Carrum Wetlands (24547)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Carrum Wetlands
Central coordinates: Latitude: -38.0667, Longitude: 145.1667
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 5
Area of KBA (km2): 8.97557
Protected area coverage (%): 23.75
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This IBA consists of a number of isolated wetlands that formerly made up the once extensive Carrum Wetlands alongside the eastern shore of Port Phillip Bay, south of Melbourne. The significant remaining fragments of the original wetlands are the ephemeral wetlands of Edithvale, Seaford, Peninsula Aeronautical Remote Control Society (PARCS), Braeside and Woodland Estate Wetlands, Boundary Road Swamp and the Eastern Treatment Plant. They are all considered part of the same IBA because some key bird species, notably Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, move between the wetlands, depending on their state of flood. The Eastern Treatment Plant is a working water treatment plant serving south and east Melbourne, and consists of a series of artificial wetland ponds of varying depth, and a modified lake. Edithvale, Seaford and Braeside are ephemeral shallow lakes fringed by reeds and sedges. PARCS Wetland and Boundary Road Swamp are grazed and lack tall fringing vegetation, whereas Woodland Estate Wetlands are a series of deeper permanent wetlands. All are managed partly for bird conservation and recreation in this urban environment, and Edithvale and Seaford are part of the Port Phillip Bay Ramsar site.
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: The critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrot has been recorded once. The endangered Swift Parrot has been recorded in three of the last six years. Australian Painted Snipe have been recorded on three occasions. Australian Little Bittern are occasionally recorded and bred in 2008. Black-fronted Dotterels have once exceeded the 1% threshold with a count of 176 birds in 2001. Flame Robins are winter visitors to the wetlands and surrounding paddocks (Melbourne Water 2008), with numbers estimated to vary from 20-60 individuals.
Other site values: State Government owned. Melbourne Water manage all important wetland habitat except for Braeside Park, which is managed by Parks Victoria. Access to Edithvale south of the road is restricted to a public view-point and, when the wetland is holding water, a bird hide is manned by community volunteers on Saturday and Sunday afternoons (and sometimes Wednesday evenings). Access to the Eastern Treatment Plant is by prior arrangement and with a guide (e.g. on the monthly Birds Australia census).
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 50 | |
| Artificial - Aquatic | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Implement the Ramsar Management Plan for Edithvale and Seaford Wetlands and Management Plans for the other sites. Manage water flows into Seaford Wetlands, including investigation of pumping excess water from the Eastern Treatment Works.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (unknown use) | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Run-off | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: DEWHA (2008) A Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia. http://www.environment.gov.au/water/publications/environmental/wetlands/database/ accessed 2008. Lane, B. A., Bezuijen, M. R., Orscheg, C. K., Todd, J. A. and Carr, G. W. (2000) Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands Ramsar Management Plan. Unpublished consultant report prepared for Melbourne Water by Ecology Australia: Melbourne. Melbourne Water (2008) Bird records from Edithvale-Seaford and Eastern Treatment Works. Unpublished database.
Contributors: The nomination was prepared by Birds Australia. Mike Carter and Sean Dooley provided access to their historical data and continue to conduct monthly surveys (through Birds Australia) at these sites for Melbourne Water. Dr William Steele of Melbourne Water kindly provided access to data and commented on the nomination.