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Contents
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Welcome
Welcome to the May 2006 edition of "The Eco", the newsletter
for Friends of the Port Phillip EcoCentre.
Our aim is to provide
an informative and entertaining snapshot of the activities, achievements
and interests of all the wonderful people who contribute towards
the goals of the EcoCentre, inspiring us to take
'local
action for a global future'.
Do you have some news for The Eco? Contributions are always welcome.
Email info@ecocentre.com
with your contribution and contact details. |
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St Kilda Park Primary School sets sail to sustainability
Chris Beckingsale
St Kilda Park Primary School (SKIPPS) has joined up with the EcoCentre's Integrated Environment Partnerships (IEP) to learn about sustainable living and reduce our school’s ecological footprint.
Our first project…a sustainable production garden. Thanks to our energetic science coordinator Jane Bennetts, and the EcoCentre team, we gained funds for the garden under the CSIRO’s Creativity in Science and Technology (CREST) program. Our garden now has its own rainwater supply – a 9,000 litre water tank.
In a visit to the EcoCentre’s home, the EcoHouse, our Grades 3 & 4 learnt about rainwater harvesting, turning waste water into a resource, renewable energy, the benefits of using ‘forest friendly timber’, and using materials with low embodied energy. The children listened eagerly - and especially enjoyed digging up the spuds!!
EcoCentre's Julia Martin buildin a garden bed
Our Production Garden grows fresh, organic food for the school community. Luckily, there was an existing structure with north facing aspect to provide the vegies daily need for 5-6 hours of high density sunlight. This has been converted into four separate beds in which crops are planted in a rotation sequence so that optimum soil conditions remain for the following crop. We’ve also built additional garden beds using non-native forest timber.
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The best ever working bee happened in February when over 65 people build the beds and compost bins. Despite heavy rain, a team of adults (including principal Sue Knight) and children managed to shovel and wheelbarrow 9 cubic metres of soil to the new garden bed. Compost bins. The compost system reduces organic waste to landfill by turning it into valuable fertilizer. The working bin takes fresh waste. Soil critters (worms and Co.) break it down into compost in the resting bin. The third bin holds compost ready for the garden.
Happy owners of the 9,000 litre rain water tank
The seeds are sown. Each Grade 3/4 has its own crop rotation bed to plant. We also plan to include herbs and a mini orchard…. before taking a closer look at topics like energy, waste and transport. With the EcoCentre’s help we’re winding these crucial topics into the curriculum. Such projects provide all sorts of opportunities to interact, share knowledge, learn how to change behaviours and take action towards sustainable living.
Chris Beckingsale is the SKIPPS’s Convenor of Buildings and Grounds (and hopelessly committed volunteer parent of Duncan, Grade 3/4 EP).
The IEP program is proudly sponsored by Holden.
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Conservation of the Albert Park Reserve remnant Yellow Box
Neil Blake.
The absence of reference to Yellow Box ( Eucalyptus melliodora ) trees in depictions of the proposed skate park (in the Reserve area bordered by Lakeside Dve and Fitzroy St) causes the EcoCentre concern. We hold no particular view on the relative merit of the skate park proposal. But we are concerned about the fate of the existing trees. There are now only 2 remnant* Yellow Box trees in St Kilda; one on Fitzroy St near the corner of Lakeside Dve and the other (dead) near the Junction Oval. Relatively recent plantings propagated from seed collected from the Fitzroy St remnant in 1989 contribute to the health of the mature tree, and should also be retained.
As an organisation whose mission is to protect biodiversity, we actively seek to preserve the remaining specimens of the local gene pool. They’re a rare and irreplaceable component of our natural and cultural heritage and extend the indigenous landscape theme that extends westward along Fitzroy St from the Ngargee (Corroboree) Tree.
Neil Blake by the Yellow Box 'scarred tree' near Junction Oval, St Kilda (pic Geoffrey Barry)
Further, compelling arguments for retaining and extending the Yellow Box planting are:
- The dead tree has recently been reported to Aboriginal Affairs Victoria as a ‘ scarred tree’ .
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- Loss of the Sandbelt population would represent a contraction of the species range
- The existing Yellow Box survived the recent drought whereas nearby Elm trees died
- Nectar-feeding fauna love Yellow Box
- Collective plantings reduce susceptibility of single trees to pest attack
- The existing trees present an opportunity to extend the ‘native’ streetscape on the north side of Fitzroy St and ultimately to link this planting with the Canterbury Rd Urban Forest to create a significant conservation corridor.
