Tag » George Woods Reserve

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 1st December 2021

Mentone Life Saving Club Precinct Development

DELWP have allowed the removal of a large section of the cliff to allow vehicle access to beach.
We met with coordinator of the project Brad Lewis (Team leader Bushland and Foreshore), he will be attending our February meeting.

Round the table

  • Mordialloc Creek – Litter survey. Due to no fencing policy (Living Links) vegetation has been trampled where the initially installed fencing was. Complaints were made, and fencing has been reinstalled at sensitive areas but not in the Living Links area.
  • People concerned about polluted water pouring into the creek from a drain. Emily Boucher and Melbourne Water were informed. Apparently coming from the pumping station and not a concern.
  • George Woods Reserve. The granitic track has widened and eroded and tree roots exposed probably due to COVID causing increased activity.
  • Need to change Business cards, and to distribute Coast & Creek booklets.
  • Meeting concluded with a presentation to Nina for winning the Victorian Environment Friends Network Best Friends Award 2021.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 1st April 2021

Correspondence

Out – Letter to Minister R. Wynne regarding the protection of Green Wedge.

Pompei Site development.

Second Hearing VCAT. Amenity, noise and vibration concerned not addressed by the developers .
Amended plans rejected.
Concern about an open storm water drain that has been damaged by developers. It is now a Council managed easement.

Peter Scullin Park Plan and Playspace renewal.

Concerns about the vegetation and preservation of understory. And as for the new toilet block to be located near the end of the pier!

Continue reading »

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Newsletter – September 2020

Dent’s Paddock

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. 

Alex Fraser Recycling Facility

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. 

Pier Road Toilet Block and George Woods Reserve

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.

Continue reading »

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 1st February 2017

Mordialloc Creek

Interestingly after heavy rain beaches around Port Phillip Bay were polluted particularly Mentone beach and not so much Mordialloc beach – the usual culprit. Mordialloc creek carries drainage from industrial areas in Braeside and the old tipping sites from which leachates can enter the drainage system and flow into the creek. On this occasion perhaps the large Melbourne Water drain outlet at Mentone Parade may have contributed to beach pollution with drainage entering the Bay at this point and flowing northwards to Mentone beach.

Mordialloc Lifesaving Club

Had a quick inspection of the new LSC and found that there is more concrete surrounding the building than expected. Apparently this is to provide entry and parking for the large surf boats that will be stored in the building- one of the main reasons for the size of the building occupying limited foreshore open space. The large rusty looking iron ramp construction will require removal of more foreshore vegetation early in the New Year when it is to be delivered and placed in position. Fortunately the south end of the building has been left unconcreted and hopefully will remain a pleasant grassed area for public use. The nicest aspect of the inspection was seeing a little family of blue wrens hopping around in the dry grassy area!

Continue reading »

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 7th December 2016

Happy New Year to All

Let’s hope it is a peaceful and environmentally satisfying year as well. Trust everyone has had a chance to rest and relax in preparation for coping with the outrageous rants from the occupant of the white house. What a contrast to the calm, gracious, intelligent former occupant.

Good News

It seems that the EPA has been given teeth at last to cope with pollution hazards. 21 problem sites have been listed in Kingston. There are 298 sites on the Priority Sites Register where clean up notices have been issued due to pollution of groundwater and land – a potential risk to health and the environment. This problem is due to Kingston being historically home to landfill sites 17 of which are now on the Priority list to be cleaned up.

Grange Heathland Reserve

Penny reported that gas extractors from nearby landfill sites are being located in the Grange which is a carefully managed Nature Reserve. Surely a more suitable site could be found for the extractors.

Mordialloc Bypass Project

Due to pressure from Aspendale Gardens Residents Association the extension to the Mornington Peninsula Freeway is back on the agenda despite less expensive alternatives . Impact on Braeside Park and Waterways with an elevated roadway over Mordialloc Creek is concerning. Discussion when Walter and Jenny Warfe met with Government officers recently was congenial. The freeway is not a high priority for the Government.

