Towra Point Nature Reserve

Towra Point Nature Reserve New South Wales
IUCN category Ia (strict nature reserve)
Aerial photograph of Towra Point and surrounding waters.
Towra Point Nature Reserve
Nearest town or city	Kurnell
Coordinates	34°00′23″S 151°09′55″E / 34.00639°S 151.16528°E / -34.00639; 151.16528Coordinates: 34°00′23″S 151°09′55″E / 34.00639°S 151.16528°E / -34.00639; 151.16528
Established	August 1982 (1982-08)^[1]
Area	6.03 km² (2.3 sq mi)^[1]
Managing authorities	NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Website	Towra Point Nature Reserve
See also	Protected areas of New South Wales

The Towra Point Nature Reserve is a protected nature reserve that is located in Sutherland Shire, southern Sydney, New South Wales, in eastern Australia. The 603-hectare (1,490-acre) reserve is situated on the southern shores of Botany Bay at Kurnell, within the Sutherland Shire.^[1] The reserve is protected under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance as an important breeding ground for many vulnerable, protected, or endangered species. The Towra Point Aquatic Nature Reserve is located in the surrounding waterways.

History

Kurnell was inhabited by the Dharawal people, and there are three middens and one relic that still remain today at the Towra Point Nature Reserve.

Captain Cook mapped Botany Bay when he landed in 1770, including Towra Point. Early European colonalists ran horses and cattle on Towra Point, despite the poor condition of the land for such a purpose. In 1827, "Towra Point" and "Towra Bay" were recorded as local names by the surveyor Robert Dixon. Another name known for the area was "Stinkpot Bay".^[2] In 1861, Thomas Holt bought Towra Point, and divided it into paddocks for grazing or growing corn. Sheep grazing was particularly disastrous, and many thousands of sheep died of footrot and are buried at Towra Point.^[3] In the late 1870s, Thomas Holt began oyster farming at Weeney Bay in Towra Point.^[4]^[5] In 1935, the Parks and Playgrounds Movement of NSW opposed an application to mine for shell at Towra Point.^[6] During World War II, a radar station was established, and a causeway built.^[4]^[5] In 1946, Towra Point was considered as a location for a second Sydney airport.^[7]

In the 1960s, movement began to preserve Towra Point led initially by the President of Sutherland Shire, Arthur Gietzelt,^[8] and Tom Uren, the then Federal Minister for Urban Affairs.^[9] In March 1969, the then Prime Minister, John Gorton ruled out Towra Point as a potential site for a second airport, citing community noise problems.^[10] The opening to Botany Bay was dredged in the 1970s to assist shipping, but this refracted the wave patterns in the bay, focusing them on Towra Point, causing erosion.^[11] The building of the revetment wall in Port Botany was also thought to contribute to the changed wave patterns. In 1974 and 1975, the waves off Towra were so strong that teens surfed there.^[12]

Following lobbying by Ray Thorburn,^[13] the reserve was bought by the Commonwealth in 1975, attempting to fulfill obligations to JAMBA, which would come into force in April 1981.^[1] This was the first time that the Australian Government had bought land for nature conservation purposes within a state.^[14] On 10 September 1979 the oil tanker World Encouragement spilled approximately 95 tonnes (105 short tons) of crude oil into Botany Bay. Mangroves at Quibray Bay, Weeney Bay and Towra Point were impacted - 100 hectares (250 acres) of mangroves were affected, and 4.4 hectares (11 acres) died.^[15]

In 1981, another oil spill occurred at the Matraville refinery, causing more damage to the mangroves.^[16] In 1982, Towra Point was officially made a nature reserve.^[17] In 1983 Towra was suffering from erosion - the Elephant's Trunk, a peninsula of Towra had shrunk to 3 metres wide. The seagrasses were also being eaten by sea-urchins - the population had exploded from 20,000 per hectare in 1979 to 80,000 by 1983.^[18] It was declared a Ramsar site (or wetland of international importance) in 1984, at the time meeting Ramsar criteria 1, 2, 3 and 6. In 2009, Towra Point met Ramsar criteria 2, 3, 4 and 8.^[17] In 1987, the Towra Point Aquatic Nature Reserve was created, covering 1,400 hectares (3,500 acres) in the waterways surrounding Towra Point.^[1] Towra Point Nature Reserve also attempts to meet the Federal government's obligations to CAMBA, which came into force in 1988.

