Push to protect wetland

ANDREW MATHIESON
GEELONG Environment Council has pushed State and Federal governments to expand internationally-protected wetland boundaries outside Point Lonsdale.
The council wants to include Lake Victoria, Lakers Cutting, Lonsdale Lakes and Saltwater Lagoon, adjacent to Swan Bay, in an increased Port Phillip Bay Ramsar area.
Boundaries can be changed if all relevant governments approve its nomination to Ramsar’s international body.
Geelong Environmental Council president Joan Lindros said the wetlands had been “under-appreciated” in the past.
“We think this is an appropriate time to try and get the boundaries corrected because there are development proposals – there will always be development proposals,” Ms Lindros said.
“But I think we need to have something that recognises the values and, maybe, the strain we put on the area.
“We have to recognise values other than development.”
The move could potentially hamper a Stockland plan to build a 1000-dwelling residential development and 18-hole golf course at Point Lonsdale.
The project is planned for 200 hectares of rural and wetlands area about about 800 metres from the Point Lonsdale foreshore.
Stockland had initially proposed a “substantial” lake and wetlands system to be linked to Port Phillip Bay and Swan Bay wetland area via an inlet.
State Government sent the developer’s plans back to the drawing board over environmental concerns.
Ms Lindros admitted increased development pressure had prompted the council’s action and was confident of gaining support.
“A basic coastal strategy plan has now been incorporated in state planning policy, so it’s now a part of State Government planning, something of a referral document,” she said.
“I think we have to make sure that not only government but also people recognise the value of area and that we have a responsibility to protect it.”
Ms Lindros believed climate change would further pressure authorities to protect more wetlands used by thousands of migratory wading birds as feeding and roosting habitats.
“Water shortages indicate that wetland areas are very precious – they have to be protected,” Ms Lindros said.
Stockland and State Government did not return calls for comment before the Independent went to press yesterday.