Altona Coastal Park

Altona Coastal Park, a 70 hectares intertidal and salt marsh area located 11 km from Melbourne CBD in the western suburb of Altona, is an important recreational and nature conservation area cite web |url=http://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/page/page.asp?page_id=506 |title=Conservation Reserves |publisher=Hobsons Bay City Council |accessdate=2008-05-10]

History

It was the site of the Williamstown Racecourse from 1864-1940 , which was closed in 1940 to make way for an army camp during World War II cite web |url=http://www.starnewsgroup.com.au/story/3928 |title=Cup full of history |publisher=Star News Group |accessdate=2008-05-10] . The site was extensively modified by land filling and site development; and called the Altona Sports Park cite web |url= http://www.totaltravel.com.au/travel/vic/melbournearea/westernsuburbsmelbourne/travel-guides/destinations/altona-1 |title=Altona |publisher=totaltravel.com |accessdate=2008-05-10] before its current name was adopted.

A 4-metre sculpture called Requiem for a Champion, created by the artist Yvonne George, featuring a bronze Stint perched on top of a galloping horse, was installed to commemorate the location of the former Williamstown racecourse. cite web |url=http://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/page/page.asp?page_id=2451
title=History Lives on at Former Williamstown Racecourse |publisher=Hobsons Bay City Council |accessdate=2008-05-10] cite web |url=http://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/page/page.asp?page_id=2543
title=Requiem for a Champion|publisher=Hobsons Bay City Council |accessdate=2008-05-10]

Flora and fauna

It provides habitats for a large diversity of flora and fauna. 149 bird species are found, of which 13 are rare or endangered . This wetland is particularly important to aquatic birds, such as migratory waders. The park contains abundant indigenous vegetation such as the glasswort, which provides food for the rare Orange-bellied Parrot. cite web |url=http://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Files/CoastalTrail.pdf|title=Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail|publisher=Hobsons Bay City Council |accessdate=2008-05-10]

It has at least 8 regionally-rare plant species , including the White Mangroves ("Avicennia marina") along the southern banks of Kororoit Creek cite web |url=http://www.land.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/portregn.nsf/pages/werribee_gg_significance_s2
title=S2 Kororoit Creek Mouth, Altona - Tidal Channels and Salt Marsh
publisher=Dept of Primary Industries |accessdate=2008-05-10] . Ongoing rehabilitation programs, which include revegetation of indigenous flora and weed removal, serve to enhance the area’s ability to sustain a wider diversity of fauna.

Geology

Regionally-significant geomorphological areas can be found at the wetland terrain at the mouth of the Kororoit Creek as well as at the extensive sand bars off Kororoit Creek .

Recreational and community use

The park is currently used by a small group of people for recreation such as dog-walking and for research and study purposes. The Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail passes through the park.

External links

* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosewal/2412374330/ Flickr photo of Williamstown Racecourse memorial]

References