In 1990, the Elephant's Trunk was eroded so much that the tip broke off into an island. By this time, Towra Beach was so eroded that trees that were part of the forest were "tumbling into the water".^[19] The Friends of Towra Point volunteer group was founded in February 1997 and they do such activities as bush regeneration, seed collection, vegetation surveys and habitat creation for the little tern. They also coordinate the annual Clean Up Australia Day activities at Towra Point. Habitat creation involves sandbagging the eroding Towra Lagoon, nest tagging, and clearing areas around nests.^[20]

In 2003, it was proposed to undertake beach nourishment at Towra Point, involving 60,000 cubic metres of sand.^[21] While this had an immediate negative effect on some amphipod species, they had recovered by 2005.^[22] In January 2004, 24 little tern were killed after picnickers and a dog accidentally landed on Towra Spit Island.^[23] In 2004, a A$1.5 million dredging project was undertaken to cut off Towra Spit Island from the rest of Towra Point to provide a fox-free environment.^[24] In around 2007, the La Perouse Aboriginal Community began sending trainees to work in the area for the National Parks and Wildlife Service as part of the "Towra Team", combining bush regeneration work with learning traditional Aboriginal cultural skills.^[25]^[26]

In 2010, artificial roosting posts were installed by the Office of Environment & Heritage to supplement the roosting habitat in the area.^[27] In the 2010 breeding season, 72 little tern fledged.^[28] In 2012, the site received a "Grey Globe" award of shame, given to Ramsar sites that are considered to be under threat.^[29] In 2013, the Botany Bay National Park and 800 hectares (2,000 acres) of land including Towra Point Nature Reserve were to be included on the State Heritage Register.^[30]

Habitats

Saltmarsh and mangroves make up a large part of Towra Point Nature Reserve.

Towra Point, atop an ancient river delta deposit, has many distinct habitats - these diverse habitats are part of why Towra Point is a Ramsar site. The habitats of the Reserve are:

In 2001, the mangrove forests of Towra Point were described as varying in width between tens and hundreds of metres and largely consisting of the grey mangrove Avicennia marina with the river mangrove Aegiceras corniculatum growing in patches along the edge of the forest closest to the landward edge.^[31]

Species

Towra Point Nature Reserve is home to many endangered, vulnerable, protected and exotic species. This list is from the NSW Government's Environment and Heritage department website - a comprehensive listing, including numbers, scientific names, and protection status, can be found at this link.^[32]

Looking across towards Towra Point Nature Reserve from Sandringham, New South Wales.

Birds

Amphibians

Mammals

Reptiles

Plants

Human effects

The ecosystem surrounding Towra Point has been impacted as a result of human interaction.

Positive effects

Looking west from the air over Towra Point

Humans can maximise the area of healthy, functioning intertidal wetlands by minimising their impacts and by developing management strategies that protect, and where possible rehabilitate these ecosystems at risk.

The following are positive ways of trying to protect or rehabilitate intertidal wetlands.

