Winton Wetlands is the largest wetlands restoration project in the Southern Hemisphere.
Winton Wetlands sits about 20km north-east of Benalla and has been hailed one of the most successful wetlands projects of modern times.
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However, this week, staff at its Mokoan Hub and Café, and volunteers working at the site, were asked to not go to work until further notice.
State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said the closure had left the community reeling.
“My thoughts are with the hardworking staff who lost their jobs with no warning or transparency,” she said.
“They deserved far better.
“I’ve contacted the minister for environment and DEECA (Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action), seeking an urgent briefing on how this decision was made and what the government intends for the future of this iconic site.
“Our community deserves straight answers — not silence.”
Ms Cleeland said that it was deeply troubling that, after tens of millions of taxpayer dollars were invested over the past decade, the state government had not delivered a sustainable or successful model for the wetlands.
Winton Wetlands attracts lots of photographers. Photo: Rene Martens.
Photo by
Rene Martens
“This is yet another example of Labor’s mismanagement and waste by a government more focused on appearances than outcomes,” she said.
“The lack of care shown by Labor for regional communities and our assets is unacceptable — particularly those that hold as much environmental, cultural and tourism value as the Winton Wetlands.”
While it is the largest wetland restoration project in the Southern Hemisphere, the area has had its fair share of controversy.
In the 1970s the site, knows as Winton Swamp at the time, was dammed to create Lake Mokoan, a project aimed at supplying irrigation to local landowners, and recreational activities for people in the north-east.
The Winton Wetlands website, on June 26, states that the Mokoan Hub and Café will be closed until further notice.
However, after being closed for several years because of blue-green algae issues, the dams were removed and the lake drained — creating what is now Winton Wetlands.
Benalla’s Norm Cook has been a volunteer at the wetlands for nine years, and is keen to get some clarification on what is going on.
“I got a phone call yesterday to say as of this morning (Thursday, June 26) there’s no need for me to come in on Friday,” he said.
“I understand they’ve decided to close the hub and café for the time being, but we don’t know for how long.”
Mr Cook said he was unsure if the situation would affect any of the ecological restoration taking place at the site.
“The researchers doing things like reintroducing the growling grass frog, they’re out there in their lab at the moment,” he said.
Winton Wetlands CFA tank, by Benalla Camera Club member Glenda Black.
“That side of things covers a large area and needs management.”
Mr Cook said Winton was a great project that he hoped would continue.
“We get visitors from around the world,” he said.
“Lots of school groups, and colleges. Photographers come out there a lot, and of course you have the art trail that brings people in.
“And the hub is a great place to sit and enjoy a meal. You can see the snow on the mountains in the distance, as well as all the birds, reptiles and other animals.”
The Ensign has spoken to representatives from DEECA, and a statement will be released today (June 27).
