News and Newsletters

Text from the latest KCA newsletter and the previous newsletter can be found on this page.
You may also choose to download the original newsletters as .pdf files.

Latest News

Special Meeting Feb 3rd

Following a special meeting held on Wednesday 3rd February to discuss Kananook Creek Management Plan Update and the roles and responsibilities of the various parties - Melbourne Water, Frankston City Council, KCA and residents, it was agreed that the Draft KCA Landowner Use Manual be made available for download.  The final document will be made available prior to the AGM on April 7.

Current Newsletter February 2010

KANANOOK CREEK COMMUNITY CELEBRATION DAY
28th February 2010 9am - 4pm

Invitation to a HISTORIC MAJOR COMMUNITY
CELEBRATION.
Kananook Creek Community Celebration Day moves to Frankston SUNDAY - 28 FEBRUARY, 2010, 9am-4pm.

We invite you to join us on the banks of the Kananook Creek to take part in this historic day of community celebration.
2010 will be a very special celebration indeed. Download the poster  and pop it on your fridge or staffroom noticeboard.

 Celebration Day 2010 Poster 

CELEBRATE:
• COMPLETION OF THE KANANOOK CREEK BOULEVARD RECONNECTING THE CITY TO ITS WATER FRONTAGE
• 40th Birthday of the Kananook Creek Association
• COMPLETION of the 40 year campaign for KANANOOK CREEK RESTORATION creating a sensational recreational and environmental community asset.

RELIVE HISTORY:
Bring your boat and join in the re-creation of the 1918 grand parade of decorated watercraft and celebrate our proud marine heritage.
Please ring: John Curran 9766 1950 or 0411 169 384
or Meredith Forster 9786 7404

EXPLORE the restored natural reserves. Join in the great family guided Kanawalk. Register at the Seaford pier forecourt at 10.00 am for the launch by the Mayor at 10.30. Then enjoy a leisurely guided 4km walk along the pleasant walking trail to the festivities on the Kananook Creek Boulevard in Frankston. For more information ring Robert Thurley on 9770 1568.

EXPLORE the creek by canoe. Free canoe trips depart from the pontoon at Kananook Boulevard. Bookings through Tony and Carol Polkinghorn on 9786 5735.
ENJOY AND LEARN - live music, dancing, exhibitions, interactive displays, food and refreshments on the Kananook Creek Boulevard in Frankston.
CONNECT with community volunteers, businesses, and institutions.

THEME- “HEALTHY, ACTIVE, CONNECTED, LEARNING COMMUNITY”

COMPLETION OF MOST OF THE KEY ELEMENTS OF THE
RESTORATION OF THE KANANOOK CREEK CORRIDOR

In 1970, KCA set out to achieve:
WATERWAY - restore life-giving flows, clean up and reduce pollution and rubbish, desilt and desnag to maintain recreational use of the creek and safe access at the mouth. STOP PRESS: On Thursday 28 February, Melbourne Water succesfully repaired the big pump and pumping resumed. Unfortunately, there are problems with large algal blooms.
RESERVES - restore the reserves along the length of the Corridor and construct walking trails. PRIVATE PROPERTIES - encourage landowners to beautify creek frontages and provide more efficient and effective regulations for jetties, edge treatment etc.
CENTRAL FRANKSTON - Beautify the Creek's East Bank in Central Frankston which would transform perceptions of the waterway, create a genuine waterfront age and regain in the town centre a peoples’ open space. KCA has long believed that "as the South Bank Project fundamentally transformed perceptions of the Yarra and Melbourne so too will the Kananook Creek Boulevard project fundamentally change community perceptions of the Kananook Creek Corridor and Frankston".
MANAGEMENT, CO-ORDINATION, ENFORCEMENT - improve planning, coordination, and communication. Have more effective enforcement of regulation to reduce anti social activities and change behaviour.
STILL TO BE COMPLETED: • Melbourne Water to restore navigability by silt removal downstream of Beach St. STOP PRESS: Melbourne Water will begin desilting at the Beach St drain on Monday 1 February (no plan yet for Wells St drain). • Council and Melbourne Water completing effective and efficient regulation for jetties, edge treatments for landowners. • Effective management and co-ordination of works. Melbourne Water no longer attends the Kananook Creek Liaison Committee (KCLC) - a new solution needs to be found.

