EstuaryWatch Data Portal

The Tidal River Estuary is approximately 2.5km in length and is located at the base of the tidal river catchment which is approximately 27km2. There are a number of roads, a bridge, boardwalk and several fishing platforms that provide access to the estuary.

The Tidal River Estuary has a diverse array of intact habitat for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife, within and surrounding the estuary, including; muddy and sandy substrate, the water column, rocks and the vegetation communities surrounding these areas.

The vegetation communities are broken up into Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVC’s) based on the species composition of each community. Species composition is heavily influenced by frequency in which they are inundated, and the type of water in which they are inundated by (i.e. salty, fresh or brackish).

Some EVCs include:

• Coast Banksia Woodland (Rare in bioregion)
• Estuarine Wetland (Rare in Bioregion)
• Riparian Scrub (least concern in bioregion)
• Coastal Tussocks Grassland (Rare in bioregion)
• Coastal Saltmarsh (least concern in bioregion).

Fish Species

• Congolli
• Flatheaded Gudgeon
• Common Galaxias
• Spotted Galaxias
• Climbing Galaxias
• Yellow-eyed Mullet
• Estuary Perch
• Black Bream
• Silver Trevally
• Luderick
• Western Carp Gudgeon
• Greenback Flounder
• Pouched Lamprey
• Australian Herring
• Southern Shortfinned Eel
• Long Finned Eel

Significant Bird Species

• Pacific Gull (Near Threatened in Vic)
• White-bellied Sea Eagle (Vulnerable in Vic, FFG Listed)
• Sooty Oystercatcher (Near Threatened in Vic)
• Pied Cormorant (Near Threatened in Vic)
• Intermediate Egret (Endangered in Vic, FFG Listed)
• Lewins Rail (Vulnerable in Vic, FFG Listed).

Threats

• Introduced fauna (deer, fish (brown trout, rainbow trout and Goldfish), rabbits, foxes)
• Stormwater runoff
• Water extraction