West Hill declared Fish Habitat Area

Location and plan number

  • Yarrawonga Point to Marion Creek south to Flaggy Rock Creek, including West Hill Island and adjacent coastal waters, around 80km south-east of Mackay
  • Plan number: FHA-039
  • Isaac Regional Council

Size and management level

Total size: 17,546 ha:

  • 6,482 ha – Management A
  • 11,064 ha – Management B.

Declaration history

  • 22 November 1986: Original declaration.
  • 22 May 2009: Redeclaration:
    • to combine with Carmila and Marion Fish Habitat Areas.

Management features

  • Protection of important fish habitat.
  • Marion and Carmila sections (Management B) provide a wetlands buffer zone from rural development for the West Hill section (Management A).

Habitat values

  • Extensive mangrove stands, tending towards patchiness around Feather Creek
  • Extensive salt marshes and intertidal flats
  • Salt flats also present
  • Seagrass beds (Zostera and Halophila)
  • Fringing inshore reef.

Fisheries values

  • Protection of commercial and recreational fisheries for barramundi and mud crabs.
  • Species:
    • Barramundi
    • Blue salmon
    • Bream
    • Estuary cod
    • Flathead
    • Grey mackerel
    • Grunter
    • Mangrove jack
    • Queenfish
    • Sea mullet
    • School mackerel
    • Whiting
    • Mud crab.

Unique features

  • Lies within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Other values

  • None presently identified.