Fortescue Marshes - Ramsar wetland nomination
2335. Hon Alison Xamon to the Minister for Environment
I refer to the Ramsar nomination of the Fortescue Marshes, and ask —
(1) How long has the State Government been progressing the nomination of the Fortescue Marshes as a Ramsar Wetland?
(2) How far progressed is the nomination of the Fortescue Marshes as a Ramsar Wetland?
(3) What additional documents are required to support the nomination?
(4) What funding has the Government secured to progress the nomination?
(5) When will the Fortescue Marshes be formally nominated as a Ramsar wetland?
Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied:
(1)-(5) There is no State Government endorsed nomination being progressed for Fortescue Marsh under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. I have been advised that the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) has been considering future options for the area, including the possibility of the area being considered for Ramsar listing. This has been discussed by the State Wetlands Coordinating Committee, which has given its support for further investigations by DEC. Any decision by the State Government to progress a Ramsar nomination would need to be followed by detailed investigations, including stakeholder consultation. To meet Australian Government requirements for nomination, an area management plan and ecological character description study would need to be prepared. It is a matter for the Australian Government to determine whether it would nominate a site for Ramsar listing