
The Penguin
Newsletter
of Phillip Island Conservation Society Second Quarter,
June 2007
Dates
for your Diary
Sat
7 July: General Meeting. 7 p.m. Cuppa & nibbles with Bob Thompson, to launch
the Bass Coast Climate Challenge group. 8 p.m. Kelly O'Shanassy, CEO of Environment Victoria, talking on water and desalination.
AN EVENING NOT TO BE MISSED! Followed by meeting. Meeting Room, Heritage
Centre, Cowes
Sun
8 July: Working Bee: Red Rocks Coast Action. Planting.
Meet at Red Rocks car park, 10 a.m. BBQ to follow
Sat
28 July: Friends of Churchill Island AGM 1 p.m. CI visitors' centre.
Sat
18 Aug: Seasonal Walk: "Bimbadeen",
a prize-winning Landcare property. Meet there on Back Beach Rd (between
Pyramid Rock Rd and Berry Beach Rd, on north side) 2 p.m.
Sat
1 Sep: Wattle Day "Barb Party" 12 noon Barb Martin Bush Bank. Bring food to
share. See article in newsletter.
Sat
29 Sep: General Meeting. Wind and solar energy. Speakers TBA. 8 p.m.
Meeting Room, Heritage Centre, Cowes.
Sun
30 Sep: Working Bee: Red Rocks Coast Action. Meet at Red
Rocks car park, 10 a.m. BBQ to follow.
Sat
17 Nov: Seasonal Walk: Nobbies
building and environs. Meet at main entrance 2 p.m.
Sat
20 Jan 2008: the year of our 40th birthday!! Annual General Meeting 8 p.m. Meeting Room, Cowes.
Barb Martin Bush Bank: Sales and volunteers - every Wednesday plus 1st
Saturday of each month 10 - 1. Phone Anne
Davie 5956 8216.
Friends of Koalas (FOK) Habitat Days: First Saturday of every month at 10 a.m. Contact Patsy
Hunt ph 5952 2407
Koala Count at the Koala Conservation Centre,
second Tuesday of every month at 10am. Contact Patsy Hunt ph 5952 2407
Biosphere - Bass Coast Round Table meets at San Remo on the third Friday of every month
at 8 p.m. Contact Neil Beddoe, ph 5952 1575
Friends
of Churchill Island (FOCIS): Phone
Sec Jill Allen: 5956 7109, or email: nellaa32@waterfront.net.au
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FROM
THE PRESIDENT
Dear Members,
The winter solstice already!
So we're halfway through the year and going full tilt.
The Hearing for Amendment
C46 lasted three days, and each evening the environmental groups had
to go home and rewrite submissions as more information became available.
This is a very important two part Amendment, to incorporate the Phillip
Island and San Remo Design Framework into the Planning Scheme, AND,
hopefully, the retention of most of the long standing Vegetation Protection
Overlay for Phillip Island. The Panel Report should soon be available.
The Linfox Appeal rolls on!
Special thanks go to the sub-committee who are preparing our case, and
special thanks to everyone who has contributed to the Fighting Fund.
(see later article)
Preparation of the PICS History
is well underway in readiness for the 40th Anniversary in 2008. Please
look through those boxes of old photographs you've always meant to sort
out; you may have some PICS TREASURES amongst them.
We also need a VERY GOOD
PHOTOGRAPH of Barb Martin. Many people who come to the Bush Bank ask
"Who was Barb Martin?" So, PICS and Friends of the Koalas
will present a framed photograph and biography of Barb to the Bush Bank
on Wattle Day. If you have a good photo please let me know. (ph 5952
2557)
In between times we all need
to learn about DESALINATION so that we will be ready to comment on the
Environment Effects Statement. Don't miss our wonderful speaker for
the July 7th General Meeting: new CEO of Environment Victoria, Kelly
O'Shanassy, whose special field is water and desalination! Also, since
PICS has been telling people about the Greenhouse Effect since the 1980s,
and July 7th is Al Gore's special Climate Day, it is fitting that we
assist member Bob Thompson launch a Climate Change group for our area
prior to the meeting. Come along at 7 p.m. to share a cuppa and some
nibbles, read Bob's displays and help him launch his new group. Our
meeting will then start with our speaker at 8 p.m.
