A full review and update of the Glenelg Estuary Discovery Bay Ramsar area management plan has been completed and released.

The management plan, which guides activities, projects, key priorities and partnerships within the Ramsar area, was first created when the Ramsar area was gazetted in 2018 and covered the initial seven years. The new plan guides activities between 2025 and 2032.

Major 2025-2032 management plan updates:

• Updated Risk Assessment – Using the latest science and stakeholder input to identify priority threats and management actions.
• Refined Resource Condition Targets (RCTs) – Clear goals for maintaining ecological character and monitoring progress.
• Management Strategies for 2025–2032 – Actions to address high-priority threats such as invasive species, climate change impacts, and wetland diversity and condition.
• Adaptive Management Framework – A mid-term review after four years and a strong focus on monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and improvement (MERI).
• Integration of Traditional Owner Knowledge – Strengthening partnerships with Gunditjmara and Buanditj Traditional Owners to embed cultural values and practices in site management.

Key Priorities in the 2025-2032 management plan:

• Protecting Ecological Character – Maintain critical wetland types, threatened species, and migratory bird habitats.
• Managing Threats – Address invasive species (foxes, pigs, weeds), agricultural runoff, and climate change impacts such as sea-level rise and reduced freshwater inflows.
• Community Engagement – Support citizen science, education programs, and local stewardship initiatives.
• Cultural Heritage – Work with Traditional Owners to care for Country and incorporate cultural knowledge in management.

Find out more about the Glenelg Estuary Discovery Bay Ramsar area, the management plan update, and some of the projects and activities undertaken in the area by clicking through to its dedicated webpage here.