Make the Most of Your Coast!

Coastline The Coastcare Victoria Newsletter ISBN 1329-0835 Edition 58 Summer 2011/2012

Make the most of your coast!

1 State Coordinator’s Message Victoria Guess, Coastcare State Coordinator, DSE

Hello, and welcome to edition 58 of Coastline, year includes over 450 hectares of weed control, Coastcare’s quarterly magazine. As 2011 comes to 420 hectares of pest animal control, 247 hectares a close and we gear up for another Summer by the of erosion control, 150 hectares of threatened Sea, it’s a good time to pause to reflect upon some species protection and over 100 kilometres of of the excellent work undertaken by Coastcare fencing for protection of remnant vegetation. groups over the past year. Many of these works have been undertaken This year, over 9000 volunteers have been out with the help of grant funding through DSE in force along the Victorian coastline planting and the Coastcare Community Grants program. seedlings, protecting threatened species, The passion, initiative and dedication of coastal undertaking weed removal and engaging with volunteers amount to significant statewide value, local communities about coastal conservation and not only in sustainably managing the state’s management. A statewide snapshot of activities coastal environments, but also in building and undertaken by Coastcare groups in an average strengthening the social fabric of many Victorian towns and their communities. I would like to thank Contents all coastal volunteers for their ongoing contribution State Coordinator’s Message 2 to the management of our beautiful Victorian coastline. DSE and Coastcare Celebrate Summer by the Sea 3 As occurs every year, Coastcare and DSE are Marine Ranger Interns Hit the Coast 4 preparing for the annual Summer by the Sea Latest Coastal Science Released 5 festival. Coastcare facilitators have worked hard 2011 Victorian Landcare Awards 6 to provide the Victorian community with over The Menace of Plastic in the Sea 7 300 free holiday activities along the coast from 2–22 January. For more information, refer to Coastcare Volunteer Guide 7 the Summer by the Sea article in this edition of Wildlife Forum at Wonthaggi 8 Coastline or visit our website at Coastal Erosion in the Southwest 8 www.dse.vic.gov.au/summerbythesea for a The 8th Annual Bringing the Care Day 9 more detailed copy of the program guide. Fishing for Diversity 9 Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all our Western Port Biosphere Reserve 10 Coastline readers. We wish you an enjoyable and safe summer by the sea in 2012. Where Will You Count Fish this Year? 11 Coastcare Community Grants 2011 12 The Australian Coastal Society 14 Coastal Processes Shaping Coastcarers 14

Published by the Victorian Government’s Department of Sustainability and Environment, What’s Happening Along the Barwon Coast? 15 December 2011 © The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2009 Coastcare Group Update 16 This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. A Coastal Volunteer Group Leads the Way 17 ISSN 1329-0835 Disclaimer — This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly Coastcare Group Update 17 appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this Cup Moth – Friend or Foe? 18 publication. Authorised by the Victorian Government, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne. Regional Updates 19 Printed by Stream Solutions, Spring Street, Melbourne. For more information contact DSE Customer Service Centre 13 61 86. Coastcare Contacts 24 Coastline Editor: www.dse.vic.gov.au/coastcare

2 DSE and Coastcare Celebrate Summer by the Sea Emily Willocks, Department of Sustainability and Environment

Summer by the Sea is DSE’s annual festival celebrating the Victorian coast. The festival encourages the community and holiday makers to explore, enjoy, understand and learn about our coastal environment. The 18th Summer by the Sea festival is will run across Victoria between 2 and 22 January 2012. This year’s Summer by the Sea is packed with over 300 free activities, with something for everyone. Explore the coast on foot on a guided walk, meet inhabitants of our rockpools on a Rockpool Ramble, splash about in the ocean and estuary environments in a kayak, take a Snorkel Safari to explore what lives underwater, make a difference to the environment with a Coastcare volunteer group or go on a geology adventure to Make the most of your coast! uncover the mysteries of a time when dinosaurs ruled the earth. For a copy of the 2012 program Check out 300 FREE, fun and visit the Summer by the Sea educational events available summer website or contact your local along Victoria’s coastline. by the sea facilitator. 2 – 22 January 2012 www.dse.vic.gov.au/ 2 012 summerbythesea To find out what’s on in your area visit www.facebook.com/ www.dse.vic.gov.au/summerbythesea summerbythesea www.facebook.com/summerbythesea

Coastcare – Supporting Victoria’s Coastal Volunteers Coastcare is a DSE program that supports local communities to contribute to the protection of Victoria’s coastal environment. The program promotes stewardship of our coast by supporting community actions such as revegetation, protection of threatened species and community education. The program provides funding, training and advice to coastal volunteer groups right along the Victorian coast. For more information on the Coastcare program, visit our website at www.dse.vic.gov.au/coastcare. Coastline is published quarterly and includes the annual summer printed edition. To subscribe to Coastline or contribute an article, contact your local Coastcare facilitator or environmental planner (see contact details on the back page).

3 Marine Ranger Interns Hit the Coast Parks Victoria

A group of enthusiastic marine science students community engagement activities within Victoria’s will be donning Parks Victoria ranger uniforms Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries. as Marine Rangers Interns and heading for the The students will undertake induction and an coast this summer to provide support for a range introduction to marine interpretation in a training of marine and coastal programs. The interns have program in early December before being allocated been selected from students undertaking marine to coastal work centres from Warrnambool to Tidal training at Victorian universities, including Deakin River. Marine Program Coordinator Mark Rodrigue University in Warrnambool, and will provide said “we are excited by this opportunity to give assistance to busy coastal staff during the peak some of our brightest young marine scientist’s great visitation period, including participation in the hands on experience, and in turn, we are looking Summer by the Sea festival. In addition to formal forward to some fresh ideas and enthusiasm in programs, marine interns will undertake patrol support of our marine protected area program. activity, assist visitors, and undertake a range of

Parks Victoria staff leading a Rockpool Ramble activity during Summer by the Sea 2011.

4 Latest Coastal Science Released Natalie Baran, Victorian Coastal Council

According to 43 of our top scientists the most significant issues for Victoria’s coastline have been identified in Emerging Scientific Issues on Victoria’s emerging scientific issues Coast 2011, a report released by the Victorian on Victoria’s coast Coastal Council (VCC). 2011 update Chair of the VCC, Libby Mears, said the report recognises the critical role that independent and credible science has in informing people how Victoria’s precious coast should be managed. ‘One of the VCC’s main functions is to undertake Victorian Coastal Council research into scientific issues as well as social Science Panel behaviours [on] and attitudes to the coast. October 2011

‘If we have a solid basis on which to base coastal i planning and management advice, then we can be sure that Victoria’s coastline will be preserved for all Victorians well into the future. Recommendations from the panel are aimed at ‘The Emerging Scientific Issues on Victoria’s Coast increasing our understanding of coastal issues and 2011 report will be used by coastal policy makers, providing a strong position from which Victorians can scientists and other coastal stakeholders and respond. Some of these actions include commitment managers. to new research, reviewing monitoring needs and ‘The VCC is also using this latest science for the assessing future technical capacity. midterm review of the Victorian Coastal Strategy, Professor Michael Keough, member of the VCC and which is currently underway,’ said Ms Mears. Chair of its Science Panel, said that, given the current Membership of the VCC Science Panel consists of 43 absence of an independent scientific advisory body pre-eminent scientists, who represent a broad range for the coast and marine environments, there is a of disciplines related to coastal and marine science, strong need for a group such as the science panel. including marine biology, climate change, chemistry ‘The collective experience and knowledge of the VCC and geomorphology. Science Panel ensures a whole of coast science, a In its report the panel identified three emerging model that is unique in Australia. environmental issues of concern: ‘By regularly updating the information and research • understanding the effects of increased climatic that underpin advice we give to the Victorian variability government we can be sure that coastal planning • understanding the importance of links between and management are well grounded in scientific catchments, estuaries and broader coastal waters evidence,’ he said. for maintaining marine ecosystem health • understanding the cumulative ecological Emerging Scientific Issues on Victoria’s Coast: 2011 consequences of coastal development to meet Update can be viewed at www.vcc.vic.gov.au human needs.

5 2011 Victorian Landcare Awards Victoria Guess, Department of Sustainability and Environment

Well done to all Coastcare groups who were nominated for the 2011 Victorian Landcare Awards. The Victorian Landcare Awards acknowledge the successes and achievements of community members in a number of categories. Winners of the Victorian Landcare Awards were invited to Government House for an awards ceremony, where the Governor of Victoria, Alex Chernov and the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith presented awards to recipients. Winners in these categories then go onto represent Victoria in the National Landcare Awards in the following year. A big congratulations to the Friends of the Great South West Walk who won the Australian Government Coastcare Award. For the past From left to right: Elizabeth Patterson, 30 years a dedicated band of volunteers have been maintaining a Victorian Coastal Council; Cate 250 kilometre walking track along the capes, bays and beaches of Barham, winner of the Be Natural the south west coast. The group run regular guided walks along Young Landcare Leader award; John different sections of the track as well as one supported walk every O’Reilly, Ocean Grove Coastcare and year where walkers can tackle the whole 250 kilometre track. They Victoria Guess, Coastcare are a skilled group of volunteers who show outstanding dedication to protecting and conserving the environment of the south west coast. Coastcare Victoria can also be proud of the winner of the Be Natural Young Landcare Leader Award, Cate Barham. Cate is one of the founding members of the Ocean Grove Coastcare Group and is one of Victoria’s most inspiring young environmental leaders. Cate also supports other local volunteer groups, including Friends of Ocean Grove Nature Reserve, Friends of Buckley Park, and Friends of Barwon Bluff by attending their activities and events. Cate is currently working as a coordinator for the Bellarine Landcare Group and is enjoying the opportunity to broaden her skills. Well done again to all those who were nominated, and of course to the winners, Friends of the Great South West Walk and Cate Barham.

