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User defined wetlands fact sheet

The user defined wetlands fact sheet tool allows you to create your own Queensland Wetland Program fact sheet based on your needs. Use the topic list and then click the relevant sections you wish to include. Those sections are then placed in a PDF format.

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  1. Enter your organisations name
  2. Use the 'Add new text section' button to add free text information to the fact sheet
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    • you can change the order of the topics by dragging and dropping them in the order of preference
    • some topics say 'click on link'. if you click on that link you will be provided with a list of options. Once selected the topics will be added to your list. Once in the list you can modify the order as you can any other list item.
  4. Once a topic is selected, you can right click on the topic and you will see 3 options:
    • add introductory text to this topic: if selected the content typed into the box will appear above the topic standard content from the website
    • exclude standard content from this topic: if selected only a link will be provided, the standard text associated with the topic from the website will be excluded
    • add supplementary text to this topic: if selected the content typed into the box will appear below the topic standard content
  5. If you save the URL link at the top of the page, you will be able to save the selections
  6. Use the Generate PDF button at the bottom of the page to generate the PDF.

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Select areas to include in the fact sheet:

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  • Great Barrier Reef
  • Study areas
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Select reports to include in the fact sheet:

Year of publication
Title of publication
Type of publication
Description
2023 Reef 2050 Wetlands Strategy: a Strategy to manage wetlands in the Great Barrier Reef and its catchments (Reef 2050 Wetlands Strategy) (PDF, 8.5 MB) Strategy framework

The Reef 2050 Strategy (PDF, 8.5 MB) supports the Reef 2050 Long Term Sustainability Plan and the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan, setting out a framework for the improved management of the wetlands of the Great Barrier Reef catchments.

This strategy includes five themes:

  • Improving wetlands information for decision making and action
  • Wetland planning
  • On-ground activities to protect, manage, rehabilitate and restore wetlands.
  • Engagement, education, communication and capacity building
  • Monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement

The development of an updated Reef 2050 Wetlands Strategy incorporated the outcomes of the independent evaluation of the of the 2016-21 Strategy (superseded)
2023 Queensland Wetland Definition Guideline Methodology This document provides guidance on the range of wetland definitions used in Queensland, describes the QWP Wetland Definition (Definition), and provides guidance on the interpretation and application of the Definition. This guideline is intended to assist government agencies, landowners, natural resource managers and others wanting to identify whether feature is a wetland for decision making and planning purposes. This guideline will be useful for other activities relating to wetlands, including their delineation, mapping, classification, assessment, and management. This guideline applies to all wetland systems and types in Queensland but may be somewhat restrictive when applied to subterranean systems.
2023 Queensland Wetland Delineation and Mapping Guideline Methodology This document provides information on how to apply the QWP Wetland Definition (the Definition) at a property scale to delineate and map the boundary of a wetland including defining its position, shape, and size. This guideline assists government agencies, land managers, natural resource managers, scientists, surveyors, consultants, and others wanting to delineate and map the boundaries of an identified wetland feature for decision-making and planning purposes. In some cases, requirements for development assessment may advise or stipulate the use of this and other guidelines for regulatory purposes. This document is a companion technical guideline accompanying the Queensland Wetlands Definition Guideline. .
2023 Queensland Wetland Classification Scheme Methodology The classification of wetlands takes an attribute-based approach, identifying and describing physical, biological and chemical attributes of wetlands. The scheme is adaptable and flexible and is based on and complements other attribute-based classification schemes used within Queensland. This document is designed to support consistent, state-wide baseline classification of lacustrine, palustrine, riverine, and some intertidal wetlands above mean sea level across Queensland.
2023 The Interim Queensland River Classification Scheme Methodology The Interim Queensland River Classification Scheme provides a standardised approach to describing and categorising the biological, physical and chemical characteristics (attributes) of rivers.
2020 Queensland Waterhole Classification Scheme Methodology The Queensland Waterhole Classification Scheme was developed to provide a framework for classifying and typing Queensland waterholes. The scheme uses a biophysical framework of physical, environmental and climatic attributes.
2020 State of the Environment Report 2020 for Queensland Report The 2020 State of the Environment report is available on the DETSI website. The Queensland Government produces a State of Environment Report every 2 years. It has been published in a web-based format, providing an interactive experience for users to explore spatial data, text, tables, graphs and charts. Published through the Queensland Government Open Data Portal, the data is presented in themes: Biodiversity, Heritage, Pollution, Climate and Human Settlements and Great Barrier Reef.
2018 De Moleyns Lagoon - stakeholder collaboration leads to successful environmental outcomes Case Study De Moleyns Lagoon (PDF, 1.4 MB) is an environmentally and culturally important wetland area situated within a floodplain dominated by agriculture. It is home to a large variety of vegetation communities, including the Endangered Regional Ecosystem Melaleuca viridiflora woodland. Local stakeholders have worked together for many years to restore and transform the site to an area which is now a valued natural habitat.
2018 Calliungal Cattle Station Case Study - Managing cattle and wetlands where three rivers meet on the Calliungal floodplain. Case Study

This case study (PDF, 1.3 MB) illustrates how Calliungal Cattle Station's managers have tackled the challenges of floodplain grazing and applied recent technological innovations to achieve sustainable production—while retaining healthy wetlands and biodiversity. It provides information useful to landholders on land subject to major floods, in Queensland.

2020

 Queensland Intertidal and Subtidal Ecosystem Classification Scheme Methodology

The Queensland Intertidal and Subtidal Ecosystem Classification Scheme uses the biological, physical and chemical characteristics of the water column and sea floor to classify intertidal and subtidal ecosystems. The scheme develops a common understanding and language of classification to improve communication and lead to better management outcomes. It provides a structured framework and understanding available for mapping.
Various Plant guides Field guide

User friendly illustrated field guide that offers comprehensive information on the wetland plants of the area. 

