Tag » Pompei

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 6th December 2017

Bay Trail

On the 24th January, Council approved completion of the Bay Trail as planned. VicRoads and Bicycle Network Victoria supported the plan, as did Kingston’s five intelligent councillors who have had so much to put up with from noisy minority.

Neighbourhood Character Study for Ormond Street?

Residents are attempting to save some of this small street of original dwellings. In this area, Collacott and Abrkly Street some of the houses had stables for rac horses in the back yard. The last of these in Collacott street was still being used as such in the 1990s when it was considered environmentally harmful to have waste from the stables flowing into drains and ultimately into the creek and Bay.

Continue reading »

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 4th October 2017

Mordialloc Bypass

Five members of VicRoads attended the October meeting plus two members of the Braeside Park Committee.This commenced at 3pm and was a robust discussion. The 9km stretch of four lane freeway (with provision for two extra lanes later) runs adjacent to the Braeside Park boundary and encroaches on the South West corner of the park before crossing Governor Road and entering the wetlands to an elevated road. There is significant vegetation in this section. Passing in close proximity to the Waterways Residential estate as an elevated roadway will create noise issues requiring sound barriers adding to the visual impact. The elevated road will cross the Mordialloc Creek and passover Aspendale Gardens homes before joining Springvale Road.

The meeting concluded at 4pm. Since then there has been an invitation to walk a section of the route with the VicRoads people at a date still to be decided.

Coast and Creek Booklet

The Coast and Creek booklet has been printed and copies have been placed at the front desk of the Council Chambers with Kingston Council’s approval. It is planned to place some in the Parkdale Library and in some schools if they are interested. There is some concern about the Mornington Peninsula Freeway crossing Mordialloc Creek because of disturbance of acid sulphate soil that will occur during construction work with pollution entering the creek.

Continue reading »

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 5th April 2017

Coast and Creek Booklet

Mordialloc Creek features in the Coast and Creek booklet which is developing in an interesting manner. It is hoped that the graphic artist will be able to attend the May meeting of MBCL. Furthermore an attendee at the April meeting is a keen bird watcher so he might be able to add further info in that area.

Level Crossing Removal

There is an official report around which claims that the Edithvale-Seaford Wetland’s groundwater will be badly affected if the trench method of removing rail crossings is adopted for the Frankston line south of Aspendale. This would mean trenches for Edithvale and Bonbeach stations and a bridge over Patterson River for Carrum plus a relocation of the Carrum Station further along the line.

Continue reading »

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 July 2016

Mordialloc Life Saving Club Substation

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.

Pompei’s Landing

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.

Friends of Bradshaw Bushland Reserve

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.

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 – 2nd April 2014

Correspondence

Suggested that MBCL buy the DVD Australian Coasts based on Neil Oliver’s English BBC Coasts program. Oliver actually filmed Beaumaris fossil cliffs and parts of Brighton Beach with Dr Tim Flannery. A Coastal Guide to the nature and history of Port Phillip Bay has been published and may also be worthwhile purchasing.

Meetings Attended

STOP Transport Group continues to highlight issues on the Frankston line in conjunction with the PTUA. Southland Station is to be built between Cheltenham and Highett stations, but in a limited format- no toilets, shelters or parking. Of concern is the advertising on train carriages completely covering windows. This obscures clear vision on trains, trams and buses and adds to the advertising blight around stations and rail lines. A letter has been written to the Metro company currently running the trains about this matter.

Port Phillip Conservation Council

Port Phillip Conservation Council met at Longbeach Centre Chelsea, 28 April. Developments on the coast line around the Bay are threatening Arthur’s Seat, Rosebud, Blairgowrie, Rye, Frankston and Brighton Beach. A chair lift and trail bike track on Arthur’s Sea, a swimming pool on the foreshore at Rosebud, a marina at Blairgowrie, a yacht club with a restaurant and retail premises on the foreshore at Frankston without adequate parking and a bike track on the sand at Brighton beach. Should Hastings Port go ahead there will destruction of the seagrass beds and mangroves as well as pollution from oil spills. Beaumaris Yacht Club is seeking an upper storey on the building when concrete cancer is removed. It is proposed that the building can then accommodate a Marine Research Centre – something similar to what is proposed for the Mordialloc Surf Lifesaving Club when it is rebuilt on the primary dune on Mordialloc foreshore.

Continue reading »

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 – 7th July 2010

VCAT Hearings

Members have been attending VCAT hearings concerning local residential developments that will have an impact on environmental and residential amenity. 9 Bear Street decision disappointingly approved an intensive unit development including a number of bedrooms without windows resulting on reliance on reflected light from other rooms and reliance on mechanical ventilation for the entire building. Hardly environmentally sustainable living, rather developments like this, encouraged by government, resembles third world housing.Entry /exit onto busy Albert Street will increase traffic congestion close to a railway station, bus stop and school. The large timber yard development, also on Albert Street, will add to this congestion. Trucks use this street to access industrial sites at Braeside. An oversize MacMansion in Bertram Street on the north side of an existing single storey dwelling will preclude the use of solar panels and sunlight into habitable rooms of this home. A single dwelling does not require a planning permit under today’s planning regime so there are no grounds for objections.

Waterwatch

Happy to report two new recruits for the Waterwatch team – Bronwen and Alan have begun training. An oil spill was reported in the lower reaches of the creek Wednesday. Some concern about print company, Rollspack, seeking to increase its solvent emissions and discharge of waste to the environment at Braeside. Some of this waste will be discharged to the sewer system. Community rally 11am Sat July 31st requesting that the creek be dredged.

Kingston Parks Report

Stage 2 of the Master plan to determine priorities. Linkages of Mordialloc Creek, foreshore, Braeside Park and Eel Race Drain to cover recreation and habitat.

Heatherton Park and Moorabbin Reserve have had working bees and planting days. Concern over Chinese Elm trees planted in Heatherton Park.

Braeside Park will have a National Tree Day planting 31 July.

Friends of Mordialloc Creek’s National Tree Planting Day Sunday 1st August. Meet near the Jack Grut Reserve 10-1pm

Aspendale Gardens Residents Association

AGRA met 12 July to discuss Yammerbook completion Stage 2, Mordialloc Creek Industrial development between Waterways & Wells Road bridge and secondary drain wetland corridor from Mordialloc to Edithvale wetlands. Brian Earl and Scot Watson carried out Yammerbook soil and water tests December 2009 and found the soil was quite acidic but the water was alkaline.Further tests were carried out after rain . Liaison with the appropriate agencies before further work is undertaken was suggested.

Extension to the Kiosk Mordialloc Creek

The current lessees of the Tour de Café have applied to have two pergolas erected on the west and north side of the kiosk to provide shelter. MBCL members felt that this was the thin edge of the wedge and would lead to a more permanent expansion and privatization of Crown land . Members remember the ‘incremental creep’ of Windows on the Bay onto the foreshore after being given permission to only occupy the footprint of the existing small kiosk /change rooms,1984. (We have long memories)

Heritage Issues

Hertiage issues were raised in relation to the 9 Bear development in Mordialloc’s heritage precinct including the Masonic Lodge, St Nicholas Church (also undergoing alteration ), the primary school and water tower.The unit development will detract from this historically significant part of Mordialloc. The State government’s enforcement of high density housing in activity centres around transport hubs means that older suburbs will lose the character of their neighbourhood because most of their historically significant buildings are located around railway stations.

Museum on the Pompei Site

was also discussed. Wooden boat building was an important draw card to Mordialloc for people from all walks of life It is gratifying to learn that council intends that this site will be retained as a boat hire, maintenance and repair precinct as part of the Mordialloc Structure Plan.

Climate Change & Biodiversity Reference Group

Clime Change & Biodiversity Reference Group has been formed Representatives from MBCL and KCEC are part of the group. The precautionary principle is being used in VCAT hearings now when an applicant seeks to build on flood prone land . Mordialloc has 11,000 flood prone properties. A recent case reported in the Planning News, July 2010, involved a property in Mordialloc – two double storey dwellings on a site 400 metres from the coast.Although Kingston’s drainage engineers “had not expressed concern” the Tribunal took the precautionary measure and directed that the application be referred to the flood plain manager.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc.