Help us protect Mambo and Wanda Wetlands as an Aboriginal Place
Kathy Brown & Irene Jones, Mambo-Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group.
The Mambo-Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group has been notified by Heritage NSW that they are receiving submissions on the viability of these local wetlands being given special status which recognises their cultural value to the original inhabitants of the land, the Worimi. This would support the environmental and community values we all want to protect.
Closing date for letters of support is Wednesday 30 September 2026.
The committee of the Mambo-Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group has prepared a submission which represents what we understand of the history and significance of both these wetlands.
What is an Aboriginal Place and what does it mean?
An Aboriginal Place is an area of land that has special significance for Aboriginal people. It can have spiritual, historical, social, educational, natural resource use or other type of significance. These places range from small ceremonial sites to mountains and lagoons and have been identified all over NSW. When a significant place is declared an Aboriginal Place, it is protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.
An Aboriginal Place designation may provide an extra layer of protection for these special places which have been under continual threat from proposed housing developments and pollution. Here is a brief outline about the ongoing requests to declare an Aboriginal Place at both Mambo and at Wanda Wetlands.
How can you help?
We are providing the following dot points to assist you with writing your own submission. We understand that everyone is busy and may even feel overwhelmed by the task. So, we are providing a graded level of assistance. (You should read all the notes before starting).
The first dot point is a minimal starter that would suffice on it own. However, we hope you can make your submission more personal with your own experiences and reflections of the Mambo-Wanda Wetlands.
Submissions by email should be sent to heritagemailbox@environment.nsw.gov.au
Start your letter like this …
Attention: Mr Harvey Johnston, Manager, Aboriginal Places, Heritage NSW.
- I fully support the application of Worimi elder and knowledge holder, Carol Ridgeway-Bissett to have Mambo and Wanda Wetlands declared as an Aboriginal Place.
- I also support the submissions of the Mambo Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group and EcoNetwork Port Stephens.
- Then add 1 or 2 personal comments about your interaction with Mambo & Wanda Wetlands. Add any of the following comments that you wish to include or modify:
- Do you live nearby?
- Do you walk through the wetlands?
- Do you take photographs of the wildlife?
- Have you participated in the guided walks through Mambo or around Wanda Wetlands?
- Does your family have historical photos of the area or any activity within them?
Also add any of the following comments that you wish to include or modify:
- Wanda Wetlands is an Aboriginal sacred site and was used by the Worimi people for birthing and burial purposes.
- Wanda Wetlands is the only remaining ecosystem of its type on the Tomaree Peninsula, being wetland forest with old growth in excess of 120 years. Wanda provides a rich habitat and sanctuary for a variety of wildlife including several endangered species. These include the Greater Broad-nosed Bat, the Little Bent-wing Bat, the koala, squirrel glider and Wallum froglet. The area is a significant wildlife corridor for koalas moving around the area between Wanda and Mambo Wetlands.
- Mambo Wetlands covers 175 hectares of saltwater and freshwater wetlands. It is part of Port Stephens Estuary, which is listed under the National Estate, having gained this listing because of its ecological significance.
- Wetlands have a protective buffer zone for a reason. The buffer areas around the Salamander Bay shopping centre should have been included in Carol Ridgeway-Bissett’s claim.
- The mangroves and mudflats of Mambo provide a natural filtration system to our waterways. They provide essential feeding grounds and habitat for fish and birds and particularly migrating species. The wetlands contain over 20 different frog species including the endangered Wallum Froglet. Sea grasses act as a nursery for juvenile fish, crabs and prawns and provide protection for mullet, tailor, bream and flathead.
- The wetlands were used similarly by the Maaiangal people and thus the cultural links between the wetlands are strong. The intrinsic natural values of the wetlands, the strong cultural links between Mambo Wetland and the wetland systems as a whole in the Salamander Bay area, as well as specific artefacts, implements and sites, are what make Mambo Wetland significant for the Maaiangal people. For these reasons, the conservation of Mambo Wetlands and its natural and cultural features are highly important to the local Aboriginal people. (Port Stephens Council Mambo Wetlands Plan of Management, 2006).
- Two large shell middens as well as other scattered smaller middens throughout Mambo Wetland provide evidence of Aboriginal occupation in the area. Discussions with the Maaiangal Heritage Group also suggest that there may be burial sites within the reserve as well as artefacts and stone implements. It is considered that the wetland was utilised strongly by the Maaiangal people since it provided a good source of food such as fish, insects, native seeds, roots and berries. Other fauna was also used for food and clothing resources. Many plants were used for medicines, dyes and weaving. Some plants, animals and birds are also significant as spiritual totems. Specific species have significance as kinship and tribal totems, birth totems and sex totems for women and men (PSC Mambo Wetlands Plan of Management, 2006)
- The intrinsic natural values of the wetland, the strong cultural links between Mambo Wetland and the wetland systems as a whole in the Salamander Bay area, as well as specific artefacts, implements and sites, are what make Mambo Wetland significant for the Maaiangal people. For these reasons, the conservation of Mambo Wetland and its natural and cultural features are highly important to the local Aboriginal people. (PSC Mambo Wetlands Plan of Management, 2006)
- Carol Ridgeway-Bissett is a traditional custodian & knowledge holder of the Maaiangal people in the Worimi nation. She was an early foundation member of Mambo Wanda Wetlands and Reserves Landcare and EcoNetwork Port Stephens. Over many years Carol, with the support of many people in the community, has fought off housing development proposals in both Mambo and Wanda Wetlands, as recently as this year, 2026.
I fully support the application of Worimi elder and knowledge holder, Carol Ridgeway-Bissett to have Mambo and Wanda Wetlands declared as an Aboriginal Place.
Please include any or all of this material – but especially include your own family’s story of interaction with both Mambo and Wanda Wetlands. If you have any questions, please contact the Mambo-Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group by email or phone 0437 132 394.
