18/11/2008

The Scotts Creek wetlands home to the Growling Frog

The Brenda Park Scotts Creek wetland is located on the floodplain of the River Murray, downstream from Morgan in South Australia. One of the largest wetlands on the River Murray, rated a wetland of high conservation value, 870 hectares in size and incorporates several smaller wetlands in addition to the main Brenda Park lagoon and Scotts Creek for which the complex is named.

Wetlands are a fundamental and valuable part of the Australian wildlife system providing habitats, breeding sites, and drought refuges for a diversity of birds and other fauna and flora. They are an important feature in our dry landscape with nearly 50% of the natural wetlands destroyed by salinity or other agricultural investments which in turn endanger the continued existence of the River Murray, the plants and animals that exist in it, and the industries and towns that rely upon it.

In 1996 Brenda Park Scotts Creek Wetlands Rehabilitation Group was formed due to the wetland having a blue green algae bloom that prevented use of the river. Work began with eradication of weeds, removing motorbikes, horses and stock from the area. Fish control and Carp removal in 1997 followed by significant funding being sourced and eventual control structures built.

In 2001, the Byrne family purchased Brenda Park Station on which the wetland is situated, and with Elise, Terry & Rob Byrne in partnership with the BPSC Wetlands Rehabilitation Group (BPSC), Riverland West Local Action Planning Group (RWLap) and Prince Alfred College (PAC), undertook a works programme which included Carp removal, significant funding being sourced and eventual control structures built in 2002. A pipe culvert was installed in the Brenda Park causeway road to allow water to flow into the wetlands at pool level. A box culvert structure was placed in the causeway at the Scotts Creek end. Manipulation of flooding is possible through Scotts Creek culvert at any time which is a valuable asset in managing a wetland. The project took time, work, co-operation and dedication.

Elise works closely with the leading environment organizations, and is currently Chairperson of BPSC Wetland Rehabilitation Group, V/C of the RWLap Group and a member of the Natural Resource Management Board - River Murray Advisory Committee.

The Scotts Creek vineyard covers 372 hectares and overlooks the Scotts Creek wetlands, The Growling Grass Frog is an endangered species, but their presence in the wetlands, one of South Australia’s largest, is a sure sign of a healthy natural ecosystem.