Popular wetlands reopen after $7.6 million upgrade
The wetlands at Tolderol Game Reserve located on the northern banks of Lake Alexandrina is now reopen to public visitors.
A popular local wetland has reopened following a $7.6 million project to improve the quality of its shorebird habitat.
The wetlands at Tolderol Game Reserve, located on the northern banks of Lake Alexandrina, a 40-minute drive from Murray Bridge, had been shut since January.
Jointly funded by the federal and state governments as part of the Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin program, the site’s managed wetland has increased by approximately 50 hectares – a 60 per cent rise.
A new pump and supporting earthworks have also been installed, improving water management by enabling even and efficient distribution.
Previous water management facilities at the site restricted how water was distributed throughout the reserve, reducing habitat availability.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt, said it was an important habitat for iconic migratory shorebirds.
“It’s great that the Tolderol Game Reserve is opening once again for campers and bird watchers alike, and it’s bigger and better than ever because of this incredible work," he said.
Part of the Coorong and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert Wetland Ramsar site, the reserve is one of South Australia’s premier bird-watching wetlands.
This is due largely to the rich foraging habitat it provides for Coorong waterbirds, including migratory shorebirds.
Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin program leader Tom Overall said the completion of the works was another crucial step to supporting Coorong shorebird species.
“Tolderol is an important refuge for a wide variety of migratory and non-migratory shorebirds species,” Mr Overall said.
“Restoring wetland habitat at Tolderol is not only important in enhancing the ecological health of the reserve and resilience in the wider Coorong region, but it can also play a role in reversing the decline of shorebird habitat globally."
The project was delivered by the SA Department of Environment and Water in collaboration with the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation, Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, National Parks and Wildlife Service SA and a volunteer-run Tolderol Wetlands working group.
