The City is inviting tenderers to construct a clever and creative treatment wetland in Greater Geelong’s north.
The Lara Lakelands Reserve initiative was identified as one of the highest priorities in the City’s Priority Stormwater Projects Masterplan.
A tender for the $2.25 million project was released on the weekend.
Windermere Ward councillor Kylie Grzybek said the works would create a larger and healthier wetland.
“This project will expand the wetland by about 6000 square metres,” Cr Grzybek said.
“The final design meets our key objectives of preserving native vegetation and bird habitat, ensuring the wetland plantings are sustainable and maintaining public open space.”
Under the plan, urban stormwater will be directed through the new wetland for the filtering of sedimentation and pollutants before the water enters the existing southern wetland.
This best practice process will improve the quality of stormwater being released downstream.
Construction is planned to be completed in two phases.
Earthworks to shape the wetland will be carried out from March to August 2022, to avoid any conflict with the migration and nesting habits of the Latham’s Snipe shorebird.
Windermere Ward councillor Anthony Aitken said planting of aquatic-based species will follow from September 2022 to February 2023.
“The timing will ensure that the heavier construction works will not interfere with critical bird life, such as the migratory Latham’s Snipe, which relies on the wetland,” Cr Aitken said.
“Once finished, this project will be a beautiful space for the Lara community to enjoy and will add to the biodiversity in our north.”
Further updates will be provided to the community as the project progresses.
Greater Geelong has more than 100 individual wetlands, with many listed for their international importance for resident waterbirds and migratory shorebirds.
Collectively, they make up one of the most important waterbird areas in Australia and host the highest concentration of several migratory shorebird species in Victoria.
