Winton Wetlands Reserve is a site of national environmental significance that delivers a range of benefits to the local community.
Since 2010, it has been managed by committees of management under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978.
As a result, the committee recently made the difficult decision to relinquish management of the reserve. After a brief transition period, land management responsibilities will revert to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).
DEECA has indicated that it will explore alternative management options for the reserve in collaboration with Traditional Owners, other stakeholders and the community.
The decision by the committee to relinquish management was not taken lightly and followed extensive consultations with DEECA.
Unfortunately, while future options are being considered, the Winton Wetlands Hub and Café has closed temporarily, and environmental and research programs have been paused.
We are committed to supporting the staff, who continue to be my top priority.
Since its establishment in 2010, the staff and partners, guided by the committee of management, have made significant progress in landscape and site restoration, including the construction of key infrastructure such as the visitor hub, café and education centre. We have also developed campgrounds, picnic areas and more than 90km of roads, walking and cycling tracks.
Our Restoration and Monitoring Strategic Plan has provided the framework over the last 10 years to achieve significant biodiversity gains for the site.
We have restored flows and improved the aquatic ecology of over 30 wetlands, forming this unique ecosystem.
Through our long-term partnership with the Regent Honeyeater Project, we have re-vegetated over 1600 hectares of river red gum swampland and improved water quality and habitat linkages across the reserve.
Our restoration team has worked tirelessly to control feral plants and animals and implement a range of monitoring programs, which have shown an increase in flora and fauna species diversity across the site.
We have achieved the reintroduction of three threatened freshwater fish species and a re-wilding program with aims to reintroduce the vulnerable growling grass frog to the wetlands.
As CEO, I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished, thanks to our wonderful, passionate and dedicated staff, volunteers, stakeholders and partners.
While this marks the conclusion of the Winton Wetlands committee of management’s tenure managing this important site, there is still much work to do. I and others will watch the next phase of the wetland’s restoration with keen interest.
Dr Dennis O’Brien.
CEO Winton Wetlands