From: South Eastern Centre for Sustainability <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, 15 August 2020 1:28 PM To: Darren Cheeseman <[email protected]> Subject: Fw: 1: ATTENTION MINISTER GREG HUNT/ MR DAVID MORRIS ‐ NEW NATIONAL PARK PROPOSAL IN MOUNT ELIZA BASED ON STATEWIDE GOVERNMENTAL INITIATIVES Importance: High Dear Mr Cheeseman, I thank for the Inquiry into Environmental Infrastructure for Growing Populations which states: The Legislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee is seeking information on how to secure environmental infrastructure for Melbourne and regional Victoria now and into the future. As examples of environmental infrastructure the Committee includes parks and open space, sporting fields, forest and bushland, wildlife corridors and waterways. The website provided https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/epc-la/inquiry/968 includes a number of links and pdf descriptions in line with responding to pressing environmental concerns which we have already specified in relation to our correspondence to Ministers Wynne and D'Ambrosio beneath which we would appreciate your active support for in the creation of an outstanding nationalo park in Mount Eliza which also has significant research and tourism potential. The following document from the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) draws attention to the acute shortages of national park so your initiative couldn't come at a better time: https://vnpa.org.au/wp- content/uploads/2017/11/Victorian-Parks-by-Premier.pdf Your direct support in the creation of the National Park in Mount Eliza would be much appreciated . Ihave been advised that Premier Andrews is supportive of/excited about new national parks and that Prime Minister Scott Morrison actually pledged millions for the enhancement of national parks in the northern territory and NSW during the election campaign but Victoria was absolutely neglected. As a matter for comariso, the creation of Australia Garden in Cranbourne around a decade ago involved the purchase of private properties which were much more highly developed (inclusive of suburban properties) than the Mount Eliza properties in question, therefor demonstrating the ease in which this new public initiative can become a reality via your support. Beneath I have provided specific details in relation to the Mount Eliza site which is in need of permanent protection and where your input would certainly be of enormous assistance in helping us achieve this outstanding outcome. If you could personally intervene by approaching the Ministers on our behalf and gleaning their support, this would be more than appreciated. Let me kno9w if you have any further questions. Sincerely, Steve ATTENTION The Hon. Richard Wynne Minister for Planning The Hon. Lily D'Ambrosio Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change 2 Dear Ministers Wynne and D'Ambrosio, We seek your support in relation to an outstanding Opportunity to create a unique National Park abutting urban Melbourne We have written to Minister Wynne previously seeking protection of the unique parcel of Green Wedge and Special Use Zone land at 60-70 Kunyung Rd Mt. Eliza (referred to beneath) and the decommissioned South East Water reservoir at 57 Kununyung Rd directly opposite. This land includes the ephemeral wetland which Minister Wynne has previously considered worthy of protection as a Public Conservation and Recreation Zone (PCRZ) in response to public outcry over its proposed development for which we are enormously grateful. This is yet to be realised and perhaps could be granted as part of the comprehensive proposal for an extensive nature and conservation park, respectful of the areas built heritage and indigenous archaeological and palaeonontological and geographical features very rare to find in one given place. Along with a strong movement of local interest groups, we continue to advocate for the creation of an expansive National park including most of the Green Wedge land between Mount Eliza and Mornington. The site is historically, environmentally and archaeologically significant and unique in its location between the urban extent of Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula region. It is the only Green Wedge land abutting southern Port Phillip Bay, even though Werribee on the otherside is the only other coastal area abutting Port Phillip Bay. As a resident of Kunyung Rd in Mount Eliza opposite the Ansett Estate at 90 Kunyung Rd, adjoining the Ryman Healthcare property at 60-70 Kunyung Rd, I am privileged to hear and see the abundant nature coming and going through this superb, irreplaceable area which provides habitat for so many species of Australian wildlife. A snapshot of the existing wildlife and the areas flora values can be gleaned from the ecological report in the second file above written in relation to the smallest of the properties (2.8 Ha) referred to in this proposal. The sensitivity and critical threats to the overall landscape at risk of development be it the Ryman Healthcare property (60-70 Kunyung Rd) currently sitting on Minister Wynne's desk (referred to beneath) or any of the 157.7 Ha which this proposal seeks to protect in perpetuity is clearly understandable in terms of the deleterious impact posed by unscritinised development at any given time, including the forseeable and distant future. In spite of its minimal size in comparison to the other plots of larger properties selected for ongoing preservation, the need to protect our open spaces and vital habitat clearly gleaned in Australia's leading ecologist, Malcolm Legg's report in support of the decomissioned South East Water reservoir report, speaks volumes in terms of protecting the rich biodiversity of Mount Eliza when extiction is happening at a phenomenal rate, Australia holding the world record in this respect. I saw on the Network 7 news last evening (Sunday 26 July) a report on the importance of protecting habitat and that koalas can be expect to become extinct in NSW within 30n years time. The koala which was witnessed in front of the Ryman Helathcare property trying to access the chief breeding ground at the rear of the Ryman Helathcare site being an ominous equivalent, where koalas on the Mornington Peninsula have seen disturbingly decreased number of the last decade. We are thus committed to continuing to advocate for the permanent conservation of this site to allow future generations of urban Victorians to continue to also experience what N\ ature provides, and we seek your support for this vision . Details of properties in need of purchase for the propsed National/coastal park This proposal provides the unique opportunity for the government to create an exceptional public space in line with existent governmental initiatives for the betterment of Melburnians' lifestyle and future. The following sites have been selected: Pinecliff (55-75 Sunnyside Rd, Mt Eliza): 49 Ha 3 Morning star Estate (2 Sunnyside Rd, Mt Eliza): 63 Ha Ansett Estate: (Comprising Norman Lodge (11.7 Ha) and 90 Kunyung Rd, Mt Eliza(22.3 Ha): 34 Ha Rymans Healthcare (60-70 Kunyung Rd, Mt Eliza): 8.9 Ha Decommissioned South East water reservoir (non Green Wedge at 57 Kunyung Rd): 2.8 Ha Total: 157.7 Ha The linked be displaye have been ren amed, o Verify that to the corr location. Figure 1 All land outside the Urban Growth Boundary (dark purple line with triangular markings) is in the Green Wedge. The Mornington Golf Course is part of the Green Wedge and is in the Special Use Zone 2 (SUZ2) but is not part of the request for incorporation into the idea of an extensive coastal park which is most of the land designated Green Wedge west (beachside) of Nepean Highway.Camp Manyung at 47 Sunnyside Rd and the private residences on Roycroft Court near the base of Sunnyside Road are also excluded from this proposal. Individualised maps and aerial shots are depicted in the last three files. The rest have been sent in the following email. Ideally, the Green Wedge properties from Kunyung Rd to the opposite side of Sunnyside Road, comprising 157.7 Ha would be an ample size for Australia's newest National Park which should appropriately be named in honour of the Andrews government and the Ministers who supported its creation. Potentially the coastal park's governance may be based on that of Phillip Island Nature Park which has an almost-flawless reputation established by its expert committee of management, although we are willing to guided by State government regulations and requirements in terms of the most effective form of governance. Tghe flagship species in need of regeneration could very well be the grey-headed flying fox, one of a multitide of threatened species in the area in need of urgent protection,. The Ansett Land, recently sold to Mr Chas Jacobsen, incorporates the original parcels of land owned by Sir Reginald Ansett. These properties include the original 1854 mansion and represents one of the earliest phases of Victoria's early pastoral history and together have seven archaeological sites officially listed on the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register (VAHR). Additional undiscovered relics would be expected to increase this number, which at this stage includes the highest concentration of Boon Wurrung remains of any property in the Mount Eliza region. Recent significant land clearing, inclusive of Mr. Jacobsen’s properties on the other side of Gunyong Creek (90 Kunyung Road), has also threatened the long-term preservation of important landforms and significant fossil sites proposed in terms of being preserved and undoubtedly worthy of future protection. Photographs of the stockpiles of the large trees/cleared vegetation which were subsequently burnt can be provided upon request. Former Australian of the Year, Tim Flannery, has previously written about the creation of a large area being set aside for the public which can be provided upon request. The Ryman Healthcare propery and its proposed development (at 60-70 Kunyung Rd) is currently under review following huge community opposition to the proposed massive overdevelopment of the site.