AIDA NBWSLETTER. OCTOBER 1994

Because so much that affects us all, in the Aireys Inlet district, has happened recently, or is happening now, or is about to happen soon, it is hard to know where to start. More of that l-ater - we'1l take the easy way out and begin with a simple down-to-earth local AIDA notice.

A COMING EVENT : ASSEMBLY AR.EA TO BE REVISITED

A few years ago an AIDA working bee worked its way around the assembly area across the road from the river-side shops (near one end of lnlet Crescent). fn case you are wondering, yes, over the years since 1983 it has been referred to variously as the disaster area, the safety area and the assembly area, but they are all names for the same piece of land. vie cfeared ground around the rim, dug hoIes, planted fire resistant shrubs and trees, and banged in stakes. We had two worthy aims in mind: we wanted to provide some screenj-ng in case of another fire sweeping in from a westerly or a northerly direction; and we hoped to make the area more visually attractive, in keeping with the natural landscape. As with most planting ventures, we had some success and a little failure. Now we plan to revisit the area. We need to clear around the existing shrubs, whisper soothing and encouraging words to them, and do mcre planting in the wide open spaces. Last time the Councif provided stakes. lVe'11 try them again. If you are willing and abl-e to he1p, you might like to note the following date and time in your diary.

Assembly Area Working Bee : Sunday 23 October L994 starting 10.30 a.m.

Should the morning not be a convenient time for youf we plan to have some afternoon work restarting al 2.00 p.m. We hope for good weather. If it j-s teeming wiLh non-stop rain we'11 put a postponement notice on the AIDA notice board which you have no doubt found between the store and the estate agency. Useful equipment: gardening gloves, a long-handled shovel-, a sturdy rake, something for banging in stakes, secateurs. If you happen to have a grass or brush cutter, that could be very useful-. Bring anything else you can think of; but if you don't have anything like the above j-tems, or if you have no spare energ[y, just come along and raise our spj-rits with cheerfr-r-]- conversation, or take photos of people at work (but only with their permission). We are indebted to the inembers who cared for the plants after the first planting. Sometj-me i-n the future we may work alonq river reserve land behind the shop bJ-ocks. Years ago the Shire Council had a plan prepared for a wal-kvray- winding along this strip, with a seat or two by the way. The plan was shelved. We could revive it with Council aid. Any ideas for other projects in other areas? please fet us know.

/2 2.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE LIGHTHOUSE? AND TO THE SURROUNDING LAND? AND TO THE I,AND ON THE OCEAN SIDE OF EAGLE ROCK PARADE? WHERE WILL IT ALL END? Friends of the lighthouse and of the Split Point area - and that includes most of us - will be very concerned about the news that has just been refeased in the press. It has been known for some time that the Commonwealth Government wished to sel-l land it owns on the ocean side of Eagle Rock Parade, between Lighthouse Rd. and Alice Rd. We were not sure, until now, whether the Commonwealth would retain ownership of the lighthouse and the surrounding land. Even now, although we know that the lighthouse wiII be sold, we have no idea who the eventual owners will be. According to the 'Age' (4.10.94) "More than 70 of 's f03 light stations are being offered to state governments, then municipal councils and, as a last option, on the open market by auction". l,lost of these lights have been made redundant for ships because they now use satellite navigation systems. But lighthouses such as the one at Split Point are still used by fishing fleets, recreational boating users and others. The catch is that the running costs involved are largely funded by charges on the shipping owners who are no longer happy to pay for a facility which they say they no Ionger need. Some rather vague assurances have been given that heritage and environmental concerns will be taken into account. Do you ever have nightmares about this sort of thing? Imagine what astonishing schemes might emerge from the tortured imagination of a private developer bent on making a fast buck. What vivid sensational signs might a

SURT' COAST SHIRE ELECTIONS

The elections to be held on March 25, 1995, for new counci-l members, are of the greatest significance for the future of our coastal area. Much that we have mentioned in this newsletter should emphasise that point. According to notices in the press there wiII be five wards and nine council-lors. The proposed ward names, with the number of councill-ors in each ward, are: Torquay (3), Anglesea (3), Lorne (1), winchelsea (1) and Moriac (f). The number of councillors in each ward is determined by the number of eligible voters. We may be able to provide more information in our next newsletter. In the meantime we must urge al1 our members to consider the vital importance of finding the best candidates to nominate for council membership. It is essential that we find councj-llors who are not motivated by narrow interests but who will respond to the wishes and the aims of the majority of people in each community. There may never be another opportunity Iike this, with all nine councillors forming the new council being elected at the same time. The Anglesea ward incl-udes Aireys Inlet, Fairhaven, Moggs Creek and Eastern View. /3 3.

PIPE AFTERMATH

How's your block? Many owners will be considering what to plant on the bare easements and nature strips resulting from the sewerage works. To conserve the natural character of our district and its wildlife AIDA suggests that indigenous species be used when planting. However, be careful to avoid tall growing types ad.jacent to power lines, houses etc. Eucalypts, large Acacias, Paperbarks, Sheoaks and the like will directly or indirectly cost money if pruning or removal becomes necessary at a later date. Smaller plants for such situations coul-d include the following. Boobialla (Myoporum insul-are) is a tough and quick grower to give initial shelter. The smaller varieties of Acacia such as Sweet Watt]e (Acacia suaveolens), Myrtle Wattle (A. myrtifolia), Hop Wattle (a. stricta) and Prickly Moses (a. Verticillata) could be considered and, once established,survive well without water. Other possibilities are Dararf Sheoak (Allocasuarina misera), Coast Beard- heath (Leucopogon parviflorus), Coast Daisy-bush (Olearia axilaris), Cypress Daisy-bush (o. teretifolia), Sticky Boobial-la (Myoporum viscosum), Hop C,oodenia (Goodenia ovata) , White Correa (Correa a]ba) , Red Correa (C. reflexa), Silver Banksia (Banksia marginata), Coast Pomaderris (Pomaderris oraria) etc. Away from the power lines and buildings taller growing species could be appropriate - but bear in mind their effect on viervs both for yourselves and your neighbours. Moonah (Mefaleuca lanceolata) is the indigenous Tea- tree which can give good screening and grow to seven metres or so, but it can be effectively pruned if necessary, Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata) has interesting needl-e-l-ike foliage and grows to a moderate size tree and Red Ironlcark (Eucalyptus tricarpa - formerly E. sideroxylon) with its attractive bluish-green Ieaves and fissured bark could be worth a place. There are many others. Some of these plants may even be in your own block and, if tiny, can be trans- planted - preferably in late autumn after the rains conrmence (a long wait this yearl) To j-dentify the plants referred to above, Mary Whiters books "Coastal Vegetation of Anglesea and Aireys Inlet Region" and "The Fl-owers of Anglesea River Va11ey" are very useful and are avaifable at both the Aireys Inlet Generaf Store and the Anglesea Newsagency. But beware of some baddies - some of the plants avaj-Iable from nurseries become environmental weeds in our area. They spread to the foreshore and park areas and suppress the indigenous species. Some of the plants that are giving troubl-e and which we suggest be avoided in your block include Pampas Grass (Cortaderia sp.), Myrtle-leaf Milkwort (Polygala myrtifolia) with its purple flowers, Flax-Ieaf Broom (Genista linifolia) with its ye11ow flowers, Cape Wattle or Al-bizia (Paraserianthes lophantha) and many others.

I{EMBERSHfP fn this time of great change i-n the municipal structure, as wefl as structural and polj-cy changes el-sewhere. we believe it is more important than ever for AIDA to maintain a strong membership base among those who support one of our main policy planks: "environmentally sensitive use of the area as a rural resort or haven that retains its unique charm". Our current membership is made up of 99 single and 89 double or family member- ships giving us a total of at l-east 277 members. If you know of anyone sympathetic to our aims perhaps you could suggest joining AfDA - a cheque to the Secretary for $5 single or $10 per double or family, together with the relevant name or names and postal address, will now be accepted as an application for membership that will include l-995. Send to AIDA Secretary i/o P.O. Aireys Inlet, Vic, 3221. /4 4.

REPORT FROM THE AIREYS INLET FORESHORE COMIVIITTEE

We wish to record our appreciation of the continued steady work by the "Friends of the Coastal Reserve" on environmental weed control in selected high priority areas along the cliff tops. The "fiIeed Week" effort in early JuIy was particularly successful. For anyone interested in participating, the group meets at Lands End, near the corner of Eagle Rock Parade and Beach Road every couple of months for an hour or sors work. 10 a.m. on Saturday 12 November is the next meet up time. Foreshore work which shoul-d be under way shortly includes improvement to the walking track and steps between the lighthouse and the Pearse grave; also fencing and step improvement for beach access adjacent to the Reserve Road picnic ground and toilets. Approval has also been given for re-furbisnment of the beach access walkway at the base of the cliffs at the mouth of Painkalac Creek. The walkway here becomes unusable when the water level is hiqh.

FROM THE AIREYS INLET FIRE BRIGADE The Aireys Inlet Fire Brigade has been fortunate that Highton Rotary have helped significantly with a donation during winter enabling our brigade to purchase a new fire truck replacing the present town owned vehicle. The expected delivery d.ate is March/April 1995 and fundraisi-ng stilt continues to help reduce the loan the brigad.e has taken out. With such a dry winter a number of grass fires have occurred through the region. With below average rainfall predicted for the remainder of the year, fire prevention is critical before summer arrives. Clearing trees that overhang houses and reduce the amount of fuel/flammable material on blocks needs to be done before the fire danger period. An inspection by the fire prevention officer of Aireys, Fairhaven, Moggs Creek and Eastern View has been done with notices to be sent out. Pl-ease act on these accordingly. Work not done by the fire danger period will be acted upon by the fire prevention officer at owners cost. If a notice has not been received ensure a cl-ean block is maintained d.uring the fire danger period to help make a safe summer. A community fire gnrard has been formed for Moggs Creek. It is rather fike a neighbourhood watch, of 1ocal residents, for fi-re precautions and fire prevention. Other areas could have similar community fire guards if they woutrd like to. The A.C.F. has appoj-nted Peter Mau1don as the Community Liaison person for the local area-

We have included three maps with this newsletter. The copies we are using are not ideal for the purpose but we hope they will be clear enough for you to make some sense of them. The one we have l-abelled MAP A shows the land which the Commonwealth Government is about to sell. Map B was rel-eased following decisions made by the Minister for Planning concerning the land along the between Anglesea and Aireys Inl-et. We understand that the bu1k of the appeal funds held by the Victorian Conservation Trust is still avail-able for future purchases to add land to public ownership whenever it becomes available. Map C shows the proposed sub-division j-nto residential blocks of l-and above Wybellenna Drive and bounded by Bimbadeen Drive. This proposal was to be considered by the Council and we are not sure what the final decision will be. AIDA and ANGAIR were among those who lodged objections on various grounds.

/s /' '-' /' l/ .t tPark to COAST ri )r lrinx in this general area. Angahook - Park ,i.i roA tn' ,','Recently \ i',,' Purchased i'i consenration i i\ reserve. tt \ /

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Conrnonwealth land we hope will be an addition to foreshore reserve.

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AlREYS INLET

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/7 f,)'' ( ,t\ .. ,l 7. OUTLINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN RELATING TO CLAUSE R! s()'.ZA

90'00' ?9.55

TO BE TRANSFERRED TO SHIRE AS PUBLIC OPEN SPACE

I \. lr\ PTJBL]C OPEN SPACE / t \.212 hq ll\ l\ BUILDING ENVELOPES tl oN LOTS 36-55

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35 850mr

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t\ MAP C

This Amendment was exhibited by the on

This Amendment has no force or effect until notice of approval has been published in the Government Gazetts,.

D.S. Welsh DIRECTOR: FORWARD PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

/B 8.

FEWER INTERRUPTIONS TO THE POWER SUPPLY

Our readers may be interested in the Ietter below: the SEC's reply to AIDATs enquiry about power failures over that long weekend for two years running.

125 Malop Street 3220 =$t% Service & Account lnquires 13 1732 %,N Power Failure & Faults 13 1797 SEC 7 September 1994

Mr A Vitcombe Secre tary Airey's Inlet and District Assoeiation C/- Post 0ffice AIREY'S INLET VIC 3237

Dear Mr l.Iitcombe

Thank you for your letter of 29 August L994 regarding the interruptions to the pover supply to Airey's Inlet on 11 and 12 June L994. I sincerely apologise for the interruptions and for any inconvenience you and your members may have incurred.

The loss of supply over the Iong veekend related to the demand on the system vhich vas more than 257" greater than for the same holiday veekend last year.

I am pleased to advise you that the Electricity Services Board has approved the construction of a second electricity supply Iine to Anglesea at a cost of $847000.00. This second line vilI upgrade the reliability of supply to the Anglesea/Lorne area and assist in reducing the duration of any outages that do occur.

The project vill commence in September L994 and is programmed for completion before Christmas 1,994. Should you have any enquiries regarding this matter please contact Craig Hobbs, Distribution Manager, on telephone 052-797269,

Yours sincerely

f \ lL(tqYrt*- ? .$r{ Peter Lang Manager ----

Barvron SEC -