The Port Phillip and Western Port Ramsar Protection Program Red-necked Stints, migratory waders Protecting wildlife being undermined by feral pigs and The Ramsar Protection Program invasive weeds such as boxthorn. has enabled Parks Victoria to in Victorian Ramsar conduct extensive feral cat control wetlands Extensive work restoring native programs on French Island over vegetation and habitat in both the Native plants and animals of the the winter months of the last two Western Port and Port Phillip Bay coastal wetlands and woodlands years producing outstanding results, (Western Shoreline) Ramsar sites fringing Western Port and the with 378 cats removed from the has resulted in 7,684 hectares western shoreline of Port Phillip landscape. In 2012 the French Bay are major beneficiaries of a being protected from pest plants Island Landcare Group extended cat three-year program running from and animals and inappropriate control on to private land, resulting July 2010. The Ramsar Protection agricultural management practices. in a further 200 cats being removed. Program is a coordinated pest plant Sightings of increasing numbers Work done by Phillip Island Nature and animal control program that of protected native species such Parks on the north-east coast of the is combating weed infestations in as Southern Brown Bandicoot and Island has also significantly reduced ecologically sensitive areas and migratory wading birds attest to the the threats posed there by feral removing hundreds of feral animals Program’s success. For the first time cats, with 65 cats removed from the from the landscape. The $3 million in over 10 years a pair of hooded Island to date. initiative, supported by Port Phillip plovers raised two clutches of chicks In the wake of the works there have and Westernport CMA (PPWCMA) in one season near Observation been accounts of increased sightings through funding from the Australian Point on Phillip Island. Government’s Caring for our of Buff-banded Rails (ground nesting Country, is part of the Government’s Controlling pest animals birds highly susceptible to predation commitment to protect landscapes by cats) and Eastern Water Rats. of national significance and includes Pest animal control in the Program Western Port and the western has been particularly effective with Another of the Program’s successes shoreline of Port Phillip Bay, both 7,684 hectares of land managed is evident where rabbit proof fencing wetlands of international importance for pest animals, including foxes, has been installed around the recognised under the Ramsar rabbits, cats, pigs, goats and deer. perimeter of the 34 hectare Fishers Convention. A further 344 hectares of land Wetlands on Phillip Island, again with has been fenced to exclude pest outstanding results. The fencing, in Located on Melbourne’s doorstep, animals, stock and domestic animals combination with rabbit baiting and Western Port and the western such as cats and dogs, protecting shooting within the area, is working shoreline of Port Phillip Bay are habitat for native animals and to completely remove rabbits from amongst the most important migrating shorebirds. the site. shorebird sites in Victoria, supporting tens of thousands of The volunteer Foreshore Committee On the western shoreline of Port migratory shorebirds, including of Management in the Balnarring Phillip Bay, exclusion fencing around species such as the Eastern Curlew area has a program for fox and black 200 hectares of Cheetham Wetlands and Red-necked Stint that fly from rat control under way, with reports will soon render the area rabbit- northern Russia and China to feed of increased sightings of native Agile proof. It’s expected that this will lead across their rich coastal mudflats. Antechinus being attributed to the to positive changes in the quality These shorebird populations and control program. Antechinus had of vegetation at the Wetlands, in other native wildlife are at constant not been seen on the foreshore for particular that small herbs and forbs risk of predation by foxes, feral cats over a decade, yet there were four will soon return to the mounds and black rats, with their habitat sightings in 2012. between saltmarsh areas. removed or suppressed on the supporting signage to promote Controlling weeds island include polygala and kikuyu the value of local habitat for native High value locations across both that have both been responsible animals and migratory birds and Ramsar sites have been the focus for degrading habitat for native the work of volunteers carrying of extensive weed control work. and migratory bird species. Their out weed works to protect habitat. The bulk of dense weed infestation removal makes a major contribution The Program is also supporting has been removed from a number to the protection of the character awareness raising events on of locations, which will now be of the rare and precious wetlands occasions like World Wetlands Day, managed by a maintenance program on the Island and helps to ensure Clean Up Australia Day, and a Tree to keep on top of emerging weeds. a safe habitat for both migratory Planting Day for primary school Over the life of the Program, invasive seabirds and local native species. students to further encourage public grasses, broadleaf creepers and commitment to preserving the woody weeds have been reduced environment. across 1,621 hectares of the area Engaging the local targeted through the pest plant community Community engagement has also program. Weeds, such as bridal The Ramsar Program is working been a critical strategy in controlling creeper, which has been highly with local communities to improve pest animals. Efforts by partners problematic in the Western Port their understanding of these in local government and state region, have now been extensively internationally significant wetlands. government authorities to engage controlled on certain key sites. Communities have been engaged local landholders adjoining public It is now possible to see swathes through a number of educational land and reserves in the Ramsar of land in these areas where activities and volunteering Protection Program have been weeds have been eradicated opportunities. One volunteer day integral to its success in predator and native vegetation is clearly attracted 30 participants from control. Sam Hand, Conservation regaining ground. Werribee’s migrant community and Projects Officer at Mornington approximately 10 cubic meters Peninsula Shire says, “Feral The success of the Ramsar weed animals don’t know boundaries control program can be seen on of litter and dumped rubbish was removed from the Port Phillip Bay and community engagement has Phillip Island where the program been a key strategy in controlling has funded Phillip Island Nature (western shoreline) Ramsar site on the day. predators like foxes across a Parks to carry out year round weed broad landscape. Open paddocks control, including the use of heavy Volunteer groups in Somers, provide the best setting to catch machinery to rip out difficult and Cannons Creek and French Island foxes and commonly that means pervasive weeds. Boxthorn, which are being supported by the Program privately owned land, so engaging presents a danger of impalement to with funds and support to carry out neighbouring private landholders Short-tailed Shearwaters (migratory works and community education to has been critical in achieving birds known popularly as mutton help protect valuable areas within a positive outcome.” birds) is just one of the weeds the Ramsar site. The Program is removed in this way. Other weeds Burning Polygala. Photo courtesy of Phillip Island Nature Parks Tortoise Head Saltmarsh on French Island. Photo courtesy of Michael Douglas, Parks Victoria ‘The Program’s facilitation of collaboration, exchange of information and coordinated approach to achieving outcomes means that funding is better directed and benefits are increased.’ Cecelia Witton, Executive Officer, Western Port Biosphere Foundation Map of the Ramsar Protection Program area Working collaboratively Wetlands in the Ramsar Protection Program on Western Land managers previously conducted pest plant and Port and on the western shoreline of Port Phillip Bay fall animal control works to varying levels and without the under complex land management structures that include benefit of overall coordination. The Ramsar Program Commonwealth, state and local government, as well as provides a great catalyst for establishing good working private ownership. Under the direction and coordination relationships with neighbours, whether they are of the PPWCMA, a range of local community and government organisations with responsibility for land in government organisations have combined their efforts in the region, or local landholders. It has created a framework an active partnership to protect the ecological character for partners and the technical advisory group to establish of these two wetlands. a set of standard practices and reporting to ensure consistency of works across sites. Partners now participate The Ramsar Program’s technical advisory group makes in collaborative planning to coordinate the timing of works a key contribution to the Program’s effectiveness. The across multiple land tenures, improving efficiencies and group, made up of scientists and local ecologists, works in conducting works across boundaries to produce maximum partnership with land managers to provide technical advice effectiveness of programs. and the most current knowledge on best practice pest plant