“Managing our Wetlands” and Technical Amendments - ELI’s Submission

Wetlands are extremely valuable ecosystems, and powerful examples of the essential benefits and services to people that natural ecosystems provide. They are also biodiversity hotspots – even when highly modified, they can host rare and threatened species of migratory birds, or plants which though subtle, do not survive anywhere else.

Healthy wetlands perform a range of important ecological functions — buffering against floods; acting as ‘natural infrastructure’ for water storage in the landscape; filtering water and capturing sediment; and sequestering and holding massive amounts of carbon.

Keeping wetlands healthy and intact; or ‘wise use’ of wetlands, only does good things for our environment. With 90% of our historic wetlands already having been drained or destroyed for alternative land use, protecting our remaining wetlands (even when they are modified), must remain a key priority of current and future environmental decisions.

Last year, the Government consulted on several changes to current wetland regulations. These include a broadening of the exceptions to the legislative definition of ‘natural wetlands,’ and ‘additional consenting pathways’ for industry activities that would damage wetlands. This year, more detailed drafting was released in line with these proposals. In our view, these proposals are irresponsible, and will result in both a loss of remaining wetlands, and a net loss of wetlands overall.

Read our full submission at the link below.