The Parks
The campaign continues to save Chiquita Park from sale by the Defence Department. The price of valuation by the Friends group was $500,000?for the 3 acres (11⁄2 ha) rather than the $2 million. This assessment was based on the sale of 40% of the F6 freeway reservation at Heatherton near The Heath Park from Centre Dandenong Road to the back of the Kingston Centre. The price was $400,000 for this land.
Port Phillip Conservation Council
New policy statements were discussed at the AGM at Williamstown. Topics included bridges and open space. There has been serious tree vandalism in Reserve Road, Beaumaris. Signs have been erected by their Council at places where trees have been illegaly removed in some cases by developers.
Landscape Leisure Plans
As reported in the May Minutes there is considerable overlap in the Kingston Foreshore Strategy, Mordialloc Structure Plan and the Landscape/Leisure Studies. Submissions to the Landscape Study were summarised by the consultant, May 15th. He reported that views and vegetation were the most often commented on- chiefly by the residents of Beach Road who want to see the foreshore vegetation ‘trimmed’! Submitters found the format of the consultant’s response sheet difficult to understand and fill in because of the small print and amount of text.
Mordialloc Structure Plan
The Structure Plan was launched at the Mordialloc Sailing Club May 15th. Attenborough Park will be considered as part of the Plan. The Mordialloc Sea Scouts and Blue Line Boat Hire, in their submissions, have clearly stated their objection to be being moved off the Island, or from their present position in the Creek in the case of the Blue Line people, to make way for more food outlets or restaurants or to make way for the large motor boats who may want to moor in the creek and presumably sample the haute cuisine from the 24 food outlets in Mordialloc Main Street. The Minister for Conservation, Sheryl Garbutt has refused to finance dredging of the creek or stabilising the Island. However since successive Liberal and Labor Governments are planning to turn Mordialloc into the tourist mecca of the southern hemisphere, perhaps the State Government should reconsider funding maintenance work. Residents need to be aware that three/four storey heights in residential areas is back on the agenda in the Structure Plan.
Foreshore Vegetation
Protection and maintenance of foreshore vegetation is still a controversial issue around Port Phillip Bay with residents and developers illegally removing vegetation to improve views. Beach Road, Mentone residents have been exerting pressure on the environment officers and ward councillor. There has been a need for the EOs to be more proactive in informing these people about the history and importance of foreshore vegetation. With this in mind KCEC and MBCL members have organised a display of before and after photos of the 1969 to present day vegetation restoration program for the foreshore. A petition resulted in a gratifying response during the two Saturday mornings in Chelsea and Mordialloc shopping centres. Coastal planting information was also well received. MBCL supports the Patterson Lakes Village Committee who wants signs offering rewards for tree vandals. A letter was also sent to Indigenotes advising them of the potential loss of indigenous species on Crown land.
Metropolitan Strategy Plan and Green Wedge
Brian and Mary attended a Metropolitan Strategy meeting at Nauru House which was addressed by Lindsay Neilsen, supremo of the DNRE. He is very supportive of globalisation and urban- isation so no joy there for multi-unit development sufferers.
MBCL members were well represented at Moorabbin Town Hall where the Metropolitan Strategy was also addressed – with the ubiquitous butcher’s paper and silly games. Brian and Mary also attended a Defenders of the Green Wedge meeting at the Edithvale Wetland’s Duck Inn a singularly difficult place to find on a dark night. While successive Liberal and Labor Governments prevaricate about signing off on Green Wedge boundaries, developers are carving it up for large residential developments. Proposals for the ‘theme park’ land include a golf course and 444 town houses. This land is south of Hutton Road and east of Springvale Road.
Waterways (The Hains 700 House Development)
This development was launched with a splash this month by ‘Panda’ John Pandazopoulos MP. The media report referred to the creation of a ‘swamp’ surrounded by houses!!
Biosolids / VCAT Hearing
A mediation meeting which community reps were directed to attend was cancelled without notifying us and a date was set for the Hearing again without notifying us. This date is not acceptable. Watch this space!