Happy New Year To All
Trust that a wonderful break has been enjoyed and all are refreshed ready for an eventful year ahead with an election pending.A review of the Planning & Environment Act will have serious repercussions for local government and the community’s protection of residential and environment amenity so be prepared for action!
On a brighter note , congratulations to Brian on his marriage to Pat . MBCL members were honored to be invited guests to a charming wedding and reception.
A speedy recovery to Pat Millsom who is having a spell in hospital.
Correspondence
Correspondence has been received from Tom Whitfield on Carbon Trading , Sustainabilty and Fuel Reduction. Letter to Robert Doyle from W.Grahame. Minutes of Friends of Bradshaw Park and Friends of Kingston Heath Reserve..
Forthcoming Event
Friends of Mordialloc Catchment and Friends of Kingston Heath will combine for Plant Propagation at Bonbeach Depot Nursery Saturday 6th February 10.00am – 1.pm Mobile 0438 354 491
Population
Prime Minister Rudd’s acceptance of a population for Australia of 35 million is finally being subjected to scrutiny in the media. The Federal Labor Member Wills, Kelvin Thomson, has a 14 point plan to stabilize Australia’s population at 74 million with the refugee intake at 20,000 per annum an increase from the present approx 13,700. He suggested that letters be sent to three politicians from each of the three parties and include his 14 point plan. As he says it will make it virtually impossible to reduce greenhouse emissions if the population increases.
The ageing population argument used by Rudd to justify increasing the migrant intake can also be dismissed as migrants will also age.
Waterwatch
Waterwatch is continuing this year with another member, Bronwen, volunteering for training. Brian undertook an investigation of the Yammerbook lakes site where lack of plant growth had been noted on the water and soil areas close to the water’s edge.Testing for water pH and acid sulphate soil.revealed quite alkaline results and acidity in bare sandy soil 3-4 metres from the water. Results have been passed on to Tony Collins. An excellent piece of scientific investigation! Tony reported that council is looking at plans to extend Yammerbook wetlands.
Wal congratulated Tony on the extension of the wetlands at Epsom residential estate.
Foreshore Encroachments
Foreshore encroachments at North Aspendale are a continuing problem as residents extend their gardens and infrastructure onto the dune system. Trail bikes are becoming a problem on shared paths particularly along the creek banks and Long Beach Trail. Council is considering installing gates where possible on shared tracks. Meanwhile ring the police if offenders are seen.
Namatjira Park wetlands are being reorganized.
Coast Care Coast Action
A decision will need to be made if the forum proposed for March is to go ahead as it will need to be advertised well in advance. It would be helpful if the State Government’s report on the impact of climate change on Port Phillip Bay and associated development was released. However recent scientific studies of melting ice shelves in the Arctic and Antarctic suggest that sea level rise is inevitable.
Woodlands Wetlands
Nina and Brian report that the three lakes are in need of attention because of weed growth, introduction of carp into the lakes and bow and arrow hunting of rabbits to name some of the nefarious activities occurring in and around the wetlands. Letters have been sent to Melbourne Water CEO alerting him to this matter.
Mordialloc Creek and Environs Master Plans
are underway and for once it seems that council is prepared to accept suggestions from the community before plans are presented fait accompli! A Munir Vahanvati ,Urban Designer at Kingston Council is the person to whom ideas could be addressed. Unfortunately the old chestnut, like a bridge over the creek to the island from Hazel Pierce Reserve, is likely to be on the agenda once again. Apart from restricting passage of water craft, access to the island would result in continued vandalism of moored boats. Also important to stress the impact of climate change and sea level rise in case there are plans to increase infrastructure around the creek environs.
Bay Trail
Cr West organized a meeting with Bayside and Kingston Mayors, Bayside Conservation Society and MBCL reps to discuss a workable coordinated plan for the completion of Bayside’s section of the track and connection with the Kingston stretch at Charman Road. Despite all present being drenched in a cloud burst positive ideas emerged.
Kingston Conservation and Environment Coalition
Issues to be discussed will include Statement of purpose, constitution, fees, Friends Groups involvement,
Initially will meet after MBCL meeting but depending on the issue and/or interest of other groups may meet at another venue. Will KCEC make the running with the Coast Care Coast Action forum for example?
Business as Usual?
while making a minimum reduction of 5% in greenhouse emissions. Authors who have addressed this issue are David Spratt , Climate Code Red : the case for emergency action. He states that ‘politics as usual’ and ‘business as usual’ is incompatible with how much we can ‘safely’ emit.
Tony Kevin is author of Crunch time in which he claims that ‘our political elites refuse to make rational policy connections between the economy and the natural environment …. Instead disruptive global warming has now been rolled into a policy siding as the national policy train roars on in desperate pursuit of revived economic prosperity.” And our Planning Minister, Justin Madden, would like to remove the ‘environment’ from the Planning and Environment Act in the current review!!! Please find time to make a submission due February 12th.