UPDATED MANAGEMENT PLAN APPROVED BY COUNCIL

After commencing mid 2004, with an anticipated completion date November 2004, the KCLC recommended an Executive Summary to Council and Melbourne Water in July 2009 (nearly five years late). The summary set out the policy and objectives framework for the management of the Kananook Creek Corridor. Fundamentally the KCLC recommended no major change of direction.
The community should acknowledge the great contribution of both Councilors Glenn Aitken and Mayor Chris Richards in chairing this outcome.
The update:
• Confirms the status of Kananook Walking and Nature Trails:
• Confirms the need for the liaison process in coordinating work and monitoring the implementation and updating of the plan.
• Recognizes the vital role of landowners / community as represented by the KCA in the Future Plan.
• Has a clear commitment to continue to manage the creek as a recreational waterway.

A major problem was getting balance between environmental, recreational, social and economic considerations. The consultant used by the Officers was disconnected from the KCLC and over the 5 years there was a debilitating turnover of officers and management oversight - GM's, CEO's. The protracted update project was an unsatisfactory and grossly wasteful process. There are smarter and better ways - like dynamic planning!!

LIAISON AND COORDINATION OF WORKS -
WHERE TO FROM HERE?

For 39 years the KCAC/KCLC provided the liaison for both maintenance works and capital improvements in the waterway, reserves and adjoining private properties. However the protracted, unsatisfactory Management Plan update process diverted focus to policy debate rather than actions and eroded mutual respect. Melbourne Water is no longer part of the process. We have to rethink a better way - liaison and coordination of works are vital elements.

MAINTENANCE / CAPITAL WORKS
PRIORITIES FOR 2010/11

Reserves
• Seaford Park Arboretum
• Extension of the shared pathway
Allawah Avenue to Mile Bridge
• Progress towards Shared Facility
• Algal blooms condition of the Creek
• Fire management
• Walking trail signs and resolution
of the Bicycle Path
Waterway
• De-silting, de-snagging
Private Property
• Jetty and edge treatment policy

CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY

Date - Sunday 7th March.
Time - 9am to 12 noon
Where -
Bridge crossings at Fiocchi Avenue, Mc Culloch Ave and Seaford Road.

RANGER REPORT

John Messfeldt has been seconded to fire management duties. His replacement is James Mc Kenzie. Our rangers do a magnificent job - how much easier it is having a dedicated ranger.

SEAFORD WALKING GROUP

The group is up and walking with the aim of "a moderate level walk which allows walkers to appreciate the natural environment and one another's company".
When and Where?
Seaford Community Centre every Thursday morning at
10am. Information can be obtained at the Seaford Council Shop.

KANANOOK CREEK CANOE CLUB INC

The canoe club (KCCC) meets for a paddle on the 2nd Saturday of each month, the committee meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. For more information ring Tony Coventry 0414-700-902 or visit the yahoo group website. Go to Yahoo Groups and type in kananook. Next social canoeing days are: • Saturday 13 February, 13 March, 10 April.

FUND RAISING FOR SHARED CLUBHOUSE / BOAT STORAGE

For the Canoe Club to meet growing community interest in canoeing it needs a permanent storage and club house. KCA has work boats and barges in backyards and it needs a central site on the creek in Seaford as a base for its activities. The facility would also assist the growing interest in the Walking Group

A joint KCA /KCCC working group has been set up to work with Council through the process. A fund raising campaign has been launched. A major fund raiser for the Club House was on Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday 3rd November - many thanks to Jenny Campbell.

PLAYGROUP TREE PLANTING

Narelle Debenham (9783 5746) runs a playgroup called "Wacky Wednesdays" for three and four year old children. Narelle, together with preschoolers, parents and grandparents spent several hours tree planting between Allawah and Fiocchi Avenue - check out the thriving plants nurtured by these children.

