Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre
Vision: “A place for everyone to connect with nature, improve health and wellbeing and be inspired to care for our precious natural environment”. - Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre Inc.
What is proposed?
The Wetlands Centre will be an Australian first in biophilic and community co-design architectural principles, located at HD Graham Reserve in Altona Meadows. The location is near internationally recognised Ramsar-listed Cheetham Wetlands and other biodiversity hotspots that contribute significantly to social, cultural, economic and environmental values in Victoria. Details on the design can be found on Grimshaw's website.
Vision for the Centre
Council has completed concept designs with a detailed vision for the proposed Wetlands Centre focusing on multifunctionality. The concept designs include:
- indoor/outdoor public spaces with connected walking trails to the wetlands, boardwalks, interpretive signage, seating and landscaping
- classrooms, field studies centre, offices and work spaces
- nature play areas
- café
Why do we need it?
The-state-of-the-art, sustainability-focused Wetlands Centre will be a premier destination for immersive teaching and learning from Prep to PhD, leading environmental research facilities, ecotourism and community participation in nature, leading to improved physical and mental health outcomes. Click below for a full list of benefits and opportunities.
Health & Wellbeing
- Greater use of bike paths and walking trails, increasing people’s outdoor exercise leading to clear physical and mental health benefits
- Access for all abilities through purposefully designed trails, seating and access points, enabling more people to exercise in nature
- Build on innovative ‘green prescriptions’ research and use
Environment
- Foster community-led efforts and Citizen Science to protect the internationally significant wetlands
- Develop partnerships with Indigenous and international coastal communities through the implementation of collaborative biodiversity and conservation strategies
- Support cutting edge research on blue carbon solutions in wetlands to mitigate climate change
- Environmentally Sensitive Design (ESD) and biophilic features in the centre’s design
Economic
- Activate one of Melbourne’s premier coastal areas to increase the region’s ecotourism
- Stimulate urban outdoor recreation and associated local business activity, contributing to pandemic related recovery
- Create approx. 40+ full time jobs through design and construction, plus local sourcing of material where possible
- Increase community volunteerism
Education
- Provide community-wide access to a unique environmental science space and learning experience
- Enable long-term educational and wellbeing benefits for young children, through Nature for Children and bush kinder
- Raise awareness of STEM career pathways through ‘Teaching Wetlands’ and ‘Learning Laboratories’
- World-class coastal marine and climate related research for tertiary students and academic researchers
Building a New Wetlands Centre
In July 2024, Council committed $1.5 million to the Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre for early works, to be completed over two years. These early works were split across two stages, Stages 1 and 2, and focus on delivering open space infrastructure. To read more about these stages, or for a detailed list of vegetation being planted in the area, visit the Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre - early works page.
Funding Commitment Request
Although Council has already contributed over $1 million towards this sustainability-focused project, we need help from project partners to see the full Wetlands Centre plans come alive. Council, Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre Inc, and all project partners invite funding partnerships with the Victorian and Australian Governments to be part of this wellbeing and environmental centre for all
Hobsons Bay's Contribution
Committed in the 2024-25 Budget: $1.5 million
Projected total Hobsons Bay contribution for the full project: approximately $5 million
State & Federal Gov. Contribution
Combined state and federal government funding required: $11 million
Total Project Cost
Approximately $16 million
Partnerships
Progress of the centre development is based on key collaborative partnerships:
- An MOU based partnership between Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre Inc, Council, Deakin University, Melbourne Water, Greater Western Water, Ecolinc, Cirqit Health, Birdlife Australia.
- Education/environmental/health sectors, LeadWest, Traditional Owners.
- State and federal government ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs).
Government Policy Connections
The Wetlands Centre connects with the below policies and strategies:
- Victorian Government’s Plan Melbourne 2017-50
- Victorian Government’s Infrastructure Victoria Strategy 2021-51 recommendations
- Victorian Government’s Climate Change Strategy and the Marine and Coastal Policy
- Melbourne Water’s Healthy Waterways Strategy 2018-28
- North and West Melbourne City Deal proposed to federal and state governments
Council Policy Connections
Council's committed to progressing the Wetlands Centre project, which is underpinned by:
Find out more about the project and benefits below: