The Glenelg Hopkins region has more than 5400 wetlands, which collectively cover three per cent of the regional area. These wetlands represent 14 per cent of Victoria’s total area of wetlands and 44 per cent of the state’s total number of wetlands, indicating the importance of the wetlands to the region and Victoria.
Wetlands provide multiple ecosystem services and as such play a vital role in our lives by providing fundamental life support systems. Water purification, flood mitigation, conservation of native wildlife, and carbon sequestration are just some of the life support ecosystem services provided by wetlands.
More specifically, the wetlands in the Glenelg Hopkins region provide habitats to several threatened plant and animal species, including brolgas and blue-billed ducks, which enhance the biodiversity and recreational value of the region together with aesthetic beauty.
Most importantly, society enjoys all of these benefits free of charge even though wetland ecosystem services is a multi-million dollar industry.
Unfortunately, these wetlands are under threat from urban drainage, rubbish dumping, excess nutrients and, more predominantly, agricultural activities. It is therefore important to conserve and protect the wetlands systems to avoid irreversible and costly damage to these valuable ecosystem services.
How Wetland Tender works
Many of the wetlands in Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority (CMA) exist on private properties where land managers have no economic incentive to conserve them. Recognising the importance of conserving these wetlands, Glenelg Hopkins CMA has implemented the Wetland Tender Program, funded by the Victorian Government.
Under this program, Glenelg Hopkins CMA offers financial incentives to land mangers to look after their wetlands through a competitive tender program. The Wetland Tender process is as follows:
• eligible land managers register an expression of interest with Glenelg Hopkins CMA
• a CMA field officer assesses the conservation value of the wetland and discusses appropriate management actions for improving the conservation value of the site
• the landholder receives a management plan detailing the abovementioned actions
• the landholder has 28 days to submit a bid based on their requirements to fulfil the management actions over a period of four years
• bids are assessed on best value for money based on the conservation value of the wetland, the management actions, and the costs involved
• successful applicants receive funding through four annual payments.
If a bid is unsuccessful, it is likely that the conservation value of the site as it relates to the bid price was not as competitive as others in the bid round. An unsuccessful bid certainly does not mean that a site does not hold conservation value.
Outcomes
The Wetland Tender Program provides successful landholders with additional income for their wetland conservation efforts and provides Glenelg Hopkins CMA the opportunity to protect this most vibrant, multifunctional nature asset.
Find out more about the Wetland Tender Program through the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority website.
Sources:
Glenelg Hopkins CMA Wetland Tender Project fact sheetGlenelg Hopkins CMA Wetland Tender Information booklet for landholders
The Glenelg Hopkins region has more than 5400 wetlands, which collectively cover three per cent of the regional area. These wetlands represent 14 per cent of Victoria’s total area of wetlands and 44 per cent of the state’s total number of wetlands, indicating the importance of the wetlands to the region and Victoria.
Wetlands provide multiple ecosystem services and as such play a vital role in our lives by providing fundamental life support systems. Water purification, flood mitigation, conservation of native wildlife, and carbon sequestration are just some of the life support ecosystem services provided by wetlands.
More specifically, the wetlands in the Glenelg Hopkins region provide habitats to several threatened plant and animal species, including brolgas and blue-billed ducks, which enhance the biodiversity and recreational value of the region together with aesthetic beauty.
Most importantly, society enjoys all of these benefits free of charge even though wetland ecosystem services is a multi-million dollar industry.
Unfortunately, these wetlands are under threat from urban drainage, rubbish dumping, excess nutrients and, more predominantly, agricultural activities. It is therefore important to conserve and protect the wetlands systems to avoid irreversible and costly damage to these valuable ecosystem services.
How Wetland Tender works
Many of the wetlands in Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority (CMA) exist on private properties where land managers have no economic incentive to conserve them. Recognising the importance of conserving these wetlands, Glenelg Hopkins CMA has implemented the Wetland Tender Program, funded by the Victorian Government.
Under this program, Glenelg Hopkins CMA offers financial incentives to land mangers to look after their wetlands through a competitive tender program. The Wetland Tender process is as follows:
• eligible land managers register an expression of interest with Glenelg Hopkins CMA
• a CMA field officer assesses the conservation value of the wetland and discusses appropriate management actions for improving the conservation value of the site
• the landholder receives a management plan detailing the abovementioned actions
• the landholder has 28 days to submit a bid based on their requirements to fulfil the management actions over a period of four years
• bids are assessed on best value for money based on the conservation value of the wetland, the management actions, and the costs involved
• successful applicants receive funding through four annual payments.
If a bid is unsuccessful, it is likely that the conservation value of the site as it relates to the bid price was not as competitive as others in the bid round. An unsuccessful bid certainly does not mean that a site does not hold conservation value.
Outcomes
The Wetland Tender Program provides successful landholders with additional income for their wetland conservation efforts and provides Glenelg Hopkins CMA the opportunity to protect this most vibrant, multifunctional nature asset.
Find out more about the Wetland Tender Program through the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority website.
Sources:
Glenelg Hopkins CMA Wetland Tender Project fact sheetGlenelg Hopkins CMA Wetland Tender Information booklet for landholders