A new plan for wetland and saltmarsh restoration at Burdens Marsh

For the past 12 months we have been working on a restoration plan for a special saltmarsh in Tasmania, Burdens Marsh. The saltmarsh is situated on Sloping Main Reserve, one of the Tasmanian Land Conservancy’s (TLC) newest Reserves, on Turrakana/The Tasman Peninsula. Burdens Marsh has inherited a history of modification from agricultural development – including changes to its drainage patterns and water regime. So, writing a restoration plan has involved an in depth eco-hydrological assessment as part of the process.

Over the year we have gotten to know this site well, including its rich history and legacy of hydrological change. This invaluable background information has been used to develop restoration objectives and a functional approach to on ground restoration, which has now been compiled into the published restoration plan.

Restoration objectives were developed in partnership with the TLC, and focus on influencing the current trajectory of ecological change by:

• Slowing the speed that freshwater inflows move through the marsh to the sea.
• Improving the connectivity of tidal flows to the marsh.
• Restoring primary freshwater catchment inflows.

Restoration is focused on restoring the natural hydrology and landform of the site, as well as minimising the requirements for ongoing operations and maintenance.

The restoration plan for the site includes a number of sequential recommendations that aim to restore the entire wetland and saltmarsh complex over time:

1. Restore the natural landform (via removal of the tidal weir and levee) at the outlet

– to facilitate natural outflows and allow for improved tidal exchange, as well as climate adaptation.

2. Restore the topography of the main saltmarsh area

– to reinstate the natural hydrology including lateral spread of flows and improved inundation patterns.

3. Restore surrounding freshwater wetlands to the east of the saltmarsh, including Turners Lagoon

– to reduce the impact of drainage on freshwater wetland areas improving the availability and diversity of wetland habitats within and adjacent to the marsh.

The final report can be found here.

The TLC have committed to commencing the implementation of the restoration plan in the 2024/25 financial year. NGT will help coordinate and supervise restoration works throughout this period. We’ll keep you posted as we get started on the exciting restoration of this site over the coming warmer months!

This project is being delivered by NGT in partnership with the Tasmanian Land Conservancy, supported by the Purryburry Trust