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🇦🇺 Australia /Environment & Climate

Duck hunt zone's future uncertain amid suburban sprawl

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Suburban expansion is encroaching on the Lake Connewarre wetlands near Geelong, Australia, threatening both wildlife and traditional duck hunting grounds.
  • Hunters and wildlife rescuers express concern over the rapid growth of Armstrong Creek, which has grown from under 1,000 residents to nearly 30,000, pushing housing closer to sensitive ecological areas.
  • The proximity of new housing developments raises fears that hunting in the area, known as the Nursery, could be banned due to noise complaints and increased human activity.

The future of duck hunting on Lake Connewarre's Nursery wetlands hangs in the balance as suburban sprawl from Armstrong Creek rapidly encroaches on the area. Trent Leen, a duck hunter and conservation officer for Geelong Field and Game, has witnessed firsthand the dramatic transformation of the landscape he grew up hunting on.

I owned 40 acres across the other side of Barwon Heads Road. Our neighbours beside us were on 40 acres, and the neighbours to the north of us were on nearly 100 acres. There's, I don't know, 1,000-plus houses on there now. So yeah, there's been significant, significant changes in that time.

— Trent LeenMr. Leen describes the dramatic suburban development near Lake Connewarre.

What was once sparse farmland is now a burgeoning suburb. Armstrong Creek, designated a growth area in 2012, has exploded from fewer than 1,000 residents to nearly 30,000, with plans to reach up to 65,000. This rapid expansion has brought housing developments mere hundreds of metres from established hunting zones, with an informal walking track even bordering part of the Nursery.

Some people don't like me saying that the biggest threat that waterfowl have right here, right now, is urban encroachment.

— Trent LeenMr. Leen identifies urban sprawl as the main danger to waterfowl in the area.

Leen identifies this "urban encroachment" as the primary threat to waterfowl numbers and the continuation of duck hunting. "There seems to be continual encroachment… that could lead to that [banning of hunting in the Nursery], for sure," he stated. The close proximity of new homes has already led to complaints about gunshot noises during hunting season.

There seems to be continual encroachment … that could lead to that [banning of hunting in the Nursery], for sure.

— Trent LeenMr. Leen expresses concern that continued development could lead to hunting bans.

Interestingly, wildlife rescuer Jodie Oliver shares Leen's concerns about the urban sprawl, despite the usual friction between hunters and conservationists. Oliver agrees that Armstrong Creek's growth has pushed too close to the wetlands, disrupting wildlife corridors and displacing animals. She also believes the "days are numbered" for hunting on the Nursery, anticipating that further development will inevitably lead to its cessation.

It's devastating to see how much it's grown and how quickly, and I just don't know where the end is going to be, which is scary.

— Jodie OliverMs. Oliver shares her concern about the rapid and seemingly unending growth of Armstrong Creek.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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