On a visit to Junee a few years ago, I took several walks through this urban wetland, spotting different plants, animals, and birds with each visit. The Junee Urban Wetlands is one of various dams and watercourses located throughout the town. Junee is located in the Riverina region of New South Wales, about 450 km south-west of Sydney. The Wiradjuri people are the First Peoples and Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters of the area.
The wetlands provide water, food, and shelter to a range of species, along with breeding sites. Birds of the Junee Wetland include white-faced herons, dusky moorhens, purple swamp hens, and the pacific black duck. There are over 30 species of birds known to visit the wetlands.
The wetland plays an important role in urban stormwater management. Approximately three-quarters of the town’s stormwater runoff passes through the wetlands.
The plants in the wetland also perform a significant role in filtering the water passing through, including filtering excess nutrients from polluted water.
There are a series of boardwalks which cross waterways and bulrushes, with platforms offering different views of the area.
The ongoing management of wetlands such as this is a community enterprise, with the support of local volunteers, council and Landcare. More information on the Junee wetlands is available here.
Have you enjoyed a wander through an urban wetland recently?
Photo: Australasian Grebe among the bulrushes, Junee Urban Wetland
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