REFUGE DESERTED: You Yangs Serendip fears

MICHAEL Helman oversaw the rise of Lara’s Serendip Sanctuary to one of Victoria’s premium environmental tourism attractions.

Now the former head ranger fears he could be witnessing the end of the wildlife centre’s allure, as community frustration at its handling by state authorities reaches boiling point.

Community groups have labelled the deterioration of Serendip and the removal of wildlife exhibits as “disgraceful”, and have welcomed City of Greater Geelong intervention to preserve the important community asset.

Mr Helman is the former ranger-in-charge of the Lara sanctuary led its transformation into a wetland education centre with a thriving captive breeding program in the late 1980s.

He said he was “embarrassed” by the sanctuary’s recent deterioration and said it was at risk of losing its attraction without a change in approach.

“What disgusts me is that Parks Victoria has now removed most of its captive animals without communicating this to the community.

“Now the animals are gone, why would anyone bother going to Serendip?

“Once the animals are gone they are gone, and you don’t get them back.

“I am shattered that years of working with my team to build a quality Serendip Sanctuary visitor experience and acquiring these animals has been wasted.”

Mr Helman said captive breeding was an important part of Serendip’s appeal as a tourism and education hub, which would be lost under Parks Victoria’s intended shift towards an open wildlife structure.

“If there’s no captive animals for people to see, it’s just like walking through any park.”

In front of a packed house at Lara Recreation Reserve last week, Geelong councillors unanimously voted to write to the state government.

The council will implore state authorities to stop removing wildlife from Serendip and call for a funding commitment to deliver objectives outlined in the You Yangs Precinct Master Plan, which was released in February.

The council will also ask for greater collaboration between state agencies and local authorities for ongoing management of the site.

Windermere Ward councillor Kylie Gryzbek’s motion cast doubt on the new masterplan’s implementation, which she said had “so far produced limited positive change”.

Before last month’s meeting, local community advocates The Lara Care Group had initiated a campaign for better protection of valued sanctuary in the face of the new strategy, which it said was “destroying the facility”.

Parks Victoria did not provide details of the masterplan’s existing or future funding when asked by this newspaper.

Acting district manager Peter Livitsanis said Serendip would have “an increased focus on management and conservation of endangered and threatened species” under the masterplan.

“We understand the connection the local community have with Serendip we (sic.) will also increase opportunities to view roaming wildlife at the sanctuary,” he said.

“We will continue to work with Traditional Owners, the local community and council to implement the You Yangs masterplan.”