About The Painkalac Project
Healthy Country. Engaged Community.
The Painkalac Project is a community-led initiative dedicated to restoring and permanently caring for one of the most environmentally significant landscapes on Victoria’s Surf Coast.
Located in the Painkalac Valley at Aireys Inlet, the project encompasses nearly 30 hectares of estuarine wetland and floodplain connecting the mouth of Painkalac Creek to the Great Otways National Park. Together with the adjoining estuary and coastal environments, the valley forms a vital ecological corridor linking the Otways to the Split Point Marine Sanctuary and the Southern Ocean beyond.
For thousands of years, the valley was cared for by the Wadawurrung and Gadubanud peoples, whose deep connection to Country continues today. The Painkalac Valley remains culturally significant and ecologically important, supporting diverse habitats, native wildlife and natural processes that sustain the health of the broader landscape.
Following European settlement, much of the valley floor was cleared and used for agriculture and grazing. Over time, the ecological values of the area declined, despite its importance as the largest estuarine wetland along the Great Ocean Road. Today, the Painkalac Project represents a unique opportunity to reverse that decline and create a healthier, more resilient future for this remarkable place.
The Painkalac Project brings together community members, scientists, conservation organisations, government agencies, Traditional Custodians and local groups to develop and implement a long-term ecological restoration program. Guided by science, informed by Traditional Knowledge and supported by community stewardship, the project aims to restore native vegetation, improve habitat for threatened species, enhance water quality, increase biodiversity and strengthen the resilience of the landscape in the face of climate change.
For the first time since colonisation, much of this land will be given the opportunity to recover and regenerate as a functioning natural ecosystem. Through revegetation, habitat restoration, biodiversity monitoring and ongoing management, the valley will once again support the rich diversity of plants and animals that once flourished here.
The project has been made possible through the vision and generosity of local community members and the partnership of BioDiversity Legacy, a charity dedicated to enabling community-led ownership and stewardship of land for future generations. The Painkalac Project stewardship group will oversee the restoration and long-term care of the site through an inclusive, collaborative and adaptive management approach.
Our Vision
A healthy, connected and resilient Painkalac Valley where native plants, animals and ecosystems thrive, Country is respected and cared for, and the community works together to protect this special place for future generations.
Our Purpose
To protect, restore and enhance the natural environments of the Painkalac Valley through conservation, revegetation, habitat restoration, education, research and community action.
Our Priorities
- Ecological restoration and revegetation across degraded areas
- Protection and enhancement of habitat for threatened species
- Improving biodiversity, water quality and ecosystem health
- Respecting and incorporating Traditional Custodian knowledge and aspirations
- Community participation, education and stewardship
- Science-based monitoring, research and adaptive management
- Building strong partnerships across the community, government and conservation sectors
Our Values
Environmental Stewardship
We are committed to caring for the land, water and biodiversity of the Painkalac Valley for the benefit of future generations.
Respect for Country
We acknowledge and respect the Wadawurrung as Traditional Custodians and seek to work in ways that honour Country and culture.
Science and Knowledge
We value evidence-based decision-making informed by ecological science, monitoring and Traditional Knowledge.
Community Collaboration
We believe lasting environmental outcomes are achieved through inclusive participation, shared responsibility and local stewardship.
Transparency and Accountability
We are committed to openness, integrity and responsible management of the land and project.
Long-Term Commitment
Ecological restoration takes time. We are committed to the permanent care and management of the Painkalac Valley as a living legacy for future generations.
The Painkalac Project is more than a restoration project. It is a community commitment to healing Country, strengthening connections between people and nature, and demonstrating what can be achieved when local communities come together around a shared vision for the future.
Support Our Cause
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