Hawkesbury Nepean CMA invests in local wetlands

Bernie Bugden, CMA General Manager, said these wetlands are listed as Wetlands of National Importance and are critical for river health and provide important habitat for native animals and plants.

"We are partnering with local councils, landholders and community groups to deliver appropriate local projects to that address priority issues in these wetlands," said Mr Bugden.

The projects funded by the CMA's Wetland Program include:

• $120,000 for plans of management to guide restoration work at:
• Lake Bathurst and The Morass, south of Goulburn
• Paddys river wetland in the Southern Highlands (including Mundego, Hanging Rock, Stingray and Long Swamps)

• $50,000 for Upland Swamps on the Somersby Plateau - to assist the Community Environment Network to provide funding to landholders to protect and restore wetlands.

• $55,000 for Longneck Lagoon in the Hawkesbury - to fund the Department of Environment and Climate Change to modify a weir to allow more natural flows in the wetland.

• $25,000 for Pitt Town Lagoon in the Hawkesbury -- to fund the Department of Environment and Climate Change to identify what modifications on the lagoon's island are necessary to improve bird habitat.

• $87,000 for Upland Hanging Swamps in the Blue Mountains - to assist Blue Mountains Council to trial new techniques to protect and restore these wetlands.

This wetlands program has been jointly funded by the NSW and Australian Governments.

Landholders with wetlands on their properties throughout the catchment are also invited to contact the CMA about funding to protect and restore their wetland.

Funding is available to fence wetlands to protect wetlands from stock, install alternative stock watering, replant wetlands plants and restore wetland processes.

For more information contact the Hawkesbury Nepean CMA's Wetland Project Officer, Trish Chadwick, on (02) 4587 0050 or visit www.hn.cma.nsw.gov.au/topics/2150.html

Media contact:   Peter O'Malley 0400 461 792