Tuesday, 14 October 2025

 Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water) (12:16): Anyone who has visited Geelong and the Bellarine understands the importance of our Ramsar wetlands. That is why I was pleased to join the member for Bellarine Alison Marchant at Milly’s beach in St Leonards to announce that we are extending this protection. In my capacity as Minister for Water, I have formally nominated an expansion of Ramsar sites to the Commonwealth. Built on years of community advocacy and deep consultation, we are nominating four wetland areas for inclusion in the Port Phillip Bay and Bellarine Ramsar site. This will expand the existing Ramsar site by roughly 1300 hectares, strengthening Victoria’s status as an internationally significant destination for nature lovers and ecotourists. These areas include the Edwards Point–Swan Bay wildlife reserve and coastal reserve, where we made the announcement, the Lake Connewarre complex conservation reserve, the Moolap wetlands and the Point Cook–Cheetham coastal park and marine sanctuary.

The Port Phillip Bay and Bellarine Ramsar site was first listed in 1982 as one of Victoria’s internationally acclaimed wetlands. This provides an essential refuge and important breeding habitat for waterbirds and fish, including migratory shorebirds flying as far as Alaska. Ramsar sites are of international significance and attract tourists from all over the world to come and experience our unique wetlands. This supports nature walks, birdwatching and ecotourism. It was fantastic to share this moment with so many of our local volunteers, the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and Parks Victoria. Protecting our wetlands is a team effort, and this is recognition for those who put so much of their own time and effort into protecting these important spaces.