Having helped initiate works at one of the sites, Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, is pleased the Gippsland Lakes Bird Habitat Restoration Project at Crescent and Pelican Islands received a Victorian Coastal Award in Melbourne on Thursday night.

 

“Recognition to this extent is a real credit to those who supported the restoration of both islands, which has seen the return of local wildlife,” Mr Bull said.

 

The project was supported by funding from the Gippsland Lakes Environment Fund, administered by the then Gippsland Lakes Ministerial Advisory Committee, which was established by the former Liberal Nationals Government in 2012.

 

“The Pelican Island project in particular is one initiative I am very proud of,” Mr Bull said.

 

“Having fished at and visited this location for many years, I could see this area had become very barren with vegetation dying and erosion occurring, feeling the pinch of increased salinity in the Lakes as a result of the drought.

 

“It was then when I contacted Parks Victoria, Gippsland Ports and Nungurner Landcare, and in partnership with these organisations and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, we were able to undertake some dredging and planting works with advice from experts in these fields.

 

“Other groups involved in the project and ongoing monitoring of the island include BirdLife East Gippsland and Greening Australia.”

 

Mr Bull returned to the location in 2016 alongside members from Nungurner Landcare Group.

 

“It was very pleasing to see the phragmites starting to return in many areas after being absent for a few years.”

 

The Pelican Island bird habitat restoration was finished shortly after the rehabilitation of Crescent Island in Bunga Arm.

 

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, who helped initiate the restoration of bird habitat on Pelican Island, with members from Nungurner Landcare Group while inspecting the site recently.