Exclusion – Those responsible for the management of wetland areas often facilitate public access to a small, designated area while restricting access to other areas. Provision of defined boardwalks and walkways is a management strategy used to restrict access to vulnerable areas, as is the issuing of permits whilst visiting Towra Point Nature Reserve.
Education – In the past, wetlands were regarded as waste-lands. Education campaigns have helped to change public perceptions and foster public support for the wetlands. Due to their location in the water catchment area, education programs need to teach about total catchment management programs. Educational programs include guided tours for the general public, school visits, media liaison, information centres, conference presentations, interpretive signage, publications and facts sheets. Staff should also include education officers.
Action – too little is known about the intertidal wetland system to successfully reinstate all natural conditions. Management plans focus on the rehabilitation of the site and the removal of human-induced stresses. For example, fox and rabbit baiting, removal of weeds (at Weedy Pond).
Design – Design interventions have proved successful in minimising sources of natural stress. At Towra Point Beach, for example, there is a sandbag wall to help prevent salt water from leaking into the fresh-water Towra Lagoon.
Legislation – Legislation and regulations are used to protect Towra Point Wetlands. Conventions that Australia has signed in regard to Towra Point Wetlands are the Ramsar Convention, the Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement and the China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA). Legislation that Australia and New South Wales has passed in regard to Towra Point Wetlands are the Australian Wetlands Policy, the New South Wales Wetlands Management Policy (1996) and the State and Environmental Planning Policy 14 on Coastal Wetlands.

Negative effects

Changed wind patterns – due to high-rise near some wetland areas e.g. Bicentennial Park South, at Rockdale.
Alteration of water flows – through construction of roads.
Removal of resources for urban and industrial land uses – These also increase turbidity and toxins in the water supplied to mangroves. (The removal can also result in changed energy flows and nutrient cycles, affecting food chains for both sedentary and migratory fauna)
Replacement of wetland areas – for parks, playing fields or pasture.
Destruction of sea grasses – in areas adjoining wetlands can affect energy flows and nutrient cycles as species levels will be affected.
Introduction of exotic species – e.g. foxes, rabbits, sheep, cattle, pigs. – change energy flows and nutrient cycles. Birds are particularly affected, for example the little tern.
Indirect influences from adjacent sites – e.g. weed infestation (lantana – Towra Point) – carried into the wetlands by horses from the nearby stables.
Trampling – from illegal access
Threat of oil spills – Kurnell Refinery near Towra Point, 31 oil spills between 1957 and 1987 averaging 49,000 litres (11,000 imp gal; 13,000 US gal).^[17]
Recreational horse-riding – on the Reserve and unsupervised recreational use of the reserve (e.g. dog walking)
Boating – disturbs wildlife in the park, and creates pollution.
Fishing – kills fish, which affects the food chains operating within the reserve.
Erosion of Towra Beach – due to wave refraction from the Sydney Airport runway which causes the freshwater Towra Point Lagoon to become saline
Fragmentation of the Reserve – by private land ownership
Bay development – in general, including the Sydney Airport runway and the oil refinery. There have also been concerns that the Sydney Desalination Plant will impact negatively on the Reserve.
Illegal rubbish dumping – has occurred both in the reserve and near the entrance. In late 2004, a large amount of dumped asbestos was discovered.
Land Destabilisation – due to extensive mining of the larger dunes on Towra Point during the twenieth century it has been suggested that if the site was ravaged by strong enough storms breaks in the point could occur and breach the gentle lagoons of Towra Point.^[33]
Runoff – due to most of the surrounding land being used for urban and industrial purposes.^[17] Stormwater from the Kurnell Refinery runs through the Ramsar-listed area of Towra Point Nature Reserve.^[34]
Subsidence – near the walkway, subsidence has been recorded, which has encouraged the establishment of mangroves in the upper swamp.^[35]

Management of the reserve

Traditional

The traditional objectives for the management of wetland areas were built around the use of wetland resources for food, shelter and tools. Grey Mangrove wood, for example, was used to make shields, shells were made into fishing hooks; and marine animals were used for food.

