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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 4th December 2013

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Old Wells Road Rain Garden.

Melbourne Water installed a large drain on this site to manage drainage problems in the area. This necessitated the removal of established vegetation along the north bank of Mordialloc Creek- a Natural Resource Area (NRA)- a traditional work area for Kingston Council’s dedicated workers in NRA parks and reserves. It was disappointing therefore to find that when the water garden was constructed by Melbourne Water, it was Kingston’s Parks people who were involved in the selection and planting of vegetation in the rain garden. Instead of continuing the practice of planting species locally indigenous to the creek habitat the Parks team involved used foreshore plants which haven’t survived the 40 degree heat. MBCL are requesting that the NRA knowledgeable team continue to be responsible for revegetation both South and North banks of Mordialloc Creek, and that the pocket parks along the banks be returned to the management of the NRA team rather than the Parks department.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 6th November 2013

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End of Year Report

Another busy year for members as Federal and State Governments over turn what we all thought would be rock solid environmental protection of National Parks, Marine Sanctuaries, Native Forests, Agricultural land, Ramsar Wetlands, Green Wedges and the list goes on. Pressure from developers has brought about radical changes to planning regulation under New Residential Zones based on a 2003 discussion paper. Better Decisions Faster is the result of work done by the Whitney Committee. We can expect further loss of trees, gardens and backyards in the middle ring suburbs as neighbourhood character and heritage features are trashed to accommodate an unsustainable population increase. Despite this bleak scenario members have worked valiantly, lobbying, writing endless submissions, attending meetings and volunteering in native reserves.
Special mention to Penny who attends every council meeting and somehow remains sane, Bronwen who took on VicRoads at VCAT in an attempt to save signification vegetation from destruction when the Dingley Westall Bypass is built, to Judy who prepared a submission seeking to have the Beaumaris Fossil Cliffs and Sea Ledges replaced on the National Estate Register and to Rosemary who has worked tirelessly to protect the SE Green Wedge. And a big vote of thanks to Tom, out MBCL Webmaster for hit tireless work! Must not forget out Treasure who, despite a heavy work load, cheerfully(?) watches over out finances. Special thanks also to Tony who comes along each month with the Collins report and listens to out whinges. Walter’s valuable lobbying and negotiating skills much appreciated.
Good news- a report that Melbourne Water has agreed to incorporate significant remnant vegetation into the wetland to be built along the north bank of Mordialloc Creek upstream from Wells Road Bridge. Again thanks to Rosemary for her quick action to ensure that this result was possible and thanks to Neil Craigie, MW, for happily agreeing to this solution. In the tentative good news department, the first section of the Bay Trail is to be back-of-kerb from Mundy Street car park to Mentone LSC park.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 2nd October 2013

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Concrete Crusher Application.

Delta have lodged another application for a Materials Recycling Facility in conjunction with a Transfer Station. The Minister refused Delta’s application for a similar facility on the recommendation of a planning panel in 2005. Silica dust from the existing concrete crushing plant, also location on Kingston / Heatherton Road, has already forced a market gardening business, supplying local supermarkets, to close because of dust falling on vegetables. Silica dust can result in silicosis forming. Water is of the utmost importance in the concrete crushing process as a means of suppressing dust emissions. A second concrete crusher, if approved, operating in the same locality, will increase the demand for water supplied by natural run=off, water from disused quarries acting as dams, groundwater and mains water supply during dry periods. The Dandenong Offensive Industrial Zone (now INZ2) was designed to accommodate offensive polluting industries such as concrete crushers. Kingston’s Green Wedge is not an appropriate location for polluting industries harmful to the environment.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 4th September 2013

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National Parks Privatisation

Some of the new members of the Coalition Government have not wasted time in making their plans for commercialisation of parks. Logging of the Tarkine in Tasmania, coal seam gas exploration in sensitive areas of Western Victoria and around the Grampians on the boundary of the national park threatens the survival of special places. Cuts to funding of environment groups will make it difficult to prevent destruction of parks, forests and farmland.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 3rd July 2013

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Environment Victoria

Environment Victoria organised a street stall and door knocking in Mordialloc recently as part of their campaign opposing the Napthine Government’s plan to open up national parks to commercial tourism by putting out to tender development of hotel accommodation in parks. Environment Victoria is also appealing urgently for funds to oppose the State Government’s plan for a massive brown export coal industry with Shanghai Electric Group. Under threat the 90 Mile Beach, Strezlecki Ranges, Gippsland Lakes and Corner Inlet to become a major port for coal exports.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 5th June 2013

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Booklets, Brochures, Web Site, Etc.

