11 March 2011
Works Resume on Discovery Centre After Pausing for Bird Migration Season
- Construction resumes after halting to accommodate important bird migration and breeding season
- Education centre designed as a state-of-the-art sustainable building
- Project expected to be completed in late 2011
Melbourne Water resumed construction on the Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands Discovery Centre this month, after halting the project to allow migratory birds to visit the wetlands and local birds to breed during the popular spring/summer season.
The Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands are an internationally recognised and protected environmental site, and hosts thousands of migratory birds from Australia and around the world, some as far away as Siberia.
As a requirement of the Federal Government’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, construction works are limited to the autumn and winter months to accommodate bird migration.
Waterways Manager (South East Region), David Norman, said the new discovery centre would be a great learning tool for schools, special interest groups and the wider Melbourne community.
“The Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands Discovery Centre will provide the opportunity to participate in practical, fun and hands-on activities that will show how the wetlands work, and the plants and animals that live there,” said Mr Norman.
“It will also have information on the area’s indigenous and European history, as well as showcasing by example how a sustainable building works. The wetlands are a sensitive area, and it’s important we leave the lightest footprint possible while still allowing people to enjoy it.”
The discovery centre will feature water tanks, composting toilets, solar panels and a rain garden designed to clean stormwater.
Construction of the Wetlands Discovery Centre began in May last year.
To find out more about the Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands Discovery Centre, check out the Melbourne Water website.
Media Contact: Anushia Sivanesan (03) 9235 7152; 0432 795 337