Limeburners Bay Regeneration continues with Shell support

Limeburners Link is an initiative of Shell, Greening Australia and the City of Greater Geelong that aims to enhance the natural environment of Limeburners Bay, an estuary on the shores of Corio Bay.  The bay is a significant environmental site; however, issues such as a lack of native vegetation, and the presence of weeds, caused degradation to this precious native grassland area.

Greening Australia (VIC) Chief Executive Officer, Carl Carthy, said the funding will allow critical restoration work to continue at Limeburners Bay (part of the Port Philip Ramsar listed wetland) and enable local people who may have encountered adverse learning experiences to participate in accredited training.

“Introducing the Certificate 1 Land Management and Conservation training adds an exciting dimension to Limeburners Link and should be an inspiration for other restoration projects of this nature,” said Mr Carthy.

"It will assist in promoting the important conservation values of Limeburners Bay and help increase access to education opportunities for individuals living in the northern suburbs of Geelong,” he said.

“Without Shell’s support this programme would not be possible and it's fantastic to be able to work with a large local business in helping to protect such an important ecological site in the local area.”

During the next two years, Greening Australia (VIC) will continue to work with local schools as part of the Schools for the Environment component of Limeburners Link.

“Through Limeburners Link, students learn about the site’s significant environmental and historical values by participating in re-vegetation and propagation, marine ecology and aboriginal cultural activities,” said Mr Carthy.

“School students from Geelong’s northern suburbs have collectively planted more than 9000 indigenous plants, and propagated 4000 seedlings at Limeburners Bay during the past three years,” he said.

Shell Geelong Refinery Manager, Huck Poh, said Limeburners Link aligns closely with the company’s commitment to environment improvement projects and addressing social disadvantage.

“Limeburners Link is a part of the refinery’s social investment programme, which focuses on three areas: education, health and the environment,” said Huck.

“As the principal supporter we are proud of what has already been achieved during the past three years at Limeburners Bay, and we look forward to seeing the results of the work the trainees and students will undertake on this internationally significant estuary,” he said.

City of Greater Geelong Mayor John Mitchell said Shell had always been one of Geelong's most prominent corporate citizens, and he said he was very pleased the company was continuing its participation in the Limeburners Link programme.
 
Cr John Doull, who holds the City's portfolio for Environment and Sustainability, said Greening Australia and Shell's support for the Limeburners Link programme was playing a valuable role in returning the natural environment of Limeburners Bay to its original state.

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Media enquiries: Danny Reddan - Greening Australia - Tel: 0409424128 or dreddan@gavic.org.au

Caption: Greening Australia (VIC) is pleased to announce the Limeburners Link programme will continue for a further two years thanks to support from Shell and the City of Greater Geelong (Pictured From Left to Right) Cr John Doull, Coryule Ward and Environment and Sustainability portfolio holder; Huck Poh, Shell Geelong Refinery General Manager; Anne Marie McCarthy, Greening Australia Project Leader, Community Liaison & Education Officer; Cr John Mitchell, Mayor City of Greater Geelong