Wetland Restoration News
Penrhyn Estuary Rehabilitation and Expansion
Author: Jessica Berry, Sydney ports Authority. www.sydneyports.com.au.
Date: May 2008
As part of major port expansion works at Port Botany in New South Wales, Sydney Ports Corporation is spending approximately $8 million to rehabilitate and expand Penrhyn Estuary in efforts to reverse the declining quality of the estuarine habitat for migratory shorebirds, seagrass and saltmarsh and to address the impacts of the port expansion on the function of the Estuary.
Estuary works have commenced with the collection of saltmarsh seeds which will be grown in an offsite nursery. About 205,000 saltmarsh seedlings will be planted into 2.4 hectares of new saltmarsh habitat. The estuary works will continue through until early 2010 with establishment of seagrass habitat, expansion of intertidal flats and construction of three bird roosting islands as well as various public amenity and beach restoration works for the area.
Once complete the Penrhyn Estuary habitat enhancement works will provide an ongoing and secure habitat for migratory shorebirds, saltmarsh and seagrass. Sydney Ports Corporation is also committed to the long term maintenance, monitoring and management of the site.
For more information on the Port Botany Expansion Habitat Enhancement Plan please visit: www.sydneyports.com.au.
< Return to the home page
