Your local NRM officer can help you look after your wetland. Torbay farmer Phillip Marshall at the constructed wetland with Kirsten Murray, Torbay Catchment Project Officer.

WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS IT TO MANAGE WETLANDS?

Human activities have had a significant impact on many wetlands on the South Coast. Changes to drainage, recharge and runoff, as well as vegetation clearing and the input of additional nutrients (from synthetic fertilisers, animal manure and organic matter from soft leaved introduced plants), have led to the degradation of many wetlands. Therefore, it is important to manage our remaining wetlands so they will survive as functioning ecosystems.

Management of wetlands should take place at both the catchment and the local scale and may involve a number of groups or individuals. Catchment management may be undertaken by a government body, such as the Department of Water who regulate activities like groundwater extraction from bores, or undertaken in partnership with local community groups, such as the Torbay Catchment Group.

Some wetlands are managed by local government or the Department of Environment & Conservation (DEC) however, many wetlands are found on private property.

In this case it is the landowners responsibility to ensure their activities do not threaten the hydrology or biology of the wetland. Financial and technical assistance is available through a range of organisations to help better manage wetlands on private property.

Native vegetation is protected by law in Western Australia under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. Most types of clearing are prohibited unless a permit has been granted. The DEC manage the vegetation clearing permit system.