I hope to see you at the
General Meeting on July 7th.
With
best wishes,
Margaret
Hancock, President.
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Introducing
Our Speaker for the General Meeting
Kelly O'Shanassy
is the CEO of Environment Victoria a non-government organisation
working to improve Victoria's environment. Kelly will discuss the
water crises facing Victorian communities and Victorian rivers, water
supply options including water conservation, rainwater tanks, greywater
systems, water recycling and desalination and the potential environmental
impacts of seawater desalination and actions to reduce these impacts.
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Point Sambell
Eight resolute souls aged
from 16 to 90-something braved a 50 kilometre per hour southwesterly
gale to walk what is normally an easy 30-minute track. Given a fine
clear day without much wind, you could easily allow an hour to take
in the magnificent views. Binoculars are recommended! But the headland
is exposed, and the walk cold and uncomfortable on a windy day.
Access starts from the small
carpark (about 12 spaces) directly off the north side of the Nobbies
Road, just past the large carpark at Shelly Beach. The carpark is hidden
from view until you get to it. The walking track is a loop around the
headland. Take the left hand fork at the carpark and walk up the gentle
grade through tussock grassland. The track is kept slashed and well
grazed by abundant wallabies and rabbits, whose tracks are evident in
all directions between the tussocks of Poa Tussock grass and Knobby
Clubrush. Milky Beauty-heads are also a common groundcover (and a close
relative of Cushionbush).
Towards the top of the incline,
the extensive rookery areas start to appear on the left. Disturbance
and increased fertility of rookery areas has resulted in a shift in
vegetation type, with Poa tussock giving way to the low growing Bower
Spinach and Seaberry Saltbush. The bright yellow fruit of the weed Apple
of Sodom is eye-catching in the warmer months. At the top of the rise,
the track turns right through rookery areas. Both mutton birds and penguins
nest here. The smell of the rookery is very prominent and occasionally
dead birds are seen. In daylight hours all is quiet, and we can only
imagine the cacophony that exists here between November and April when
adult birds return each night after a day's feeding at sea.
To the right of the track
some sheoaks, planted here in the early 1980s, struggle to survive the
salt-laden winds. Seaberry Saltbush is more successful. A patch of sand
across the track signifies a fox-baiting point. Looking southwest to
the next headland, the carpark and track leading down to Cowrie Beach
are clearly seen. This picturesque little cove was the site of a basalt
quarry in the early 1950s, the track down being constructed for that
purpose. Basalt was blasted from the cliff at the bottom of this track
and the 'bluestone' blocks carted to Cowes for the construction of the
sea wall between the pier and Erehwon Point. Finer material from the
quarry was used by Island farmers for tracks and around cowsheds.
A raised beach terrace of
sea-washed gravel and sand, about one metre above present beach level,
is taken by geologists as evidence of higher sea levels many thousands
of years ago. This terrace can be seen at the far end of the cove. The
same view takes in the Nobbies, with its layers of volcanic rock indicating
different eruption periods of nearby volcanoes, some 50 million years
ago. Note the navigation light on top. The "Nobbies Centre"
is also quite prominent all too prominent, many would say!
Turn your attention now to
the panorama of the Mornington Peninsula. Starting on your left with
the tip of Cape Schanck, scan towards the right across a rugged coastline
of high, steep basalt cliffs, then to the buildings of the Naval Base
at West Head. North of this is the township of Flinders, then further
along, the coast dips down to the mouth of Manton Creek. Further north,
we see the townships of Shoreham and Point Leo, then a long stretch
of low coastline brings us to the township of Merricks. Then Balnarring
Beach, low lying and then, more prominent on a rise, the township of
Somers. The curve of this coast, now easterly, takes the eye across
the thickly vegetated land of HMAS Cerberus, heading to Sandy Point,
which is obscured by the Phillip Island coast.
