Catchment groups want greater wetlands protection

CATCHMENT groups are ramping up their advocacy for improved protection of the region’s wetlands after the state government’s peak planning and resource management authority nominated 11 sites for Ramsar listing.

The long-awaited boundary review of the region’s Ramsar wetlands and other sites considered worthy of greater environmental protections were released for consultation by Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) earlier this month and are open for comment until June 10.

The sites under consideration are located in Point Cook, Point Wilson, Avalon Coast, Moolap Point Henry, the Lake Connewarre complex that covers Breamlea and Karaaf, coastal areas of St Leonards and Edwards Point – Swan Bay, as well the Lonsdale Lakes.

“The values of the Ramsar wetlands are under increasing pressure … this is well understood by the Bellarine community and, as a Network of environmental groups, we are committed to initiatives that strengthen, protect and enhance these values,” Bellarine Catchment Network President Graeme O’Leary said.

“We welcome this approach to look at the Ramsar boundaries and encourage the broader community to comment on the review.”

As part of its advocacy campaign, the Bellarine Catchment Network is working with schools, community groups and land managers to educate and involve the community in Ramsar management.

“This is a great opportunity to strengthen and heighten the protection of the Ramsar values,” the group’s program manager Matt Crawley said.

“If Ramsar listing improves the management of these wetlands from current levels then the CCMA (Corangamite Catchment Management Authority) would support this,” said a spokesperson for the Authority, that is managing the community engagement process on behalf of DELWP.

Outlining the elevated level of protection that Ramsar listing affords a wetland site, the CCMA spokesperson said “Ramsar wetlands across the country are considered Matters of National

Environmental Significance under the federal government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and are thus protected under this act.”

A series of online information sessions are being held about the process, for more information visit: https://engage.vic.gov.au/project/port-phillip-bay-and-bellarine-peninsula-ramsar-site-boundary-review/meetings