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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 1st May 2013

Beaumaris Cliff Fossil Site

The opportunity presented itself during the Beaumaris Conversation Society’s 60th birthday party recently to seek support from Bayside Mayor, Stephen Hartney, for MBCL’s nomination of the fossil site. MBCL president invited Dr Erich Fitzgerald to the well attended May KCEC meeting to report on his work at the Beaumaris fossil site and sea ledges. The importance of protecting the site to enable research to continue in future was stressed. Attendees found the lecture absorbing and are grateful to Judy for inviting Dr Fitzgerald along. Well done!

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 6th February 2013

Meetings

Cheltenham Community Centre, 2-12 Chesterville Road ,6.30pm . Melbourne talks about the future – a discussion paper prepared by the Ministerial Advisory Committee for the Metropolitan Planning Strategy for Melbourne. Nine principles are identified to align Planning Minister Guy’s proposed zoning reforms, including the need to protect housing change and established retail outlets.(shopping strips). Importantly also is emphasis on environmental risk associated with anticipated sea level rise due to climate change and floodplain management. RSVP 9583 0095

Environment Victoria

Barbecue at Peter Scullin Reserve 12-2pm March 23 .This is part of EV’s Campaign to highlight the Baillieau’s government’s destruction of environment protection of parks, forests, marine reserves. Farmland is also under threat as result of mining exploration in all of Victoria’s most significant parks.

Bradshaw Park

Friends have applied to council for a name change for the park to be called Bradshaw Bushland Reserve to correctly reflect the nature of the reserve. The murals on the hut have been graffitied and cannot be removed. So Council proposed to rep-paint murals with a graffiti-proof paint featuring local flora and fauna . Original murals were painted by St Bede’s students 1999-2010 Artists work can be seen at Cheltenham.

Parkdale War Memorial

Disappointing to find an enlarged garden bed featuring non-indigenous flowering plants and palms around the memorial as well as a large expanse of dark grey concrete placed between two sections of the granitic sand bike path. Sand coloured bike paths blend with the foreshore environment and have been placed around the Peter Scullin Reserve and Mordialloc Pier.Unfortunately an even larger slab of dark grey concrete now covers a section of the Mundy Street car park and connects with a section of the granitic sand bike path. DSE policy states that locally indigenous plants are to be used on Crown land around Port Phillip Bay.

Mordialloc Creek Friends Group

Mordialloc Creek Friends Group have received a grant of $9000 to revegetate the north and south banks of Mordialloc Creek between Wells Road Bridge and the Chute Street boat ramp.

Mordialloc Creek

Melbourne Water staff have contacted Bronwen re the creek water monitoring program. The program had been halted because of a health and safety issue . We are indebted to Bron for her involvement in this scheme.

Mordialloc Creek Advisory Committee

Mordialloc Creek Adivsory Committee met to discuss outstanding issues following the completion of creek dredging. Further work is required replacing mooring poles. Smaller boats will have to moor closer to the bridge where the creek is narrow with larger boats mooring closer to the mouth of the creek. The Pompeii Site also came under discussion as leases are due for renewal. A small artists’ colony is ensconced in one of the smaller sheds along the rail line. The Creek Advisory Committee (February 26) were happy to have a group helping to keep alive the fishing village/boat building atmosphere of the area.. It was suggested that a Men’s Shed would fit quite well in this area also allowing boat owners and fishermen a place to relax and repair equipment.

Beaumaris Cliffs Fossil Site

Judy and Mara are preparing a submission to be sent to Federal Environment Minister Burke requesting that the internationally renowned Beaumaris cliffs be restored to the National Estate Register. If not the National Estate then possibly the Victorian Register although it is understood that the Victorian Government doesn’t show much enthusiasm for protecting sites of significance.

Herb-Rich Plants Wetlands / Woodlands and related EVCS

Aree under threat at the proposed Mordialloc Creek wetland upstream of Wells Road Bridge, and also where the Dingley Bypass connects with Westall Road. The 2008 consultant’s report was peer reviewed by Dr Yugovich this year. More plants were found at both sites possibly due to the recent wet season. A presentation to council on both issues has resulted in Melbourne Water deferring construction and further consultation with both MW and VicRoads in an attempt to save the rare plants from destruction.

Chelsea Heights 44 first Avenue

A proposal to permit a subdivision with 25 houses on a floodway zone is being opposed by Kingston Residents Association and a coalition of environment groups – KCEC and MBCL. The development borders the edge of the RAMSAR listed wetlands. The impact on these wetlands includes: disruption of acid sulfate soil and possible contamination of water quality int he wetlands because of the potential for flooding. The proposal is to excise 1.3 hectares from an urban flood zone formerly the Carrum Carrum Swamp which flooded regularly. 1934, 1952, 1969, 1994 etc. Insures are warning that thousands of Australians are facing soaring insurance premiums for flood coverage. Melbourne Water told the 8th Victorian Flood Conference that Melbourne, Port Phillip and the Westernport Region face significant flood challenges. The City of Kingston has 11,000 flood prone properties .. 44 first avenue is one of them.

