|
The EPBCA Under the Federal Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBCA), Ramsar wetlands are recognised as a matter of national environmental significance and any action that has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on their ecological character cannot proceed without approval from the Federal Environment Minister. To obtain approval, the action must undergo a rigorous environmental assessment and approval process.
View Map of Australia’s Ramsar Sites
Go to Ramsar Convention Website ... www.ramsar.org
Read more …
¨ ‘Impacts on Ramsar listed Great Sandy Strait’ … click here ¨ ‘Great Sandy Strait—A Wetland of International Significance’ (‘Backgrounder’ PDF by Fraser Island Defenders Organisation (FIDO) ... click here
Go to Threatened Flora & Fauna
|
|
Ramsar |
|
ourgreatsandy.com Celebrating and Defending the Great Sandy Strait
|
|
Help Save Fraser Island’s Unique Marine Environment! |
|
The 1971 Convention on Wetlands in Ramsar, Iran, established an International Treaty dedicated to the conservation and ‘wise use’ of wetlands ‘by national action and international cooperation as a means to achieving sustainable development throughout the world’.
The Convention aims to halt the worldwide loss of wetlands and to conserve those remaining through wise use and management. Australia is a signatory to this treaty which is legally binding on the Federal Government.
When a wetland is declared as a Ramsar site it means the ecological character of the area is threatened and needs to be managed to ensure its special ecological values are maintained or improved.
|
|
Website created by Elisabeth Berry for 2Berries Communications. Copyright © 2008 ourgreatsandy.com. All rights reserved. |
|
Australia was one of the first countries to become a Contracting Party to the Convention and designated the world’s first Wetland of International Importance—Cobourg Peninsula Aboriginal Land and Wildlife Sanctuary, in 1974.
|
|
There are now a total of 64 wetlands of International Importance around Australia, covering a total of some 7.3 million hectares. The Great Sandy Strait is one of five recognised Ramsar sites within Queensland.
According to the Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH), Australia ‘seeks to protect these wetlands through a range of activities including appropriate legislation and policy frameworks, development and implementation of site management plans, and community education and awareness programs’. |
|
Click on image to enlarge. |