Proposed Ramsar nomination - Great Sandy Strait, Queensland, Australia
The Queensland Government is considering requesting the Commonwealth
Government to nominate areas of the Great Sandy Strait to the List of
Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. The
Convention aims to halt the worldwide loss of wetlands and to conserve,
through wise use and management, those that remain.
Listing highlights the international significance of the region to the
rest of the world and brings the assurance of Government to manage the
area to maintain the values for which it is listed.
The 93,160 hectare area being considered stretches from about Urangun in
the north to the southern end of Tin Can Bay, and across to the western
coast of Fraser Island from Moon Point southwards.
Great Sandy Strait meets most of the recommended criteria to be used in
identifying wetlands of international importance. From an
ornithological viewpoint, the most important criterion internationally
is that the area regularly supports 20,000 waterfowl, and regularly
supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or
subspecies of waterfowl. In fact, it is considered the third most
important site in Australia for migratory shorebirds.
A draft proposal was announced and released to the public on 13 October
so that local residents and interested people can express their views
and comment on the document.
Copies of the "Draft proposal to list areas of Great Sandy Strait as a
Wetland of International Importance" are available from the 8th floor,
Department of Environment, 160 Ann Street, Brisbane, or from the
Department's Maryborough office, Cnr Lennox and Alice Streets, or phone
(07) 3227 6522 to request a copy to be posted.
To have your views considered prior to Government consideration,
comments are required to be with the Queensland Department of
Environment, by Monday 17 November 1997.
|
