Brisbane Water (23833)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Brisbane Water
Central coordinates: Latitude: -33.4838, Longitude: 151.3605
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 2 to 45
Area of KBA (km2): 23.05028
Protected area coverage (%): 7.21
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA consists of the southern section of Brisbane Water, a large estuarine lake. It includes the foreshore, mangroves, saltmarsh and flat coastal land around Kincumber Broadwater, Cockle Channel and Linten Channel. It also includes the Swamp Mahogany forests around Kincumber South, Bensville and Empire Bay.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: Largest colony of Australian Pelican in NSW; about 400-500 pairs; active year-round. 12-14 pairs of Pied Oystercatcher. Small numbers of Eastern Curlew (max 55), Bar-tailed Godwit (max 60), Whimbrel (max 35) and Grey-tailed Tattler (max 20). Two records of the restricted-range Green Catbird from 1998 to 2008 (Atlas of Australian Birds database). Non-bird biodiversity: The threatened Fawn-footed Melomys and Yellow-bellied Glider occur in the swamp forest.
Other site values: Private, State and local government.
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | nature conservation and research | rangeland/pastureland | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 32 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Forest | 32 | |
| Marine Neritic | 32 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Maintain the community awareness and monitoring programs funded by Gosford City Council.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Environment and Conservation (NSW) (2004) Regent Honeyeater Xanthomyza phrygia, draft Morris, A. K. (2002) Conservation status of the Bush Stone-curlew in the Brisbane Water Area. Unpublished report to Gosford City Council. National and NSW Recovery Plan. DEH, Canberra. NSW NPSW (2005) Recovery Plan for the Bush Stone-curlew. NWS National Parks and Wildlife, Hurstville, Sydney. Price, C. (2004) the Bush Stone-curlew Burhinus grallarius on the central coast of New South Wales. Masters Thesis, University of Sydney.
Contributors: The nomination was prepared by Alan Morris following consultation with Reserves Manager, Gosford City Council. Nicci Bennetts, Community Liaison Officer, Gosford City Council. Alan Henderson, Area Manager East, NPWS. David Geering, Regent Honeyeater Coordinator. Catherine Price, Bush Stone-curlew Recovery Coordinator. Garon Stains, Environmental Consultant.