- This area is a haven for birds during the habitat disturbance associated with the Grand Prix.
Remnant Yellow Box on Fitzroy St, St Kilda
(pic Geoffrey Barry)
We recommend retaining the existing trees and extending the Yellow Box planting along the southern border of the Reserve. Sourcing trees from other ‘Sandbelt’ seed stock is desirable because the remaining remnants, having been very isolated for many years, would have a limited genetic make-up.
*Yellow Box Grassy Woodland occurred on broad flat ridges and hilltops in the Melbourne Sandbelt region. Timber of this species is noted for its durability it is widely used for structural purposes. Consequently, by the 1930’s there were few patches of the Yellow Box community remaining in the Sandbelt.
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Tawny tales
Neil Blake
Tawny Frogmouths have probably always been in St Kilda Botanical Gardens. But due to their extraordinary ability to look like a piece of tree, aren’t often seen.
TF recovring at the EcoCentre (pic Geoffrey Barry)
In the 2004-5 breeding season we saw 2 broods. But unfortunately the adult female was found dead and their nest tree, which had died the previous year, was removed (once the remaining male and juvenile birds had departed). Would the Tawnies return?
At the start of this year, David Eades reported a family of 4! On January 23, following a day of blasting northerlies and 40 degree + heat, a young Tawny was found on the ground with no parents in sight. It was very weak.
Fortunately the wonderful St Kilda Veterinary Clinic, always very helpful with injured wildlife, took the Tawny into day care. Meanwhile, we searched for the rest of the family. The longer it was kept in care the less likely it could be successfully returned to the wild so, around 6.30pm, I weighed the bird (300 grams) and put it in the Bunya Pine near where it was found. Miraculously, on the way I spotted the rest of the family roosting in the Chinese Elm.
Next morning the bird was in exactly the same place! But its mother and sibling were roosting closer to it. That evening we watched to see how it was interacting with its parents when foraging began. It was not seen to be visited by either adult.
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The prospects didn’t look good.
The next morning the fledgling was still in the Bunya and the family nowhere to be seen. It now weighed 280 grams. Concluding that its parents had abandoned it, I brought the bird back to the EcoCentre, fed it 40 meal worms and put it in a sheltered grove of trees where we could keep an eye on it. The next morning it was found on the ground about 50 metres from the roost. For the Australia Day long weekend I took it home for care and feeding.
My best hope was that it could remain in the gardens temporarily relying on us for food, until it could fend for itself. Penny Marks (Wildlife Victoria) brought ‘Insectivore’ (ground-up bugs) and suggested a birdbath. On this day it actually flew up to 10 metres on a few occasions, so clearly it knew what wings were for.
Family reunited (pic, Geoffrey Barry)
Next morning the Tawny was gone. On Feb 7 (a week later), the happy ending we were looking for, found all four frogmouths roosting side by side in an English Elm!
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The Earth Garden flourishes
The Garden of Eden Inc is a not-for-profit community charitable organisation which partners with local government and other community organisations to promote education for sustainable living, based around Permaculture principles. Our heritage-listed Albert Park Station site (on the #96 tram route) includes a fully functional (and delicious!) organic permaculture garden. Our primary areas of work are in hands-on learning programs involving edible community gardens (we have built many), including gardens for public housing tenants, schools, and other community groups. We are currently developing hands-on programs for disadvantaged groups at risk of food insecurity, and also aim to increase our sustainability education activities with local schools.
 Western Lodge garden under construction in Footscray
Our winter program of activities is being planned, and we are always delighted to welcome new volunteers. Then, in Spring, we will be hosting our second Permaculture Design Course.
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Succulents growing in a recycled toilet bowl!
The Garden of Eden Inc welcomes input and interest from all folk who are keen to live a happier, healthier, more sustainable life, especially when it involves fun in the garden - and fun in the kitchen after that!! Or you can just come to visit our inspiring urban permaculture oasis! For more information, please contact Les or Amadis on 9696 8013, email
mail@gardenofedenproject.net.au, or visit our website at www.gardenofedenproject.net.au
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SEASONAL GREETINGS
Neil Blake (with thanks to Mary Ellen Talmage)
As our urban environment is so modified, many people think of cities as nature-free-zones. Consequently, they see no pressing need to consider the impact of their lifestyle on the local ecology. The occasional TV news item of the mother duck and brood crossing a freeway just goes to prove that the big smoke is no place for wildlife! But a surprising number of species do spend some of the year in the city. The original eco-tourists, their survival depends on how accommodating we are. Just as the backpacker industry has its own ecology that keeps them coming back; we also need to cater for the wild things.
