Contents
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Welcome
Welcome to the June 2007 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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CLIMATE CHANGE ... COMING READY OR NOT!
As governments and oppositions argue the toss about when to introduce greenhouse emissions targets, local communities want action now. Port Phillip EcoCentre is committed to assisting ordinary people to reduce their carbon footprint; and raising the profile of community climate change initiatives.
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Beach Protest Spells it Out
By Emily Power
April 23, 2007 12:00 noon: about 2500 protesters braved chilly bayside weather to turn a Sandringham beach into a poster against global warming.
Pupils and teachers from 14 bayside schools joined hundreds of other protesters to use their bodies to spell out their anger at lack of urgent action on climate change.
It took organisers -- the Bayside Climate Change Action Group -- about 45 minutes to mould the crowd into the right shape; to get everyone to sit on markers put in the sand. The shivering group then patiently stayed put as a helicopter flew over them to photograph their giant sign.
To practice what they preach, the organisers -- a non-political group of bayside parents -- wanted to make the event as car-free as possible. They persuaded Connex to put on two extra trains to Sandringham.
 Making their point in a big way: protesters use their bodies to turn a Sandringham beach into a plea for action.
Picture: Les Johnson
The group's co-president, Coni Forcey, said the members met monthly to decipher scientific babble and agree on simple, green strategies for the home. The group is also campaigning for junk-mail bans in bayside suburbs.
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Mrs Forcey, a Sandringham resident for 21 years, said the climate crisis had inspired Australians to return to "nanna technology" -- to a waste-not-want-not attitude, to using fewer chemicals, growing their vegetables, and bucketing water. Mrs Forcey said:
"The grassroots movement is growing, and there is going to be a real change in attitude. People are going to be less concerned about the economy and more concerned about the future their children are facing."
Locals Into Victoria’s Environment
A local climate action group in the City of Port Phillip
"Everyone can make a more concerted effort to conserve energy."
LIVE is growing fast, representing nearly 200 hundred concerned Victorians who are coming together to address the threat of global warming. LIVE is independent, non-partisan and non-profit.
Members of LIVE believe that when we join together, our voices become louder and stronger. Local grassroots action can make a difference and is needed now!
LIVE applies polite pressure to all levels of government and industry to demand that meaningful, effective measures be taken immediately to ensure that all environmental costs are accounted for and that Victoria’s unacceptable greenhouse gas emissions, a major contributor to climate change, are reduced starting now. We support the climate change policy solutions advanced by the Climate Action Network Australia (CANA - an alliance of over 30 regional, state and national environmental, health, community development, and research groups from throughout Australia www.cana.net.au).
LIVE supports and works with leading environmental groups and other community based climate change action groups working for a future that is healthy and best for all.
For more information go to: www.live.org.au
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ELWOOD BENDIGO BANK SPONSORS
INDIGENOUS HERITAGE WALK
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PP EcoCentre gratefully acknowledges Bendigo Bank Elwood Community Branch sponsorship to cover payments to indigenous cultural dancers and tour guide in the Indigenous Trail Walk, March 8, 2007.
The Indigenous presenters (endorsed by the Victorian Boonwurrung Elders Land Council) paid homage to the Yalukit Willam clan of the Boonwurrung people, on whose land we walked.
Despite a bracing sea breeze, 52 walkers attended: a valuable step towards the EcoCentre’s ultimate goal of establishing a commercial tour operation for indigenous guides. Indigenous Presenters included Fay Ball (Indigenous Cultural Educator) and Watbalimba Dance Co. Fay and Watbalimba Dance were accompanied by Meyer Eidelson (St Kilda Historical Society President) and Neil Blake (Port Phillip EcoCentre).
Meyer and Neil contributed in an unpaid capacity, as did 6 volunteer Walk Wardens who ensured safe participation for all. City of Port Phillip provided funding for portable toilet hire, research and printing of flyers. Parks Victoria sponsored the Walk through waiving of site permit fees.
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The Walk was a great opportunity for indigenous guides/performers to work with the ‘white’ community to share our collective knowledge.
Wayne Thorpe (right) and Watbalimba Dancers in full flight.
Pic Jonathon Raymond
The EcoCentre took the opportunity to gather contact details of people present with a view to their continued involvement in developing and supporting the EcoCentre’s indigenous cultural heritage program.
Trail walkers happily accepted Wayne Thorpe’s advice “you’re either a musician or a dancer.”
Dancing together. Pic Jonathon Raymond
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Channel Deepening Supplementary Environment Effects Statement (SEES) Planning Panel Inquiry
by Neil Blake
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The SEES weighed in at 40kg!
Given 6 weeks to read and respond to the 15,000 page SEES, the public had to digest 357 pages a day.
Despite the appearance of exhaustive reinvestigation of environmental impacts, the project remains contentious.
Neil Blake contemplates wading
though the 15,000 page SEES
Concerns include the plan to dispose of contaminated Yarra sediments in a ‘Confined Aquatic Disposal ‘ (CAD) area to be located around 8 km offshore of Ricketts Point. ‘CAD’ ultimately involves placing a ‘cap’ of uncontaminated material over the contaminated silts. However, this can’t be done until the silts have consolidated. In this case, a period of at least 140 days is expected to pass before the capping can be put in place.
