Hobsons Bay Friends Groups conservation activities 2021

February August

Date / Time Activity Friends Group Location Date / Time Activity Friends Group Location Saturday 6 World Wetlands Day Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre Under Keepers Quarters, 274 Queen Street, Altona. Sunday 1 Open day Truganina Explosives Truganina Explosives Reserve, Queen Street, Altona. 10am to 1pm 1pm to 4pm Reserve Preservation Society Sunday 7 Open day Truganina Explosives Reserve Truganina Explosives Reserve, Queen Street, Altona. Sunday 8 Conservation activity Friends of Newport Lakes Meet and register in the carpark at Newport Lakes Park, 1pm to 4pm Preservation Society 10am to 12pm Lakes Drive, Newport. Sunday 14 Walk talk and gawk Friends of Newport Lakes Meet and register in the carpark at Newport Lakes Park, Sunday 15 Marine litter activity Warmies Waste Warriors * Meet at The Gatehouse, 110 The Strand, Newport. 10am to 12pm Lakes Drive, Newport. 9am to 11am Sunday 21 Mulching and site Friends of Skeleton Creek Emu Foot Grassland, Henry Drive, Altona Meadows. Sunday 15 Planting activity Friends of Skeleton Creek Emu Foot Grassland, Henry Drive, Altona Meadows. 1pm to 3pm preparation 1pm to 3pm Sunday 28 Bird walk and survey Friends of Greenwich Bay Meet at Warmies Boat Ramp, near the gate to Sandy Point Sunday 29 Weeding, mulching and Friends of Williamstown Meet at the Causeway, Rifle Range Reserve. 9.30am to 11.30am Nature Reserve. 10am to 12pm watering Wetlands with Parks Parking in Crofton Drive, Williamstown.

March September

Date / Time Activity Friends Group Location Date / Time Activity Friends Group Location Sunday 7 Clean up Day Friends of Williamstown Multiple sites. Refer to website: Sunday 5 Open day Truganina Explosives Reserve Truganina Explosives Reserve, Queen Street, Altona. 9am to 1pm Wetlands, Friends of Lower www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au/join/ for more information or 1pm to 4pm Preservation Society Kororoit Creek, Friends of check the Ranger Ramblings newsletter for the site closest to you. Sunday 12 Conservation activity Friends of Newport Lakes Meet and register in the carpark at Newport Lakes Park, Newport Lakes 10am to 12pm Lakes Drive, Newport. Sunday 7 Open day Truganina Explosives Reserve Truganina Explosives Reserve, Queen Street, Altona. 1pm to 4pm Preservation Society Sunday 14 Clean up Australia Day Warmies Waste Warriors * Register early at www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au/join/ October 9am to 11am or meet and register at The Gatehouse, 110 The Strand, Newport. Date / Time Activity Friends Group Location Sunday 28 Bird walk Friends of Williamstown Meet at the Arboretum, Rifle Range Reserve. 10am to 12pm Wetlands Parking in Mullins Court, Williamstown. Sunday 3 Open day Truganina Explosives Reserve Truganina Explosives Reserve, Queen Street, Altona. 1pm to 4pm Preservation Society Saturday 9 World mental health day Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre Under Keepers Quarters, 274 Queen Street, Altona. April 10am to 4pm Sunday 17 Watering, hand Friends of Skeleton Creek Emu Foot Grassland, Henry Drive, Altona Meadows. Date / Time Activity Friends Group Location 1pm to 3pm weeding and tree Sunday 4 Open day Truganina Explosives Reserve Truganina Explosives Reserve, Queen Street, Altona. guard maintenance 1pm to 4pm Preservation Society Sunday 24 Hand weeding and Friends of Williamstown Meet at the Arboretum, Rifle Range Reserve. Sunday 11 Conservation activity Friends of Newport Lakes Meet and register in the carpark at Newport Lakes Park, 10am to 12pm pruning Wetlands Parking in Mullins Court, Williamstown. 10am to 12pm Lakes Drive, Newport. Sunday 18 Conservation activity, Friends of Skeleton Creek Emu Foot Grassland, Henry Drive, Altona Meadows. 1pm to 3pm planting and site November preparation Date / Time Activity Friends Group Location Sunday 7 Open day Truganina Explosives Reserve Truganina Explosives Reserve, Queen Street, Altona. May 1pm to 4pm Preservation Society Sunday 14 Conservation activity Friends of Newport Lakes Meet and register in the carpark at Newport Lakes Park, Date / Time Activity Friends Group Location 10am to 12pm Lakes Drive, Newport. Sunday 2 Marine litter activity Warmies Waste Warriors * Register early at www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au/join/ Sunday 28 Bird walk and BBQ lunch Friends of Williamstown Meet at the Paisley Challis Wetlands, end of Maddox Road, 9am to 11am or meet and register at The Gatehouse, 110 The Strand, Newport. 10am to 12pm Wetlands Williamstown. Sunday 2 Planting activity Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek Visit the Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek website 10am to 12pm www.folkc.com.au for more information. Sunday 2 Open day National Truganina Explosives Reserve Truganina Explosives Reserve, Queen Street, Altona. December 11am to 4pm Heritage Festival Preservation Society Date / Time Activity Friends Group Location Tuesday 4 Planting activity Friends of Skeleton Creek Emu Foot Grassland, Henry Drive, Altona Meadows. 10am to 12pm Sunday 5 Bird walk and survey Friends of Greenwich Bay Meet at Warmies Boat Ramp, near the gate to Sandy Point 9.30am to 11.30am Nature Reserve. Sunday 9 Planting activity Friends of Newport Lakes Meet and register in the carpark at Newport Lakes Park, 10am to 12pm Lakes Drive, Newport. Sunday 5 Open day Truganina Explosives Reserve Truganina Explosives Reserve, Queen Street, Altona. 1pm to 4pm Preservation Society Sunday 16 Planting activity Friends of Skeleton Creek Emu Foot Grassland, Henry Drive, Altona Meadows. 1pm to 4pm

