Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L00199:reg:6:p10
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L00199
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 6 (pt 10/17)
Character Range: 30784–33777

protection and conservation measures target these productive habitats. Sympathetic management of buffer areas adjoining nesting and foraging habitats is also important to consider. Buffer zones will depend on the nature and location of the activity (e.g. adjacent to the wetland vs activity in the catchment area) and can be informed by expert opinion.

             When considering developments in any part of the species' range, including in areas where the species 'may occur', surveys for occupancy when conditions are suitable, remain an important tool in establishing the areas importance for the Australian Painted Snipe. In addition, it is also important to note that the Australian Painted Snipe opportunistically uses areas depending on the occurrence of suitable wetland habitats and prey species. Areas that may be important habitat over time might not have birds in any given year. This pattern of habitat use means that recent survey data and historical records need to be considered when assessing the relative importance of a region for the Australian Painted Snipe.

     Chapter 2
Threats

2.1            Historical causes of decline

   It is thought that the Australian Painted Snipe has been in decline for some time, largely as a result of land use changes in the Murray–Darling Basin. The historical loss of temporary wetlands, through drainage and diversion for agriculture and reservoirs has caused a decrease in the population by >50 per cent over three generations (26 years). Substantial decreases in the reporting rate of the species between 1977 and 2007 coincided with major changes in water management in the Murray–Darling Basin, including diversion to irrigated agriculture (Kingsford 2000; Lane and Rogers 2000).

2.2            Current threatening processes

   The main threat to the Australian Painted Snipe is the loss and degradation of wetlands, through drainage and the diversion of water for agriculture and reservoirs (Lane and Rogers 2000; Garnett et al., 2011). Rogers et al. (2005) stated that the loss of breeding habitat in the Murray–Darling Basin has occurred through: (1) the reduced frequency of flooding in previously suitable habitat, exacerbated by a loss of fresh water to irrigation and other diversions; (2) water levels being stabilised in remaining wetlands so that water becomes too deep, or continuous reed beds develop; and (3) loss of wetland vegetation in floodplain wetlands due to increased cropping, and possibly through altered fire regimes at some sites. These hydrological changes have occurred in parallel with an extended period of drought in Australia and these conditions have intensified the impacts of wetland degradation and water diversion in the Murray–Darling Basin. Under various climate change scenarios, the competition for water resources is likely to intensify, placing further pressure on Australian Painted Snipe. Inundation of floodplain wetlands in northern and other regions of Australia may be