History was celebrated on Friday, with the official opening of the conservation area to lay the foundations of the future Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre.
The stage one early works were formally opened by Mayor of Hobsons Bay Diana Grima, joined by Member for Point Cook Mathew Hilakari, Hobsons Bay Councillors and Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre committee members, including chair Pamela Sutton-Legaud.
Early works began in August 2024, with the first stage covering works such as sculpted landscape mounds, an irrigation system, initial vegetation planting and animal-proof fencing around the wetlands centre site.
Subsequent works saw the completion of landscaped outdoor public spaces, connected walking trails linking to the wetlands, elevated boardwalks and new seating areas.
With stage one complete, attention now turns to advocacy for stage two funding. Hobsons Bay City Council has committed $5 million to the next stage but is seeking a further $5m to realise the full potential of the plans.
Stage two will deliver a fully operational Wetlands Centre, delivering a demonstration wetlands system, a community and education facility, infrastructure for school programs, research and volunteering and improved access, pathways and visitor experience.
The centre will become a regional hub for the community to visit and learn about the wetlands environment and nature that is unique to western Melbourne, as well as the changing climate and adaptation.
Funding for the Wetlands Centre is among Council's outlined advocacy priorities, with more detail available online: hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/advocacy
Quotes attributable to Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Cr Diana Grima:
"The opening of the conservation area is an exciting step in the right direction for the Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre, so you can start to see the full potential for the site.
"Once completed, the Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre will create a regional hub for environmental restoration, education and community connection in the west.
"It will transform the site into a working wetlands precinct supporting biodiversity, improving water quality and delivering nature-based solutions to climate challenges.
"The works completed so far are a testament to the hard work and dedication of both council staff, and the Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre committee."
Image: Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre Committee Chair Pamela Sutton-Legaud, Deputy Mayor Lisa Bentley, Cr Paddy Keys-Macpherson, Mayor Diana Grima and Member for Point Cook Mathew Hilakari MP
