Tag » Dandenong Catchment Implementation Committee

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 1st October 1997

Attenborough Park Trees

M.Hayler donated a sum of money to Kingston Council to be used for the purchase of 3 Monterey Cypress trees to be planted in Attenborough Park. The Cypresses were planted by the first settlers 150 years ago and can be regarded as having historical significance just as the Canary Island palms in Main Street, Mordialloc have significance as a WW1 memorial avenue. Whilst MBCL is a committed supporter of planting native species in the city, we feel that trees of historical significance also have a place. J. Cuthbertson volunteered to speak to Council Staff about this proposal and/or the return of the donation.

Wetlands

The Hains Draft plan for wetlands is causing concern because the size of the proposed residential development (600-700 houses). This leaves no room for an adequate buffer zone for the wetlands along the Mordialloc Main Drain. The “lake” in the centre of the development is also a questionable feature. There needs to be an overall view of the flood plain with the aim of restoring the hydrology with riparian vegetation.
Clean Up Australia is interested in this wetland project and may offer assistance at the appropriate time. A Wetland Committee is to be formed with representatives from Latrobe University.

Dandenong Catchment Implementation Committee (CIC)

The CIC Committee met 15-10-97 at the Melbourne Water depot, Coleman’s Road, Dandenong. A comprehensive report was given on MW’s Drainage scheme for Dandenong Catchment, including the cost of providing drainage for each development (approx $20,000 per development) with dual occupancy requiring additional charges to cater for increased run-off. 100 metres wide wetland system is being constructed at Brown’s Reserve, Mordialloc.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 3rd September 1997

The Parks

Bradshaw Park. The Annual General meeting was held 18-9-97.

Braeside Park. The Environment Management Document was completed but out of the $200,000 which will be used for maintenance of roads, playgrounds and grass cutting, there has been no provision for conservation of natural resource areas or fencing to prevent animal intrusion. Spring planting Festival Sunday 5 October 10am 4pm

Karkarook Park Sand mining has commenced. The large holes created will eventually become lakes in the park.

KCEC Report on Wetlands

Negotiations are continuing in an attempt to acquire sufficient land on the north bank of Mordialloc Main Drain to establish a functional series of wetlands. The present draft plan has a large lake occupying the centre of the site with a small series of wetlands (10% of the site) in the WAG easement! This plan would allow residential development to proceed without achieving wetlands large enough to filter stormwater run-off before it enters the creek and Bay.

Dandenong Catchment Implementation Committee (CIC)

The new committee of the Port Phillip Region CIC, met on 3-9-97. B.Hampel (KCEC) and M.Rimington (MBCL) are community representatives for the Dandenong Creek Catchment and Mordialloc Creek. The Committee should be a means of monitoring water quality and works in the Mordialloc Creek Catchment.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 2nd July 1997

The Parks

Bradshaw Park Friends of Bradshaw Park were pleased to have 10 people participating in a working bee last month. David Bainbridge has re-located to the Grange Heathland.

Braeside Park will be holding an open day Sunday 10th August from 12 noon to 4pm. September 13th, 27th & October 11th 8am-11am with Robert Berry “Birds for Beginners”

Karkarook Park was finally officially opened 27-6-97 with a full complement of important people from councils, Melbourne Water and local politicians. Marie Tehan, Conservation Minister, said that the huge hole left after CSR completed sand mining would become a 14 hectare lake for non-powered boating. 8 hectares would become an artificial wetland to filter stormwater from the urban areas.

Kingston Conservation & Environment Coalition / Wetlands

Negotiations with the Haines family are continuing in an attempt to reach a satisfactory outcome for a series of wetlands along the north bank of Mordialloc Creek Haines wants residential development with a “lake” on the site.
A KCEC meeting was held at the Braeside Visitors centre to plan a promotional brochure for the wetlands project.

Mordialloc Creek / Dandenong Valley Catchment Action Committee

The next meeting of the DVCAC will be with a new committee under new management (CALP?) It is hoped to have MBCL/KCEC reps on the new committee in order that we are kept informed about continuing problems with water quality in Mordialloc Creek. Tip leachate and sewage overflows are of concern. At the 23-7-97 meeting, Graham Rooney Melbourne Water, gave a comprehensive report on water quality in the Catchment. Monitoring points will remain at Pillars Crossing and Wells Road below the bridge. Sampling will be on a monthly basis but it will take five years of sampling to determine a trend! At present nitrogen samples are still high in the creek. Solids are worse because of diversion of the DSWB. Phosphorous, copper, lead still high at Wells

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 7th May 1997

Apologies for the lack of a June MBCL meeting but unfortunately your secretary was ill. Much has happened in the interim in the conservation area. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have queries or concerns.
President MBCL ph. 9 580 2018 Secretary MBCL 9 580 2706

Reports

Bradshaw Park The Open Day held in April resulted in an excellent response with 120 people attending the combined tour and sausage sizzle. R. Pearson and S. Calvert-Smith acted as tour guides. Much interest was shown and it is hoped that may more will join the Friends group. A Probus group was also taken on a tour of the Park in May.

