AUSTRALIAN RAMSAR SITE NOMINATION GUIDELINES Module 4 of the National Guidelines for Ramsar Wetlands— Implementing the Ramsar Convention in Australia WAT251.0912 Published by While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population the contents of this publication are factually correct, the and Communities Commonwealth does not accept responsibility for the accuracy GPO Box 787 or completeness of the contents, and shall not be liable CANBERRA ACT 2601 for any loss or damage that may be occasioned directly or indirectly through the use of, or reliance on, the contents of this publication. Endorsement Endorsed by the Standing Council on Environment and Citation Water, 2012. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population Copyright © Commonwealth of Australia 2012 and Communities (2012). Australian Ramsar Site Nomination Guidelines. Module 4 of the National Guidelines for Ramsar Information contained in this publication may be copied or Wetlands—Implementing the Ramsar Convention in Australia. reproduced for study, research, information or educational Australian Government Department of Sustainability, purposes, subject to inclusion of an acknowledgment of the Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra. source. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to: ISBN: 978-1-921733-66-6 Assistant Secretary The publication can be accessed at http://www.environment. Aquatic Systems Policy Branch gov.au/water/topics/wetlands/ramsar-convention/australian- Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population guidelines.html and Communities GPO Box 787 Photo credits CANBERRA ACT 2601 Eighty-mile Beach, Pg 3, Sarah Stuart-Smith Blue Lake, Kosciuszko National Park, Pg 6, John Baker Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this publication are Pulu Keeling National Park, Pg 7, Robert Thorn those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Crocodile at Yellow Waters Lagoon, Kakadu National Park, the Australian Government or the Minister for Sustainability, Pg 11, Michelle McAulay Environment, Water, Population and Communities. Marlgu Billabong, Parry Lagoons, Ord River Floodplain, Pg 14, Jim Mollison Hosnies Springs (Christmas Island), Pg 22, Max Orchard Acknowledgments The framework was developed by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities with the assistance of the Wetlands and Waterbirds Taskforce. Wetlands and Waterbirds Taskforce John Foster—chair (Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities), Lisa Evans (Australian Capital Territory Department of Territory and Municipal Services), Alison Curtin (New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage), Brydie Hill (Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts), Mike Ronan (Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection), Paul Wainwright (South Australian Department for Environment and Natural Resources), Stewart Blackhall (Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment), Janet Holmes (Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment), Michael Coote (Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation), and Colin O’Donnell (New Zealand Department of Conservation). 1 Table of contents Governance 15 Management Planning 16 Executive summary 3 Consultation on the plan 16 1 Introduction 4 Management system 16 1.1. Purpose 4 7.5. Summary of consultative outcomes 16 1.2. The Ramsar Convention 4 8 Jurisdiction review and submission of proposed 1.3. The Ramsar Convention in Australia 4 nomination 17 1.4. Wetland definition 5 9 Australian Government review of the proposed 1.5. Ramsar listing—benefits 5 nomination 17 1.6. Ramsar listing—obligations and responsibilities 10 Ramsar site designation 17 in the Australian context 6 10.1. Gazettal of the Ramsar site 17 Australian Government 6 10.2. Site included as part of the Australian Wetlands State Governments 7 Database 17 Site Managers/Landowners 7 11 Updating information and ongoing reporting requirements 17 2 Nomination requirements 8 11.1. Ramsar Information Sheet 17 2.1. Who can nominate a Ramsar site? 8 11.2. Change in ecological character 18 2.2. Who can designate a Ramsar site? 8 11.3. Site reporting 18 2.3. Documentation requirements 8 12 References 18 3 The nomination process 8 Glossary 19 4 Identify candidate Ramsar sites 10 Checklist for Candidate Ramsar Sites 23 4.1. Site identification and initial assessment against Ramsar criteria 10 5 Intent to nominate and landowner(s) support 11 5.1. Obtain in-principle support from landowner 11 Acronyms and Abbreviations 5.2. Seek support from relevant state governments CoP The Conference of the Contracting Parties to the of the intent to nominate 11 Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) 5.3. Notify the Australian Government of the intent to nominate 11 DSEWPaC Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities 6 Broader consultation 12 ECD Ecological Character Description 6.1. Traditional Owner consent 12 EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity 6.2. Objections/grievances 12 Conservation Act 1999 7 Develop supporting documents 12 NGO Non government organisation 7.1. Preparing the Ramsar information sheet 12 RIS Ramsar Information Sheet Listing criteria 12 VCA Voluntary Conservation Agreement 7.2. Ramsar site boundary description and map 13 Determine the boundaries of the site 13 Cluster of wetlands 13 Verify the land tenure 13 Document the process 14 Describe the boundary of the site 14 Map the Boundary 15 7.3. Ecological character description 15 7.4. Management plan or management system 15 2 Executive summary The development of a Ramsar site nomination should be the result of a collaborative process between site managers/ The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance landowners and the Australian and state or territory Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar (Iran), 2 February 1971, governments. Consultation with the landowner(s) and key the Ramsar Convention) encourages the designation of sites stakeholders is an important consideration in both the preparation containing representative, rare or unique wetlands, or wetlands of a Ramsar nomination and the negotiation of ongoing that are important for conserving biological diversity to the List management arrangements for the site. of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar List). These To add a wetland to the Ramsar List there needs to be clear sites are commonly known as Ramsar sites. evidence that the site is internationally important by providing The Ramsar Convention is seen by the international community adequate justification that the site meets at least one of as the primary means for conserving wetlands of international the Ramsar criteria for identifying Wetlands of International significance. Designation as a Ramsar site confers upon it the Importance. The nomination will need to be supported by the prestige of international recognition, it also raises the profile of following documentation: Ramsar Information Sheet; boundary the site; enhances opportunities for management assistance description and map(s); an ecological character description; and improves long-term management of the wetland; and a management plan or system; and a summary of consultative increases legislative protection through the Environment outcomes for the nomination. The documentation requirements Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Ramsar site cover the information required for nomination, baseline managers are responsible for, amongst other things, managing information on ecological character and management planning Ramsar sites to maintain the ecological character of the site. for the site. It should be noted that the nomination process can be lengthy and may require considerable resources to complete. Ramsar site nominations can be initiated by the Australian, state and territory governments, non government organisations A Ramsar site nomination is considered by the Australian (NGOs), community entities, trusts, Traditional Owners, Government on its merits, to ensure that: the site meets the individuals, private landowners or a company. Proposed Ramsar criteria for international importance; appropriate nominations on state or private land require support from the consultation with key stakeholders has taken place; suitable relevant state government. Nominations for sites wholly within management arrangements are in place for the site, including Commonwealth land require Australian Government support. appropriate watering arrangements (where required); ongoing In practice, most Ramsar site nominations are proposed and stakeholder engagement arrangements are in place for the developed by the state or territory governments, which have site; and whether the site will assist Australia to meet the priorities for new Ramsar sites and processes for reviewing requirements of the Ramsar Convention’s Strategic Plan. and supporting Ramsar nominations. Nominations may also The Australian Government processes for reviewing Ramsar site be made based on priorities agreed by the Australian, state nominations are independent of state or territory government and territory governments. processes and timeframes for developing and proposing site The guidelines are intended to facilitate more effective, efficient, nominations. The final