A Sanctuary Worth Fighting For
Liberal Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, is urging the Victorian Government to maintain the future integrity of the Serendip Sanctuary at Lara.
The nature and wildlife sanctuary has been enabled by volunteers for decades. It is loved by the local community, bird watchers, naturalists, tourism operators, schools and families.
The sanctuary’s fenced area has allowed for captive breeding programs and has played a role in the protection of endangered native species including eastern barred bandicoots.
In recent years, the sanctuary has experienced some decline.
However, Mrs McArthur has urged that efforts by Parks Victoria to protect the sanctuary must not ultimately change its intent and purpose.
She has questioned a number of changes within the masterplan in Parliament this week.
“Removing ground-level bird hides, dismantling all existing fencing and enclosures and ending captive breeding programs will fundamentally alter the sanctuary,” Mrs McArthur said.
“The wildlife will leave and the educational value will disappear – and with them the visitors and volunteers. It will become little more than an urban park on the outskirts of a growing town and perhaps one day destined for housing expansion.”
14,000 people have signed a petition urging preservation of the character and community engagement of the sanctuary.
“These are not local objectors, nimbys opposing any development or progress, but people from across the region who have no self-interest but instead concerned locals who value Serendip.”
Mrs McArthur has urged the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, to instruct Parks Victoria and its local management to include the sanctuary community in the planning for the sanctuary’s future.
“The concerned Serendip supporters should be properly consulted and their goodwill and energy should be harnessed to make the sanctuary an attraction and resource for years to come.”
“Parks Victoria is seeking to create a spontaneous wildlife viewing experience and ignoring the reality that without predator fencing there will be very little wildlife left to see.”
“This Government talks a lot about community consultation; at Serendip they need to put the rhetoric into action and genuinely listen to those who care most about this sanctuary”.
13 November 2020