RESERVES

We completed the planting program for 2009 in early August and good rain gave plenty of hope for success. A mighty thank you to all the community helpers. In September we commenced our annual weed sweep of the 7.5km corridor of natural reserve.
Monthly work days with Corrective Services have concentrated on fire fuel reduction. Work on the walking track surface renewal is delayed until the future of the Kananook Nature trail and round the bay bike trail  connection trails is confirmed.

WORKING BEES - DATES

• Southern Team - meet at Fiocchi Ave footbridge,
normally first Sunday of every month 9-12 noon -
call Minio on 9783 9948. Next dates (all Sundays) are: - 21 February - special day to cleanup before “Kanawalk”, 7 March, 4 April.
• Central Team - work the second Sunday of each month - call Andrew Cooper / Paul Deweerd on
9786 4660. Next dates are: Sunday 7 March, Sunday 11 April.
• Northern Team - work the last Sunday of each month-call Robert Ingram on 9766 6069. Next dates are:
Sunday 7 March, Sunday 25 April,
Nursery - plant propagation - every Wednesday 9-12.
VOLUNTEERS ARE URGENTLY REQUIRED FOR THE CENTRAL AND NORTHERN SECTIONS. We’d love to see you there! Please call Minio on 9783 9948.

MEMBERSHI P RENEWAL 2009

Memberships for 2010 are due from 1 January. The battle for the creek is not over and we need your continued financial support to achieve the aspirations of the residents for the corridor. Please renew, we need to retain our strong community base of about 300 individual supporters within those households. You could help us manage costs by providing your email contact (your privacy is respected). We have also been relying on your additional voluntary donations. Thank you for your generosity; please continue to support your community volunteers.

PREVIOUS (Winter 09) Newsletter

Let’s complete the restoration of the Kananook Creek Corridor and celebrate our achievements

The KCA was formed at a public meeting in Seaford in February 1970. The meeting was called by landowners and the community who were angry about the appalling condition of the creek and its consequent fouling of our wonderful beaches.
Forty years later we are tantalisingly close to completion of all key restoration goals.
This complex "Long March" has been a truly wonderful story of
cooperation between Community/Landowners, Council and Responsible Authorities over a very long period of time.

Completion of the Kananook Creek Boulevard Project

KCA has long believed that as the South Bank Project fundamentally transformed perceptions of the Yarra and Melbourne so too will the Kananook Creek Boulevard project fundamentally change community perceptions of the Kananook Creek Corridor and Frankston.
Nathan Islip, Project Manager, advises that the $9 million Victorian Government funded Kananook Boulevard Project is on track to be completed by December this year. This should be the final component (the icing on the cake) of the campaign to restore the Kananook Creek Corridor.

Other outstanding key restoration components

1. Restoring the recreational waterway and navigability - silt removal at Beach St and Wells St drains.

• There should be a clear commitment to continue to manage
the creek as a recreational waterway
• There has been a significant deterioration in the creek near the towncentre caused by the silt deposited by the major drains. The silt deposits at major drain outlets need to be removed to restore the navigability of the creek for small boats.
• As per the current plan, snags, navigation hazards and
fallen trees which collect litter and rotting algae should be
removed. The plan to install some submerged fish habitats
with marker buoys should be implemented.
Aesthetics are important to the community - we do not
want to create an impression that no one cares.

2. Completion of clear policy and guidelines for jetties and edge treatments for private property adjoining the creek - the “Wild West”.

• Half of the Creek Corridor is on the titles of about 480 private property landowners;
they have played a vital role in the creek’s restoration and are crucial to its future.
• The policy and guidelines for private landowners, including jetties, edge treatments, beautification, storm run off etc, must be included in the updated Management Plan for the Corridor.

3. Completion of the updated future plan for management of the creek corridor

The Future Plan should:
• confirm status of Kananook Walking and Nature Trails.
• confirm future role of the Liaison process (KCLC) in monitoring the implementation and updating of the plan.
• recognise the vital role of landowners / community as represented by the KCA in the Future Plan.
The Liaison Committee, chaired by Councillor Chris Richards, is currently working through the framework for the Future Plan retrofitting and aligning the Draft prepared by Officers to community expectations.

News and Updates

Vonne, we hope that you are up and running again soon!

Minio Rossetto inducted as Legend of Kananook Creek

It's official. Minio is a Legend!

At our AGM in April, Minio Rossetto was inducted as a
‘Legend of Kananook Creek’. It’s official - Minio is a legend!

Flooding on Sunday 26th April 2009

High winds and high tides resulted in very high levels in the
creek and flooding over the banks. Hilary has highlighted
inconsistencies between the actual inundation levels which
are consistent with height contours and maps showing the
LSIO (land subject to inundation overlay).

Kananook Creek Canoe Club Inc

The Canoe Club has had a great year on the water; beginning with our annual Patterson Lakes Evening Christmas paddle to look at the lights, along with a bubbly drink or two back at the car park. The monthly paddles are still well attended with members either opting to paddle or hit the local cafe instead, depending upon the weather. The Club was fortunate to receive a grant through the Volunteers Grant Program which enabled us to purchase three all-purpose kayaks. I would like to thank our Committee, especially Jenny Campbell, who is always fundraising behind the scenes.

The Club meets for a paddle on the 2nd Saturday of
each month; the committee meets on the 2nd
Wednesday of the month. For more information ring
Tony Coventry 0414-700-902 or visit the Yahoo Groups
website and type in ‘kananook’.

Next social canoeing days are:
• Saturday August 8th •Saturday September 12th
• Saturday October 10th

For the club to meet growing community interest in
canoeing it needs a permanent storage and clubhouse.
It is envisaged that this would be a shared facility housing
the KCA boat and equipment which is used in cleaning
the waterway and maintaining walking tracks and the
reserves. The facility would also assist the growing
interest in the Walking Group.
A working group has been set up to work with Council through the approval process. A fund-raising campaign has been launched.
A major fund raiser for the Club House will be held on Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday 3rd November - contact Jenny Campbell on 97815472 for more information.

Seaford / Kananook Walking Group

The group is up and walking, with the aim of "a moderate level walk which allows walkers to appreciate the natural environment and one another's company". Walks start from the Seaford Community Centre every Thursday morning at 10 am. Information can be obtained at the Seaford Council Shop. Peninsula Health are assisting in the formal establishment of
the group.

Celebration Day Sunday 28 February 2010

Note the date on your calendar for next years Kananook Creek Celebration Day.

We plan to move the 2010 Celebration Day to the newly completed Public Plaza on Kananook Boulevard in Frankston.

This should be a humdinger of a celebration
• Completion of the $9 million Kananook Creek Boulevard Project
• Official completion of the Restoration Program
• 40th anniversary of the Kananook Creek Association.
The event will be a showcase for Frankston and promote the the wonderful benefits of healthy recreation, a quality environment and a stronger community.

Reserves News

We expect to complete the planting program for 2009 in early August and good rain gives plenty of hope for success. A mighty thank you to all the
community helpers. In September we will commence our annual weed sweep of the 7.5km corridor of natural reserve.
Monthly work days with Correctional Services have concentrated on fire fuel reduction. Work on the walking track surface renewal is delayed until the future of the Kananook Nature and the bay bike trail connection trails is confirmed.

End of current Newsletter

Previous Newsletter Summer 2008 - 09

Ordinary General Meeting of the
Kananook Creek Association Inc - 4th Feb 2009

Notice of an Ordinary General Meeting of the Kananook Creek Association Inc

DATE: Wednesday 4th February
TIME: 8pm
PLACE: Seaford Senior Citizens
(Talbot Hall) Broughton St Seaford
Members of the public are invited to attend.
The business is to discuss the Draft Management Plan which your committee believes puts the Kananook Creek Corridor Restoration Project in serious danger. We are very concerned!!
Supper and light refreshments will be provided.

