This document is the Ecological Character Description (ECD) for the Flood Plain Lower Ringarooma Ramsar Site (hereinafter referred to as ‘the site’). It contains:
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site details
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a description of the site’s ecological character (including components/benefits and services of the site) as at 1982 and currently
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actual or potential threats to the site
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knowledge gaps in the description and management needs for the site
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changes that have occurred since 1982 or are currently occurring
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site monitoring needs and Limits of Acceptable Change
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communication, education and public awareness messages that will facilitate management and planning for the site
Purpose
Ecological Character Descriptions are critical in understanding the ecological character of a Ramsar site through the description of ecosystem components, processes, benefits and services. They form the benchmark for management action, including site monitoring to detect negative impacts, thus ensuring the site maintains its ecological character. It is imperative that the limits of acceptable change are documented as managers need to know how extensively ecosystem components, processes, benefits and services can vary without the ecological character changing. Information on the benchmarks or limits of acceptable change indicates when the ecological character has changed or is likely to change. The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) provides the legal framework for ensuring the ecological character of all Australian Ramsar sites is preserved (DEWHA 2008).
The objectives of this ECD are (McGrath 2006):
ECD Objective
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Relevant Section
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To assist in implementing Australia’s obligations under the Ramsar Convention, as stated in Schedule 6 (Managing wetlands of international importance) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 (Commonwealth of Australia):
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to describe and maintain the ecological character of declared Ramsar wetlands in Australia; and
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to formulate and implement planning that promotes:
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conservation of the wetland; and
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wise and sustainable use of the wetland for the benefit of humanity in a way that is compatible with maintenance of the natural properties of the ecosystem.
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Sections 2, 3, 5 and 9
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To assist in fulfilling Australia’s obligation under the Ramsar Convention to arrange to be informed at the earliest possible time if the ecological character of any wetland in its territory and included in the Ramsar List has changed, is changing or is likely to change as the result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference.
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Sections 4, 5 and 6
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To supplement the description of the ecological character contained in the Ramsar Information Sheet submitted under the Ramsar Convention for each listed wetland and, collectively, form an official record of the ecological character of the site.
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Sections 2 and 3
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To assist the administration of the EPBC Act, particularly:
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to determine whether an action has, will have or is likely to have a significant impact on a declared Ramsar wetland in contravention of sections 16 and 17B of the EPBC Act; or
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to assess the impacts that actions referred to the Minister under Part 7 of the EPBC Act have had, will have or are likely to have on a declared Ramsar wetland.
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Sections 4, 5 and 6
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To assist any person considering taking an action that may impact on a declared Ramsar wetland whether to refer the action to the Minister under Part 7 of the EPBC Act for assessment and approval.
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Sections 4, 5 and 8
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To inform members of the public who are interested generally in declared Ramsar wetlands to understand the value the wetlands.
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Section 9
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The preparation of an ECD also forms the basis of understanding and management of the listed wetland site, including the information required for:
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designing monitoring programs
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determining methods and approaches for assessing changes to its ecological character
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identifying potential threats and impacts, and evaluating risks
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devising efficient and appropriate management plans for the ongoing protection of the wetland
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identifying critical gaps in knowledge and approaches/methods for addressing these gaps
The process for preparing an ECD should also engage the relevant stakeholders, thereby laying the foundations for alignment of goals and agreed management outcomes. The site, with its mix of private and public land-owners, potential for impacts of upstream and greater catchment actions, and array of significant features, presents a situation where stakeholder understanding will greatly assist future management.
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The site was first listed in November 1982 against the (then) Criteria 2a and 2b of the Ramsar Convention. Following revision of the listing criteria in 1999, the site is now listed under criteria one, two and three of the revised convention (Refer Section 2.2 for details of the previous and current criteria). Introductory site details are presented in Table 1.
Table 1: Introductory Site Details for the Flood Plain Lower Ringarooma River Ramsar Site
Ramsar Site
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Flood Plain Lower Ringarooma River.
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General Location
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The Flood Plain Lower Ringarooma River Ramsar Site is located on the far north-east coast of Tasmania, nine kilometres north-west of the township of Gladstone. The site lies between Cape Portland and Waterhouse Point, extending from Boobyalla Beach inland along the Ringarooma River Flood Plain. The site is in the Dorset municipality.
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Area
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3519 hectares.
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Geographical Coordinates
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Latitude: 40 degrees 53' 00" Longitude: 147 degrees 56' 00" (approximate centre of site).
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Date of Listing
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November 1982.
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Baseline Year Used for Description
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1982.
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Original Description Date
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October 2008 (updated February 2012, this version).
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Version Number
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2.
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Status of Description
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First description following site visit and consultation with stakeholders and land owners. This version is updated from the 2008 description to more fully describe the site and meet SEWPaC guideline requirements.
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Compiler's Name
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Lance Lloyd (Lloyd Environmental Pty Ltd) lance@lloydenviro.com.au
Peter Newall (Independent Ecological Consultants) p.newall@bigpond.com
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Ramsar Information Sheet
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Ramsar Information Sheet: Flood Plain Lower Ringarooma River (June 2010; previously updated June 2005).
Ramsar sites information service, Ramsar sites database: http://ramsar.org/ris/key_ris_index.htm
Ramsar Site No.: 257.
Wetlands International Site Reference No.: 5AU009.
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Management Plan
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GHD 2008. Flood Plain Lower Ringarooma River Ramsar Wetland Site: Management Plan. Report to NRM North, June 2008.
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Responsible Management Authority
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For areas reserved under the Nature Conservation Act 2002 -Director, Parks and Wildlife Service, GPO Box 1751, Hobart Tasmania 7001.
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