Braeside Park Members of the Friends group met with the Area Manager, Ian Christie, to discuss the concept of the Haines property south of the Park being incorporated into Braeside. However a letter received from Mrs Tehan indicated that funding for the purchase of the Haines property by the State Government was unlikely. The possibility of a public fund to raise the $4 million required to purchase the property from David Haines was suggested.

Karkarook Park The Official Opening of the park was postponed possibly because of tender negotiations with CSR/BORAL Concrete who will mine for sand in the area. We have since learned that the City of Kingston has allocated a section of the park off Warrigal Road for a car park!

KCEC/Wetland

The President of KCEC, Dr Hampel and Christine Ca/ma, Friends of Braeside Park, have met with Mrs Tehan, Mr Geoff Leigh, MP, Mr David Lean, MP and Victorian Trust for Nature re funding for the purchase of the Haines land for the extension of Braeside Park and linear wetlands along the north bank of the Mordialloc Main Drain. The most recent meeting with Mr Stephen Haines, indicated that the Haines Company wish to proceed with residential development on the land which is zoned rural and which comes within the boundary of the Green Wedge. The proposal is for housing with a “lake” frontage.

Theme Park Land

86 hectares on the corner of Hutton and Springvale Roads, Keysborough was offered for sale 19-5-97. The board stated that the land was suitable for a golf course, conference centre or Theme Park!!!!!!. Whatever is proposed for this site will impact on the wetland concept.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 2nd April 1997

Parks Reports

Bradshaw Park
During a severe storm in April six trees came down including three over the walking track. They had to be removed. Plants sold well on Kingston Festival Day at the Gerry Green oval. An Open Day was held on Saturday 19th April at Bradshaw Park. A fine day was laid on for this event. Further reports awaited!

Braeside Park
The recently appointed new manager of the Park will shortly be going on long service leave as will several other Park staff. City of Kingston sought plants from the Braeside Nursery to plant on a roundabout in Chelsea and in the sand quarry area near Henry Street, Clayton.

Karkarook Park
Information has not been supplied to the committee as to the progress and status of the negotiations between Melbourne Parks and the sand mining company as yet.

Signage on Drains on the Foreshore

There is some progress from Council on the placement of the signs warning swimmers of the danger of swimming near drain outlets on the beach after heavy rain, however not all drains will have signs since Council officers feel that some drains very small local catchment area. Melbourne Water appears to be very reluctant to place a sign on their monster drain at Mentone warning people not to swim near the outlet.

Mordialloc Creek

As part of MBCL’s six hours of consultation with SERCO a meeting has been arranged with a Natural Resources staff person to discuss management plans for the north bank of Mordialloc Creek upstream from Chute Street.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 5th March 1996

Kingston Community Day

An enormous Thank You to members who attended and assisted on the day at the Gerry Green reserve. The display Park Action created great interest especially the large photo suppled by our President of the open space in front of Windows which graphically demonstrated the amount of Crown Land lost if the extension is approved by the Commissioners.

Windows on the Bay

There has been no decision as yet on the proposed extension of the restaurant. A visit to the EDO to seek advice was worthwhile. There have been several offers from objectors to act as witnesses if the need arises. These offers are greatly appreciated.

Braeside Park

Friends of Braeside Park are building a second greenhouse which will eventually propagate from 20,000 to 40,000 plants per year. The Friends have applied for a grant from Melbourne Parks & Waterways.

Woodlands Industrial Estate

Large holes are still being dug at the southern section of the estate. Factories are being built close to the proposed freeway reservation on the eastern side of the industrial estate & also close to the boundary of Braeside Park.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 6th February 1996

Kingston Festival Community 24th March

Suggestions??? Assistance??? Ideas??? Offers of Items for Sale???

Braeside Park / Woodlands Industrial Estate

Ranger Mark Mooney is now Environmental Officer. Resources are spread thin since it is now necessary for staff to assist in the development of Karkarook Park. Deep holes are still being dug in the southern section of Woodlands Industrial Estate as soil is removed to fill industrial sites in the estate. Will these holes be too deep to perform satisfactorily as “wetlands”?

Development on Governor Road

The proposed restaurant and car park development on the north western corner of Governor Road has caused concern since it may set a precedent for development south of Governor Road where it is planned to locate linear wetlands. Jack will prepare a submission to be presented to City of Kingston Commissioners.

Bradshaw Park

Trial burns have been successfully conducted in the park. An Open Day is planned for March 16th. Since the introduction of CCT staff numbers in the Parks & Gardens areas have been savagely cut resulting in fewer staff working in a greatly increased area of parkland. This has resulted in less time spent maintaining foreshore reserves and, sadly, may also mean less time available to be devoted to specialised parks such as Bradshaw Park.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 1st August 1995

Sincere thanks to the outgoing president, Chris King for the considerable work load undertaken during his terms as president. Chris showed tremendous foresight in proposing the establishment of a coalition of environmental groups in the City of Kingston following the amalgamation of councils. The subsequent formation of the Kingston Conservation & Environment Coalition involving twenty conservation groups has proved to be a positive move in promoting environmental issues within the City of Kingston. Chris is also a committee member of the Dandenong Valley Catchment Action Plan which is tackling the considerable endemic problems associated with Mordialloc Creek.

