Ella George fails to support Serendip's Bring Them Back campaign

Where does Ella George really stand on Serendip's display wildlife?

Before last year's State election Ella George promised to act to stop removal of Serendip's wildlife. In recent letters to concerned residents she's backed away from that promise

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On Lara Care Group's request, Lara residents have been writing to Lara’s Labour parliamentary representative, Ella George, asking her to bring back the removed wildlife to Serendip.

We've seen many of Ms George's replies in which her rhetoric fails to match the reality of what is happening (and has already happened) at Serendip Sanctuary.

Ella supports removal of Serendip's display wildlife

Her responses look as though they were drafted by Parks Victoria! She is complicit in spreading the misinformation and passing off generalities about what Serendip might look like in the future – in reality, an urban park. 

Here's a quote from Ms George's response to a Lara resident (2nd July, 2023).  It may look rational and sensible but it's pure propaganda:

"Due to Parks Victoria not specialising in managing captive animals, it relies on guidance from Zoos Victoria and other expert organisations. Parks Victoria does not have a specific policy on captive animals as it does not form part of Parks Victoria’s core business. Captive animals being held at Serendip Sanctuary has been an exceptional circumstance for Parks Victoria.

 

During the past six months, captive animal enclosures that no longer meet safety standards or could not be repaired have been removed. In the interests of animal welfare, these animals have been rehomed in partnership with reputable zoos and sanctuaries across the state." 

Research by LCG has demonstrated that Ms George is wrong:  Do Parks Victoria's reasons for removing wildlife from Serendip stack up?

What Ella said before the election

The comments that she made to support the community on this matter prior to her election appear increasingly to have been a ploy to shore up support from our community for Labor’s position - given Ms George was a new candidate seeking to be elected.

In the lead up to the election LCG asked all major candidates to answer some questions about Serendip.  Here are Ella's responses:

What we want is what Ella promised

LCG is focused on the ‘Wildlife Walk’ at Serendip where the native birds and animals were displayed before their removal. This walk has been the central attraction for children, families, students and tourists who visit the Sanctuary. 

Many of these animals were threatened and critically endangered and, despite Parks Victoria’s claims, Serendip provided a safe and secure environment including a highly successful breeding and release program. The Wildlife Walk was promoted by Parks Victoria as an opportunity for non-threatening 'close encounters' with species that would otherwise be inaccessible to most visitors, and which would also face extinction outside of the Sanctuary’s protection. 

Unbelievably Cynical

Parks Victoria argued that the wildlife display had to go because of the deterioration of infrastructure and enclosures. This is unbelievably cynical.  This situation has been a direct consequence of Parks Victoria’s failure to maintain and invest in these facilities over the past decade. 

So, rather than funds from the $11m commitment being used to redevelop the display facilities and reinstate the wildlife display, Parks Victoria has used this issue to justify removal of the wildlife, including many which were previously involved in breeding programs. 

Ella George in denial

This action relieves them of the need to spend money on what has been the central attraction at Serendip for many years. There is plenty of room within the 250 hectares at Serendip to develop other recommendations in the You Yangs Precinct Master Plan, but wildlife viewing is front and centre as the main reason why people visit the site.

We have argued from the outset, that the Wildlife Walk has been the most highly valued attraction for visitors in the past but Parks Victoria, and Ella George, are in denial about this.

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Help continue to put pressure on the State Government to stop wrecking Serendip.

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NOTES on this Newsletter

• This is an ongoing series of updates about Serendip direct from the Lara Care Group. 
• We will publish these stories regularly and post them on social media. 
• To follow this blog go to: saveserendip.blogspot.com
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