Contemporary

Identify management goals and objectives – Today management plans for wetlands focus on the preservation and sustainable use of sites for recreation, conservation and education purposes. This may involve some exclusion zones but many areas are open to recreational and educational activities.
Define management unit and boundaries – The "management unit" for many intertidal wetlands is often difficult to define because of the large number of stakeholders. For example, the Towra Point wetland has input from NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, NSW Fisheries, Sutherland Shire Council, Friends of Towra Point and recreational users.
Develop and implement management plans – An intertidal wetland is a dynamic system. As our knowledge of ecosystems has increased community attitudes have changed. Communities are now demanding that these ecosystems are protected and effectively managed.

Care has been taken to develop management plans that are both realistic and flexible. They need to take into account scientific and technological advances, changing social and political attitudes and variations in the level of funding. Management plans also need to be consistent with Australia’s international obligations under JAMBA, CAMBA and RAMSAR.^[36]

Applicable legislation and international environmental law

International environmental law

Ramsar Convention (1971), JAMBA (1981), Bonn Convention (1983), CAMBA (1988), ROKAMBA (2006), the Partnership for the Conservation of Migratory Waterbirds and the Sustainable Use of their Habitats in the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (2006),^[17] Convention on Biological Diversity (1992).

Federal environmental law

As the Towra Point area is Ramsar listed, this attracts the operation of the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and Regulations. Section 17B provides that a person is guilty of a criminal offence if (a) the person takes an action [see:s.523]; and (b) the action results or will result in a significant impact on the ecological character of a wetland; and (c) the wetland is a declared Ramsar wetland.

State environmental law

In addition to land use planning law, the following Acts are applicable National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW), Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW), Fisheries Management Act 1994 (NSW), Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (NSW)^[17] and applicable SEPPs (e.g. State Environmental Planning Policy No 39—Spit Island Bird Habitat).

