The Pumicestone Passage in Queensland is an internationally recognised Ramsar-listed coastal wetland winding 45km from Caloundra to Deception Bay between Bribie Island and the mainland. The Pumicestone features extensive mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, inter-tidal sandbars and mudflats providing valuable habitat for fish, dugong, turtles, crabs, oysters, juvenile prawns and a wide variety of local and migratory waders and shorebirds.
Multiple pressures from development along the Pumicestone have threatened the ecological value of this area, prompting the Sunshine Coast Council to develop Pumicestone Passage and Catchment Action Plan 2013-2016. Under the banner ‘The Pumicestone Catchment Network’, Sunshine Coast Council is working collaboratively with Moreton Bay Regional Council and numerous other government, community, industry and primary producer groups to more effectively manage the catchment’s natural assets.
The Action Plan has had a number of key achievements to date, and continues to work towards making the the Pumicestone Passage and surrounding catchments “healthy, resilient and well-maintained natural systems that sustain biodiversity and the livelihoods and lifestyles of residents and visitors.”