30-hectare Land in Victoria Restored to Natural State After Decade-long Fight

Land Restoration in Painkalac Valley

The stretch of land in Aireys Inlet was a developer's dream, nestled against the Great Otway National Park and running up to the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. For decades, various development proposals for the site, including residential housing, a caravan park, and a sporting field, were fought off by the community.

The non-profit environment group BioDiversity Legacy has taken over a 99-year lease on the land, with plans to work with the community to return it to its natural state. This includes reinstating a natural floodplain to improve water health in the Painkalac Creek and soil quality in the Painkalac Valley.

The community hopes that revegetating the site will not only improve water health and soil quality but also attract native birds and animals. The land restoration project, called the Painkalac Project, is led by local groups and residents who are eager to see the site returned to its natural state.

Painkalac Project president Mick Loughnan, who owns a smaller neighbouring property where a similar restoration project was undertaken, said it had been a joy to watch native plants and animals thriving on his land. "This will be the biggest part of the jigsaw," he said, indicating the significance of the Painkalac Project in restoring the natural habitat of the area.

Camera traps on Loughnan's property recently recorded the presence of the white-footed dunnart, a small carnivorous marsupial listed as vulnerable in Victoria, as well as dozens of bird species, including the swamp antechinus, a threatened small marsupial about the size of a mouse.

The property was a meeting place for the Wadawurrung and Gaduba people, and the community is determined to preserve its natural state. According to Loughnan, "After a 60-year battle, this is it – we have finally secured the site for land restoration."

Painkalac Project supporters point to Loughnan's property as an example of how land can be rehabilitated with both expert and community support. BioDiversity Legacy's efforts, combined with community support, demonstrate that with patience and dedication, natural habitats can be restored. "It shows you how long it can take, but it's worth it," said Barbara Wilson, an associate professor in ecology at Deakin University.

History of the Land

The community fought off various development proposals over the decades, with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruling out a proposal to build dozens of houses on the land in 1999. This marked a significant victory for the community, who had been fighting to preserve the natural state of the land for years.

In the 1960s, developers first eyed off the land for development. However, the lease takeover by BioDiversity Legacy means the land is now removed from the property market and cannot be sold or developed.

The project has received support from various individuals, including former Melbourne lord mayor Lecki Ord and Ian Godfrey, who provided funding for the lease and rehabilitation of the land. Ord has expressed his support for the project, citing the success of a similar restoration project on Loughnan's property.

Community Reaction

The Painkalac Project is a relief to many locals who have been fighting to preserve the natural state of the land. The community hopes the project will not only improve water health and soil quality but also attract native birds and animals to the area.

According to Surf Coast Shire Mayor Libby Stapleton, "This work complements council's efforts in the neighbouring reserve we manage." Stapleton's statement reflects the collaborative spirit of the project, which brings together local residents, community groups, and environmental organizations to restore the natural state of the land.

Funding and Support

Funding for the project came from former Melbourne lord mayor Lecki Ord and Ian Godfrey, who provided support for the lease and rehabilitation of the land. The project does not require land rezoning or major construction works, and council support is expected to play a key role in its success.

Project Timeline

The project is expected to take years to complete, with a detailed plan to be presented to the Surf Coast Shire next week. Although a specific timeline has not been finalised, the community is eagerly awaiting the restoration of the land to its natural state.