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Overview
The Kooragang Wetland Rehabilitation Project (KWRP) is a project
of the Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority (HCRCMA).
KWRP has strong partnerships with the community, all three levels of
government and neighbouring industry. The project is highly collaborative in nature, attracting a great deal of community
interest and involvement to make things happen
at Kooragang.
KWRP covers 1590 hectares on three sites in the Hunter River estuary
adjacent to a major port and industrial complex as well as a large
urban area (Newcastle) in New South Wales. It is one of the largest
active coastal rehabilitation projects in Australia. KWRP was initiated
in 1993 to compensate for the loss of fish, shorebird and other
wildlife habitat in the Hunter estuary caused by 200 years of draining,
filling and clearing.
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Despite habitat losses, Kooragang Wetlands remains a biodiversity
“hot spot” with 27 threatened species and one threatened
community, over 180 species of birds including 24 migratory species,
42 species of fish and crustaceans, 15 species of frog, 10 species
of bat and over 300 species of indigenous plants.
The wetlands are internationally recognized, being part of the
Ramsar-listed Hunter Estuary Wetlands and home to species protected
under JAMBA/CAMBA. Kooragang also has a special sister wetland relationship
with Kushiro Wetlands in Japan.
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The wetlands feature expanses of mangrove and saltmarsh, and in
non-tidal areas, riparian
woodlands, remnants of lowland floodplain rainforest and ephemeral,
freshwater wetlands.
KWRP has focused on adaptive ecosystem management. With increased
knowledge gained through research, management of threatened species
(e.g. green and golden bell frog, white cynanchum) and ecological
communities (e.g. saltmarsh) has become a central feature of rehabilitation
activities.
Kooragang City Farm is an integral
component of KWRP management and research activities. It
demonstrates sustainable agricultural practices that are in harmony
with natural ecosystems, especially wetlands.
Our vision, aims and objectives
Our vision is for an estuary in which healthy, restored fisheries
and other wildlife habitat is in balance with a thriving port, the
whole providing opportunities for research, education and recreation
for people.
Our aims are:
- to help redress the loss of fisheries, shorebird, threatened
species and other wildlife habitat in the Hunter Estuary due to
clearing, draining and filling over the past 200 years by conserving,
restoring and improving Kooragang Wetlands for nature conservation.
- to link applied research to wetland management and develop
complementary opportunities for research, environmental education,
outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism and demonstrate that
environment conservation and local industry can work together
for their mutual benefit.
Our objectives are:
In the area of Nature Conservation and Management:
- protect threatened/protected species and communities along
with other species and communities of conservation significance;
- enhance habitat for estuarine flora, particularly saltmarsh,
and fauna, particularly migratory shorebirds, fish and crustaceans;
- increase flushing of tidal creeks which have become stagnant
and restore creek beds, taking into account habitat requirements
for threatened and protected species and maintaining saltmarsh;
- manage floodgates at Tomago Wetlands to reinstate shorebird
roost and feeding habitat;
- manage pest and weed species;
- develop Kooragang City Farm as a demonstration site and training
facility for farming in harmony with wetlands and management based
on holistic decision-making;
- integrate KWRP into a long-term management framework for the
Hunter estuary wetland conservation area and into the regional
protected natural area network;
- assist research initiatives through facilitating collaborative
projects and providing research sites;
- assess rehabilitation/creation success and guide management
actions of this and other rehabilitation projects through applied
research;
- protect Aboriginal and European cultural heritage values.
In the area of Community Involvement:
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- facilitate community involvement and training activities through
an education and extension program that features Kooragang City
Farm;
- encourage use of Kooragang and Tomago wetlands for educational
purposes;
- enhance opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature
appreciation;
- promote the Hunter Estuary as a centre of excellence in sustainable
wetland management;
- maintain international profile of wetlands of the Hunter River
estuary;
- manage mosquitoes;
- maintain access and infrastructure for visitors in consultation
with utilities.;
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Management
Partnerships
The Kooragang Wetland Rehabilitation Project (KWRP) is a sub-committee
of the Hunter-Central Rivers CMA which is governed by a board comprising
a chairperson and up to seven members who report directly to the
Minister for Natural Resources.
The overall direction of KWRP is guided by a Steering Committee made up of representatives from State and Local Government,
plus several community representatives. In 2005, the
Steering Committees of KWRP and Hexham Swamp Rehabilitation Project
combined to form the one Steering
Committee which meets as required.
Our Staff
Our staff work under the guidance of our Steering Committee to achieve positive
on-ground change.
Project Manager:
Peggy Svoboda |
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Peggy comes from a strong biological and environmental research
background and has been with the Project since its inception. |
Kooragang City Farm Manager:
Rob Henderson |
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Rob brings many skills to the Project including permaculture,
surveying, holistic decision making and networking. |
Conservation Field Officer:
Terry Sullivan |
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Terry is a jack of all trades and master of many. He has superb
restoration and wood-carving skills and is a dab hand on the
BBQ. |
Marketing and Public Relations Officer:
Tiffany La Gerche
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Tiffany brings a background in marketing, community
education and events management. |
Funding Partnerships
Our base funding comes from a major capital works grant gained
in 1997 through the NSW Estuary Management Program (NSW Department
of Natural Resources). Matching funding, including in-kind contributions,
comes from a variety of sources including Hunter-Central Rivers
CMA catchment contributions, Newcastle City Council, volunteer
labour, NSW Department Primary Industries, NSW Department Environment
Conservation, Port Stephens Council, federal grants such as Green Corps, Natural
Heritage Trust and Envirofund plus industry sponsorship (eg Port
Waratah Coal Services, Energy Australia, GHD Pty Ltd, Newcastle
Port Corporation, NSW Ports and Waterways) and Banrock Station.
Additional funding has been received from organizations such as
Hunter Water, Price Waterhouse Cooper, Landcare Australia Limited
and Orica Australia Pty Ltd.
Partnerships with community groups such as Hunter Bird Observers
Club (HBOC), Society of Frogs and Reptiles (SOFAR) and Hunter Wetlands Centre
Australia (HWCA) are
also essential to the success of the project.
Awards
1995 * Gold Award in Community Groups category of
towards RiverCare 2000
1995 * Winners of Newcastle City Council Environmental
Achievement Award for Community
Partnerships
1996 * Winners of Newcastle City Council Environmental
Achievement Award for Community
Partnerships
1996 * Metro Pride Award for Waterways and Foreshore Protection
1997 * Overall winner of Newcastle City Council Environmental
Achievement Award in Community Initiatives for Land Restoration.
1997 * Banksia Environmental Award - Finalist - Land Management Category
1998 * Newcastle City Council Environmental
Achievement Award for Community
Partnerships
1998 * Metro Pride Award for Waterways and Foreshore Protection
1999 * Winner of the Newcastle City Council Environmental
Achievement Award for Community Initiatives Land Rehabilitation and
Restoration (Kooragang City Farm).
1999 * Highly commended in Newcastle City Council Environmental Achievement Award for
Community Partnerships
2000 *RiverCare 2000 Award - State Runner Up
2001 * Highly commended Newcastle City Council Environmental
Achievement Award for Community Initiatives for Rehabilitation and
Restoration
2002 * River Prize - Nationwide Runner Up (KWRP was part of
Hunter Catchment Management Trust application)
2003 * River Prize - Nationwide Winner (KWRP was part of Hunter
Catchment Management Trust application)
2005 * Overall winner of the Newcastle and Hunter Region Environmental
Achievement Award for Community Initiatives for Landcare.
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