Tuggerah (23858)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Tuggerah
Central coordinates: Latitude: -33.2690, Longitude: 151.5200
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 10
Area of KBA (km2): 131.54755
Protected area coverage (%): 17.80
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Tuggerah Lakes is a coastal lagoon system comprising of three main lakes, Tuggerah, Budgewoi and Munmorah, and some smaller adjacent wetlands including Colongra Lake and Swamp. The IBA includes adjacent floodplain forests, which are suitable for Swift Parrots and Regent Honeyeaters, and extensive sea-grass beds within the lakes. Forest types around the lakes includes Coastal Sand Mahogany, Alluvial Robusta-Paperbark Sedge Swamp Forest, Coastal Sand Littoral Rainforest, Paperbark Swamp Forests, Alluvial Riparian Blackbutt Forest, Melaleuca swamps, Spotted Gum/Ironbark, Scribbly Gum and Bloodwood/Black Oak woodlands.
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: Occasional records of single Australasian Bitterns and 3-5 pairs of Black Bitterns (Vulnerable in NSW). Up to 20 pairs of breeding Little Egrets on Curly Island. Maximum counts of 3515 Black Swans, 1723 Curlew Sandpipers and 998 Red-necked Stints at 9 counting sites around the lake. A pair of Ospreys are close to their southern range limit in NSW. Non-bird biodiversity: Most of the forests along the streams and foreshores are categorised as Endangered Ecological Communities under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. Melaleuca biconvexa, a threatened species, is relatively common.
Other site values: Wyong Shire Council Open Space and Foreshore Reserve, National Park Service, Tuggerah Reserve Trust, Delta Electricity and freehold residential properties.
Habitats
Land use: forestry | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 5 | |
| Forest | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 80 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Implementation of Management Plan of Tuggerah Lakes and the Wyong Shire Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot Management Plan. Replant foreshores to replace old senescent trees.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Only in the future | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Morris, A. (ed.) (1995-2004) Central Coast Annual Bird Reports. Central Coast of Birding NSW. Morris, A. (2006) The conservation status of threatened bird species in Wyong Shire. Unpublished report. Keating, J. and Jarman, M.R. (2004) Little Terns in New South Wales. A six year review; breeding seasons 1998/9 to 2003/4. Dept Environment and Conservation, NSW. Roberts, D.E. and Dickinson, T.G. (2005) Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Management Study for Wyong Council & Dept. Infrastructure, Planning & Natural Resources. BIO-Analysis: Marine, Estuarine and Freshwater Ecology, Narara.
Contributors: The nomination was prepared by Alan Morris. Bird data supplied by Birding NSW Central Coast group. Protected Area data supplied by Glenn Gifford of NSW Parks. Wyong Council commissioned a report which includes bird conservation (Roberts & Dickinson 2005).