Guest Speaker – Allan Clarke

Allan, who was formerly with the Fisheries & Wildlife Dept, spoke about widespread public concern with the draft document, The Land Conservation Council, Marine and Coastal Special Investigation. Some of these concerns are as follows:-

  • Regional Managers are all ex Forestry people with the Land Conservation Council. None of these managers have a background in marine biology.
  • Politicians have decided that there would be a percentage of parks. Some of these parks have been offered protection e.g the Jawbone but existing protected sites have been downgraded e.g. the Popes Eye. Ricketts Point and the Beaumaris Cliffs are not listed for protection.
  • Only 1.4% of the entire Victorian coastline are declared Sanctuary Zones and even then exploration may be allowed at Minister’s discretion. The Sanctuary Zones are only one kilometre wide. Three kilometres is required for full protection.
  • DCNR has not taken overall control of the coastline. Each coastal management Council will exercise control in their area which will extend three
    kilometres off-shore.
  • How will the Sanctuary Zones be policed? Will there be sufficient manpower and equipment to patrol the entire Victorian coastline plus Port Phillip and Westernport Bays.
  • The whole of Port Phillip Bay is a declared General Use area meaning that it can be explored for oil, sand or stone mining plus environmentally harmful commercial developments around the coast.

Dandenong Valley Catchment Action Committee (Mordialloc Creek Action Plan)

Chris reports that while the committee supports the wetland filtration scheme originally proposed by Melbourne Water, there is no legal requirement at the moment for Melbourne Water to remove pollution from the creek or to provide sewerage infra- structure. W 28 A should be re-instated to overcome this legal over sight. This committee will act as the Mordialloc representative on the larger Catchment Management Committee for Port Phillip Bay Region.

City of Kingston CCT Negotiations

MAV Union negotiations have broken down with the City of Kingston management. Work bans on maintenance, grass cutting and rubbish collection have been imposed. Communication between staff and management are non-existent. Management want 70% of work to be contracted out which will lead to a deterioration in the present high standard of coastal management. Parks & Gardens staff who have specialised knowledge of the foreshore and park requirements could be lost to be replaced by contract labour.
Ironically recent American experience stresses the need to involve staff in the consultation process rather than demoralising them by “down-sizing”.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 4th July 1995

Braeside Park

An Open Day will be held July 27 from 11-4pm at Braeside Park
The 16 hectare stand of Red Gums on the Woodlands Industrial Estate has been passed over to Melbourne Parks & Waterways, for management. Melbourne Water has funded the fencing. There is no indication as yet of development proposals for the east side of the stand of Red Gums. An Aboriginal Cultural Centre is being established in Braeside Park by Tracks, Australia – a Koori Company. Members of the Wurrundjeri tribe are claiming to be the legal custodians of the park.

Woodlands Industrial Estate

CMPS Consultant’s report on the three lakes wetlands system for the Woodlands Industrial Estate contains hydrological reports and permeability and bore tests. Melbourne Water who are involved in this project have formed a company- Assett Solutions.

Mentone Car Park (At The Spunner Pavilion).

R.Pearson, J. Cuthbertson, S. Calvert-Smith and M.Rimington attended an on-site inspection with the Kingston Environment & Infrastructure Manager, Warren Ashdown July 7, to discuss the proposals for the “rationalisation” of the car park above the Spunner Pavilion, Mentone Foreshore. As a result of the inspection MBCL has indicated that there will be no objection to the plan provided that there is no expansion of the car park.

Mentone Parade Stormwater Drain

The large stormwater drain will be installed but two other drains will be removed from the beach. This will still leave 14 drains flowing into the Bay between Mordialloc Creek and Charman Road, Mentone.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 1st October 1991

EPA Draft Policy

C. King volunteered to read the draft document and respond by the due date, 30-10-91.

Bradshaw Park

The firm BIOSIS will conduct an environmental audit on Bradshaw Park. C. King will investigate the ownership of the park to see if it is possible to register it under the terms of the National Estate
David Digby and David Bainbridge conducted a walk along the foreshore with the Friends of Bradshaw park to inspect the plantings at Mordialloc.

Parkdale Foreshore Erosion Control

Concern at the extent of bulldozing and grading on the fore- shore. This has meant the destruction of much vegetation. The graded areas slope towards the clifftop thereby encouraging water to run down the newly planted areas causing still more erosion. Beach re-nourishment will be essential if wave action is to be prevented from undercutting the work already completed. League to write to the Port of Melbourne Authority to request sand pumping onto Parkdale beach. Removal of vegetation may also destroy indigenous species.

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