Bay Trail

The final section of the Bayside Bay Trail is now under construction back of kerb! At the Council meeting Februrary 15th, Cr Gledhill successfully moved that Kingston’s section of the Bay Trail, Charman Road to Mordialloc Creek, should also be back-of-curb. At last! it might be pushing our luck but a Melbourne Water officer was asked to consider formalising the bike path on the south levee bank of Mordialloc Creek from Wells Road Bridge to Bowen Road. This would create a safe off-road bike track from Braeside park to Mordialloc Foreshore and/or a round trip off-road to Patterson Lakes. If the track was on the raised levee bank it would be possible to view the hills, wetlands and Braeside park instead of a dirt bank and back of houses. Here’s hoping!

Kingston’s Biodiversity Strategy Review

The review is now underway. It would be reassuring if the following guidelines were included in the revised version of the strategy:- Increase the quantity and protection of native vegetation including cliff tops and dunes; improve connectivity of habitat corridors across Crown Land; recreate structural elements (e.g. tree layers, shrub layers and ground layers) to aid rehabilitation of communities that occurred at the site prior to white settlement; use only indigenous coastal plant stock propagated from local gene pools from progeny from remnant populations from Kingston, Bayside or Frankston; use indigenous vegetation to soften the visual impact (as viewed from the beach and other public places) of hard landscape elements such as houses, and other buildings, cars (parked or otherwise) car parks, roads, paths, toilet blocks, etc; provide additional shade by planting indigenous trees; with regard to structures on the Victorian coast, be sympathetic to coastal character and pay attention to the effect of extreme coastal weather on the built environment.

Banksia Backlash

Banksia Backlash has again broken out at Bonbeach where a gentleman looks over his fence at a sand dune and salt bush and whines that ‘his view’ has ‘been dramatically reduced’. Most houses along the foreshore strip are two storey hence he could see over the dune- or else he could open his gate and walk to the water.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 3rd October 2012

Environment Victoria

Following Mike Power’s visit to our October meeting it was decided that we would participate in EV’s Reclaim Victoria’s Environment campaign by holding a street stall in the Main Street. Actions taken by the Baillieu Government have seen a reduction in protection of significant environmental features throughout Victoria. These include the Coastcare program slashed, approving an open-cut gold mine in the heart of Wombat Forest near Daylesford, returning cattle grazing in the Alpine National park, urban sprawl continuing with an announcement of six more suburbs for Melbourne covering productive farmland and green wedges. There are already approx. 100 policy reversals and no end in sight. Equally disturbing is the Federal Government’s decision to hand over national environment approval powers to State Governments, six of which have Coalition governments.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 1st August 2012

Beaumaris Cliffs National Estate Register

The important Beaumaris Red Bluff Sand Cliffs were removed from the National Estate Register (along with hundreds of other significant sites in 2004) leaving the cliffs without legal protection. Correspondence with Mark Dreyfus and Tony Burke, Minister fro Environment, advised that we could apply for the cliffs inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register. However Geoffrey Goode,(PPCC) found after discussion with the Victorian Geological Society, that it is almost impossible to have any site accepted for listing in Victoria. Documents provided would require an astute legal eagle to deal with them.

Canary Island Date Palms Hazel Pierce Reserve

A letter from DSE A/Manager Environmental Planning Port Phillip Region, advises that the DSE prefers that all re-vegetation on coastal Crown land utilize indigenous species. DSE does not support the planting of Canary Island Palms on coastal Crown land and will advise City of Kingston of this. Canary Island Palms are listed in DSE’s “Advisory list of Environmental weeds of coastal plains and healthy forests bioregions of Victoria.” Letters were sent to Kingston CEO.

Meetings Attended

Wal attended a Beyond Zero Emissions meeting dealing mining emissions as a result of coal exports to China, India. 400 people attended. He also attended a meeting at Beaumaris Yacht Club attended by groups from around the Bay. issues affecting foreshore and waters of the Bay. Beaumaris Bay .

Waterwatch

Dredging work on the section of Moridalloc creek between the rail and road bridges is proceeding on time and on budget. Melbourne Water is planning to begin construction of wetlands on industrial land above Wells Road bridge. This work will connect with Waterways wetlands and may further help in improving water quality.

