Tourism and the environment in the Portland district are to get a significant boost with the listing of the Glenelg River estuary and the adjoining Discovery Bay wetlands as Ramsar wetlands of international importance.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Victorian Water Minister Lisa Neville said the recent international accolade was a great accomplishment by local agencies and communities that had invested in the conservation of the area.
The area listed by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands stretches more than 22,000 hectares and includes part of the Lower Glenelg National Park, Discovery Bay Coastal Park and the Nelson Streamside Reserve.
It is known for its rare dunes that are home a variety of threatened species including plants, waterbirds and fish.
The Andrews state government has provided about $215,000 to help manage the site over the next three years.
The area meets five of the required Ramsar criteria by supporting unique wetlands and providing habitat for 95 birds – with 24 species migrating from Russia and China. It has three main systems, including the freshwater wetlands of Long Swamp, Bridgewater Lakes and Swan Lake, the Glenelg Estuary, Oxbow Lake and the dune fields, as well as beach along 50 kilometres of the Discovery Bay Coastal Park.
Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority conducted extensive consultation on the Ramsar nomination that included local landholders, government agencies, Nelson Coastcare and traditional owners.
Parks Victoria is the land manager. The Gunditjmara people are one of the primary guardians of the Aboriginal cultural heritage of the area.
Portland Tourist Association president Denis Carr said the Ramsar listing was “fantastic” news.
Mr Carr said locals already knew the area was “amazing” but the listing would help other people learn about the area.
Member for Wannon Dan Tehan said the listing was “a great success story for Glenelg.” The federal government backed the area’s nomination.
