Byron Bay Integrated Water Management Reserve – Byron Bay, NSW

AWC was contracted by Byron Shire Council in 2022 to assist with managing the Byron Bay Integrated Water Management Reserve, which includes 17ha of constructed wetlands which polish treated wastewater from the sewage treatment plan. The wetlands provide the final step of water treatment, help to discharge water through evaporation and transpiration, provide habitat for birds and are a recreational are used by bird watchers, including the Byron Bird Buddies.

AWCs role includes managing the water distribution through the 7 wetland cells to enhance native vegetation coverage, which is the main mechanism for improving the water quality, and maintaining areas of mudflats as habitat for wading birds.

Careful adjustments of water level and periodic ‘resting’ of each wetland cell has favoured the growth of native aquatic plants which have increased in extent over the last 3 years’ since AWCs involvement at the site.