Plant selection for WSUD: WSUD design guidelines for Mackay

Wetland Plants of the Wet Tropics

Wetland plants of the Townsville—Burdekinfloodplain

2016 Wetlands in the Great Barrier Reef Catchments Management Strategy 2016–21 (PDF, 5.9 MB) (PDF, 5.9 MB) (Superseded) Strategy framework

Note this Strategy has been replaced with the Reef 2050 Wetlands Strategy: a Strategy to manage wetlands in the Great Barrier Reef and its catchments (Reef 2050 Wetlands Strategy) (PDF, 8.5 MB).

The strategy supported the Reef 2050 Long Term Sustainability Plan and the Reef Water Quality Improvement Plan 2013, setting out a framework for the improved management of the wetlands of the Great Barrier Reef catchments. It built on the achievements of the Queensland Wetlands Program and recognised wetlands as vital to the health of the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem and its catchments.

This strategy included five themes: improved information; planning; on-ground management; communication and education; and evaluation, review and improvement.
2016 Integrating high valuegrazing and wetland managment on Torilla Plain (PDF, 1.1 MB) Case Study Managers of the five grazing properties that cover Torilla Plain, adjoining Broad Sound in CentralQueensland, have developed productive resilient enterprises for breeding and fattening ofcattle. Wise use of natural pastures on their marine plain is the key.
2015-2016 Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems Handbooks Report

The groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs) handbooks provide consolidated information on where and how groundwater moves through a catchment and where groundwater may interact with ecosystems.

  • Handbook for groundwater dependent ecosystems in South East Queensland
  • Groundwater dependent ecosystem mapping: Comet, Dawson and Mackenzie catchments
  • Lake Eyre Basin Springs Assessment Project Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem Mapping Report
2016 Plant selection for WSUD: WSUD design guidelines for Mackay Guideline

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is a reasonably new approach to urban stormwater quality management.

It is important that local plant selection is given appropriate consideration as a matter of priority.

These Technical Design Guidelines puts forward plant recommendations chosen by a team of horticultural experts. It also contains practical design drawings illustrating how they apply.
2016 Waterhole refuge mapping and persistence analysis in the Lower Balonne and Barwon–Darling rivers Report

To inform the management of river systems consistent with the Murray–Darling Basin Plan, there is a need to understand how long waterholes can persist and how the spatial distribution of persistent waterholes changes as a drought progresses. The waterholes project was commissioned by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority to improve understanding of the location and persistence of waterholes in the Lower Balonne and Barwon–Darling regions of the northern Basin as part of the Northern Basin review. The project was undertaken through the Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation (Queensland) and the Department of Primary Industries, Water (NSW).
2015 A landscape hazard assessment for wetlands in the Great Barrier Reef catchment (PDF, 4.6 MB) Fact sheet

This report details the approach taken to assess hazards to lacustrine and palustrine wetlands in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) catchments in Queensland. It provides a landscape scale assessment of hazard (as opposed to fully quantified 'risk') arising from land-use, and is conducted as a desktop GIS analysis.

In particular the assessment aims to:

  • characterise human induced pressures arising from land-use
  • enable the attribution of mapped wetlands with a modelled level of hazard.
2015 Wetland naming protocol fact sheet (PDF, 0.3 MB) Fact sheet

The Queensland Government encourages the community to suggest new names for geographic features in Queensland that have yet to be officially named.

The place naming process includes consideration of naming issues, provision of recommendations to the relevant Minister under the Place Names Act 1994, publication of notices and maintenance of the gazetteer or register of place names.
2014

Western Cape York groundwater study: 2. Groundwater dependent ecosystems investigation supporting the assessment of groundwater sustainability in the Great Artesian Basin of Cape York (PDF, 45.6 MB) and

Attachment 1: Spatial analysis technical description and maps of potential groundwater dependent ecosystems (PDF, 32.6 MB)

 Report

Investigates the risks to groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs) which may potentially have reliance upon the Great Artesian Basin (GAB) across the Cape York Peninsula.

GDEs support important biodiversity values and they are recognised as particularly important on Cape York Peninsula, where access to groundwater provides a water source to ecosystems during the long dry season. Groundwater on Cape York Peninsula is present in both local surface aquifers, and the larger regional water table of the Great Artesian Basin.

2014 Managing water for the farm and environment with Jeppesen Farming Company (PDF, 0.4 MB) Case Study Tony and Mandy Jeppesen, along with sons Ben and Sam, own and manage a cane farm in the Whitsunday region of Queensland. Over the past decade, the Jeppesens have implemented changes across the farm to improve water management.
2014 Beef cattle: Managing frontage country and wetlands (PDF, 0.3 MB) Case Study David and Dianne Hood have been managing the Kirkton property in the Burdekin catchment since 2004 to improve beef production and enhance local wetlands. The property was in poor condition when purchased, partly due to drought, with degraded pastures dominated by weeds. They have been investing in new infrastructure to better manage the herd, allowing wet season spelling and weed control. This has led to improved land condition and better management of frontage country, with benefits to adjoining wetlands.
2014 Queensland Wetland Program (Program) Phase 2 Strategic Management Audit

 (PDF, 0.5 MB) 		Report

The Queensland Wetlands Program (Program) has been running for nearly 10 years and has delivered more than 70 projects. There have been three phases of the Program: Phase 1 (2003-2008), the Transitional Phase (2009-2010) and Phase 2 (2010-2013).

An evaluation of Phase 1 was undertaken in 2009 by a non-government agency, while for Phase 2, a smaller management audit has been undertaken by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) independently of the Program.
2013 On-farm wetland demonstration site–Lower Burdekin (PDF, 0.6 MB) and video Case study Demonstrates the rehabilitation of a wetland on a cane farming property.

