Melbourne Water is to welcome birdwatchers back to its Western Treatment Plant on Monday (29 November), one month after closing the site to visitors to ensure the safety of staff during the recent COVID-19 outbreak.
In a statement, Melbourne Water said all visitors, including birdwatchers, must abide by COVID-safe practices and its updated COVID-19 vaccination policy.
“To access the site, birdwatchers must maintain a current vaccination status, which means that an individual has received both an initial vaccination against COVID-19 and any subsequent vaccinations or boosters that are required or recommended by the Australian Commonwealth Government or a State or Territory Government to maintain immunity against COVID-19,” Melbourne Water said.
“Visitors (including birdwatchers) may visit the Western Treatment Plant with a medical exemption evidenced by an authorised medical practitioner,” it said.
“Visitors (including birdwatchers) may be asked to provide evidence of their current vaccination status or medical exemption.”
Melbourne Water said visitors and birdwatchers must sign in when entering the site and spot checks would be conducted to check vaccination status.
It said hundreds of different bird species – some rare and endangered – could be spotted at the Western Treatment Plant, as well as along Melbourne’s waterways and wetlands.
“One of Victoria’s most popular birdwatching sites, Werribee’s Western Treatment Plant welcomes birds from as far away as Siberia,” it said.
“The Plant’s lagoons, grasslands and coastline provide an ideal and varied habitat – offering a permanent water supply, plenty of food and little interference from humans.”
Melbourne Water also reminded people that approval to birdwatch at the Western Treatment Plant was required.
Information on applying for birdwatching access can be accessed at this PS News link.
