Coker pledges $1.9m to restore Karaaf Wetlands

LABOR will put $1.9 million towards a project to restore the Karaaf Wetlands if the party wins this year’s federal election.

Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker, Shadow Minister for the Environment and Water Terri Butler and Shadow Assistant Minister for the Environment Josh Wilson announced the funding to extend ponds, lakes and weirs this morning (Thursday, March 24).

The proposed refurbishment in Torquay North will improve the overall natural function of the Karaaf Wetlands by improving the retention and filtering of stormwater runoff and reducing the amount of pollutants, or potential for pollutants, to reach environmentally significant areas.

The 320 hectares of wetlands are a hyper-saline salt marsh whose salt-adapted vegetation is important to a wide range of species, including migratory waders from north Asia and the orange bellied parrot.

The wetlands are recognised as one of the region’s most productive carbon sinks, and presently the subject of an application to be included for protection as a Ramsar site of international importance.

Labor says its announcement will support planning by the community of The Sands estate, the Surf Coast Shire, the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, Barwon Water and the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority.

The election commitment is part of Labor’s $200 million Urban Rivers and Catchments Program that will fund similar projects across Australia.