Kerang Landcare accepted into State awards

Published on 24 July 2020

The Kerang Landcare Group’s work to rejuvenate the Kerang Regional Park is in the running to win a prestigious State award.

The group’s Kerang Regional Park Development Plan has been accepted into the 2020 Premier’s Sustainability Awards’ Community category, building on the group’s efforts to promote the location as a community asset.

“We are deeply passionate about the Kerang Regional Park as a forgotten part of the local RAMSAR recognised network of the Kerang Lakes Wetlands,” Kerang Landcare Group president, Angela Hird said.

“The park is an environmentally pristine landscape, under-utilised by locals and visitors alike, at risk of decline through the effects of climate change and neglect.

“Kerang Landcare Group formulated our Kerang Regional Park Development Plan for presentation to respective government agencies for endorsement and funding opportunities.”

Working with Gannawarra Shire Council, local service groups, Barapa Barapa Land and Water and the local Landcare Network during the drafting of the Kerang Regional Park Development Plan, the Kerang Landcare Group identified numerous projects that develop links with the Kerang Lakes network and create exciting, balanced eco-tourism projects.

“These projects include the development of a bicycle and walking track network between Kerang and Lake Charm, a canoe launch facility at Kerang, a Memory Walk, the Bindii Blitzers summer weeding program and the potential to work on a future project recognising the original Kerang Swimming Pool site,” Project Facilitator, David Thompson said.

“There has been nothing but positive reactions and praise for the work we have done so far with our Bindii Blitzers campaign, the memory walk plantings and the council engagement.

“Our discussions and presentations to Rotary and Lions has generated some unexpected initiatives that have fed into their planning for 2020, something we have been proud to instigate.”

Council has supported the development of the Kerang Regional Park Development Plan by providing guidance to the Kerang Landcare Group, with Councillors recently receiving an update on proceedings.

“Council congratulates the Kerang Landcare Group for its efforts in rejuvenating the Kerang Regional Park to similar RAMSAR-recognised sites throughout the Kerang Lakes Wetlands,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Tom O’Reilly said.

“Council looks forward to working with the Kerang Landcare Group and other groups to make this project a reality.”

Premier’s Sustainability Awards category finalists will be confirmed in late September, with winners to be announced in November.