Coolart’s the place for counting on birds IT’S National Bird Week and Parks Victoria has nominated Coolart Homestead and Wetlands Reserve near Somers as among its top 10 places to watch birds. Run by BirdLife Australia, the Aussie Backyard Bird Count is also under way throughout the country from 22-28 October. Bird counts can be made anywhere, but must be made over a 20-minute period. “Australia is home to some of the world’s most beautiful birds, often literally right in our own backyards and thanks to BirdLife Australia’s Aussie Backyard Bird Count we now have four years of data about their changing populations,” Australian Birdlife Magazine editor Sean Dooley said. “The information we collect from the bird count each year not only shows how much Australians care about birds, but also provides clues to what’s happening with different bird species.” Counts can be made at Coolart, which Parks Victoria says is “perfect for easy walks and spotting birds”. The Observatory, below the main homestead overlooks the wetlands and provides a comfortable viewing position for birdwatching in all weathers. More than 125 species of birds can be spotted at Coolart, from swamp hens and white ibis (also referred to as bin chickens) to kookaburras and magpies, and many species of ducks. Crakes and rails can be seen from the wetland hides. Parks Victoria’s manager science and management effectiveness Dr Mark Antos said there were “hun-
Pictures: Gary Sissons
dreds of interesting birds” in the state’s parks which make up 18 per cent of its land mass. “Parks Victoria manages important areas of habitat for native animals and plants, and we know that healthy
parks mean healthy plants, animals and people, and provide the best nature experiences for visitors,” Dr Antos said. Joining Coolart in the top 10 parks are Point Cook Coastal Park; Kinglake
National Park; Serendip Sanctuary; Greater Bendigo National Park; Tyers Park; Barmah National Park; WarbyOvens National Park; Sale Common Nature Conservation Reserve; and Great Otway National Park.
To submit a bird count go to aussiebirdcount.org.au or for more information on Victoria’s parks and waterways call Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or visit www.parks.vic.gov.au. Keith Platt
The Boundary Road Project The stone resources at Hillview Drive Quarry are running out, Hillview Quarries is looking to recommence quarrying operations and access the adjoining resources at our Boundary Road Quarry site. The Project Since 1969, Hillview Quarries has been operating the quarry in Hillview Quarry Drive, Dromana. This site is owned by the RE Ross Trust, as is the neighbouring quarry site with adjoining resources on Boundary Road. The RE Ross Trust is a charitable trust which was established in Victoria in 1970 by the will of the late Roy Everard Ross. To-date, more than $113 million has been granted to organisations across Victoria and on the Mornington Peninsula, through the profits earned from quarrying. Re-establishing quarrying operations at the Boundary Road site will generate the revenue needed to ensure the work of the RE Ross Trust continues well into the future. This is the aim of the Boundary Road Project.
Email us on: info@boundaryroad.com.au Call us on: 1300 407 690
An EES is required The Minister for Planning has directed that an Environmental Effects Statement (EES) be prepared for this project – an EES is the most rigorous government process for assessing projects in Victoria. Over the next few years, a range of scientific, environmental and social studies will be completed. There will be ongoing consultation with the local community and feedback will be gathered from stakeholder organisations. All of this information will be combined to form the EES which the government will use when making decisions about the future of the Boundary Road site. The EES is being managed by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
Contact us It is early days; the project team will continue to provide information on the project website and through the media. Questions are welcomed; you can contact us using the details below and the team will be happy to speak with you about the project or ensure you receive regular updates.
Visit our website: www.boundaryroad.com.au
Southern Peninsula News
23 October 2018
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