Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Community drives action on Swan Bay
Local communities have rallied behind a project to protect Swan Bay, one of the most significant marine ecosystems in Port Phillip Bay.
Contaminated runoff from urban and agricultural sources has long threatened the Bay, an internationally-significant, 3,000-hectare wetland on the Bellarine Peninsula.
Now a project is revitalising the catchment, helping to protect the sensitive seagrass meadows and mudflats that form vital feeding and nursery grounds for many types of fish and thousands of migratory wader birds.
Funding
The project and follow-on work has received $345,000 through the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) from the Australian and State Governments. Activities are led by the Swan Bay Integrated Catchment Committee.
The committee is made up of representatives from a range of stakeholders, including local community groups, the City of Greater Geelong, the Borough of Queenscliff, the Victorian Government and local schools.
Activities
Project Coordinator Steve Smithyman said the initiative, now celebrating its 10th anniversary, combined community and government action to combat landuse issues in the Swan Bay catchment.
"The main areas of concern are things like eroding soils and nutrients from rural areas, which are widespread causes of poor water quality," Steve said.
The project has increased community awareness and involvement in managing landuse issues, with a range of participants including landholders, schools, Friends groups and government agencies.
Education is a key feature, with regular workshops run on topics like collecting native seeds and identifying weeds.
"This year we've worked with about 2,000 students, who get a chance to be hands-on with planting activities," Steve said. "They've learnt about breeding and releasing biological controls for weeds like Bridal Creeper, and one of our plant nurseries has actually been set up in a school ground."
Landholders have fenced off parts of Swan Bay and other waterways to keep out livestock. They've also planted thousands of trees to link up isolated patches of native bush such as Coastal Moonah Woodland, which is considered threatened.
Weeds such as Italian buckthorn, myrtle-leaf milkwort and pampas grass have been controlled on Swan Island and Edwards Point State Fauna Reserve, which surround Swan Bay. An ongoing fox baiting program is also in place.
Achievements
Steve said the project had protected and restored native vegetation across large areas of the catchment that wouldn't otherwise have received such attention.
"By educating and involving the community, especially the younger generation, we're building foundations for a healthier environment This will have all sorts of benefits for native species like the rare Orange-Bellied Parrot, which uses the saltmarshes fringing Swan Bay as a winter refuge and feeding ground," he said.
More information
- Matt Crawley, Bellarine Peninsula Landcare and Coastcare Coordinator, Swan Bay Integrated Catchment Management Committee: (03) 5256 3687 or mattsbicmc@optusnet.com.au
- Swan Bay Integrated Catchment Management Project website: www.corangamite.landcarevic.net.au/groups/swan_bay/sbicmc/
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