Winton Wetlands CFA tank, by Benalla Camera Club member Glenda Black.
The temporary closure of the Mokoan Hub and Cafe and pausing of environmental research at Winton Wetlands has come as a shock to the Benalla Community.
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DEECA Hume regional director, Courtney Bertram, today confirmed that those measures were taken after the current Commmittee of Management stepped down.
“Winton Wetlands Reserve is an environmentally significant site that delivers a range of benefits to local communities,” Ms Bertram said.
“DEECA is working on arrangements for the future management of the reserve following a decision of the current Committee of Management to relinquish the site.”
Earlier in the week, the community was left scratching their collective heads after Mokoan Hub and Cafe staff, and Winton Wetland volunteers, were asked to not come to work until further notice.
Benalla’s Norm Cook has been a volunteer at the wetlands for nine years.
He spoke to the Ensign on Thursday, June 26, saying he was looking for answers.
“I got a phone call yesterday to say as of this morning (Thursday, June 26) there’s no need for me to come in on Friday,” he said.
“I understand they’ve decided to close the hub and café for the time being, but we don’t know for how long.”
Winton Wetlands is the largest wetlands restoration project in the Southern Hemisphere.
He expressed concern for the researchers, doing important tasks such as reintroducing the growling grass frog to the area.
“That side of things covers a large area and needs management,” Mr Cook said.
“Winton Wetlands is a great project that, I hope, will continue.
“We get visitors from around the world.
“Lots of school groups, and colleges. Photographers come out there a lot, and of course, you have the art trail that brings people in.
“And the hub is a great place to sit and enjoy a meal. You can see the snow on the mountains in the distance, as well as all the birds, reptiles and other animals.”
State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said the closure had left the community reeling.
“My thoughts are with the hardworking staff who lost their jobs with no warning or transparency,” she said.
“They deserved far better.”
The Mokoan Hub and Café will be closed until further notice.
While it is the largest wetland restoration project in the Southern Hemisphere, the area has had its fair share of controversy.
In the 1970s the site, knows as Winton Swamp at the time, was dammed to create Lake Mokoan, a project aimed at supplying irrigation to local landowners, and recreational activities for people in the north-east.
However, after being closed for several years because of blue-green algae issues, the dams were removed and the lake drained — creating what is now Winton Wetlands.
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