Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L00199:reg:6:p12
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L00199
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 6 (pt 12/17)
Character Range: 36314–39478

subject to changes, such as alteration to water regimes either in terms of volume and/or seasonal fluctuations. The conversion of wetlands into dams impacts on the nature of the wetland and its suitability for the Australian Painted Snipe. Adverse activities include:
               •       diversion of water away from wetlands
               •       stabilisation of water levels through damming or deepening wetlands
               •       removal of islands
               •       alteration to wetland edges

               •       flood mitigation works
               •       alteration to the surrounding ground levels (e.g. laser levelling for agriculture).

2.2.2     Drainage of wetlands and fragmentation of waterways
   Drainage has had an impact on wetlands, with some regions being more affected than others. For instance, 89 per cent of wetlands in south-east South Australia have been lost (Environment Australia 1997). In Victoria, 37 per cent of wetlands have been lost primarily as a result of drainage. The loss of potential Australian Painted Snipe habitat in Victoria is likely to be considerably greater than these figures imply, as much of the remaining habitat has permanent or semi-permanent regimes of water management that do not provide breeding opportunities for the species.

   Before drainage schemes were introduced to the south-east of South Australia, extensive temporary wetland systems would have offered much habitat for the Australian Painted Snipe each year. Deep draining (between 1949–1972) affected most of these systems but ongoing changes to regional drainage schemes pose continuing challenges to the management of remnant Australian Painted Snipe habitat.

   Drainage of temporary wetlands across the landscape has also resulted in fragmentation of suitable habitat. Consequently, the Australian Painted Snipe may now have to travel larger distances between wetlands and expend more energy more often in order to obtain adequate food and shelter that is productive enough for breeding. The degradation of remaining wetlands further 'fragments' the pattern of suitable habitat.

2.2.3     Deterioration of water quality
   Deterioration in water quality can alter the habitat characteristics of a wetland, including the habitat necessary for prey, as well as suitable vegetative cover and nest sites for the Australian Painted Snipe. Many wetlands used by the Australian Painted Snipe may now be degraded to varying degrees, and less productive for the species, which may necessitate more energy expenditure in foraging time and effort. This situation is likely to be detrimental to the chicks in particular. Deterioration in water quality might necessitate increased movements between foraging areas and suitable roost site vegetation if vegetation cover and habitat for prey has been altered.

   Water quality can be affected directly or indirectly via lack of flushing flows, increased concentrations of pollutants in run-off, saline discharge, pesticide and herbicide run-off or spray drift; and vegetation removal leading to erosion and turbidity. Many possible impacts due to water quality are hypothetical