such weeds are: kikuyu, couch grass, jersey cud weed, Acacia pignantha, and scotch thistle. Remnant fringing vegetation such as M. cuticularis and Taxandria junierina, and Banksia lissifolia are evident.

11.0 Conclusion There are a wide range of chemical, physical and biological contexts and influences operating in all of the above 20 wetland systems. There are a number of knowledge gaps here. Specifically, bio-chemical and physical data is lacking for a great many of these systems, especially in the higher part of the catchment. There are a range of threats acting on these systems. Some preliminary recommendations can be made for these wetlands. Where management allows, some fencing of wetlands, and re-vegetation within these wetlands can be undertaken to contain and/or recover the values specific to each particular system. But the recommendations range more widely than this. More information is specifically needed to fit the previously outlined objectives of a more refined management planning document for these systems.

x Nutrients and their impact on wetlands of the Wilson Inlet catchment. x Delivery of nutrients to these wetlands x Nutrient runoff expressed in groundwater x Waterlogging and salinity. x Acid sulphate water x The impact of greenhouse on water supplies. x Lack of knowledge of indigenous values x Lack of data on biological, ecological, chemical characteristics and other values of some of these systems is a threat to improved future management.

62 12.0 Management Actions for etlands of ilson Inlet Catchment Management actions are the specific actions that need to be enacted to care for and improve these wetlands. In the format suggested by DOE,2007:12), each action has a priority 1 to 3, with 1 being highest), a suggested time-frame, and lead agency to progress the action. Costings are identified where possible at this stage, and will be developed later. There are a range of management actions that appear below, and these are formed from the following points: x Identify regionally significant wetlands x Assign management categories and describe environmental values of these wetlands x Identify high priority wetlands and describe threatening processes and appropriate management action x Promote protection and enhancement of these wetlands. x Lack of recognition of the wetland itself; their obscurity and perceived lack of importance. x Lack of recognition of the wetland boundary; many systems here needed larger fenced buffer zones for greater long term protection. x Lack of recognition of linked wetland systems and wetland catchment; lack of understanding or awareness of the habitat value of wetlands. x Wetlands in areas of groundwater rise; death of wetlands from rising groundwater tables maybe seen as an accepted cost of agricultural productivity. x Inadequate and inappropriate buffer zones; differing values impacting on 'acceptability' of adequate buffer zone widths. x Vermin populations also impact on wetland systems. x Wetland management specific to NRM at a catchment wide scale is lacking. x Other risks outlined by Semeniuk 1998) are also relevant these above systems.

13.0 Key Strategies

Strategy 1: Water Quality Action 1: Undertake new initiatives to promote awareness and understanding of regionally significant wetland systems in the WIC through use of seminars, public briefings and media exposure. Priority: 1/2 Lead Agency: Shires of Denmark and Plantagenet Time Period: Ongoing Explanation: Lack of recognition of these systems can incur neglect and mismanagement of them.

Action 2 : Assign management categories and describe environmental values of these wetlands. Priority: 1 Lead Agency: Department of Water Time Period: Target date for completion 2008 63 Explanation: There is presently no information, and such information is vital to reinforcement of the previous action, as well as for improving management efficacy in the long term. Managing these system requires this information, particularly in the consideration of adjacent agriculture.

Action 3: Identify high priority wetlands in upper catchment and describe threatening processes and appropriate management action Priority: 1 Lead Agency: Department of Environment, Landholders. Time Period: Monitoring program continued to 2020. Explanation: There is presently insufficient information on the impacts that agricultural use is having on catchment and estuary water quality. More information is needed to determine these impacts, and to determine which catchments or land uses may be having most impact. Landowner involvement in this monitoring will be invaluable, not only for reason of ease of access and ability to respond quickly to any rainfall events, but also to increase local ownership of the monitoring, its results and implementation of any actions arising.

Action: 4. Undertake workshops, seminars and media promotion to promote protection and enhancement of these wetlands. Priority: 3 Lead Agency: Greenskills. Time period: From 2008. Explanation: There is a need to dispel lack of recognition of the wetland itself; reducing their obscurity and perceived lack of importance. For example, workshops have been successfully used in other catchments to assist landowners in making the right decision on the type of fertiliser to be used, that brings the best return and has the least environmental impact. A key message is communicating the values of WIC wetlands. Importance is to be given to communicating the results of research being undertaken, and projects being implemented. Maximising community understanding of these systems and how they are being managed is considered a high priority. On site interpretation is considered a high priority.

