--- title: Bellarine Basin to become public space description: Barwon Water is transforming its disused Bellarine Basin site into more than 30 hectares of environmental and public space. --- [![Indigo by AWA logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Indigo_colour.png?height=24&name=Indigo_colour.png)](https://indigo.awa.asn.au/) [![Ozwater logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Ozwater.png?height=24&name=Ozwater.png)](https://www.ozwater.org/) [![Careers in Water logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Careers%20in%20Water_colour.png?height=24&name=Careers%20in%20Water_colour.png)](https://www.careersinwater.com.au/) [![NWW logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/NWW.png?height=24&name=NWW.png)](https://www.nationalwaterweek.org/) - [Join ![user icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-nav-user-icon.svg "user icon")](https://www.awa.asn.au/new-registration) - [Member Hub ![user icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-nav-locked-icon.svg "user icon")](https://memberhub.awa.asn.au) - 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The [project](https://www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/about-us/news-and-events/news/bellarine-basin-to-be-transformed-into-public-open-space) will involve the removal of the old reservoir to enable the natural headwaters of Yarram Creek to be restored, allowing for [wetlands](https://watersource.awa.asn.au/environment/natural-environment/urban-wetlands-transform-melbourne-parkland/) to be established and the community to enjoy a new green space. The works will also involve dismantling security fencing, and replacing a pine tree plantation with native trees, scrubs and grasses. Barwon Water Managing Director Tracey Slatter said the utility is pleased to be [working](https://watersource.awa.asn.au/business/partnerships/barwon-water-is-creating-meaningful-connections-with-indigenous-communities/) with the [Wadawurrung Traditional Owners](https://watersource.awa.asn.au/community/engagement/progressing-reconciliation-through-indigenous-partnerships-within-australian-water-utilities/), local community and agencies to improve the environment at the site and add to Bellarine’s natural attractions. “We want to transform the disused basin site into an area that enhances the unique and natural features of the Bellarine Peninsula so that it becomes a place people, birds and native animals can enjoy for generations to come,” she said. The rehabilitation project will be delivered in stages during the next three years and input from the community will be sought along the way. “We have already been liaising with a number of local community and environmental groups including the Bellarine Catchment Network and the Geelong Field Naturalists Club, who have welcomed the opportunity to be involved in this important project,” Slatter said. The 2021 works will focus on realigning the waterway, removing some of the pine plantation and promoting the regrowth of native vegetation at the site. “As it will take time for some of the native vegetation to return and flourish, areas of pine trees will be retained in the short term to complement the regrowth of native vegetation and preserve and improve local wildlife habitats,” Slatter said. Bellarine Catchment Network Program Manager Matt Crawley said the project offered an opportunity for the community to come together and improve the local environment. “As an organisation focused on projects that protect and enhance the Bellarine environment, we couldn’t be more excited by this project and look forward to working with Barwon Water and other stakeholders in the coming years on a project that will significantly improve the environment and natural amenity of the Bellarine,” he said. Early stages of the project are underway, including a biodiversity assessment, which will help inform broader plans for the site. Barwon Water received $650,000 funding under the Victorian Government’s Distinctive Areas and Landscapes program and will be contributing the same amount to the $1.3 million project. [ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-peoples) [ Victoria ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/victoria) [ Wetlands ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/wetlands) [ Natural Environment ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/natural-environment) [ Barwon Water ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/barwon-water) [ Indigenous Australians ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/indigenous-australians) [ Green open space ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/green-open-space) Share [![email icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-email.svg "email icon") ](mailto:?subject=Bellarine%20Basin%20to%20become%20public%20space&body=Check%20out%20https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/environment/natural-environment/bellarine-basin-become-public-space) [![facebook-icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-facebook.svg "facebook icon") ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/environment/natural-environment/bellarine-basin-become-public-space) [![LinkedIn icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-linkedin.svg "LinkedIn icon") ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/environment/natural-environment/bellarine-basin-become-public-space) [![Twitter icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-twitter.svg "Twitter icon") ](https://twitter.com/home?status=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/environment/natural-environment/bellarine-basin-become-public-space) ## RELATED NEWS ### [ Environmental benefits to flow in Murray-Darling Basin ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/environment/natural-environment/environmental-benefits-to-flow-in-murray-darling-basin) Water Source A new initiative aims to replicate the environmental benefits of large floods in the Murray-Darling Basin without requiring high… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/environment/natural-environment/environmental-benefits-to-flow-in-murray-darling-basin) ### [ Investment fund shows agriculture and environmental interests can coexist in Murray-Darling ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/environment/natural-environment/investment-fund-shows-agriculture-and-environmental-interests-can-coexist-in-murray-darling) Water Source As debate about the management of the Murray-Darling Basin continues, an initiative from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is proving… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/environment/natural-environment/investment-fund-shows-agriculture-and-environmental-interests-can-coexist-in-murray-darling) ### [ Farmers label $13 billion Murray-Darling Basin scheme a failure ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/environment/natural-environment/farmers-label-13-billion-murray-darling-basin-scheme-a-failure) Water Source Queensland farmers have accused the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) of ignoring a loophole in the Murray-Darling Basin Plan… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/environment/natural-environment/farmers-label-13-billion-murray-darling-basin-scheme-a-failure) Advertising --- ### Subscribe to our newsletters Sign up to get the latest news and insights from us Advertising --- ![white arrow pointing upwards](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-white-arrow-up.svg) Top [![Footer-logo-02](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/Footer-logo-02.svg) ](https://www.awa.asn.au/) The **Australian Water Association** acknowledges the Traditional Custodians across Australia, where we live, work and play, for their deep connection to our precious waters and land. 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