File - Friends of Edithvale

Friends of Edithvale – Seaford Wetlands Inc.
Number 131
Inside this issue:
Wetland Warbler
Clamorous Reed-Warbler
44 FIRST AVENUE
DEVELOPMENT VS ENVIRONMENT
E
nvironment Defenders Office
(EDO) lawyer Nick Croggon recently represented the Friends of Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands in a planning
scheme amendment case (44 First Avenue) that will be an important test of
whether planning laws can protect internationally significant wetland habitat. The following is Nick’s report on his
blog.
The EDO recently acted in a case about
a proposed new development near the
Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands. We represented the Friends of Seaford-Edithvale
Wetlands Inc, an important and longstanding protector of the wetlands.
The Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands is found
in south-east Melbourne, and is an internationally recognised wetland: in 2001,
it was declared a wetlands of international significance under the Ramsar
Convention. The wetland is home to a
huge number of birds of local, State, national and international significance.
Even among internationally recognised
wetlands, it is fairly unique: it is the only
wetlands in Victoria that is entirely within an urban setting, and is completely
surrounded by residential development.
The hearing, which was a hearing by a
Planning Panel appointed by the Minister for Planning, considered whether a
patch of land next to the wetlands
should be rezoned to allow residential
Snippets
3
Protecting our Laws
2
Developers
4
Bird Count
5
development. We argued that it should
not: it formed one of the last remaining
buffers between the wetlands and its
urban surroundings. The site in question was also on a floodplain - another
reason, we stated, why it should be left
alone, rather than being rezoned for
more urban development.
FRIENDS OF EDITHVALE
- SEAFORD WETLANDS
INC.
As part of its proposal, the developer
offered to gift half of the site to Melbourne Water. We argued that while
this was a great gesture, it was not
enough to outweigh the impacts of developing the other part of the site.
www.edithvale-seafordwetlands.org
The hearing raised important questions
about the role of the environment in
planning. When planning our suburbs,
how much do we value our important
environmental features? Should we develop land wherever it is possible, or
should we save some bits to protect
what is environmentally important?
These are some of the questions the
Planning Panel will be considering in the
coming months.
Nick Croggon's blog
Edithvale Wetlands
Assoc No. A0017388K
ABN - 95 886 101 621
P O BOX 2031,
EDITHVALE VIC 3196
President Philippa Bailey
9786 1591
Vice President Robin Clarey
9786 2213
Secretary Margaret Hunter
9588 0867
Treasurer Gwen Meadows
9584 4607
Committee
Rex Chugg
Matthew Mitchell
Kate Spillane
Seaford W’Bees Rex Chugg
9766 6056
Bird Hide Roster Kate Spillane
9772 4318
Bird Hide Co-ordinator
Vacant
Guided Tours Marg Hunter
9588 0867
Newsletter Robin Clarey
9786 2213
Warbler Collator
Cheryl Meier 97724484
Membership Database
Philippa Bailey 9786 1591
Website
Matthew Mitchell
Number 131
2
PROTECTING OUR LAWS
D
o you agree that our laws
need to do more to protect
our precious natural places and
wildlife?
developments in conservation science and threats such as climate
change. We've done a lot of work
on the issue and what can be
done about it – see for example
our report - Where's the guaran-
Victoria's Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act turns 25 this year. The
Act's objective – to guarantee that
all species of flora and fauna in
Victoria can "survive, flourish and
retain their potential for evolutionary development in the wild" – is
as far reaching and necessary today as it was 25 years ago.
tee?
We'll be contacting our supporters
shortly with more about the issue
and, importantly, how we can
work together to make sure that
important laws like the Flora and
Fauna Guarantee Act deliver on
their promise.
Tragically, the Act has been undermined by a lack of commitment to its implementation, under
-resourcing, and a failure to make
sure that it keeps up to date with
BIRD HIDE
P
rogress by the Bird Hide Committee has
been slow but sure, the committee having
met on two occasions this year, Alison has
done a good job gathering the various documents/reports the committee wanted, and
seeking expert opinion where needed.
Philippa took the opportunity to speak to the
Victorian Minister for Environment and Climate
Change, The Hon. Ryan Smith MP, about the
hide when he was in the area a few weeks
ago.
More up-dates next issue.
–Brendan Sydes
Source: EDO eBulletin
<[email protected] 15 March 2013
SEAFORD WORKING
BEES
D
o you have a couple of hours to spare
once a month on a Sunday morning?
The Seaford Working Bee could do with some
more help.
Rex would love to hear from you. See below.