References

1 2 3 4 5 "Towra Point Nature Reserve: Park management". Office of Environment and Heritage. Government of New South Wales. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
↑ "Origin of the names of suburbs and other places" (PDF). Sutherland Shire Council. May 2013.
↑ Molloy, Fran (20 March 2000). "Kurnell Sands Demand Shift in Attitude". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
1 2 "Historical Maps Collection: Botany Bay, by Cook". State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
1 2 "Towra Point Nature Reserve". Sutherland Shire. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
↑ "PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS". The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954). NSW: National Library of Australia. 10 May 1935. p. 5. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
↑ "Second Sydney Airport — A Chronology" (PDF) (PDF). Department of the Parliamentary Library; Australian Government. 2002. ISSN 1328-746X. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
↑ "Federation Chamber: CONDOLENCES: Gietzelt, Hon. Arthur Thomas, AO". Parliament of Australia. 12 February 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
↑ "Looking back: biodiversity legislation". National Parks Journal. April 2005. Archived from the original on 4 July 2005.
↑ "TASMANIA: Sydney Airport: Towra Point Development (Question No. 1918)". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
↑ "Rough ride for bay's fragile beauty". The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 July 2007. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
↑ Glascott, Joseph (June 4, 1983). "Bird haven threatened, say ecologists". The Sydney Morning Herald. The Sydney Morning Herald Archives. p. 5.
↑ "Death Of Mr Ray William Thorburn". Parliament of Australia. 11 February 1986. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
↑ "Mangrove area to be reserve". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). ACT: National Library of Australia. 21 March 1975. p. 3. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
↑ "World Encouragement, Botany Bay, September 1979". Australian Maritime Safety Authority. Australian Government. 10 September 1979. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
↑ Glascott, Joseph (April 7, 1982). "Oil spill killing vital bird sanctuary, say scientists". The Sydney Morning Herald. The Sydney Morning Herald Archives. p. 16.
1 2 3 4 5 6 "Towra Point ECD" (PDF). Local Land Services: Greater Sydney (PDF). Government of New South Wales.
↑ Glascott, Joseph (September 17, 1983). "The 'Old Man' of Botany: Bernie's fight to save the bay". The Sydney Morning Herald. The Sydney Morning Herald Archives. p. 33.
↑ Bailey, Paul (April 28, 1990). "The Bay, no place for botany now". The Sydney Morning Herald. The Sydney Morning Herald Archives. p. 1.
↑ Archived 16 June 2005 at the Wayback Machine.
↑ Towra Beach Nourishment
↑ Jones, Alan R.; Murray, Anna; Lasiak, Theresa A.; Marsh, Robin E. (July 2008). "The effects of beach nourishment on the sandy-beach amphipod Exoediceros fossor: impact and recovery in Botany Bay, New South Wales, Australia". Marine Ecology. 29 (s1): 28–36. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0485.2007.00197.x.
↑ LILLIAN, SALEH. "Bob's Good Tern - Cost To Save Each Bird? $12,500." Daily Telegraph, The (Sydney) (n.d.): Australia/New Zealand Reference Centre. Web. 22 Oct. 2015.
↑ "It's the call of the mild - one good tern deserves a little help". The Sydney Morning Herald. 4 December 2004. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
↑ http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s3349812.htm
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjlRu4jkVwQ
↑ Curtin, Jennie (31 March 2010). "Towra Point wetlands". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
↑ Carr, Kate (30 December 2011). ";Little terns rule the roosts at reserve". St George & Sutherland Shire Leader – via Australia/New Zealand Reference Centre.
↑ http://www.theleader.com.au/story/2406836/towra-bird-habitat-in-decline/
↑ "Botany Bay National Park bound for heritage register". The Sydney Morning Herald. 24 November 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
↑ Minchinton, Todd E. (October 2001). "Canopy and substratum heterogeneity influence recruitment of the mangrove Avicennia marina". Journal of Ecology. 89 (5): 888–902. doi:10.1046/j.0022-0477.2001.00599.x.
↑ "Environment & Heritage | NSW BioNet". Environment.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2014-05-07.
↑ "Towra Point Nature Reserve" (PDF). Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (PDF). Ramsar. April 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
↑ "Water Management Report: Appendix E: Water and Wastewater Management" (PDF). Environmental Impact Statement (PDF). Caltex Australia. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
↑ Hickey, Deanne; Bruce, Eleanor (January 2010). "Examining Tidal Inundation and Salt Marsh Vegetation Distribution Patterns using Spatial Analysis (Botany Bay, Australia)". Journal of Coastal Research. 261: 94–102. doi:10.2112/08-1089.1.
↑ "Towra Point Nature Reserve: Plan of Management" (PDF). NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service (PDR). Government of New South Wales. July 2001. ISBN 0-7313-6208-X. Retrieved 2 October 2014.

External links

Sutherland Shire Environment Centre - Towra Point (the virtual tour is excellent)
Sydney University Excursion
NSW Fisheries - Towra Point Aquatic Nature Reserve

Suburbs and localities within the Sutherland Shire, Southern Sydney, Sydney

Suburbs	Alfords Point Bangor Barden Ridge Bundeena Bonnet Bay Burraneer Caringbah Caringbah South Como Cronulla Dolans Bay Engadine Grays Point Greenhills Beach Gymea Gymea Bay Heathcote Illawong Jannali Kangaroo Point Kareela Kirrawee Kurnell Lilli Pilli Loftus Lucas Heights Maianbar Menai Miranda Oyster Bay Port Hacking Sandy Point Sutherland Sylvania Sylvania Waters Taren Point Waterfall Woolooware Woronora Woronora Heights Yarrawarrah Yowie Bay

Localities	Audley Bate Bay Caravan Head Como West Cronulla Beach Cronulla sand dunes Elouera Beach Garie Beach Gundamaian Gunnamatta Bay North Cronulla Beach North Engadine Royal National Park Shelly Beach Sylvania Heights Towra Point Wanda Beach Warumbul Wattamolla

