Friday 23 May 2025 GenU planting teams were on site to bring two planting areas to life!
They planted approximately 2,000 native and indigenous plants, all grown from seed especially for the Corella Management Plan – what an incredible contribution. The teams had plenty of help on the day.
Recently, Landscape Architect Pete Wilson visited Winchelsea to meet with representatives of the Project Steering Group to gain input into the Landscape Concept Plan for CWA Park and the highway avenue, where a mix of trees will eventually replace the existing Elms. The elms are diseased and damaged and at the end of their life. Corellas like open space so this plan seeks to increase plantings while maintaining the space as a community park.
Pete has been carefully researching tree and shrub species that are well-suited to Winchelsea and less attractive to Corellas, that is, minimal seed or bark appeal. Pete’s early findings suggest that ornamental native species will be the best fit for the highway and parts of the park.
Corella management is a complex issue, and Surf Coast Shire is trialling a long-term strategy to discourage the birds from establishing a permanent roost site during the summer months. Changing the local environment, to reduce open spaces and increase lower-level planting of trees and shrubs that provide a visual barrier from danger, makes the birds uncomfortable and unwilling to stay.
“We will continue to keep you posted. Keep an eye on the nesting box perched high on a pine tree on Barwon Terrace to see if a pair of nesting peregrine falcons have set up house,” concludes John Tebbutt, President of Growing Winchelsea.