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Schedule of dredging of the Yarra in the summer period is likely to disrupt anchovy spawning which occurs in the area between November and February. Anchovies are the main prey species of the St Kilda Penguin colony, some other seabirds and larger fish species. Summer dredging may also trigger toxic algal blooms and effect water quality on the Port Phillip Bay’s popular north-eastern beaches.
Details regarding the Port of Melbourne Corporations’ channel deepening proposal can be found at: www.channelproject.com
Views of the Blue Wedges group opposing the proposal can be found at: www.bluewedges.org
The Planning Panel Inquiry commenced on June 18 and will run until July 31.
St Kilda penguin chick: doing well on a diet of fresh anchovy.
Pic Zoe Hogg
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Swans Out Of Sync!!!
By James Brincat, Ranger in Charge, Albert Park Reserve
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Two Rangers on routine Kayak patrol (wildlife monitoring is now carried out late afternoons on kayaks so as to not disturb the wildlife) discovered 6 swan nests, all with eggs, all on one side of one island, and all currently with sitting parents. The rangers have also discovered that one of the parents have successfully hatched 2 cygnets. As you know, the swans begin their nesting season about August and the first cygnets are seen on the water from September on. This is most unusual to have multiple pairs nesting at this time of the year
Albert Park cygnets in April 07. Pic by James Brincat
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Some of the swans were observed courting in February and they did not appear to go through their moult as they do every February / March.
Although the adult swans were able to fly throughout February and March (their usual moulting season), only a few birds were observed to be leaving or arriving at the lake. The swans at Albert Park are a wild population, pairs of adult swans are often observed leaving the lake in the early morning and returning in the evenings.
The breeding birds have laid and incubated their eggs throughout the Grand Prix (including set up and pull down). In fact, one pair build a nest at the base of the temporary floating pontoon bridge, whilst the crowds were filing past the birds.
Will these cygnets survive the winter?
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Drawing Group
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Meeting Sundays 2pm to 4:30 at the EcoCentre.
To register your interest in joining contact Elaine 0438 680 539 or email
ewilkinson_99 at yahoo.com |
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EcoCentre Fund Raiser
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Stylish Polo Shirt with EcoCentre Logo, Preorder to day.
Members $25.00
Non members $30.00
($5.00 post and packing)
Get your order in today.
Phone (03) 9534 0670 |
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REPTILE RAMBLES
Ian R Levy
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The Eastern Water Dragon Physignathus lesueurii and the similar subspecies the Gippsland Water Dragon Physignathus lesueurii howittii, are large lizards often observed sunning themselves on rocks or branches near streams and rivers in eastern Australia.
When disturbed, they scamper into the water or into the undergrowth. They are strong swimmers, and can stay under water for several minutes.
Until recently the south western limit of distribution of the Gippsland Water Dragon was just south of Walhalla on the Thomson River. However these big lizards may be establishing themselves along the Yarra River in Melbourne, 100 kilometres further west of their original range.
I have observed a healthy looking specimen on the river bank at Studley Park and others have been seen at Dights Falls. These particular dragons may be hybrids, with Gippsland Water Dragon and Eastern Water Dragon parentage.
The two forms will hybridise in captive conditions. It is believed they have been
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introduced to the Yarra banks by people who keep lizards as pets but have become tired of the responsibility of maintaining these active animals in captivity.
The lizards feed on small living things generally taken on land - mostly insects, and some herbage and berries.
The females bury their eggs [about a dozen], in holes dug in the river bank in late spring and the cute little dragon babies hatch a few months later.
Whilst the well vegetated Yarra bank habitat might have been previously outside the normal range of water dragons they may become a feature in these areas.
Pic Pat Deasey
Is this desirable? Well they are not displacing any other lizard species and they are unobtrusive and strikingly attractive.
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Energy Efficiency Greenhouse Workshop
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Do you want to reduce your greenhouse impact and your electricity and gas bills? Cutting electricity and gas usage by half is often not difficult or expensive. You’You'll learn to save energy in the home and in your life. Using simple but effective tools you’you'll find out where your energy is being used and how to use it more efficiently. Learn about Solar hot-water, electricity, carbon offsets and get the low down on ‘Greenpower’.
Facilitator: Joel Meadows is an energy auditor and adult educator who has learned most of what he knows making things happen in his own home. Joel lives in a tiny inner-city farm with his family, chooks, bees worms and millions of wonderful microbes. |
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Saturday 14th July, 9:30 - 1pm
Cost $10.00, snacks provided.
To register please call (03) 9534 0670
or email info@EcoCentre.com
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St Kilda Indigenous Nursery Coop:
Local native plants for sale
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Groundcovers, grasses, shrubs, trees and pond plants. It’s the perfect opportunity to overhaul your garden and get plants established long before the next hot summer comes around.
525 Williamstown Rd , Port Melbourne
Tel / fax 9645 2477
Melways ref: 2J E1
Opening hours: Mon to Sat 10-4
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