Seaford Working Bee Dates
(First Sunday of the month)
7th April 2013
5th May 2013
2nd June 2013
10:00am – 12 noon
Ring Rex (9766 6056)
Vale Pam Newbury
It is with great sadness that we report the recent passing
of Pam. Pam was a great supporter of FESWI, stepping
up to help with Bird Hide and Discovery Centre duties,
and with special activities.
Her friendly presence will be missed.
Number 131
3
SNIPPETS SNIPPETS SNIPPETS
Community Visits, Walks and Talks
FESWI has been involved in community visits, talks
and walks in conjunction with other groups over the
past couple of months. On World Wetlands Day, 2nd
February Les, Margaret and Robin joined with Melbourne Water to open the Discovery Centre to the
community. Margaret conducted several walks
around the area.
On 5th March, FESWI opened the Discovery Centre for
a function arranged by Chelsea Rotary for their members. Les spoke to the group and Philippa and Margaret took interested members for a walk. Chelsea
Rotary very generously donated the proceeds of the
evening ($700) to FESWI. Thankyou Peter Washington, who organised the event, and Chelsea Rotary.
Peter, Les and Philippa
The $700 will kick start the Bird Hide fund.
Viewing Platform
Discovery Centre
The Viewing platform at Edithvale South: has
been completed and was officially opened on 15th
March. In attendance were Donna Bauer MLA,
State member of Parliament for Carrum, Mark
Dreyfus MP, Federal Member for Isaacs, Melbourne Water personnel, children from a local
school, and, representing FESWI, Margaret
Hunter.
FESWI has re-opened the Discovery Centre this year
on every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. MW has
installed lots of interesting new display equipment,
which is well worth a look. Just on that …. although
the Discovery Centre is not suitable for bird watching (and will never replace the hide) there is still a lot
of fascinating information to be gleaned there.
We are still looking for more volunteers for this role.
Kate Spillane is organising the roster in 2013 and if
you can spare a couple of hours once a month
please contact her via email [email protected]
Down’s Estate
Still waiting for news on how Frankston Council
intends to proceed with this property, located on
the north-east boundary of the Seaford Wetlands.
Grant
Melbourne Water has made a $900 grant to FESWI
to help pay the postage for Wetland Warbler.
Thanks again, Melbourne Water.
Awards to Students
Les and Nola Williams, and Margaret attended the
Grade 6 Graduation Dinner for St Louis de Montfort
school in Aspendale where Les presented awards to
two grade 6 students – Maddy McDonald and Jamie
Dickinson - who had completed research on the
Wetlands. Well done Maddie and Jamie.
Number 131
4
DEVELOPERS
F
ESWI has been busy over the past couple of
months battling against developers in Seaford
and Chelsea Heights.
Regarding 44 First Avenue (see Page 1), the formal
Panel Report is expected around the end of the
month.
In Seaford there is a parcel of vacant land on the
corner of Seaford Road and Nepean Highway that
has attracted the attention of McDonald’s, and another developer who wanted to put – get this! –
49 units on the site.
In Chelsea Heights there is the continuing battle
over 44 First Avenue where the proposal is to have
part of the land, zoned Urban Floodway Plain,
rezoned residential in order that 28 houses can
be built.
Between these two, members of the committee,
and Friends, have attended numerous meetings –
strategic, public and Council, and a three-day Panel
Hearing on the latter development.
In Seaford there were many objectors and the
various meetings were well attended, and we are
pleased to report that Frankston Council refused to
grant permits on both the proposals.
And hopefully, that’s where it will all end.
Foot Note
There was an interesting article in the Herald Sun
on March 15.
A major developer, Michael Yates, is attempting to
stop a three-storey development with four apartments next to his South Yarra home. Hmmm!
They don’t mind messing up other peoples’ patches
but when it comes to their own ….. ?!!!
BIOSPHERE BIRD SEARCH SETS A RECORD
A
century ago, thirteen year old Harewood Lyall
sighted 42 different bird species in one day at
his family property on the northern shores of Western Port.
Now, the ‘Biosphere Bird Search’
has broken that record when a
group of enthusiastic twitchers
recently spotted a total of 46 bird
species at Harewood Historic
Homestead in one day.
Highlights from the day include
sightings of Baillon’s Crakes, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos and
Latham’s Snipes. Many of Harewood’s birds from 1912 were
also observed including a Grey
Butcherbird, Eastern Rosella, Shining Bronzecuckoo, Horsfield’s Bronze-cuckoo and Grey Fantail.
During the week-long bird watching event across
the Western Port Biosphere, 195 species were observed.
Bird Search organiser and longtime twitcher Jack Krohn said the
total was impressive. “This is a
great demonstration of the diversity that the Biosphere continues
to support even after almost two
centuries of settlement,” he said.
