ICMM - International Council on Mining & Metals

CASE STUDY

Renewing vital wetlands in Australia

Background

The origin of Revive our Wetlands dates back to 2000, when BHP Billiton and Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) began researching environment issues of mutual interest and critical need. The company and CVA – the largest non-profit practical conservation organisation in Australia – wanted to develop a partnership programme through which they could exchange skills, knowledge and resources and achieve a positive and measurable impact within three years.

Target Areas

Wetlands are among the most important life-support systems on Earth and are vital for ecological sustainability. Wetlands provide critical habitat for waterbirds, fish, amphibians and hundreds of plant species. They also serve vital ecological, social and economic functions such as filtering pollutants from the water supply, curbing flooding and controlling erosion.

Yet scientists estimate that more than half of Australia’s wetlands have been destroyed since European settlement through, for example, changes in land and water use, loss of native vegetation, invasion by exotic weeds, degradation by introduced feral animals and increased pollution from agriculture, development and recreational use. Developing a programme to help reverse this loss was identified by CVA as a worthwhile initiative and one likely to be of interest to the company. Water management is an important aspect of all BHP Billiton businesses, and many of the company’s mines are close to wetlands that must be conserved. Furthermore, in some instances wetlands can be incorporated in the rehabilitation plans for closed mines.

The areas targeted in the Revive programme include coastal wetlands, river systems, lakes, watercourses, alpine marshes and floodplains. The goal was to implement a rehabilitation programme in line with the strategies set out in the Federal government’s Wetland Policy and Implementation Plan.

Developing the Programme

A partnership team with representatives of BHP Billiton and CVA was formed to manage the programme. A pilot project was established in Queensland at the Townsville Town Common, a renowned conservation park and habitat for migratory birds, which had become severely degraded. Efforts to achieve ongoing sustainability and management of the site produced encouraging results, and the Revive programme moved into the implementation phase.

The partners spent 12 months planning and developing the programme. By working with local land groups, environment agencies, councils, state governments and wetlands consultants, 100 wetlands sites were selected as needing attention. A national coordinator was appointed to the programme, along with nine wetlands officers located around Australia. A public awareness campaign was launched, and thousands of volunteers were brought into the programme – including students, families, seniors, other interested community members and BHP Billiton employees.

The communications system that was set up included an interactive web site, a regular newsletter and an annual progress report to key stakeholders – government bodies, environmental NGOs and community groups. An international wetlands expert was appointed to monitor the programme and report on environmental outcomes each year.

Results of First Three Years

Between 2000 and 2003, some A$1.5 million of financial assistance and more than 17,000 volunteer days were contributed to the revitalisation of 100 of Australia’s most significant wetlands. During the three year Revive programme, CVA engaged and managed thousands of volunteers – including students, families, seniors, BHP Billiton employees and other interested community members – in locally based wetlands conservation activities.

Revive our Wetlands Results for 2000-03

• 17,000 volunteer days
• A$1.5 million in financial assistance to rehabilitate 100 wetlands
• 30,000 plants propagated
• over 190,000 native seedlings planted
• 740 hectares of weeds controlled
• 50 kilometres of new fences erected
• 300 kilograms of carp removed
• 80 kilometres of walking tracks maintained
• 50 kilometres of fencing erected
• 8 kilometres of new tracks constructed
• 96 flora and fauna surveys
• over A$900,000 in additional funding leveraged from government and other sources
• more than 500 media articles raising awareness of the issue
• 30 per cent of projects continuing without CVA assistance
• 9 new wetlands officers trained and employed

In December 2002, Revive our Wetlands received the Australian Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Community Business Partnership (in the national large business category). In July 2003, the programme received The Australian Financial Review Magazine’s Corporate Partnership of the Year Award and won the Science, Environment, Health and Education Category.

Plans for the Future

Revive our Wetlands aims to become a sustainable programme, so local communities are being given the resources and practical skills to continue wetlands protection and conservation in the future. As many as 30 per cent of the Revive projects are already operating without CVA assistance.


BHP Billiton and CVA are extending the programme for at least another three years. Between 2004 and 2006, BHP Billiton will provide a further A$1.5 million, and additional funds will be sought through new funding commitments from the Federal, state and local governments and other sponsors. Using the lessons of the first three years, the programme’s target is to invest 15,000 more volunteer days to enhance biodiversity value and improve water quality at 10 priority wetland locations across remote, regional and urban Australia. In addition, practical assistance will be provided to existing community efforts at a number of the original Revive sites.