Works improving Country in basin project

THE Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation is using a state government grant to support works at Murrk Ngubitj Yarram Yaluk, the site of Barwon Water’s former Bellarine Basin.

Located on the corner of Grubb and Swan Bay roads in Wallington, the basin is being transformed into 30 hectares of public open space.

The $450,000 grant will go towards improving the local environment in line with Wadawurrung values.

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation interim chief executive officer Liam Murphy said the organisation was thrilled to receive the funding for the project.

“Working with Barwon Water on the exciting Murrk Ngubitj Yarram Yaluk project has given us the opportunity to apply for this funding from the Nature Fund, which we will put towards pest and weed control, the formation and running of a friends group for the area that will help care for Country on site, and towards a carpark and walkways so people can safely access the site without damaging the native environment.

“I am so pleased with the strong partnership between Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and Barwon Water.

“Truly working together has meant that there has been significant input from Wadawurrung in the design process and in working towards an operational space for our Natural Resource Management team, which is very exciting and an example that other organisations can follow.”

The new friends group is being co-ordinated by Bellarine Catchment Network (BCN) and has already held two weeding days at the site.

Friends of Murrk Ngubitj Yarram Yaluk will meet on the first Wednesday of the month, with the wider community welcome to attend and be part of bush regeneration process from that beginning.

BCN’s Matt Crawley said the group had already started removing invasive plant species from the site to support aims of the project to care for Country.

“The turnout for the friends’ group has been really strong, which shows how passionate local people are about this project and protecting and enhancing the Bellarine’s natural values.”
Barwon Water interim managing director Shaun Cumming said he was excited to see the progress of the project.

“The site is unique on the Bellarine Peninsula, and currently there is a thriving wetland, remnant grassy woodlands, wedge tailed eagle and collared sparrowhawk nests and a variety of areas with revegetation opportunities.”

Mr Cumming said stage 1 of the project – removing 30 per cent of the pine plantations, removing the basin walls, re-creating the Yarram Creek natural alignment, and creating a master plan for a nature reserve and public space – was nearly complete, and the lastest funding would support part of stage 2.

For more information on the project and how to get involved, head to yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/bellarine-basin