Green Wedge Management Plan

The plan was approved by Council 27th August with compromises that did not suit all land owners nor the Southeast Greenwedge Coalition. Nor was Lady Hamer happy with the Baillieu Government ignoring Premier Hamer’s plan to prevent development in the green wedges the lungs and green spaces of Melbourne. 6000 hectares of former green wedge land will be subject to plans for development including shops, sawmills, schools and petrol stations. Special thanks to Cr West who has valiantly fought to preserve Kingston’s green wedge for future generations – with able support from Crs Shewin and Staikos.

Council Pre-Election Survey

A meeting organized to meet council candidates was attended by four women who, if elected, will be a much needed antidote to Kingston’s present testosterone posturing at meetings.

The Collins Report

The NRA sites and foreshore were audited in July. We look forward to results as promised at the September meeting. The Horticulture crew assessed approximately 20% of sites managed by the crew to check on plant survival, mulch depth, weed cover, litter and quality pruning. The crew achieved 97% successful result. Rock wall at Carrum built to prevent beach erosion is nearly completed. Yammerbook Reserve has received draft detailed designs from Jeavons Landscapes but need to confirm flood levels with information provided by Melbourne Water prior to obtaining final approval and signing a licence agreement. National Tree Day proved to be very successful for council’s team with 80 people from a wide spectrum of volunteers and public and private schools planting along Mordialloc Creek, Kingston foreshore and reserves. An Interfaith Group planted 600 plants in an hour at Carrum foreshore on Saturday 28th July during National Tree Day.

Bay Trail

We understand the Vicroads plans to narrow Beach Road to Australian standards as a safety measure claiming that a wide road encourages speed whereas a standard width road would discourage speed. Should the narrowing eventuate it would simplify the locations of Kingston’s section of the Bay Trail on the verge of Beach Road to conform with the successful Bayside bike trail.

Barkly Street

Three storey 24 unit development may go to VCAT 19th November. Matthew Guy’s New Planning Zones will replace Res Zones 1,2,3 with zones allowing three to four storey’s in suburban streets and a a mixture of business activities in Activity Zones. (i.e our suburban shopping strips and housing on the fringe.) Third party objection will no longer apply where a development conforms with the new zones.

Port Phillip Conservation Council AGM

Will be held at 7.30pm Monday 22nd October at Long Beach Place Chelsea Community Center, 15 Chelsea Road. Guest Speaker will be Dr Graeme Pearman. Should not be missed. Dr Pearman, former head of CSIRO Aspendale Atmospheric Center was warning of climate change three decades ago – as were many other scientists such as Barry Pittock also a scientist at Aspendale.

Pompei Site

The site appears to be under threat according to an Age article 30th August “Local Legend’s son in deep water over family’s creek lease.” According to Mordialloc Structure plan no matter what development was planned for the area boating repairs, launching and possibly apprenticeship courses for boat builders were to be retained on site as part of the attraction of Mordialloc Creek and environs. Without boating activity and character Mordialloc would lose the “timeless unsophisticated quality which is perhaps one of its greatest assets.” This is according to Mordialloc Foreshore & Environs Strategy Plan for Mordialloc City Council November 1987 by Tract Consultants. Mordialloc Structure Plan endorsed the proposal to retain structures that would enable small boat owners to repair and launch their boats and if possible to have a museum of wooden boat building.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 4th July 2012

Mordialloc Bypass

The extension is being actively canvassed by certain residents who think the extension may remove traffic from Wells Road. The MPFE is opposed by those who will be most affected by a proposed flyover – namely Waterways, Palm Grove, Royal Palms and Dingley Village residential estates. MBCL was asked to supply flyers to alert residents. MBCL has had a long standing opposition to the MPFE believing that freeways don’t reduce traffic but encourage greater use of motor vehicles.

George Woods Reserve Playground

Plans to discuss with the kindergarten parents’ committee an alternative location of the proposed regional playground. Kinder parents are claiming they need a larger car park and an extension of the kinder building all of which will mean an encroachment into the Arboretum. The committee also claims that drug taking and vandalism takes place behind the kinder building so lights and cameras are required – and no doubt toilets and barbecues. The corner of Parks and Governor Road is dangerous as B-doubles and other commercial traffic travel at speed at that corner frequently causing accidents. Council has taken a survey of traffic density and speed. MBCL have advocated relocating to the existing playground opposite Bertram Street where there is a toilet and barbecues, clear visibility from road and the car park and housing opposite. A bust stop is nearby. Goodbye Arboretum!

Dredging Mordialloc Creek

Baffles are being installed near the mouth of the creek. Dredging is proceeding in Attenborough Park between the road and rail bridges with dredge spoil de-watered and loaded onto trucks and transported to Geelong.

Waterwatch

No report on Mordialloc Creek this month but Waterwatch reports that Dandenong creek, which feeds into Patterson River, is undergoing a $1.6 million upgrade. Unfortunately this is hampered by excessive illegal dumping of mattresses, building materials, waste from meat and fish purveyors and panel beaters. Fortunately Dandenong Creek is diverted down Patterson River at Pillars Crossing so that Mordialloc Creek should be spared this pollution.

