Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 2nd December 1998

Correspondence

Letter to DNRE re the lopping of the four banksias in front of Windows on the Bay. Letter to PPCC re the banksia lopping (as above)
Letter to Rob Jones, SERCO re continued meetings with Friends Groups & MBCL.

The Parks

Photoposts have been placed in Bradshaw Park to provide a progressive record of plant growth.
Friends of Braeside Park have written to the local member, Geoffrey Leigh MP, requesting funds for a filter on Dingley Drain. $1000 was received but Melbourne Water advises that $40,000 is required for a filter. The red brick building used as a Ranger’s office has been bought by Melbourne Water and leased to Braeside Park Admin.

Kingston Lodge Development L33

Kingston Council have applied to have the green wedge boundary moved from the freeway reservation to Springvale Road to facilitate the proposed residential development in the green wedge. The Aspendale Gardens group are opposed to the 700 house residential development on the Hains property in the green wedge. KCEC members have discussed this matter with DNRE. Letters from KCEC have been sent to a number of responsible authorities and environmental groups re this blatant “urban incision” (the Panel’s words) of part of the green wedge.

Acid Sulphate Soil

In addition to the 24,000 c/m of acid sulphate soil from the City Link tunnels dumped at Braeside by Transfield Obayashi, potential acid sulphate soil has been found on the Kingston Lodge site. The EPA will require an Environment Management Plan to be carried out before this soil can be used for fill for the proposed residential development on the Hains land. Transfields consultants have claimed that the acid sulphate soil can be covered and left at the Braeside site however if the owner of the land wants to build factories on the land he will have to bear the cost of treating the land. The EPA haven’t insisted on monitoring the Braeside land to check if there is any leaching of acid sulphate into the drains or groundwater. Continue reading »

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 4th November 1998

Correspondence

As a result of much correspondence incoming requesting assistance, the question was asked “How do other groups support MBCL?” Do we need to use the media more to inform the public of issues? How effectively do we network? There appears to be a need to use local papers to publicise issues and to recruit if possible, potential councillors with an understanding of the importance of environmental issues.
Council elections will be held in March 2000. Any volunteers?
Letter from J.Eggleston to Kingston Traffic Officer concerning traffic / parking problems in Como Pde/Alameda Street, Parkdale.
A submission has been sent to the EPA who requested information about, amongst other issues, groundwater in the Dandenong CIC.

The Parks

At Braeside Park there is increasing emphasis on volunteer involvement. For example Parks Management prepares submissions for the Friends Groups to obtain funding to carry out projects. e.g. $5000 for protection of plants, $20,000 from Federation Grants to build a Heritage trail. Leisure Action has received a Grant to provide easier access for disabled persons. A grant is available for a picnic area in the Western section. A letter was received from Vic Roads informing Parks Management that the Mornington Peninsula Freeway is unlikely to be built for ten years. Parks staff may continue to use the red brick building on the site.
Park Rangers have to provide Volunteer Activity Reviews each year. Streamwatch is to standardise water tests carried out by volunteers on Dunlops Drain in the Park. Sunday 8th November at 2pm a Spring Heathland Walk with Leon Costermans.
Planting is continuing at Karkarook Park. Open Day Sunday 5th November.

Kingston Conservation & Environment Coalition

The Flora and Fauna Seminar has been broadened to include the geological sandstone areas in Kingston and adjoining Councils in the sandstone region because of similar plant species. KCEC have applied for a Federal Grant of $20,000 to pay lecturers and publication of proceedings of the seminar. Next meeting 3rd December at Moorabbin 7.30pm

Kingston Lodge Development L33

The Report of the Panel Hearing Amendment L33 into the Kingston Lodge Residential Development has been released and justifies the concerns of those opposing the overdevelopment of the site. The Panel Members are quite scathing about the Hains claim that the development will be “leading edge environmental living”. The Panel states that there is nothing special about this style of housing, in fact it is simply an “urban conversion”. They state that “Amendment L33 to the Kingston Planning Scheme not be approved at this time” They recommend further work be done to clarify the green wedge boundaries and ensure that they are sustainable plus other issues. Once this has been done “Amendment L33 may be reconsidered.” Kingston Council has already gone to the Dept. of Infrastructure to have the ruling overturned and continue to request that the green wedge boundary be moved to Springvale Road to enable this development to proceed! Panel refused a controversial development at Cranbourne. J.Cuthbertson was influential!