Continue along the track,
which is now downhill in an easterly direction. To the right, a thicket
of Boobialla provides shelter for Wallabies. Remnants of a navigation
marker are seen at the Point. Left at the intersection of mown tracks
takes you to the cliff edge, and a rough informal track down to the
rocky beach. The track is deeply eroded, and a sign back at the carpark
has told us there is no beach access. The track is probably used heavily
by penguins making their way up the cliff to burrows, but some signage
is needed to discourage human use. The succulent groundcover, Noonflower,
joins Bower Spinach and a few wind-pruned Boxthorn on these exposed
slopes.
The Point (and this walk)
is named after Mr. A.K.T. Sambell, a prominent early entrepreneur and
Phillip Island councillor. In the 1920s and 30s Mr. Sambell, who owned
the Isle of Wight Hotel and Trenavin Park farm, promoted tourism to
the Island, established a vehicular ferry service and developed the
Summerlands Peninsula as a tourist destination, with housing estate
(which did not 'take off' in his time), golf course, guest house and
jetty. Though his actions and views were controversial at the time,
he was respected for his generosity within the community. Notably, he
financed an annual excursion to Melbourne Zoo, by ferry and train, for
all Island school children and their families. He died in 1938. Unfortunately
there is no signage on this walk that acknowledges him and his place
in Island history. (See p.238 Gliddon, revised edition, 1968, and Raymond
Grayden's memoirs).
Return to the track intersection
and take the path closest to the shore for the return to the carpark.
More protected here, with Boobialla well established, this section of
the walk provides wonderful views down into Shelly Beach, Cat Bay (Sealers'
Cove) and along the Ventnor Coast. Note the old jetty remnants, part
of Sambell's scheme to bring tourists to his Summerlands playground.
The jetty, constructed in the last 1920s proved un-usable by boats because
of the ocean swell.
To the north, the extensive
sand-dunes form the northern strip of what is known as a 'double tombolo',
a system of sand-dunes connecting the once-separate 'Summerlands Island'
to the main part of Phillip Island and, in the process, creating Swan
Lake. This geomorphological feature is of State significance, being
the best of its type in Victoria. The top of Helen's Head, on the south
coast, is also visible above this dune system. Further along the Ventnor
Coast, weathered basalt cliffs gradually reappear at the base of the
dunes, marking the coast of the 'main' island. With binoculars, you
can see the access track at Flynns. Our view finishes at Woolshed Bight,
with the Ventnor subdivision appearing beyond it. Above the headland,
the navigation light at Grossard Point is just visible. Far in the distance,
on a clear day, you can see the Dandenong Ranges.
Almost back at the carpark,
notice the sandy terrace behind Shelly Beach, leading back to the cliff.
There are pine trees among the indigenous Coast Teatree, sheoaks and
introduced Hakea, indicating the site of an old camping area. Now it,
too, is a rookery area, and a sign indicates access is prohibited.
John Eddy
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WORLD
ENVIRONMENT DAY EXPO
26-27
June, 2007
Bass Coast Shire Council
sponsored their eighth 2-day Expo this year, with all the environment
organisations in the district involved: Landcare, Urban Landcare,
Phillip Island Nature Parks, Parks Victoria, Friends of the Wonthaggi
Heathlands, Waterwatch, Westernport and South Gippsland Water Boards,
Barb Martin Bush Bank, Friends of Koalas, WESBOC and PICS. Christine
Grayden again coordinated the displays for FOK, WESBOC & PICS,
and assembled them with help from Greg Fox, Gaye Cleeland, Bob Thompson,
Patsy and Maurice from FOK. This year FOK featured wildlife carer
Colleen Wood, who specializes in koalas and has had up to 20 since
this season's bushfires. This created a great deal of interest and
sympathy from the children. WESBOC's display featured "Some Birds
of Phillip Island", where the children had to identify 14 birds,
say which were water birds, and look for yellow on the birds pictured.
Their eager eyes found yellow on legs, rumps, eyes, gapes and plumage,
and all of the groups managed to identify the birds. Top marks went
to PINP CEO Mark Manteit's son who was able to identify them all straight
off!