Mordialloc Creek  

Interestingly after heavy rain beaches around Port Phillip Bay were polluted particularly Mentone beach and not so much Mordialloc beach – the usual culprit. Mordialloc creek carries drainage from industrial areas in Braeside and the old tipping sites from which leachates can enter the drainage system and flow into the creek. On this occasion perhaps the large Melbourne Water drain outlet at Mentone Parade may have contributed to beach pollution with drainage enterting the Bay at this point and flowing northwards to Mentone beach.

Mordialloc Life Saving Club

Had a quick inspection of the new LSC and found that there is more concrete surrounding the building than expected. Apparently this is to provide entry and parking for the large surf boats that will be stored in the building- one of the main reasons for the size of the building occupying limited foreshore open space. The large rusty looking iron ramp construction will require removal of more foreshore vegetation early in the New Year when it is to be delivered and placed in position. Fortunately the south end of the building has been left unconcreted and hopefully will remain a pleasant grassed area for public use. The nicest aspect of the inspection was seeing a little family of blue wrens hopping around in the dry grassy area!

Yammerbook Nature Reserve

A car park of 34 spaces is proposed for this reserve but residents are concerned feeling that additional parking is for the benefit of parents dropping off and picking up children at the nearby school and that after hours, antisocial behaviour is likely to increase in the park. A bus stop on Wells Road is an alternative means of reaching the park or the school.

Esplanade Brighton

The partial demolition and works to the existing blue stone wall, and removal of native/indigenous vegetation has distressed a dedicated group of Bayside residents because of the impact on the dunes and vegetation which has been described as being “ so precious, so conservationally valuable that not a square metre of them should be disturbed.” (Brighton’s other golden mile.in the Age 26 Nov. 2016)

Unfortunately Bayside Council has decided to grant a permit with four pages of conditions . The plans must show that removal of indigenous vegetation is to be replaced with a similar extent of indigenous coastal vegetation , etc , along these lines. The proposal to replace the lifesaving club with a larger building wasn’t discussed in this document.

George Woods Reserve Playground

The playground is underway with the Moreton Bay Fig Tree still in place. It apparently will not be removed although we have been assured that all new planting in the area will be locally indigenous. Nina claims that extra lighting is not needed around the playground because of the high towers lighting the rail siding nearby. Toilets will not be provided for the playground because of cost and difficulty of sewage work. Toilets at the Chute Street boat ramp will have to be used –which is why we claimed that a site closer to these facilities would have been the best location for the playground and would have left the Arboretum intact.

Level Crossing Removals

A meeting of the Public Places and Environment Committee was held 14 December 2016 at Council to discuss this proposal. Two academics from RMIT,supporters of

Sky Rail, were present and spoke as did a member of the Frankston anti- sky rail group. Both had convincing arguments for their positions. Some feel that an elevated rail line in surroundings that are predominantly low rise housing will blight the suburbs south of Mordialloc Creek, but the high water table in this area will create drainage problems –apart from the Bonbeach to Carrum section of the line which will have to be elevated to cross Patterson River. The three completed trenched stations, Bentleigh,Mackinnon and Ormond are extremely ugly and will become more so because the State Government has decreed that Ormond station will have a 10-16 storey building on top of the station – and other stations may have four storey buildings above the station.

Bay Trail

Cr West has presented a motion to council requesting that the proposed indented parking areas along this section of the back- of –kerb bike track be removed from the plans.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 2nd November 2016

Coast and Creek Booklet

Bron kindly volunteered to check text and layout of booklet before forwarding it to the graphic artist for assembly.