Green Wedge Management Plan

The plan in draft form is available now but the final report is being kept under wraps while plans are being devised within house to allow more development in Kingston’s Green Wedge. Council meeting to release the plan is held over until the August meeting.

Pre-Election Survey

A survey and forum have been organised to be held prior to council elections. Council has organised a meeting to advise candidates of their responsibilities if elected.

MBCL and Mordialloc Village Committee

Both groups have expressed our concern at the removal of trees in the median strip in Nepean Highway from Mordialloc to Moorabin. Trees are to be replaced with grasses such as Lamandra or similar and possibly a few trees. The usual reasons are given for removal of indigenous is that “they have passed their used by date, they are dangerous, etc.” The type of post and wire fence now lining the median strip is called the “shredder” by motorcyclists.

Masonic Hall

The Masonic Hall was open to community members, Councillors for inspection. The building has interesting features such as a Baltic pine ceiling to lower hall and steel beams made by a UK company who built Sydney Harbour Bridge and is still operating. Both upper and lower halls have hard wood paneling, staircase and a unique flue ventilation system. Hall is grand in an understated way. Well worth preserving. A reference group of KCC, community members will be formed. An MBCL member has applied.

The Collins Report

NRA Sites and Foreshore Reserves are due to be audited in July. Assessment includes weed over, indigenous cover and number of plants installed, minimum target is 92%. Horticulture audits also taking place with an assessment of 20% of sites looking at plant survival, weed cover and pruning, target 90%.

Upgrade of Long Beach Trail which is heavily used by community and cyclists. Track requires constant resurfacing. parks will look at all gravel paths in open space areas to ensure that they are regularly maintained. Bushfire Mitigation discussion paper by energy Safe Victoria. ESV has requested councils to comment on key issues within the document such as High Bushfire Risk Areas and responsibility of pruning trees in locations that are identified as having a high bushfire risk.

Friends of Heatherton Park and students from Westall Secondary College and Sprint Parks West Campus planted 600 plants 29th June. Following recent rains a number of reserves are so wet that vehicles are encouraged to remain off site until further notice. Friends of the Grange AGM was held 11th July. Guest Speaker – Tony Collins.

Bottle Shops and Poker Machines

Traders in railway Parade, Dandenong have had a victory in opposing a bottle shop in their area and close to a primary school on the grounds of density of bottle shops. 12 extra poker machines were approved by KCC after conducting a survey of residents, 75% of whom said that there were too many EGM’s in Kingston. Council sent out a further survey to residents – for what reason?

Bay Trail

Two residents living on Beach Road are taking an interesting in the Bay Trail but unfortunately not totally in support of back of kerb. Seemed to have been swayed by the tired old argument – there will be a loss of parking. There has been no loss of parking where vehicles have parked kerbside in Mordialloc from the reek to Rennison Street since 1984 occupying one lane without accident or complaint by the same Councillors who are now bleating about “loss of parking.”

55-57 Barkly Street

Went to Practice Day Friday 27th July. Planning Minister Guy’s changes to planning regulations will not provide security from high density development in our suburbs.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 6th June 2012

Living Kingston 2035

The meetings were well attended by MBCL / KCEC members – much to the chagrin of certain councillors who commented that attendees were mostly environmentalists! It was comforting to hear others expressing the same concerns about inappropriate development in suburban streets and increasing traffic congestion as a result. Encouraging also to have a staff member at our table who was passionate about water sustainability. Kingston has been recognised as being in the vanguard with ground breaking initiatives in that field.

Union of Australian Women

The UAW invited a speaker from The Climate Institute to explain the impact of Australia’s carbon price on sections of the community e.g. low income family, single parent, middle income family, single person, pensioner couple, etc. The case was made that the impact would not be as severe as it is portrayed by some politicians. The Institute is willing to speak to any groups interested to learn more about carbon pricing.

Bay Trail

The Leader has finally printed Stephen’s article based on the FOI report about the unsuitability of the promenade as a section of the Bay Trail. Kingston CEO stated that “the cost to upgrade the entire promenade was far beyond the scope of the council”. Rod’s DVD about the back of kerb favoured route for the Bay Trail is now up on Youtube. We have discovered other supporters of the back of kerb option and hope to liaise with them soon.

Waterwatch

Bronwen reports no change in water quality tests. The large brown plume from Mordialloc creek after steady rain recently was clearly visible as it moved, as usual, towards Mentone due to south westerly wind. Sat June 2nd Mordialloc Creek Working Bee was a productive session removing weeds on the north bank near Jack Grut reserve.

