Adrian from Kingston Council
Grange newsletter
Mordialloc Creek Community update
Dredging of Creek is being called for
Meeting with Level Crossing Removal Project for Parkdale in October.
Park naming postponed.
Concerns over Jet skis.
Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 17th at 7pm at the Chelsea Community Centre. Kathleen McKinnis will speak on Port Phillip tidal movements and erosion.
The original sign “BOAT BUILDING WORKS” is intended to be placed at the rear carpark of new development. An A3 plaque will be placed on site to recognize the history. Only indigenous planting to be used.
There has been a meeting with Council and Level Crossing Removal Authority (29.8) concerning the protection of the remnant vegetation on the East side of railway line and vegetation within the reserve . They have been sent a list of remnant vegetation provided by the Ranger and to be updated by David Bainbridge. Level Crossing Removal Authority are recommending a shared path to go on the other side of railway. So a very heartening meeting.
Open Space Strategy is to be updated. Hopefully the existing document and it’s many fine points will not be ignored.
Care of Bushland coming under National Standards.
Tendering out to bushland management.
Changes to staffing structure will see benefits with foreshore management.
Interesting discussion on ecosystems/ restoration of to improve connectivity.
The State Government have announced they are going ahead with the Heatherton Train stabling yard. The Move the Train Yard group are continuing their battle
The use of the Pompei sign as a condition of permit is still unresolved. VCAT on August 16th. If still unresolved, the matter will go to a Compulsory Hearing
Questions
Vegetation behind the new toilet block at end of pier?
A. Will be a formal garden bed with native vegetation.
Hazel Pierce Rainbow sculpture?
A. Being installed tomorrow. DELWP said no to Baytrail at Parkdale an yes to Hazel Pierce Reserve. No consultation!
Unable to attend due to illness.
Business arising.
The proposed sale of the Bonbeach Indigenous Nursery by Council to make way for a new YCA pavilion. It would be merged with the Carrum Nursery.
Meetings & Hearings…..
The Suburban Rail Loop Panel Hearing. Rosemary West reported that those who presented against the proposed stabling yard did an excellent job particularly the residents.
Tristan spoke to us about ACTIVE Kingston.
Peter Scullin plans have been passed by Council as is. There was generally positive feedback. In fact there were requests for more built structures. Supplied us with plans.
Future plans – there will be a Master Plan for Peter Scullin & Hazel Pierce Park between the bridge and pier. Plan will be released and we will be able to comment.
Other topics discussed were the positioning of the Electric Vehicle Charging Station in Peter Scullin carpark, palm trees and the use of plants of local provenance plans in future projects, the placement of 1,000 picnic tables around Kingston and the need for BMX trails and appropriate skate parks.
We have copies of images of the cliffs before they were removed (thanks to Stephen and Google). Continue reading
Cr West moved a motion in Council as to why the discovery of 16 Aboriginal stone artefacts discovered on this significant heritage site were not presented to councillors in the officer report and whether the Council could preserve the artefacts for display.
Masonic Hall has had two groups expressing an interest in this building – one an art House Cinema and the other a theatre group.Unfortunately any group interested in the hall will have to fund the complete renovation of the building. Meanwhile the Council is spending generously on sporting fields and the Moorabbin Reserve for the St Kilda Football Club.
Boats moored in the creek at Pompei’s Landing have had a disastrous time, first of all with vandalism that set fire to two boats and then, during the recent gales, a tree branch from the Monterey Cypresses crashing onto two more boats. It was suggested, 5th October, that MBCL become a Committee of Management for this section of the creek. Council will be trying to develop the site as soon as the difficult problem of ownership of sections of land is settled. Of concern is the fact that the Mordialloc Structure Plan has a photo of a two story café/restaurant on the water’s edge of the creek. A little unwise surely given that the area is flood prone.
MBCL supports the proposal in the Structure Plan that small boat owners be provided with a building suitable for maintenance of boats during repairs. This building could be sited alongside the Vic Track fence line. Research into COMs reveals that it would require significant funding to prepare a business plan for a three year stint with Government approval.
Solar panels have been offered to four Lifesaving Clubs in the City of Kingston but Mordialloc LSC seems to have missed out. The excuse being given is that building hasn’t been completed at Mordialloc – “maybe when completed solar panels may be added.” (Bruce Rendall KCC) Why were panels not part of the initial plans which would have removed the need for a sub-station on the foreshore? United Energy now plans to install a second large unsightly pole in Epsom Road.
In April 2016 Council received advice that the Crown had revoked the Grant and Purpose issued in relation to the Mordialloc Boating and Angling (MBAC) as a result of uncertainty on the location and status of the various parcels of Crown Land that make up Pompei’s Landing. As a result the previous licence is not being pursued and a new licence and grant and purpose process is required.
Have revised their newsletter, letterhead and brochure and produced very professional material including coloured photos of various plants and trees in the Reserve. It would be great to see the artwork of the boys from Sandringham Technical College back on the fence at the White Street corner.
Four Friends of Mordialloc Creek Catchment and two Council rangers attended a working bee Saturday 11th April planting the north-western perimeter of the Epsom Wetland with Water Ribbons for frog habitat, Swamp Goodenia groundcover and Swamp Melaleuca. A dead Murray River Short-necked Turtle was found with its head bitten possibly by a dog,domestic cat, feral cat or fox. Query raised about ensuring that tall shrubby vegetation being kept well back from wetland edges to reduce predation on birds and water creatures.
Ecological burn was conducted, 31 March in the centre of the reserve without incident, to stimulate the germination of local native plants, some of which may not have been seen for many years. Railway fencing replacement will start soon.
Nina Springle, Greens MLC for SE Region, Victorian Greens Ellen Sandell ,environment portfolio, and Samantha Dunn, local Government portfolio will work together towards achieving better native vegetation protection.
Wednesday, 20 May , 7pm at Mordialloc Neighbourhood House, 457 Main Street , Mordialloc. Hosted by local environment groups, KCEC and KRA in association with Public Transport Not Traffic (STOP) Discussion will include government plans for level crossings in Kingston and how this may affect residents.
A new kindergarten is being built in this Reserve plus a large playground on the Aboretum, a pleasant, grassed area with a variety of Australian trees. Unfortunately some of these trees have recently been cut down. The suitability of the site for a children’s playground has been raised with Council. It was pointed out that the playground will be concealed behind the kindergarten and the Scout Hall therefore not visible from the road whereas an existing small playground, the other side of the launching ramp car park, is visible from a busy road and close to toilets with ample room for a large playground to be constructed on this site. The new playground will require a new toilet and other facilities. .
Dr Vicki Karalis reports that a revised version of Judy’s (MBCL) submission to the National Heritage Register with contributions by Dr Tim Flannery, Dr Stephen Fitzgerald and Dr John Buckeridge is being compiled. These gentlemen, plus Professor Michael Buxton, have met with members of the Andrew’s Government to acquaint them with the significance of the fossil site.
Walter was a member of a group who met with Labor Member for Mordialloc, Tim Richardson. to discuss the importance of retaining the Green Wedge for food production, recreational activities and open space for an expanding population. The group included Jane Stubbs, leader Environment Victoria. The C143 Panel Hearing into the Green Wedge held recently included land owners seeking residential permits for residential development. Barry Ross, an experienced defender of the GW, spoke extremely well, “nailed them on every point!” It is felt that the GW , with a change of Government ,is safe for the moment.
Walter has alerted Get Up, Environment Victoria and Tim Richardson,ALP of the Napthine Government’s pre-election support for yet another freeway to the Mornington Peninsula. Construction of this freeway would require an overpass over Governor Road, Waterways wetlands, Mordialloc Creek and in close proximity to residential development on the other side of the creek. The alternative to a freeway is to divert addition traffic to Springvale Road.
Work has commenced at the northern, Charman Road end of the Bay Trail. Vegetation is being removed with gusto. It was disappointing that Stephen’s detailed measurements of the traffic lanes and gravel verge were not used at the Panel Hearing ,as evidence that additional seasonal parking which Council is kindly providing for the Mentone Lifesaving Club, is unnecessary. In fact, is in contradiction of Council’s Coastal Management Plan.
Despite reassuring noises made when MBCL raised concerns about possible loss of mature vegetation in front of the new LSC building, our modest suggestion of realigning one of two wide lanes leading to the beach to protect vegetation, it was claimed that it was not possible. Wide lanes and vegetation removal is required for observation purposes. This despite the fact that this two storey building will be built on the highest point of the foreshore, a pleasant, sheltered , grassy sand dune popular with visitors as a sheltered picnic spot.
Trust all have had a relaxing time, ready for action and better prospects for the environment under a new government. MBCL has lost one of our long serving members who has moved to Bacchus Marsh to be closer to family. Mara, as secretary of MBCL, was one of the members who successfully prevented the DVA from concrete lining Mordialloc Creek in 1977. Fortunately the MMBW was engaged to realign the creek and revegetate the banks to create pleasant open space it is today in increasingly built up suburbia.
Nina reported on a visit to the desalination plant at Wonthaggi and found it fascinating although there was no public access- only tour groups of eight persons. Former farmland surrounding the plant now indigenous habitat.
The former Bradshaw Park, is now to be called officially Bradshaw Bushland Reserve. The Reserve has been transformed to bushland featuring indigeneous flora and fauna.
A successful barbecue was held at the Grange last November and was also a thank you from the NRA to the volunteers who have worked in reserves and on the foreshore throughout the year. All in all a lovely day.