Important Gippsland Lakes wetland on the road to recovery
A wetland property owned by East Gippsland Water is being restored with the help of conservation organisation Trust for Nature.
The property, in the upper reaches of the MacLeod Morass on Gunaikurnai Country near Bairnsdale, is part of the Gippsland Lakes, which are internationally recognised for their importance to migratory birds.
Trust for Nature and East Gippsland Water recently held a working bee to remove tree guards from trees planted on the property in 2015. Further tree planting and weed removal is planned.
Tessa Skilton, Trust for Nature Project Lead, said the restoration efforts will help safeguard this important wetland system.
“It is wonderful to see how successful previous plantings have been and their contribution to the conservation values of the site. The wetland and surrounding vegetation within the property helps to filter water entering the Gippsland Lakes from Cobblers, MacLeod and Smith Creek before it enters the Gippsland Lakes system,” Tessa said.
The property is protected through Trust for Nature with a conservation covenant, a voluntary, permanent, legally-binding agreement placed on a property’s title that ensures native vegetation is protected forever. The covenant limits activities that might damage the environment and requires the landholders to maintain and improve its health.
Through Trust for Nature’s Stewardship Program, landholders now and into the future, will be supported to undertake management activities that ensure the special site is managed forever.
“East Gippsland Water’s strong partnerships with groups such as Trust for Nature form part of our ongoing commitment to work with key partners to achieve better environmental and community outcomes,” said Steve McKenzie, East Gippsland Water Managing Director.
This project is funded as part of the $248 million Victorian Government investment over four years (2020-2024) to improve the health of waterways and catchments across regional Victoria, including $8.3 million to improve the health of the Gippsland Lakes.
Media contact: Tessa Skilton, Senior Conservation Officer, Trust for Nature – 0457 416 459