Correspondence
MBCL members have made submissions this month to the Federal Governments Sustainable Population Strategy for Australia.
Letters received from Friends of Bradshaw Park concerning retrofitting the fence with mesh.
The Collins Report
Following the unseasonal amount of rain and now heat, grass and weed growth throughout Kingston has been phenomenal and while some areas are looking uncared for this is in part due to staff leave over Christmas.
Due to some staff departures the NRA team is engaged in recruitment to fill the vacancies.
Due to severe storms in December 2010 there have been 500 calls above normal for tree removal, pruning and branch pick-up. Following Dept of Transport works at Westall Station council has undertaken offset planting at Caruana resulting in 700 plantings over the next ten years.
A consultant has been appointed to undertake design work as part of the Stage 2 project at Yammerbook. Landscape works are due to commence shortly following community consultation at Chicquita residential development.
Waterwatch
Pleased to report that Bronwen and David met with Melissa Melbourne Water at Bowen Road site. Higher phosphate readings suggested that new testing materials will be required to get an accurate reading of high phosphate levels.
Bradshaw Reserve
Following a further meeting the Friends group have sent a letter to Council re-affirming their position on fencing for the Reserve. While a higher cyclone fence is preferable a compromise position is to retrofit mesh to the existing fence which would at least make it more difficult for dogs and humans to climb over or under at any point to enter the park.
Mordialloc Village Committee and MBCL support this position. Other requests are that the entrance next to the railway line be closed and the reserve declared a no-dog space since dog faeces change the nutrient composition of the soil affecteing indigenous plants. A fence is necessary for Bradshaw Park to retain its role as a sanctuary for native flora and fauna- a role recognized by the Victorian Environment Assessment Council which lists Bradshaw park under Protected Area: Natural Features Reserve-Bushland Area. Bradshaw Park also won a Heritage Award from the Develop Victoria Council 1988 for its importance in the “restoration and preservation of the natural trees and vegetation in the Bayside area.”
Chain of Parks / South east Green Wedge.
Community consultation is about to commence to decide the fate of Kingston’s Green Wedge.As usual there is pressure from developers, planners and land-owners to develop sections for residential development rather than open space and a Chain of Parks to compensate for intensive high density development . A KCEC organized meeting at Kingston Neighbourhood House Tuesday 1st March will be an opportunity to hear speakers outlining the importance of retaining the green wedge as open space . Further meetings will continue the debate. Watch this space.
Street Tree Management Policy
Residents in Carrum are querying the trees listed for residents to choose from when it is necessary to replace trees- or if indeed trees need to be replaced. According to Kingston’s Strategy 75% of trees to be planted will be indigenous and 25% exotic. Residents query why so many of the trees appear to be exotic e.g Pin Oak (Canadian) or not locally indigenous when there are so many trees indigenous to bayside suburbs which would be more suitable and would preserve the character of the bayside areas?
African Fountain Grass Pennisetum setaceum or Macrourum
Unfortunately it has become trendy for nurserys to sell this invasive weed to unsuspecting householders who may have seen this plant flourishing in municipal parks and gardens. When these weeds are planted close to the foreshore, Mordialloc Creek or Edithvale Seaford Wetlands, there is a real danger that they will become established and then impossible to remove.The Catchment and Land Protection Act lists them as a regionally prohibited species.
Strongly recommend a feature article in Domain, the Age, 20 February, 2011. “Making the most of the coast you’ve got- Seaside gardeners do well to take their lead from their surrounds” The article continues “Biting winds,salty air and sandy soil mean that most alluring coastal gardens tend to be ones using plants native to the area.” Taking cues from the local environment gives a garden a sense of place and belonging whereas lawns and roses means “we are in danger of creating suburbs by the sea.”
Floods and Flooding
Parts of Mordialloc Main Street were under water in recent torrential storms and some people’s houses were flooded . Mordialloc was badly flooded in 1934 and 1954 . In-fill housing development in suburban streets with a flood overlay (LSIO) is likeley to cause heart-ache for neighbours when the new house next door is told by Melbourne Water to use fill and build up to a metre higher than neighbouring houses. What happens to the run-off? Something to think about.
South East Green Wedge
Meetings 1st March at the neighbourhod House Mordialloc Beginning at 8pm.