Watch the video to follow the rehabilitation process.
2013 De Moleyns Lagoon rehabilitation and monitoring project (PDF, 0.7 MB) Case study

Demonstrates wetland rehabilitation and monitoring outcomes in agricultural production areas in the Mackay-Whitsunday region.
2013 Moreton Bay - celebrating 20 years as a wetland of international importance (PDF, 0.3 MB) Fact sheet

To mark the 20th anniversary of the listing of Moreton Bay under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, (Ramsar Convention), achievements over the past 20 years have been documented. This list highlights some of the incredible effort that has gone into protecting and managing the Moreton Bay Ramsar site.
2013 Waterbird and shorebird surveys of the Bowling Green Bay Ramsar site Report

Beginning in 2011 this study consisted of four surveys of the coastal high tide roosts for shorebirds, and additional aerial and ground surveys of nearby wetlands, north of Ayr. The aim of the study was to provide a detailed assessment of the distribution and abundance of shorebirds and waterbirds in the Bowling Green Bay Ramsar Site.
2013 Pictures worth a thousand words: A guide to pictorial conceptual modelling Guideline This report provides a guideline on how to create conceptual models.
2013 Wetland Buffer Case Study: Lake Broadwater (PDF, 1.4 MB) Case study This case study demonstrates how the Queensland Wetland Program Buffer Planning Guideline has been used to develop a buffer for Lake Broadwater in the Condamine-Balonne catchment of the Murray-Darling basin.
2013 Establishing a rotational grazing system in box-mulga country, Wallam Creek (PDF, 0.6 MB) Case study

Boosting the capacity to optimise ground cover and grazing business outcomes by subdividing paddocks into many smaller units, each served by off-stream watering points. Environmental benefits include reduced soil erosion and improved condition of the riparian zone.
2013 Managing water and grazing in Warrego floodplain and mulga country (PDF, 1.1 MB) Case study Complementary strategies to manage water and animals in grazing enterprise. By increasing control of flowing water and livestock habits, benefits have occurred for sustainable production, biodiversity and the condition of riverine and other wetland systems.

2013 Guidelines and template for preparing a wetland management plan (PDF, 0.6 MB) Guideline

These guidelines have been produced for use by landholders engaged in grazing and dryland cropping in two inland river basins of Queensland: the Queensland Murray-Darling and the Bulloo. Most of the material is applicable much more widely across inland regions of Queensland and Australia generally.

It outlines a step-by-step process for preparing a wetland management plan and a template (model) is provided allowing landholders and other wetland managers to easily insert the necessary information into an appropriate format.

2012 Walking the landscape—A whole-of-system framework for understanding and mapping environmental processes and values (PDF, 0.4 MB) Guideline

The 'Walking the landscape' framework integrates existing data with expert knowledge to develop a whole-of-system map linked to conceptual models showing how the environment functions. The method addresses one of the major criticisms of broadscale mapping—the lack of integration of knowledge from local experts into datasets used by decision makers.
2012 Framework for evaluating aquatic ecosystem connectivity (PDF, 1.2 MB) Guideline

The connectivity framework describes a process for systematically and transparently working through the connectivity of relevant functions of an aquatic ecosystem, and provides a way of understanding and applying connectivity at any level of spatial scale for any management outcome.

The framework was developed through expert workshops involving policy makers and scientists from a wide range of disciplines from state, local and federal government bodies and universities.

2015 Queensland Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem Mapping and Classification Method Methodology The method behind the development of baseline mapping and classification of groundwater dependent ecosystems in Queensland.
2011 Identification of High Conservation Value Aquatic Ecosystems (HCVAE) in the Queensland Murray Darling Basin through targeted collection of wetland inventory data across the northern basin—Technical report (PDF, 5.6 MB) Report The project was undertaken as part of the Queensland Wetlands Program – Phase 2. The project collected and collated data for 62 wetlands. The wetland sites were predominantly freshwater non-riverine wetlands with five riverine wetlands sampled opportunistically. The data was used to identify and classify areas of high conservation value.
2011 Queensland Wetland Buffer Planning Guideline (PDF, 4.4 MB) Guideline

Provides the steps for designing a wetland buffer and identifies its benefits and future management needs.

Use this guideline in palustrine, lacustrine, estuarine and marine wetland systems. The concepts behind the method can also be used for buffers around riverine and artificial wetlands. Using the guideline requires expert knowledge of wetlands.

An important tool to support users who want to meet the requirements of the State Planning Policy Protecting Wetlands of a High Ecological Significance in Great Barrier Reef Catchments. However it does not over-ride legislative requirements.
2011 Grazing for Healthy Coastal Wetlands:Guidelines for managing coastal wetlands in grazing systems (PDF, 30.9 MB) Guideline

Developed to provide graziers, landowners and extension officers with information on managing grazing in and around Queensland's coastal wetlands to maintain healthy coastal wetlands and productive grazing enterprises.

It provides practical advice on how grazing and associated land management practices can be implemented to support the long-term health of coastal wetlands whilst maintaining production.
2011 Indicators in Reduction in Soils (PDF, 7.6 MB) Report

Reports on the Indicator of Reduction in Soils (IRIS) method for identifying wetlands and demonstrates how to use the method on wetlands in Queensland. Field indicators of ephemeral wetlands can be hard to find in dry times. Wetland soils—identified by reducing conditions—become a major indicator of existence and extent.

The IRIS method uses synthetic iron oxides to indicate anaerobic conditions in soils to indicate the presence of wetlands. Wetland managers and decision makers may use the IRIS method as an additional line of evidence to identify wetland extent.
2011 Hydro-climate tool user guide (PDF, 9.1 MB) User guide Developed to help users use the Hydro-climate tool—interactive tool that relates stream discharge, rainfall and run-off to the Queensland wetland mapping images.
2011 Hydrological Characterisation for Wetlands and Wetland Imagery (PDF, 2.9 MB) Methodology

Describes the method behind the development of the associated interactive tool that relates zonal discharge and rainfall to the imagery used as a base for the Queensland wetland mapping. The tool provides a historical context to how the maximum extent of the wetlands and the water regime ratings were determined.

