The Lower Glenelg area and Long Swamp will be submitted for federal government accreditation and then assessed by experts for listing as a Ramsar site which is a convention recognising rare or unique wetlands in their role in conserving biological diversity.

Premier and Great South Coast MP Denis Napthine yesterday announced funding for the nomination work would come from $120,000 in prizemoney awarded to Glenelg Hopkins Management Authority when the Glenelg River won the national river award earlier this year.

“The Victorian government has agreed to proceed with a nomination of the site, a significant first step in gaining this international protection,” he said.