Release of Draft Management Plan
for Public Comment

The new Draft Plan fundamentally changes direction and abandons many key management objectives of the current Plan. At KCA'S AGM in April, members could not see a convincing case for major change and unanimously reconfirmed the key management objectives of the current plan.
There are many significant changes from the existing 1992 Plan. Officers from Melbourne Water and Council have not highlighted these changes for Council and public attention.
The KCA response to the Draft Kananook Creek Corridor Management Plan details serious concerns.
• There is no commitment to continue to manage the creek as a navigable waterway. The plan ignores the decision of council to have the waterway officially gazetted as a recreational waterway (similar to the status of the Yarra) and to be managed accordingly
• There is no recognition of Melbourne Water's social responsibility to remove the enormous silt deposits at major drain outlets and restore the navigability of the creek for small boats. There is also no commitment to snag and navigation hazard removal.
• No gross pollutant trap proposed at the Beach Street drain and no recognition that the thousands of cubic metres of silt that have been deposited in the creek by storm drains affect flood capability.
• Once the centre of our proud marine and fishing heritage, a bustling and vibrant waterway for small boats, the Creek in central Frankston has been left by the authorities to silt up so badly that it will be soon not
navigable at all. Future generations may not be able to enjoy the opportunity to row a small boat or paddle a canoe along the creek.
• Policy and guidelines for creekside landowners are not included. This policy covering jetties and edge treatments etc was to be integrated with the updated Management Plan. Over 50% of creek frontage is comprised of the back yards of private properties. John Curran who has been coordinating KCA'S landowners working group for the KCLC task force is very disappointed that this work was ignored.
• The restoration of Kananook Creek is recognised as a strategically important project in Council's own Tafe to Bay Structure Plan and must be a foundation stone for a plan of transformation and urban renewal for the town centre itself. KCA believes that "as the transformation of the Yarra fundamentally transformed perceptions of the Yarra and Melbourne so to will the Kananook Creek Boulevard project fundamentally change perceptions of the Kananook Creek Corridor and Frankston".
• The Boulevard Project and the Kananook Restoration Program are not being coordinated under one Project Manager and completion timelines are not aligned for completion in first quarter 2010.
• In the current plan, Melbourne Water and Council acknowledged that "the creek offers a huge potential as a recreational resource" that needed to be realised. Compare this to the new Draft Plan which states the River Health Strategy assessment of Kananook Creek as "condition poor" and the target is "halt further decline"
• Melbourne Water's primary focus seems to be about "stream health" with secondary, rather than equal, focus on its broader social responsibility for the Corridor.
• No recognition of the vital role of the KCA or any commitment to develop the plan in collaboration with the KCA volunteers who contribute enormously to the restoration.
• No commitment to the Kananook Creek Liaison Committee to update the plan and ensure faithful implementation of the plan
• New proposals for the creek banks riparian zone which would prevent the construction of a jetty by a property owner to launch a canoe or boat.
• No commitment to the aesthetics of the waterway
• The plan reintroduces uncertainty about constructing bike roads over existing soft nature trails through the most vulnerable nature reserves.
• Due process needs to be restored by Council, the Draft Plan should go back to the Kananook Creek Liaison Committee and a more collaborative outcome achieved.
• The update of the plan (expected to take three months) has now taken four years. As a consequence the Creek is deteriorating, a climate of uncertainty is created with affected residents and the KCLC becomes less effective. A new approach is needed to urgently complete the plan.
• The plan is next to be reviewed in 15 years. We need faster and more dynamic planning updates aligned to Council and Melbourne water's annual budget processes.

News and Updates

Boulevard Project

Kananook Creek Boulevard Project -still on track for completion by early 2010
Keith Rhodes, project manager advises that Frankston Council is soon expected to award the contract for the construction of Kananook Boulevard. The $9million Victorian government funded Kananook Boulevard project will be completed by early 2010.

Silt Removal

Silt removal at Beach St and Wells St drains -still not yet planned
The two key restoration capital items are:
• installation of a gross pollution trap at the Beach Street drain
• desilting of the creek at the Beach Street and Wells Street drains.

Fencing at Fiocchi Avenue and Beach Street

KCA and the Long island Residents Group are still working with council about rectification and removal of horrible, unnecessary cattle yard fencing constructed at Fiocchi and Beach Street entrances just before the end of the financial year and without the normal consultation.

