Passionate individuals from the community joined local agencies last week to discuss a shared commitment to the conservation of Magees Gully.
Magees Gully, nestled in the heart of Bairnsdale, flows into Macleod Morass near the Bairnsdale Livestock Exchange, forming part of the Gippsland Lakes Ramsar listed waterway. This environment is a crucial habitat for endangered waterbirds and wildlife.
The rain must have received the invitation to the community event too, as it poured down just as 32 people gathered to walk through the gully and talk about the area’s future.
Representatives from many local community groups attended including local Landcare groups, Friends of Gippsland Lakes, BirdLife, joining several agencies including East Gippsland Shire Council, East Gippsland Water, East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, Trust for Nature and Parks Victoria.
After seeking shelter inside, the group shared many ideas for environmental improvement to the waterway, including weed control and water quality testing.
Bec Hemming, CEO of the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority said, “It was great to see such a good turnout for this community event, demonstrating the shared dedication to improving our local waterways.”
Ongoing work on Magees Gully is essential as it captures much of the stormwater from Bairnsdale’s urban landscape, flowing directly into MacLeod Morass and the Gippsland Lakes.
Enhancing and cleaning up natural waterways like Magees Gully will help lower the nutrient load that flows into the Gippsland Lakes.
