The diverse marine and coastal environment around Lakes Entrance is valued for its fauna, flora, and cultural heritage values. These values have been recognised by giving defined areas special protection under an International Treaty, the Ramsar Convention on wetlands, and under specific Victorian legislation.
Gippsland Lakes Ramsar Site
The Gippsland Lakes Ramsar Site is an area of approximately 60,000 hectares including the Lake Wellington, Lake Victoria, Lake King, Lake Bunga, Lake Tyers and McLeods Morass lake systems.
The area of the Gippsland Lakes Ramsar site around Lakes Entrance
The Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act recognises Ramsar wetlands as being of national environmental significance. In the area within two kilometres of Lakes Entrance, the Commonwealth database lists the following categories of species afforded special protection:
- 35 threatened species
- 63 marine species
- 36 migratory species
- 12 whales and other marine mammals such as dolphins and seals.
Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park
Most of the Boole Poole Peninsula to the east of Lakes Entrance falls within the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park. This Park is protected by the Victorian National Parks Act.
Threatened bird species
Of particular interest in the Lakes Entrance area are three threatened bird species:
- Fairy Tern, Sterna nereis (Endangered)
- Little Tern, Sterna albifrons (Vulnerable)
- Hooded Plover, Thinornis rubricollis (Vulnerable).
|
|
Fairy Turn |
Little Turn |
Hooded Plover |
|
In the past, these species have nested on Rigby Island. Gippsland Ports, with the Department of Sustainability and Environment and Parks Victoria, has undertaken a program of habitat enhancement to encourage the resumption of local nesting by these birds.
New Works Historic Complex
The areas of Long Island and the Boole Poole Peninsula adjoining the Entrance have particular historic cultural heritage values by virtue of the numerous artifacts, remnant buildings and works which took place during and after the construction and opening of the present Entrance in 1889.
The New Works Historic Complex (shaded)
The "New Works Historic Complex Site VHR 1532" is listed under the Victorian Heritage Act on the Victorian Heritage Register.
LESMP environmental and cultural heritage investigations
Before undertaking works for the LESMP, Gippsland Ports commissioned a number of studies in order to comprehensively define the environmental and cultural heritage values in areas where specific works were being proposed:
TThe results of these investigations enabled Gippsland Ports to plan the proposed LESMP works to avoid any potential major adverse impacts.
The completed reports were provided to regulatory agencies to assist them in considering Gippsland Ports' various applications for permits and approvals. The relevant Commonwealth, State and Municipal agencies and environmental legislation pertaining to the LESMP works can be found here
LESMP environmental and planning approvals
Gippsland Ports has obtained or is obtaining approvals for its projects B, C, E and F
| 
