Tony Collins report
KRA notice of AGM March 13 Alan McLean Hall 2pm
Need to fine tune communication between members
Continue to forward on eg Tony Collins report and Mordialloc Creek Community meeting notes
Amended plans have been submitted and commented on. Back in VCAT’s hands.
Until Council have made a decision on extended hours you can still lodge objections.
GOOD NEWS!! It is not often that conservationists win battles in their attempts to protect precious remnants of the environment but this month it was announced that Kingston Council bought 19 Tarella Road! It is a remnant of original bushland undeveloped despite the suburbanisation taking place around it. It will provide much needed open space for Chelsea and Edithvale suburbs which are short of an area like this for non-sporting types to enjoy.
The hearing was conducted virtually which meant that submitters didn’t need to trek into Kings Street. We are now awaiting Planning Minister Wynne’s response to the need to remove this industry out of Kingston’s Green Wedge and into an industrial zone where facilities such this belong.
The pier road toilet block is to go ahead which is unfortunate because it will dominate and block views of the approach to Mordialloc pier/ promenade area. Work is also to commence in the George Woods Reserve with extensions to the Mordialloc Scout Hall to provide a storage area for the 5th Mordialloc Sea Scouts’ boats.
Notification from Council advises of forthcoming works for the final stage of the Bay Trail from Renninson Street to the Nepean Highway. Work is expected to finish in late November. Last month electronic counters recorded 42,000 people trying out the recently completed Stage 2 Bay Trail Mentone LSC to Renninson Street.
An official warning has been issued to foreshore residents from Edithvale to Bonbeach warning them not to drink the ground water from their bores because it contains PFAS (poly-fluoroalkyl) an extremely cancerous chemical.
As part of “improvements” to local parks Council intends to install “new, accessible toilet facilities” at Mordialloc foreshore near the pier and promenade. The design of this large, brick industrial looking building is out of character and will dominate the area.
Kingston Housing Strategy & Neighbourhood Character Strategy will involve higher density housing meaning loss of trees and gardens. This appears to conflict with Creating a Cool Kingston- Urban Cooling Strategy which stresses the importance of trees in developments to reduce the heat island effect. The higher density housing strategy will also impinge on the Mordialloc Heritage Overlay. A submission has been presented to Council requesting that heritage housing in Ormond Street and surrounding streets be considered for an extended heritage overlay.
Better Boating, a State Government project will see the upgrade of the Governor Road boat pontoons in Mordialloc Creek as well as a pontoon south of the highway bridge for disability access.
There may also be a one metre boundary increase around the car park in Governor Road.
This tall, silo shaped building will dominate the Art Deco lamps along the promenade and Art Deco buildings on the Peter Scullin Reserve. Request for information from council resulted in a noncommittal response.
Comment made that people want action on climate change so a letter to be sent to a local paper in support of action being taken by Government. This was done.
A VCAT Hearing in May.Issues arising are the proposed location of offsets after removal of vegetation on the site. a request that some of the $7 million offered by Government for the purchase of open space be spent on purchasing this site. There is a shortage of open space in Chelsea and Edithvale.
A careful watch on work being undertaken along Beach Road by a MBCL member reports that construction appears to be progressing according to the plans approved by Council. While Kingston Council’s plan for the trail from Mordialloc Creek to Carrum proposes to use the Long Beach Trail, LXRA plans to build a bike trail along the Station Street side of the rail line. This will mean removing all existing Banksia Woodland along the rail line. This route is not necessary because there is an existing bike track along the opposite side of Station Street.
Activities being suggested in this survey include festivals, food outlets, camping, dogs, etc. Such activities would require lighting, increased parking space and noise thus creating disturbance for the flora and fauna which is a feature of Braeside Park.
PFAS in Dunlops Drain which flows into Mordialloc Creek. Letter has been sent to the EPA. EPA first contacted August 28. No response for eight weeks so a letter sent- still no response. The matter raised again at the Mordialloc Creek Community Meeting December 2011. Reports on the large amount of plastic entering the creek via local drains in the industrial area.
Golf clubs are under threat from developers seeking to extend housing development into the Green Wedge. Residents are concerned about Kingswood although still used as a golf course, severe pruning of grass is causing concern as a walk with Jeff Yugovich and residents indicated.
