Adjacent land use can have detrimental effects on the health of wetlands. Historically wetlands have been undervalued and seen as wasteland to be filled and drained. They have been taken over or replaced by pasture, farmland and water storage, for housing and industrial estates. However, wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on earth because they excel in purifying water. Healthy functioning wetlands provide many agricultural, social and economic benefits to land owners and the wider community.
Wetlands can act as a filter and purify drainage water before it enters the creek and Bay.
There needs to be a more comprehensive analysis of long term requirements and options in the south east before contemplating major new land releases in the study area. Instead a series of wetlands along the Main Drain as advocated by the former DVA, should be implemented. Water quality - promoting improvements in water quality for the Mordialloc Creek and Bay. Education - providing facilities for formal education programmes and access for higher education research and wildlife management, and community based groups. Recreation - the wetlands will function as an important node in a regional open space network for local community use and as a tourist destination principally for bird and wildlife observation.