Kananook Creek Canoe Club News

Regular canoeing days are held on the 2nd Saturday of every month. Meet: Seaford Community Centre launching ramp. Contact: Tony Coventry 0414700902

Seaford / Kananook Creek Walking Group

The group is up and walking. Group aim is "a moderate level walk which allows walkers to appreciate the natural environment and one another's company". Walks start from the Seaford Community Centre every Thursday morning at 10am. Information can be obtained at the Seaford Council Shop. Leonie Wyseman-Ervine from Peninsula Health is assisting in the formal establishment of the group and KCA has funded first aid kits and training.

Natural Reserves Ranger's Report - Much Improvement! From John Messfeldt

It has been an outrageous year for weeds, especially the unwelcome annuals. However, with the assistance of KCA friends and volunteers, and with special thanks to Minio Rossetto, we are observing positive outcomes in areas of quality vegetation, including impressive regeneration of indigenous plants. As we know, the reserve consists of approximately 43 hectares, and without the assistance of volunteers offering their own given time to help, the creek's health would slowly but surely deteriorate. So thank you very much for your most welcomed efforts.
Revegetation It's been a successful year in getting plants into the ground. Approximately 5000 indigenous plants have been planted along Kananook Creek Reserve by KCA volunteers and Natural Reserve Rangers. Early rains have been very helpful but much more is required to establish the plants. Plants will be watered over the summer months using the Council Depot's newly installed water tanks and Class 'A' recycled water if required to increase their chance of survival.
Correctional Services
Every third Tuesday of the month is our working bee with assistance of KCA Friends and Correctional Services. We have been concentrating on fuel reduction works between Mile Bridge and Seaford Road and are achieving rewarding results. Minio, once again your dedication is much appreciated. Special thanks to our caterers Joan Bosanko and Olwen Bawden who provide us with delicious lunches and morning teas.
New Projects
• Restoration project at Allawah Avenue entrance • Upgraded reserve entrance of Eel Race Road and new signage • Newly installed hoop signs at Armstrongs Road entrances • A newly installed staircase to be built at Bardia Avenue • Weed contractors have controlled Cape Ivy, English Ivy and Morning Glory in areas of quality vegetation with successful results • Coastal Tea-tree removal in the northern section has encouraged natural regeneration of indigenous ground flora
Thanks everyone for the year just gone and on behalf of all my fellow rangers we wish you all a safe and happy holiday season. I look forward to seeing you all along our special waterway in 2009.

Reserves Working Bees - Dates and Call for Volunteers

We urgently need more volunteers for the Central Section (Mile Bridge to Station St) and for the Northern Section (Station St to Eel Race). The work is very positive, healthy and satisfying and you will enjoy the good fellowship of like minded people. Please ring Minio Rossetto on 9783 9948.

Working Bees

2. Central Group - Mile Bridge - Station St
Contact: Andrew Cooper / Paul Deweerd 9786 4660
When:2nd Sunday of month Helpers are urgently required

3. Northern Group - Station St - Eel Race Rd
When: Last Sunday of month: 9 am - 12 approx
Helpers are urgently required

4. Nursery
Plants are propagated for planting on our reserves.
When: Every Wednesday: 9 am - 12 noon approx
Meet: Frankston Council Indigenous Nursery,
McCulloch Ave Seaford.

Membership

Membership - Please renew for 2010 - WE NEED YOU!!

Memberships for 2010 are due from 1 January. The battle for the creek is not over. We hope that you will continue to support us financially so that we can work towards fulfilment our goals. Please join us, we need to retain our strong community base of more than 300 individual supporters within those households. You could help us manage costs by providing your email contact (your privacy assured). Should you also wish to make a voluntary donation, that too would be most welcome. Thank you for your generosity. Membership Forms can be downloaded from the Contact page.

KCA Submissions -

Priority Development Panel - Proposed Frankston Boat Harbour -
Written Submission

Kananook Creek Corridor Management Plan -
Issues And Actions Paper - February 2008

Kananook Creek Corridor Restoration
Management Plan Objectives - (minor changes)

An Environmental Effects Assessment
Port Phillip Coastal Trail (as prepared by Allan Sisson 1998)

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