Is Moolap a place for birds or for development?

from w
They are arguing still about the old salt flats between Newcomb and Point Henry.  I'm for the birds actually as I dislike over-development.

Red-necked Avocets and Banded Stilts at the Moolap wetlands in Geelong. Photo: Eddie Jim

TO SOME it is an old industrial wasteland waiting for redevelopment as a modern residential estate. To others it is a bird-watching paradise and one of the state's ecological marvels.

Unlikely as it sounds, the old Moolap salt works - a few kilometres outside Geelong, and not far from the Point Henry aluminium smelter - is the site of an emerging environmental battle.

Agricultural products company Ridley - owners of the salt works, which was mothballed in 2007 - is proposing a massive property development over about half of the 465-hectare site.