Mordialloc Creek Master Plan

Wal reported on the dredging work in the creek. All small boats between the rail and road bridges will have to be moved while dredging is occurring. A 50 by 20 metre concrete slab has been placed in Attenborough Park to provide a stable base for the dredge and trucks removing dredge spoil. It is hoped to finished the work in October when vegetation will be replanted to replace that which has been removed.

Mornington Freeway Extension

This issue has reared its ugly head again after lying dormant for many years. The Resurrection is due to AGRA continually agitating for the freeway believing that it would relieve traffic on Wells Road. Since this road was first mooted by VicRoads in 1985, four residential developments had been built adjacent to the proposed route of the freeway and will therefore be affected by noise and air pollution. Flyovers over Governor Road and Mordialloc Creek will destroy the tranquility of the creek, wetlands and Braeside Park. Submissions can be forwarded to VicRoads until July 13.

The Collins Report

Changes to the draft plans for Yammerbook are currently being considered by the committee before being sent to Melbourne Water. Quotes will then be obtained for paths and viewing platforms.

Floods. SES/MW have developed a partnership in building a community flood response in the Central Region. This includes community education and consultation.

Friends of the Grange AGM July 11th at the Clarinda Centre at 7.30pm. Speaker and showing a DVD of the control burn.

Recent audit of Kingston’s Street Management  by Energy Safe Victoria. ESV  intends to check on all Councils to ensure compliance with regulations.

Bradshaw Park is proposing a name change to Bradshaw Bushland Reserve.

A new Cyclone fence along the railway line is needed. Sharing cost of some will be investigated.

FESW Wetland Plant and Weed ID with Dr. Graeme Lorimer (Biosphere Discovery Centre) discussed role of Phragmites australis’s (Common Reed) role in removing nutrients in the creek and waterways. The reeds are important in preventing bank erosion and providing habitat for ducks and indigenous water rats.

Carrum Foreshore Precinct

MBCL / KCEC were impressed at planting and reveg work after our successful escorted tour of the precinct. However we question the need for a toilet at the northern end when there are toilets nearby at the Life Saving Club. The toilet would be across the road form houses which already suffer from anti-social behaviours especially at night in summer time.

Further Loo Blues

Cr Dundas wants the heritage listed toilet at Mundy Street car park demolished and a unisex disabled persons toilet installed instead. It seems the recently renovated heritage building will remain but the unisex toilets will be installed somewhere along the foreshore at Mordialloc, Mentone and Carrum.

Wind Turbines

The Leader interviewed MBCL secretary re: Kingston’s green energy program. While use of solar panels was praised it was also stated that there might be a role for a single turbine in selected areas. This provoked a heated reaction from a resident which in turn was rebutted by a Mentone resident! (Leader 25 June)

Playgrounds

An excellent article on The Age June 9, re: children’s playgrounds. The city reporter claims that children should be able to play in the dirt, ride bikes, build cubby houses and splash around in the creek. That is how children yearns to play according to a unique program that asked young people what kind of outdoor spaces they desire. They want challenging bike paths, lots of hills they could roll down, rocks they could scramble around, places to hide and branches and leaves to build treehouse and cubbies. The ideal place for this type of playground will be the George Woods Reserve wouldn’t it?

Masonic Hall

Necessary repairs have been done. Rear courtyard wall has been demolished for unknown reasons and before the community has been able to view the building.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 2nd May 2012

Bay Trail

Special thanks to Stephen for successfully accessing the confidential FOI report on the bay trail which confirms the independent engineer’s report that the promenade option would be too dangerous, expensive and environmentally damaging to the cliff face for a recreational bike path. Stephen was also successful in putting the bike path DVD on Youtube and sending article re: the bike path to The Leader. Very well done indeed!! Thanks also to Sandringham Bugs whose idea it was for the DVD. A great result.

Correspondence

Nina has written supporting a Wildlife Corridor stretching form Darwin to Adelaide. MBCL sent a sub to Victoria’s Greenfields Mineral Project Development 22nd July. The Committee’s report confirms our fears that mining companies want to ‘fast track’ or remove environmental legislation. Of the 60 submissions received, 30 were in favour of mining, 26 expressed concerns for the environment. Of these only eight were environment or land care groups. MBCL was one of the eight. Fortunately the EDO and EV were well represented. VEAC invited submission for a Marine Investigation possibly because mining could take place in Marine Reserves also. KCEC write to DSE objecting re: Council’s proposal to again plant Canary Island date palms around Hazel Pierce Reserve at a cost of  a quarter of a million dollars.

Mordialloc Creek Master Plan

A meeting on Lambert Island to discuss the next stage of creek dredging was told that all the wooden boats in the section between the road and rail bridges would have to be removed. A problem for owners because old wooden boats may not survive long periods out of the water. Dredging commences at the Chute Street boat ramp which will be closed. Concern that red gum and banksia saplings were removed from the creek bank in Attenborough Park. Council has fined the contractor and money will go to replanting when dredging ins complete.