Action: 5. Fence waterways, and wetlands in these systems. Particularly the tributaries and first and second order creeks, to reduce livestock access where practicable. Undertake surveys of creek condition to guide waterway fencing programs. Priority: 2 Lead Agency: DEC, DOW, Greenskills. Time Period: Ongoing Explanation: Waterways fenced to restrict livestock access have greater vegetation cover, and suffer less erosion than unfenced creeks. Channels are more stable and nutrient inputs are reduced. This will, in the long term, also allow for mitigation of groundwater rise near wetlands in areas. At the moment, degradation of wetlands from creek line fragmentation as well as rising groundwater tables maybe seen as an accepted cost of agricultural productivity.

64 Action: Encourage greater on-farm use of water, particularly establishment of perennials such as lucerne, in the upper reaches of the Wilson Inlet Catchment Priority: 2 Lead Agency: WICC. Time Period: Ongoing from 2008 Explanation: Greater water take-up will reduce the likelihood of erosion and downstream movement of sediment and nutrients into wetlands, as well as combat upstream salinity. Existing programs of work exist involving Greening Australia, Department of Agriculture and Fitzgerald Biosphere Group. Promotion of perennials is considered critical and can provide economic and environmental benefits. Linkages between waterway, biodiversity, salinity and production programs of work are possible and need to be promoted.

Action: WQ 7. Undertake vermin control, particularly control of rabbits, pigs, cats and foxes. Priority: 3 Lead Agency: inter-agency collaborative work. Time Period: Ongoing Explanation: Rabbits are causing loss of vegetation cover and can destabilise banks along the tributaries to wetlands. Pigs cause similar destruction to heavier vegetation, and cats and foxes put pressure on predated native fauna around wetlands.

Action: WQ 8. Employ a catchment coordinator to manage these catchment initiatives, communicate with landowners, and maximise funding opportunities. Priority: 1 Lead Agency: Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee. Time Period: Ongoing Explanation: A catchment coordinator is considered essential, to coordinate projects in this plan, to link the work of this plan with other programs of work, to gain full participation of landowners and to ensure funding is maximised. Lessons learnt elsewhere show a plan is only likely to be implemented when there is a person dedicated to this task. This person needs to be based in the catchment.

Other issues to be considered: x Weed management x Acid sulphate soil risk potentials x Management of salinity risk, if present, x Management of acid sulphate soil risk x Fire risk potential x Future monitoring recommended x Opportunities for the wetland to be included in landcare education activities x Special planning considerations based on the objectives and requirements of the landholders concerned. x Social values determined.

65 The following tabulated list of further points for each wetland is also another resource designed for decision makers and policy analysts. The disclaimer here is that costs of recommended actions are not provided here. This was not in the brief or scope of this plan. Agencies’ acronyms are explained below. Timeframes are indicative and not fixed.

Table 5: etland specific observations and recommendations [DWAG= Denmark Weed Action Group, DAFWA = Dept of Food and Agriculture, DEC = Dept of Environment and Conservation, DIA = Dept of Indigenous Affairs, ETC = Environmental Technology Centre, CSL = Centre for Sustainable Living.]

etland Threat Threat Recommendations Agent/s Timeline level Lake Sadie Weeds Medium Conduct weed control DWAG, 2008-on landowners, DEC Acids sulfate High Prevent further site DAFWA, 2008-2010 soils disturbance, Landowners remediation Wind Erosion Medium Intensive replanting of Landowners, 2008-on windbreak species DEC Blue Lake Weeds Low Restrict vehicle access CALM/DEC 2008-on beyond shoreline Acid Sulfate High Restrict 4WD vehicle CALM/DEC 2008-on Soil disturbance access beyond shoreline