The information may also be used for the evaluation of the circumstances that lead to wetland filling and the changes in wetland filling processes for different wetland types. This is important for wetland assessment and management of wetlands at a subregional scale.

2010-2011 Conceptual model case study series Case study Vibrant, easy-to-understand illustrated guides to selected individual wetlands in Queensland. They offer site-specific, science in the form of conceptual models and text to support and inform management and cover a wide variety of wetland issues and types. The technique used for developing the conceptual models can be implemented by local wetland managers anywhere in Queensland.
2009-2016

Instream structure inventory program

 Reports and GIS

The Inventory of Instream Structures program demonstrates the impacts of structures which threaten the health of local fish populations that support important recreational and commercial fisheries and associated wetland functions. The guidelines and report feature a Response Action Plan (RAP) that nominates specific recommendations actions to protect wetland values.

Please note: the findings of the above reports are current at time of publication. Given the dynamic nature of the environment, the status of instream structures and identified issues will require review before implementing management recommendations.
2010 Queensland Wetland Definition and Delineation Guideline Part A  (PDF, 1.7 MB)and Part B (PDF, 2.9 MB) Guideline

Comprises two parts.

Part A is a guide to existing wetland definitions and how to apply the Queensland Wetlands Program wetland definition.

Part B is the delineation and mapping guideline.
2010 Refugial Waterholes Project Research Highlights (PDF, 5.1 MB) Report Waterhole refugia play a vital role in many river systems, allowing aquatic taxa to survive periods when there is no flow and surface water availability is limited. An understanding of the role and function of refugial waterholes is necessary to best manage these habitats, and ensure that risk to waterhole-dwelling biota is minimised. In order to maintain viable regional populations of biota, refugia must be able to support both the resistance and resilience of local populations. This requires the persistence of good-quality waterhole habitats for the duration of dry spells, as well as connectivity between them during flows. A number of investigations on the themes of persistence, quality and connectivity, to provide knowledge for decision-making.
2009 Wetland Management Handbook: Farm Management Systems guidelines for managing wetlands in intensive agriculture (PDF, 6.0 MB) Guideline

Contains information and guidelines to help producers and extension officers protect the functions of Queensland’s wetlands in intensive agricultural production systems. The Handbook follows the Farm Management System approach to managing agricultural businesses.

The Handbook provides for all aspects of best practice wetlands management in intensive agricultural operations and covers such topics as nutrient, erosion and sediment management; spray-drift management; management for fisheries values; and weed and pest animal management.  It also contains a component on constructed wetlands design.
2009 Queensland Wetlands Program evaluation (PDF, 1.6 MB) Report

An independent evaluation of the first phase of the Queensland Wetlands Program (2003-2009) in 2009.

 

The evaluation, conducted by Halcrow Pacific Pty Ltd and Institute of Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney, was to determine the Program’s effectiveness in meeting its aim and project objectives.

The Program aim is to support projects that will result in long-term benefits to the sustainable use, management, conservation and protection of Queensland wetlands.

The evaluation looked at the Program’s five focus areas:

  • improving the wetland information base
  • wetland planning arrangements
  • on-ground activities to protect and rehabilitate wetlands
  • education and capacity building
  • communication, monitoring, evaluation and reporting and review.
2008 Wetland Rehabilitation Guidelines: for the Great Barrier Reef catchment (PDF, 6.0 MB) Guideline

Developed to assist wetland managers including landholders, local councils and Natural Resource Management bodies to undertake effective wetland rehabilitation. The guidelines draw on existing research and experience including works undertaken in the Queensland.

Produced under the Great Barrier Reef Queensland Wetlands Program, Wetland Care Australia was commissioned, by the Australian Government.
2008 The Soil Indicators of Queensland Wetlands: State-wide Assessment and Methodology (PDF, 1.6 MB) Methodology Details and discusses findings of a statewide assessment of wetland soil indicators conducted by the Department of Natural Resources and Water during 2007 and 2008 under the Queensland Wetlands Program (QWP). The definition developed through the QWP is based on the Ramsar definition and includes a component on wetland soil features. To be useful at a finer scale, this definition needs a scientifically robust method for applying wetland soil indicators. This study concludes that the formation of soil indicators in Queensland is influenced greatly by climatic region (tropical/equatorial, subtropical, semiarid and arid), wetland system (palustrine, lacustrine and estuarine) and by inundation frequency (periodically or commonly wet).
2008 Soil Indicators of Queensland Wetlands:Field Guide (PDF, 33.0 MB) Field guide Developed to assist in the field identification of wetland soil indicators in Queensland, and is intended to be read and used in conjunction with the Soil Indicators of Queensland Wetlands: State-wide Assessment and Methodology.
2007 Understanding Ecological and Biophysical Processes in Queensland’s Wetlands: Literature Review and Gap Analysis (PDF, 4.0 MB) Report

To help reduce the challenges of accessing wetland science the Queensland Wetlands Program with the Department of Natural Resources and Mines developed a report that focuses on:

  • information relating to causal relationships between wetlands and Great Barrier Reef water quality
  • research on how wetland ecosystems function
  • research on the role wetlands play in landscape processes—in particular the improvement of downstream water quality
  • research assessing the ‘health’ of wetlands in an ecological context; and the implications of research for the protection, management and restoration of degraded wetlands.
2007 Soil Indicators of Queensland Wetlands Phase 1: Literature Review and Case Studies (PDF, 2.2 MB) Report and case studies Soils are potentially powerful indicators of wetland dynamics because of the specific morphological features that develop in wet environments. This review of national and international scientific literature evaluates the ability of indicators often found within soils to reliably predict wetland boundaries. The report highlights two case studies of wetlands within Southern and Central Queensland to test if predictable relationships exist between soil indicators identified within the literature and wetland status for Queensland wetland soils.
2007 Scoping Study for Monitoring Wetland Extent and Condition  (PDF, 11.1 MB) Report Review of relevant national and international literature on wetland condition and extent indicators and methodology as they relate to monitoring. It provides a scoping study to help determine appropriate resource condition indicators and methodologies for wetland monitoring for different wetland types, including a set of national indicators. The Report identifies existing monitoring programs and highlights areas where monitoring is deficient for Inventory Database requirements (temporal and spatial). It also identifies resource condition parameters for inclusion in the Wetlands Inventory Database, criteria for resource condition monitoring, makes recommendations for developing conceptual understandings of wetland types, and consolidates links to other Queensland Wetlands Program projects.
2007 Census of Regional Body Wetland Activities (PDF, 1.8 MB) Report

In 2007, an independent review was undertaken to analyse how wetland activities aligned between regional bodies and the objectives of the QWP.

