CLEAN-UP work at Kerang’s Ramsar-listed Middle Reedy Lake is set to begin.
The area, renowned for being the home of the largest ibis rookery in the Southern Hemisphere, is located on Crown Land, with Goulburn-Murray Water acting as the land manager.
Concerns about the condition of the site, post the 2022 floods, were raised with Gannawarra Council by the Kerang Elders and Leaders Group.
“Council was pleased to convene a working group of key stakeholders and support the development of a works plan,” council chief executive Geoff Rollinson said.
“Middle Reedy Lake is one of the Gannawarra’s major tourist attractions and an area of immense natural beauty and cultural significance.
“The initial clean-up works will remove fallen trees, clear pathways and treat pest plants which will enable visitors to experience the rookery in time for the breeding season from September to December.”
The project is seeking funding to enable new signage to be developed and installed to highlight the site’s cultural significance and ecological values.
North Central Catchment Management Authority project manager Amy Russell said Middle Reedy Lake was one of 23 wetlands that made up the Kerang Ramsar site.
“It is the role of land managers and agencies to protect and enhance the ecological value of these sites,” she said.
“Along with monitoring bird populations, we will aim to complete a range of activities including pest plant and animal control and restoration works over the coming years.
“This is part of a $248 million investment by the Victorian Government over four years (2020-2024) to improve the health of waterways and catchments across regional Victoria.”
Agencies involved in the project have welcomed the united approach.
“We are pleased to be working with the community and other agencies to ensure the Kerang Lakes remains a fantastic destination for locals and visitors alike,” Goulburn-Murray Water water delivery services general manager Warren Blyth said.
