History Day shares story of Frankston
Feathers in the garden: The relatiopnship between Australian birds and plants is the subject of a workshop next month. From left, a gang gang cockatoo (Chris Clarke), little grebe (Judith Cooke) and New Holland honeyeater (Mack Fenwick).
Talking birds at workshop A WORKSHOP on the relationship between birds and plants will be held next month at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne. The workshop is being held at the end of this year’s National Bird Week (23-29 October) with presenters focussing on greater understanding of Australian birds, their behaviour, their requirements and their conservation. From 7.30am on Sunday 29 October there will be an optional opportunity to participate in the "What Bird is That?" presentation conducted by BirdLife Australia's Mornington Peninsula branch in the Cranbourne bushland, followed by breakfast. The presentation follows warnings last month from the branch’s president, Max Burrows, that several more species of birds are in danger of being added to the 40 species which have disappeared from around Frankston and on the Mornington Peninsula since the arrival of Europeans (“The birds are flying into oblivion” The News 22/8/17). For those not wanting to arrive at the gardens at 7.30 the day can start with refreshments in the Australian Garden Audito-
rium before the 10.30am start of presentations which include: n An overview of Australian birds. n Evolutionary/social history in connecting birds, animals, nature and people (with Pat Macwhirter). n Behaviour, ecology, colour and sexual attraction (Kaspar Delhey). n Status of the helmeted honeyeater, Victoria’s bird emblem (Bruce Quin). n Photographing birds (Kerri-Lee Harris and Paul Whitington). n Illustrating birds (Nicolas Day). n Bird habitat in gardens (Amy Akers). Australian birds in art and craft (John Thompson). The National Bird Week workshop, 7.30am-3pm or 9.30am3pm Sunday 29 October, Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, corner Ballarto Rd and Botanic Drive, Cranbourne. Members $80, non-members $90, students $40. Register and pay at: www.rbgfriendscranbourne.org.au or call Amy Akers on 0423 513 281.
HISTORY Day is here again. The event focusing on Frankston’s journey from 1966 to the present day drew in more than 200 people last year to hear and share stories of the past. The mayor Cr Brian Cunial said Frankston has come a long way in the 50 years since it was pronounced a city, with its population booming from 42,085 in 1966 to 134,143 at last count in 2016. “Initially a quaint holiday destination for the wealthy, Frankston now provides regional shopping, education, health, recreation and entertainment facilities and opportunities for investment and jobs, whilst still maintaining a pristine foreshore and beautiful natural reserves,” the mayor said. “Having lived in Frankston my whole life I’m passionate about our
remarkable city and its history. I hope many past and present local residents will join me to share their personal stories about our city.” The History Day event will be held on Saturday 7 October, 1-4pm at the Frankston Arts Centre, 27-37 Davey St and features guest speakers, photographic displays, memorabilia and a short film produced specially for the event. A light afternoon tea will be provided for a gold coin donation for entry. Interesting photos, memorabilia or a story to share about Frankston for the History Day can be passed on to Frankston Council by emailing town. planning@frankston.vic.gov.au or calling 9784 1733. Bookings are essential by searching ‘Frankston History Day 2017’ at eventbrite.com.au online.
Home handymen
Unemployment talk
FRANKSTON Council’s Home Maintenance Service provides general household maintenance and modifications to assist older people living in Frankston. The service aims to support older or disabled residents to live at home independently for as long as possible. Eligible residents can get help with general household maintenance and minor modifications such as cleaning gutters, replacing fire alarm batteries, installation of grab rails and more. Call council intake officers on 9784 1933 or see frankston.vic.gov.au online.
PEOPLE feeling there are problems with their job agency or Centrelink and struggling to survive on the Newstart allowance are invited to a talk at Frankston Library, 60 Playne St, Frankston, 12.30pm, Thursday 28 September. Owen Bennet, president of the Unemployed Workers’ Union, and Dr Joe Toscano, convenor of Public Interest Before Corporate Interest, will discuss rights and entitlements. Details: Julie 0431 623 437 or Fae 0431 141 071.
Plea to dump bypass build Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au A GROUP concerned about the environmental impact of the construction of the Mordialloc Bypass is calling on the state government to abandon plans to build the planned $300 million between the Mornington Peninsula Freeway and Dingley Bypass. The Residents Against Mordialloc Freeway say the nine-kilometre is will threaten endangered species of birds, animals and fauna in the nearby EdithvaleSeaford Wetlands. RAMF president Scott Fothergill said there are “precious” wetlands, parks
and grasslands all through the corridor through which the Mordialloc Bypass is to be constructed. “One endangered animal lost is too many,” he said. “It’s just a stop-start road through here, that won’t ease local congestion at all. It will just add to it.” Mr Fothergill said the Labor state government and VicRoads should focus on an extension at Westall Rd instead to avoid an “environmental catastrophe”. He noted VicRoads commissioned a Preliminary Flora and Fauna Impact Assessment for Mordialloc Bypass report released in June. Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne confirmed last Thursday (21 Sep-
tember) that a full Environment Effects Statement (EES) study will be done. The preliminary report conducted by design and engineering firm Parsons Brinckerhoff noted: “the proposed construction of the Mordialloc Bypass is likely to affect the local ecology in a number of ways”. “The project will require clearing of vegetation and habitat along the alignment to construct the bypass,” the report stated. “The bridge over Mordialloc Creek will result in the shading of some native vegetation and habitat, including parts of threatened communities. “For the purpose of this assessment, vegetation and habitat areas which will
be substantially shaded by the road and bridge should also be considered lost. “Shading can result in substantial changes in vegetation structure and composition through the loss of particular plant species and the proliferation of others. “This can, in turn, affect the suitability of vegetation as habitat for animals, including threatened species.” Mr Fothergill said the preliminary report said impacts “can be mitigated” but “there is no certainty on this”. State Roads and Roads Safety Minister Luke Donnellan said last week the final design of the Mordialloc Bypass will be determined through “an extensive planning and environmental process and consultation with the community”.
“We’re building the Mordialloc Bypass to slash congestion and create jobs in the south east - we’ll be leaving no stone unturned to make sure that we understand any potential impacts and how we can manage them,” he said in a statement. “The Mordialloc Bypass will create better connections between some of the fastest growing communities in Victoria, linking Frankston, the Mornington Peninsula and the south eastern suburbs,” Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke said. Feedback on the proposed Mordialloc Bypass can be submitted at engage. vicroads.vic.gov.au/mordiallocbypass or by calling VicRoads on 13 11 71.
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25 September 2017
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