It contains detailed regional profiles for each of the 14 natural resource management regions of Queensland with each profile identifying key achievements, wetland activities and future directions.

The review concluded that many of the regional body wetland activities were contributing to the QWP objectives and were complemented and supported by the products from the QWP.
2007 Great Barrier Reef Coastal Wetlands Protection Programme—Pilot Program 2005-2007—Final Report Report

The Report evaluates the GBR Coastal Wetland Protection Programme including a description of achievements against objectives, an evaluation of the success of the pilot programme, and the appropriateness of approaches used.
2005 Sustainable Land Management and Wetlands Conservation on Freehold and Leasehold Land in the Great Barrier Reef Catchment Report The purpose of this study was to provide recommendations to the Australian Government on an appropriate mix of incentives to increase sustainable land management practices on freehold and leasehold land, particularly with reference to wetland areas in the Great Barrier Reef catchment NRM regions. The study consists of three separate but linked investigations
Various Wetland management case studies Case study 22 case studies based on the Great Barrier Reef Coastal Wetlands Protection Program Pilot Program commissioned by the Australian Government to deliver on-ground actions for the sustainable management of 22 priority wetlands in the Great Barrier Reef catchment.
Various Conceptual model case study series Case studies

Conceptual model case studies for selected wetlands in Queensland. Site-specific information and science on a wide variety of wetland issues. Informs and supports management. The technique used for developing the conceptual models can be implemented by local wetland managers anywhere in Queensland.
Various Environmental value reports online Fact sheet

This online portal is used for querying information on specific environmental values, by location.

Report types:

  • matters of state environmental significance
  • regional ecosystems
  • terrestrial biodiversity and aquatic conservation values.

Select tools and guides to include in the fact sheet:

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Guidelines, reports and tools

Title
Industry
Year of publication
Description
Threatened Species Decision Tool All 2025 The Threatened Species Decision Tool allows users to access comprehensive threatened species information and create a shortlist of threatened species relevant to your decision-making context. The tool enables users to run different scenarios, visualise the results and compare the outputs.
Guidelines for restoring and managing wetland habitat for Latham’s Snipe All 2025 This document provides guidelines for managing and reinstating wetland habitat for Latham’s Snipe. It is intended for use by land managers such as Natural Resource Management (NRM) bodies, practitioners, landholders, Councils, land developers and environmental consultants.
Fine-Scale Water Quality Monitoring in High Priority Catchments All 2024 These reports provide an overview of the findings from the fine-scale water quality monitoring networks installed within high priority catchments. These monitoring networks were installed to quantify and communicate the nitrate dynamics within the regions.
Guidance materials for acid sulfate soils All Various Guidance materials for undertaking acid sulfate soils investigations, risk assessments and management in Queensland.
National Marine NRM Plan 2023-2028 Marine 2023 This National Marine Natural Resource Management Plan 2023-2028 has been developed by OceanWatch, in collaboration with a variety of marine stakeholders, to guide NRM investment for the next five years.
Australian guidelines for the implementation of nature based methods for coastal hazard risk reduction. All 2021 Australian guidelines for the implementation of nature based methods for coastal hazard risk reduction.
IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions All 2021 The aim of the Standard is to increase demand for Nature-based solutions while safeguarding people and nature thus bringing about positive sustainable change.
Tidal restoration of blue carbon ecosystems method All 2022 The blue carbon method enables Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs) to be earned by projects that remove or modify tidal restriction mechanisms and allow tidal flow to be introduced to an area of land.
Coastal high-tide shorebird management guidelines All 2021 These guidelines provide evidence-based advice for maintaining and managing natural or artificial (i.e. human-created) coastal wetlands to provide suitable high tide roosting conditions for shorebirds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.
Feral pig management information and guidelines All Various Information and links can be found on the feral pig management page.
Aquatic fauna passage (biopassage/fishways) inventory, assessment and management All Various

Information, guidelines and links can be found on the aquatic fauna passage (biopassage/fishways) and inventory and assessment pages.
Desktop analysis to inform the design for megafauna monitoring within the Reef 2050 Integrated Monitoring and Reporting Program: Final Report of the Shorebirds Team in the Megafauna Expert Group All 2019 Final report of the Shorebirds Team in the megafauna group within the University of Queensland and James Cook University.
Great Barrier Reef Coral Restoration Database All 2020 Describes common problems and issues that have plagued the field of coral restoration, and provide suggestions and recommendations for future coral restoration projects worldwide.
PFAS National Environmental Management Plan All 2020 Provides nationally agreed guidance on the management of PFAS contamination in the environment, including prevention of the spread of contamination.
National Light Pollution Guidelines for Wildlife Including marine turtles, seabirds and migratory shorebirds All 2020

This guideline was produced to address the issues associated with artificial light and disruption to critical behaviours in wildlife.
Understanding coastal erosion on beaches (PDF) All 2019 A guide for managers, policy makers and citizen scientists.
All 2019 This guide is for practitioners, managers and community members to provide both guidance in decision-making for establishing shellfish reef restoration projects and examples of different approaches undertaken by experienced practitioners in a variety of geographic, environmental and social settings.
Riparian and stream bank management All various

The Riparian Zone Estimator Tool (RipZET) (PDF) is a decision support tool, developed in California, to assist in the visualization and characterization of riparian areas.