Work is continuing to upgrade these items and include Yammerbook ,work on Mordialloc Creek and bike path in this material.

Beaumaris Cliff and Sea Ledge Fossil Sites

Bayside Councillor, Heather Stewart, was contacted by Judy to see if Bayside Council would add support to MBCL nomination of the cliffs for the National Estate Register. Suggested meeting of Dr Fitzgerald with local politicians to add weight to the nomination was also mooted.

Environmental Victoria Campaign

Environmental Victoria now has 11,000 signatures on a petition urging the Napthine government to protect national parks rather than open them up for ecotourism and privatisation. This government has brought the wind industry to a standstill making it more expensive for families to install solar hot water and panels, pursued highly polluting brown coal exports and cut environment spending, programs and protection. EV is continuing their campaign and will be in Mordialloc Saturday July 20 from 10.00am to 3pm .EV Continues to meet with Coalition politicians to alert them to the community concern about their broken pre-election promises. MBCL/KCEC met with a local member Friday 21st July.

Dingley Bypass

VicRoads has applied to have the VCAT appeal upgraded to a major project meaning that they now have to bear costs ($3000 per day)– not the objectors! Our expert witness will still have to be paid as well as an increased fee to lodge an application. Hearing fees for some cases will be more than $1400 per day making it impossible for community groups to lodge an objection about an inappropriate development. Friends of the Earth and Environment Defenders Office all claim that higher fees will mean less scrutiny of planning matters. Mediation 18 July @ VCAT 10am. Hearing 29/30 August for two days 10am at VCAT.

Ecotourism in National Parks

Queensland, NSW and now Victoria wants to allow grazing, shooting and logging in national parks. Federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke, has had to back down in his attempt to extend federal powers over national parks after cabinet rejected the move when mining and gas lobby groups said ,”it would restrict coal seam gas and other projects near the boundaries of national parks.” Resources Minister, Gary Gray, led the push against changes in the cabinet. (Age 19 June 2013)

Mordialloc Creek

Melbourne Water and Parks Victoria are meeting to decide on management of the creek up to Wells Road. It is understood that Melbourne Water is responsible for flood prevention and drainage issues. Parks Victoria ?

Yammerbook

City of Kingston Engineer, Alan West, has drawn up a contour map for 1:10 year flood levels. This map will guide placement of features in Stage 2 of the concept design for paths, viewing platforms, picnic area and disabled access.

June – A Busy Month

With the opening of the refurbished and restored Laura & Charles Ferguson Museum in Old Bakery Lane Mentone ,12 June – more space for the historical society’s items and documents. Also Mordialloc Masonic Hall Open House 12 June and again June 19 when the public was invited to check out the space and offer suggestions for future community use. U3A and Art groups have expressed interest, community meeting space was a popular suggestion, space for men to play chess,etc, and a reading room since Mordialloc doesn’t have a library.   

Canary Island Palm Trees to be Lit Up?

Mordialloc Traders want the palm trees to have lights costing $200,000. Lighting trees raises questions about energy use and the impact on nesting birds. There is a family of Sulfur Crested Cockatoos in the trees and recently the lovely Rainbow Lorikeets have driven out starlings and made the trees their home. Which is the greatest attraction- lights only seen at night or the Australian bird life- a swirl of colour and chattering in the trees?

Groundwater and Environment Protection Laws

Free EDO seminar , 3 July 2013, Carlton. Groundwater has an important role in the environment supporting surface water systems and its own eco-systems. Unfortunately at present there is over-extraction and contamination from mines and coal seam gas projects.

Farmland Trust – An Idea For The Green Wedge?

  1. Engage the community:- provide education service, facilitate understanding of farmland policy.
  2. Ownership : offer secure lease holding, facilitate cooperative ownership, manage crowd funding initiatives.
  3. Benefits : increasing sustainable food production, increasing regional food security , providing greater urban liveability, preserving community heritage, building resilient regional economies, strengthening communities.

Further Ideas – Green Wedge Projects

  1.  Walking and cycling connectivity
  2.  Old Dandenong Road streetscape improvement
  3.  Establish a Green Wedge care group
  4.  Neighbourhood garden blitz
  5.  Horse trail.
  6.  Wetlands feasibility project .
  7.  Elder Street South open space development project.

These projects aim to provide for a diversity of projects that will allow interested members of the community to work in partnership with Council to improve the presentation of the Kingston Green Wedge. Food for thought?

