COUNCIL has bought 4.5 hectares on Bligh Street at Wellington Point to extend the Geoff Skinner Wetlands, creating a haven for bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts.
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Cr Wendy Boglary said she hoped council’s plans for the site would reduce hooning, while benefiting the environment, tourism and economic development.
“Bligh Street, Wellington Point consists of 4.5 hectares adjacent to other properties purchased by council in 2005 and amalgamated to form the internationally-recognised RAMSAR site known as Geoff Skinner Wetlands,” Cr Boglary said.
“This site is worthy of council’s purchase as it represents significant habitat for native fauna and flora and a home for wader birds.”
Council will remove rubbish and clean up the property.
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Cr Boglary said the land bordered the tidal wetland and she regularly saw koalas and wallabies there.
“About 80 per cent of this property consists of endangered regional ecosystem which is identified as being critically limited within Redlands Coast,” she said.
Cr Boglary said she hoped the area would attract more tourists to visit the wetland and support nearby Wellington Point shops.
She said council would close Bligh Street – which was known for hooning and anti-social behaviour – to traffic for a trial period.
“I am hoping that by closing it off, it’ll spoil the fun,” Cr Boglary said.
A council report states a trail along Bligh Street would allow visitors to leave the main trail – from Fernbourne Road through to Station Street – to access Hilliards Creek with embellishments such as seating and bird viewing hides.