Winners of the 2011 Victorian Landcare Awards with the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith and Governor of Victoria, Alex Chernov (centre).

6 The Menace of Plastic in the Sea Denis Cox, Coastcare Facilitator, Mornington Peninsula and Western Port

In 1997, sailor and oceanographer Captain Charles mistake for food. It is believed that 90 per cent or Moore was astounded to find himself sailing across more of the rubbish in the sea is plastic, much of it a vast floating mass of discarded plastic in the ocean so resistant to biodegrading that it remains floating between Hawai’i and the United States mainland. for many years. Due to the distribution of the world’s The Earth’s movement, which directs the movement population, most of the plastic in the ocean is found and circulation of the oceans currents, sweeps this in the northern hemisphere. material into a huge mass of garbage. Plastic debris Studies have found that flesh-footed shearwater in the oceans is known to cause millions of seabirds populations on remote Lord Howe Island have and many thousands of marine mammals to die seriously declined due to ingestion of plastic. every year because they consume rubbish that they Researcher Dr Jennifer Lavers from the University of Tasmania is leading a project to find out whether there are suitable techniques to remove plastic from shearwater stomachs that can also be safely used to help other seabird species at risk from plastic ingestion. For information on this subject, go to the internet at www.jenniferlavers.org. Even a small donation you make to the Save the Shearwater appeal will assist field crew working on this problem on Lord Howe Island. Hopefully, these environmental issues really make us rethink our ubiquitous use of plastic, how it is disposed of and why we should all be using Flesh footed Shearwater chick with more than compostable materials in our daily lives. 275 pieces of plastic in its stomach

Coastcare Volunteer Guide Madeliene Wilson, Department of Sustainability and Environment

Coastcare Victoria and DSE have just released the Coastcare Volunteer Guide, an easy one stop shop from which Victorian coastal volunteer groups can obtain information, guidance and support. The guide is relevant for coastal volunteer groups of any size, purpose or stage of development. For easy reference, information is arranged into three sections: ‘Starting out: information for new groups’, ‘Operating a group’ and ‘Building a strong organisation’. Coastcare Victoria The Coastcare Volunteer Guide includes practical materials such as Volunteer Guide maps, links to grant opportunities and meeting agenda templates. For a copy of the guide, contact your local Coastcare facilitator or view the pdf version at www.dse.vic.gov.au/coastcare.

7 Wildlife Forum at Wonthaggi By Christine Grayden, Phillip Island Conservation Society

Several Phillip Island Conservation Society (PICS) fish catches, found members joined others at a DSE and Coastcare that poor fishing Wildlife Forum in September to talk about a wide catches correlated range of issues. Jim Reside, of Wildlife Unlimited in with lower bird Gippsland spoke on Small Cryptic Mammal Fauna numbers. of South Gippsland, Dr Birgita Hansen of the Arthur On the basis of her Rylah Institute discussed her work, Western Port studies, she has Welcomes Waterbirds project and Phil Westwood, recommended that local conservationist, spoke about wildlife shelters. • targeted Jim presented information on the yellow-footed intertidal data dunnart, swamp rat, bush rat, New Holland mouse, collection is eastern pygmy possum, feathertail glider and required spotted tail quoll, which included their habitat • analysis of requirements and their value in the ecosystem. important environmental factors for waterbirds be Jim also discussed soil aeration, promotion of carried out vegetation growth after fires, controlling fungi • ongoing monitoring of counts be carried out and invertebrates, and providing food for native • long-term monitoring of several new areas be predatory birds. Jim had some taxidermed specimens initiated of several of the animals, some plaster casts of • important roost sites be protected from tracks and an Elliot trap, which is used to find out disturbance exactly which species are found in a given area. • public communication and education be improved Birgita’s Westernport Welcomes Waterbirds study • hydrodynamic modelling to predict sea level rise reviewed population trends of species such as impacts be conducted. shorebirds, wading birds, ducks and grebes, swans As a result of the study Parks Victoria is and gulls, many of which have been declining. implementing a system of signage in many Her study mapped the main roosting and feeding of the roosting and feeding areas. sites in Western Port and identified threats such as human disturbance, predation, habitat loss through Phil Westwood explained about wildlife carers development, erosion, weed invasion (for example, and how they can handle injured wildlife. spartina), seagrass loss, storm surges and drought. If you find injured or orphaned wildlife, call Wildlife Birgita, who compared bird numbers with reported Victoria, who can be contacted on 1300 094 535.

Coastal Erosion in the Southwest Department of Sustainability and Environment

This summer, when you visit the Victorian coast, your favourite beach may look a little bit different. Coastal dune and cliff erosion are normal occurrences throughout the year, although winter swells and high tides can contribute to extreme cases of this coastal process. During your visit to the beach this summer, you might come across cliff slumps, sand slumps and slips on dunes, sand having been removed from one beach and deposited on another, new sandbars, estuaries blocked by sand and vegetation loss. This season has seen significant changes at some locations, so local land managers are working through processes to determine future management. So, while you are enjoying Victoria’s dynamic coast this summer, be sure to obey warning signs and observe changes from afar. If you would like more information, contact the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

8 The 8th Annual Bringing the Care Day Jeremy Neilson, Coastcare Facilitator, East Gippsland

The theme for this year’s event, Rewind Time, In the afternoon the participants separated into groups looked at the importance of the history of the to tour the facilities at the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust Lake Tyers area. Continuing the success of previous and to a look at the history of this very significant years, the event attracted 55 volunteers from place. Uncle Bill Tregonning and Tai Conway’s scenic Coastcare, Landcare, Fishcare and Waterwatch. tour provided insight into how important the lake Lake Tyers beach was the first port of call for the has been and still is for the settlement’s history. Bill touring group. The estuary and beach provided a Downey, the farm’s agriculture manager, gave a very picturesque backdrop for presenters Paul Harvey informative account of the farm’s history, including and local resident and Lake Tyers Coast Action how the farm has evolved into a training ground founding member Jack Wadcoat, who took the to provide skills in horticulture and engineering to group on a walk along the lake’s edge. The group residents so they could build a sustainable Aboriginal- was treated to a very informative walk, during run farming cooperative. Trust employee Wilfred which the changes in vegetation types since Carter gave an enlightened presentation that revealed settlement were discussed, and a variety of historical areas of land on the Trust that have significant value information about the post-European settlement to the community. was presented. The day provided volunteers with a valuable The group then ventured on to the Lake Tyres opportunity to network with other volunteer groups. Aboriginal Trust, where Uncle Bill Tregonning Everyone enjoyed the day and we look forward to presented a welcome to country ceremony to the next year’s event. If you would like to be part of next guests. This was followed by introductions to elders, year’s event, keep an eye out in the ‘Events’ section in residents and staff of the trust before everyone was coming issues of Coastline, or contact Jeremy Neilson, given the opportunity to mingle with one another Coastcare Facilitator, East Gippsland on (03) 5152 over the wonderful lunch that had been provided. 0431 or email [email protected]. Fishing for Diversity Barwon Coast Committee of Management During 2010 and 2011, Barwon Coast Committee of Management conducted six recreational and educational fishing events for communities newly settled in the Geelong region. These events were funded by the Victorian government using recreational fishing licence fees. The Fishing for Diversity program was a project developed in partnership with the Diversitat Geelong’s Settlement and Community Support Services, Fisheries Officers, Parks Victoria, Fishcare Geelong & District, Bellarine Police and other local community organisations. Cultural communities from Karen, Karenni, Sudan, Congo and Afghanistan took part in visual and hands-on learning activities along the Barwon Coast. Emphasis was on the requirement to have a fishing Measuring Catch as part licence, no-take zones, fish size, bag limits, and personal safety. of the Fishing for Diversity Participants also learnt about some of the local fauna species and the Program importance of protecting the sand dunes. Each participant received a free information pack filled with a range of educational materials that relate to the local coastal and marine environments. Not only did the program inform new arrivals about important compliance and environmental information, but agency participants also learnt about the hardships that participants had endured before they arrived in Australia and the challenges they face in a new country.

