Kingston foreshore and cliffs

In last year’s report we discussed the building along the foreshore, Lifesaving clubs and Parkdale Yacht Club. These have been finished mostly on their old footprint. Unfortunately, with the threat of Climate Change and increased storm surges, Mentone Lifesaving Club is bigger than the old club and the clay cliffs have been demolished right up to the Around the Bay Bike trail. Less trees have been planted than previously around the parking area and on the cliffs.

The Parkdale Yacht Club has more concrete in the carpark and on the cliff. The Peter Scullin Reserve Play Space has expanded over its original footprint with far more concrete and some trees taken away.

Both the Mentone Lifesaving Club and the Parkdale Yacht Club will have cafes offering food to the public. Originally this was prohibited on the foreshore.

We have written to Councillors on these issues and spoken to officers but the Clubs and individuals with vested personal interests seem to have more sway than the threat of Climate Change and increased population.

With the new incoming Councillors and ongoing Officers, this month we shall again voice our concern about climate change and what needs to be done to ameliorate this worldwide threat in our local environment.

Mordialloc Creek

The Mordialloc Creek Community Meeting agendas have been reported on by our members Travis Howell and Wayne Imlach. Usually there are representatives from the Kingston Council, Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water and reports from Mordialloc’s LXRA at these meetings.

Such important topics such as Mordialloc Creek Master Plan have been discussed but this has been put on hold as well as City of Kingston’s Mordialloc Pride of the Bay Policy update because of the Mordialloc LXRP development and the decision as to which state authorities and Kingston Council will have the responsibility of the upkeep of the Mordialloc Creek.

Also, the new proposed Wetlands has been discussed but the concept design is still 6 to12 months away. Mordialloc Creek Community was disappointed that it has taken so long.

Meanwhile Wayne has kept us updated on the rubbish that comes into the Creek and the state of the litter nets which have been inadequate when there is a rain deluge. Wayne has been very active organising a bus trip for Kingston officers, representatives from the E.P.A, D.E.E.C.A and Melbourne Water, to see from where the rubbish is originating. They looked at Moorabbin Airport and the market gardens in Heatherton for sediment runoff. Direct Factory Outlet is another source of rubbish to be tested. The is traveling down the Mordialloc Settlement Creek into the Mordialloc Creek. Melbourne Water is reviewing these litter nets.

One win we have had is the stoppage of ‘noodles’, (fine plastic pieces) being released from a factory into the Mordialloc Creek. This was achieved by actions from Wayne and Kingston Council’s Open Spaces Manager, Emily Boucher.

Kingston Council is still allowing street litter to be discharged into the Creek via the Pompei drain. This was to be stopped with Gross Pollutant Traps in 2024 but has been deferred by the building of Mordialloc elevated rail by LXRA.

The plans of the new Aquatic Centre (on Governor Rd. by the Mordialloc Creek) have been passed the Council and the ground levelled ready for building. Nina Earl has been concerned about the lighting at night and the possible rubbish that could be emitted from this site onto the Creek area. She has been in discussion on these aspects with Kingston Council officers.

LXRA

Our members have been at early meetings concerning the early plans put for the new Mordialloc Railway precinct. Our concerns are lack of trees in the station area, especially local indigenous trees. The large, white concrete pathways, (big reflection areas in the time of Climate Change) and the threat of further destructive incursions into Groves Reserve, Aspendale for a new road to Nepean Highway and extension of the Bike Track around the Bay. This reserve has an Aboriginal Overlay. Fortunately, I have been selected to be on the Stakeholder Liaison Group to voice these concerns.

Green Wedge

Since the Green Wedges were established by Sir Rupert Hamer and the Metropolitan Board of Works in the 1970’s- ‘the lungs of the city’, they have been steadily eroded. Population growth, pushing increased housing has seen the Wedges decreased to the west of our city. Here, in the southeast Green Wedge, our threat has been the building of ‘stabling yards’ for the Suburban Rail Loop, on Kingston Rd. in Heatherton. The Southeast Green Wedge have valiantly fought this huge, dirty development in our Chain of Parks, with our support. Unfortunately, the state Government has been seen to go ahead with this rail loop. This large stabling yard building has started with the closing of Old Dandenong Rd. We should be constantly alert to further incursions into our Green Wedges.

One excellent observation along our foreshore is the extra planting of indigenous, local trees and grasses.

Thankyou to our wonderful members in our fight to keep a better natural and built environment with the pressures of Climate Change and increased Victorian population.

Judith Fields
President M.B.C.L.