Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 5th November 2003

Forthcoming Events

Kingston’s Natural Resource Area teams famous Christmas Party for Friends Groups is on again Sunday 7th December at Bonbeach Depot. UAW Peace Rally:- Brunch for Peace at the Beach Saturday 13 December 11am. There will be a small MBCL environmental presence. Come and meet some fabulous women activists! The date of the Panel Hearing Amendment C32 into Kingston’s flood management strategy has been changed to 15th and 16th December. KRAMMED and MBCL are presenting submissions.

Sympathy has been extended to Glen whose mother died this week.

Kingston Environment Network Group

Advertisements were placed in local papers advising Friends groups or individuals that they could apply to become members of the Network. A Community Cabinet Meeting is scheduled for December the 8th at Moorabbin. MBCL members have applied to speak to Ministers on channel deepening, loss of open space and M2030 pressure on local communities through proposals for high rise, high density development around transport hubs. e.g. The 5 storey development proposed for 541 Main Street is now going to VCAT. If approved it will set a precedent for further inappropriate high rise developments in Mordialloc and other activity centres in Kingston.

Peter Scullin Reserve

Plans for traffic management will remove a section of the Hazel Pierce Park for a bus turning/resting space on the creek bank. This is unacceptable because there are alternative sites for that purpose. Brian E. presented an alternative plan to council planners which, it is hoped, will be favourably received by the responsible authority!

Mentone Gardens Group

Committee member, Penny, corrected last month’s newsletter report about 1 funding for beautification work in the Mentone railway gardens. It seems that the funds ! promised for the work, to be provided by the State Government and Council, has not yet been forthcoming.

Guest Speaker – Michael Norris

Guest Speaker, Michael Norris, presented details of the proposed residential development for the CSIRO site in Highett on the boundary of Kingston and Bayside. The Structure Plan in its present form threatens the destruction of seven mature Yellow Box trees, about 20 River Red Gums probably 300 years old as well as orchids, grasses and soil stored seed. Damien Cook states that, “This native vegetation represents the last remaining example in the sand belt region of a once extensive vegetation community.” The Structure plan is also recommended eight storeys or higher for the corner of Bay Road and Nepean Hwy.

Retreat House Cheltenham

Retreat House Cheltenham and botanical garden-like surrounds are also under threat from further residential development. The buildings are worthy of Heritage listing. Development of this site will mean a further loss of parkland for the Cheltenham residents. Cr West to investigate further.

Mordialloc Skateboard Park

Mordialloc Skateboard Park the siting of which is causing considerable confusion due to lack of consultation with local residents adjacent to the proposed site. Environmental concerns were not addressed initially and there appeared to be resistance to a more representative committee presenting alternative views and sites. The site of the former skateboard ramp on the Jack Grut Reserve is most appropriate being accessible to Epsom, Aspendale and Royal Palms Estate but farther enough away from residents not to cause a nuisance. Thanks to Nina and Brian who have thoroughly researched other skateboard sites and interviewed skaters., and to Brian especially who has been a lone voice on the committee presenting a balanced point of view. Attenbourough and the foreshore are NOT suitable sites for this facility – not being a water related (or coastal dependent activity).

Victorian Coastal Awards for Excellence

It was decided at the November meeting to nominate the Natural Resource Area team for this award for their outstanding work with community groups, Friends and local schools, and especially regeneration work on the fore- shore and Mordialloc creek. Thanks to Brian P,Nina and Bill for assistance in compiling the nomination. Fingers crossed!

The Parks

Cr West attended the Open Day at The Grange and was impressed with the chocolate lillies?. Attenborough Park is undergoing drainage works with some damage to bollards used to prevent car parking. Submitters to the Chicquita Park Panel Hearing are anxiously awaiting the ruling. It is expected that the proponent will appeal to VCAT if the decision does not approve the development. The Key Features Report into channel deepening is available at the library – all four thick files! It is possible to
trawl through to find studies that highlight some aspects such as dredge spoil contamination or possible saline intrusion into ground water which may cause salinity problems in the Edithvale Seaford Wetlands if there is a rise in sea level.

GUO Chinese Landscape Painter of the 11th Century.
Watercourses are the arteries of a mountain, Grass and trees its hair, Mist and haze its complexion, Stones are the bones of heaven and earth, Water is the blood of heaven and earth.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc.

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