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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 6th April 2011

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Mordialloc Creek Dredging

A report given by a boat owner committee member at the Mordialloc Village committee gave the impression that dredging may continue beyond the Chute Street boat ramp, however a subsequent meeting at the Mordialloc Motor Yacht Squadron headquarters, attended by two KCC officers, clarified this matter. Dredging will commence behind Lambert Island in July and continue in stages as money becomes available and will not extend beyond the boat ramp at Chute Street. There is a problem in dealing with toxic dredge spoil which will have to be de-watered before disposal to landfill.

South East Green Wedge

South East Green Wedge meeting held at the Dingley International Hotel 7th April was well attended by MBCL and KCEC members.with strong support for retention of green wedge agricultural land for horticulture, market gardens and plant nurseries. Support for the completion of the Chain of Parks to compensate for loss of open space due to high density development surrounding the green wedge. Neighbouring councils lacking adequate sports fields would welcome the development of these facilities to be used co-operatively by other councils. A wildlife corridor with a link to Braeside Park is considered important as is the retention of water filled sand quarries as water retention basins with non-polluted water utilised for recreational activities and/or for irrigation.The quarries have become sanctuaries for wildlife and should be preserved for this purpose. Forests planted for carbon sequestration and as arboretums would add to the appearance of the green wedge.

Waterwatch

Bronwen tested Mordialloc Creek water quality at 8am 8th April at the Bowen Road site and found that phosphate levels were still high and that salt readings were also high.

Bay Trail

A meeting with Beaumaris Conservation Society, MBCL and Hon Murray Thompson and Lorraine Wreford was held at Cromer Road, Beaumaris, 12th April to discuss VicRoads and DSE’s approval for a back –of- kerb bike track between Cromer Road and Charman Road. Bayside Council’s reasons for support for the back- of- kerb option are .     1. It is consistent with the majority of the Bay trail in Bayside

  1. It was more secure for families and cyclists
  2. It can be built from low maintenance materials i.e concrete rather than gravel
  3. Lighting is provided by existing Beach Road lights adding to safety.

It is understood that the Minister for Transport, Terry Mulder has advised Kingston Council that he has no problem with the narrowing of Beach Road traffic lanes for a back-of-kerb bike track where there is significant vegetation . The bike track therefore would be consistent with the trail in Bayside in terms of lighting ,safety and maintenance.

The Collins Report

Remnant Wallaby Grass has been found in Yammerbook as a result of a survey by Jeff Yugovich. Consultants have produced two concept sketches for extension of the reserve once soil testing and flora/fauna surveys are completed. Awaiting Melbourne Water approval.

Landscape works have commenced at Chicquita Park following branch removal and weed spraying. Community involvement with planting is planned to begin in May/June.

NRA staffing positions have been filled. New positions in the Parks department include, Hort Supervisor, Admin Officer, Admin Assistant, and AR Crew Leader.

Epson Wetland

A good turnout for a working bee 2nd of April removed large clumps of Flea Bane, 300 grasses and shrubs planted. Jeff Yugovich advises that Epsom Plains Grassland is rarer than Basalt Grassland under threat West of Melbourne.

Mordialloc Creek Master Plan

Draft Plan will be going out for consultation seeking community feedback . (See KYC) Proposals include “enhancing existing parkland, playgrounds and promenades” A large regional playground has been mooted for the arboretum in the George Woods Reserve and two large shelter sheds in the Peter Scullin Reserve.

Active Youth Spaces Strategy

City of Kingston is developing an Active Youth Spaces Strategy focusing on skate, scoot and bmx parks as well as outdoor spaces that help young people enjoy an active lifestyle. This is an admirable aim but thought needs to given to the location of these facilities especially as many sites have environmental significance.

Changes on the Coastline of Port Phillip Bay

A new book by Eric Bird. Ring Phillip Wierzbowski , Coast Action/Coastcare Facilitator for information about availability.

Telephone 9296 4525.

Union of Australian Women

Union of Australian Women meeting of the Southern Branch

Saturday 14th May 2011, 2pm, at Mordialloc Neighbourhood House. Guest Speaker – Pamela Curr, Refugee Advocate. Topic “The Present State of Asylum Seekers and Refugees”

Flooding Issues

Following the recent torrential downpour which threatened the evacuation of Waterways housing estate questions arise about planning policy. Who will be responsible if there is no restriction on building on flood prone land especially if the only restriction is to recommend that the site is filled to raise the buildings thereby creating drainage problems for neighbouring properties.? Some insurance companies are advising foreshore property owners that there will no cover for flood damage. The State Government is offering to buy back flood damaged farms in Northern Victoria to enhance biodiversity and protect floodplain drainage networks.The Floodplain Restoration Project aims to create extra flood storage and reduce the impact of floods on local towns.

Banksia Woodland, Bonbeach

Bonbeach Banksias under threat yet again by residents who mistakenly believe that money can buy a view.

Kingston Conservation and Environment Coalition

KCEC meeting 7.30pm 11th May Neighbourhood House Mordialloc.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 2nd March 2011

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Forthcoming Meetings

Kingston Heath Reserve next meeting will be at Cheltenham Moorabbin RSL 10am April 5th. This appears to be an active group achieving great results.

