NEWS DESK
Blame game continues as estuary fills By Barry Morris* BALCOMBE Estuary Reserves Group has warned of an “environmental disaster” if sediment continues to fill the estuary at Mount Martha. Its president Peter McMahon has accused Melbourne Water of “sitting idly by as we slowly lose this beautiful estuary to indifference, pennypinching and demarcation issues”. Melbourne Water says it has been “consulting” with Mornington Peninsula Shire and BERG “for more than a decade” to stop the accumulation of sediment which comes from unsealed roads. The 76-hectare estuary and adjoining reserves are home to hundreds of native birds and animals and a popular recreation area for residents and visitors. “Every time it rains heavily, sediment from drains is washed into the pristine estuary,” Mr McMahon said. He said Melbourne Water was “ignoring the reports released three years ago of two expert water management companies that recommended ways of solving the problem”. The studies were carried out for the shire by the Centre for Aquatic Identification and Management (CAPIM) and Alluvium in partnership with Melbourne University. “One sticking point is upgrading a gross pollutant trap in Henley Avenue, Mount Martha where a stormwater outfall is the largest contributor of sediment to the estuary basin,” Mr McMahon said. “The trap is on Melbourne Water’s main drainage line and the government authority is fretting about the shire or contractors modifying the line.” Melbourne Water’s team leader regional services waterways and land Steve Hosking said the traps were cleaned out every month with about 1.5 tonnes of sediment and gross pollutants being recently removed. “We are partnering with the shire to identify suitable sites for streetscape sediment bays on council’s unsealed roads and remain committed to work with council on this issue to find an effective solution,” he said. The sediment bays use vegetation or graded pits to trap loose gravel and stones before they are washed into the creek. Mr McMahon said the shire had committed $150,000 but Melbourne Water “has refused to chip in”. He said BERG “is furious at the response and concerned at the lack of urgency displayed by Melbourne Water”. “Melbourne Water should accept that it is their assets that are delivering the damaging sediment into the estuary.” With Keith Platt * Barry Morris is a member of the Balcombe Estuary Reserves Group.
Officers pounce on animal breaches ANIMAL management breaches prompted Mornington Peninsula Shire officers to issue 587 infringements during the first three months of the year. Data contained in the shire’s Quarterly Community Report: January-March 2020, released last week, shows that officers responded to 3215 animal management matters from January to March. During that period 147 cats were impounded at the shelter in Watt Road, Mornington, with only 50 found to be registered. Of these, 30 were returned to their owners, 31 were adopted through the shire’s adoption program, 30 were rehomed by rescue groups, and 35 were euthanised. All were registered at the time of their release. Of the 292 dogs impounded over the same period, only 150 were found to be registered – although, as with the cats, all were registered by their release date. Staff managed to reunite 274 dogs with their owners, nine were adopted through the shire’s adoption program, three were rehomed by rescue groups and five were euthanised. Officers prosecuted 60 matters through the courts resulting in fines and costs of $57,000 being awarded to the shire. Matters prosecuted ranged from animal management to litter offences.
Tests for teachers
Balcombe Estuary Reserves Group says aerial pictures taken from a drone of the estuary in 2019 and 2020 “clearly show that the sedimentation build-up continues to worsen [after] having already destroyed environmentally important seagrass beds”.
TEACHERS and staff planning to be back at school next week are eligible for free coronavirus tests at: Rosebud Hospital, 10am-6pm Eleanora House (at the front of the hospital); Frankston Hospital; Atticus Health Medical Clinic, Hastings, by appointment only in the car park; and, Rosebud Skin Cancer Centre, by appointment only. For further advice call the 24-hour coronavirus hotline 1800 675 398 or a general practitioner.
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19 May 2020
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