Emily Chapman Laing
Cranbourne Wetlands, otherwise known as Bam Bam Swamp, is getting a trim.
Parks Victoria organised grass cutting to occur between February and April 2023.
Local reports indicate that the works are underway as of Monday 13 February.
The works are expected to last one week.
Post-trim, Parks Victoria will be partnering with Melbourne Water in an effort to map the wetlands and restore the wetland ecosystem to its seasonal wet and dry cycles.
Local resident and long-time environmental advocate Lenny Vanderwaal holds a deep investment in the wetlands, which are located across from his Lynbrook home.
“The wetland is not functioning properly, like a wetland should,” Lenny said.
“This wetland should be dry in the summer and wet in the winter.”
Currently, due to an imbalance in the ecosystem from human and climate interference, the wetland is wet all year long.
Natural dry phases in a wetland ecosystem are necessary not only for the wetland itself but also for the wildlife who call the habitat home.
Conservation Biologist Doctor Deborah Bower of the University of New England stresses the importance of the dry cycle.
“Many plants and animals from wetlands have eggs or seeds that need a dry period to develop,” she said.
“Wetting and drying cycles are really important to Australian wetlands because they give our uniquely adapted plants and animals the chance to complete their life cycle.”
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water notes that wetlands are threatened by drainage, earthworks, poor agricultural practices, feral animals, invasive plants and pollution.
“Wetlands are among the most important and productive ecosystems in the world,” the department said.
“They are the main suppliers of fresh water for human use, and provide water, habitat and refuge to thousands of animal and plant species.
“But their rate of decline is alarming.Those that remain continue to face many pressures, particularly from human activity and climate change.”
The effects are far reaching and cause serious problems for the ecosystem.
The encroachment of urban works can lead to the introduction of contaminants, increased soil salinity which hinders the growth of vegetation and the release of acids and metals into the soil which affect water quality, among other issues.
Overstimulating the production of nutrients in the ecosystem can also cause some plants and algae to grow at an unpredictable rate.
These species in overabundance block out light and some even produce toxins that can harm wildlife and humans.
Restoration is crucial to bring Bam Bam Swamp back into balance.
A spokesperson for Melbourne water commented on future plans for the wetlands.
“We are in the process of reviewing the hydrology of this system and developing an improved design for the hydrology of these wetlands,” they said.
“This month Melbourne Water has scheduled a survey of the landscape and drainage paths to further inform our design work, with works to be scheduled following the updated design.”
Locals are staying hopeful that Melbourne Water will persist with this project and reveal an exciting native ecosystem in the future.
“Hopefully Melbourne Water will create the right plants and trees, which will therefore [encourage] native animals [to] come back,” Lenny said.
“You need indigenous trees of the area for the indigenous animals in the area to live in it and thrive in it and grow in it.
“How good would it be to see a platypus there in 10 years’ time?”
Revitalising the wetlands will be beneficial for water quality too.
Wetlands are renowned for their ability to improve water quality, with plants and animals acting as filtering agents to remove pollutants, nutrients and sediment from the water.
“Wetlands are disproportionately important habitats for plants and animals because they collect nutrients, provide refuge for aquatic species, improve water quality and mitigate floods,” Dr Bower said.
Restoration of the Cranbourne Wetlands will help to undo the significant impact that human interference and climate change have had on water quality, biodiversity and ecosystem balance.
“The more I can get this out there, the more chance we have of Melbourne Water following through on their promises that they’re going to send the drone up, map it out and work out how to fix it up,” Lenny said.
Parks Victoria warns residents that staff and machinery present in the area may cause disturbances as the work is completed.