PICS display was very different
to last year, when we erected a forest in the San Remo rec centre!
This year we featured large marine animals: a panel about the huge
and bizarre Sunfish, the Great White Shark jigsaw created by a Children's
Environment Morning group 2 years ago, and a life-size male Orca made
by Christine and her daughter Karen using concreters' black plastic
and white 'Contact'. The Orca proved to be indestructible, with one
question asking the children to step it to work out how many metres
long it was. Several teachers turned this into a full-scale mathematics
exercise, with the children prompted to work out how many ways they
could measure the Orca. It was stepped on, cart wheeled over, rolled
over, the perimeter stepped, and then children stood along the length
with arms stretched out and hands touching, and finally, seven children
lay down head to toe! One teacher commented that his children would
never forget how long ten metres were now!
All of the displays were
excellent this year, the theme being Melting Ice. The Water Boards'
contributions included games, experiments, taste samples and very
clear diagrams. PINP had games, rock-pool rambles both real
and then via screen on the second, wet and windy day and tables
full of stuffed Phillip Island animals for the children to feel that
were a great hit. Mike Cleeland was there to introduce the children
to the joys of dinosaur digs, including a very recent example of a
dinosaur bone find. Landcare, Urban Landcare and Barb Martin Bush
Bank had terrific displays of both weeds and indigenous vegetation,
and the children just could not help testing the prickly ones! Indy
Ingham was there again this year with his traveling trailer full of
working models of all the major styles of power production. The children
come away with a great knowledge of both conventional and alternative
energy.
BCSC Environment department's
Derek Hibbert, who once again did a great job, puts the whole Expo
together. This is a tremendously worthwhile exercise, which reaches
400-500 children each year, and PICS/FOK/WESBOC involvement over the
last few years has been greatly appreciated.
An environmental forum
on the theme of Climate Change was held on the Tuesday night, organized
by Lisa Wangman from Urban Landcare, and included the launch of the
excellent free booklet "Sustainable Living Guide: Packed with
simple tips to live sustainably and save $$$", which was put
together by Lisa and funded by BCSC and Landcare. The notes for this
forum are being typed up and will be available on the PICS website
under the "Issues" section of the PICS website in the near
future. Printed copies available from Christine Grayden (5956 8501).
Photos from the Expo will also appear on the website soon.
Christine Grayden
MINUTES
OF GENERAL MEETING
Phillip
Island Conservation Society Inc.
Minutes
of General Meeting held April 14, 2007
1. Welcome. The President
opened the meeting at 8.07 pm and welcomed everyone, particularly the
guest speakers, Christine and John Eddy, standing in at short notice.
2. Attendance. As
per attendance sheet.
3. Apologies. As per
attendance sheet.
4. Minutes of previous
General Meeting accepted. Moved: M. Johnson Seconded: G. Johnson Carried.
5. Business arising.
Penguin Resort permit. The
President has had discussions with the Shire regarding the palm trees
but so far no action has been taken.
C46 Incorporation
of the Design Framework into the Planning Scheme expected in
May. Strategic plans for Cowes and Ventnor should be on display around
Melbourne Cup weekend. Provision was made for this in the 2006/2007
budget.
6. Correspondence
Inwards: Terry Nott
2008 calendar
Outwards
Moved: M. Johnson Seconded:
A. Martin Carried.
7. Treasurers report.
General A/C: Opening balance
28/2/07: $3469.05; Closing balance 31/3/07: $7327.87
Public Fund: Opening balance
28/2/07: $6960.46; Closing balance 31/3/07: $7089.51
It was reported that there
were slightly fewer members than this time last year.
Motion that PICS ask A.
Davie to pursue A. Oswin's offer to run an appeal on behalf of PICS.
Moved: G. Collins Seconded:
M. Johnson Carried.
It was suggested that a
Garage Sale could be held on the Queen's Birthday holiday, Monday 11th
June.
8. General Business.
Linfox The President
reported that a registered party in the Linfox case had offered the
Society some illustrations which could be used as a fundraiser. M. Johnson
reported that several meetings had been held with the Environment Defender's
Office and a comprehensive brief is being prepared for a barrister.
