Thesis
Lands of the richest character : agricultural drainage of backswamp wetlands on the North Coast of New South Wales, Australia ; development, conservation and policy change : an environmental history
Southern Cross University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
2011
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Abstract
Floodplains on the North Coast of NSW once included extensive open freshwater backswamps. Settlers attempted to drain these, with limited success. After1862, closer settlement policy required intervention by the State. Drainage unions were established, but failed due to their voluntary nature and limited finances. The next phase, 1906-14, involved construction of drainage works by the State, with trusts formed to rate benefited landholders. Many trusts failed financially, because much of the land was too low. A long dry period ended with disastrous flooding in the late 1940s. These events created a favourable political climate for the construction of major ‘flood mitigation’ works. The schemes cast ‘the net of contribution’ out to include all three levels of government. The crucial step was Federal Government funding in 1964, a major policy shift that was achieved over longstanding opposition, due to an unlikely confluence of events. Although triggered by disasters in floodplain towns, most ‘flood mitigation’ works were swamp drainage works, and in 1964-76, flood mitigation ‘came of age’, with >$43M spent, mostly on the Tweed, Richmond, Clarence and Macleay Rivers. This was the major turning point for coastal wetlands, with widespread use of floodgates that drained to low tide, removing the last vestiges of swamp in most areas. After 1963, dry conditions exacerbated the impacts of drainage. From the late 1960s, it was realised that drainage caused adverse impacts. Wildlife supporters raised concerns, but fisheries interests, with stronger statutory and proprietary rights, were more influential in the longer term. Certain works were particularly controversial, such as at Yarrahapinni Broadwater, which became an influential issue in fisheries and environmental policy. Major policy shifts occurred following changes of Federal and State Governments in the 1970s. Preventing further degradation of wetlands was a priority; this was partly achieved by planning and other responses. Regulation of acid sulfate soils illustrates the limitations of this approach. Remediation of degraded wetlands remains a challenge. Historically, fisheries policy has been influential; more recently, the sugar industry in particular has achieved a leadership role in floodplain management. The limitations of existing approaches are being acknowledged, including whether wetland rehabilitation is achievable within the context of agricultural uses. Governments are increasingly employing a range of devices to control the use of floodplains and return certain land to public control, and often, ownership. However, rehabilitation of wetlands remains a largely unresolved issue.
Details
- Title
- Lands of the richest character : agricultural drainage of backswamp wetlands on the North Coast of New South Wales, Australia ; development, conservation and policy change : an environmental history
- Creators
- Mitchell John Tulau - Southern Cross University
- Contributors
- Leigh Sullivan (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityPeter Saenger (Supervisor) - Southern Cross University
- Awarding Institution
- Southern Cross University; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Theses
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
- Publisher
- Southern Cross University
- Number of pages
- xxix, various pagings
- Identifiers
- SCU1279; 991012822097202368
- Copyright
- © Mitchell Tulau 2011
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; School of Environment, Science and Engineering
- Resource Type
- Thesis