Cheetham Wetlands in Point Cook may soon receive Ramsar status, adding to Victoria's protected wetland network. The move highlights the site's global importance for birdlife and eco-tourism.

The Cheetham Wetlands in Point Cook are one step closer to international recognition, with plans underway to include the entire site in the Port Phillip Bay (Western Shoreline) and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar listing.

Covering more than 1,200 hectares of saltmarsh, lagoons and coastal habitat, Cheetham Wetlands provide an essential refuge for thousands of migratory shorebirds each year, including species such as the curlew sandpiper, red knot and far eastern curlew.

The proposed expansion of the existing Ramsar boundary would see four new wetland areas nominated to the Commonwealth for protection -- among them, the Point Cook Cheetham Coastal Park and Marine Sanctuary. This nomination would bring the full Cheetham Wetlands area under international protection for the first time, recognising its ecological importance and its role in local biodiversity.

If approved, the move will add approximately 1,361 hectares of wetlands across Victoria to the Ramsar register, highlighting key environmental sites such as the Moolap Wetlands, Edwards Point Swan Bay Wildlife Reserve, and Lake Connewarre Complex Conservation Reserve.

The Cheetham Wetlands are already a popular destination for birdwatchers, walkers and photographers, attracting visitors who come to experience the peaceful landscape and the sight of migratory birds resting before their long flights north. Ramsar recognition would further support eco-tourism while ensuring the continued protection of these fragile ecosystems.

Listing as a Ramsar site does not change existing recreational activities but enhances conservation and management standards for these internationally significant habitats.

The Commonwealth Government will make the final decision on the proposed extension of the Port Phillip Bay (Western Shoreline) and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar Site.

Cheetham Wetlands Near Global Listing