9 Western Port Biosphere Reserve Cecelia Witton, Executive Officer, Western Port Biosphere Reserve

Did you know that Western Port is one of 585 biosphere reserves worldwide across 114 countries? The 15 in Australia have three functions: • conservation – to preserve genetic resources, species, ecosystems and landscapes • development – to foster sustainable economic and human development • logistic support – to support demonstration projects, environmental education and training, and research and monitoring related to local, national and global issues of conservation and sustainable development. The Western Port Biosphere Reserve, which was designated by UNESCO under its Man and the Biosphere program in November 2002, works with local governments, businesses, the community and our partners to foster ecologically sustainable – shearwaters, terns, gulls and penguins, and other development in Western Port. We do this to benefit waterbirds – ducks, spoonbills, swans and herons. the community and environment, and to ensure that Western Port remains a place where our We see our involvement in the Ramsar Protection grandchildren will want to work, live and play. Program, which is facilitated by Port Phillip and Western Port Catchment Management Authority Western Port is situated approximately 65 kilometres with Caring for our Country Funding, as involving a southeast of Melbourne, covers an area of 680 square range stakeholders, including Parks Victoria, Phillip kilometres and approximately 260 kilometres of Island Nature Park, Mornington Peninsula Shire, coastline. The significance of Western Port’s unique City of Casey and the Arthur Rylah Institute for environment is highlighted by the site’s environmental Environmental Research (Department of Sustainability assets, which include three marine national parks, and Environment), local committees of management a Ramsar site and a UNESCO biosphere reserve. and other community stakeholders, as an opportunity The marine national parks include Churchill and French to build partnerships. This is a collaborative effort Islands, and Yaringa. These areas help to protect the that aims to reduce threats to Ramsar sites, including extensive variety of marine creatures living in a rich invasive plants and animals such as foxes, rabbits environment that supports mangroves, seagrass beds and feral cats, increase community understanding and reefs, all of which provide habitat. With extensive of the values of Ramsar wetlands and how to intertidal mud flats and substantial seagrass beds protect them. Major strengths of the program cover, deep channels fringed by saltmarsh, mangroves are building on cooperation, sharing information and swamp paperbark vegetation communities, the between everyone involved and a strong focus area supports more than 10,000 shorebirds from 37 of community engagement and participation. species and at least an equal number of waterfowl. Western Port Biosphere Reserve, in collaboration Under the Ramsar Convention, these wetlands have with the many community groups, local international significance and form part of the East government and other agencies, will continue Asian Australasian Flyway for migratory shorebirds. its work to foster a focus on Western Port Several bilateral and multilateral agreements, including that will keep this special place special. the Coastal and Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA), For further information on Western Port the Japan–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement Biosphere Reserve go www.biosphere.org.au. (JAMBA) and the Republic of Korea–Australia You can also go to the Australia’s Biosphere Migratory Birds Agreement (ROKAMBA), are in place Reserve’s web page or enter via to protect these areas. Birds seen include shorebirds – www.environment.gov.au/parks/biosphere. curlew , plovers, godwits and oystercatchers, seabirds

10 Where Will You Count Fish this Year? Wendy Roberts, Reef Watch Victoria

Reef Watch Victoria is a program numbers of fish that are found run by the Victorian National in the different marine habitats. Parks Association in partnership We are also looking for changes with Museum Victoria. The Great in species distributions over time, Victorian Fish Count is one of the and whether some species are key marine conservation programs extending or changing their range. coordinated by Reef Watch With pressures on the marine every year. environment continuing to grow, Reef Watch Victoria, which is the Great Victorian Fish Count is supported by the R. E. Ross Trust invaluable in building knowledge, and the Lord Mayor’s Charitable awareness and understanding of top position as the most widely Foundation, is gearing up once changes that are occurring in the distributed and abundant fish in again to stage the Great Victorian marine environment. the count. Its lead position as the Fish Count, which will take place A challenge for divers this year most often sighted and abundant between 3 and 18 December. will be to find the newly protected fish in the annual event is closely Last year, more than 400 volunteer blue gropers. Victoria is the only challenged by the six-spined divers from schools, marine state that has both eastern and leatherjacket. community groups and dive western blue gropers. Although Want to join in? If you dive or clubs took part in the event. the species is quite territorial snorkel, you can count fish. Reef Reef Watch Coordinator Wendy and has a distinct home range, Watch can help you to identify the Roberts is hoping for similar their numbers and distribution fish and teach you how to conduct numbers to suit up and take the are poorly understood. It would a survey. All survey materials are plunge again this year. be great to see divers putting supplied and you will be given a The event aims to build a volume more dots on the map for this Great Victorian Fish Count T-shirt. of information that will have interesting species. Contact Wendy Roberts on long-term use on Victoria’s Another question divers will be (03) 8341 7446 or email temperate reef fish. In particular, seeking to answer is whether the [email protected]. we are looking at the types and bluethroat wrasse can keep its Happy fish counting!

11 Coastcare Community Grants 2011 Victoria Guess, Coastcare State Coordinator, DSE

Congratulations to Coastcare groups from across the state who were successful in the latest round of funding from the Coastcare Community Grants Program. The program recognises the need for links between a resilient coastal environment and the involvement of community groups, volunteers and Indigenous people. Grants offered through the program range from $2000 to $25,000, for conservation-based projects that have a sizeable on ground component, such as weed removal, threatened species protection, fencing and landscape scale conservation. Below is a list of applicants who were successful in the latest round and the projects they will be undertaking.

12 13 Coastcare Group Project Title Albert River Landcare Group Protecting biodiversity and enhancing community partnerships in the corner inlet and Nooramung Marine Park area. Balcome Estuary Rehabilitation A follow-up program for the protection and rehabilitation of Mt Martha Group Inc. (BERG) Coastal ecosystems linking foreshore, estuarine and riparian habitats. Cape Paterson Residents and Stabilising and protecting Cape Paterson’s remnant dune ecosystem by Ratepayers Association removing invasive and noxious weeds and revegetating with indigenous plants. Friends of Cape Liptrap Restoration and protection of the coastal heathland surrounding Cape Liptrap lighthouse. Friends of Chinamans Creek Ongoing recovery of seven native orchid populations on the Capel Sound Foreshore. Friends of the Hooded Plover Installation of exclusion fencing to improve the breeding success of the hooded plovers on the Mornington Peninsula. Heytesbury District Landcare A landscape approach to developing best practice for arum lily control in Network swamp scrub communities. Jan Juc Coast Action Sustaining the fury – tackling gazania on the Jan Juc cliffs continues. Mornington Environment Linking habitat from coast banksia woodland to Tanti Creek mouth, Mills Association Inc. Beach, Mornington. Point Danger Committee of Boneseed education, including training and education of volunteers and Management Inc. adjoining land managers in weed management. Sandy Point Foreshore Committee Coastal weeds at Sandy Point, a community problem. of Management Somers Foreshore Committee of Implementation of the strategic plan to expand and connect the restored Management bushland of the Somers foreshore. South Gippsland Landcare Protecting the Bunorong coast against Weeds of National Significance Network WONS. Sunshine Reserve Conservation Rehabilitation of lower Sunshine Creek, esplanade and foreshore; and Fireguard Group removal of WONS. Three Creeks Landcare Group Enhancement and protection of the Kilcunda coastal reserve, with a focus on threatened EVCs, hooded plover habitat, WONS and coastal community engagement. Warrnambool Mountain Bike Club Thunder Point coastal reserve woody weed control.

Funding for the grants program is supplied through the federal government’s Natural Resource Management investment program, Caring for our Country, and is administered through DSE and Coastcare Victoria. An additional round of funding will be available early 2012. For more information contact your local Coastcare facilitator or visit the Coastcare website at www.dse.vic.gov.au/coastcare.

13 13 The Australian Coastal Society Bev Clarke, Secretary

The Australian Coastal Society (ACS), a voice for the Australian coast, is dedicated to healthy Get involved ecosystems, vibrant communities and sustainable use You can support the Australian Coastal Society of coastal resources. The ACS promotes knowledge by becoming a member. Members receive regular and understanding of the environmental, social newsletters, can participate in the discussion and economic value of the Australian coast, and group and become involved with local issues encourages sustainable use of coastal resources and through the relevant state branch. The ACS responsible stewardship of coastal assets. is also looking at implementing professional The Australian Coastal Society has representatives in development programs for members. The Society the following organisations and committees: is currently in the process of forming a Victorian • Coasts and Climate Change Council branch; branches are already established in other • Australian Coastal Alliance states and in the Northern Territory. • Coast to Coast national conference organising committee. If you would like to become a member or would More information about the ACS, including its like further information about the ACS, visit establishment and the latest coastal news from www.australiancoastalsociety.org or around the country, can be found at contact the secretary, Bev Clarke, at www.australiancoastalsociety.org. [email protected].

