The Towra Point wetlands are the largest and most diverse estuarine wetland complex remaining in the Sydney region. The nature reserve and adjoining wetlands are critical to the viability of important remnant terrestrial vegetation and wildlife habitats that contain rare or threatened species.
Towra Point has been declared a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Under Ramsar, and other inter-governmental agreements, the Federal and NSW governments are obligated to protect the endangered and migratory birds and the wetland habitats at Towra Point.
Towra Point Aquatic Reserve, which is adjacent to the nature reserve, includes much of the remaining important seagrasses, mangroves and migratory wading bird habitats in Botany Bay. It represents major habitat supporting commercial and recreational fish stocks in the coastal Sydney region.
Both reserves aim to protect the most significant wetlands remaining in the Sydney region. The natural resources they aim to conserve are also important contributors to the environmental health of Botany Bay and to the amenity of the Sutherland Shire and Sydney region.
Adjacent wetlands at Kurnell to the east and Shell Point to the west are functionally part of the Towra Point ecosystem and are considered in the strategic plan for Towra International Wetlands.
Threats to this valuable ecosystem, dominated by introduced species, pollution and human induced erosion of wetlands at Towra Point, have been the subject of much concern over recent decades.
Photo: Towra Point Nature Reserve / J Spencer/OEH