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 7th October 1998

For Sale! For Sale! For Sale!

Original watercolour cards with envelopes. Local Scenes. Great for OS friends.
All proceeds to MBCL.

The Parks

Further to last months minutes referring to proposed signs at Bradshaw Park we have been advised that the signs will be metal, 6ft long and approx. 3ft wide. The signs will be pictorial only with outlines of animals which children/students can colour in. The signs will be sealed to weather proof them. It is proposed to place the signs along both the Nepean Hwy and railway fences. Council is prepared to construct an improved entrance when the Friends have decided on the design.
Water analysis is continuing at Braeside Park. We will be interested to hear the results when they are available. Sunday 8th November at 2pm a Spring Heathland Walk with Leon Costermans.
Planting is continuing at Karkarook Park.

Sercos’s Foreshore Management

A bi-monthly meeting with Serco, MBCL and KCEC members took place 8-9-98. Issues discussed were a proposed ecological burn at the Mundy Street, Mentone site to encourage regeneration of indigenous plants. There is no official plan for foreshore management. The Kingston Foreshore Strategy Plan will become the official plan when the study is completed by the consultants. There are opportunities for Friends Groups to be involved in decision making if they contact Council when new specifications are being prepared. We reported that beach cleaning machinery was damaging spinifex which is spreading onto the beach and stabilising the sand and dunes.

Kingston Conservation & Environment Coalition Annual General Meeting

A Public Transport Users Association representative attended this meeting and asked for submissions opposing the Scoresby Freeway. Paul Mees of the PTUA will represent MBCL at the Panel hearing as well as the many other environment groups who are objecting to the proposed freeway which will encroach into the green wedge and encourage more development in the wedge.
KCEC have applied for a $20,000 Federation Grant to assist with the planned two day Flora and Fauna Seminar on biodiversity in the sandstone areas in Kingston and adjoining suburbs.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 2nd September 1998

We welcome new members David & Joan Eggleston.

Correspondence

Submissions have been sent to the Federal Government’s ANZEC Enquiry, the Scoresby Freeway EES (Paul Mees of the PTUA will attend the panel on behalf of environment groups). We were asked by Kingston Council’s Planning Officer, Mark Woodland to comment on L38, Council’s plans for Epsom Race Course. All submissions are available if members are interested in checking them.
J. Cuthbertson will write to Dr Miles Lewis (TCPA) re the Hains property development.

Mordialloc Local Area Traffic Study

Concern was expressed that intense development in some sections of the municipality will intensify traffic and parking problems for residents. e.g. a proposed development on the corner of Alameda Street, Parkdale and Como Parade. There are reports of similar over- developments at Aspendale.
Recommendation:- That Parkdale Mentone Village Committee form a sub-committee to examine the development applications to Kingston Council and make comment.
The ARUP traffic report and summary are available for comment.

The Parks

Friends of Bradshaw Park have received a grant of $300.00 for signs to be placed on the fence. The signs would contain information about the flora and fauna within the park. It was suggested that the money might be better spent on an entrance designed to attract attention from passing traffic. Signs often add to the clutter along roads and highways.
A Braeside Park volunteer has nobly commenced analysis of the water in Dingley Drain which flows through Braeside Park. In the last three months 5000 plants have been planted in the new parking area. Jewish school children were given a grant to plant 1000 trees in the Park! Melbourne Water owns the Mornington Peninsula Freeway reservation and brick building used by Parks staff. Vic Roads wants to buy the reservation from Melbourne Water and use the brick building for their own staff.
The front part of Karkarook Park may be handed over to the public in November.

