Wetlands Australia National Wetlands Update 2012
Issue No. 20, February 2012
ISSN 1446-4843
A $20 million wetland restoration project under way at Winton Wetlands
Winton Wetlands
Black winged stilt's at Winton Wetlands (Chris Tzaros)
The restoration of the Winton Wetlands is under way following the decommissioning in July 2010 of Lake Mokoan, formerly Victoria's fifth-largest water storage. The challenge of restoring the former 8750 hectare water storage has attracted a lot of interest in the scientific community, according to Winton Wetlands CEO, Michael Vanderzee.
After years of drought, the wetland is now full of water and the birds and people are flocking back to the 3000 hectares of wetlands set in the 8750 hectare Winton Wetlands Reserve in north east Victoria.
This $20 million project is run by the community based committee established to manage the restoration of the Winton Wetlands. The project is on track to achieve scientific, cultural and environmental outcomes while developing the wetlands as a natural and cultural heritage based tourism destination.
The committee has finalised its Restoration and Monitoring Strategy Plan, developed by Tim Barlow from the Goulburn-Broken CMA in conjunction with the Winton Wetlands Scientific and Technical Advisory Group, chaired by Professor Max Finlayson, Director of the Institute of Land Water and Society at Charles Sturt University.
The committee is now moving ahead with the Winton Wetlands master plan to guide the future management and development of the Winton Wetlands.
The committee has commissioned leading Australian landscape architect Taylor Cullity Lethlean to lead a consortium to prepare the Winton Wetlands Master Plan. The team's experience in the planning and design of iconic visitor destinations throughout Australia will prove invaluable in working with the stakeholders and community to develop a vision and master plan for the Winton Wetlands.
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Great Egret (Chris Tzaros)
A row of grey crowned babblers (Chris Tzaros)
