Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut masterplan launched

The final version of a masterplan to increase public access to the unique environmental, cultural, and recreational values of the Barwon and Moorabool rivers has been released.

Last month, Geelong MP Christine Couzens launched the Kitjarra-dja-bul bullarto langi-ut Masterplan on behalf of Water Minister Harriet Shing at the Moorabool River Reserve in Batesford.

Translated as “places of many stories” in Wadawurrung, the Kitjarra-dja-bul bullarto langi-ut project extends from the Moorabool River at Meredith through to the Barwon River in Geelong and onto Barwon Heads.

It covers an extensive corridor of river frontage on Wadawurrung Country, including the internationally recognised Lake Connewarre wetlands and the Barwon River estuary.

The masterplan has been in development for two years, involving engagement with many stakeholders, including state and local government agencies, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, community groups and the general public.

At the launch, Ms Couzens also announced $1.7 million in funding as part of the Victorian government’s Greenlinks Initiative.

This funding will support the immediate start of some of the high priority projects identified in the masterplan to revegetate high-value sites along the Barwon River, Leigh River, Moorabool River and Waurn Ponds Creek.

These projects will deliver environmental, cultural and biodiversity improvements to the river corridor along with significant improvements to public amenity.

They will be delivered in a partnership approach between several proponents.

Corangamite CMA senior strategy project officer Andrew Harrison said the delivery of the projects would include engagement with Wadawurrung and Eastern Maar Traditional Owners and relevant community groups.

For more information, head to ccma.vic.gov.au/projects/barwon-river-parklands/