It’s the season to duck and weave head with a hat, helmet or umbrella – perhaps with a pair of “eyes” on the back. People should not harass or feed wildlife, Ms Dixon said. To report a swooping incident by any species of bird and mark its location on the swooping bird map visit wildlife.vic.gov.au/managingwildlife/swooping-birds Magpies and other native birds are protected in Victoria under the Wildlife Act 1975. Under the Act, it is an offence to kill, take, control or harm wildlife in Victoria.
MORNINGTON Peninsula residents are being warned that with spring in the air so too are swooping birds. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning says it is the time native birds swoop humans (and their dogs) to defend their young for the six-eight weeks between when they hatch and when they leave the nest. Reports are already being received of birds, such as magpies and masked lapwings, swooping surprised passers-by. Senior wildlife management officer Rebecca Dixon said swooping happened every year during breeding season and was largely a defensive manoeuvre. For some species, including magpies, this is mainly carried out by males. “Being swooped by a territorial bird is no fun, but this is just normal bird behaviour,” Ms Dixon said. “The best way to avoid being swooped is to stay away from the area all together, although this isn't always possible. “If you do end up in an area where there is a swooping bird, try to protect your head and eyes and move quickly through the area without running.” Tips to avoid being swooped include avoiding known swooping hotspots and covering your
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More than half too long THE caption accompanying an artist’s impression showing the estimated size of the floating import gas terminal proposed to be anchored by AGL at Crib Point in last week’s edition of The News incorrectedly stated the vessel was nearly 3000 metres long. This was incorrect, the floating regasification storage unit (FRSU) is nearly 300 metres in length. The image shows the vessel in the Yarra River, Melbourne near Flinders Street Station.
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Moving to the old quarry Despite COVID-19, investigations have continued into moving our Hillview Quarry Drive operations at Dromana some 800–850 metres to the old pioneer quarry in Boundary Road. Because our approved stone reserves are running out, we have been scientifically assessing the challenges of re-locating from the existing operating quarry to the other quarry, which we call the Boundary Road quarry.
Hillview Community Reserve.
Boundary Road.
These scientific studies are well underway; draft baseline studies have been completed and nearly all have been reviewed by the government’s Technical Reference Group. This baseline work tells us, what are the current conditions of the site and surrounds. The next step is to assess what effects the move might have and some of this work has already started. In these studies, consideration is given to what impacts there might be on animals, plants and people; they are technical and very detailed. All of this work is part of an extensive government assessment which, after community consultation, the Minister for Planning will consider when deciding if the move can go ahead. This assessment is likely to take another year to complete. Over coming weeks summaries of the baseline studies will be publicly available, (some are already on our website). These will provide real facts about what is on the Boundary Road site now. Similarly, as the studies assessing the impacts of the move are completed and reviewed by the government’s Technical Reference Group, we will share summaries of those too. Due to the pandemic, our communication will be digital and we have been revising our website to improve your access. There you can find answers to the questions we have been asked to-date.
Collins Road.
Operations to shift 800–850m to old quarry. Hillview’s current quarry and workings to wind down.
Old Pioneer quarry and workings.
If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact our Boundary Road Project team using the details below.
Email us on: info@boundaryroad.com.au Call us on: 1300 407 690 Visit our website: www.boundaryroad.com.au
Southern Peninsula News 16 September 2020
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