By Alesha Capone
This weekend’s episode of Postcards will feature presenter Shane Crawford birdwatching at the Western Treatment Plant and enjoying a bite to eat at an Altona delicatessen.
The show, which will air at 5.30pm Sunday on Channel 9, will showcase the hidden beauty of the Western Treatment Plant in Cocoroc.
The Melbourne Water’s site, which is roughly the size of Phillip Island, is regarded as Victoria’s premier bird-watching site and is home to more than 30,000 waterbirds.
More than 280 bird species, including threatened species, also visit the plant as they migrate across the globe every year.
Mr Crawford said that he has visited Werribee Mansion and Werribee Open Range Zoo several times in the past, but this was his first time at the Western Treatment Plant.
Sean Dooley from Birdlife Australia showed Mr Crawford around the site.
“It’s good to get out and explore areas, especially ones you haven’t seen before,” Mr Crawford said.
“You think, ‘Hooley-dooley’ – there are hundreds of acres of bushland and lakes and birdlife and the site also meets the ocean.”
“I was fascinated, exploring new territory and seeing all the different birds.
“You can get up close and see different birds from what you would usually see wandering around, which is pretty cool.”
Mr Crawford said the treatment plant was “like another planet.”
As well, he said many people drove from Melbourne to Geelong without releasing the different places they could visit between Werribee and Avalon Airport.
For the weekend’s Postcards episode, Mr Crawford also visited Matteo’s Delicatessen in Altona, where he tried the coffee and food available.
“It’s a great spot and they are doing a wonderful job in there,” he said.
“You walk into the shop and feel like you’re overseas somewhere.
“It’s good to see Altona’s really embraced them too.”
Mr Crawford said he enjoyed seeing the open space next to the Pier Street venue and the Altona beach across the road too.
“We had a very nice day out, I was jealous of everyone sitting in the park and at the beach,” he said.
Details: www.9now.com.au/postcards
