Contributed
The Ramsar convention was signed in Iran in 1971 with the intent of reducing the degradation of the world’s wetlands, particularly as habitats for waterbirds and fish.
Australia being one of the first signatories has an obligation to retain the natural character of all Ramsar sites. The convention’s requirement is to implement’ wise use provisions to all wetlands.’
If the wetland ‘has changed, is changing, or is likely to change’ Australia is required to notify the Ramsar secretariat. Inappropriate developments and ill considered developments constitute a risk to the Australian Government to protect its reputation as managers of its natural estate.
The 59,297 Westernport Ramsar site was listed in 1982 and is one of 11 sites in Victoria. Initially listed on the basis of two criteria and is now recognised as meeting five of the nine criteria, which are as follows:
- it is representative of a wetland of a biogeographical region.
- it supports threatened species.
- it supports substantial numbers of waterbirds.
- it supports species at critical life stages
- it is an important habitat for fish.
Disturbance of light and noise and domestic waste present a threat to the ecological character and are considered pollutants. These pollutants are recognised as among the emerging threats to freshwater ecosystems world wide.( Reid et al 2019) Wetlands are vulnerable to “critical transitions” whereupon the character can accommodate certain pressures until a threshold is exceeded (Capon et al 2015). The challenge of remediating a “switched” wetland is vastly greater than mitigating threats to a site that remains in its original state. Rectifying ecological character can require vast sums e.g funding for the Everglades restoration program is set at approx US$50billion.
Preparing for sea level rise.
Due to rising sea levels with a warming climate, there is evidence to suggest in an increasing number of research papers the possibility of a rise of 100cm by the end of the century. Other research suggests the possibility of a rise between 80-150cm. (Potsdam Institute)
The Victorian coastal council recommends that no development should be approved below 80 cm above the high tide mark due to the emerging risk of marine inundation. (Note that water tables are likely to rise as a “ bubble’ under the hydrostatic pressure of rising seas and so developments on the coastal margin will suffer from the impacts of saline groundwater before being inundated by surface marine waters.)
Currently, research papers are directing the world’s governments to prepare for a staged retreat from the coastal zone, so while the world is preparing itself to retreat from rising seas under the threat of a warming climate.
It would appear the Victorian government institutions are neglecting their obligations and responsibilities of the Westernport Ramsar international agreements.