Lack of Medium Install interpretive DIA, CALM 2008 knowledge of signage noting the associated indigenous heritage indigenous significance of this values. system. Amarillup Stock Access Low Some fencing and CALM/DEC 2008-2010 Lake limited stock access is suggested here. Weeds Medium Some light weed DWAG, control required, here Landowners Lack of Medium Better awareness DIA, 2008-on awareness about raising strategies need Landowners aboriginal to be put in place here, 66 heritage assets and it is possibly necessary for better heritage site protection Woonanup n/a N/A n/a – unable to visit DEC, DOW 2008-on Swamp this site. More data are required here to make recommendations Quechinup n/a Low More data are required DOW, DEC 2008-on Swamp here to make recommendations Nenemup Lack of Medium There is a need for a DIA, local 2008-on Lake knowledge of better survey and better community indigenous awareness for values indigenous values here etland Threat Threat Recommendations Agent/s Timeline level Nutrient Recommends WICC, 2008-on Pollution reductions in nutrient Landowners inputs without resorting to large scale and costly engineering solutions. Lack of Medium Further investigation is DOW, 2008-on needed here. DEC/CALM Surface water chemistry data. Morley General lack of Low Further investigation is DOW, DEC, 2008-on Beach Lake data. needed here. Greenskills DHS/CSL weeds High Intensive weeding CSL/Greenskil 2008-on constructed required ls/DWAG wetland Lack of High Further study is CSL/Greenskil 2008-on understanding required here. ls/ETC of nutrient inputs to this system. Lake Eyrie Weeds Low Weeding programs DWAG, Shire 2008-on may be required here. of Plantegenet, Landowners Aboriginal Medium Further work by the DIA 2008-2011 Heritage DIA on this system may be required Quandenup There is a lack Further work in general Landholders, 2008-on Lagoon of understanding of this Shire of understanding system may be required Plantagenet, of this system DOW, Greenskills Lake Barnes Extreme acid High Remediation works DAFWA and n/a groundwater could be planned and Greenskills conditions undertaken.

67 Insufficient Low Greater survey of DIA 2008-2010 understanding indigenous heritage. of indigenous heritage. Peat Fires High Better future CALM, ongoing monitoring, reporting, Landholders and containment. Lake General lack of Low Extra investigation and DOW ongoing Mowilylip baseline future monitoring, information on reporting, and also known flora, fauna, containment. as Smithy’s water quality, lake) and the hydrology of this wetland Insufficient Low Surveys to be CALM, characterisation undertaken. DOW, of biological Greenskills and ecological systems at this system. etland Threat Threat Recommendations Agent/s Timeline level Kokokup Vegetation Medium Fencing and buffer Landowner, 2009-2011 Lake buffer degraded vegetation CALM/DEC, and removed by rehabilitation to be fire, stock and undertaken. Stock to be clearing. excluded. Stock water Nutrient to be pumped from pollution wetland to exterior water access points. Lack of Medium Greater research and 2008-on information awareness raising to be about pursued in this area indigenous values

Lack of Medium Surface water CALM/DEC, 2008-on information chemistry, and DOW about hydrology data to be environmental collected for this quality. system Pardellup There is a lack High More work is needed to Greenskills, 2010 Lagoon of information better understand the DOW, is needed to nature of this system, Ministry of make better particularly the Justice analysis of any hydrological dynamics Pardellup potential threats. between this wetland Prison farm) and the farm forestry around it. Lake Potential Medium Better fencing to Landholders, 2008 Byleveld encroachment exclude stock from DEC, and nutrient tributary waterways catchment pollution from groups 68 livestock Lake Weeds Medium Pelargonium control DEC, 2008-on Williams may be required landowners

Phytopthera Medium Furether investigations DWAG, cinnamoni risk may be required Phytopthera is evident. Cinnamoni working group. Denmark Weeds Low Ongoing weed Greenskills, 2008-on Agricultural inspection and control Denmark College Agricultural Wetland College

Ongerup Lack of High More work is required DEC, DOW 2008-on. Lagoon information in these fields. about water chemistry, and general biology and ecology. Weeds Low Period weed control of Landholder, 2008-on weeds DEC Nutrient Medium Partial restoration of Landholder, 2008-on pollution fringing vegetation and DEC, fencing of system from Greenskills stock Shaplands Typha rushes Low Ongoing monitoring DWAG, 2008- wetlands and weed control. Greenskills, ongoing Landowners