Of course the big difference is that the birds don’t count as good little earners. Because they don’t figure in the bottom line their good work in ecosystem services such pest control and plant pollination tends to be overlooked. They’re also a good indicator of then health of the environment that sustains the human population.
Blue-winged Shovelers (top left and right) and Chestnut Teals (pic Andrew McCutcheon)
This column aims to raise awareness of urban habitat. Resources to maintain and enhance habitats will only be made available if enough people care. People are more likely to care about what they can see. Hopefully, reporting on recent and coming natural activity will help people tune in to our natural environment.
Summer drying of inland waters causes many waterbirds to head for the coast. Rare Blue-winged Shovelers (above, top right and left) and Chestnut Teal, are recent tourists at Westgate Park. They may also realise that city life at this time of year poses considerably less risk of being shot! The same goes for the White-eyed ducks currently congregating at
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Albert Park Lake. Why not take your binocs along to Albert Park Lake and celebrate the survival of these beautiful ducks? While you’re there, keep an eye out for the Welcome Swallows that can be found around the Pollution Treatment Ponds (the reedbeds situated around the stormwater inputs on the east side of the lake). The Swallows are believed to flock at this time of year before heading north to eastern Queensland and the Torres Strait Islands.
While the appearance of Grey Fantails in Spring and Autumn is quite predictable, the Winter months are the time of ‘unusual’ sightings of species which are not regular migrants that have dispersed from inland habitats which have fewer insects on the menu in the colder months.
Pink Robin (pic McCutcheon)
Pink Robins spend Spring and Summer in high rainfall upland rainforests. In March and April many birds disperse to the milder coastal conditions. Individuals or small numbers have been found in Perce White Reserve ( Sandridge Beach) and seem to have a favourite haunt in St Kilda Botanical Gardens. Pied Currawongs breed in upland wet forests through Spring–Summer. From mid autumn many move to lowland areas and seem to have visited inner Melbourne in much greater numbers in latter years. Can this be because their population has increased overall, or is the inland habitat even less favourable to them in autumn-winter than it used to be? You’ll probably be alerted to their presence by their loud call, something like a drawn out wolf whistle! Big, and black and white, they’re unmistakable!
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Security Alert
Tony Flude
The Friends of Westgate Park wanted to do something to redress the carbon emissions expected from the Commonwealth Games. The Commonwealth Games pistol range just happened to be across the road from our Park so we spend the few months prior to the Games revegetating the Park perimeter.
It was getting late in the day during one of our working bees so we decided to call it quits. Since we have no close water point we had to water the new plants in using 20 litre plastic water containers. We still had five full of water. Rather than haul them back to our compound
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we decided to hide them under a bush, close to the boundary, opposite the Games venue. That was our mistake. Next day all hell broke out!!!
Commonwealth Games Security had noticed four (apparently they had trouble counting) suspicious chemical containers close to the venue that the Prime Minister himself would be attending. We’d sparked a security alert... Fortunately, quickly averted by a “Friend” removing the top of one of the suspect containers and sampling its contents.
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Snake and Ladder
Tony Flude
Behind the toilets at Westgate Park there’s a deep concrete pit with sheer walls. At ground level there’s a grille for walking on. One day we found a tiger snake lying on the grille.
When the snake saw us it panicked, stuck its head through the grille and fell to the floor of the pit, unhurt.
Thinking there was no way it could get out and would starve, we called a snake handler to rescue it. About half an hour later we were amazed to find the snake halfway up the steel ladder attached to the wall. Later, that day there was no sign of it at all. |
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Channel Deepening Trial Dredge news Neil Blake
The Port of Melbourne Corporation (PoMC) released its ‘Trial Dredge Program Activities Report’ in February 2006. This release followed numerous PoMC public statements about the Trial (before the Trial had been formally evaluated), claiming that it had been completed successfully.
The Report downplays critical information... buried in the complex body of the report and not directly mentioned in the Executive Summary. For example, the dredge technology failed to meet the environmental standards in relation to rockfalls in dredging at the Heads. “Rockfalls” are discussed on at least 6 pages of the 23 page document (see section 4.3 and 5.3), but not directly referred to in the Executive Summary.