Sunday 23 Planting activity Hobsons Bay City Council Truganina Park, Andrew Park Drive, Altona Meadows. Please Note: All activities will be undertaken in accordance 10am to 12pm with Council’s COVID-Safe plan. Its expected all attendees Sunday 30 Planting activity Friends of Greenwich Bay Meet at The Gatehouse, 110 The Strand, Newport. will adhere to Council’s COVID-Safe plan on site as directed. 9am to 11am Please check Council’s website for activity updates. Sunday 30 Planting activity Friends of Williamstown Meet at the Causeway, Rifle Range Reserve. 10am to 12pm Wetlands with Parks Victoria Parking in Crofton Drive, Williamstown. Advice for participants Information

For all activities participants are advised to wear sturdy For more information on Hobsons Bay Friends Group June shoes, a long sleeved shirt and long pants. Please bring Activities, please call the Conservation Rangers on a hat, gloves and water bottle. 1300 179 944 or email [email protected] Date / Time Activity Friends Group Location Event details are subject to change, please contact Sunday 6 Planting activity Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek Visit the Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek website [email protected] or check the Council’s 10am to 12pm www.folkc.com.au for more information. Registration website for upcoming events

Sunday 6 Open Day Truganina Explosives Reserve Truganina Explosives Reserve, Queen Street, Altona. All participants must register before commencing an 1pm to 4pm Preservation Society activity. Children are welcome to come but must be Conservation activity may include hand weeding, Sunday 13 Planting activity Friends of Newport Lakes Meet and register in the carpark at Newport Lakes Park, supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. mulching, watering and pruning 10am to 12pm Lakes Drive, Newport. Sunday 20 Planting activity Friends of Greenwich Bay Meet at The Gatehouse, 110 The Strand, Newport. All events are carried out in conjunction with Hobsons 9am to 11am Bay City Council staff members. Sunday 27 Planting activity Friends of Williamstown Meet at the Causeway, Rifle Range Reserve. 10am to 12pm Wetlands with Parks Victoria Parking in Crofton Drive, Williamstown. * Event being conducted by Hobsons Bay Waste and Litter Community Engagement Officer. Hobsons Bay City Council acknowledges the peoples of the Kulin nation July as the Traditional Owners of these municipal lands and water ways. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging. Date / Time Activity Friends Group Location Sunday 4 Planting activity Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek Visit the Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek website 10am to 12pm www.folkc.com.au for more information. Sunday 4 Open Day Truganina Explosives Reserve Truganina Explosives Reserve, Queen Street, Altona. 1pm to 4pm Preservation Society Tuesday 6 Planting activity Friends of Skeleton Creek Clarendon Court Seabrook. Site is adjacent to Skeleton 10am to 12pm Creek along shared trail approximately half way between Point Cook Road and Clarendon Court Sunday 11 Planting activity Friends of Newport Lakes Meet and register in the carpark at Newport Lakes Park, 10am to 12pm Lakes Drive, Newport. Sunday 18 National Tree Day Friends of Greenwich Bay Register early at www.nationaltreeday.org.au/join/ 9am to 11am planting or Meet at The Gatehouse, 110 The Strand, Newport. Sunday 25 National Tree Day Friends of Williamstown Meet at the Causeway, Rifle Range Reserve. 10am to 12pm planting Wetlands with Parks Victoria Parking in Crofton Drive, Williamstown. Hobsons Bay Hobsons Bay park locations Friends Group 4. Kororoit Creek, Altona North

Brooklyn Kororoit Creek is one of the major waterways for ’s west. It is 80km conservation in length with the upper catchment starting in Sunbury. In Hobsons Bay, industry South Kingsville Spotswood plays a big part in the landscape of the creek as it runs through areas like activities 2021 Altona North Brooklyn and Altona North. The creek runs into Bay at the Altona Coastal Park, between Altona and Williamstown. 4 5

