Shorebird Roost an Australian port first

Issued by the Minister for Transport and Main Roads

4 November 2005

Transport and Main Roads Minister Paul Lucas today opened the largest constructed roosting site for migratory shorebirds on the east coast of Australia at the Port of Brisbane.

The 12-hectare roost site is a first for Australian ports.

“Around 13,000 of the 40-50,000 migratory shorebirds that travel to Moreton Bay Marine Park each summer use the reclamation ponds at the Port of Brisbane as a roosting site,” Mr Lucas said.

“Reclamation activities at the port develop large open spaces, often partially flooded, which suit the shorebirds.

“As the port continues to expand, these areas will gradually be developed for port use, so this roost site has been set aside to ensure that development activities do not adversely affect the shorebird population.

“Areas like this allow the birds to rest and conserve energy.”

The Shorebird Roost encompasses aspects and landforms favoured by shorebirds including:

• flat ground;
• a moat, which is connected to Moreton Bay and surrounds the central island, preventing access by feral predators and;
• varied surface covers.

Port of Brisbane Corporation Chairman David Harrison said the roost site is also designed to allow for community access, with minimum impact on the birds.

“We have constructed a pedestrian walkway, two hides and a viewing platform, all with full disabled access,” Mr Harrison said.

“Entry to the site will be free for the community and coordinated through our Visitors Centre.”

The site was developed in consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service – Marine Parks, and the Queensland Wader Study Group.

Mr Harrison said the Port of Brisbane Corporation has been monitoring the number of shorebirds that use the port since 1992.

“Our Shorebird Management Plan provides a management framework to ensure that our development activities do not compromise the beneficial use of our reclamation paddocks by both migratory and local shorebirds.

“The establishment of this roost site is a significant step forward in this plan, and it will provide for the continued monitoring of our shorebird population in the future,” Mr Harrison said.

For more information about visiting the Port of Brisbane Shorebird Roost, contact the Port of Brisbane Visitors Centre on (07) 3258 4677.