BBusseltonusselton Wetlandswetlands CONSERVATION STRATEGY Final OCTOBER 2005 Prepared by Western Australian Planning Commission in association with Department of Conservation and Land Management Department of Environment Department of Agriculture Water Corporation Shire of Busselton GeoCatch Published by Albert Facey House 469 Wellington Street Perth Western Australia 6000 Disclaimer This document has been published by the Western Australian Planning Commission. Any representation, statement, opinion or advice expressed or implied in this publication is made in good faith and on the basis that the government, its employees and agents are not liable for any damage or loss whatsoever which may occur as a result of action taken or not taken, as the case may be, in respect of any representation, statement, opinion or advice referred to herein. Professional advice should be obtained before applying the information contained in this document to particular circumstances. © State of Western Australia Published by the Western Australian Planning Commission Albert Facey House 469 Wellington Street Perth Western Australia 6000 Published October 2005 ISBN O 7309 9464 3 internet: http://www.wapc.wa.gov.au email: [email protected] tel: 08 9264 7777 fax: 08 9264 7566 TTY: 08 9264 7535 infoline:1800 626 477 Western Australian Planning Commission owns all photography in this document unless otherwise stated. Copies of this document are available in alternative formats on application to the disability services co-ordinator. ii Busselton Wetlands Conservation Strategy Minister’s foreword The Busselton Wetlands are a chain of coastal wetlands of local, regional and international significance that is reflected in the listing of a large portion of the wetlands under the Ramsar Convention. Judy Edwards Alannah MacTiernan Possessing important conservation, landscape, agricultural, heritage and amenity values the Busselton Wetlands provide unique and diverse habitats of flora and fauna. The Busselton Wetlands Conservation Strategy is a balanced and integrated approach that will guide land use planning and management in the study area to sustain and enhance their conservation values. The strategy will also ensure the wetlands are suitably protected from urban expansion pressures and inappropriate agricultural practices. Containing objectives, strategies and implementation recommendations the strategy provides guidance for the sustainable land use and wise management of the area’s resources and biodiversity. Additionally, the strategy provides a framework for future management planning of the publicly owned wetlands, and land to be vested in the Conservation Commission. The strategy will help fulfil environmental conditions associated with the Port Geographe project and help meet international obligations under the Ramsar Convention while promoting sustainable conservation and land use for the benefit of the environment and current and future generations. An historic relationship exists between the wetlands and broad-acre grazing land. The importance of the past and ongoing contributions of rural landowners in maintaining and enhancing the conservation values of the wetlands is recognised in the strategy. Integrated catchment management planning for the Geographe Bay catchment that addresses land use and land management challenges is being coordinated by GeoCatch and implemented through the Geographe Catchment Management Strategy. The Busselton Wetlands Conservation Strategy complements this catchment management strategy. Our thanks are extended to the many people who have contributed to development of this important strategy including landowners, community members, the steering committee and the technical working group. Hon Dr Judy Edwards MLA Hon Alannah MacTiernan MLA MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT MINISTER FOR PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE Busselton Wetlands Conservation Strategy iii iv Busselton Wetlands Conservation Strategy Contents Minister’s Foreword . .iii Summary . .ix 1 Introduction . .1 1.1 Preamble . .3 1.2 Purpose of the Strategy . .3 1.3 The Study Area . .4 1.3.1 Location . .4 1.3.2 Description of the Wetlands . .4 1.3.3 Ramsar Convention . .5 1.4 The Study Process . .6 2 The Strategy . .9 2.1 Vision Statement . .10 2.2 Strategy Objectives . .10 2.3 General Strategies . .11 2.3.1 Water-Levels and Water Quality Regimes . .12 2.3.2 Agricultural Land . .16 2.3.3 Urban and Rural Residential Land . .24 2.3.4 Heritage, Education and Ecotourism . .27 2.3.5 Amenity . .30 2.4 Precinct Strategies . .32 2.4.1 Wonnerup Estuary Precinct . .32 2.4.2 Vasse Estuary Precinct . .35 2.4.3 Coastal Precinct . .39 2.4.4 Town Precinct . .41 2.4.5 New River Precinct . .43 2.4.6 Broadwater Precinct . .44 2.5 Implementation . .46 2.5.1 Preferred Method of Implementation . .46 2.6 Monitoring and Review . .47 3 The Natural and Cultural Landscape . .49 3.1 Geographe Bay Catchment – Overview . .50 3.2 Geology, Hydrogeology, Geomorphology and Soils . .51 3.3 Climate . .54 3.4 Native Vegetation . .55 3.5 Wildlife . .56 3.6 Aboriginal Heritage . .58 3.7 European Settlement . .59 3.8 Busselton Townsite . .59 3.9 Modification of the Wetlands and the Drainage Network . .60 3.9.1 River Diversions . .60 3.9.2 Installation of the Floodgates . .60 3.9.3 The Sand Bar . .61 Busselton Wetlands Conservation Strategy v Contents 3.9.4 Depths, Salinities and Nutrients . .61 3.9.5 Use of Water Resources . .62 3.10 Land Use and Tenure . .62 3.11 Visual Landscape . .63 4 Planning Context . .65 4.1 National . .66 4.2 State and Regional . .68 4.2.1 State Planning Strategy . .68 4.2.2 The Western Australian State Sustainability Strategy (2003) . .69 4.2.3 Statement of Planning Policies . ..