Deputy Mayor Colleen Gates said the park’s wetlands played an integral role in providing flood protection to Kyabram and it was crucial this function continued.
“The wetlands form an essential part of Kyabram’s drainage system and covers both council and Crown land,” Cr Gates said.
“Drainage water enters the site in multiple ways; from overland flow, drainage systems/pipes and pumping.
“The inclusion of a Section 173 agreement within the land transfer seeks to preserve the continuing use of the wetlands as a critical flood mitigation facility.”
Cr Gates said the agreement in the land transfer was based on guiding principles including:
• the site remaining as the major flood retardation infrastructure for Kyabram;
• the holding capacity of drainage water on the site not being decreased in any way;
• the natural land flow of storm water on to the site to not be inhibited;
• access to the site to maintain key drainage infrastructure being available at all times for council staff/contractors; and
• Zoos Victoria maintaining the outflow areas of the site to ensure these remain functional at all times, such as providing weed control.
Cr Gates said the proposal also required both parties to participate in joint six-monthly inspections of the site, to ensure the area was prepared to meet storm activity.
She said with the agreement in place, the ongoing economic and environmental benefits of Kyabram Fauna Park becoming part of the Zoos Victoria network were immense.
“The transfer of the council-owned land will ensure Zoos Victoria has the ability to support the park to flourish sustainably into the future,” she said.
“The role of the wetlands within the park as part of the Kyabram drainage network will remain with council through the agreement.”
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