[1] They were formed through the 'recycling' of more than 300 hectares of parks and former industrial land and are now the largest cluster of parks on Port Phillip Bay, interlinked by cycling and walking trails and featuring a surprisingly high diversity and abundance of landscapes, natural environment and recreational areas, including beachside recreation, picnic & barbecue facilities, grassfields and wildlife conservation areas.
The Truganina Explosives Reserve is a fenced-in area of 17 hectares of crown land, located 26 km west of Melbourne City at the mouth of Laverton Creek.
[7] A series of scientific studies have identified the site as highly significant for its archaeological, geological, geomorphological, floral, fauna, cultural and industrial heritage values.
[8][9] The high metal fence has protected the site from human access so the land has remained isolated for more than 100 years, growing wild, undisturbed by surrounding developments and allowing a separate indigenous ecosystem.
The fence evokes a sense of enclosure, seclusion, intrigue for visitors and its continuous nature, without direct visual links to the modified external landscape, creates an atmosphere of tranquility.
It has several broad low ridges up to 1.5 metres high which are believed to have been deposited on the sea floor about 6000 years ago, based on radiocarbon dating of their stratified shell beds.
[7][10] Distinct areas of native, exotic and saltmarsh vegetation combine with subtle undulations of the remnant dune system, resulting in landscapes of varying characters and exuding a secluded and timeless quality.
[13] The site is archaeologically important as it used to be frequented by Kooris from the Woiworung and Bunurong tribe who foraged the area for its variety of animals, fish and plant food.
[15] The Friends of Westona Wetlands were formed in 1993[12] and had persuaded Melbourne Water to install a fence to keep out illegal traffic and prevent access to ecologically-sensitive areas of the Swamp.
Ongoing projects for the Swamp include monitoring of the bird species, Altona skipper butterfly and chaffy saw sedge in the area, re-vegetation, seed collecting and propagation.
[18] Her spiral design considers the height and forms of each tree type when fully grown and overcomes the problem of land erosion and desertification at the site.