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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 4th September 2019

MBCL 50th Anniversary

MBCL 50th anniversary was attended by 30 former and current members. It was great to see some of the original members who had established MBCL in 1969 and later Port Phillip Conservation Council with a view to protecting the foreshore around Port Phillip Bay and the creeks that flow into it. When some of the original meeting reports were checked for display it was found that in a 1972 report the EPA was concerned about pollution in Mordialloc Creek and debated whether the creek banks should be concrete lined. When the Dandenong Valley Authority decided to do just that MBCL president, Dr Len Warren and secretary,Mara Hayler where able to convince Mordialloc Council to oppose that option. The Metropolitan Board of Works then stepped in, retained the earthern banks, phragmitie reeds to clean the water and the indigenous Maleluccas on the creek banks banks. This area has become a popular bird habitat.

Mordialloc Creek

While it was interesting to re-read the 1972 Environment Protection Authority (EPA) report on the creek it is concerning that there is still pollution problems with drains flowing into the creek. For instance PFAS has been found in Dunlop Drain. This drain flows close to the Moorabbin airport which would have this highly polluting substance stored on hand since it is used for fighting fires. Expanding industrial businesses at Braeside have been found responsible for, and fined, for depositing plastic in either Heatherton or Settlement Drain which flows into the creek.

Dent’s Paddock

This is the last remaining block of remnant coastal vegetation in Chelsea . The proposal to develop will cause the removal of most of the vegetation and thus destroy the ecological value of the site. This lovely green space will be lost when only 23 trees out of 203 existing trees will be retained if the development proceeds. Development is causing the loss of trees and gardens throughout Kingston. It is claimed that all metropolitan suburbs should have at least 30% tree coverage to ameliorate climate crisis however the City of Kingston has only 14% coverage and continues to lose more trees through level crossing removals…30 lovely red flowering gums along the rail line between Mentone and Parkdale stations were removed to provide car parking spaces.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 3rd August 2016

Pompei Landing

DM gave a report on negotiations undertaken by Council in order to gain control as Committee of Management of the strip of land on Mordialloc Creek Bank now occupied for boat hire and maintenance. Regional Director of DWELP had issued instructions that the licence issued by Council was invalid and a new licence would be required. A survey by the Surveyor General was also to be carried out. This wasn’t done but the State Government has now given the Council Committee of Management of the site. To add drama to the situation, on the 26 August two boats moored at the site were set alight at 4.30am. Investigations are continuing.

Mordialloc Bypass

A search for VicRoads plans for this project was undertaken because of the freeways impact on the Green Wedge should it go ahead. However the plans reveal that this freeway is not considered necessary according to Nigel Smith, Planning Studies Manager.

At most an arterial road may be thought necessary sometime in the future but this will depend on the volume of traffic using the Dingley bypass which may remove the need for any further road building.

Rubber Tree

Unfortunately relocated into George Woods Playground site although plans for the playground clearly shows that locally indigenous species would be planted around this area. It seems that the rubber tree was in the way of drainage works at Edithvale and the engineers decided to save the tree by relocating it. However there are many other local parks which would benefit from more trees and are not restricted to locally indigenous species in revegetation programs,

Statewide Assessment of Public Land

Draft Proposals. VEAC is inviting comments on their recommendations. It is pleasing to note that Climate Change and its impact on coastal areas around Port Phillip Bay is on the list as is the importance of groundwater protection , National Parks and Crown Land.

Supporting community based committees of management are encouraging recommendations contained in this document. Legislation is being reviewed and in some cases may be consolidated or simplified for improved administration purposes. Submissions invited until Nov 7th

Chain of Parks

Victory Road landfill is due to close in 2018 and there is a draft masterplan for an impressive new park on the site in the Green Wedge. However the operators want to raise the height of the contours to save themselves the trouble of moving solid inert material and this is causing some concern about the height and the dust problem as material is being relocated.

Tree Removal

As a result of residents requesting the removal of healthy, significant trees from their backyard or nature strip, Cr Gledhill moved that council review the street tree management policy and Local Law for trees on private land to make it easier for council to permit tree removal. It is reassuring to find that the majority of residents would like council to plant more trees.

Better Apartments Draft Design Standards

The Planning Minister has released this document for public consultation. The standards respond to key issues raised by the community about the size, design and poor workmanship of units in tower blocks but also in unit developments in our middle ring suburbs. The aim of this project is to “deliver liveable housing options that meet the long-term need of Victorians, enhance Victoria’s liveability and leave a positive legacy for future generations”. Not before time!

Open for public submissions until 5pm Monday 19 September.

How Regional Rail Re-Balance Population Groth & Create a State of Cities in Victoria

Guest Speaker The Hon Tim Fischer, RMIT, University Storey Hall Green Brain, Building 16, Level 7, 336-348 Swanston Street, Melbourne, Monday, 5 September 4.30pm-6.30pm.

