Winton Wetlands swallowed millions

The cafe and hub building was shut down and employees thrown out of work.

The state Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action is moving to take control of the project to ensure the environmental project is not abandoned.

The past annual financial report submitted by the committee of management (2023), to the Victorian environment minister, shows a loss of $1.2 million.

Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said the wetlands had swallowed up millions of dollars over the past 10 years.

She has been seeking assurances that the wetlands would be protected, and the building assets will be maintained.

Ms Cleeland has met with DEECA officers who expected Winton would pass into DEECA’s hands from August 1.

She has asked for tenders to be called for the management of the centre.

“We don’t want the hub or cafe to be unused and abandoned.”

DEECA acting regional director for Hume Courtney Bertram said DEECA was supporting the ongoing restoration of Winton Wetlands Reserve and ensuring the community continues to use and enjoy the reserve.

“DEECA is working with the current committee of management to achieve an effective transition of management, with DEECA to become the formal land manager of the reserve from August 1, 2025.

“DEECA looks forward to continuing to engage with the surrounding communities about their vision for the future of Winton Wetlands.

“DEECA does not publicly comment on administration arrangements for committees of management.”

Ms Bertram said the Odonata Foundation was appointed as the committee of management for Winton Wetlands Reserve in August 2024 following a public expression of interest process.

DEECA is working with the committee of management as part of the transition of management to ensure all required reporting is completed.

Ms Cleeland has promoted a survey, asking residents what they think should happen to Winton and for any ideas for its management. She intends to pass on the results to the minister’s office.

Former committee chair Denis O’Brien said the original intention was that Winton would be provided with $17 million and it would eventually become self-sustaining, but it became evident that wasn’t possible.

In an attempt to find an alternative management model, DEECA had engaged the Odonato Foundation, and Dr O’Brien became chief executive officer.

Odonato Foundation is a registered charity devoted to conservation with an annual turnover of about $5.5 million, and employing nine full-time staff

But after almost 12 months in a management role, Odonato had pulled out.

Some community members have expressed surprise that Odonato had been engaged, and that there appeared to be some secrecy about the appointment, but Dr O’Brien said it was no secret, it had simply not been publicly announced.

Dr O’Brien said Odonato had tried to secure private investment in an accommodation project which would have generated income for the Wetlands, but this opportunity never came about.

He said the community should be aware that DEECA had committed to supporting the wetlands and continuing the ecological work.

The committee of management reported to the minister’s office, and Ms Cleeland said the failure of the Winton Wetlands was another example of the Victorian Government’s inability to manage public money.

The committee paid out $1 million in wages and salaries in 2023.

Former committee member, and Winton landholder, Doug Bain, said he was totally disappointed in the latest news and shocked at the amount of money that had been poured into the project.

“A lot of people have been paid a lot of money over the years, and we’ve come to this,” Mr Bain said.

In the 2023-24 committee of management annual report, the auditors made the following statement:

“The ability of Winton Wetlands Committee of Management (WWCoM) to continue to meet its financial obligations is predicated on the entity having available necessary cash reserves.

“If the WWCoM does not receive further funding injections from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) or other sources, the current funding will last until June 2024.

“An expression of interest is currently out for another organisation to manage Winton Wetlands with the transition expected to commence May 1, 2024 for the new entity to fully commence on July 1, 2024. This is expected to impact the 2023-24 financial report which will be prepared on a liquidation basis.”