List of Sydney suburbs

Nature reserves of New South Wales, Australia

Central NSW	Abercrombie Caves Arakoola Avisford Barton Binnaway Boomi Boomi West Borenore Caves Boronga Brigalow Park Budelah Careunga Coolbaggie Copperhannia Dapper Donnybrook Dural Eugowra Freemantle Gamilaroi Girralang Jenolan Caves Kemps Creek Kirramingly Koorawatha Kuma Macquarie Marshes Midkin Munghorn Gap Narran Lake Pilliga Planchonella The Rock Tollingo Turallo Wambool Weetalibah Winburndale Woggoon Wongarbon Yaegl Yarringully

Hunter and Mid North Coast	Awabakal Baalijin Back River Bagul Waajaarr Bandicoot Island Bird Island Bollanolla Boonanghi Boondelbah Boorganna Bowraville Bretti Brimbin Bugan Burning Mountain Bushy Island Camels Hump Camerons Gorge Cedar Brush Coocumbac Island Coolongolook Cooperabung Creek Coramba Corrie Island Coxcomb Darawank Fifes Knob Fishermans Bend Gads Sugarloaf Ganay Garby Goonook Hexham Swamp Jaaningga Jagun Jasper John Gould Juugawaarri Karuah Kattang Khappinghat Khatambuhl Killabakh Killarney Kooragang Koorebang Kororo Lake Innes Limeburners Creek Little Broughton Island Macquarie Mernot Mills Island Moffats Swamp Monkerai Monkeycot Moon Island Moonee Beach Mount Seaview Muttonbird Island Ngambaa North Rock One Tree Island Pambalong Pee Dee Pulbah Island Queens Lake Rawdon Creek Regatta Island Running Creek Seaham Swamp Seal Rocks Skillion Snapper Island Stormpetrel Talawahl The Castles The Glen Tilligerry Tingira Heights Tomalla Towibakh Valla Wallabadah Wallamba Wallaroo Wallis Island Weelah Willi Willi Caves Wingen Maid Wingham Brush Worimi Yahoo Island Yarravel Yessabah

New England Tablelands	Aberbaldie Ashford Caves Bluff River Bolivia Hill Booroolong Burnt-Down Scrub Deer Vale Demon Duval Georges Creek Gibraltar Guy Fawkes River Imbota Ironbark Jobs Mountain Linton Little Llangothlin Mann River Melville Range Mother Of Ducks Lagoon Mount Hyland Mount Mackenzie Mount Yarrowyck Muldiva Ngulin Serpentine Severn River Stony Batter Creek The Basin Tuggolo Creek Watsons Creek Yina

Northern Rivers	Andrew Johnston Big Scrub Ballina Banyabba Billinudgel Boatharbour Booyong Broken Head Brunswick Heads Bungabbee Byrnes Scrub Captains Creek Chambigne Chapmans Peak Clarence Estuary Cook Island Couchy Creek Cudgen Cumbebin Swamp Davis Scrub Flaggy Creek Gumbaynggirr SCA Hattons Bluff Hayters Hill Hogarth Range Hortons Creek Iluka Inner Pocket Julian Rocks Koukandowie Limpinwood Little Pimlico Island Marshalls Creek Moore Park Mororo Creek Mount Neville Mount Nullum Muckleewee Mountain Munro Island North-West Solitary Island North Obelisk North Solitary Island Numinbah Richmond River Sherwood Snows Gully South West Solitary Island Split Solitary Island Stotts Island Susan Island Tabbimoble Swamp Tallawudjah Tuckean Tucki Tucki Tweed Estuary Tyagarah Ukerebagh Uralba Victoria Park Waragai Creek Wilson Wilsons Peak Woodford Island Wooyung

Outback NSW	Big Bush Boginderra Hills Buddigower Cocopara Goonawarra Gubbata Ingalba Jerilderie Kajuligah Kemendok Lake Urana Langtree Ledknapper Loughnan Morrisons Lake Mutawintji Narrandera Nearie Lake Nocoleche Nombinnie Pucawan Pulletop Quanda Round Hill Tarawi The Charcoal Tank Yanga Yathong