Riparian Land Management Technical GuidelinesWEBID-0181WEBID-0180:
Ramsar: Good practices handbook - Integrating urban development and wetland conservation (PDF) Urban 2018 This handbook was developed as a result of a workshop in China in early 2018. The handbook's purpose is to provide guidance when it comes to the design, planning, management and/or construction of urban wetlands.
NSW Government WET eBook: Workbook for Managing Urban Wetlands in Australia Urban 2013 The 5 sections and 28 chapters throughout the eBook explain practical information for managing both freshwater and estuarine wetlands in urban Australia.
Saltmarsh Rehabilitation Review of Grey Literature (PDF) All 2018 Provides information on effective rehabilitation techniques from over 100 projects throughout New South Wales and Queensland.
Bridge Scour Manual All 2019 This manual includes bridge scour criteria and exceptions for Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads practices.
Water Quality Australia All 2018 National Water Quality website, links to water quality guidelines, related water quality projects and initiatives, water quality planning and information on issues affecting water quality.
Vegetation recovery in inland wetlands: an Australian perspective (PDF) All 2017 This review is concerned with deliberate or planned change of vegetation from one state to another, a process that is here called recovery but which refers to activities such as restoration, rehabilitation and repair. The aim is to present a useful and accessible summary of ecological understanding about wetland vegetation recovery, as it relates to Australia. This is an essential step in the development of scientifically sound tools that will assist wetland practitioners to be more effective in restoring wetland vegetation.
Plant guides All Various

User friendly illustrated field guide that offers comprehensive information on the wetland plants of the area. 

Plant selection for WSUD: WSUD design guidelines for Mackay

Wetland Plants of the Wet Tropics

Wetland plants of the Townsville—Burdekin floodplain

Field Guide to common saltmarsh plants of Queensland
Wetlands in the Great Barrier Reef Catchments Management Strategy 2016–21 (PDF, 5.9 MB) All 2016

The strategy (PDF, 5.9 MB) supports the The Reef 2050 Long Term Sustainability Plan and the Reef Water Quality Improvement Plan 2013 (PDF), setting out a framework for the improved management of the wetlands of the Great Barrier Reef catchments. It builds on the achievements of the Queensland Wetlands Program and recognises wetlands as vital to the health of the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem and its catchments.

This strategy includes five themes: improved information; planning; on-ground management; communication and education; and evaluation, review and improvement.
Sediment and Erosion Control All 2016

Healthy Waterways Erosion and Sediment Control Toolkit for House Builders, and other resources here. Find out about erosion and sediment controls you can adopt to help reduce the amount of sediment run-off from your development.

Erosion and sediment control (ESC) on construction sites. The State Planning Policy and Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (SPA) regulate future planning and development and development approvals should include provisions relating to construction and operation of developments. 
Hydro-climate tool All 2006

Explains how satellite images are used to represent inundation in the development of wetland mapping.

Information can be used to guide ecological assessments and aquatic connectivity studies. It provides a selection of imagery, based on inundation extents.

WetlandSummary All 2012 Maps, statistics, reports, species lists, conceptual models and more based on your area of choice
Managing riparian areas on dairy farms (XLS, 0.9 MB) Dairy 2006 Economic assessment tools

Assessment of sub-surface (reed-bed) treatment wetlands (XLS, 3.2 MB) All 2006 Economic assessment tools

Queensland Flood Reconstruction Authority Mapping All 2011 Flood check map and more.
Guidelines and information for policy and legislation see relevant section All Various

 
Rocklea Industrial Area Littering and Illegal Dumping Research - Final Report (PDF, 2.2 MB) All 2016 This report outlines the outcomes of the Rocklea – Stable Swamp Creek Industrial Area research into behaviours for littering and illegal dumping.
Mangrove and associated communities of Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia: change in extent 1955-1997-2012 All 2016 Qld Herbarium report showing the change in extent between Mangrove and associated communities of Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. An interactive map viewer that uses a swipe map to show the changes in extent of mangrove and associated communities of Moreton Bay is also available.
The Mangrove vegetation of Moreton Bay (PDF, 2.4 MB) All 1986 A descriptive account of the mangrove vegetation and a series of 10 maps at a scale of 1:25 000 prepared for the area from Caloundra to Southport on the southern Queensland coast.
Coastal wetlands of South East Queensland: mapping and survey (PDF, 8.6 MB) All 2001 A survey of the coastal wetlands vegetation communities and to produce maps of the vegetation communities subject to coastal influence for south-east Queensland from the boundary of Noosa Shire and Maroochy
Shire in the north to the Queensland-New South Wales border in the south.
Gully Toolbox: A technical guide for the Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme 2015–16 All 2016 This document provides a specification of the gully erosion control activities that can be undertaken.
Climate change and the Great Barrier Reef: a vulnerability assessment All 2016 As an integral part of the Great Barrier Reef Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2013, vulnerability assessments are being undertaken on habitats, species and groups of species identified as being potentially at risk. These assessments will help inform the strategy's management priorities.
Adaptive management of Ramsar wetlands All 2013 The project adopts a generic approach allowing the framework to be transferred to other wetlands, including Ramsar listed wetlands, supplied by rivers ranging from highly regulated to free flowing. The integration of management with science allows key indicators to be monitored that will inform management and promote increasingly informed decisions. The project involved a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and managers working on one of the more difficult challenges for Australia, exacerbated by increasing impacts of climate change on flows and inundation patterns.
A guide to managing and restoring wetlands in Western Australia (PDF) All 2013

The guides chapters include Planning for riverwetland management; Understanding wetlands; Managing wetlands; Monitoring wetlands; and Protecting wetlands
Nutrients and herbicides in groundwater flows to the Great Barrier Reef All 2012 This report works towards a key objective of the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan to reduce the amounts of nutrients and herbicides entering the Reef. It provides an up-to-date review and synthesis of current knowledge of groundwater transport of nutrients and herbicides to the Reef, from aquifers across the Wet Tropics, Lower Burdekin and Mackay–Whitsunday areas.
Handbook 7—Managing the floodplain—a guide to best practice in flood risk management in Australia (PDF) All 2013

This handbook provides advice on the management of flooding within the floodplains and catchments of waterways.