Climate Change

There is more discussion recently in the media about the need to reduce green house emissions. See an article by Tim Colebatch “Climate change: Abbott must get off the fence” in the Age, June 25, 2013. In the June edition of the Monthly magazine, “The burning truth about coal” by Bill McKibben. He states that “Australia’s coal has to stay in the ground , along with Canada’s oil, and the huge reserves of gas in the US….If that carbon is poured into the atmosphere …the planet will overheat disastrously.” Tim Flannery in the Quarterly Essay, “After the future : Australia’s new extinction crisis” Issue 48 ,2012. This article deals with Queensland and NSW ‘s weakening protection of national and marine parks. NSW’s government’s first action when elected, was to pass legislation, proposed by the Shooters and Fishers Party, to ban the creation of new marine parks and extensions to marine sanctuaries for five years. The former Baillieu government’s attempt to change the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act so that the Secretary of the DSE can exempt logging interests from the need to survey for endangered species in logging coupes. The present State government is planning to open national parks to ecotourism – shooting deer in national parks already takes place. In Western Australia national parks and A-class nature reserves can be resumed for mining. If coal mining is approved in the Galilee Basin, Qld, the Brimblebox nature reserve and three threatened bird species will not survive.

Environment Victoria’s campaign to protect national parks is timely.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 1st May 2013

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Beaumaris Cliff Fossil Site

The opportunity presented itself during the Beaumaris Conversation Society’s 60th birthday party recently to seek support from Bayside Mayor, Stephen Hartney, for MBCL’s nomination of the fossil site. MBCL president invited Dr Erich Fitzgerald to the well attended May KCEC meeting to report on his work at the Beaumaris fossil site and sea ledges. The importance of protecting the site to enable research to continue in future was stressed. Attendees found the lecture absorbing and are grateful to Judy for inviting Dr Fitzgerald along. Well done!

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Letter to the Premier, Hon. Dr. Denis Napthine – RE: Macarthur Wind Farm

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Saturday 20th April 2013,
Letter to:

Hon. Dr. Denis Napthine,
Premier of Victoria,
Level 1, 1 Treasury Place,
Melbourne, VIC 3002

Dear Premier,
Congratulations for supporting the 140-turbine Macarthur wind farm in your electorate. I hope, as the Herald Sun reported last week that you truly believe “those opportunities should be pursued at every opportunity.”

Can you please now support households going solar by improving subsidies but also negotiating better feed-in-tariff terms, which are at the moment so low to be almost negligible. There is also a lot of inequity between those households who are trying to ‘do their bit’ because depending on when you were able to afford solar panels the feed-in tariff varies considerably.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 3rd April 2013

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Beaumaris Cliff Fossil Site

Great news! MBCL’s application requesting that the Beaumaris Fossil Cliffs and Sea Ledge be listed on the National Heritage List has been accepted. Special thanks to Mark Dreyfus QC MP, for assisting our application by appealing to Tony Burke MP., Minister for Sustainability and Environment for his support. Thanks also to Prof. Tim Flannery and Dr Eric Fitzgerald who supported the MBCL application. Dr Fitzgerald has been undertaking research work at Beaumaris. He informed Judy that a Coasts program similar to that seen on SBS, has been filmed at Beaumaris and will be shown at the end of the year. Judy presented the nomination document at the April PPCC meeting and received acclamation from all- including G. Goode no less! Dr. Fitzgerald will be guest speaker at the May meeting of KCEC at Mordialloc Neighbourhood House.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 6th March 2013

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Beaumaris Cliff Fossil Site

Thanks to the hard work of Judy and Mara MBCL’s nomination for the reinstatement of the internationally renowned cliffs on the National Estate Register has been forwarded to Canberra. Judy was able to gather support from Tim Flannery and the curator of Melbourne Museum who is undertaking further research work so that even more important finds may emerge from the site.

Melbourne Let’s Talk About The Future (Metropolitan Planning Strategy)

A successful meeting was held at Cheltenham March 13 where attendees were able to express their concerns about changes to residential zones intended to increase density in middle ring suburbs such as Kingston. This is already happening with a three storey development (24 units) approved for Barkly Street . Meanwhile at

44 First Avenue Chelsea Heights

A developer wants to build 24 houses on LSIO acid sulfate land close to RAMSAR listed wetlands and bird sanctuary. Nina attended the three day VCAT hearing. Because Mentone Shopping Precinct doesn’t have a structure plan to protect it; it is threatened with up to 7 storey developments in the strip.