Coastal Processes Shaping Coastcarers Andy Gray, Coastcare Facilitator, Otways and Surf Coast

Through winter and spring across the state, day on the Anglesea cliffs and beaches with particularly on the Surf Coast, we were one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading reminded that coastal volunteers are working geomorphologists, Neville Rosengren. on an ever-changing and dynamic coastline. Local coastal volunteer projects were used as case Caring for a dynamic coast requires an understanding studies to observe and explore their interaction of the forces of nature that are at play now and will with coastal dynamics and processes. be into the future, how the coast was formed and Thanks to all the presenters and participants its geological makeup. This understanding should who took part in this day. I’m sure the stories, lead to identifying appropriate, practical, realistic, learning and sharing will, in the future, influence safe and worthwhile projects for coastal volunteers. a more informed and holistic approach to In mid November, approximately 25 coastal coastal management by volunteers. volunteers from the Surf Coast and the Otways For further details on the day’s proceedings, contact had the opportunity to spend an amazing Andrew Gray at [email protected].

Anglesea’s Dynamic Coast. PHOTO CREDIT JUDITH SCANLON @ WWW.SURFANGLE.COM 14 14 What’s Happening Along the Barwon Coast? Maddie Glynn, Barwon Coast Committee of Management

Events and activities Local issues to be aware of Tucked away in the Barwon Heads Caravan Park, Because summer is such a busy time along our the Barwon Estuary Heritage Centre, which is run by beaches, most of the beach zones are closed the Friends of the Lobster Pot, is full of hidden gems to dogs during this period. But there are some and treasures. Marine tanks showcase some of our designated dog beaches. If you are unsure where local sea creatures, while an intertidal tank displays you can take your dog while visiting our coastline, rockpool species, giving people of all ages a chance contact the Barwon Coast office for a Dog Control to get up close and personal with some of the sea’s Zone brochure or visit our website at http://www. slippery and slimy creatures. Displays of antique barwoncoast.com.au/coastal-management/101/. surf gear and historical displays such as the Earl of Remember: responsible pet ownership means Charlemont shipwreck, which dates back to 1853, less conflict with other beach users. could keep you occupied for hours. The Barwon Estuary Heritage Centre is open every day from Summer is also the peak season when wildlife such 1–4 pm, 27 December until 29 January, then every as seals and mutton birds land on our beaches. It is weekend from 1–4 pm until Easter. Come along, chat important that wildlife is not approached and that to a volunteer and see what treasures you can find. dogs are kept well away. Seals in particular can be dangerous animals, and if they are sick or injured How fast is 5 knots? From 9 am–1 pm on Sunday, 8 require rest and monitoring. It is important to note January at Ocean Grove Boat Ramp, Barwon Coast, that not all animals will survive, but collectively we in partnership with other agencies, will be holding can work together to ensure that no further stress is a community boating day. The day aims to promote placed on sick or injured animals. Should you come responsible boating and our natural environment, across a distressed seal on our beach, note the exact which will help keep our river a safe place for boats location and condition of the animal, and then call and people over the busy summer months. the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186. Volunteer groups always welcome new members. Friends of The Bluff is beginning its planning for the environment program at the 2012 Festival of the Sea, so it’s a great time to join up. If you’d like to be involved in the festival, shoot an email to [email protected]. If you’ve considered volunteering along our coastline and think you may now like to give it a try, contact Barwon Coast for details of our many volunteer groups.

14 15 Coastcare Group Update Jackie Scally, Ocean Grove Coastcare

After a series of working bees that were held over the Thin Green Line, documents the story of park rangers winter months, our group identified a need to engage working at the frontline of conservation around the the community in a major issue: garden weeds. The world. The film was accompanied by a presentation working bees focused on the removal of Bellarine pea from former Parks Ranger James Hattam, who spent (Polygala myrtifolia), a common garden ornamental some time volunteering as a ranger in Southeast Asia. that has escaped into the dune system along the Upcoming events include working with the Ocean Ocean Grove foreshore. In an effort to spread the Grove Surf Lifesaving Club to deliver a series of message about the damage non-indigenous garden environmental education sessions as part of the plants can have on the local environment, the group summer Nippers program. The program is delivered hosted a Native Plants for Your Garden activity. The to nippers aged 8 to 13. OGCC will work together event included a display of common garden weeds, with the Ocean Grove Coastcare group to deliver native plants that can be safely planted in their stead interactive sessions that will focus on Ocean Grove’s and a free BBQ. Free native plants were handed out coastal and marine environment. to people who attended. The event coincided with the release of Barwon Coast’s new information guide, If you’d like to learn more about Ocean Grove Plants on the Run. Coastcare, join us on Facebook. In the interim keep an eye out for our soon-to-be-live website that will be In other news, the group hosted a movie night at the at www.oceangrovecoastcare.com. local chicken shop on Thursday, 10 November. The

Victoria Guess, Coastcare State Coordinator; Alex Sedger, Environmental Planner for Geelong and Bellarine and Jackie Scally, Ocean Grove Founding Member at a recent Ocean Grove Coastcare community event. PHOTO CREDIT: VANESSA WIGGENRAAD

16 A Coastal Volunteer Group Leads the Way Andy Gray, Coastcare Facilitator, Otways and Surf Coast

It’s widely known that Jan Juc Coast Action (JJCA) is provenance seed collected by JJCA. Luke Hynes, not a group to shirk a challenge. For over 15 years it chairperson of JJCA, said the lower nutrient level and has been an invaluable support to successive coastal weed-seed free soil left behind is expected to help managers in its patch, most recently the Great Ocean direct seeding flourish over the coming years. Luke Road Coast Committee (GORCC). recently checked the site after some encouraging rain The latest undertaking is a project complementary to and discovered that many native grasses had started Paul Gibson Roy’s research, the Grassy Groundcover to poke their heads through the soil. Restoration Project 2004–07, into restoring native This project is a great example of how a Coastcare grasslands across the state. According to Mr Gibson volunteer group is playing an integral role in and Roy, ‘The project demonstrated that it is possible to being at the forefront of coastal management in recreate grasslands’. With less than 1 per cent of Victoria.. native grassland remaining, it could be considered The hard working volunteer members of JJCA now one of the most endangered native grassland have a fighting chance against the grassland weeds communities in Australia. that have infested this area for several years. You Jan Juc Coast Action, with the full support of can assist this group in this, as well as many other the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee and the exciting projects by turning up to a working bee on Department of Sustainability and Environment, the first Sunday of each month. Get in touch with started the project in August 2011; it will run for two Luke Hynes on 0406 113 438 or email years. The project includes the immediate scalping [email protected]. of 100–150 mm of topsoil that has a high nutrient Thanks to the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee level, and is high in weed seed and existing weeds. for sharing the use of a similar article as a reference. The 0.2 ha site has been directly seeded with local

Coastcare Group Update Friends of Venus Bay Peninsula

Friends of Venus Bay Peninsula has established demonstration gardens to showcase the beauty and diversity of the local indigenous coastal plants. Late in 2006 community volunteers began designing and preparing the grounds of the Venus Bay Community Centre and a nearby public reserve for display gardens using indigenous plants. As many local plants were not available from nurseries, seed had to be collected. The more than 3000 seedlings that were planted to establish the gardens have provided inspiration for many local residents, who can now identify many species and appreciate the value of their local vegetation. These new demonstration gardens, which include information signs, are located on two sites. The first is at Venus Bay Indigenous Gardens at 27 Canterbury Road; the second is a coastal banksia woodland at the corner of Louis and Canterbury Roads, Venus Bay. The Friends group has prepared a number of useful information sheets on indigenous plant seed collection, the local mammals and the plants that attract native birds. It has also prepared some excellent workshop notes covering the design of indigenous gardens that would apply to any region along the coast. For more information, visit the Friends of Venus Bay Peninsula webpage at www.friendsofvenusbaypeninsula.org.au.

17 Cup Moth – Friend or Foe? Rhonda Bunbury, Surf Coast Inland Plains Network Graeme Stockton, Surfers Appreciating the Natural Environment

Over the past couple of months, you might have The caterpillar has an adaptive defence so you may noticed that there’s been an infestation of a roughly observe that the caterpillar retracts the spines when 15 mm long caterpillar that pupates and becomes it doesn’t need them. You may also notice that, known as a cup moth (Limacodidae). The name viewed from above, you can’t see the caterpillar’s comes from the hard pupal cocoon, the top of which legs, which are shorter than most caterpillars’ legs. is sliced off like the top of a boiled egg when the But if you look at their underside through, say, a glass adult moth emerges (Horne & Crawford, Backyard jar, you will see that their paired legs in action make Insects, 1996, Melbourne University Press). As a the caterpillar appear to glide along on its yellow result of the cup moth’s eating habits, large areas underbelly rather than walk. from Bellbrae to Lorne are showing severe signs of Is there a solution for the wider defoliation, with many young and adult trees along environment? the Great Ocean Road conspicuously bare of foliage. Among the sample of caterpillars collected this At this stage the messmate (Eucalypts obliqua) month, there’s evidence of a parasitic wasp, a natural appears to be bearing the brunt of the impact. predator, that lays her eggs in the caterpillar’s body; Beautiful but hazardous the caterpillar dies when the young wasps emerge. Do take a look at the caterpillars, though, because The bonus is that young wasps emerge to become their colours are beautiful and varied. They have a parasites of still more caterpillars. It is hoped that strong defence system, so be wary of the clusters through this and other natural processes, balance will of tiny stinging spines that emerge from be re-established. the caterpillar – at both ends – when it feels threatened. These spines, which appear in pretty yellow rosettes, have a painful sting, and if they are broken, release poison.

