MP to front forum for Serendip future

LARA community members can hear directly from their state MP Ella George about the Victorian government’s future plans for Serendip Sanctuary at a community meeting next week.

Ms George said this week she would speak with residents about their vision for Serendip Sanctuary and the You Yangs at the public forum.

A local campaign to save captive breeding programs has ramped up during the past year, with a state government masterplan proposing to end the practice.

He idea’s detractors say that captive breeding has been an important part of the educational and tourism value of Serendip for several decades and would hurt its long-term viability if lost.

The City of Greater Geelong and community groups have been among the objectors to the idea.

Lara Care Group (LCG) members have been raising awareness about the issue in recent weeks, including at supermarkets and with roadside signs.

LCG president Barry White said this week that captive breeding would be a priority topic at the coming meeting.

“The response to that has been strong, especially around the wildlife and threatened species being removed,” he said.

“We want to make sure the plan includes the things that bring people to Serendip.”

Ms George says she has heard concerns from local residents in recent months and would discuss the issues face to face this week.

“I’ll be attending the community meeting on 20 September and I’m looking forward to speaking to residents about their vision for Serendip Sanctuary and the You Yangs,” she said.

Serendip Sanctuary will undergo changes as part of the You Yangs Precinct Masterplan that Ms George committed $11 million towards ahead of the state election, which she said this week would deliver significant improvements and a better experience for visitors.

She has also said the masterplan will retain wildlife viewing areas in an “enhanced open park environment”, and would continue its endangered and threatened species programs alongside conservationists.

Mr White, former Serendip Sanctuary ranger Michael Helman and Echidna Walkabout tour operator Roger Smith will be also be among the guest speakers, with Windermere Ward councillor Anthony Aitken to moderate the forum.

The community meeting is at Lara Community Centre Hall from 7.30pm on Wednesday, September 20.