Crossing removals on the Frankston Line has resulted in removal of all the indigenous vegetation around the line and stations as work is carried out. It was alarming to find in the Council Agenda a report on LXRA work, an artist’s impression of a completed station surrounded by palm trees which are not indigenous to the Bayside suburbs. A letter has been sent to Head of LXRA, Kevin Devlin and Sonya Kilkenny, local ALP member requesting that any future planting around stations be indigenous trees only. No response from either party’s corresponded with.
Melbourne Water invited submissions for their Draft Flood Management Strategy –Port Phillip and Westernport. Infrastructure upgrades are planned to minimise flood risk especially on the vulnerable eastern side of Port Phillip Bay which has been subject to severe storm surges and flooding since European settlement. Climate change and increased urban development in middle ring suburbs of Kingston has put greater pressure on drainage systems. MBCL has prepared and forwarded a submission the MW Land Development Team.
Once again defenders of the South East Green Wedge are indebted to Barry Ross for his professional defence and success at VCAT. An application for rezoning land to provide for horse agistment, if approved, could have resulted in future subdivision of the blocks for residential development. The Defenders are anxiously awaiting the Planning Minister, Richard Wynne’s,decision on Alex Fraser’s application for a further fifteen year lease for the concrete crusher works on Heatherton Road. This win will provide a valuable precedent for other VCAT Hearing in future.
The speaker at a recent meeting of the Southern Branch of the UAW was the former member for Mordialloc, Janice Munt, now working for a Minister whose portfolio is dealing with family violence. Disturbing facts and figures were presented to demonstrate the increase in the community of this problem. Details can be found in the UAW (Vic) , August 15, newsletter presented by Mairi Neil.
Next meeting of the UAW at Mordialloc Neighbourhood House will be August 15th @ 2pm. Speaker will be Pauline Brown, Labor for Refugees.
Deakin University Researcher , Dr Paul Carnell, a Marine and Freshwater Ecologist, will be speaking at Rickett’s Point 22nd August. Matter under discussion is making a plan for managing a National Heritage Place such as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention and Australian Heritage Council Act 2003.
A discussion paper State Environment Protection Policy (Water) Review included SEPP Waters of Victoria and Groundwater of Victoria. MBCL’s submission concentrated on the importance of protecting groundwater. For example in 1991 of Victoria’s 69,000 bores, over 24,000 were in use supplying sixty Victorian towns totally dependent on groundwater for domestic supplies. Today large potato and carrot producers near Murrayville and Kaniva are relying on groundwater drawn 24/7 from aquifers fed from the Murray Darling Basin. The demand for water in the South Eastern province will continue to grow as the Berwick/Pakenham Growth Corridor develops and future intensification of production, possibly from large foreign owned properties, will increase the demand for groundwater.
Groundwater from the Fyansford-Brighton Group Aquifers in the Southeast Province is considered to be a significant source of water to wetlands particularly to the Carrum Seaford wetlands and is therefore an important beneficial use worthy of protection. Groundwater is subject to the dynamics of underground flow from recharge to discharge areas and to chemical,physical and biological interaction with surface and subsurface environment. The rate of aquifer discharge depends on factors such as climate,vegetation cover and human activities, for example adding waste water contaminants from coal seam gas mining to the rivers and aquifers as is happening to Queensland Rivers and the Great Artesian Basin as a result of fracking. Resource depletion occurs when there is over pumping resulting in confined and unconfined aquifers allowing intrusion of inferior quality groundwater from another aquifer, lake or sea.
REFERENCES FOR GROUNDWATER AND AQUIFERS
Department of Water Resources, Victoria p.250
AGM at LongBeach Community Centre Speaker will discuss the importance of wetlands as a means of absorbing carbon. Watch for date of this important event MBCL members would be welcome as we are also members of PPCC!
There appears to have been some light at the end of the tunnel with the report from Barry Ross, Secretary, defenders of the Green Wedge after a deputation to see the Planning Minister, Richard Wynne. Sustainability Victoria has now acknowledged that the Kingston/Dingley Waste Hub should be located in an industrial area. However the Minister is still considering the Alex Fraser lease application for a further 15 years for the concrete crushing business to remain on Heatherton Road.
