Westernport is an Internationally recognised RAMSAR site
Ramsar sites (or Ramsar wetlands) are wetlands of international importance listed under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. For more information on the convention globally visit the Ramsar Convention website.
DEWLP is working with local stakeholders to update the Western Port Ramsar Site Management Plan, which provides the blueprint for managing this important site.
The Victorian community is invited to comment on the draft Plan. You can provide comments by:
- attending one of the information sessions in Warneet, Hastings or San Remo
- emailing your comments to WesternPort.Ramsar@delwp.vic.gov.au
- posting your comments to:
Waterway Health – Wetlands
DELWP
PO Box 500
East Melbourne
Victoria 8002
You could include comments on parts of the plan do you think need improving (including how this could be achieved), or any issues that need to be addressed in the plan that are not covered.
The consultation period is open from 1–31 March 2016.
If you have any queries, please email WesternPort.Ramsar@delwp.vic.gov.au.
The project is guided by a steering committee, including representatives from DELWP, Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria, Port Phillip and Western Port Catchment Management Authority and Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA). The committee is working closely with a stakeholder advisory group, including representatives from a broad range of organisations with an interest in the site.
Information sessions
Representatives of the Management Plan Steering Committee will present information on the Ramsar site and the management plan, including the process used to develop the plan, priority values, threats and proposed management strategies. The panel will then be available to answer questions.
Warneet Motor Yacht Club, Rutherford Parade, Warneet, 9 March 2.00pm
Hastings Community Hub, 1973 Frankston Flinders Road, Hastings 9 March 5.30pm
San Remo Hotel, 145 Marine Parade, San Remo 10 March 5.30pm
About the plan
The Western Port Ramsar Site Strategic Management Plan (Parks Victoria 2003) established the framework for the maintenance of ecological character through conservation and wise use. The plan is now over a decade old and there has been significant progress in both our understanding of the ecological character of Western Port and our strategic direction in management of the site and other Ramsar wetlands in Australia. A consultative and collaborative process was undertaken to review and update the Ramsar site management plan. The objective of the plan is to maintain the ecological character of the site. The steering committee worked closely with the representatives from a broad range of organisations via a stakeholder advisory group. DELWP provided information and an email address for further questions via the department website .
Read the full Western Port Ramsar Site Management Plan [PDF File - 4.8 MB]
- See more at: http://www.delwp.vic.gov.au/water/rivers,-estuaries-and-wetlands/western-port-ramsar-site-management-plan#sthash.o2e41XdI.dpuf
There are 11 Ramsar sites in Victoria. The following documents are available for each Ramsar site and can be accessed by clicking on the individual Ramsar site link below.
- Ecological character descriptions document the ecological character of Ramsar sites at the time they were listed under the Ramsar Convention.
- Ramsar Information Sheets provide essential data on Ramsar sites and are required by the Ramsar Convention.
- A geospatial layer of Ramsar site boundaries (RAMSAR25) can be obtained via the Victorian Government Data Directory website. The interactive mapping tool Biodiversity Interactive Map can be used to view and produce Ramsar sitemaps.
- Ramsar site strategic management plans set out the management objectives and strategies for each Ramsar site. The Management of Victoria's Ramsar Wetlands Strategic Directions Statement [PDF File - 961.3 KB] establishes a set of objectives and state wide strategies for the management of Ramsar sites in Victoria.