The Albanese and Minns Governments are delivering important environmental outcomes for the Far South Coast on World Fish Migration Day, (May 23) through the completion of the Panboola Wetland Rehabilitation Project.
Strengthening the natural disaster resilience of the Pambula River Estuary and its surrounding floodplain, the project has been jointly funded over several years through the $64 million Riparian Stabilisation Package under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and the NSW Government's Marine Estate Management Strategy - Coastal Floodplain Wetland Rehabilitation Program.
The Panboola project restores natural tidal connection to key sections of the estuarine floodplain, improving water quality, fish passage, and the health of coastal ecosystems. These outcomes also make our estuaries more resilient to future natural disasters such as floods and droughts.
The works focused on the Old Pambula Racecourse site, originally constructed more than 130 years ago on intertidal mudflats, which had significantly restricted tidal exchange, fish migration and floodwater drainage.
Key works included:
- creating two new tidal channels by removing sections of the racecourse embankment
- constructing two bridges to maintain community access
- removing part of a redundant levee in Beowa National Park
- installing improved drainage infrastructure to enhance floodwater movement
The project is expected to deliver significant environmental benefits, including improved estuarine water quality through increased tidal flushing, better habitat for fish and wildlife, and enhanced resilience of saltmarsh and mangrove communities, strengthened climate resilience and blue carbon outcomes, reduced flood risk and better drainage across the floodplain, as well as support for oyster production and local industries through these environmental improvements.
Ongoing monitoring will demonstrate the long‑term outcomes, via live-stream cameras and tracking of hydrology, water quality, vegetation, and key bird species such as the White-fronted Chat.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management and Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain:
"The completion of this important project is a big win for South Coast communities.
"The Albanese Government is proud to have helped bring the Panboola River Estuary and surrounding areas back to their best, restoring the area's cultural importance with the local Yuin people and ensuring the environment is healthy for future generations.
"I'd like to thank everyone involved in this project, including the Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council, NSW Aboriginal Land Council, and Pambula Wetlands and Heritage Project Incorporated for their work.
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Agriculture, Western NSW and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty:
"This project is a great example of how we are working to protect and restore our vital coastal environments while building resilience to flooding, climate change and sea level rise.
"By reinstating natural tidal flows and improving connectivity across the floodplain, we are supporting healthier resilient ecosystems, better water quality and stronger outcomes for local industries like oyster farming."
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin:
"We know how critical it is to improve the resilience of communities and regions, but when we say that we're not just talking about the suburbs and towns we live in, but the waterways and natural environments.
"We know wetlands like Panboola play an important role when it comes to reducing the risk of flooding, on top of the ecological benefits that enrich the local environment, and I commend all involved on the competition of this project which has strengthened the natural disaster resilience of the Pambula River estuary and its surrounding floodplain."
Quotes attributed to Member for Bega, Dr Michael Holland
"This work is helping restore the natural function of the floodplain and improving the ecological health of the estuary for future generations.
"Restoring natural hydrology will help address historic impacts including poor drainage, low oxygen water, hyper‑salinity and acid sulfate soil processes, while enabling vegetation to adapt to rising sea levels and increasing natural disasters.
"The project also supports "healing Sea Country", recognising the cultural importance of the Pambula River estuary to the Yuin people. The Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council and NSW Aboriginal Land Council have supported the project."
Quotes attributable to Pambula Wetlands and Heritage Project Inc. Project Coordinator Michelle Richmond:
"We are standing at a pivotal moment for the Pambula River Floodplain. For over a century, the natural rhythm of our local environment has been restricted by historical land use, but today, we are finally 'turning the tide' on that legacy. This project represents a massive step forward in the ecological restoration of Panboola wetlands."
