Some more information about the proposal from Pam Masters of the Derby
Tourist Bureau.
>Hi Frank,
>
> It is nice to hear from you.
>
> Yes there has been movement on the overflow. They commence work shortly
on
>the reticulation of the Golf Course which will use the water to green 9
>holes. They are redesigning the present golf course and making it nine
>holes grassed. This of course will use at lot of the overflow water.
WAWA
>estimate that there will be enough water left to maintain a 1 to 1.5
>hectare wetland after promising, more or less , a 3 hectare wetland. The
>current are is 5-7 hectares depending on water level.
>
>They had a wetland designer over from Queensland to assist with the
design.
>I have not seen his report but they did email to be an artists impression
>of the "new" wetland . This shows a bund with a gate affair so that you
>will be able to walk right around the substantially reduced wetland as
the
>section that flows out over the flats will have a bridge or culvert
through
>which they will release water . The plan discussed was to alter the
levels
>periodically in the wetland area in relation to mosquito breeding. As I
>have not seen the report on the proposed operation of the wetland I am
not
>sure of their intentions in this regard. However, what is certain is that
>the reed bed area will be much smaller than that currently existing . The
>overflow onto the tidal mud flats will be brought in much closer to the
>existing outflow channel. WAWA hope to make provison for interpretation
and
>hides.
>
>As the area will be reduced and the pattern of flow between the reeds and
>the mud flats altered it is not certain what effect all this will have on
>numbers and species. Only time will tell.
>
>Most birdos would of course like it to remain as it is but this was never
>an option. The very fact that they have agreed to comprise by having some
>sort of wetland was a break through and due to lobbying by a few of us in
>Derby. The birding community may lament the reduced size of the wetland
as
>I do very much regret in and will prbably leave town in a few years as a
>result. However, the birding people should be careful not to be over
>critical of WAWA as it is at least a step to recognise that man made
>wetlands are an alternate use for waste water just like golf courses and
>actually will , I feel, cost less in the long run to maintain. We can
only
>hope in the future Derby will expand and more water will be availabe for
>the wetland. ( if the golf course doesn't get bigger) .
>
>My last press release to the local paper told people if they wanted to
see
>lots of birds at the wetland NOW is the last chance as it will be
>completley different next year. They hope to start work on the wetland in
>March 2001.
>
>If you know of any one who would like to comment they should address
> comments and requests for the planning document to
> Phone 91868279.
>
>Due to work committments haven't got out there this year as much as usual
>but it was great to see the Yellow Chats back again and I also saw the
>Baird's ??? but of course would not of know what I was looking at!!! if
>Phil Maher had not been there also. I was out there with Lou from Derby
and
>he, Phil and I were in differenet areas all looking at the same bird.
>Cheers for now Frank and thanks for the enquiry. Cheers Pam.
>
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