Green Wedge

Inga Peulich, MP’s questionnaire invites people to “tell me your views on Kingston Green Wedge.” Unfortunately questions were of the push polling variety. Final copy of the green wedge is now available. Will council adopt the report as is or accept it for consideration? KCEC and other groups have responded to an article in the Moorabbin Leader where a land owner was seeing to increase the value of his land by pressuring Council to have it rezoned out of the green wedge. It is claims that the Bailieu Coalition Government wants Kingston’s green wedge to stay in place!! Can it be??

Melias as Street Trees

Joan presented material from the World Wildlife Foundation describing melias as of Asian Origin – likely to “jump over the garden wall”. Kingston Council is planting melias extensively throughout the city. It is claimed that an “elite” version of melia doesn’t produce the poison berries that they normally do, however the tree will require regular pruning due to the width it will grow. Disappointing that indigenous trees are being overlooked.

The Vision Thing

Council has devised ten topics to shape the future of Kingston and invited residents to attend forums to represent their views. MBCL reps have attended several. Living environment, built environment, free moving and accessibility city and recreational spaces are of interest to MBCL/KCEC members.

The Collins Report

Melbourne water have given in principle support for a revised draft consultant’s plan for Yammerbook. Tony presented a large aerial photo of Yammerbook displaying the lakes and revegetated areas.

Kingston council participated in a Benchmark Survey to assess park users satisfaction with a  range of activities in parks and ranked sixth out of 17 councils surveyed.

An Ecological Control Burn took place in Bradshaw Park on Friday 13th April.

Construction in Namatjiria Park wetlands and storm water harvesting system is scheduled to be completed in early June 2012. 13,000 aquatic plants and water bodies will be the responsibility of Melbourne Water. New seats, bins, new drinking fountains, boardwalks and a new bridge will be installed to span the width of the new wetlands. Council invested $200k in the $5 million project.

Brian asked about the route of a road adjacent to Rowans Woodland.

Penny reported that The Grange now has a camera to record growth of plants.

Carrum Foreshore

During the foreshore tour for KCEC/MBCL members April 17th plans for Carrum foreshore were explained. Need for erosion control was to be addressed with a  high bluestone wall built on the footprint of the Carrum Motor Yacht squadron building. A boardwalk will be built on top of the wall making it quite high. Of concern to residents is the installation of toilets at this point within 11 metres form the nearest house. Toilets will be available in nearby Carrum Lifesaving Club. The Patterson River mouth is a popular drinking spot for young people in summer. Because of the height s of the wall people will be able to see into the windows of nearby houses. This is the same situation to that existing at Gnotuk Avenue, Edithvale where anti-social behaviour makes residents lives miserable in summer.

Pre-election Survey

Suggested that a candidate survey be prepared for the forthcoming council election. MBCL files contained a KCEC survey for an earlier election and may be of some use in preparing the 2012 version. Members could be thinking of useful questions prior to MBCL/KCEC meetings when the final drafts will be discussed.

The Lamington Tree

They are progressing with the MBCL website at present concentrating on current issues. Hopefully historical material will be sorted and added to the site before long. The company is prepared to maintain the site. Bicycle track material will be some of the first information to be added – including the DVD

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 14th March 2012

Three Pieces of Rubbish

Walter reports that Port Phillip Conservation Council supports a scheme whereby people visiting bayside beaches take three pieces of rubbish home in addition to their own rubbish. Walter also reports that Beaumaris Motor Yacht Club is presently going though the EES process. It will be an act of environmental vandalism if that project is approves in a National Estate Registered site. Bayside Conservation Society are concerned at the number of trees to be removed for the back of kerb bike track.

Mordialloc Creek Master Plan

The pedestrian bridge form Hazel Pierce Reserve to the island is now off the agenda. Unfortunately an avenue of Canary island palms alongside the reserve is still on the agenda. The State Government has given sea scouts on the island $75,000 for repairs of their club house. All good news. Unfortunately the Arboretum in the George Woods is still threatened with a large regional playground. The Arboretum was planted in 1926 and should be retained a s a pleasant quiet space.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 5th October 2011

Busy Month

Another Busy Month for Members with meetings accumulating. Mordialloc Creek Master Plan released for public comment. Concern about a proposed bridge from the Hazel Pierce Reserve to Lambert Island may increase vandalism of expensive yachts if the bridge permits public access to the island.The seascouts should remain on the island despite plans to relocate them. Obstruction of the view from the road bridge and Doyle’s deck along the creek to the Bay is worrying aspect. The relocation of the proposed large regional playground from the Arboretum to the present small playground with toilets, a bus stop and car parking adjacent makes sense to most people.Discussion about the future of the Pompei shed. Could funds be found to create a boat building -training school with a three-way funding scheme e.g. Government, council and tertiary education? Consultants favourable comments on Arboretum in George Woods Reserve:: Existing and established indigenous and exotic trees improve the aesthetic and ecological value of the park.