Cup Moth Caterpillar

18 Regional Updates

Southwest Emma Hill, Environmental Planner, Warrnambool, DSE It has been a very active spring for our Coastcare groups, which, this October, farewelled our incredible facilitator Marty Gent. Marty was vital to the formation of new groups and invested time, ideas and enthusiasm into existing groups over the last 18 months. But Marty’s dedication is not altogether lost: she continues to volunteer with Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group (WCLG). We wish her well in her future endeavours. Already this season WCLG has detailed record numbers of little penguins on Middle Island and all indicators are that the population is really bouncing back. Following its November AGM, the group welcomed a new committee and recognised the extraordinary work of the outgoing committee, including group leader Kristie King. Following the announcement of our successful Coastcare Victoria Community Grant applications, we are looking forward to working on some exciting new projects with other groups around the region. To help make these projects happen, extra hands are always welcome: we would love to hear your ideas for our coast. Please contact the Warrnambool office (5561 9955) to find out more about getting involved in your local Coastcare group. Coming up Look out for opportunities to come on Rockpool Rambles and meet some maremmas, penguins and short- tailed shearwaters. There are games for Coastcare Kids, Walks on the Wildside and more, when Summer by the Sea brings over 70 activities to your far southwest town this summer. In December, the Warrnambool team look forward to welcoming Kristin Abbott to our team as Environmental Planner. Kristin will be working closely with local volunteer groups and delivering Coastcare Community Grant projects and of course this year’s Summer by the Sea program. Welcome Kristin! Geelong and Bellarine Alex Sedger, Environmental Planner, Geelong and Bellarine, DSE I joined the Coastcare team in October and am now excited to be able to report that I am to be your first port of call for the Bellarine Peninsula. I grew up in Torquay and have been a member of the Jan Juc Surf Life Saving Club since I was 11. I’ve always been passionate about protecting our coast, ensuring that use by locals and visitors is appropriate, and the maintenance of the long-term sustainability of our beautiful coastline for future generations. Since joining the Coastcare team in October, I’ve been out and about meeting with volunteers and land managers so I can become familiar with coastal issues and projects in and around the Bellarine Peninsula. There has been a lot to see and do. Friends of the Bluff has been nominated in Parks Victoria’s Kookaburra Awards, which recognise outstanding contributions made by groups and individuals in Victoria’s parks. The group is certainly a worthy nominee for its continual hard work at Barwon Heads Bluff, and especially for its educational booklets and involvement in Festival of the Sea. Beach-nesting hooded plovers are back on our beaches, where they are breeding from August to April. The biggest threat to these birds is disturbance to egg nurturing and chick raising, which coincide with peak summer visitation periods to beaches. Birds Australia, with a troupe of community volunteers, is working hard to ensure that nests are well signed and often fenced. Project Officer Meg Cullen is always looking for more volunteers to help observe hooded plovers, and particularly needs help on beaches from Point Lonsdale to Collendina. If you’re interested in joining the team or would like to find out where your local hooded plovers are nesting, contact Meg on 0437 787 985 or email her at [email protected]. Ocean Grove Coastcare continues to think outside the square with their terrific activities, as Jackie Scally highlights in her update. OGCC and many other Bellarine groups are working hard to create an action- packed summer, so make the most of it.

19 Regional Updates continued

Otways and Surf Coast Andy Gray, Coastcare Facilitator, Otways and Surf Coast, DSE First of all, welcome to Alex Sedger, Environmental Planner for the Geelong and Bellarine, to the Coastcare team. Congratulations on your new role and well done on hitting the ground running in the Geelong region. Thank you to all those involved in preparing and delivering the Summer by the Sea program. After all the organising and the big build-up, now is the time to discover, explore, experience, enjoy and share our coast with the thousands of holiday makers who visit over the summer. Leading up to summer, the Lorne–Aireys P–12 teamed up with Friends of Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary to take part in their fourth straight Great Victoria Fish Count in the Marine Sanctuary and at Lorne Pier. Friends of Point Addis and Surfers Appreciating the Natural Environment (SANE) also teamed up to share their skills and experience for the fish count in those locations. Jan Juc Coast Action is pushing the boundaries once again with its Clifftop Scalping Project, which is well underway. Early signs are that the two year project is kicking off with strong regrowth and survival as a result of direct seeding. Go to http://gorcc.wordpress.com/tag/jan-juc-coast-action/ to see what JJCA is up to. In September the ANGAIR Wildflower and Art Show 2011 went off with a bang. Over 1300 people attended to see local and national wildflower displays, native fauna displays, to enquire at agency information stalls and see a marine display that represented Friends of Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary and Friends of Point Addis Marine National Park, our marine park and sanctuary-focused groups. Well done to all at ANGAIR for once again putting on a magnificent show. In mid September the 11th consecutive Ripcurl Planet Days ran as smoothly as ever. At several sites along the Surf Coast more than 11,000 indigenous seedlings were planted by 180 staff. Support on the day and ongoing maintenance was provided by Torquay and Jan Juc Coast Action, Southern Inland Plains Network and SANE. Land managers – Great Ocean Road Coastal Committee, Parks Victoria, Surf Coast Shire and the Department of Sustainability and Environment – also lent a hand. Coastcare facilitators of the southwest are starting to plan an event that takes on the challenge of answering those dreaded questions: Where are our new volunteers going to come from? What will they want? How will they get involved? Who will engage them? Who are Gen X, Gen Y and …? And: Is the environmental volunteering system experiencing change? We are aiming to run the day in April 2012, so get in touch with your local southwest Coastcare facilitator with any contributions you have to planning the event..

20 Regional Updates continued

Port Phillip Phillip Wierzbowski, Coastcare Facilitator, Port Phillip, DSE It’s been an extremely busy period in the Port Phillip area. Here’s just some of what we’ve been doing. • We’ve provided support for numerous Coastcare Victoria grants as well as assessing the Port Phillip and Western Port Catchment Management Authority with its grants program. • The Werribee River Urban Weed Management Initiative is now well underway. • We represented Victoria at an international conference on the value of effective community engagement program to the success of the management of Crown land in Victoria by the Department of Sustainability and Environment. • We were privileged to have multicultural and Indigenous work experience students help finalise the exciting Summer by the Sea program, to be delivered in January 2012.

Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Denis Cox, Coastcare Facilitator, Mornington Peninsula and Western Port, DSE First aid training was ably presented to 15 volunteers and staff members from of a number of volunteer coastal committees around the Mornington Peninsula by the highly experienced Russell Ardley of Mornington Youth Enterprises. Williams Road Beach had its end of year celebration at the Sea Scouts hall on the foreshore at Mt Eliza. Jo-Anne Teteroo, conservation officer with the Shire of Mornington Peninsula, congratulated the group for its persistent work in successfully reverting what was a weed-infested area into an area dominated by healthy indigenous vegetation with a greatly improved habitat for bird life. The Safety Beach Foreshore Landscape Committee Inc. AGM celebrated nearly 10 years of varied activity and some good outcomes in their work to re-establish the local foreshore plant life that struggles under tough and windy growing conditions. The Caring for our Country Landscape Scale Merricks Creek grant project is part of a long-term aim of getting the creek environment back to its original healthy state. It includes eight partners adjoining the creek that wends its way between Balnarring and Somers. The Presentation Family Centre and the Balnarring Beach Foreshore are two of the partners in the project. Fifty Star of the Sea students accompanied by three teachers and the college environment captain made a welcome visit to Balnarring to assist with the work. While 12 girls and a teacher spruced up in the Presentation House garden, the remainder helped Balnarring Foreshore Ranger Mark Dunball and did some great work weeding and planting in the foreshore adjacent to Merricks Creek. A Coastcare Community Forum was held at the Parks Victoria Coolart Wetlands and Homestead Observatory in Somers. Coastal community groups from around the Mornington Peninsula and some from Western Port attended and were given the opportunity to give presentations on the projects that they have been involved in, some for many years. Coastal engineer Dr Darren James gave an enlightening presentation on coastal processes and good coastal management practices. Lani Perlesz, daughter of a member of the Friends of Harmers Haven group, is currently conducting research into the impact of coastal weeds on human enjoyment and use of beaches in the Phillip Island and Bass Coast region through the University of Melbourne’s Department of Research Management and Geography. Phillip Island Nature Park has had a wonderful year of success in their roles as coastal managers and educators. For more information, the 2010–11 Phillip Island Nature Park Annual Report is available for download and reading at www.penguins.org.au. Call 5951 2800 if you have any queries or comments about the report.

