By Molly Magennis
A not-for-profit community group will be hosting an event advocating for the construction of a wetlands centre in Hobsons Bay, inviting locals to learn more about the venue and why it is so important for the community.
Hobsons Bay Wetland Centre Inc, formed in 2018, will be hosting the free event to be held at Truganina Explosives Reserve on May 7.
Architect concept designs for the proposed centre will be on display, alongside information stalls, musical entertainment, a sausage sizzle and self guided/guided wetland walks.
Locals have been advocating for a wetlands centre for quite some time, with the $16 million project featured on Hobsons Bay councils 2021-22 Advocacy Priorities list.
The centre will be located at HD Graham Reserve in Altona Meadows right on Laverton Creek, surrounded by Truganina Swamp, Cheetham Wetlands and Truganina Wetlands.
Local resident and member of the Hobsons Bay Wetland Centre Inc Rob Mancini said funding from all levels of government is needed to bring the centre to reality, and is hoping to see some money allocated for the project in the state government’s budget set to be released on May 3.
“We’re looking for funding from governments, council is certainly funding to a certain extent, but obviously we’re talking about a $16 million project and the vision is, it’s quite a grand vision,” he said.
Mr Mancini said the wetlands centre will be a multifaceted site, used not only for education and scientific purposes, but also as a place for community connection.
“At its core, it’s actually connecting people to nature,” he said.
“But it’ll be education, it’ll be kids tools, we’re gonna have labs because Deakin University is one of the partners. There’s an allocation for physical laboratories and scientific facilities. The vision is so grand…..currently there’s nothing like it anywhere in Australia.”
“Ultimately we are talking a lot of money but at the end of the day, this is something that everybody will benefit from in terms of….what the building will offer itself…but also in terms of what it does [for] education.”
The Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre Open Day event will run from 11am-3pm.
Details: hobsonsbaywetlandscentre.org.au/our-events