Victorian National Parks meeting at Box Hill Town Hall ,1022 Whitehorse Road, 6th April 6.30pm.This is a special meeting concerned with cattle grazing in Victoria’s Alpine National Parks. Port Phillip Conservation Council Annual General meeting 8.00pm 18th April at 47 Bayview Crescent, Black Rock. Speaker will be Jan Oliver President of Mornington Environment Association. She will speak about MEA’s campaign to save Mornington’s historic harbour from a marina. Visitors are welcome at this meeting.

Environmental Weeds

Following a lengthy discussion about Council’s use of the invasive weed Pennisetum setaceum at the Beeson Reserve ,Edithvale, it was moved at the March meeting, that a letter be sent requesting that Council’s weed information sheet be revised to include this species to discourage residents from planting it in their gardens. The Pennisetum (African Fountain Grass) is listed in the Catchment and Land Protection Act (CALP.) Arthur Rylah Institute advises that councils should resist planting this species. A response has been received to our letter. It will be tabled at the 6th April meeting. .

Meetings Attended

Walter attended a meeting Springvale Town Hall where the EPA fielded questions about their performance. Wal and partner attended a fund raising dinner at Mordialloc Sailing Club. Dredging is supposed to commence this month

Environment Protection & Biodiversity & Conservation Act

Reviewed in 2009 by panel but Government not responding.Act protecting only a limited number of species.

Waterwatch

Darren and Bronwen with Melissa carried out tests and found phosphate levels were double previous levels at Bowen Road test site. MBCL money is available if more chemicals or equipment is required. The Green Wedge discussion paper reports on the status of landfills in the green wedge. Of interest given that three major drains flowing through the landfill area feed into Mordialloc Creek:-

Historical Landfill Data provided by Kingston Council indicates that only four existing landfills have environmental controls around capping layer,gas emission, lining and leachate generation and monitoring. 13 landfills have limited records of environmental controls based on the above mentioned . 11 landfills had none or unknown information pertaining to environmental controls.

The majority of the landfills have been closed or are progressively being closed. Five landfills have an expected life of five years or less, and three landfills have an expected life of 10 to 20 years. What impact have these landfills had on groundwater?

The Collins Report

As a result of torrential rain in February Waterways residential estate was under threat of evacuation at one stage as the water level rose. Parks and ovals were damaged by flood water . Kingston’s foreshore was covered in 1000 tonnes of rubbish washed down the creek and drains.

Consultants are arranging soil tests and flora and fauna surveys at Yammerbook. Acid sulphate tests being undertaken in this area.

Authorities are adamant that street trees must be pruned under power lines to ‘prevent bushfires’. This will mutilate some magnificent trees around parks – along Mentone Parade near Brindisi Street for example.

Penny reports that water covered The Grange during the downpour.

Landscape work, branch removal and weed spraying is being carried out in Chicquita Park.

Hastings Port Expansion Plans

Sixteen environment and community groups have called for a halt on plans to expand the Port of Hastings which pose an unacceptable risk to Westernport Bay. Westernport has remarkable environmental and recreational values. Extensive seagrass, mangrove and saltmarsh habitats are nurseries for fish species and foraging, roosting and breeding habitat for shorebirds and wader birds. Port expansion plans include new road and rail transport corridors, significant dredging of the channel, the decimation of 4-6 kms of mangroves and substantial land reclamation.

Dumped Household Rubbish

Nina reports on an increase in dumped household rubbish on the south bank of Mordialloc Creek near the pumping station. Waste included household items and rubbish, factory or building waste and garden waste.

Bay Trail

Great news for Bayside Council! VicRoads and DSE have approved a back of kerb bike track to complete their section of the track from Cromer Road to Charman Road. “Over the last two years investigations have been carried out to develop a solution which requires the least foreshore vegetation loss.VicRoads offered to reduce traffic lane widths between Cromer Road and Wells Road significantly reducing foreshore vegetation loss.”

The path straddles the boundary between the road reserve (VicRoads) and foreshore (DSE) and is 3 metres wide with a 1 metre shoulder on the road side and 0.5 metre shoulder on the foreshore. This complies with AustRoad guidelines and has been endorsed by a vicRoads safety auditor. Exactly what MBCL have been asking Kingston Council for the last five or six years!!! This solution was selected because 1 It was consistent with the majority of the Bay Trail in Bayside 2. It is more secure for families and cyclists next to the road. 3.It can be built form low maintenance materials i.e. concrete rather than gravel.

Again exactly the arguments which MBCL has been using to try and convince Kingston Council to adopt a back of kerb bike track to complete the trail!!

Jack Iggulden

Jack Iggulden , one of the founders of MBCL in 1969, died at his home in Bellingen NSW 8th October 2010. He was 93. He was a businessman, author, glider pilot and environmentalist.

In 1970 he became the founding president of Port Phillip Conservation Council. This led to his arrest in 1972 in a major demonstration at Mordialloc opposing a pipeline across the Bay.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 2nd February 2011

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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 affecting indigenous plants. A fence is necessary for Bradshaw Park to retain its role as a sanctuary for native flora and fauna- a role recognised 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 organised 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 nurseries 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 likely 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 neighbourhood House Mordialloc Beginning at 8pm.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc.

Sustainable Population Strategy, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

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In responding to long-term physical implications of net overseas migration to Australia it is proposed to address the impact of increased population on the natural and built environment in the following areas:

  • scarcity of water resources through climate change
  • loss of agricultural land through urban expansion and mining
  • loss of biodiversity

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