The Spunner Pavilion, Mentone
A planning permit has been sought to add a kiosk/tea room to the Mentone Lifesaving Club. This will involve additional parking in Beach Road or in side streets. The “sails” on the upper balcony will be visually intrusive and will be seen as far away as Rickett’s Point. It is understood that residents have lodged objections as well as MBCL and the PPCC.
The Gordes Report / Beaumaris Park
MBCL are still awaiting an answer from Sandringham Natural Environment Group indicating whether they would be willing to co-operatively plan the foreshore from Rickett’s Point to Charman Road, Mordialloc with the City of Mordialloc. C. King will contact the City Engineer to see if they will with hold work in the park until a management plan has been completed.
The Agnew Report
A comprehensive report was presented to the committee outlining the work of Parkdale Research. The report claimed that an artificial reef of car tyres has been built off Carrum. This contravenes Environmental policy for the Bay. A new strain of mussel has been detected in the Bay as a result of ballast release. Glen spoke at one of the Braeside workshops organised by Bay Rescue during October. The workshops were very successful with 60 people in attendance.
Pollution of Mordialloc Creek
Enquiries to the Acting City Engineer about the regularity or otherwise of reports to Council concerning creek water analysis were unsatisfactory. It may be necessary to contact Melbourne Water to see if copies of the latest tests are available.
Scott Seymour of Melbourne Water states that it will require millions of dollars to remedy the problem of leachates from the Clarke Road rubbish tip entering drains in Braeside and then Mordialloc Creek.
Environmental Essay Competition
Special thanks to Mara for giving up some of her valuable (and limited) time to judge student’s environmental essays. A request from Mr Rod Atkinson, MHR
for assistance from MBCL in judging was received in October.
Snapper Festival Report
Sincere thanks also to Mara, Chris and Frank who assisted on the stall on Nov 13th at the Scullin Oval. Cards and booklets sold well and 226 people eagerly signed the Clean up the Creek petition which has been sent to the Minister for Conservation, Mark Birrell. We happily shared our tent with the Bayside Home Environment Group. All comments about the Festival were favourable, most people believing it should be an annual event.Congratulations to Bay Rescue who had worked so hard over so many months to organise this event in the face of obstructionism and hostility from some quarters. Well done.
And well done Glen Agnew for your fascinating exhibition of marine life. A great draw card.
An important feature of the Festival was the Coast Walk from St Kilda eventually to reach NSW. Conservation groups escorted the walkers through Bayside municipalities. MBCL was fortunate in having Chris King walk from Cromer Road to the Pier with the group. Thank you, Chris.
Sunday 14th was a delightful day for the Bay Rescue organised tour to the wetlands and Bradshaw and Braeside Parks. Again an informative and enjoyable Festival event.
This will be the last meeting until February. Hope you can make it. If not, Happy Xmas and a green and pleasant New Year.