South Coast and Highlands	Araluen Badja Swamps Bamarang Barren Grounds Barrengarry Bees Nest Bell Bird Creek Belowla Island Bermaguee Bimberi Binjura Black Andrew Black Ash Bobundara Bogandyera Bondi Gulf Bournda Broulee Island Brundee Swamp Brush Island Burnt School Burra Creek Burrinjuck Cambewarra Range Cecil Hoskins Clarkes Hill Comerong Island Coolumbooka Coornartha Courabyra Cullendulla Creek Cuumbeun Dananbilla Dangelong Devils Glen Downfall Eagles Claw Egan Peaks Ellerslie Five Islands Flagstaff Memorial Good Good Goorooyarroo Gungewalla Hattons Corner Illawong Illunie Ironmungy Jerralong Jingellic Joadja Kangaroo River Kybeyan Meringo Merriangaah Montague Island Mount Clifford Mount Dowling Mudjarn Mullengandra Mundoonen Myalla Nadgee Nadgigomar Narrawallee Creek Nest Hill Ngadang Nimmo Numeralla Oak Creek Parma Creek Paupong Queanbeyan Quidong Razorback Robertson Rodway Saltwater Swamp Scabby Range Scott Stony Creek Strike-a-Light Tabletop Tapitallee Tinderry Tollgate Islands Triplarina Ulandra Undoo Wadjan Wanna Wanna Wee Jasper Wiesners Swamp Wogamia Wollondilly River Woollamia Worrigee Wullwye Yanununbeyan Yaouk Yatteyattah

Sydney and surrounds	Agnes Banks Berkeley Bird Island Castlereagh Central Gardens Cockle Bay Dalrymple-Hay Dharawal Evans Crown Gulguer Lion Island Long Island Manobalai Mulgoa Muogamarra Newington Pelican Island Pitt Town Rileys Island Royal National Park Spectacle Island Towra Point Wallumatta Wamberal Lagoon Wambina Wetherill Park Nature Reserve Windsor Downs

Protected areas of New South Wales

Ramsar sites in Australia

Australian Capital Territory	Ginini Flats

New South Wales	Blue Lake Central Murray Forests Fivebough and Tuckerbil Swamps Gwydir Wetlands Hunter Estuary Wetlands Lake Pinaroo Little Llangothlin Lagoon Macquarie Marshes Myall Lakes Narran Wetlands Paroo Wetlands Towra Point

Northern Territory	Cobourg Peninsula Kakadu National Park

Queensland	Bowling Green Bay Currawinya Lakes Great Sandy Strait Moreton Bay Shoalwater Bay

South Australia	Banrock Station Wetland Complex Bool and Hacks Lagoons Coongie Lakes Coorong and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert Wetland Piccaninnie Ponds Riverland

Tasmania	Apsley Marshes Cape Barren Island east coast lagoons Interlaken Lakeside Reserve Jocks Lagoon Lavinia Nature Reserve Little Waterhouse Lake Logan Lagoon Lower Ringarooma River Moulting Lagoon Pittwater–Orielton Lagoon

Victoria	Barmah Forest Corner Inlet Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands Gippsland Lakes Gunbower Forest Hattah-Kulkyne Lakes Kerang Wetlands Lake Albacutya Port Phillip Bay and Bellarine Peninsula Western District Lakes Western Port Bay

Western Australia	Becher Point Wetlands Eighty Mile Beach Forrestdale and Thomsons Lakes Lake Gore Lake Warden System Lakes Argyle and Kununurra Muir-Byenup System Ord River Floodplain Peel-Yalgorup System Roebuck Bay Toolibin Lake Vasse-Wonnerup System

External territories	Ashmore Reef Coral Sea Reserves The Dales (Christmas Island) Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs Hosnies Spring (Christmas Island) Pulu Keeling

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