Key Land Donated To Help Restore Wetland
Illawarra Mercury
Wednesday April 16, 2003
THE Port Kembla Port Corporation has donated key ecological land to Wollongong City Council in a bid to clean up Tom Thumb Lagoon.
The corporation handed over six hectares of salt marsh, tidal mudflats and ponds to Wollongong City Council last week to ``ensure ongoing community management" of the the wetland.
Port Kembla Port Corporation's managing director Phil McGavin said the corporation had worked with the Friends of Tom Thumb Lagoon and Wollongong City Council for several years to help restore and revegetate the wetland - a remnant of a 500ha lagoon that formed the drainage basin of the Allens Creek catchment.
The wetland is an important habitat to a range of plant and animal life including migratory bird species protected under international agreements.
``The corporation has played an active role for a number of years along with community groups and council in restoring this wetland," Mr McGavin said.
``The handover of this land is another important step in ensuring that the lagoon is preserved as an important community and ecological asset.
``Our commitment to this site will remain ongoing. Our staff will be working on corporate environmental projects on-site and we are delighted to assist the Friends of Tom Thumb Lagoon and Conservation Volunteers in their efforts to restore the lagoon."
Lord Mayor Alex Darling said the site was significant for both the environment and the community.
He said the council was looking forward to a continuing a ``strong working relationship" with conservation groups such as the Friends of Tom Thumb Lagoon and other volunteers in restoring the wetland.
© 2003 Illawarra Mercury