• Williamstown, Altona, Laverton Star

By Kate Bonsack

2nd September 2008 11:06:07 AM

Protecting the environment ... Williamstown High School students, Shahn, Sharna and Skye, will help construct a wetland at the school’s Bayview Campus to protect Port Phillip. They are pictured with councillor Peter Hemphill. Picture: GLEN CAMPBELL.

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WILLIAMSTOWN High School students will develop a wetland to protect Port Phillip.

Students from the school’s Bayview Campus will soon begin landscaping their school grounds and the adjoining Jawbone Conservation Reserve with a $425,000 wetland that will treat run-off water from a council-owned drain next to the school.

The school’s principal, Steve Cook, said the wetland would provide a unique educational opportunity for the students and the community.

“The wetland will not just be for the school to use,” he said.

“Visitors using the bay trail will be welcomed in, and signage will explain all the features.”

The project, funded by the school, Hobsons Bay City Council, Melbourne Water and Parks Victoria, will improve the quality of stormwater that enters the bay and replace potable water for irrigation of the school’s oval.

Williamstown North Ward councillor Peter Hemphill said the wetland would protect the sensitive marine ecosystem at the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary and will provide students with a hands-on opportunity to learn more about the local environment.

“The Williamstown High School has been at the forefront of incorporating environmental principles into its Bayview Street campus,” he said.

“It is incumbent on all of us living in our bayside municipality to take responsibility to ensure the bay is in the best possible condition.”

Mr Cook said the project would also provide a new habitat for resident and migratory water birds.

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