Ancient Melbourne sewage site evolves into unexpected bird sanctuary

A century-old wastewater treatment facility west of Melbourne has unexpectedly become a thriving ecological refuge. Originally established in 1897 as a practical sewage disposal solution, the 10,500-hectare site now processes 500 megaliters of wastewater daily while hosting nearly 300 bird species, including migratory flocks traveling from Siberia. What was designed purely as utilitarian infrastructure has inadvertently created one of the region's most important wildlife havens.