Drouin treatment plant welcomes new bird hide

Bird enthusiasts in Drouin can now catch a glimpse of the local bird population, with a new bird hide sitting within the site of a wastewater treatment plant.

Minister for Water Harriet Shing and Gippsland Water Managing Director Sarah Cumming officially opened the new hide – giving keen birdwatchers a great vantage point to observe native birds.

Gippsland Water’s community facility was delivered as part of the plant’s $55 million upgrade and the new bird hide will give people the opportunity to get up close to species including the Blue-billed Duck, Pink-eared Duck and Dusky Woodswallow.

Native trees including the Silver Wattle, Woolly Tea-tree, and the Black-anther Lily were also planted at the site.

The bird hide sits within a fenced off area to the west of the water treatment plant and community members will be able to access it through a gate on Settlement Road.

The Drouin wastewater treatment plant upgrade was the flagship project of Gippsland Water’s 2018 price submission and has increased the plant’s capacity, allowing it to keep up with Drouin’s projected population growth.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Water Harriet Shing

“The new hide will give the local community the perfect spot to view our beautiful native birdlife.”

“This project demonstrates how facilities like treatment plants can positively serve their communities in more ways than one.”

Quotes attributable to Gippsland Water Managing Director Sarah Cumming

“This facility is a wonderful example of what can be achieved by working in partnership with the local community to maximise the recreational values of our assets.

“This facility will give community members a new lens through which to view the rich birdlife, native plants and animals that inhabit our area.”