Brighton Lifesaving Club

Both Nina and Mary have sent objections regarding a large extension to the Lifesaving Club on the foreshore at Dendy Street, Brighton. While a café is included in the development it is claimed that it will not have a commercial kitchen which would have suggested a public commercial facility. It is debatable whether a café on site is required for lifesavers. However the size and design of the building does not appear to conform to requirements as set out in the Victorian Coastal Strategy for structures on the foreshore. Eg “Discourage the use of coastal Crown Land as a cheap alternative to private land for commercial gain through the inclusion of an 158 seat licensed multi-purpose space and 60 seat restaurant with room for 100 people.”

Masonic Hall

Nina reports that there have been five Expressions of Interests received but proposals do not match criteria mainly financial. Officer response to proposals in a few weeks time.

Successful bidder will be responsible for 15 year lease and all refurbishments.

Continue reading »

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 1st June 2016

Mordialloc Life Saving Club Substation

Sub-Station on foreshore to supply electricity for the gigantic new Mordialloc surf lifesaving club . Interestingly the local paper, the Leader, 29 June,announces that four Bayside lifesaving clubs are being provided with solar panels. Why not the Mordialloc LSC? Letters were sent to Council from MBCL and Nina suggesting that option rather than having unsightly electric light poles on Beach or Epsom Roads or industrialising the foreshore with a sub station.

George Woods Playground

Disappointingly the Council is going ahead with a large playground on the arboretum site in George Woods Reserve behind the kindergarten despite local families preferring an upgrade of the existing playground in close proximity to toilets. No toilets are planned for the new playground because of difficulty in providing infrastructure. There is a trend amongst some councils to adopt the European idea of introducing children to the natural environment by allowing kids to play in the open with leaves, branches, sand and small amounts of water. Rope bridges and flying foxes are featured in some ceases. While this idea formed part of MBCL’s submission to Council but not accepted we were impressed that Andrew Wright took the trouble to reply to the sub with a letter explaining why he felt the idea wouldn’t work in this case!!! Has there been a revolution up at 1230 Nepean Highway???

Coast and Creek Booklet

Discussion about how this project could be

Continue reading »

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 4th May 2016

Best Wishes

Best wishes to Cr West , one of the hardest working Kingston Councillors, who is seriously ill in St Vincent’ hospitals. She has always been a stalwart defender of the environment and is sadly missed in that capacity in Council.

Level Cross Removals

Walter has been sounding out local politicians about sky rail for the Frankston Line and has been told that there is “no set policy as yet”, This seems to be borne out by the Premier on John Faine’s program 24 May when he acknowledged that there was a water problem on this line but there would be consultation and that there could be different solutions for different section of the line.

Walter was also relieved after speaking to the Minister for Transport, Luke Donellan that he supports an inland rail freight line. PPCC have compiled and presented a report on this project.

Panel Hearing New Residential Zones

Bruce Duffy, Vice President KRA, M.Rimington MBCL and Dorothy Booth, Mentone Station Gardens spoke at the NRZ Panel Hearings for the Kingston region on May 5th. Mary Drost dropped in briefly and said that all community presenters were presenting the same arguments opposing over development of the suburbs.

Mordialloc Bypass

Walter will visit local politicians re the MPF. A news item in the Age claimed that this freeway will not be built for many years. Low on the list of priorities with so many other projects underway.

Landfills Sites

Something we may have thought we’d heard the last of-old tipping sites have come back to haunt us! 8th May in the Age, Mark Wakeham of Environment Victoria, believes that the EPA should spend some of the $400 collected from the landfill levy should be spent on cleaning up creeks and rivers and stop decommissioned rubbish tips polluting water ways including Mordialloc Creek. The Age, 23 May, states that City of Kingston has 11 legacy landfill sites that are capable of leaching into the creek and Port Phillip Bay.

Canterbury Road

Saltview development went to VCAT over removal of Plains Grassy Wetland remnants. Case was lost and the remnant vegetation is to be moved -and if it survives, planted in Mordialloc Creek catchment. Revegetation project is continuing by contractors at Yammerbook.