Kwornicup Lack of High More work is required Shire of 2008 Lake information on in these fields. Plantagenet values and Kwornicup threats landowners, DOW, Greenskills Weeds Medium Ongoing weed control Landowners, DWAG

14.0 References Beard, J 1979) "The vegetation of the Albany and Mt Barker Areas" 1:250,000 Series Map and Explanatory Memoir. Vegetation Survey of Western Australia Bellanger, Justin., personal communication, 20-9-07

Bentley, Dianne., pers comm., 11-08-07 69 Churches, Robert., personal communication, 14-8-07

Clode, Glen., personal communication., July 2007

Department of Conservation and Environment [DCE], 1982)

Dickinson Andrew, personal communication, August 2007).

Drage, Darryl., personal communication, 11/08/2007).

Department of Land Administration DOLA), Mt Barker-Albany map sheet 1:250 000 from Geological Survey of Western Australia 1993) Sheet SI 50-11 and part of Sheet SI-15

Fenwick, Bob., personal communication, 16-08-2007

Ferdowsian, Ruhi 2007, personal communication on the formation of wetland of the Wilson Inlet Catchment, March. Harwood, Diane., Parker, Neil., Fenwick, Bob., Hiraki Vez, Marilu., Lacey, Gavin., Parre, Mark., 2003) ‘A Draft Report on Conservation Issues at Koirchekup Hill- Youngs Siding’. Unpublished report for Denmark Campus of Great Southern TAFE. June. 44 pp.

Greenskills, 2000, leaflet: Visit the Denmark Wetlands Education Centre Hopkinson, K., 2005, “Wetland Conservation at Esperance WA – Inventory and catchment priorities for the Wetlands of the Cascades area”. Green Skills Report.

Hopkinson,K. personal communication., 1/4/2007

Jaensch, R P. 1992) Fishes in the Wetlands in the South Coast of Western Australia. Unpublished report to Dept. of Conservation and Land Management, Woodvale.

Lillicrap, Adam, personal communication, 14-8-07

70 Lukatelich, R, Schofield N., and McCombe A., 1984) "The nutrient status of the Wilson Inlet, 1982-83" Department of Conservation and Environment, Bulletin 159.

Radys, B 2000?) Inventory of Sub-catchments within the Wilson Inlet Catchment- Albany Hinterland Catchment Management Series Technical Report No. 182 Albany Department of Agriculture and Food.

Semeniuk V, 1998) Preliminary Delineation of Consanguineous Wetland Suites between Walpole and Fitzgerald Inlet, Southern Western Australia. Report to Water and Rivers Commission, June

Semeniuk C A, Semeniuk V, Cresswell I D, and Marchant 1990) Wetlands of the Darling System, Southwestern Australia: a descriptive classification using vegetation pattern and form. Jour. Roy. Soc. W.A 72 4) 109-121.

South Coast Regional Wetland Monitoring Program- Sampling and Analysis Plan SAP) Project SC-B-REGWET. Department of Water South Coast Region., February 2007.

Wilson Inlet Catchment Compendium [WICC] 1999) Water and Rivers Commission, Land and Water Resources , Murray Darling Basin Commission

Wilson Inlet Reduction Nutrient Action Plan WINRAP) SUMMARY DOCUMENT PREPARED FOR WATER AND RIVERS COMMISSION WILSON INLET CATCHMENT COMMITTEE WILSON INLET MANAGEMENT ADVISORY GROUP, APRIL 2003 pp25

Western Australian Museum, 1985)

Garth Wilson, personal communication, April 2007

71 Appendices Appendix 1: Maps of Wilson Inlet Catchment Appendix 2: Data for Significant Aboriginal Sites in the Wilson Inlet Catchment Appendix : Physical and Chemical Data for Wetlands in the Great Southern Region. Appendix 4: Macroinvertebrate Data for Wetlands in the Great Southern Region. Appendix 5: Wetland Aerial and Ground Photographs. Appendix 6: Synopsis of the Wilson Inlet Nutrient Reduction Action Plan WINRAP). Appendix 7: Weed Inventory and Assessments of Wetlands in the Wilson Inlet Catchment

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