NEWS 5 July 2018 |

For the past couple of years, VNPA has been advocating for a new Moolap coastal conservation park right on Geelong’s doorstep – a refuge for locals to escape in nature and free of large developments, where migratory birds thrive, and the large expanses of seagrass meadows are protected.

The Moolap Coastal Strategic Framework has been underway since 2016 and will be the opportunity to ensure that these extremely important wetlands are protected for nature and people. There is a chance to develop:

  • An environmental corridor and link along the Corio Bay foreshore and between central Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula.
  • A buffer between coastal and residential areas while providing protection for important biodiversity values.
  • Be a catalyst for longer-term and landscape-scale restoration across the Bellarine Peninsula and around Corio Bay.

After periods of public consultation, the final plan could be announced in the coming weeks – indicating the future use of this special place. Whatever the future looks like for Moolap, VNPA will be engaged in future processes to ensure the area is managed to maximise protection of Moolap’s coastal wetlands, seagrass meadows and remnant native vegetation.

VNPA collaborated with Birdlife Australia, Environmental Justice Australia and the Geelong Field Naturalist Club for a special community forum ‘Act for Birds: A Conversation About Nature Laws’ in Geelong on Tuesday 17 July. There was a full house in attendance to find out how strengthening federal nature laws can improve environmental outcomes for Moolap and elsewhere in the future.

More

Park Watch article ‘Sanctuary or developers dream?’

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