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  Category: Articles » Society & News » Environment » Article
 

An Environmental Plan and the Local Government.




By steven pike

There is a marine ecosystem not far from where I live that was, up until ten years ago, facing the threat of being lost forever.

It is an incredibly diverse and environmentally important area consisting of mangroves, tidal flats and tidal creeks. It is a fish breeding area for popular commercial varieties as well as a haven for sea birds and waders.

At that time, environmental issues were not high on the list of local Governments and Councils.

To their credit, the local Council realised the amount of stormwater that was being wasted each year as it flowed directly into this fragile area. This was detrimental to the marine life, introducing abnormal amounts of heavy metals and sediments into the system, and was a tremendous waste of water.

An environmental plan was established and put into action.

Ten years on, several kilometres of wetlands have been introduced in the area, transforming the soggy, unproductive land it once was.

The wetlands consist of ponds, creeks, litter catchment areas and extensive reed beds.

Stormwater run-off is directed into these areas and water flow is slowed as it moves into the ponds. This allows the heavy metals and toxins to settle where they are broken down naturally.

The reed beds filter the water and the catchment areas collect all the litter that finds its way into the system.

When the water eventually does flow into the mangrove system, it is clean and safe.

Another project has been instigated that, in a certain area, collects the water after it has been filtered naturally. This water can then be utilised.

The foresight shown on this occasion by the local Council and Government has, I think, saved a very important area of the State.

Walking and bicycle trails have been added and this allows visitors to enjoy the area and the numerous bird and animal species that are becoming more numerous.

I have noted 50 different species of birds within 1 kilometre of my home, some having only recently appeared.

All this has occurred in an area that is only 25 kilometres from the capital city and continues to see an increase in housing and industrial estates, as well as the inevitable population explosion.

The project has restored my faith somewhat in the ladies and gentlemen running the place, and its good to see a plan come to fruition.

We have to leave our children and grandchildren some inkling of what things were like before we made our mark.
 
 
About the Author
Steven Pike spends all of his spare time visiting country areas of his home State, South Australia, taking photographs. His interest in nature extends into the areas of camping and fishing, but his focus is on the magnificence of nature. He hopes to portray some of this beauty in his photographs and encourage people to view their surrounds in a different light.

http://smp.photostockplus.com

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