Business News
Geelong programs protecting the coast
Tuesday 14. July 2009 - Geelongs coastal regions were among the winners in the Federal government Caring for our Country funding announced late last week, bringing in more than $500,000 to the region in two projects.
The Moolapio project is a partnership initiative commenced in 2006 between Greening Australia and Alcoa of Australia, and is initially focused on five hundred hectares of Alcoas land at Point Henry, Geelong. The site is an exciting and diverse range of landforms, including rare foreshore habitats to expansive saline and freshwater wetlands to agricultural land.
Point Henry Alcoa Plant Manager Stewart Esdale is excited by the government support of the Moolapio project, “Protecting and preserving the environment is a core element of Alcoas commitment to sustainability.
“Greening Australia and Alcoa have been in partnership for more than 25 years, and locally we focus on the Point Henry area through the UN award winning Moolapio project. Having the government support a voluntary initiative such as this shows true commitment to restoration and protection of our coastline.”
The outstanding natural features of the Moolapio site at Point Henry, and the long term commitment by Alcoa, is enabling Greening Australia to combine all the necessary ingredients to affect real conservation and landscape change; ecologically rigorous planning, science-based restoration practice and evaluation, and a diverse approach to community engagement.
According to Ron Dodds, Regional Manager for Greening Australia Victoria, this project ticks boxes for both the local community and the scientific community; “Greening Australia are transforming landscapes across the country by entering into partnerships like this one with Alcoa and the Australian government. We engage communities and provide environmental opportunity for local people.
Our planning and restoration work is based on sound scientific research and this project in particular will extend our ability to continue research into grassland restoration and coastal protection on a considerable scale.”
The funding is focused on coastal protection and will address programs to improve the condition of the extensive coastal wetlands that make up the site making the project of great significance in terms of its scientific and conservation values. The Moolapio project also has an ambitious yet achievable vision for the broad-scale restoration (three hundred hectares over fifteen years) of highly a valued grassland ecosystem.
Richard Marles MP says the government is impressed by the partnership between Alcoa and Greening Australia explaining; “This funding will benefit the entire Geelong community by providing extra funding to protect what is one of the finest remnant areas of coastal saltmarsh in the region. Since forming the Moolapio partnership, a number of rare and endangered birds have been sighted here including brolgas using the wetland areas as a flocking site. A walking trail through the wetlands with an education and interpretation focus will provide the community the ability to use the area for recreation while providing protection for one of our most important areas.”