Kingston Conservation & Environment Coalition

Regular meetings are being held by a KCEC committee to plan a Flora & Fauna Seminar to be held in March 1999. Kingston Council is supporting a Federal Grant application of $20.000 for the seminar.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 5th August 1998

The Parks

Braeside Park Friends Group is being asked to conduct tours of the Park formerly undertaken by Park Staff. In times such as these with downsized staff more is expected of volunteer groups it seems.
Governor Road widening to four lanes will mean loss of parkland on the southern section of Braeside Park. The undeveloped Kingston Lodge land will remain intact!
Karkarook Park Friends Group will be established to work with Braeside Friends Group in volunteer work in the park.
The Sandbelt Parklands Advisory Committee will widen the committee to attract people with a wide range of interests.

Kingston Lodge Panel Hearing

Conservation/environment groups appeared at the Panel hearings at Moorabbin Council Offices on the 11/12 August. J. Cuthbertson presented a most detailed and comprehensive submission to the Panel. Friends of Braeside Park, Friends of Edithvale Seaford Wetlands and Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League all spoke in support of their submissions. It was disappointing to hear Parks Victoria and DNRE supporting the development – even to the extent, in Parks Victoria’s case, supporting Kingston Council’s recommendation that the Green Wedge boundary should be moved to Springvale Road to allow the 700 house development to proceed. Kingston Council had a lawyer to support their case in favour of the development.

Mordialloc Local Area Traffic Study

Surveys have been sent to some residents in the study area – not all residents received them. The Mordialloc traders want the Moorabbin Transit bus moved to the other side of the railway line to allow for more car park spaces, however this will disadvantage public transport users especially the elderly who will have to negotiate the steep railway underpass. Residents in Montgomery Street will also be disadvantaged by the traders demand for a car park on the corner of Owen Street and Montgomery Street. Residents have asked that the Owen Street end of Montgomery Street be closed to stop through traffic. The next Steering Committee meeting will address the White street, Governor Road traffic problems.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 1st July 1998

Kingston Lodge Wetlands Development

The Panel Hearings into the proposed 700 house residential development and wetlands on the Hains property, Kingston Lodge, has commenced at Moorabbin Council Chambers. MBCL, KCEC, Friends of Braeside Park, Edithvale Wetlands and other community groups will appear on August 11/12. The hearings are open to the public. Six of the seven Kingston councillors have voted in favour of the development.

The Park

Bradshaw Park is being subjected to a radical removal of tea-trees. According to SERCO the aim is to convert the park into a grassy woodland. Tea-trees a certain number of metres from the coast are considered to be weeds!! The removal of healthy mature trees from this park, the foreshore and the creek reserve is causing considerable angst.Are there not more important tasks to be undertaken?
Braeside Park staff organised an excellent tour of Karkarook Park and work in progress there followed by a barbecue at Braeside Park. There is some suggestion of negotiations underway between Melbourne Water and Vic Roads over the ownership of the Mornington Freeway Reservation.
Karkarook Park is taking shape although mining continues in the largest hole which will eventually become a lake suitable for some boating. The park is essentially a flood control basin to treat stormwater especially Heatherton drain flow before it enters Mordialloc Creek.

Acidic Soil Dumping Melways 93 Al

Last November 1997 acid sulphate soil was dumped on industrial land south of Governor Road abutting Dunlops Drain. The soil came from City Link tunnels and Webb Dock and is prescribed contaminated soil. It has not been removed but covered with clean fill, however the EPA advises that in the long term there will be leaching into the groundwater. These oxidation products are highly toxic to aquatic organisms and if exposed to the air can also corrode steel and concrete engineering products.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 6th May 1998

Woodlands Industrial Estate

As stated above, consultants Offor Sharp & Associates have organised community consultation about Melbourne Waters plans to create a series of wetlands in the southern section of the industrial estate abutting Governor Road. The large holes created in this area, as fill was removed for the northern section of the estate, have left water filled craters. It is planned to use the holes for stormwater treatment before drainage water enters the creek and Bay. Environment groups want vacant land on the southeast corner of the estate be added to Braeside Park as a wild life corridor. MBCL has been invited to attend these meetings so please come along June 3rd at 7pm. Braeside Park Visitors Centre.