Important Green Wedge Community Group Representatives Group Meeting

Thursday   4th April 3-4 pm for MBCL, KCEC and Earthcare submitters to present their views of Kingston Council’s adopted plans for the Green Wedge. There is concern because the State Government has weakened planning policy for the area so that schools, churches, low density housing, hotels, hobby farming will be permitted unless council has a firm policy to protect the Green Wedge for the preferred   options expressed by people who attended community consultation meetings e.g open space.

Mordialloc Creek Advisory Committee

Wal reported on the Advisory Creek meeting to discuss issues still to be dealt with following the completion of the creek dredging program. Finding suitable moorings for all boats in the creek is now a problem with some to be moored vertical to the bank and some parallel. Owners of big boats are under pressure from council to move them.Blocks of concrete left under water after stabilising the island’s banks are in urgent need of removal. A request was made for Banksias as shade trees to be planted on the Hazel Pierce Reserve. There is insufficient shade for people picnicking on the Reserve on hot summer days.

The Collins Report

Wells Road., Chelsea Heights. Completion of the first stage revegetation is programmed for Autumn with section between Thames promenade and Mordialloc Creek as part of Stage 2, looking at additional sites where grasses can be sprayed, linking the vegetation , providing understorey revegetation. Further tree planting considered in open grass nature strips.

Edithvale Recreation Reserve drainage works have been completed on 3 soccer and baseball grounds. Improved drainage in Fraser Avenue could include stormwater harvesting and use.

Heatherton Recreation Reserve Project to install an irrigation system that will capture treated storm water collected from adjoining drain and used on a sporting oval and for street tree watering.

Watering due to recent dry conditions resulted in need to increase watering of various streets and gardens and extra resources in terms of staff and allocation of water trucked from Namatjira to Chelsea & Mordialloc. Open space mowing tendered out and considering using ‘green’ equipment using biofuels.

Clean up Australia Day March 3rd. Council sites were the Foreshore and Mordialloc Creek. Approx. 80 volunteers attended and collected 100 bags of rubbish as well as tables, chairs, stereos. A commendable outcome for the month.! Particularly pleasing to note the use of storm water from Heatherton ? Drain for ovals and street watering.

Coast Banksia Blitz

The blitz is on again with a resident at Bonbeach complaining about loss of views due to salt bush and tea-trees on the other side of his fence which, fortunately for him, is stabilising the dunes and thereby protecting residential areas from the impact of storm surges. Retention of vegetation along the foreshore has an important function not often mentioned. It is to establish a natural look and feel of foreshore and retain and enhance a sense of separation from the nearby residential areas. The vegetation then is important in that people enjoying a day at the beach are shielded from the sigh of cars, traffic, large houses and buildings.

Mentone Coastal Precinct Project

The survey for this project on foreshore Crown land would have become known to a very few Beach Road residents had a sign not been spotted hidden away amongst vegetation on the foreshore. The leisure project proposed for the narrow, fragile strip of foreshore at Mentone between Naples Road and Mundy Street should be widely advertised lest the few people letter boxed living along this short section of Beach Road feel that this is their private preserve. Kingston foreshore is a state-owned asset and the City of Kingston is obligated to protect it and manage it on behalf of all Victorians.

Biodiversity and Climate Change Meeting.

A presentation by Dr Yugovish alerted us to the important, once again, of the section of foreshore between the Mentone Hotel and Naples Road because of the remnant indigenous species plants once common in this small section of sandy heathland. Because of the mature tea-trees, Banksias and informal sandy track it is highly valued by residents who like to walk there. Now that the threat of bike track on the cliff top has been averted in favour of a back of kerb track, the problem arises of how the B-o-K track can be built without harming this special piece of foreshore. Clever engineers probably have the answer to this problem especially as the VicRoads has offered to narrow a Beach Road lane where there is significant vegetation.

Marine Science Centre 

The Marine Science Centre is being mooted for Rickett’s Point at Beaumaris Yacht Club. It would be known as the Marine Environment Science and Community Centre. A key focus would be marine research at university levels. Fortunately there are no plans to expand the footprint of the yacht club building and a new design would take into account the threat of sea level rises.

Gazania Removal

Nina has organised a working bee with the Lions club to deal with a clump of this plant on the beach side of the promenade wall near the Lifesaving Club. Council staff will provide tools. Approx 10 people showed an interest in being involved at EV barbecue on Saturday 23rd March. The Lion’s Working Bee will be meeting at the corner of Bay Street and Beach Road 27 April between 10-12pm. Ring Nina for further info

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc.