MeandersMeanders QuarterlyQuarterly

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3 DECEMBER 2007 I

Featured plant 3 River Bottlebrush Creekside burble Meet a stakeholder 5 Environment FROM THE PRESIDENT Protection Agency Welcome to the last issue of Meanders Quarterly for the year. Yes, it’s that Featured bird 6 Southern Boobook time to celebrate a very successful year of community action along . So let’s celebrate together! Community alliances 8 A Creek bringing community together We would love to see you at our Christmas Party at Edwardes on 16th December 2007. You will find more details about this fully catered Water watch 10 So, how clean is our event on page 9. Let’s all raise a toast for a truly fantastic inaugural year! Creek? Our Treasurer has even more good news on page 4 in relation to recently WHY successful grant applications. With the grant from the City of Whittlesea, we MEANDERS? now have the financial support from all three Councils responsible for man- WHY MEANDERS? aging the Creek reserve. The eroding The eroding bends of goose-neck meanders through the lower floodplains of Edgars Another grant from the federal government has allowed us to purchase bendsCreek are part of of a goose-natural process. tools, including a brushcutter, to help us to maintain our revegetation sites. Apparently, there are no other areas along theneck urbanised sections meanders of Merri and Edgars Creeks where this process can be preserved. PLANTING A FUTURE through the Our Confluence Tree: Tree Our last planting day for OurCustodian Confluence Project Tree: Launch Tree , lower flood- the year was held in Sep- CustodianJuly 2008 Project at the Merri Launch and , tember along the upper plains of Edgars JulyEdgars 2008 Creeks at the confluenceMerri and escarpment adjacent to Edgars Creeks confluence Creek are part of the waterfall in North Coburg. During this a natural event we welcomed more Something we can all be new members who process. proud of helped transform this area in a blink of an eye. Apparently, there are no This planting site com- prises very exposed, other areas shallow soil. The lack of rainfall has meant these plants have (Above) Planting along the urban- struggled, but thankfully survived. the escarpment ised sections of above the KEEPING UP THE WATER waterfall, Merri and As we head into summer, it is im- September 2008. Edgars Creeks portant we water the plants in this site to get them through dry spells. where this In years to come, we can appreci- time you go for a walk, remember process can be ated even more the Spring show of the Golden Wattles we planted, to take a bucket. Dipping a bucket preserved. ablaze with yellow. The Red-gums into the Creek and watering a cou- we planted in July will also respond ple of trees is a great way to stop, well to occasional watering. So, next listen and enjoy.

PAGE 2 COMMUNITY PRIDE bush care project along the lower reaches of Edgars Creek. Unfortunately, not all users of the Creek reserve share the same vi- This program, launched in October sion. Both our planting sites along this year, seeks private funding for the Creek have suffered small-scale revegetation initiatives at three vandalism over the last couple of sites in northern , namely months. lower Edgars Creek in North Coburg, in Fawkner and During August, someone selec- Barbers Creek in Yan Yean. tively removed all our River Bottle- brush seedlings from our planting The revegetation activities under- site below the Kodak bridge, pre- taken by Greening Australia will sumably for their garden. We have augment the planting projects we replaced these plants and erected have already undertaken and will signs indicating the site is being hopefully see an accelerated rate of managed by community volunteers. improvement along the Creek. So far the signage seems to have stopped any further plant theft. Look forward to more detail about the Greening Australia urban bush During October, one of the Droop- care project in the next issue of Me- ing Sheoaks planted on the escarp- anders Quarterly. ment above the waterfall was un- ceremoniously cremated, possibly WEEDS AND MORE WEEDS as an expression of youth boredom. Tree, guard, stakes and mulch were Two weed workshops hosted by all reduced to a small pile of char- the Merri Creek Management Com- coal. mittee during September and Octo- ber are helping us maintain our Hopefully, as more work is done to plantings along the Creek. improve the Creek reserve others will also be encouraged to take Weed management is an ongoing pride in the Creek environment. maintenance requirement, particu- larly during the early stages of a restoration project when we are try- ing to help the indigenous species we plant to out-compete the foreign invaders.

Special thanks to all those Friends who braved the hot weather to par- ticipate in these workshops. Thanks also to our host and resident weed expert, Alex from MCMC, who had to endure both the heat and our ir- reverent humour.

LOOKING FORWARD

Finally, thanks to all who have contributed and supported the first year of ‘Friends of Edgars Creek’. There is certainly no doubting our Alex from MCMC MORE GREEN TO BE SEEN achievements together! helping us identify those nasty weeds A more exciting, but perhaps less Next year promises to be even dramatic development for our Creek better, particularly if our most re- is the interest shown by Greening cent Melbourne Water Community Australia to undertake an urban Grant application is successful.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3 PAGE 3

This grant is for a significant sum of money to establish more revegeta- tion sites along the Creek, fund a The unchain gang remnant seed collection and propa- gation program and invite some in- Two dozen workers stood in line, teresting speakers to talk to us about the geology and aboriginal heritage To attack the stubborn ground. of Edgars Creek. Until then, see you With pick and shovel striking rock, down the Creek! With sweat on face and hand.

Stephen Northey, President They were no chain gang making roads, No gold or oil was sought. No wage was paid no whip was cracked, Sense of place No slaves were sold or bought.

FROM THE SECRETARY These are the friends of Edgar’s creek, Out for a fun weekend. Like the colourful flash of a King- To dig the holes and plant the trees, fisher recently sighted along the Our environment to mend. Creek near Livingston Street in North Coburg, our activities over the past months have been equally vibrant. Edgar’s creek’s a piddling thing,“Sometimes No torrent gushing wide.gardening is just Our picnic and tour at Westgarth- We live along its humble length, town reminded us of the enduring And speak of it with pride.that simple.” relationship local residents have with We planted red gums all along Edgars Creek. The continual growth in our membership is testimony to To shade the sweeping bends this ongoing relationship. The Latin name is eucalyptus camal-dulensis. Leanne, our Membership Secretary, has been doing a great job welcom- We’ll hang around and watch ‘em grow, ing our new members during our monthly activities and keeping our It shouldn’t take too long. member database up-to-date. In 80 or 200 years, They’ll be big and strong. You may have also noticed our new FoEC poster displayed in the Notice These trees will grow to make amends Board at both Edwardes Lake and For all of white mans’ wrongs. near the footbridge at North Coburg. Our kids can sit down in their shade, Regrettably, due to the time pres- To sing their earth care songs. sures of other commitments I have resigned as Secretary. I will continue Written by Paul Gleeson Friends of Edgars to be involved in our FoEC activities November 2008 Creek poster and hope to see you all at our Christ- mas Party on 16th December. Interested in becoming the I encourage you to consider taking on the Secretary position yourself FoEC Secretary ? and helping our committee manage our activities. It hashas certainly been a Please contact Stephen very rewarding experience for me. Aliey Ball, Secretary Phone 041 050 4212.

PAGE 4 Weather report FROM THE TREASURER

I am keenly awaiting an opportu- Your FoEC Committee is in the nity to write a Treasurer’s report process of establishing a business about depleted coffers and financial sponsorship program that will allow ruination but that certainly won’t businesses to sponsor a plant in a happen in this report. small planting site along the Creek. More on this in the next issue of our Instead, I am happy to report that newsletter. we have had more success with our grant applications over the last few The Moreland City Council, cour- “Each flower months. The City of Whittlesea have tesy of a quick response grant, have provided $1000 to help fund activi- helped fund our Christmas Party at produces a ties along the Creek in that munici- Edwardes Lake on 16th December. I pality. The federal government, small woody hope to see you all there to help through its small grants program, celebrate a very successful fruit has also provided FoEC with funds to inaugural year. purchase a brush cutter and tree Anita Morgan, Treasurer containing planting tools. hundreds of tiny seeds.” River Bottlebrush Callistemon Sieberi FEATURED PLANT when they come in contact with moist soil. In this issue of Meanders Quar- terly we feature River Bottlebrush Typically, Callistemon Sieberi is a Callistemon Sieberi. Callistemons quick growing erect shrub reaching are closely related to paper-bark a height of 5 metres and a width of melaleucas, which also have 3 metres. Sometimes it has pendu- 'bottlebrush' shaped flower lous branches with light green, nar- spikes. There are 34 species cur- row leaves clustered densely at the rently called Callistemon. end of the branches. Fresh growth often has a delightful pink-tinge. As The River Bottlebrush Callistemon the tree matures the bark becomes Sieberi, previously known as Cal- chalky white. listemon paludosus, occurs across large areas of Australia. It is During Spring, Summer and Au-

Callistemon found growing naturally along tumn, Callistemon Sieberi is scat- creek banks where it likes to get tered with pale cream to yellow Sieberi in flower it’s ‘feet’ wet and tolerates severe bottlebrush flowers. The flowers seasonal water logging and inun- attract nectar-feeding birds and dation. It is indeed a hardy insects, including honeyeaters and shrub. Once mature, it also toler- silvereyes. Apparently, a Koori ates summer drought. Drink can be made from the nec- tar-rich flowers. During August, we planted Callis- temon Sieberi as part of our ri- The dense foliage and flaky bark parian habitat planting below the also make the River Bottlebrush a Woody fruit after Kodak Bridge. River Bottlebrush is a good hunting ground for insect- flowering useful plant for stabilising stream eating birds and provides a shade banks due to its soil-binding fibrous and an insect source for fish when roots. Branches also produce roots overhanging a stream.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3 PAGE 5 Environmental Protection Authority

MEET A STAKEHOLDER flora and fauna inhabiting the Creek reserve particularly vulnerable. Some The Environment Protection Author- of us remember a colony of Pobble- ity (EPA) Victoria is a statutory au- bonk Frogs that used to live below thority established under the Envi- the sluice gate adjacent to the for- ronment Protection Act 1970 to pro- mer Kodak site. Why are the frogs no tect, care for and improve the envi- longer heard? ronment, including the protection of air, water and land from pollution. Contractors working on demolishing the Kodak factory last year broke a EPA Victoria operates on a regional pipe causing a spill of Glycol. Rather basis, with Edgars Creek falling than follow procedures outlined in within the Yarra Region. The EPA is the Environmental Improvement Plan responsible for protecting the water (EIP) negotiated with the EPA for the quality of Edgars Creek. This is site remediation, the spill remained achieved by establishing policies and unreported until it was discovered regulatory controls as well as issuing only meters from entering the Creek. fines and notices in relation to water- While in this instance the Creek was way pollution. spared, the Frogs were not“Sometimes so lucky. The EPA issued a warning rather than For instance, in May this year the a fine on this occasion.gardening is just EPA took a Bundoora man to the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ The role of the EPA, however,that simple.” is not Court in relation to the op- only reactive. For example, the eration of an illegal rubbish Neighbourhood Environment Im- tip on the banks of Edgars provement Plan (NEIP) program ad- Creek in Thomastown. Over ministered by the EPA assists local a four year period, some communities to develop plans to ad- 27,000 cubic metres of dress environmental issues in their waste was dumped at this neighbourhood. The Edwardes Lake site on land leased from NEIP is one such plan that has deliv- power company SP AusNet. ered significant, ongoing environ- Alarmingly, this open dump ment improvement to the lake over included asbestos waste. recent years. The downstream sec- The man was subsequently tion of Edgars Creek has benefited fined $45,000 by the EPA. greatly from the wetlands and litter The land owner, SP AusNet, trap established as part of this plan. is now in the process of cleaning-up the site. The effectiveness of the EPA in pro- tecting the Creek environment from Unfortunately, this is not pollution relies heavily on the partici- the only incidence of indus- pation of the local community. That Illegal rubbish dump trial pollution along Edgars is why it is important that any spills on the banks of Creek. Last year, the EPA issued an- or slicks you notice in the Creek are Edgars Creek, other fine to Amcor Packaging when reported immediately to the EPA. Thomastown waste ink from it’s Keon Park factory was discharged into the stormwater system and ultimately Edgars Creek, Notice a spill or slick in the turning the Creek blue. Creek ? The fact that the Creek flows Phone EPA on 9695 2777 through so much industry makes

PAGE 6 Phantom of the night Boobook Owl

FEATURED BIRD

In the last issue of Meanders Quarterly we featured two raptors that inhabit our Creek environment. In this issue, we feature another resident raptor, the Southern Boo- “He sat there, book Ninox novaeseelandiae.

still as a Raptors are at the top of the food chain. To survive along the Creek they need a healthy environment to pro- statue, looking vide a reliable food resource, which may comprise small mammals, other birds and invertebrates. While the Boo- at us with his book is common across Australia, its presence along Ed- large, gars Creek indicates the important role the Creek reserve plays in providing an environment with sufficient com- unblinking plexity to support a diverse ecosystem. eyes.” The Boobook is easily identified by its’ plumage, which is dark chocolate-brown above and rufous-brown below, heavily streaked and spotted with white. Like most owls, its eyes are large. These yellowish eyes are highlighted by a chocolate brown facial disc. The bill is grey with a darker tip, and the feet are grey or yellow. You may, however, need to look hard to see the Boobook down by the Creek. Her fine mottled plumage helps her blend well into her environment.

While the Boobook is nocturnal, you may still occasionally ob- serve them during the day. Late one August afternoon, Leanne and I were watering some of the Red-gums recently planted along the Creek in North Coburg. To our amazement, we disturbed a Boobook owl hiding in a thick, overgrown mass of kikuyu. In a flurry of wings he took off and perched on a branch of a manna gum overhanging the Creek. He sat there, still as a statue, look- ing at us with his large, unblink- ing eyes.

This Boobook was clearly un- Boobook Owl threatened by our activity. If he was, he would have Photo by Lindsay Northrop turned side-on us, bolt upright, with feathers pressed tight against his body. In this case, Mr Boobook seemed more interested in what goodies we might disturb for his afternoon tea.

I am also lucky enough to have a local Boobook occa- sionally visit my backyard, 500 metres or so from the Creek. On one particular night, he startled me with a

MEANDERS

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3 PAGE 7 bang as he chased a black bird into a window. main threats to the Boobook. The Boobook’s soft feathers eliminate the noise of his flapping wings, allowing it to swoop upon The male Boobook cleans out the nesting hol- unsuspecting prey by stealth. This makes the low before eggs are laid and often lines the nest Boobook a very adept night-time hunter. sparsely with wood shavings or chewed wood chips, leaves and small twigs. The female incu- Boobooks detect prey by listening and watch- bates the eggs but, in true community spirit, ing silently from a suitable perch, such as a low both sexes, and sometimes a second female branch or fence-post. Flying prey, such as helper, feed the young, which typically stay in moths and small bats, are seized in mid-air. the nest until they are five or six weeks old. The Boobook is renowned for its acrobatic skills in catching flying prey, while ground-dwelling prey is pounced upon. Boobooks are especially fond of house mice, which would make them an ideal alternative pet to the domestic cat if the owl wasn’t a protected species.

Another endearing characteristic of the Boo- book is his talent as a vocalist: a true phantom of the night. His normal call is a brief double hoot ‘boo-book’, with the second note pitched lower than the first, with a half second gap be- tween each note. After a brief pause, the call is usually repeated twenty times per minute. Sometimes, this may go on for hours. The call may also be heard as ‘mo-poke’, which gives rise to alternative common names, mopoke or Boobook nesting in a tree hollow morepork. Photo by Lyn & Geoff Easton

If, however, you hear a continuing 'pot pot The Boobook is featured on the coat of arms por' call on the still night air you will know the for the fictional city of Ankh-Morpork created by Boobook is getting ready to breed. Terry Pratchett in his Discworld series of fantasy novels. In this land of make-believe, Ankh- The Boobook nests in the hollows of trees from Morpork lies on the River Ankh which is the most September to February each year, where it lays polluted waterway on the Discworld and is re- two to three white eggs. But for a few remnant putedly solid enough to walk on. Let’s hope that River Red-gums, the Creek reserve lacks nest- in reality, our Creek environment never shares a ing hollows for birds such as Boobooks. The similar fate and that our association with the competition for the few nesting sites available is Boobook will remain one of true honour. fierce, which can tend to drive away less domi- nant species. Lack of nesting sites is one of the Written by Stephen Northey

part of the Edwardes Lake NEIP on 8th No- Frog Watch Night vember at Edwardes Lake. Apparently the night was filled with calls of many Pobblebonk Frogs and a couple of East- ern Common Froglets. The call of the Growl- ing Grass Frog was also heard, although the actual numbers of these frogs at this location was hard to determine.

Below the lake, frog populations seem more Unfortunately, the FoEC Frog Census night limited. Paul Gleeson recently reported the on 3rd November was cancelled. lone call of a Pobblebonk Frog along the Creek adjacent to the Melbourne Caravan A frog survey was, however, conducted as Park.

PAGE 8 A Creek bringing community together

COMMUNITY ALLIANCES The Creek, now mainly a dead concrete lined drain, was once the During September, the Friends of life-line of Westgarthtown. Westgarthtown and the Friends of Edgars Creek shared a scrump- Robert recalled times playing near tious picnic lunch in historic the waterfall immediately upstream Ziebell’s farmhouse in Thomas- from the current Westgarthtown town. precinct. Sadly, the waterfall was removed as part of the drainage Ziebell’s farmhouse is one of project conducted by the Board of the heritage listed bluestone Works only two decades ago. buildings built in 1851 as part of the settlement of West- The photograph opposite shows garthtown by German and Robert holding up a picture of the Wendish migrants. The farm- Creek looking south from the house is now owned by the Wuchatsch farmhouse before the City of Whittlesea as part of Creek was dredged and concreted. the Westgarthtown Pioneer Precinct. Robert Wuchatsch showing us what After lunch, Robert the creek looked Wuchatsch and Sylvia like before it was Shultz, both descendants from the original migrant concreted during settlers, recounted tales the early 1980s of childhood adventures along Edgars Creek and spoke, with remorse, about the concrete chan- nelling of the Creek in the early 1980s after the old dairy farms were sold and subdivided for subur- ban development. Sharing a picnic inside Ziebell's farmhouse. Now where There is certainly no is another piece of that delicious sponge cake? doubting the connection the German migrants had with the Creek. Syl- via commented that the Creek “brought the com- munity together.”

Each farm in West- garthtown had frontage to the Creek which pro- vided a shared water re- source for agriculture. An elaborate network of dry stone walls once existed to ensure all farms had access to the Creek and to prevent livestock Robert Wuchatsch explaining the history of muddying the creek for Westgarthtown outside the historic Lutheran Church farmers downstream.

MEANDERS

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3 PAGE 9 Interestingly, there are no accounts of Platy- pus inhabiting the Creek before it was artifi- cially modified. The abundant yabby holes, blackfish and eels that once existed are, how- ever, now mere remnants of memory.

There is some evidence that suggests that John Batman signed his 1835 treaty with the Jagga Jagga brothers along the Creek in Thomastown. Robert suggested that if this was in fact true, the yabby holes were the most likely place that the Wurundjeri people might have been camping at the time.

Back then, the shallow creek flooded season- ally. Children crossing the Creek on the way back from school often lost shoes in the torrent as they forded the Creek using wires stretched Most FoEC activities for 2007-8 are held near the from one side to the other. Sylvia remembers waterfall adjacent to Ronald Street in North Coburg. times when mail was tied to a stone and thrown (Melway Reference Map 18 A9.) across the flooded Creek to someone waiting on the other side. In more recent times, small attempts have Upcoming FoEC events been made to restore indigenous vegetation to sections of the Creek adjacent to Westgarth- town. While members of the Friends of West- garthtown expressed a desire for the concrete 16 December 2007 channeling to be removed, revegetation at the PARTY: Christmas picnic very least helps communicate that the Creek is Edwardes Lake, Reservoir, 1-3pm in fact a creek rather than a drain. 20 January 2008 Site preparation/weeding/watering Meet at waterfall, North Coburg, 1-3pm

14 February 2008 Weed control management issues Meet at waterfall, North Coburg, 6-8pm YouYou areare invitedinvited 17 February 2008 Site preparation/weeding/watering Meet at waterfall, North Coburg, 1-3pm FoECFoEC ChristmasChristmas PartyParty 16 March 2008 Site preparation/weeding/watering Meet at waterfall, North Coburg, 1-3pm 1616 December,December, 11--3pm3pm 20 April 2008 Site preparation & weed control issues Lunch, drinks and treats all provided Meet at waterfall, North Coburg, 1-3pm

RSVP BY 9th December to help us with catering 18 May 2008 Planting day Meet at waterfall, North Coburg, 1-3pm PHONE STEPHEN on 9350 4212 15 June 2008 Planting day Meet at waterfall, North Coburg, 1-3pm

The Friends of Edgars Creek is a community group established in 2007 to help restore and protect Edgars Creek, the largest tributary of Merri Creek.

OUR MISSION

To help improve the environmental and recreational quality of Edgars Creek reserve by:

• advocating for the management of this Mail to: C/- Friends of Edgars Creek important waterway as an entire freshwater 17 Boyne Street ecosystem NORTH COBURG VIC 3058 • working with local Councils and Melbourne Email: [email protected] Water to ensure any maintenance and Phone: 03 9350 4212 development works deliver a real and direct benefit to the creek corridor

• organising and facilitating events for the community to be involved in restoration works and environmental educational, and We’re on the Web! http://www.freshwater.net.au/foec.htm • communicating with developers to ensure they understand how strongly the community values the creek reserve from both an environmental and recreational perspective.

Supported by Melbourne Water and Cities of Darebin, Moreland and Whittlesea Community Grants Programs

So, how clean is our Creek?

Unfortunately we are unable to October results from the Thi- provide a detailed report about the ess testing confirm a high nu- water quality in Edgars Creek in this trient level. The levels of Nitro- issue, as promised. We are, how- gen and Phosphorous recorded ever, working with Greg Woodward, in the testing samples are, the MCMC Waterwatch Coordinator, however, considerably lower to compile testing results for a de- below the lake. This suggests tailed report in our next newsletter. the Edgars Creek wetlands, and the lake itself, are playing In general terms, our testing re- an effective role in filtering nu- sults have indicated a high nutrient trients. level in the Creek. In other news, the Moreland The Edwardes Lake NEIP recently City Council also recently voted contracted Thiess Environmental to financially support the Wa- Services to conduct testing at three terwatch program in 2007/8 sites along the Creek; upstream of and moved to guarantee fund- Patrick Belford, the lake , at the lake near the boat ing for three year cycles. house and downstream of the lake. Waterwatch Monitor