Ocean Grove Rotary Club is pushing for the construction of a new boarded walkway next to the Barwon River.
The club said it is committed to the protection of the Ramsar wetland and mangrove wildlife habitats of Lake Connewarre Wildlife Reserve and that the walkway would “provide access to the white mangroves for an intimate experience with nature”.
The club wants the walkway to be approximately 100 metres north of the Wallington Road and Thacker Street intersection.
A group of students from Deakin University produced a pamphlet titled ‘The White Mangrove Experience’ (downloadable at rotaryoceangrove.org.au) that outlined the benefits of the proposed walkway.
“We believe we can assist in addressing issues and opportunities for creating a new riverside nature trail and linking up with boating and fishing facilities within the area,” Rotary Club of Ocean Grove member Noel Emselle said.
“Imagine raised walkways that extend the existing riverside, shared pathways from the bridges north from the boat ramp into the marshland around and beyond the golf course with minimal human impact and maximum protection of the river banks.
“This approach has been started on the west side of the river estuary with an all-abilities boardwalk that awaits funding for the next stage.
“Nothing similar has been actioned on the more populous Ocean Grove side.”
The club said it will work closely with local environment groups, Geelong City officers, Parks Victoria and the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority on the Rivers of the Barwon (Barre Warre Yulluk) Action Plan. A primary masterplan is being prepared.
The club’s first aim for the project is to use local knowledge and experience to contribute to development of the draft master plan.
The club said that, ideally, this will set out the necessary program and resources for creating integrated off-road shared trail experiences within Geelong’s Shared Trails Master Plan to give access and connectivity priority for Lake Connewarre.
“In launching our White Mangrove Experience campaign, we invite people to envisage opportunities for controlled pedestrian access so everyone can experience open space and the unique attributes of mangroves, marshland, and seagrass in the estuary without getting wet and muddy,” Mr Emselle said.
“We are seeking community support to help raise priority in the minds of our elected representatives and land managers.”
Email rotaryclubogrove@gmail.com for more information.