It aims to provide advice to those with roles in understanding and managing flood risk and its consequences on the community. This may include emergency management practitioners, flood risk managers, land-use planners, engineers, hydrologists, infrastructure providers, and policy and decision makers, within government and the broader industry. It aims to inform national best practice, and State and Territory guidance.
Identification of High Conservation Value Aquatic Ecosystems (HCVAE) in the Queensland Murray Darling Basin through targeted collection of wetland inventory data across the northern basin—Technical report (PDF, 5.6 MB) All 2011 The project was undertaken as part of the Queensland Wetlands Program – Phase 2. The project collected and collated data for 62 wetlands. The wetland sites were predominantly freshwater non-riverine wetlands with five riverine wetlands sampled opportunistically. The data was used to identify and classify areas of high conservation value.
Waterbody Management Guideline Local Government 2013

Assists local governments in South East Queensland to manage waterbodies. The guideline was commissioned by Redland City Council and speaks to all departments and disciplines within local government involved in managing waterbodies.

Grazing for Healthy Coastal Wetlands: Guidelines for managing coastal wetlands in grazing systems (PDF, 30.9 MB) Grazing 2011

Provides graziers, landowners and extension officers with advice and information
Wetland Management Handbook: Farm Management Systems guidelines for managing wetlands in intensive agriculture (PDF, 6.0 MB) Agriculture 2009

Contains information and guidelines to help producers and extension officers manage Queensland’s wetlands in intensive agricultural production systems. Follows the Farm Management System approach to managing agricultural businesses

Covers such topics as nutrient, erosion and sediment management; spray-drift management; management for fisheries values; weed and pest animal management and constructed wetlands design

Queensland Wetland Definition and Delineation Guideline

Part A (PDF, 1.7 MB)

Part B (PDF, 2.9 MB)

 All 2010

Part A—Guide to existing wetland definitions and how to apply the Queensland Wetlands Program’s definition.

Part B—Delineation and mapping guideline
Queensland Wetland Buffer Planning Guideline (PDF, 4.4 MB) All 2011

Use in palustrine, lacustrine, estuarine and marine wetland systems. Also suitable for buffers around riverine and artificial wetlands. Targeted at those with expert knowledge of wetlands
Wetland Rehabilitation Guidelines for the Great Barrier Reef catchment (PDF, 6.0 MB) All 2008

Developed to assist wetland managers, landholders, local government and Natural Resource Management bodies to undertake effective wetland rehabilitation. Incorporates existing research and experience including works undertaken in Queensland

Although developed for the Great Barrier Reef area principles and ideas can be applied more broadly
Guidelines and template for preparing a wetland management plan (PDF, 0.6 MB) All 2012

Produced for landholders engaged in grazing and dryland cropping in 2 of Queensland’s inland river basins, the Queensland Murray-Darling and the Bulloo

Applicable across all regions of Australia
Conceptual models and information on wetland types All Various

Wetlands in Queensland have been classified into types. Conceptual models describe the current scientific understanding of the ecology and the components and processes that characterise these wetland types.

These models can be used to inform management and underpin research and monitoring. 

Environmental value reports online All Various

This online portal is used for querying information on specific environmental values, by location.

Report types:

  • matters of state environmental significance
  • regional ecosystems
  • terrestrial biodiversity and aquatic conservation values.
Framework for evaluating aquatic ecosystem connectivity (PDF, 1.2 MB) All 2013 The connectivity framework describes a process for systematically and transparently working through the connectivity of relevant functions of an aquatic ecosystem, and provides a way of understanding and applying connectivity at any level of spatial scale for any management outcome.
Walking the landscape—A whole-of-system framework for understanding and mapping environmental processes and values (PDF, 0.4 MB) All 2013

The 'Walking the landscape' framework integrates existing data with expert knowledge to develop a whole-of-system map linked to conceptual models showing how the environment functions. The method addresses one of the major criticisms of broadscale mapping—the lack of integration of knowledge from local experts into datasets used by decision makers.

Planting Wetlands and Dams

A Practical Guide to Wetland Design, Construction and Propagation

 All 2009

Printed copy only available

Author: Nick Romanowski

Publisher: Landlinks Press
Why Rehabilitate Urban River Systems Urban 2006

This paper examines the triple bottom line (economic, social and environmental) factors that influence decision making with respect to urban stream rehabilitation and management and considers their relative value and importance.
Incentive Measures for Conserving Freshwater Ecosystems All 2001 Developed to help private landholders to manage their wetland so as to retain the ecosystem services they provide
Habitat guidelines Fishing Various Range of guidelines and information provided by Queensland Department of Primary Industries

Soil indicators of Queensland wetlands: Statewide assessment and methodology (PDF, 7.5 MB)

 All 2010

Provides details of assessment methods for wetland soils in Queensland
Soil Indicators of Queensland Wetlands: Field Guide (PDF, 33.0 MB) All 2008 The field guide has been developed to assist in the field identification of wetland soil indicators in Queensland.
Erosion and sediment control - A field guide for construction managers Urban/development Various A practical guide to best practice techniques to minimise stormwater pollution from building sites by the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) and Catchments and Creeks Pty Ltd
Aquatic ecosystems as a post-mining land use Mining 2024 Aquatic ecosystems as a post-mining land use.