Visit www.biosphere.org.au for
more information about the
Western Port Biosphere Foundation.
Source: PPWCMA Newsletter - December 2012
Bird Count for March 2013
Number 131
5
ETP Boggy Creek Wetland 38º05’11”S 145º09’20”E (adjacent Banyan Waterhole)
Date: 17/03/2013. Times: 09.50-11.45. Observers: Mike Carter & Dawn Neylan.
Weather: Overcast with some drizzle; fresh S wind; cold ~15°C.
Coverage: 100% from my 4WD vehicle having borrowed Key #28 from Control.
Water Area: c.100%. Rain yesterday resulted in water at inlets reaching to top of concrete zigzag baffle walls on W side and above on E side. Boggy Creek was flowing to within 10 cm of grating at causeway. All loops were full and had overflowed onto track on E side.
Summary: It is autumn so birds are on the move; 33 species were recorded (20 wetland dependant &
Stubble Quail
Brown Quail
Magpie Goose
Black Swan
Pink-eared Duck
Australasian Shoveler
Grey Teal
Chestnut Teal
Pacific Black Duck
Hardhead
Australian Grebe
Hoary-headed Grebe
Spotted Dove
Crested Pigeon
Little Pied Cormorant
Great Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
Australian Pelican
White-necked Heron
Little Egret
Great Egret
Cattle Egret
White-faced Heron
Nankeen Night-Heron
Australian White Ibis
Straw-necked Ibis
Royal Spoonbill
Yellow-billed Spoonbill
Black-shouldered Kite
Whistling Kite
Brown Goshawk
Swamp Harrier
Little Eagle
Nankeen Kestrel
Brown Falcon
Australian Hobby
Purple Swamphen
Buff-banded Rail
Baillon’s Crake
Australian Spotted Crake
Dusky Moorhen
Eurasian Coot
Latham’s Snipe
Black-winged Stilt
2
50
90
5
2
6
10
1
6
2
2
32
1
1
10
1
17
-
-
Black-fronted Dotterel
Red-kneed Dotterel
-
Masked Lapwing
-
Common Greenshank
Wood Sandpiper
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
Silver Gull
Whiskered Tern
Little Corella
Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Rainbow Lorikeet
Blue-winged Parrot
Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo
Superb Fairy-wren
White-browed Scrubwren
Brown Thornbill
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater
White-plumed Honeyeater
White-fronted Chat
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
Australian Magpie
Willie Wagtail
Little Raven
Magpie-lark
Flame Robin
Horsfield’s Bushlark
Eurasian Skylark
Australian Reed-Warbler
Little Grassbird
Golden-headed Cisticola
Welcome Swallow
Fairy Martin
Tree Martin
Common Blackbird
Common Starling
Common Myna
Red-browed Finch
House Sparrow
Australasian Pipit
European Goldfinch
Common Greenfinch
Number of Birds: 261 wetland dependent & raptors + 262 non-wetland = 523.
Report by Mike Carter, Tel. (03) 9787 7136 [email protected]
7
2
1
3
40
12
1
5
5
1
17
60
13
~100
2
16
-
Number 131
6
Seaford
Birds
One Ibis a-walking
Two Pelis paddling
Three Spoonbills a-ssembled
Four Swans a-sailing
Number 131
119
7
Corporate Members
Following is a list of our corporate members. Please give them your support.
Aspendale Primary School
Aspendale Gardens Primary School
Frank and Isobel Baguley's Nursery
Bird Life Australia
Bonbeach Primary School
Chelsea Heights Community Centre
Chelsea RSL
Edithvale Primary School
Frankston Primary School
Gales Marine Centre
Instant Garden Nurseries at Gardenworld Keysborough
Good Shepherd Aged Services – Mary Ville Hostel
Audrey Harding
Hasuval Engineering Service Pty Ltd
Tania Ireton
McDonald's Family Restaurant, Chelsea Heights
Ray White, Chelsea
Rotary Club of Aspendale
Seaford North Primary School
Seaford Park Primary School
Melbourne Water, Waterways & Drainage
Mordialloc College
Mordialloc Primary School
April Nutter
Parkdale Secondary School
Peninsula Pedallers Inc
Presbyterian Ladies College
Seaford Primary School
Soroptimist International of Brighton
St Anne's Primary School
St Joseph's School
St Louis de Montfort's
Treeplanters Nursery
Veitch & Co Pty Ltd
Production of this newsletter funded through
PRINTED BY THE OFFICE OF
MARK DREYFUS, MHR FOR ISAACS
Friends of
Edithvale – Seaford
Wetlands Inc.
If undeliverable please return to:
PO Box 2031
EDITHVALE 3196