Kingston Conservation and Environment Coalition AGM

KCEC AGM 19lh October was devoted to the Kingston Green Wedge Plan. Cr Staikos gave a comprehensive description of important features of the plan, followed by Ken Carney ,AGRA president and then David Madill from Dingley Residents Association. Five Kingston Councillors were present.

Meeting at Mordialloc Neighbourhood House 3rd November from 1pm to 3pm to workshop Green Wedge submissions. Meetings also at Dingley International Hotel organized by the consultants and council for stakeholders input.

Waterwatch

Bronwen reports that the last water quality tests in Mordialloc Creek at Bowen Road revealed high salt levels. Discussion continuing regarding funding for this program. Melbourne Water introduced a Water Initiatives 2050: an Integrated Water Management Strategy for Melbourne’s South East at Kingston Council 20 October. The strategy’s objectives are to : Provide customer choice, optimise resources and infrastructure , improve the health of waterways and the water environment (including groundwater) and create community value. Nina and Wal attended this meeting. Submissions are invited.

Bay Trail

At the September council meeting Cr Dundas presented a fifth option for the Bay Trail at the last minute—his preferred promenade option. This option hadn’t been seen by other councillors. Despite this and the fact that independent engineering studies condemned this route as being too dangerous, five councillors voted in favour of the fifth option. To counteract this farce Cr West successfully presented a proposal to begin the Kingston section of the Bay Trail at Charman Road back-of-kerb to Munday Street. This was passed amidst applause from the gallery! We appreciate Rod’s work on this ongoing saga. Letter to Ed once again nat printed/

The James Report (in lieu of Collins report).

Lee was apprised of water skiing on Yammerbook Lake. Nina reports that council has no jurisdiction over Melbourne Water land. By Laws Officers don’t operate at weekends when this activity occurs. Ken Carney, AGRA, has been informed. and is negotiating with MW and council for council to take over management of this area and for By laws Officers to operate at weekends.

Chicquita lawn area is to be completed.

The Grange had a successful Open Day with planting of 400 plants and new members attending.

NRA have a new trainee. Bede is continuing in the role of Tree Establishment Supervisor.

Dead trees have been removed from the Hazel Pierce Reserve.

Concern that there appears to be an avenue of trees shown in the Mordialloc Creek Master Plan along the bank of the creek on the promenade path.

60 trees have been removed along the Long Beach Trail to Patterson River. Claimed that tree roots were blocking the secondary drain.This will detract from the pleasure of riding or walking along the trail where the trees were such a feature.

CONDOLENCES at the death of Professor Michael Buxton’s father, Malcolm at 90 years of age. Both Malcolm and Michael were City of Mordialloc councillors in the 1970s and with other councillors, successfully opposed a marina being built at the foot of Charman Road and later opposed two pipelines crossing the Bay.

Thanks to Geoffrey Goode, PPCC, for passing this information on via Nina.

Sustainable Transport

MBCL was invited by Environment Victoria^Leicester Street, 13 October to a forum on sustainable transport. The State Government has cut EV funding for this project which they have been working on for ten years. Those in attendance were a rep from VICOSS, GAMUT from Melbourne University, VLGA president who is also a councillor: from Yarra Ranges, a resident rep from Ballarat, Paul Prentice from Friends of Merri Creek and your secretary. Discussion on how EV can continue to assist volunteer groups to achieve sustainable transport.

Environment Effect State Process in Victoria

Report has been received. Interesting to note that the second (SEES)Panel Hearing into dredging of Port Phillip Bay shipping channels came into severe criticism about its failure to allow questioning of POMC’s expert witnesses. Chairman Alan Hawke said this should not happen again. Brad Jessop, a young lawyer who was one of POMC’s team during the first EES, has carried out an extensive study of the second SEES and is also critical. Blue Wedges is quoted frequently. Even MBCL gets a mention!

Western Port And Peninsula Protection Council

Western Port and Peninsula Protection Council is turning 40 this year and so is RAMSAR. Celebrations are occurring 27th October at Somers Yacht Club. WPPC was a foundation member of Blue Wedges and is continuing in their campaign to protect Westernport from becoming the “Ruhr of Victora” -the aim of Premier Bolte in 1967.

Recycling Opportunities in Kingston

Liz has prepared a useful list of sites for you to recycle a variety of used items. Check KCC’s website or Planet Ark’s website.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 7th September 2011

Correspondence

Members have once again been busy completing submissions on a variety of issues with more to come. For instance an important response to Kingston’s Draft

Green Wedge Plan Due November 11th. If time permits letters could be sent to the Federal Government re sale of farmland and water rights to foreign owners, letters re damage to farmland and aquifers from coal-seam gas mining and Geelong Environment Council and Friends of Eastern Otways would like support to stop open cut mining on the Anglesea Heathlands.