Expert witnesses are being interviewed. A meeting was to take place
the next day on the Island as a follow-up to a productive meeting of
objectors last month. The Society's response to the amended plans has
been submitted. There is to be a further Directions Hearing on the 20th
April. Tribute was paid to the work of G. Johnson, eliciting warm applause.
This will be the Society's biggest challenge to date, requiring considerable
financial resources to fund the various expert witnesses required. The
Society expects the hearing to last at least a week. There are 37 objectors
involved. The audience was asked what it could offer to assist the Society.
Port of Hastings
G. Collins gave a comprehensive overview of the current situation with
its inherent threat of development on the future sustainability of Western
Port.
PINP Board nominations
A notice has appeared in The Advertiser and the President encouraged
members to nominate.
Shearwaters J. Fleming
of Surf Beach expressed concern regarding construction where shearwaters
are nesting. Due to the expansion of the rookery, it now encroaches
on private property. P. Taylor and M. Hancock will raise the subject
with the PINP Community Advisory Committee. It was suggested that an
approach be made to The Advertiser for coverage of the issue. It was
also suggested that a letter be sent to Council, cc to CEO and all Councillors,
the Planning Officer Andrew Mason, and PINP.
Motion: That Council ensures
that the owner, in exercising his permit to build, complies with the
2002 Wildlife Regulations Act. Moved: A. Martin Seconded: A. Davie Carried.
Sea Change Taskforce Seminar
in Bass Coast Cowes Cultural Centre, Thursday 15th March 2007
attended by A. Martin: "NSCTF is an alliance of over 60
non-Metropolitan Councils throughout Australia. It was formed in 2004
in response to the experience of coastal Councils impacted by the sea
change phenomenon of massive population shifts from metropolitan and
regional centres to coastal locations.
Alan Stokes, EO NSCTF -
The coastal population of Australia was 5.8 million in 2006 and there
has been an average coastal growth rate of 20% in the last 10 years
compared with 11% nationally. And over the last 5 years the rate has
been 9.8% compared with 6% nationally. These figures do not include
the non-resident population (ie, visitors).
Kathy McInnes, CSIRO - CSIRO
has been invited to make input into both Government and Opposition climate
change policies. CSIRO is presently doing detailed Climate Change Impacts
and Adaptations study for Port Phillip and Western Port. Work to date
has concentrated on the Gippsland Lakes and Corner Inlet. Their work
has shown that the greatest impact in these enclosed waterways will
be wind surge rather than tidal highs or overall sea level changes.
John Ginivan, DSE (Coastal
Spaces Report) - DSE AND BCS are currently engaged in a study of the
impact on services of the sea change growth in the Shire. A Settlement
Framework for the coast is being developed which will drive State Government
planning and policy. Burden of administering the Coastal Spaces Report
will fall primarily on Local Government but the statutory machinery
has yet to follow the results of that report and therefore Local Government
hasn't been able to deal with it in its Planning Schemes. A tool kit
on how to carry out coastal landscape assessment studies is now being
prepared to assist Councils to do this work. The State Planning Policy
Amendments to incorporate the recommendations of the report were finally
put in place late in 2006. Acid sulphate soils are now coming to the
forefront as an issue in Victoria. The CSIRO says they will be of much
greater concern than salinity in Victoria and there is currently a lot
of work under way."
World Environment Day
C. Grayden reported on plans for June.
Climate change B.
Thompson spoke of the urgency with which this issue needs to be addressed.
He referred to Al Gore's film An Inconvenient Truth and drew our attention
to www.climate.net.au
Working Bee Attendees
were reminded of the working bee to be held next morning at Five Ways
at 10 am.
9. Guest Speaker:
A vote of thanks was extended to Christine Grayden and John Eddy for
stepping in at the last moment, with a presentation about mangroves
from Skye Winder, due to an apology received from the expected speaker,
10. Next General Meeting:
7th July 2007, 8 pm, Cowes Cultural Centre.
11. Close. The meeting
closed at 10.05 pm.