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Delegation from Japanese city of Nagoya visit local wetlands
Friday, 30 October 2009
5:16 PM
Media Releases
A delegation from the Japanese city of Nagoya, led by Deputy Mayor of Nagoya Mr Satoshi Onishi, visited Geelong today to tour wetlands in Swan Bay and Barwon Heads.
City of Greater Geelong Mayor Cr John Mitchell, Parks Victoria officials and environmentalists showed the delegation around the local wetland and waterbird habitat.
Migratory waterbirds fly between Nagoya and the Geelong region during the annual changing of the seasons, and this has brought about a close relationship between local government officials of Nagoya and Geelong.
“Our cities share a close bond that extends beyond our wetlands partnership based around the migratory birds that travel between Japan and Australia,” Cr Mitchell said.
“In 2007 Council signed the Nagoya Geelong Wetlands Agreement, pledging that our cities would work together to ensure the wise utilisation of wetlands and the protection of these areas for migratory birds.”
“Through this agreement we also made a commitment to deepen relations between our cities by promoting information exchange and to seek to make a contribution to global scale environment conservation.”
He said the delegation’s visit provided a great opportunity for the two cities to share knowledge.
”They’re eager to hear about our environmental policies and initiatives, and we’ll hear about their work and the upcoming Biodiversity Summit being held in Nagoya next year.”
“Environmental issues are not constrained by borders or cultures – as evidenced by the migration routes of wetlands birds.”
The delegation also visited the Marine Discovery Centre in Queenscliff and Jirralinga Wildlife Park today.
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