Wetlands in Japan and Australia have been linked through a live web cam system that was officially launched today by Geelong Mayor Bruce Harwood and Deputy Mayor of Nagoya Mr Masao Yamada.

A web camera at the Fujimae Tidal Flats in Nagoya and another at Swan Bay Marine Discovery Centre relay live coverage of the wetlands in both areas allowing viewers to watch live images of the summer and winter homes of migratory birds that fly between Australia and Japan.

The wetlands web cams can be accessed at www.geelongaustralia.com.au/wetlands and viewers have the ability to choose a number of different camera viewpoints at both sites.

In May 2007 Cr Bruce Harwood ratified the Nagoya Geelong Wetlands Agreement at a signing ceremony with Mayor of Nagoya Mr Takehisa Matsubara.

Cr Harwood said that Geelong and Nagoya both contain wetlands protected under the international Ramsar Convention.

The wetlands in our two cities are stopover sites for thousands of migratory birds that travel from East Asia to the Australasian region each year," he said.

"The agreement between Nagoya and Geelong will help in the protection of the wetlands habitats by enabling the sharing of information and conservation techniques."

Council's Environment portfolio holder Cr Tom O'Connor said the wetlands webcam was an innovative method of teaching people about the importance of maintaining habitat for wildlife.

"Geelong's wetlands support a large range of bird specieis, including rare and endangered species - the more that people understand the significance of our local natural habitats the better it is for the birds and animals that rely on these areas fr their survival," Cr O'Connor said.

The wetlands website contains information sheets for adults and children as well as activities aimed at school students.