The Parks

Bradshaw Park tea-tree and coast wattle have been subjected to a clearance program by SERCO who didn’t consult with the Friends group prior to the work commencing. Is there a need for discussion with SERCO re their management plans for the Park? There has been some vandalism in the park with attacks on one particular species of plant.
Braeside Park is now on the Webb site thanks to Ron Pearson’s proficiency with the intricacy of the internet. Fortunately the proposal to convert the Visitor’s Centre into tea rooms is not going ahead. A rabbit fence has been built around purple orchids at a cost of $1100.00 The Friends group have planned a planting day for Arbour Week. They have also applied to Kingston Council for a grant. Braeside Park management has now been moved to another area which extends as far as Healesville. The Head Office of this region is Berwick instead of Dromana!. Friends Group member is prepared to monitor the Dingley Drain in Braeside Park each month as part of the Streamwatch program. It will involve five hours work to complete the tests.
Work is continuing at Karkarook Park to create a lake system in the sand quarry. The system is designed to treat stormwater before it enters Heatherton Drain and Mordialloc Creek.

Height Limits – City of Kingston

Mr Geoffrey Leigh, M.P. organised a meeting with MBCL members and Kingston Officers and Councillors to discuss height limits in the Mordialloc Activity Node and foreshore. Although the Kingston MSS stipulates a two storey height limit along the foreshore, a letter from Mr Maclellan states that “State Planning Policy does not generally support absolute height limits in planning schemes as desirable height and other urban elements should be expressed by way of planning policy.” This appears to leave the way open for a developer to appeal a council decision if a multi-storey development permit is refused.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 1st April 1998

The Parks

Bradshaw Park was the scene of a book launch in April when Alan Reid from the Gould League launched an audio kit and folio for students who visit the park to use. Friends of Bradshaw Park are to be congratulated on this initiative.
Karkarook Park Work on the front section of the park is almost finished and the Sandbelt Parklands Advisory Committee will be taken on a tour of the park.
Braeside Park Friends group were meeting to discuss Parks Victoria’s plans for Friends groups to be prepared to undertake volunteer work in any park!!. Friends groups have been offered a “rest” house at Dromana!!. Threats to Braeside Park are growing. See attachment. Consultants have been appointed to test water quality in the Dingley/Dunlop Drain which flows through Braeside Park and into Mordialloc Creek. Testing will involve Streamwatch.

Port Phillip Conservation Council

Stephen Calvert-Smith has kindly volunteered to once again be MBCL’s delegate to PPCC meetings. The PPCC have produced Draft Policies for Port Phillip Bay. These include:-

  • Bicycle paths
  • Height Limits for Medium Density Housing
  • Protection of No Commercial Development on the Foreshore
  • Foreshore Vegetation

Fortunately these draft policies support MBCL/KCEC policies and submissions to Kingston Council regarding the Kingston Foreshore Strategy.

Amendment L33. The Hains Property

35 submissions were sent to Kingston Council objecting to Amendment L33 which would permit re-zoning of the land to allow for a 700 house development on flood prone land in the Green Wedge. Kingston Council has proceeded with the Amendment L33 before the study of the Keysborough Green Wedge has been finalised. The City of Greater Dandenong has faxed a strongly worded objection to Amendment L33 to the Kingston Councillors claiming the SENUS study states that the Green Wedge must be retained and not built on.

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 4th March 1998

Correspondence

Letter from SERCO inviting MBCL to meet with them for a briefing.

