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“The Borough of Queenscliffe supports the boundary review assessment that states that Lakers Cutting will significantly contribute to the Ramsar values supported at the site,” the letter reads.<\/p>\n
“We commend the Victorian government for progressing this nomination and respectfully encourage the federal government to accept the nomination and include Lakers Cutting in the Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar site.”<\/p>\n
Last month, Tierney announced three local wetlands \u2014 Edwards Point Wildlife and Coastal Reserve, Point Henry in Moolap, and Reedy Lake and Hospital Swamp within the Lake Connewarre Complex \u2014 would be nominated for inclusion in the Port Phillip Bay (Western Shoreline) and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar site.<\/p>\n
A fourth site, within the Point Cook Cheetham Coastal Park near Melbourne, was also identified.<\/p>\n
The nominations stem from a Ramsar boundary review launched in 2022, which assessed 11 potential sites for inclusion to strengthen long-term conservation of key wetlands across the Geelong and Bellarine region.<\/p>\n
If approved by the minister for environment, the expansion would add more than 1,300 hectares to the internationally recognised wetland area, reinforcing protection for saltmarshes and intertidal flats that support endangered and migratory species including the curlew sandpiper, far eastern curlew and red knot.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the borough’s October meeting last week, Cr Rule also celebrated the potential presented by Lakers Cutting’s inclusion to strengthen the community’s case against a proposed Coles supermarket on the Bellarine Highway.<\/p>\n
The $20 million development, earmarked for land at the entrance to Point Lonsdale, has drawn strong community opposition and concern from both the borough and City of Greater Geelong, which argue it would threaten the town’s character, local businesses and nearby sensitive environments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Borough of Queenscliffe has welcomed confirmation Lakers Cutting will be nominated for inclusion in the Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar site boundary, after years of community advocacy for its protection. The nomination, to be made by state Water Minister Gayle Tierney to federal Environment Minister Murray Watt, forms part of a broader submission covering the boundary’s […]<\/p>\n