Prototype Standard - Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar wetlands) | Independent review of the EPBC Act

Matter-specific - Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar wetlands)

Appendix 1 - Prototype National Environmental Standard for matters of national environmental significance (MNES). This section provides a prototype standard for Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar wetlands). This should be read in conjunction with the overarching standards for MNES and the existing requirements of the EPBC Act.

Wetlands of international importance are globally recognised important wetlands and listed under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention), or declared by the Minister to be a declared Ramsar wetland under section 16 of the EPBC Act.

Element	Description
Environmental Outcome	The ecological character of each Ramsar wetland is maintained through the conservation, management and wise and sustainable use of the wetland.
National Standard	No development incursion within the boundary of a Ramsar wetland^a, unless it promotes the conservation, management and/or wise and sustainable use of the wetland. Actions must not cause a detrimental^b change in ecological character of Ramsar wetlands^c. Management arrangements must ensure the ecological character of Ramsar wetlands are protected and conserved.
Further Information	General wetlands information Australian wetlands database (including location maps, ecological character description and information for individual wetlands)

a The Australian wetlands database provides information about Australia’s Ramsar wetlands

b E.g. outside of the ‘limits of acceptable change” where these have been defined. See Limits of acceptable change - Fact sheet

c Some Ramsar wetlands have catchments that cross state or territory borders. Catchment mapping is available.