The Parks

Braeside Park Management plan to rotate rangers between Parks as far afield as the Peninsula. David Sewell, Head Ranger will be based at Rosebud. Mr Sewell claims to be a park developer rather than a conservationist!! Letters have been written. The River Red Gums are still unhealthy cause unknown.
Karkarook Park is going ahead with a ‘hole’ being dug which will eventually become a flood retarding basin. The hole will cope with stormwater from the Bentleigh/Oakleigh region. Before the water flows into the Heatherton Drain it will be diverted into reed filled settling ponds. The ponds adjacent to Warrigal Road will be ready in six months. Later water will flow into a filled sand quarry to become a ‘lake’ and part of the Chain of Parks.
Friends of Bradshaw Park will hold a book launch at the Park on Tuesday, 31-3-98 at 2.30pm. The book or kit is designed for school children visiting the Park.

Kingston Conservation & Environment Coalition / Wetlands Hains Property

The Amendment which proposes to re-zone the Hains land from part General Farming, Stream and Floodway, Garden Industrial and Special Extractive Industry to Public Purposes 10 and 20, Reserves and Residential Zone 1, has been placed on Exhibition from 5 March -6 April. Approval for this change of zoning will permit the 700-800 residential development to proceed in the Green Wedge. The SENSUS Strategic Review of the Keysborough Wetlands Area recommended retention of the Green Wedge. There is still time to lodge an objection to this overdevelopment and loss of open space.

Mordialloc Foreshore / Coastal Action Plan / Height Limits

The third meeting of the enlarged Kingston Foreshore Strategy Committee met 24-3-98. KCEC/MBCL had one representative on this large Committee which is looking at ways to ‘develop Mordialloc as a tourist destination. Height limits have been lifted in the area from Centreway, Mordialloc, south towards the creek. There have been hints of a ‘hotel and conference centre’ in this constricted area. The public will eventually be given an opportunity to comment. Kingston Council has invited the DNRE, Parks Victoria, Tourism Victoria and others to work on this scheme. Is this a little like inviting a tiger to tea with Tom the cat?

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Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League – Minutes – 4th February 1998

Panel Hearings on the Kingston Municipal Strategic Statement

Panel hearings will be heard at the Kingston Council Chambers, Moorabbin, from March 16 to 22 April 1998. These hearings are open to the public and should prove a valuable insight to possible planning changes in the municipality.
MBCL will be presenting our submission to the panel on Wednesday 18 between 12noon – 12.30pm.
Submissions will include representations about the rezoning of Beach Road to RDZ1.

The Parks

Braeside Park is under extreme pressure as the number of rangers have been reduced by three. There are now only five rangers available, therefore a number of activities have been curtailed. For example guides are no longer provided for school groups. Instead kits are sent to schools so that teachers can conduct their own tours! There will be no more train rides. Water quality analysis of the Dingley Drain, formerly a major source of leachate pollution in the Park, will not be carried out by rangers. Therefore there will be no monitoring of this drain. Weeds from the non-urban areas south of Mordialloc Main Drain and on the Hains property, are invading the Park- The most serious noxious weed is Pattersons Curse.
There is concern about the health of the river red gums which may be affected by the rising water table, an excess of fertiliser, cattle compaction or a virus.
On the positive side a new car park has been installed, as well as rabbit proof fencing. The plant propagation program has been so successful that there are many plants for sale to councils if they are interested.
Karkarook Park was officially opened by Marie Tehan, Minister for Conservation. No expense was spared although the hard working committee wasn’t invited!! Thousands of small recently planted trees were burnt. An expensive post and rail fence has been moved to allow a car park to be built for Hardware House next door to the park. The Park will lose 30 metres of parkland to enable the car park to be built!

Acid Sulphate Soil at Braeside

It was discovered recently that acidic soil from the City Link tunnels and Coode Island has been dumped as fill for industrial development south of the Woodlands Industrial Estate adjacent to Settlement drain which flows into Mordialloc Creek. The EPA is carrying out tests on the soil.

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