Incoming a card from Penny who is enjoying a visit to rels in lovely Cornwall.

Kingston Conservation & Environment Coalition AGM

AGM 19TH October at Mordialloc Neighbour House beginning at 7.30pm. Interesting speakers reporting on the draft plans for the Southeast Green Wedge. Submissions due November 11.

Coast Care Forum

Walter gave a report on this forum held at Williamstown in September. An executive body is required to proceed with policies raised by three groups ranging from coastal groups from around the Victorian coastline. Coastal Council Policies will apply.

Dredging of Mordialloc Creek

has come to a halt due to difficulty with polymers which are necessary to bind the toxic sludge before it is consigned to a waste disposal site(rubbish tip) No-one seems to know when dredging will resume. This may hamper boating activity as summer approaches.The most toxic substance is behind Lambert Island where it has settled after years of boat maintenance plus contaminants from upstream.

Waterwatch

Bronwen reports on Kingston Council’s withdrawal of funding for Waterwatch claiming that there was no benefit to Council from this program. Presumably they didn’t receive results of tests from Melbourne Water. Melbourne Water is seeking alternative funds for the project. Bronwen and Anne tested 5th September.

Mordialloc Masonic Hall Sale

This building is located in Mordialloc’s Heritage listed zone opposite the heritage listed water tower. Nina thoroughly researched the history and uses of the building and presented her findings to Mordialloc Village Committee who debated the issue with a majority voting in favour of retention of the building for community use. One member voting against retention and another member abstained. Well done, Nina!

Indigenous Vegetation

for our area? Cr Dundas recently passed a resolution to “define indigenous vegetation” in order for a much wider selection of plants indigenous to Australia rather than to this bayside suburb. This so angered a Carrum resident who researched guidelines and found that terms given to indigenous plants cannot be redefined. COMs must work within Guidelines and not speculate what might happen due to climate change – the alleged reason for the wider definition in the councillor’s resolution. Good work, Carrum-ite!

WHICH PLANT COSTS $150,000?

Visualise a 100 year old beech, almost 20 metres high and with a treetop diameter of 12 metres. It’s got 600,000 leaves which convert its base of 120 square metres into 1,200 square metes of leaf surface . This amounts to a total surface area of 15,000 square metres of gaseous exchange , which equals the area of two football fields.! (Nursery & Garden Industry Australia)

Bay Trail 

Bicycle Victoria met with MBCL members to discuss the Bay Trail. BCV are supporting the Bayside section of the trail soon to be completed to Charman Road and expressed amazement, after viewing MBCL maps and material, that Kingston Council weren’t also fully backing a back-of -kerb option. BCV also attended the September Council meeting where the trail route was to be debated. While the former Transport Minister had requested two options to be sent to him for a decision two options had blown out to four thanks to the introduction of the promenade as a costly and dangerous option.Councillor Dundas introduced a fifth option at the 3pm on the day of the council meeting which none of the councillors had seen. None of the other options where put up for debate.Unbelievably five councillors voted in favour of the promenade option even though external engineering advice states that the promenade option would be too dangerous! But Cr West’s amendment was approved five in favour ! The trail is to commence back-of kerb from Charman Road to Mundy Street car park! Bicycle Victoria rep was in the gallery to witness this achievement. Congrats RW!

The Collins Report

Yammerbook More soil testing to assess possible acid sulphate soils.

Fence installed at Chicquita Park.

Beach cleaning, toilet and barbecue cleaning costs $1 million per year. Contract up for tender.

Warm Season Grass Conversions occurring at Keys Road, Dingley, Regent and Southern Roads sports grounds.

Brendan Slee new Foreshore Crew Leader. Brendan was a School Based New Apprentice. Tim Ford is now a Horticulural Supervisor and a new Tree Establishment Supervisor is to be appointed soon. New playground for the Roy Dorr Reserve in Carrum and the Bicentennial Park playground has won an award.

Mordialloc Creek Master Plan

Another victory! 13 Canary Island Palms (listed as an invasive weed in the DSE Advisory List) have been removed from the Draft Master Plan! It is hoped that extending car parking along Beach Road up to the Mordialloc Lifesaving Club has also been removed. This would mean removal of foreshore vegetation -mature indigenous trees. Large regional playground to be located in the established arboretum in George Woods Reserve is still in the Draft Plan.

The draft plan will go out for consultation so there is an opportunity for comment. The controversial bridge from the Hazel Pierce Reserve to Lambert Island is still in the plan. Unfortunately it seems that the Sea Scouts will have a battle to retain their club house on the island.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc.