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 – 7th November 1995

Correspondence

Incoming: Geoff Leigh M.P. re “Windows”, Hon. G.Connard re Woodlands Industrial Est.
Outgoing: J.Chandler re Code for Melbourne Parklands, Hon. Simon Crean re destruction of Australia’s old growth forests.

Bradshaw Park

Work proceeding. Posts have been re-positioned on the nature walk and the leaflet describing the walk rewritten. Members of the SGAP visited the park on a recent Sunday and were given a guided tour by the curator, Mr David Bainbridge.

Braeside Park

More rangers have been employed in the park. A Family Day picnic was held on Cup Day. Highlights included a Bush Dance and a train ride through the park.

Woodlands Industrial Estate

Negotiations continue which if successful will mean that land abutting Governor road will be administered by Braeside Park & hopefully parkland.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 5th September 1995

Correspondence

Incoming: Newsletters (various)

Outgoing: Letter supporting the campaign to prevent the Barnbam Swamp being re-zoned residential
Letter to City of Kingston Commissioners requesting the MBCL be involved in plans for developments on the foreshore i.e The car park at the Spunner Pavilion, the Scullin Oval, Mordialloc.

Bradshaw Park

Work proceeding. There are plans to conduct a “burn” to destroy weeds. This can now be carried out under the new by-laws. LEAP people have assisted with plantings. Friends of Bradshaw Park would like to have the use of the igloo, formerly the property of Mordialloc Council, to propagate plants under their propagation programme. Negotiations are continuing.

Woodlands Industrial Estate

The official opening of the Industrial estate was performed by Phil Gude Minister in the Kennet Government, 1-9-95. Special features of the development were said to be the 16 hectares of Murray River red gums and the proposal to include three lakes to filter drainage water before it flows into Mordialloc Creek.
R.Pearson asked the consultant to consider leaving land on Governor road out of future development plans and include it in the environmental section of the park. Filling would be required if the this area was used for development.

Mordialloc Tennis Club Relocation

The City of Kingston plans to spend $10,000 to “develop a master plan for the entire area” of Mordialloc Foreshore (Mordialloc Chelsea News 30-8-95) These plans may include land available after the proposed re-location of the tennis club. MBCL have written to the Chief Commissioner requesting that there be consultation and active involvement with conservation groups on planning matters on the foreshore as stated in the Corporate Plan (p.21)

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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 – 2nd May 1995

Bradshaw Park

Despite some vandalism Bradshaw Park is looking good. The Commissioner has replied favourably to a letter written by S.Calvert-Smith pointing out the importance of this park as an example of remnant and indigenous species in the Mordialloc area.

Braeside Park

The first meeting of the new committee of the Sandbelt Parklands Advisory Committee was held May 23. An announcement by Minister for Conservation, Mark Birrell regarding sand mining and eventually a lake in the Karkarook Park on Warrigal Road is expected to be made June 27, 1995.
J.Welch, R.Pearson, J.Cuthbertson, B. Hemple toured the tip area in the Sandbelt Parklands Region.

Mordialloc Creek

Re-vegetation of the north bank of the creek is proceeding with massive plantings at several locations including the confluence of Mordialloc creek and Heatherton Drain. Four viewing platforms have been installed by LEAP people on the creek bank. Melbourne Water advises that there are plans to use flood retarding basins to reduce sediment entering the creek and to manage stormwater more effectively. One site could be at the flood retarding basin in Warrigal Road near the proposed Karkarook Park.

Woodlands Industrial Estate

Developers and Melbourne Water have devised a scheme to use three lakes to treat drainage from the industrial estate before it enters Mordialloc Creek. Some sediment may be removed before flowing into the drains and creek. It is uncertain at this stage if Gartsides, Dunlops and Dingley drains will be diverted into the lake system to ensure that pollutants such as leachates will also be removed before reaching the creek and Bay.

Kingston Conservation & Environment Coalition

Ten members of the 21 groups which form the KCEC have formed a Secretariat to co-ordinate the working parties who prepare submissions on their areas of expertise i.e. flora, fauna, water and air. The submissions will be a brief overall description of natural environment, eco-systems, waterways in the City of Kingston and will, when completed, comprise a revision and collation of all existing available material.

There is concern in the KCEC about the methods being used by the Commissioners to form the so-called “village advisory committees.” Hand picked committees formed by a Commissioner appointed chairperson could well preclude environmentalists having any in-put to important conservation issues such as the Mentone stormwater drain, expansion of Windows on the Bay onto open space, namely the grassed area in front of the restaurant and “upgrading” a car park on Mentone foreshore.

A deputation from the KCEC will meet with Commissioner Bennett to present the Agenda 21 submission which it is hoped will be included in the City of Kingston corporate policy.

Mordialloc Tennis Club

Discussions have taken place with tennis club members re the re-location of the club to a McDonald street location. Council’s scheme is to remove the tennis club to make way for car parking on the site. However, it is claimed that the road into the Scullin Reserve from Pier Road will revert to park land thus uniting the foreshore and Scullin parkland.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League Inc.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 4th April 1995

Mordialloc Tennis Club Relocation…

There is a proposal by Mordialloc Council to re-locate the tennis club to the MacDonald Street Ben Kavanagh Reserve. Residents in MacDonald Street oppose this move since it will increase traffic in the area &occupy space currently used by children for passive recreation. Mordialloc Primary School and St Brigid’s Catholic School also oppose the move since students use the space for sporting activities. The cost of bussing students to other venues would be prohibitive. Council proposes to use the land vacated by the tennis club for car parking but would remove parking between the foreshore and the Scullin Reserve to compensate for loss of parkland. MBCL would oppose any increased parking on the foreshore and have had correspondence from Dr Bennett confirming that there would be no increase in parking. The League will await the findings of a committee to be set up by the Commissioners to discuss this matter with residents and the tennis club.

Bradshaw Park

A planting day at Bradshaw Park was planned for April 8th with the 6th Mordialloc Scouts. April the 15th will be a working day for the Friends of Bradshaw Bank. Two new members have joined the Friends group. It was suggested that a letter should be written to the Commissioners of the City of Kingston informing them of the existence of this important park and seek their continued support of the Friends group and Bradshaw park.

Woodlands Industrial Estate / Braeside Park

The second stage development in the Woodlands Industrial Estate is about to commence. Friends of Braeside Park are selling plants to the industrial estate to establish native vegetation in this area.
The Braeside Park Advisory Committee has been disbanded and will be replaced by a new committee covering. all parks in the Chain of Parks concept. The Sandbelt Parklands Advisory Committee will have 13 members. Congratulations to MBCL member, Ron Pearson, who becomes one of the members of this important new committee.

The Agnew Report

It is with regret that we learn that Glen will be withdrawing from research work in our area unless he receives a grant which will enable him to continue to monitor the reef. Glen’s contribution has been vitally important in arousing the public, and particularly politician’s, awareness of the pollution problem in Mordialloc Creek and drains feeding into the creek which in turn add to the pollution of the Bay.

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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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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 6th December 1994

Bradshaw Park

A small fire broke out in the Park but in the wrong place as regards a re-vegetation burn-off!
Elimination of foxes is the Council’s role and can be accomplished with traps as is the practice in the Edithvale Wetlands.
S.Calvert-Smith manned a stall at the Parkdale Shopping centre as part of the Parkdale Traders Promotion.

Beaumaris Motor Yacht Club Lease

A further meeting was held to discuss Hon. M. Birrell’s refusal to reject the DCNR proposal to “regularise” the lease of the yacht club.

Heritage Listing for Beaumaris Park

Work on the submission is proceeding. Beaumaris Park is now in the City of Bayside and raises the issue of which group or organisation will be involved or prepared to monitor re-vegetation work in the Park.

Mentone Stormwater Drain Opposite Mentone Parade

C. King presented a Melbourne Water’s plan for a large outfall drain to cross the beach opposite Mentone Parade. There are 15 drains entering the Bay from Charman Road to Mordialloc Creek, and as this latest proposal will be the largest to carry stormwater to the Bay it raises questions about Melbourne Waters “quick fix ” solution to flooding problems in the Mentone area.

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