Altona Coastal Park

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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 ^[1]

1 History
2 Flora and fauna
3 Geology
4 Recreational and community use
5 External links
6 References

[edit] History

It was the site of the Williamstown Racecourse from 1864-1940 ^[1], which was closed in 1940 to make way for an army camp during World War II ^[2]. The site was extensively modified by land filling and site development; and called the Altona Sports Park ^[3] 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. ^[4]^[5]

[edit] 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 ^[1]. 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. ^[6]

It has at least 8 regionally-rare plant species ^[1], including the White Mangroves (Avicennia marina) along the southern banks of Kororoit Creek ^[7] . 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.

[edit] 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 ^[1].

[edit] 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.