Quite a few of you will no doubt be familiar with the Shortland Wetlands Centre in Newcastle and have spent some time birding there. It's a marvellous place for all sorts of reasons, one of which is the great birdwatching that can be had there.
SWC is a self-funded operation that is in big trouble financially. At their AGM on April 6, they will be seriously discussing the possibility of closure. Those of you who are know the SWC and who would like to help can best do so by contacting any or all of the following - your local NSW M.P., Mayors of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, NSW Premier, NSW Ministers such as Education & Training, Tourism, Environment, Hunter Development, Regional Development - and indicating your concerns and asking them to consider helping. The help being sought is a financial bail out - SWC no longer has the time to trade its way out of its problems.
For those who are willing/able to do this, I've outlined below the situation in more detail and it can be the basis of your response. Right now I'm not able to provide addresses for the above list of people for sending letters, but if you want these please e-mail back to me. I hope I'll have the addresses by the weekend.
It's been known for quite a while that SWC were having difficulties, but the crisis seems to have hit fairly suddenly. Please help if you can.
Alan Stuart
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Details/basis for a letter:
The Shortland Wetlands Centre near Newcastle has been operating under a significant debt since 1996. Although great efforts have been made to increase funds during the last four years and despite increased visitation levels to the Centre, a reduction in debt has not been possible. To date there has been limited success in securing operational funding from government or private sources, and as a result, the Centre is once again experiencing a financial crisis.
Unfortunately the Wetlands Centre is not raising sufficient funds through its normal activities to pay the costs of operating the Centre, maintaining the site and facilities for wildlife and visitors and providing education, conservation and tourism services. While fees are charged to visitors, it would not be possible to charge visitors the true costs of the facilities and services provided. The majority of the current debt is a bank loan. In order to maintain the current level of operations and guarantee the future of the Shortland Wetlands Centre, it needs a rescue package to clear the current debt and also sufficient funding annually for three years to become financially stable. The total needed is a very small amount when compared to the amount spent on the Homebush Bay wetlands.
Fifteen years ago, the 45 hectare Shortland site was developed from a garbage dump into the Wetlands Centre it is today. The development has been achieved by the hard work of employees at the Centre and thousands of hours of work by volunteers. Today the Centre is recognised as significant attraction in the Hunter Valley providing a luxuriant habitat for a wide range of birds and animals. It has made its mark in wetland conservation throughout Australia and overseas. The Centre caters to visitors from all over the world who are interested in Australian wildlife and vegetation. As this is the third choice of most tourists visiting Australia, the potential for flow-on effects for the Hunter region specifically, and NSW in general, are clear.
In addition the Wetlands Centre has played an important role in education and training. Training opportunities have been provided for hundreds of unemployed volunteers. Students from kindergarten through to high school at local schools as well as schools in Sydney and elsewhere in the State have enjoyed the hands-on programs offered by the Centre. It has also supplied environmental information and support to other community conservation organisations.
The Shortland Wetlands Centre is a valuable resource, locally and at the State level, and desperately needs the financial support of, not only the local councils, but also State government. I am very concerned about this issue and hopes you will be able to help.
Yours sincerely
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