World Wetlands Day celebrates 50 years on February 2

In recent years, the Livingstone Shire community has experienced some of the warmest and driest years on record, making water and our regional wetlands more valuable than ever.   

Portfolio holder of Water, Waste Management and the Environment, Councillor Andrea Friend, said February 2 is World Wetlands Day, which is a timely opportunity for a reminder on how truly amazing our wetlands are, especially in times of drought.  

“The Fitzroy region has almost 9,500 wetlands, 17 of which are listed wetlands of national significance and some form part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area,” Cr Friend said.  

“Wetlands are the unsung heroes of the environment.  

“They play a critical role in purifying and replenishing our water, acting as a natural sponge against flooding and drought, storing carbon, and providing a habitat for high concentrations of plants and animals.  

“Unfortunately, these benefits are not widely known.  

“This year, World Wetlands Day coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Convention of Wetlands - an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. 

“It is also 25 years since our wetland of international importance was added to the Convention. In 1996, the Shoalwater Bay and Corio Bay area was registered. 

“The 2021 theme is ‘Wetlands and Water’ which shines a spotlight on the wetlands as a source of freshwater and encourages actions to restore them and stop their loss.  

“I encourage every person in the community to join in on World Wetlands Day by becoming a citizen scientist, gathering vital information about the wetlands, and getting involved in local wetland conservation activities.  

“As a Reef Guardian Council, Livingstone Shire is extremely proud to showcase the untouched beauty of our region and highlight the fact that we all have a role to play in protecting our community, cultural values, and coastal assets, now and into the future. 

“Council has recently adopted the Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy which highlights the importance of preserving our coastline and some of these wetlands could be impacted by sea level rise and storm surges in the future,” Cr Friend said.  

Fitzroy Basin Association Senior Project Officer (Environment), Cassandra Tracey, said World Wetlands Day is celebrated to raise global awareness for the vital role that wetlands play for people and the planet. 

“Salt and freshwater wetlands support a high diversity of animals. They act as a nursery for groups of fish, support migratory shorebirds, and are home to many threatened species,” Ms Tracey said. 

“Excess sediment and nutrient are a major threat to the Great Barrier Reef. Wetlands filter sediment run-off and purify water before it reaches open water. 

“The Shoalwater Bay and Corio Bay area is an important wetland located in our region. The site is considered one of Australia’s most pristine wetlands filled with rare and threatened species.”  

“It takes a huge regional effort to protect and enhance these essential sites. 

“Fitzroy Basin Association works with local council groups, state departments, Traditional Custodians, researchers, environmental experts, community members, landholders, and many others to obtain the best regional results. 

“Feral animal control, fish passages, and environmental monitoring are just some of the work that FBA undertakes to protect and enhance regional wetlands."