Friends of Bradshaw Bushland Reserve

The members of this group are pleased that Kingston General Manager has an arrangement with rail authorities to care for remnant vegetation on the rail line outside the reserve’s fence. Unfortunately vandals have created trail bike jumps in the reserve’s prime ecological area. Local laws have been alerted. The Reserve brochure has been revised.

Timber Yard Development

The Timber Yard development in Albert Street (68 townhouses) has been refused by Council for design, surveillance faults, car parking and roof deck modification.

30 three storey units in Barkly Street will put enormous pressure on parking with a school, two churches and a funeral parlour abutting this development.

Kingston Coastal Management Plan

2014 has been released and is a great improvement on the draft document which contained a proposal to prevent trees being planted on the foreshore. The 2014 Plan is built on the 2009 model, also a fine example which quotes at 3.3 “Objectives and actions for protection of coastal vegetation and biodiversity outlined in several state and local strategies and policies ” and “it is important to retain vegetation for future generations to enjoy and provide habitat and food sources for local and migration of fauna to enjoy.”

Kingston Historic Tree Register

Clare wanted to know why certain councillors claimed “that there isn’t a need for an increase in the number of historic trees. The only historic trees should be on a golf course.” Members suggested that Clare ask that question at a council meeting. Clare also believes that there should be a 3000square metre vegetation audit prior to building in Trewella Road where there could be significant vegetation at risk.

Mordialloc Life Saving Club

This monstrosity now has its concrete slabs towering above the tree line of the foreshore – something that is frowned upon by the Port Phillip Authority report “Siting & Guidelines for Structures on the Port Phillip Coast.” where it states “when built form,colour and texture do not relate to surrounding natural character” redesign the building. Apparently this blot on the landscape will require so much electricity that United Energy proposes to install two tall poles and wires with a box attached either in Epsom Road (where there is already a similar pole) or in Beach Road where the wires would distract attention from views to the Bay. The third alternative is to plant a 5metre/5metre substation on the foreshore between High Street and Epsom Road. While it is claimed that vegetation won’t have to be removed for the substation, it is yet another built structure on the foreshore that could be placed elsewhere – for example why not within the building itself since it will be using the electricity – or on a corner of the tennis court car park which would be much closer to the building than the site on the Beach Road foreshore.

Playground on George Woods Reserve

The playground has also re-emerged. Watch this space.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservaton League – Minutes – 1st April 2015

Mordialloc Creek Catchment

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.

Bradshaw Bushland Reserve

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.

Native Vegetation Clearing Regulations

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.

Special Meeting on Public Transport Issues 

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.

George Woods Reserve

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.                                                   .

Beaumaris Fossil Site and Sea Ledges

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.

Green Wedge

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.

Mordialloc Bypass

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.

Bay Trail

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.

Mordialloc Life Saving Surf Club Development

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.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 3rd September 2014

The Bay Trail

The September meeting discussed Council’s approval for Mentone Surf Lifesaving Club to have a car park erected on the gravel verge which is to part of the Bay Trail.Because of the extra width of Beach Road at this point there is no need for a car park.Further more the deviation onto the cliff top will mean further loss of vegetation .

Mordialloc Creek EOI

Council called for an EOI regarding use of the creek bank, currently used to sell paint from existing small sheds. MBCL was invited to make a submission. After discussion reference was made to the Mordialloc Structure Plan which recommended that this area be retained for small boat owners to launch and maintain their boats. This proposal was supported meanwhile pointing out that there is limited room for parking at that site- especially if boat trailers have to be parked as well as the owner’s cars. This area is also subject to flooding during severe storm surges.

Beaumaris Fossil Beds and Sea Ledges

Disappointing to be told that Heritage Victoria does not accept scientific or Aboringinal requests for listing on their register although certain buildings are acceptable. The art created in this area by the Heidelberg school of painters should be listed.

Climate Change

It is encouraging to note the number of large groups who are campaigning to encourage both political parties to support renewal energy rather than the coal industry or fracking on prime agricultural land. COLLINS REPORT see attachment

Continue reading »