Unique challenge provides clever and creative environmental project

VISITING the Armstrong Creek area now is to experience a stunning realisation of a vision that was fraught with scepticism more than a decade ago.

The whispers about building on wetlands and challenges of all other kinds have circulated among locals for 10 years and more.

I must confess that it has been difficult to watch the development take over that part of our region, witnessing the dramatic change from farmfields to residential homes.

But these decisions were made back in the ‘noughties’ and many of these suburbs, like Warralily, are now well settled, attractive and thriving communities.

Indeed, riding a bike through the Warralily development only a few months ago and witnessing the clever use of drainage reserves and retention of original trees was a morning very well spent. It was fun, the scenery was fabulous and it was even a little bit fitness focused, something of a rarity in mayoral duties.

The clear vision was to house people and families proximate to the facilities they enjoy for an active, healthy and social lifestyle. I’m rather proud to say that’s the way we roll in this region.

As a parent to three very active teenagers and a big fan of running, cycling and water sports myself, I feel very lucky to call Greater Geelong home.

With the ocean, Barwon River, bushland, gardens and wetlands right on our doorstep, the region offers so much in the way of wide-open space to burn energy and keep our physical and mental health intact.

There is a new place looming in the picture, that I suspect will be a big hit with the family and the broader community when it opens up in stages.

The Sparrovale Wetlands in Charlemont, next to the Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve, is set to become the region’s new tourist and water-sports destination.

It will provide opportunities for hiking, bike riding, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, walking and exploring.

If you’re not big on life jackets or baiting up hooks, there’s always the opportunity for some birding and wildlife spotting, with the reserve home to habitat for the critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrot.

But wait there’s more… the Growling Grass Frog and Yarra Pygmy Perch were also recorded there just last year.

The sheer size of the place is rather breathtaking. Imagine the ground at the MCG, fence to fence, which is said to be around 20,000 square metres.

The Sparrovale wetlands and wildlife reserve park will be the size of 250 MCGs, bursting with colourful wildlife and diverse native vegetation.

Last month, I was invited to join a panel of mayors from England, Germany and Canada for an international forum.

We were asked to speak about green infrastructure, focusing on innovative examples in our respective cities.

Our example of Sparrovale Wetlands is one of our region’s most exciting and ‘clever and creative’ environmental sustainability projects.

It came from humble beginnings in 2019 as a land acquisition by council, to provide an end-of-drainage solution for the stormwater from Armstrong Creek and the Horseshoe Bend development.

In listening to my international equivalents, I learned that issues with drainage and flooding following residential development is not unique to us.

And Sparrovale is right up there on the world-scale of how to manage such issues in an effective, environmentally sensitive and best-practice way.

At last week’s council meeting, we adopted the Sparrovale Master Plan, which will guide the future of the park through the protection of the area’s biodiversity, while allowing for recreational activities.

Following community and stakeholder consultation, there are three phases to the plan that cover short, medium- and long-term actions to enhance the space over 20 years. You can read more about the plan at geelongaustralia.com.au.

The Sparrovale Wetlands will be an incredibly special place to visit and it offers a massive drawcard to the southern side of our regional city.

It goes to show how a situation can be turned around with a genuine focus on the long term.

When faced with a significant challenge, the team at the City of Greater Geelong looked at options that primarily protect our environment and provide benefits for the community.

They landed a solution that will also deliver economically in terms of investment and attraction to our beautiful region.

All those people who had confidence in the development around Armstrong Creek have been rewarded.

I look forward to biking around Sparrovale and perhaps catching a fish or two in the future.

Stephanie Asher,
Mayor