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Wetlands

The NSW Wetlands Management Policy 1996

A whole of government policy released in 1996.

Overview of the Policy
Goal of the Policy
Principles of the Policy
Downloading the NSW Wetlands Policy

Overview of the Policy

It is the policy of the NSW Government to promote the conservation, sustainable management and wise use of NSW wetlands by all stakeholders for the benefit of present and future generations.

Adoption of the NSW Wetlands Policy means that the Government, in its decision-making, will give explicit consideration to the biophysical requirements of wetlands with the goal of ensuring their sustainable management.

Goal of the Policy

This Policy will assist in the protection of wetlands in good condition, rehabilitate degraded wetlands where feasible, and support appreciation of wetlands by:

protecting wetland biodiversity, functions and services;
protecting social and economic benefits of wetlands;
providing flow regimes that mimic natural conditions, where possible;
providing wetlands with water of appropriate volume and quality;
limiting further fragmentation and reconnecting wetland systems;
preventing or limiting catchment activities that impact upon wetlands;
protecting the cultural heritage and spiritual significance of wetlands;
rewarding wetland managers who improve the condition of wetlands; and
promoting the importance of wetlands to the community.

Principles of the Policy

The Government will achieve these goals by adopting the following principles:

Wetlands are valued as significant parts of NSW landscapes - their conservation and management are most appropriately considered at the catchment scale.
Appropriate water regimes and water quality needed to maintain or restore the ecological sustainability of wetlands will be provided through the implementation of water management plans.
Wetlands of international, national, state and regional significance will be identified and conserved.
Land use and management practices will maintain or rehabilitate wetland habitats, processes and cultural values.
Degraded wetlands and their habitats will be rehabilitated and their ecological processes restored as far as is practicable.
The potential impacts of climate change will be considered in long term strategies for water resources and land use.
Continued research into wetland ecology will be encouraged to better support water and land use planning and management.
Natural wetlands should not be destroyed or degraded. When social or economic imperatives in the public interest result in a wetland being degraded or destroyed, the rehabilitation or construction of a compensatory wetland that supports similar biodiversity and ecological functions will be required.
Purpose-built wetlands will not be constructed on the site of viable natural wetlands.
Cooperation and incentives among land managers, government authorities, catchment management authorities, non-government organisations and the general community is essential for effective wetland management, and will be encouraged.

These principles are discussed in more detail within the policy document.

Downloading the NSW Wetlands Management Policy

Click here to download the NSW Wetlands Management Policy 1996 (PDF 345KB)