The Brumby Government and the St Kilda Football Club have joined forces to promote Port Phillip as a great asset for all Victorians.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings joined St Kilda AFL players Luke Ball, Leigh Montagna and Xavier Clarke at St Kilda today to welcome the partnership.
“With its wealth of recreational opportunities and precious marine ecosystems, Port Phillip is our biggest urban park and a vital part of our city. It contributes to Melbourne’s reputation as one of the world’s most liveable cities,” Mr Jennings said.
“Parks Victoria will contribute to costs of the Bay Partnership programs and promotions. In addition, a $30,000 fund will be set up to support community activities.
“As the recreational managers of Port Phillip, Parks Victoria looks after the piers, jetties and waterways, making it accessible to the whole community and protecting its environmental values.
“The focus of the partnership will be to encourage the community to protect the Bay as well as take part in environmental projects such as tree planting and clean up events.
“I’d like to congratulate the St Kilda Football Club for their interest in the environment and community engagement and for joining with Parks Victoria to help encourage people to care for the bay.
“Our bays are healthier than comparable bays near similar sized cities and we want all Victorians and visitors to our state to enjoy, use and protect Port Phillip.”
Archie Fraser, CEO of St Kilda Football Club said, “Port Phillip Bay is an integral part of our lifestyle and we all need to do our bit to nurture this vital part of Melbourne’s environmental and cultural fabric.
“The partnership between St Kilda Football Club and Parks Victoria is an important step towards involving the wider community to help value and use our bays and look after this important marine environment.”
The first activity of the partnership will be a ‘Keep The Bay Clean’ initiative on 20 August, 2008. Over 500 local school children will clean up four beach sites between St Kilda and Frankston to help spread the environmental message.
Saints in the Community ambassadors Luke Ball, Leigh Montagna and Xavier Clarke will be on hand to lead the clean up while other St Kilda players will appear at each site to meet the children, play beach games and help create awareness about the importance of our Bay.
St Kilda’s Round 21 clash against Adelaide on August 24 will also be used to raise awareness of the environmental and recreational values of Port Phillip.
For more information on how you can enjoy and care for your parks visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au or www.saints.com.au.