Inland Rail Line

The rail freight line may be receiving more favourable treatment from State Government Ministers according to a reliable source who has been working assiduously on a report on this important matter. Should the line go ahead it may remove the need for increasing the size of Victoria’s ports.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 6th June 2001

The Parks

Anne Corcoran, Federal Member for Isaacs, believes that Chiquita Park remains at risk with no indication that the threatened sale of the land by the Defence Department will be stopped by the Howard Government. Construction of the Federation Trail is well on the way in Braeside Park with the assistance of a $36,000 grant. Community involvement is essential so the artists are working with a range of schools and community groups to make tiles for the km trail. Ron attended the Friends of the Cranbourne Royal Botanic Gardens at which Dr John Wamsley was guest speaker. Bradshaw Park had a good grass planting session with grasses supplied by Excell nursery. The Friends group have written an article about the importance
of retaining foreshore vegetation for the next newsletter. Drills Land may be re-named Squatter’s Run. Melbourne Water will construct a fence along the Wells Road side of the Park. A shared bicycle/pedestrian bridge is being built over the creek 30 metres downstream from Wells Road. $50,000 may be provided by Council for landscaping Drills Land. Friends also planted grasses at The Grange. Aviary wire has been placed along the bottom of the surrounding fence to prevent rabbits and rats entering the Park. A tent found in the Park was probably liberated from a near by school. Odours from the tip next door are unpleasant.

Port Phillip Conservation Council

PPCC members helped to swell the numbers when Bayside Council organised a demonstration to protest at the Brack’s Government’s failure to consider Rickett’s Point as one of the nominated Marine National Parks in Port Phillip Bay. Stephen asked PPCC to consider reducing subs to $40 for groups with membership of over 100 and $35 for groups with membership under 100. This would greatly assist MBCL financially and we thank Stephen for suggesting this proposal. PPCC is well endowed at present and in fact, has to pay tax!.

Foreshore Vegetation

DNRE was contacted and asked to supply a list of Acts or By-laws which could be used by Council to protect foreshore vegetation from vandalism. Bayside Council has a Vegetation Protection Overlay (VPO). The Crown Lands Act can be used and DNRE advises that it is treating the Victorian Coastal Strategy as policy guidelines. The Kingston Environment Officer is working on the issue of the best means to inform people of the value of foreshore vegetation with the assistance of a work placement person..

Mordialloc Structure Plan

The Plan was launched quietly at the Mordialloc Sailing Club. Disposable cameras were provided to enable those present to photograph both the positive and negative aspects of the study area. It is also important for residents to respond to the survey sheets provided by the consultants, GHD, because Mordialloc is next on the list for ravishment by developers. The community is being given the chance to indicate what they want to happen in their community – so let’s tell them!

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 6th March 1995

Bradshaw Park

Monthly Saturday morning plantings are continuing at Bradshaw Park but some Friends members are discouraged at Council’s attitude at present which appears to lack positive input.

Braeside Park / Woodlands Industrial Estate

The land proposed for further development on Governor Road is being withheld from sale at present. (Stage 6)
A three lake system is being considered to treat leachates flowing into the Dingley Drain and then into the Braeside wetlands. The three lakes will include the existing clay quarry. It is hoped that run-off will be filtered through the lake system and then be released into Mordialloc Creek in a less polluted state. Studies of the river red gum site and quarry have been completed but not yet released.
Dingley Drain in Braeside Park was reported to be filled with black ooze and bubbling with methane gas. Samples have been sent to U.S to detect contaminants.

The Agnew Report

Glen reports that the artificial tyre reef off Carrum is disintegrating and causing amateur fishermen concern. Fish life in the area is minimal. The EPA is not happy about “junk” being dumped in the Bay.
There has been gross change in the weed growth at the Cerebus site.
Glen attended a meeting of BRASCA who were preparing a Bayside environmental strategy plan and encouraged the group to co-operate with MBCL and other bodies in areas of the coast where interests overlap.

Mordialloc Creek / Revegetation

Colin McIntosh of the EPA advises that Wells Rd, Dingley Drain, Dunlops Drain and Centre Swamp Drain are regularly checked.
Chris, who is MBCL delegate to the Mordialloc Creek Monitoring Committee, reports that sediment control on drains entering the creek is a high priority for MWC. Greening Australia has contacted MBCL to check if there is conservation work available for their Green Task Force in our area. They have been referred to David Digby re this issue. The LEAP contingent are now attempting to clear weeds from the Heatherton Drain section of the Creek. The completion of the viewing platforms is being held up because the supply of timber has been delayed by the timber workers blockade in Canberra according to David!

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