Protecting Victoria’s Iconic Wetlands

The Victorian State Government is delivering $2 million to better protect and manage Victoria’s 11 iconic and internationally recognised Ramsar wetlands, including those around Flow regions.

Ramsar sites are wetlands that are listed as having international importance under the Ramsar Convention - an international wetland treaty.

Sites across the state will receive funding through local Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs), with funding being used to develop management framework that will protect sites from decline.

Sites include Lake Albacutya and Hattah Kulkyne Lakes around Flow region 95.3fm, the Barmah and Gunbower forests, Kerang Lake, Western District Lakes, Corner Inlet and Gippsland Lakes, Western Port, Edithvale-Seaford wetlands, Port Phillip Bay and the Bellarine Peninsula.

As important environmental sites, the wetlands attract international migratory waterbirds annually, from as far away as Russia, China and Alaska.

The wetlands also provide many benefits to Victorian communities including:

• Providing a range of recreational opportunities such as boating, camping, bird watching and fishing which help to support tourism and local economies

• Providing habitat for native plants such as river red gums, mangroves, saltmarshes and for native animals such as waterbirds, frogs and fish

• Reducing the impacts of flooding by holding and slowing floodwater

• Protecting the water quality of rivers, estuaries and marine areas by trapping sediment and filtering nutrients from catchments

• Playing an important part of Aboriginal cultural heritage

Minister for Water Lisa Neville said: “Protecting Ramsar wetlands across the state is good for the environment, tourism and jobs, and provides recreation opportunities for the community.

“We’re delivering an investment to look after these internationally important wetlands to ensure they stay protected for future generations.”

Image Source: Cogs