Newport 2 5. Newport Lakes, Newport At approximately 33ha in size, Newport Lakes is a recycled park, as it was Williamstown North created from a former bluestone quarry. The park is an urban bushland oasis and when walking along the meandering trails you could easily forget that you are in Altona the suburbs of Melbourne. The park is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. 3 1 8 Williamstown Laverton Seaholme 6. Skeleton Creek, Altona Meadows

9 Skeleton Creek lies adjacent to the Cheetham Wetlands/Point Cook Coastal 1. Altona Coastal Park, Seaholme Park which is a wetland of international significance (Ramsar Site). You can 6 Altona Meadows be guaranteed to see a vast variety of bird life around Skeleton Creek. Seabrook The Altona Coastal Park comprises of 70ha of terrestrial land and 70ha of intertidal and 7. Truganina Park, Altona Meadows 7 saltmarsh zones. The park boasts a variety of habitats including Truganina Park has been converted into a major park. The site provides one regionally significant white mangrove Avicennia( of the largest stands of Chaffey Saw Sedge (Gahnia Filum) in Hobsons Bay. marina) communities. The park offers great This is the food plant for the larvae of the Altona Skipper Butterfly. roosting and feeding grounds for the resident and migratory wading birds that travel from 8. Rifle Range Reserve, Williamstown 1300 179 944 places as far away as Siberia to spend their summer months. The Rifle Range Reserve was initially set up as a rifle range back in 1877. In the 1990s it was sold off for development with public space set aside. 2. Sandy Point and the Spit, Newport The Rifle Range Reserve consists of two wetland lakes, salt marsh, and mangrove conservation areas, Wader Beach, and Paisley Challis Wetlands. Sandy Point is a conservation area. The site provides a good mix of coastal shrub land and habitat for a variety of bird species. The Spit was created by the 9. Truganina Explosives Reserve, Altona dredging from the and has been revegetated with indigenous plants. Truganina Explosives Reserve was established in 1901 for the storage 3. Laverton Creek, Laverton and handling of commercial explosives and is now managed by Council. Remnant native vegetation is evident throughout the reserve. The gardens Laverton Creek begins its journey up near Caroline Springs, flowing through of the homestead are being restored to replicate that of the early 1900s.

areas of Laverton, remnant grasslands and salt marsh communities before The council is committed to protecting and enhancing our environment. This publication entering Port Phillip Bay. is printed with vegetable inks on 100% recycled, non – chemically bleached stock.

Hobsons Bay Friends Groups

Hobsons Bay Friends Groups work together Friends of Greenwich Bay Friends of Skeleton Creek Friends of Truganina Wetlands (Swamp Things) with Hobsons Bay City Council to protect and Sandy Point and The Spit, Newport Skeleton Creek, Altona Meadows Truganina Swamp, Altona enhance environmentally significant areas This group meets on most months and undertakes a range of activities This group works alongside the creek at various times throughout the This group are actively involved in a range of conservation activities. including bird walks and planting. One of the groups major projects is year. This group is involved in a wide variety of conservation activities They work collaboratively on innovative projects to regenerate Truganina throughout the municipality. Volunteers engage in to survey the bird life at both Sandy Point and The Spit. that help restore and maintain this beautiful waterway. Swamp and preserve these wetlands that are inhabited by unique species land management projects including planting, bird www.facebook.com/FriendsOfGreenwichBay-Newport www.facebook.com/friendsofskeletoncreek of flora and fauna. surveys and various other conservation activities. www.facebook.com/swampthings3018 New members are always welcome. Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek Friends of Williamstown Wetlands Truganina Explosives Reserve Preservation Society Kororoit Creek, Altona North Rifle Range reserve / Paisley Challis Wetlands All events are carried out in conjunction with This group has regular activities throughout the year, mainly concentrating This group works on a variety of projects including a native arboretum Truganina Explosives Reserve Hobsons Bay City Council’s Conservation Rangers. on revegetating the surrounding areas with indigenous plants. showcasing a variety of coastal groundcovers, shrubs and trees. This group is actively involved in the upkeep of the historical residence on site This group also participates in water watch activities which includes as well as undertaking multiple conservation activities throughout the reserve. www.folkc.com.au water quality testing and macroinvertebrate surveying. They also assist with public open days and guided tours. www.friendsofwilliamstownwetlands.org.au www.facebook.com/truganinaexplosivesreserve Friends of Newport Lakes

Newport Lakes, Newport Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre This group includes local volunteers who have been working for many years to improve and develop the park. They meet monthly to undertake From their temporary home at the Under Keepers Quarters, Truganina Explosives Reserve conservation activities. This is a community group working to develop a wetlands centre in Melbourne’s West. The centre will be a place where everyone can connect with nature to www.friendsofnewportlakes.com.au improve health and wellbeing, and be inspired to care for our precious natural For more information contact the Conservation Ranger on environment. The centre currently runs a variety of nature based leisure and 1300 179 944 or email: [email protected] educational workshops and open days throughout the year. www.hobsonbaywetlandscentre.org.au

Photography by Caroline Oxley