Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre

Work Areas

Main CEPA work area

• Advocacy: HBWC advocates for a purpose-built Wetlands Centre to provide a place where everyone can connect with nature to improve health and wellbeing and be inspired to care for our precious natural environment.
• Connection: We connect people with nature through workshops on biodiversity and coastal environments, and host community events for World Wetlands Day, World Migratory Bird Day, and World Mental Health Day.
• Conservation: As the guardian for the Cheetham and Altona Key Biodiversity Area (appointed by Birdlife Australia), we engage in extensive species monitoring and other Citizen Science activities to conserve and enhance our wetlands.
• First Nations Engagement: HBWC respects and reflects the voices of First Nations peoples, working closely with Traditional Owners through the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.
• Community: We are an inclusive organisation with over 150 active members and volunteers.

Top three successes

Holding two open days in 2019 that were very well attended. Holding successful workshops with full attendance with waiting lists and a strong demand for future activities. Gaining support from local council who have provided a temporary building for us to use and funding to help develop a feasibility study and business case for a new centre.

Top three challenges

Starting from scratch in 2017 to demonstrate to government and the wider community that there is a need for a wetlands centre in this highly significant environmental area.
Working with government and other organisations to attract major funding for a purpose built centre.
Environmentally – protecting the local environment from development and casual visitors who do not (yet) understand the value of our area.