21 Regional Updates continued

South Gippsland Bruce Atkin, Coastcare Facilitator, South Gippsland, DSE • A pleasing number of community groups have responded to the call for applications for Coastcare funding and they are now looking forward to the announcement of successful projects. • Members of the Friends of Harmers Haven and the Harmers Haven Residents and Ratepayers Group are looking forward to the completion of a boardwalk that crosses Coal Creek and will reduce pedestrian traffic near an important hooded plover nesting site and shipwreck site. • Coastcare staff in Gippsland are hosting four Indigenous Interpretive trainees who are developing their interpretive skills and will assist with delivery of the Summer by the Sea program in January. • A recently formed group, Friends of Cape Liptrap, is working with Parks Victoria to revegetate denuded and eroding areas along the former road to the Cape Liptrap lighthouse.

East Gippsland Jeremy Neilson, Coastcare Facilitator, East Gippsland, DSE The lead-up to summer has been a busy time for Coastcare in East Gippsland. In early December Coastcare, along with Waterwatch, Fishcare and East Gippsland Water, undertook nine days of environmental education with schools across the region. The days focused on educating school students about the importance of looking after and protecting our precious waterways and coastlines through a variety of fun and engaging activities. Over 13 schools, with a total of approximately 900 students, took part over the nine days of the program. This is the second year we have undertaken this approach, which appears to be going from strength to strength. It has been the wettest spring in many years. This, together with the warm weather, has caused some weeds to really take off in some areas. As a result of this very good season for weeds in East Gippsland, a number of groups are very busy undertaking weed control and weed monitoring works. Groups have been ever-vigilant to stay on top of the issue so as previous good works are not undone.

22 Help save marine wildlife Dispose of old fishing line in a Seal the Loop bin near you.

This project is funded by the Victorian Government 23 www.zoo.org.au/sealtheloop using Recreational Fishing Licence fees. Coastcare Contacts

Coastcare State Coordinator Environmental Planner, Coastcare Facilitator, South Gippsland Victoria Guess Geelong and Bellarine Bruce Atkin Tel: 03 9637 8957 Alex Sedger Tel: 03 5183 9116 Email: [email protected] Tel: 03 5226 4669 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Environmental Planner, Coastcare Facilitator, East Gippsland Far South West Coastcare Facilitator, Port Phillip Jeremy Neilson Kristyn Abbott Phillip Wierzbowski Tel: 03 5152 0431 Tel: 03 5561 9955 Tel: 03 9296 4525 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Coastcare Facilitator, Coastcare Facilitator, Mornington Otways and Surfcoast Peninsula and Westernport Andrew Gray Denis Cox Visit our website Tel: 03 5220 2008 Tel: 039296 4532 www.dse.vic.gov.au/coastcare Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. To receive Coastline via Email go to www.dse.vic.gov.au/coasts and go to the Quick Link ‘Coastline Newsletters’ or phone the Hotline on 03 9637 8957.

CoastlineEdition 59. ISSN 1329-0835 autumn 2012 In this issue State Coordinator’s Message State Coordinator’s Message 1 Dr Amanda Cornish, Coastcare State Coordinator, Department of Sustainability and Environment Coastcare – Supporting Victoria’s Coastal Volunteers 1 Dumpling squid: a Summer Welcome to edition 59 of Coastline. by the Sea encounter 2 The eighteenth Summer by the Sea festival, with its 300 free activities, took place over three exciting Moonah Project Update 2 weeks in January along the 2000 kilometres of Victoria’s unique and dramatic coastline. And what What do these signs mean? 3 a great success the 2012 festival was. The festival received some great media coverage. Regular Paddle Safe Paddle Smart 4 updates were added on social media sites to highlight the diversity of activities that could be enjoyed Harmers Haven Bridge 5 by community members and holiday makers. We hope the 10,000 participants who took part in the Weed Watching 6 festival’s activities found them enjoyable and learnt something new about our magnificent coastal and Mud Island(s) 7 marine environments. Myrtle Rust 8 Crimson Berry on Phillip Island 8 Contact your local Coastcare facilitator later this year for details of the Summer by the Sea 2013 The Search for the Mahogany activities to be run in your local area and “like” our Facebook page facebook.com/summerbythesea Ship – Then and now 9 Works being completed across Victoria’s coast by recipients of Coastcare Community Grants are Not Your Everyday Flotsam and Jetsam 10 now underway. As a result of a joint funding initiative between the Department of Sustainability Southwest Sealing the Loop and Environment (DSE) and the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country Natural Resource on Discarded Fishing Tackle 10 Management Investment Plan, 16 grants were allocated in November 2011. Applications for 2012–13 Regional Updates 11–12 will be available in the coming months through the DSE website. Contact your local Coastcare Coastal Swapcards 13 facilitator for assistance with grant applications. New book 14 The Victorian Coastal Awards recognise the valuable contributions that individuals and groups make Coastcare Contacts 14 to the care of our coastal and marine environments. Nominations closed on 9 February and awards will be presented on 26 April, so look out for the announcement of winners on the Victorian Coastal Council website at www.vcc.vic.gov.au In February the Coastcare team farewelled their wonderful coordinator and project manager Victoria Guess, who is moving to the Northern Territory. I’m sure you will all join me in wishing Victoria all the best in her future endeavours.

Published by the Victorian Government’s Department of Sustainability and Environment, March 2012 © The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2012 This publication is copyright. No part may Coastcare – Supporting be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Disclaimer — This publication may be of Victoria’s Coastal Volunteers assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee Coastcare is a DSE program that supports local communities to contribute to the protection of that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for Victoria’s coastal environment. The program promotes stewardship of our coast by supporting your particular purposes and therefore community actions such as revegetation, protection of threatened species and community disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from education. The program provides funding, training and advice to coastal volunteer groups you relying on any information in this right along the Victorian coast. For more information on the Coastcare program, visit our publication. Authorised by the Victorian Government, website at www.dse.vic.gov.au/coastcare 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne. For more information contact DSE Coastline is published quarterly and includes the annual summer printed edition. To subscribe Customer Service Centre 13 61 86. to Coastline or contribute an article, contact your local Coastcare facilitator or environmental www.dse.vic.gov.au planner (see contact details on the back page). The next round of Coastcare Community Grants are due to open in March 2012. Contact your local facilitator for assistance putting applications together. 2 Dumpling Squid: a Summer by the Sea Encounter Alex’s Summer by the Sea highlights Alex Sedger, Environmental Planner, Department of Sustainability and Environment

Dumpling squid, giant sea hare, brain Dumpling squid have a light organ fuelled under the sea, participants were lucky anemone, decorator crab, elephant snail, by symbiotic luminescent bacteria to enough to catch a glimpse of underwater golfball sponge and dead man’s fingers are obscure their silhouette from predators worlds. Perhaps they’re now wondering just a few of the cool critters and creatures (such as flathead) on the sea floor, and what else is on the ocean floor. I saw and learnt about during Summer by change colour to blend in with their the Sea 2012 thanks to the vast experience surroundings (Norman & Reid 2000). Dumpling squid discovered on a of activity leaders. As the musical cast from Females lay two or three batches of eggs Summer by the Sea activity. the Little Mermaid proclaim through lyrical (25–170 eggs per batch) and die seven genius, under the sea truly is a different to 14 days later. Males die a short time world, and participants saw first hand the after mating multiple times; consequently, diversity of our local marine life hatchlings are not nurtured by their My favourite discovery was made during a parents. But baby squid are highly mudflat and seagrass tour in Queenscliff. developed, and so are capable of catching Not usually considered the most beautiful prey up to twice their size. Because they do marine environment, mudflats nonetheless not have the bacteria needed to illuminate harbour a wealth of animals and plants. their light organ, they must capture During the activity, I overheard one bacteria before the light organ can develop participant exclaim: ‘I didn’t realise that in (Steer et al. 2004). such an icky area there is so much to see.’ After the dumpling squid discovery, When our leader Anne McLaughlin from participants crowded around to see it in the Marine Discovery Centre discovered action as it changed colour to camouflage a dumpling squid, participants were itself. Another participant said, ‘I’m a local awestruck by the rare cephalopod find. and I would never think to come down Because the squid bury themselves in here to look at things. You’ve opened my the sand in sheltered bays and estuaries eyes to a new world.’ during the day, it’s night divers who are Summer by the Sea was full of discoveries the most likely humans to catch a glimpse that many people won’t forget. of dumpling squid. If disturbed, the squid Overturning rocks, peering into rockpools, emerge wearing a coat of sand grains. canoeing along the coast and snorkelling Moonah Project Update Breamlea Coastcare

