Ships and Shorebirds: A Case Study on the Development of a Constructed Roosting Site at the Port of Brisbane

Abstract

The Port of Brisbane is located adjacent to Moreton Bay Marine Park, an area of high conservation and ecological value. While the Bay supports a resident population of shorebirds, each September some 40,000 migratory shorebirds travel the East Australasian Flyway to Moreton Bay from breeding grounds in Siberia and Alaska. The significance of Moreton Bay for these shorebirds has been recognised through the declaration of several Ramsar-listed areas within the Bay. The reclamation paddocks created through the continued growth of the Port over the last 20 years has seen the area become a significant roosting site within Moreton Bay. Monitoring has indicated that more than 10,000 shorebirds are using these areas during the peak of the migratory season. The Port of Brisbane Corporation has actively managed these areas, mindful of the need to expand the port whilst acknowledging the significance of the shorebirds and the habitat created by the reclamation process. However, as the port expands and reclamation works are completed, the available roost sites will be significantly reduced. In recognition of this fact, the Corporation has designed, constructed and now manages one of the largest constructed shorebird roosting sites in Australia. This site is unique in several ways, including its combination of conservation and educational values, innovative site management techniques and full disabled access to the hides within the site. The balance between port operational efficiency, sound planning and environmental stewardship, has seen this 12-hectare site become a favoured site for both migratory shorebirds and keen bird watchers. This paper presents the planning, design and construction challenges faced by the Corporation in developing this unique site within one of Australia’s fastest growing ports. It discusses the site’s design and construction issues, and outlines the process of community engagement and business acceptance in relation to striking a balance between development and conservation.