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Protecting wetlands in our region

The wetlands within Greater Geelong make up one of the most important waterbird areas in Australia. Our wetlands have the highest concentration of migratory shorebirds in Victoria and a stunning array of other birdlife, the diversity of which rivals Australia's famous Kakadu region.

These wetlands are some of the City's most important reservoirs of biodiversity and contain high concentrations of native plants and animals.

Sixty-eight animal species that are considered rare or threatened have been recorded in the City's wetlands, including the Swift Parrot, Southern Giant-Petrel, Growling Grass Frog, Orange-bellied Parrot, and the Australian Grayling.

Wetlands throughout Australia are under threat. More than 50 per cent of Australian wetlands have been destroyed since European settlement and those remaining face major threats from urban development, competition for water, weed invasion and pollution through stormwater runnoff.

Although Greater Geelong still has more than 100 individual wetlands, there has been nearly a 10 square kilometre reduction of local wetlands since European settlement. There have also been major changes to the remaining wetlands.

The City of Greater Geelong in partnership with the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority has introduced a program to protect and enhance Geelong's wetlands.

The program, known as the Geelong Region Wetlands Project, will bring together community groups, landholders, local Government and government agencies to manage high value wetlands in the Geelong region.

The project will focus on lesser known more vulnerable wetlands such as freshwater meadows, shallow freshwater marsh and deep freshwater marsh. These wetlands predominantly occur on private land and are considered the most threatened within the municipality due to ongoing pressure from surrounding land uses and management practises.

Wetlands are important because of the many functions they perform. They are highly productive ecosystems and can improve water quality by trapping sediment and utilising and storing nutrients.