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Fact sheets

Title
Industry
Year of publication
Description
Beyond the Block factsheet series All Various This fact sheet series focuses specifically on water quality initiatives that can be done on the “edge of block” to further improve the quality of water leaving the farm.
Healthy Land and Water factsheets All Various The fact sheets relate to the SEQ Catchment’s area, from Noosa in the north, west to Toowoomba, and south to the New South Wales border. The fact sheets are designed to provide information for students, teachers and anyone seeking information about the area.
Wetlands of the Great Barrier Reef catchments (PDF, 0.8 MB) All 2014

Promotes the values of the wetlands in the catchments of the Great Barrier Reef. It recognises wetlands as part of the broader landscape connecting catchments to the Reef and promotes the wise management of wetlands as they are vital for protecting the world recognised values of the Great Barrier Reef. It encourages working in partnership with landowners to achieve the best outcomes as many wetlands are located on private property.

Ramsar fact sheets—a wetland of international importance

 All Various A series of fact sheets on Queensland’s Ramsar sites—wetlands of international significance. These fact sheets provide information on the individual sites, their location, and ecological and cultural values.
Wetland management profiles All Various

Designed to provide information about the distribution, ecology, cultural values, conservation status, and threats to and management of particular wetland types and wetland regional ecosystems (REs) within Queensland.
Queensland Wetlands Program (QWP) fact sheets All Various Current and past QWP project fact sheets
Wetlands of south-western Queensland All Various Developed before the Queensland Wetlands Program existed so there are differences in the typology used to classify the wetlands e.g. floodplains are not considered wetlands under the Queensland Wetlands Program wetland definition, although are important to the function of some wetlands

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Websites

Title
Industry
Year of publication
Description
Resilient Rivers Hub All 2020 The Resilient Rivers hub provides a global platform for the exchange of river resilience knowledge and experience.
Long Paddock All 2010 The Long Paddock is a Queensland Government initiative that has provided climate and pasture information
Treatment Systems for Water Quality Improvement All 2018 An extensive set of pages has been developed synthesising best practice approaches to treatment systems for improving water quality, including conceptual models, diagrams and photos. This work was developed through the Queensland Wetlands Program by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, and reviewed by numerous technical experts and regional officers. It has a current focus on treatment systems for agricultural settings.
Site Management and Rehabilitation All 2018 The management and rehabilitation of wetlands can be undertaken for a range of reasons. The Site Management and Rehabilitation page focuses on site management and rehabilitation by providing a generic, best practice approach.
Australian Coastal Restoration Network All Various The Australian Coastal Restoration Network is a platform to connect coastal specialists, experts, researchers, practitioners and managers so that they can collaborate, share knowledge and ideas, and seek answers and solutions to challenges.
Seagrass Restoration Network All Various The Seagrass Restoration Network (SRN) Australasia links scientists, industry practitioners, community and government policy makers for an up to date look at the development and implementation of conservation, recovery and restoration of seagrass meadows.
Shellfish Reef Restoration Network All Various The Shellfish Reef Restoration Network is a community of restoration practitioners, researchers, educators and general shellfish enthusiasts that are raising awareness and advocating for shellfish reef restoration in Australia.
Australasian Mangrove and Saltmarsh Network All Various The Mangrove Hub conducts world-leading research into mangrove and tidal wetland ecosystems. The Mangrove Hub is equipped with extensive libraries of published articles on mangrove and tidal wetlands, aerial photographic imagery and methodologies for mangrove research and monitoring.
Great Barrier Reef Coral Restoration All Various The project 'Best Practice Coral Restoration for the Great Barrier Reef' is funded by the National Environmental Science Program (NESP), and is a collaboration between James Cook University and Reef Ecologic. Researchers at James Cook University are working with coral reef experts from around the world in a project which aims to provide advice on best practice coral restoration for the Great Barrier Reef (GBR).
Bureau of Meteorology climate change and variability information All Various Learn about observed climate change in Australia, explore regional climate change predictions, read about regional impacts and access reports and other publications.
Bioregional Assessment Programme All 2016

The Australian Government’s Bioregional Assessment Programme provides transparent scientific information to better understand the potential impacts of coal seam gas and coal mining developments on water resources and water-dependent assets such as wetlands and groundwater bores.
Water by Design Urban/development

Although focused at urban areas principles i.e. water run-off management can be used more broadly

 Various Capacity building program that supports Water Sensitive Urban Design in South East Queensland.

They provide, fact sheets, reports, training, discussion forums and more.
Wetlands International All Various Support to NRM regional bodies and wetland managers in the management of important wetlands

Reports, facts sheets and more
Reef Water Quality Protection Plan (PDF) All Various Case studies, reports and more
Funding opportunities and links All Various Links to another page on WetlandInfo
Natural Resources SA Murray Darling Basin All Various Reports, information sheets and more
Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge (TRaCK) All Various Publications, images, research, e-Atlas and more

Sugar Research and Development Corporation

 Sugar Various Reports, facts sheets and more.
Murray-Darling Basin Authority Agriculture Various Fact sheets and information on farming in the Murray-Darling Basin
Conservation Volunteers Australia All Various Range of facts sheets, reports, and services.
e-water All Various Case studies, publications, scientific information
Queensland Farmers' Federation (QFF) Agriculture Various QFF provides information on different types of farming practices, fact sheets, reports, training opportunities, media releases and more.
Cotton catchment communities CRC

Cotton Various Reports, fact sheets and other information
CANEGROWERS Sugar Various Case studies, best management practice, fact sheets, tools, training, classifieds and more

Growcom Horticulture Various Case studies, best management practice, training, reports and more

Queensland Department of Primary Industries (Fisheries) - Habitats Fisheries Various Policies, guidelines, information, research opportunities and more
Clearwater Urban Various Training, events, tools, fact sheets, reports, guidelines and more

Last updated: 4 July 2017

This page should be cited as:

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2017) User defined wetlands fact sheet, WetlandInfo website, accessed 12 April 2025. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/resources/user-fact-sheet/