Briny and boggy: An update on recovery at Sloping Main Reserve, turrakana/Tasman Peninsula
NGT, in partnership with the Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC), completed hydrological restoration works at Sloping Main Reserve in April 2025 (see previous article). Justine and Bec returned in December 2025 to inspect the early stages of recovery post the first winter/spring period.
Dry conditions have prevailed over much of the east and south east coast of Tasmania during 2025, with only three events registering 20 mm or more at Sloping Main since May. Most winter-spring months have experienced relatively average conditions, however August was well below average with just 13 mm recorded for the month (long-term average of 46 mm). November was well above average but it has been a slow start to December (just 7 mm so far of an average 55 mm).
Despite relatively dry conditions, some pleasing signs were apparent. Key observations are captured for distinct restoration areas of the reserve in sections below.
Tidal inlet and outlet (site of the original levee and weir)
Water now flows seamlessly from the tidal inlet on Sloping Main beach into Burdens Marsh. Particularly high tides during May, which persisted through winter, breeched the beach sand berm and resulted in several tidal inflow events in the main channel running through the central saltmarsh in Burdens Marsh. Once over the berm, the water has become trapped in the marsh, most likely slowly seeping out via the sand dunes and being supplemented by freshwater inflows driven by rainfall events. Water in the channel was backed up to behind the house and maintaining a bank-full status throughout.
Tidal outlet looking downstream (left) and upstream (right) in June (above) and December (below) 2025
The area where the original levee stood now seamlessly integrates into the surrounding landscape and topography on either side of the new fence. This area was the first targeted during restoration works which commenced in March 2025 and is already showing signs of saltmarsh recovery with disparate plants of Cotula and Sarcocornia re-emerging from the soil. As we’ve observed at other saltmarsh restoration sites in Tasmania, this trend is expected to continue over the coming years until full cover is achieved and the saltmarsh community is fully restored.
Central saltmarsh areas of Burdens Marsh
Areas of saltmarsh adjacent the channel in the central area of the marsh are also now saturated – no doubt water in the channel is helping to maintain soil saturation through subsurface hydraulic connections. The saltmarsh appeared vibrant, water-logged and was starting to kick off its summer growth with new green shoots pressing through the dried-off tops. Material in Infilled drains was continuing to settle in and has knitted together well over the preceding rainfall events ready to support spontaneous saltmarsh regeneration.
Mungaratya/Turners Lagoon
Turners Lagoon may still be dry and will likely take a few consecutive wet years to commence to fill, however the removal of stock together with wetted soils have already resulted in observable changes. Whilst vegetation is still largely dominated by exotic pasture grasses (and is expected to be until a sustained period of inundation occurs), the greening up and height of regrowth in vegetation from June to December 2025 was evident.
Infilled drain areas and adjacent areas of disturbed soil are also starting to support spontaneous regeneration of typically native vegetation such as bracken.
Peripheral, eastern freshwater marshes
Wet and water-logged soils were also evident in the eastern freshwater wetland areas, particularly at the northern and middle wetland sites. The main drains, connecting these wetlands and effectively preventing them from holding water, were infilled in April 2025. Again, infilled drain material was settling in well and vegetation renewal was evident.
Ongoing monitoring of recovery
The restored hydrological regime is expected to continue to drive a positive trajectory of ecological recovery at Sloping Main Reserve, with those outcomes perpetually protected within TLC’s permanent reserve system.
We will continue to monitor the recovery of this site and look forward to sharing more news with you in future! Fingers crossed for a few wet years to really get things kicked off.
This project was delivered by NGT in partnership with the Tasmanian Land Conservancy, with support from the Purryburry Trust and a grant from the NRE Tas Threatened Species Partnership Grant Program supported by the Tasmanian Government.
