Waterkeepers Australia

Bramble Bay Wetlandskeeper

THE STORY SO FAR

After years of working as the Moreton Baykeeper, Jennifer Singfield will be taking on a new role as Wetlandskeeper of Bramble Bay, a small inlet to the Moreton Bay area. The Bramble Bay Wetlands covers an area of over 1,000 hectares of wetlands on the North side of Brisbane, Queensland. It includes areas of fresh water and estuarine wetlands, and some Ramsar listed areas.

The key issues affecting Bramble Bay and the loss of its wetlands is due to the ever increasing population (approximately 1000 people per week into South East Queensland) and the resultant infrastructure explosion that is currently being witnessed by the Queensland state. According to Jennifer, infrastructure development is protected by the State Government – nothing must stand in the way of progress – no matter if the natural environment is obliterated!

The Bramble Bay Wetlandskeeper will operate as a program of the Moreton Bay Coastcare group. Moreton Bay Coastcare is heavily involved in Wetlands rehabilitation and salt marsh and estuarine monitoring.

THE ISSUES

Infrastructure development affecting the wetlands include such issues as the duplication of the Gateway Motorway. This Motorway through the wetlands already affects the fauna movement and the natural hydrology of the wetlands and doubling the motorway will add further impacts. To combat this, Jennifer will be on the Community Consultation Committee working with the motorways builders to ensure that they install proper wildlife fencing along the motorways path, fauna bridges and tunnels and to minimize the effects on the wetlands hydrology.

The second major issue is the doubling of power lines through the area. Jennifer will be negotiating with Power again to minimize the impact to the wetlands plants.

The third major problem is the building of another runway at Brisbane airport. Jennifer has been working with the airport to try and find a way so that the airport can offset the building process with the local wetlands.

The final major problem is arson attacks on the natural wetlands by arsonists. Jennifer says that while progress into stopping and reducing such attacks has occurred in recent years, she believes that 2008 will see more being done to effectively end this detrimental problem.

PLAN FOR 2008

One of the key New Year’s resolutions for the Bramble Bay Waterkeeper is to end the arson attacks on the area. Jennifer plans to organize a meeting with local and state politicians to discuss ways in which this problem can be effectively managed and eradicated. While the idea is still in its infancy, Jennifer believes that a collaborative approach to this issue will see an effective solution.

GETTING INVOLVED

To become involved please contact Jennifer Singfield.

Contact:
Bramble Bay Wetlandskeeper
(Moreton Bay Coastcare)
Jennifer Singfield - President
jennifers@sautec.com.au
PO Box 207
Sandgate Qld 4017