Our team completed what was at the time, the world’s largest saltmarsh re-creation project! The project involved planting over 230,000 Saltmarsh plants over 2.4 hectares.

From June 2008 to June 2011, ecological restoration work was conducted by Port Authority of NSW in association with the expansion of the port at Port Botany, Sydney, NSW. The purpose was to expand and rehabilitate Penrhyn Estuary.

Project Objectives and Outcomes

The key objective of this project included expanding the existing shorebird habitat while continuing to attract migratory shorebirds with the potential to attract more. Additionally, our team worked to establish and maintain 2 hectares of restored Saltmarsh within the site as another primary objective.

The Saltmarsh works at Penrhyn Estuary involved 2.4 hectares being densely planted with Saltmarsh species. In addition to this 3000m2 of Saltmarsh was translocated within Penrhyn Estuary. 

During this project we planted over 230,000 Saltmarsh plants in just 14 days. That is roughly 16,429 plants a day.

Our team introduced species that were considered suitable and currently occur in other Saltmarsh sites in Botany Bay. Our planting will lead to increased diversity on site and facilitate a more optimal habitat for migratory wading birds. 

Viewing platforms were also created for public use. The platforms and fencing aim to minimise disturbance to the shorebirds and protect saltmarsh and seagrass from any public or feral animals.

Maintenance

With such successful outcomes, we are pleased to continue working with the Port Authority of NSW at Botany Bay to ensure that shorebird habitat is maintained.

Our team works to maintain the public walkways by removing any weeds or rubbish, controlling vegetation and carrying out repairs if needed. 

The Migratory Bird Islands are maintained by reducing the height of any vegetation found growing on these islands, any objects or debris found are also removed. Mangroves are seen as detrimental to shorebird habitat as they colonise shorebird feeding and roosting habitat and compete with Saltmarsh for space, therefore it is essential for it to be properly maintained.

Additionally, Saltmarsh plays a key role in stabilising the banks of estuaries, filtering surface runoff, reducing nutrients and providing habitat for fauna. Erosion of Saltmarsh habitat results in loss of planted area, so it is important to monitor any plant loss and the health of the plants. Our team replants any areas that have poor plant establishment or have been disturbed by flood or storm events.

Our work at Viva Energy’s Clyde terminal aims to restore and rehabilitate habitats for the Green and Golden Bell Frogs.

Project Details 

Our aim is to develop and maintain a secure core habitat that is reasonably self-sustaining and meets the known ecological requirements of the entire life cycle of the Green and Golden Bell Frog (GGBF).

To meet this goal, our team planted 70,000 plants in three breeding ponds on site with associated frog corridor grasslands. We also conducted the maintenance works to ensure the habitat remained optimal for the GGBF.

The Green and Golden Bell Frog (Litoria aurea) has gone from being one of the most commonly found frogs on the east coast, to one of the most threatened, with the risk of extinction. A large contributing factor for this decline in population is habitat isolation. 

Their Habitat Preference 

The species live in large, open-water swamps or ponds that have a variable water level, dense vegetation with grassy and rocky areas around them. The species preferred habitats that they use for breeding, foraging, shelter and hibernation include waterbodies that:

• Are unshaded and free of predatory fish
• Have grassy areas and shelters nearby.

Site Map

Services Provided

Our team have been carefully clearing and disposing of vegetation to avoid harming any GGBF that may be present. Our team also focused on rebuilding the habitats that include the removal of She-Oak Trees that are shading Green and Golden Bell Frog Habitat. Additionally, we controlled large areas of Spiny Rush and conducted the planting of appropriate macrophyte species to enhance the natural habitat qualities for GGBF.

More details on the services we provided on this site include: 

• Weed control works that started from the banks of waterbodies, working outward towards dry land, replacing the weeds removed with native plants.
• Control of Gambusia (Mosquito Fish).
• Removal of all Swamp Oak individuals that occur within or fringing ponds and pools, including along the raised bund that intersects the central pools.
• All Juncus acutus are to be progressively removed from the Wetlands. The native Typha orientalis is to be culled from the centre of pools and ponds, with some T. orientalis retained around the banks of all waterbodies.
• Targeted small populations of unwanted emergent and aquatic vegetation for removal which was then followed by removal of the larger infestations.
• Extensive primary treatment on weeds such as Lantana Camara, Casurina Sp and Acacia Salinga have been cleared around the ponds. Opening up the area to allow 40% of the perennial wetland area with direct sunlight. This warms up the temperature of the water, creating more productivity for the aquatic vegetation.

Rebuilding and bringing back the natural habitats for the Green and Golden Bell Frogs is always a profound project to work on. Our efforts into restoring the land and natural habitats will result in unhindered breeding and promote increased activity.