A grant from the Australian Government, secured by the Goolwa to Wellington Local Action Planning Association Inc. (GWLAP) is being used to improve facilities for visitors to reserves at Wellington, Clayton Bay, Hindmarsh Island and Point Sturt.

Bird watchers at Clayton Bay now have more ways to enjoy seeing or photographing local birdlife with the installation of two new bird hides adjacent to walking trails and overlooking the “Duck’s Hospital”, Dunn’s lagoon.

Visitors to Murrundi Wetland Reserve at Wellington will appreciate the new additional shelter installed through this project along with a new bird hide overlooking the wetland.

The bird hides, identified as a strategic addition to visitor infrastructure in the Clayton Bay Master Plan, have been artistically designed and manufactured by the skilful people at Meadows Cheese Factory—Bec and Jerome. Made from weathered steel, the hides feature artistically designed cut-outs at various heights to suit bird watchers of all ages and heights. Advice on the design was provided by John Gitsham of Birds SA and the hides feature natural timber ledges to provide support for the use of binoculars or cameras through larger gaps in the screens.

The new shelter at Murrundi Wetland Reserve at Wellington was built by Bridge Aluminium to complement an existing shelter in another section of the reserve.

Now completed, the design and installation of the bird hides and shelter was undertaken by Goolwa to Wellington Local Action Planning Association (GWLAP) in consultation with the Clayton Bay Nursery and Environment Group, the Wellington Progress Association, Ngarrindjeri traditional owners, the Alexandrina Council and Rural City of Murray Bridge with funding from the Australian Government under the Murray–Darling Basin Economic Development Program.

Ross Oke, General Manager for GWLAP said it was great to see the hides and shelter installed and he hoped that they would enhance bird watchers’ experiences while encouraging more people to take up the pastime. The hides also add interest and another feature to the reserves due to the artistic design and materials used. “We’ve heard lots of very positive comments, particularly about the look of the bird hides” he said.

“The next stage of the project is commencing now and will see the extension of a walking trail at Point Sturt Landcare Reserve and a section of trail constructed at Lawari Conservation Park on Hindmarsh Island” Ross said.

“The project has also funded the planting of 1,000 local native plants at each of the four locations along with further weed control to enhance the environmental and aesthetic values of these important reserves around the Lower Lakes” he said.

For further information contact:
Ross Oke, General Manager, Goolwa to Wellington Local Action Planning Association Inc.
Telephone: 0427 917 511
Email: [email protected]