MY NAME appears on the title of a property that abuts a RAMSAR listed wetland. I don’t consider myself the owner but rather a caretaker. I am spending my time and money on regenerating this property to help filter the runoff water that enters the wetlands and provide habitat for our unique Australian wildlife, some of which can only exist with this type of environment available to them. I do this to protect the future of our natural assets and health of our environment.
This year we had a family of white bellied sea eagles move in. As they are a threatened species that are very vulnerable to disturbance, I took this as a compliment to the work I am doing and made a concerted effort not to be of interference to them.
I have informed our Victorian government departments and ministers tasked with managing our environment about the presence of these birds and provided photographic evidence. I also approached my local member for parliament who showed no interest in understanding my concerns or in protecting these birds.
To say I am dismayed that duck shooting is now blasting across these wetlands is an understatement. Sadly, I haven’t seen the white bellied sea eagles since.
Liz Filmer
