Locals protest in hope of saving the lakes

“GIVE a duck about our wetland” one youngster’s sign proclaimed at a protest in Wallington last week.

Locals met outside TLC Homestead Lakes Aged Care facility on Thursday night to send a clear message to its owners that they don’t want its two man-made lakes filled in to make way for car parking.

Local resident Heidi Wane, who has been leading the campaign, said Ireland Brown Constructions would fill in the lakes as part of the home’s extension, but was unsure about the timeline.

Ms Wane’s campaign has continued to gain momentum, with letters of support from Bellarine MP Lisa Neville, and Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick recently called on Minister for Environment Lily D’Ambrosio in Parliament to urgently intervene.

“Since early 2019 many people have contacted my office expressing their concern and anger at the decision by TLC to remove the lakes,” Ms Neville said.

“In support of the residents, and their families, I sent a letter to the CEO of TLC Aged care urging them to take immediate steps to retain the lakes.”

Ms Neville said in providing her support, she fully understood the anxiety and anger this decision had created amongst residents, who over many years had enjoyed the relaxing ambience of the lakes and the abundance of wildlife that had made the site their home.

“Given this issue has not been resolved, as a matter of urgency I will again write to TLC Aged Care to reiterate my full and strong support for the retention of the lakes, and through my office see a meeting with the CEO.”

Mr Meddick said he wanted to personally congratulate Ms Wane on her formidable efforts to protect the lakes at TLC Aged Care in Wallington, which were important to enrichment for residents and a vital and established habitat for wildlife.

“As you may be aware, the filling of the lakes is a matter that I have used my time in the chamber to raise and ask the government to step in and protect them.”

“The fact that filling in the lakes will result in the suffocating deaths of countless frogs and turtles and a loss in habitat for waterbirds is simply unacceptable.”