Breamlea Coastcare is continuing to rehabilitate moonah In other moonah news, Breamlea Coastcare is continuing to be woodlands in the flora and fauna reserve adjacent to involved in the Moonah Woodland Communities project. This Whittington Street in Breamlea. Our activities are directed project, which is led by the Department of Sustainability and towards the gradual minimisation of invasive weeds. We Environment and is being run across the Bellarine Peninsula, concentrate on freeing up the area around any indigenous aims to identify and detail the quality of the remnant moonah seedlings that spontaneously appear, and spend about an hour woodlands. each week removing the invaders that would otherwise smother We have now completed two years of the survey from local plants. 2009–11, recently completing a survey across three quadrats Given that the area has received little or no attention over in Breamlea. The data generated will be added to the DSE many years, removal is a Herculean task. However, we have database on coastal moonah woodlands. now cleared a substantial area, which has enabled a number If you would like more information on coastal moonah of indigenous species to reassert themselves. Native grasses woodlands and why they are so important, or more have returned, as have other understorey species including information about Breamlea Coastcare, contact Alex Sedger, dichondra, clematis, bower spinach and dianella. Visitors from Environmental Planner, on (03) 5226 4669 or email at other Landcare and Friends groups have been impressed by [email protected] what we have been able to achieve through limited but regular activity. 3

What Do These Signs Mean? Department of Primary Industries The intertidal zone (ITZ) is one of the most Intertidal Protected Zones Intertidal Collection Methods difficult places on earth to adapt to and Victorian Waters The use of any type of digging implements survive in. Not only do the creatures that (excluding Port Phillip Bay) in the intertidal zone is prohibited. You reside in the ITZ have to deal with sun, In all Victorian marine and estuarine may use a fishing line, spear gun or hand- wind, waves, heat, cold, tide, predators, waters (excluding Port Phillip Bay) only held spear to catch fish, squid, cuttlefish trampling, and so on, but they also have bivalve shellfish (such as pipis, mussels and and octopus. to endure the stresses and demands of oysters), squid, octopus and cuttlefish may Where collection in an intertidal zone is increased human population in coastal be collected. All other molluscs (shellfish) permitted, the following methods are residential areas and holiday hotspots. in the intertidal allowed: This pressure and the vulnerability to zone, such as • approved hand-held bait pump overharvesting is why intertidal creatures abalone, snails, • hand or feet, and/or are getting a protective helping hand in limpets and • hand-held spear or spear gun, hoop order to ensure their sustainability. periwinkles, are nets, bait traps or bait nets The Victorian coast is approximately 2000 protected. Specified waters apply; see pages 49–51 kilometres long. As well as marine national Other of the Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide parks and sanctuaries, the Department of invertebrates, 2012 for more information. Primary Industries (DPI) manages intertidal such as crabs, The Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide protected areas with restrictions on what rock lobster, 2012 can be found at www.dpi.vic. can be taken from inside and outside Port shrimp and worms, may be collected only gov.au/fisheries/recreactional-fishing/ Philip Bay. The protection of this zone is by approved intertidal collection methods recreational-fishing-guide. Hard copies enforced by Fisheries Victoria, a division (see right). Catch limits apply. can be obtained from most fishing tackle of DPI. Port Phillip Bay shops that sell recreational fishing licences, Intertidal Restrictions From the intertidal zone within Port Department of Primary Industry offices or Phillip Bay only marine worms, burrowing by ringing the Customer Service Centre on The ITZ is an important link in the healthy shrimp, squid, octopus and cuttlefish maintenance of marine ecosystems. All 136 186. Illegal fishing can be reported to may be collected, but only by approved 13 FISH (13 34 74). plant and animal organisms form part of methods. All other invertebrates in the Thank you to the Department of Primary the food chain. So, while removal of any intertidal zone are protected. Catch limits Industries for assisting with this article and invertebrate animals (animals without apply to marine worms (see page 48 of for providing the rules from the Victorian a backbone) from this zone may seem the Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide 2012. harmless, it represents a loss of food for Recreational other species. To prevent this occurring, Fishing Guide removal is restricted and, in some areas, 2012) and prohibited. burrowing For the purpose of fisheries regulations, shrimp (all the ITZ of marine and estuarine waters is species, defined as the strip of land from the high including Bass tide mark to where the water is at least 2 yabbies; see metres deep at any given time. page 42).

The intertidal zone at high tide The intertidal zone at low tide 4

Paddle Safe Paddle Smart – a guide to help you paddle and return safely

Transport Safety Victoria Victoria has experienced an increase in the number of accidents • To avoid losing your paddle(s) attach it/them to your vessel with involving canoes, kayaks, row boats, surf skis and stand-up paddle shock cord(s). boards. • Take a buoyant waterproof torch with you. You might not When operating these vessels, it is mandatory to carry the intend to fish at night, but if you run into trouble a torch will minimum safety equipment, as detailed in the Victorian help you attract attention. Recreational Boating Safety Handbook. Visit the website at • A large sponge can absorb any unwanted water that enters www.transportsafety.vic.gov.au or phone 1800 223 022 for your vessel. more information. • To increase your visibility, attach reflective tape to your vessel and paddles. To make your time on the water safer and more enjoyable, follow • Display some identification on your vessel. Your car registration these tips. or a telephone number are good examples. In the event • Always wear an approved personal flotation device (PFD). you become separated from your vessel, they can assist in • Display a white light when operating at night so other vessels identifying who you are. can see you. • Where possible, always travel in a group to maximise your • Make sure your safety equipment is in good working condition safety. and is easily accessible. • Take care of your PFD. Ensure that you familiarise yourself with • Check the weather before you go out. Contact the Bureau of the manufacturer’s instructions on how to wear and operate it. Meteorology by telephone on 1196 or visit the BOM website at • Service inflatable PFDs on or before the date specified by the www.bom.gov.au/marine. manufacturer. • Let someone know your point of departure, where you are going and when you plan to return. The effects of cold water immersion and hypothermia impact • If you capsize, stay with your vessel. A vessel is much easier to on your ability to think and act clearly. Before you go out on the spot in the water than a person. water make sure you are wearing suitable clothing; ensure that • Wear suitable clothing for the conditions. your outer layer of clothing is watertight and wear a personal • Make sure you are visible to other boaters. You will not always flotation device. be seen because your vessel sits low on the water. If you capsize, stay with your vessel. • Take a mobile phone and/or person locator beacon (PLB) with If your vessel is fitted with a means of propulsion, regardless of you. engine size, you are required to hold a recreational boat operator’s licence and to register your vessel. 5

Harmers Haven Bridge Harmers Haven Bridge spanning Coal Creek Bruce Atkin, Coastcare Facilitator, Department of Sustainability and Environment

The Friends of Harmers Haven, working closely with Parks Victoria, infrastructure was undesirable in an environmentally unspoilt area has seen the successful completion of a new Coastcare-funded and that the bridge would bring more people and dog walkers footbridge across Coal Creek, which runs parallel to the beach to the beach, which could inadvertently impact poorly on the behind the primary dune. hooded plovers. Coastcare Community Grant applications for infrastructure Amaryll Perlesz of the Friends of Harmers Haven said, ‘I worried projects need to clearly show that an environmental benefit about this too and discussed it with a lot of people. The will result from receipt of a grant. At Wreck Beach, pedestrians Wonthaggi area has a growing population that will put increased approaching the creek were forced to follow the bank to where pressure on the beach and coastal environment. Where recreation the creek spills out onto the shore, a favoured breeding spot for needs potentially clash with environmental needs it does make hooded plovers. The path also led pedestrians directly onto a sense to actively manage foreshore reserves – which is what site of historical significance: the timber remains of the Artisan, we’ll have to continue to do at Harmers Haven. This bridge is a a wooden barque driven ashore and wrecked in 1901. Because significant management intervention, but one that I think was Friends of Harmers Haven, together with a commitment from necessary.’ the land manager, Parks Victoria, was able to demonstrate Rosemary Paterson, also of the Friends of Harmers Haven, environmental benefit, the group received a Coastcare is pleased with how the bridge turned out. ‘It settles into its Community Grant to undertake this work. surroundings well, and it’s not as intrusive as I had imagined [it Initial estimates of the dimensions of the bridge were conservative. would be]. I’m pleased we went ahead, because we’ve been Eventually, the height and length of the bridge had to be talking about the need for it for years, but it’s always been increased to ensure that it would be entirely above high water. seen to be too expensive. It feels worthwhile because it really is Due to increased costs, additional funding was obtained from DSE protecting the hooded plover nesting sites at the mouth of the and Bass Coast Shire Council. The construction managed by Parks estuary, and people won’t be walking over the decking of the Victoria staff in Wonthaggi was carried out in spring last year. Artisan shipwreck any more, or trampling on the aquatic native Some objectors to the proposal originally suggested that intrusive vegetation around Coal Creek.’

