Wetlands are amongst the most important, productive and valuable ecosystems in Australia. They perform numerous vital functions including water purification, nutrient processing, maintenance of watertables, flood protection and erosion control.
They provide habitat, refuge, breeding and nursery areas for many common and threatened species. Wetlands are a critical element of ecosystems helping to maintain the general health of rivers, estuaries and coastal waters.
There are 1818 wetlands in the Goulburn Broken Catchment measuring over 1 hectare in size. Barmah Forest is listed under the international Ramsar Convention and an additional 9 wetlands in the catchment are considered to be of national importance. Click here for more information on wetlands (including Ramsar wetlands).
The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority have prepared a directions paper that will be developed into a full Wetlands Strategy in the near future.