Whilst making these ‘positive’ assertions the Executive Summary fails to mention The 3 areas of rockfall that breached the objectives of the Environment Management Plan; and the “mobile rocky material” remaining in the vicinity of the shipping channel. Was the oil tanker grounding at the Heads earlier this year caused by “mobile rocky material”? This is not the only unanswered question. The Trial avoided the issue of dredging toxic material from the Yarra... the
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big turbidity and toxics hotspot for the whole project. The Trial didn’t address two of the most critical environmental risks posed by channel deepening.
Sea life at risk in Port Phillip Bay
(pic David Bryant)
Find out more at:
www.bluewedges.org
www.channelproject.com
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Calender
Green Mothers Group
A group for parents of predominantly pre-school aged children who care about the environment, sustainability and solving parenting issues in an caring ‘eco- friendly’ manner.
Where: The Port Phillip EcoCentre Corner of Blessington and Herbert Sts, St Kilda.
When: Wednesday 6 th & 17 th May, 3pm - 5 pm (Green Mothers Group meet on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 3 pm(ish))
Contact: Alison 9557 9089, aliart1@bigpond.net.au
Friends of Port Melbourne’s Foreshore
The monthly working mornings are an opportunity to demonstrate care for this fragment of biodiversity in our immediate environment. The Friends meet to weed, plant or prune in response to the needs of the site.
Where: Perce White Reserve. Port Melbourne. (Melway 56 G3)
When: Sunday 7 th May, 9.30am - 12noon
Contact: Anne Callaghan 9646 1736
Earthcare Penguin Research
Penguin Research organised by Earthcare St Kilda we monitor this wildlife area and evaluate any threats to the penguins . Bookings and exact time Zoe 0402 164 482 $5 for non-members (to cover insurance) Dress Warmly and bring a torch 9pm ish
Where: Start of St Kilda Pier (in the Rotunda), Pier Road St Kilda
When: Sunday 7 th & 21 st May, 8pm ish
Contact: 0500 832 784
www. earthcarestkilda.org.au
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Friends of Westgate Park
Third Sunday of the month. Good idea to ring beforehand - Naomie on 0415 941 629 or George and Tony on 9428 4820. The main noticeboard near the carpark always has details as to where we are, bring your own lunch, tea, coffee and a beer provided and the end of the day.
Where: Westgate Park, Todd Rd Entry (Melway 56 F1)
When: Sunday 21 st May (third Sunday of each month), 10am - 4pm and every Monday and Tuesday volunteers cam come any time between 8:30am to 4:00pm (call to confirm public holidays).
Contact: Tony (03) 9428 4820
Veg Out St Kilda Farmers Market
Buy food direct from the people who make it. No re-sellers, no craft, no gimmick. This market is plastic bag free so BYO your trolley, basket and reuse your plastic bags.
Where: Peanut Farm Oval, Chaucer Street, St Kilda
(near Shakespeare Grove, behind Acland Street and Veg Out Melway 2 B9)
When: Saturday 27 th May, 8am - 12noon
Contact: Veg out 0429 146 627 vfm@vtown.com.au
National Day of Healing. Welcome to Country by Boonerwrung elder Carolyn Briggs, Smoking ceremony with Ron Murray. Plus “Funny Bones” sit down comedy (short play directed by Pauline Whyman); Joe Geia & Band; Den the Fish poems; free BBQ, stalls.
Where: O’Donnell Gardens, St Kilda.
When: Saturday 27 th May, 11:30am - 4:00pm
Contact: 9534 0670 info@ecocentre.com
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Tell someone who’s interested!
Vicki Jaeger - News co-ordinator
The newsletter is distributed to EcoCentre members and to anyone who drops in to the EcoCentre (ie the wider, interested, public, businesses and schools). This makes it a great voice for your group.
You can promote your group through the eco with :
- articles on issues and action
- details of coming events or projects
- information about your aims and how to join in
- photographs
- Enviro related short stories/jokes/cartoons
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The more interesting the newsletter becomes, the wider the reading audience and (most likely) the harder it will be to get space! Deadline for contributions is the 15th of each month (for consideration for inclusion in the following month).
Send items to: info@ecocentre.com
EcoCentre contacts:
Ph: (03) 9534 0670 Fax: (03) 9525 3312
www.ecocentre.com
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