By Chris Petrie
THE small lake on Norsemens Road, at the start of the walking track that links Corinella to Coronet Bay, has no name.
Located on the site of a historic natural spring, the area was once an important freshwater source. As Coronet Bay grew in size, Melbourne Water reconfigured the area to enable some filtering of stormwater and town runoff through the native reeds, which has enabled a rich native habitat to develop.
The lake and its surrounding bushland are now an under-acknowledged gem, particularly important as so much local land is being cleared to make way for housing developments.
THE small lake on Norsemens Road, at the start of the walking track that links Corinella to Coronet Bay, has no name.
Located on the site of a historic natural spring, the area was once an important freshwater source. As Coronet Bay grew in size, Melbourne Water reconfigured the area to enable some filtering of stormwater and town runoff through the native reeds, which has enabled a rich native habitat to develop.
The lake and its surrounding bushland are now an under-acknowledged gem, particularly important as so much local land is being cleared to make way for housing developments.
The lake and bushland reserve are home to native animals including long necked turtles, echidnas, wombats, and countless frogs. Anyone who has walked along the track at dusk will also have seen the dozens of cormorants roosting in the island trees. Many other water birds also call this area home.
The lake and its bushland enrich the experience of a walk along the track in so many great ways. It is a valuable asset to Coronet Bay and the surrounding area. It is time we gave this nature reserve and valuable waterway a little more attention.
With the support of Melbourne Water, Bass Coast Shire Council and Corinella Foreshore Committee of Management, we are looking forward to a community celebration when the Bunurong Elders source the indigenous name and the process is complete.
We will finally be able to name the lake with no name.
Chris Petrie is president of the Coronet Bay Ratepayers’ & Residents’ Association.
The lake and its bushland enrich the experience of a walk along the track in so many great ways. It is a valuable asset to Coronet Bay and the surrounding area. It is time we gave this nature reserve and valuable waterway a little more attention.
With the support of Melbourne Water, Bass Coast Shire Council and Corinella Foreshore Committee of Management, we are looking forward to a community celebration when the Bunurong Elders source the indigenous name and the process is complete.
We will finally be able to name the lake with no name.
Chris Petrie is president of the Coronet Bay Ratepayers’ & Residents’ Association.