Will certainly cause headaches for builders further down the track. Nice new concrete curbing at the Antibes car park will have to be removed when the Bay Trail reaches that point it seems!
EPA has received an application to issue works approval or licences which permit work which will result in a discharge of waste to the environment, or an increase or alteration in existing discharge. Alex Fraser Asphalt Pty Ltd, Dandenong South, is applying for this licence to develop 250,000 tonnes per annum of hot mix asphalt facility.Where will this waste be discharged? Into Dandenong Creek which flows mainly into Patterson River or will some waste enter Mordialloc Creek?
Members currently touring overseas will soon be returning. Card from the Earls in the UK advises that the English Green Wedges are also under threat. A conservative govt disease?
Bronwen’s waterwatch partners have abandoned the cause unfortunately. Work may begin soon on another wetland on the north bank of the creek on industrial land above Wells Road bridge. This may cause silt to flow down stream – hopefully not re-silting the dredged areas down stream from Chute Street boat ramp to the mouth of the creek. Dredging work is proceeding on time and on budget. The Mordialloc Creek Committee’s aims are fortunately in line with environment values supporting retention of boating works and maintenance on the Pompeii site rather certain developments proposed for the site in Mordialloc Structure Plan. The Committee would also prefer to see shade trees on the Hazel Pierce Reserve rather than Canary Island Date Palms classed as invasive weeds in the DSE Invasive Weeds document.
Discussion about what should appear on the website bearing in mind that Tom and Tatania will be responsible for adding material and maintaining the site while involved in their own business. It was suggested that suitable material could be collected and every three months passed on to Tom via Lew. Material to be added could be listed in the newsletter.
Survey results have been compiled and a list of existing and potential Councillors who responded have been passed on to the local papers.
Tony stressed to watch out for Myrtle Rust which is infecting a wide variety of trees and plants in suburban gardens, parks and countryside. It is thought that the Rust comes initially from nurseries. It is important to report to the Department of Primary Industry and sightings of the pest.
The polar cap is shriveling at unforeseen speed according to Professor Steffen (Sunday Age 23 Sept. 2012). “The most radical projection is about 2016 and probably the most conservative projection is about 2030 when the polar cap will be ice free.” Greenland has lost nearly all its ice and some residents are looking forward to mining the previously buried resources. “The speed of events is why scientists are so worried. The only way to stop these thresholds is to cut greenhouse emissions triggering these changes and there are a few signs of that taking place.” It seems most unwise therefore, for the Planning Minister, Matthew Guy to approve development in coastal areas. He believes that no one need worry for 20 years and after that the next generation will have to deal with the outcome!
The Union of Australian Women (UAW) at their last meeting had a speaker who has recently moved to Gippsland – right in the thick of the CSG battle. Mairi Neale has provided excellent notes of the presentation available for anyone interested in the environmental threat.
Anyone wanting to be informed about the Planning Minister’s assault on our suburbs should check the email for a summary compiled by a Green Wegde member from Macedon Ranges. She outlines the impact not only on urban areas but also on the rural zones and farming communities, small towns and villages. Virtually under Guy’s rules anything goes. Third party rights to object no longer exist.
Scheduled to be held at 7:30pm Monday 22 October at Long Beach Place, Chelsea Community Center. Guest Speaker will be Dr Graeme Pearman Climate Scientist. Dr Pearman was Chief Scientist at Aspendale Atmospheric Center for many years and has spoken and written about climate change for decades. Not to be missed.
The internationally renowned fossil cliffs have been removed from the National Estate Register. The Federal Government closed the Register therefore significant sites now have no legal protection. The Federal Minister for the Environment suggested we appeal to have the cliffs registered on the Victorian Estate Register and included a most complex document to be completed for that purpose. Geoffrey Goode, PPCC, claimed that the Geological Society of Government has only registered one site for inclusion on the Register. In the light of the State Govt’s recent treatment of the environment this attitude is not surprising.
There is still time to make a submission to New Residential Zones for Victoria due April 9. Council will hold an information session April 2 designed to explain the NRZs. A limit of 40 persons so need to book. To be held Chelt Council Offices. 6pm – 7.30pm.
VEAC is also calling for submissions for an investigation of remnant vegetation on Crown land and public authority land (greater than 20,000 ha for public authority land ) Sub due 4th May.
Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010-2020. Dept of Environment, Water and Heritage is seeking comment if you are interested in shaping the future of Australia’s biodiversity management. Sub due 29 may 2009.
Living Links Community Workshop April 2 . 6pm -8pm at Springvale Community centre 397- 405 Springvale Road. To develop a master plan of living parks, wetlands, pathways and open spaces .
Macrobiotic Workshop At Briars park April 4th 9.30am -12.30pm . A Melbourne Water initiative
Despite being assured that council acknowledged receipt of correspondence within ten days it took three phone calls and a four month wait to get a response to four letters sent in Nov, Dec, Jan and February to the CEO, Mayor and Planning Manager. Finally in March a letter arrived responding to two of the issues.
Brian and Nina, in consultation with Melanie, have decided to carry out water quality tests in Mordialloc Creek bi-monthly upstream from Wells Road bridge. This site may have to be moved due to construction of wetlands on industrial land on the north side of the creek.
Meeting to ascertain whether there was still support for the back of kerb option for the Kingston section of the Round the Bay bike track. Adrian attended to give a report on Bayside Council’s decision to reject the cliff top option for their section of the path and continue to lobby VicRoads for a back of kerb track. Other issues discussed included Urban Growth Boundaries. It seems that Kingston Council was given three opportunities by the Minister to present a plan to retain green wedge boundaries but never made a submission. AGRA is concerned that council may be considering changes to the southern section of Kingston’s green wedge. MBCL supports AGRA’s request for early consultation on this matter.
Kingston Council withdrew from Supreme Court action to stop Alex Fraser’s concrete crusher setting up on Kingston Road opposite a large school.Alex Fraser has withdrawn their application for the Tootal Road site. Apparently DSE is not impressed with Kingston Council’s plans for the northern Non-Urban Framework Plan. Working groups have been set up to sort out this problematic planning issue.Chain of Parks should be considered.
This was the subject of one of the four letters sent to council and not responded to! The issue was raised with a council officer also but was informed that he didn’t want posts around the reserve to stop cars parking on the grass claiming that ‘it didn’t happen very often’. It was pointed out that posts/fencing have been placed right along Beach Road and in front of the Epsom Road shelter to stop cars parking there. To no avail. Nina has requested that bollards be replaced around ATTENBOROUGH PARK now that bridge work has been completed. This is to prevent Doyles patrons parking on re-seeded areas and under trees.
Stage 2 of the Master Plan to create an island habitat and dog pond is on hold because COK is developing a regional plan for habitat and recreation links as well as environmental improvements. The concept may include Waterways, the Secondary Drain (Centre Swamp Drain), Mordialloc Creek, Yammerbook, Epsom Grassland.
Committee annoyed because Stage 2 funding was obtained for 2008/9 financial year but the regional concept was not conveyed to the committee.Is the Living Links Workshop April 2 the beginning of the regional concept plan??
Melbourne Water will remain responsible for water flow through Waterways wetlands but want the Waterways Steering Committee to take responsibility for vegetation maintenance. The Committee is negotiating with COK re cost of maintenance.
Possibility of Class C recycled water used for sports grounds, parks, gardens and environmental flows. Water would contain nutrients and low salinity levels. Water may be suitable for Yammerbook saline wetlands but how would this water affect Mordialloc Creek? Surrounding councils may be involved.
NRA rangers removing parrot feathers weed from the wetlands possibly as a result of someone emptying an aquarium into the water! Exotic trees have been removed from the grasslands by NRA .Result of a phantom planter.?
Despite drought and hot weather the park is in fair condition. Friends had a propagation session in February at council Bonbeach nursery.
Frankston Marina seems set to go ahead despite very real doubts about the viability of the project and environmental damage caused by inevitable beach erosion . Parks Victoria is responsible for promoting safe boat harbours around the Bay. However this is causing small boat owners considerable angst because of cost of mooring fees likely to accrue. A proposal for a large marina at Queenscliff is another case of where only wealthy yacht owners will be able to afford to use the facilities.A ‘safe shelter from inclement weather conditions’ is a fallacious argument. As G.Goode Eaq says, “ They shouldn’t be out on the Bay in bad weather!”