Rosemary and Amaryll on Harmers Haven Bridge 6

Weed Watching Denis Cox, Coastcare Facilitator, Department of Sustainability and Environment

At this time of the year most plants have past their peak flowering time and are setting seed to provide a reserve and source of new plants. Now is a good time to be checking for the fading flowerheads of weeds, particularly those with abundant seed that will soon mature and spread. By removing these flowerheads, the potential quantity of seed that is spread can be reduced, thereby decreasing your weeding problems in the future. Some obvious weeds among the grasses include panic veldt grass, hare’s tail, perennial rye grass and, in the daisy family, boneseed, cape ivy, flatweed, ragwort and milk thistle. Common weeds of coastal areas in the pea family are English broom, gorse and dolichos pea. Many Weeds Of National Significance are found in Victorian coastal areas. These include blackberry, boneseed, bridal creeper and gorse. Weeds from the closely related Liliaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Alliaceae and Iridaceae Bluebell Creeper families have bulbs or bulb-like roots. They include the weeds agapanthus, angled onion, onion weed, bridal creeper and montbretia. Some of these die back for the winter and become invisible until their unwelcome return in spring. It’s a good idea to remove them while they can still be identified. The purple-flowered myrtle-leaf milkwort, also known as polygala, is a fast-spreading garden escapee commonly invading dune areas. It is a relative of the indigenous heath milkwort and love creeper, all members of the Polygalaceae family. Community groups can apply for funds through the Coastcare Community Grants program to assist with the removal of weeds of national significance and other weeds in their local area. Contact your local Coastcare facilitator for more information.

Polygala 7

Mud Island(s): Natural Wonders within Port Phillip Phillip Wierzbowski, Coastcare Facilitator, Department of Sustainability and Environment

Human occupation of the inundated plain we know today as Port Phillip (Narrm) dates back over 40,000 years by the five distinct but related Aboriginal communities – Wathaurong, Dja Dja Wrung, Taungurung, Woiwurrung (Wurundjeri) and Boonerwrung – who together form the Kulin Nation. The bay, which was formed between 7,000 and 10,000 years ago, has a narrow entrance, an area of 480,000 acres, a coastline of approximately 260 kilometres, a depth ranging from 8–24 metres and is still highly culturally, environmentally and economically significant. Within the bay there are five major islands, three natural (Mud, Swan and Duck Islands) and two artificial (South Channel Fort and Pope’s Eye). Having recently Tidal Lagoon on Mud Islands visited one of these unique areas, I was Major native vegetation communities on of species such as box thorn and the inspired to highlight some of the natural these islands are seagrass meadows, sand dramatic increase in the population of wonders of Mud Island(s) to Coastline dunes, mudflats and salt marshes. The native silver gulls has increased species readers. islands support a diversity of life ranging diversity. The silver gulls colony has been Mud Island(s) is a small, unique group from marine invertebrates to fish and estimated to be between 40,000 and located about 90 kilometres southwest birds. 50,000 breeding pairs, the equal largest of Melbourne, near the entrance to Port The islands, which have a bird-dominated breeding colony in world. Phillip, about 7 kilometres north of Portsea ecology, have long been of scientific and Mud Islands are a haven for many species and 9 kilometres east of Queenscliff. The conservation interest. They are listed on of shorebird and remain the spectacular island group, which has a total area of 86 the Register of the National Estate, on the natural wonder of Port Phillip. If you hectares with a land area of 60 hectares, Ramsar list of wetlands, and have recently would like to assist with the protection reaches a height of 4 metres. The shapes been included in the Port Phillip Heads of these islands contact the Friends of and configuration of the islands change Marine National Park. These sites are Mud islands, a non-profit volunteer group due to movement of sand by tidal essential breeding, feeding and roosting established to assist in the islands’ care, currents. areas for seabirds and waders, many of maintenance and preservation. Despite the name, the islands are mainly them migratory. A total of 87 species has Access to Mud Island(s) is by boat at high composed of shelly sand deposits been recorded on the islands, 15 of them tide, generally from either Queenscliff or anchored by outcrops of phosphate rock as nesting. Sorrento. that encircle a shallow tidal lagoon and Even though the flora of Mud Islands has form the largest shoal in Port Phillip. been relatively stable, the introduction

Shelly Sand deposits on Mud Islands 8

Myrtle rust on Melaleuca quinquinervia paperbark © State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries 2012. Myrtle Rust Reproduced with permission. Extract from Sunshine Reserve Conservation and Fireguard group newsletter

The fungus Uredo rangelii (myrtle rust) has recently been found in Victoria for the first time, at a retail nursery on the Mornington What to do if you think you have Peninsula. The disease poses a threat to Victoria’s nursery and forestry industries, as well as to parks, gardens and native forests. spotted myrtle rust It has the potential to attack all species of the Myrtaceae plant For effective management, early identification of the family, which includes eucalyptus, bottlebrush, paperbarks, tea rust is vital. Immediately notify the Department of Primary trees and lilly pilly. Industries (DPI) should plants be suspected of being infected Myrtle rust attacks young leaves and shoots, young stems, and with myrtle rust. You can phone DPI on 1800 084 881 fruits and flowers. The first signs of infection are tiny brown or or take some digital photos and email them to grey raised spots, often with red–purple haloes. Up to 14 days [email protected] together with after infection, the spots produce masses of yellow range spores. your contact phone number. These tiny spores can be easily transferred onto clothing, vehicles To avoid spreading the disease, do not touch, move or and shoes. collect samples of the suspect plant material and do not go Myrtle rust, first detected in Australia in New South Wales in to another site carrying any host materials. 2010, has since spread to Queensland and now to Victoria. It is For more information and to view images visit considered impractical to eradicate because of the nature of the www.dpi.vic.gov.au. disease and ease of spread. It comes from South America and Jamaica where it affects other species of the Myrtaceae plant family. Severe rust disease in young trees can kill shoots, which results in a bushy growth habit.

Crimson Berry on Phillip Island Jon Fallow, Ranger, Phillip Island Nature Park

A Victorian native plant, the crimson berry one plant died as a result of an accidental was applied between Pyramid Rock and (Leptecophylla juniperina spp. oxycedrus) application of herbicide aimed at gorse. Sunderland Bay; however, there is still is listed in Victoria as ‘vulnerable’. Crimson Phillip Island Nature Park has worked a significant infestation of gorse in the berry, a low, dense heathland plant related closely with neighbours and contractors to adjoining paddocks. The DPI and Landcare to Victoria’s floral emblem, pink heath avoid a repeat of that situation and is now are working closely with a number of (Epacris impressa), is usually found on the only organisation undertaking works at properties across the island to ensure granitic soils. A colony of 30–40 crimson this site. further gorse removal. berry plants growing on soils derived from As the remaining gorse is wind sheared Crimson berry seed has been collected, basalt and hugging the steep ocean facing and spread among the crimson berry, the although so far there has been limited slopes near YCW Beach was discovered strategy for removal is to gradually cut and success in propagating the plant. Work during a gorse-control operation on Phillip paint the gorse to ensure that the area isn’t is being carried out to discover other Island. destabilised and to spray gorse from a safe methods for propagation. The population of crimson berry is not distance. only threatened by gorse (a weed of Expenditure of part of a Good Neighbour national significance, or OW NS), but also Grant last year included follow-up by unstable soils and works conducted contractor spraying of gorse, which to remove the weed. It is believed that o: o: t Pho 9

The Search for the Mahogany Ship – Then and Now Pat Connelly, Mahogany Ship Committee of Warrnambool

Science was just an onlooker, a stranger on the shore, for most of the area in 1979 and water sampling techniques that were used the 130-odd years people have been searching for the so-called in the 1980s. All with no success. In 1992 a $250,000 reward was Mahogany Ship in the hummocks west of Warrnambool. offered by the Victorian government to whomever could find the Probing the sand with steel rods was the earliest search method ship. In 1993 Peter D’Aloisio’s drilling rig struck a solid object that in the 1880s, a few years after the hull was buried by advancing could not be budged. dunes, and continued during searches in 1890. Ground-penetrating radar came to the fore at that time and But no matter what equipment was used, one thing remained the is still employed today, though it can be thwarted if sand or same: the wreck defied discovery. Its location remained a mystery water contain excess salt – hardly rare substances on the because there was and still is no map to show its resting place. Shipwreck Coast. The only indicators have been a secondhand bearing based on In 2002 Rob Simpson of Melbourne was scanning Google Earth’s sight alone, a compass bearing of uncertain origin and a vague map of the hummocks when he believed he detected the shapes reference to a fence, all of which have led only to exasperation. of three ships. In September 2009 he conducted a search using The sight bearing was attributed to captain John Mills. Mills first an electrical current that records vertical surfaces of an object. The saw the hull after the capsize of his boat in 1836. Mills said the experiment was hampered by marram grass, which prevented the wreck lay on a line running southeast from volcanic Tower Hill, device touching the earth. through church land and into the hummocks. Mills gave no cross- In October 2011, Simpson had better luck with ground reference that would intersect the line, so there is no X to mark penetrating radar. He told this writer that seven shapes were the spot where the elusive timbers are concealed. The compass clearly shown at a depth of less than 1 metre, indicating ‘an bearing was discovered early last century in an old diary belonging elegantly shaped object 8 metres by 6 metres’. to Geelong customs officer Percy Holden. But no ship. The third clue came from Frank Saul, who said the wreck lay The fragility of this coastal dune ecosystem makes excavation and about 40 metres east of a fence he erected. He put up many access increasingly difficult and inadvisable. That said, coastlines fences after 1850 but did not specify which one he was are constantly changing, so with shifting sands and winds, the referring to. mysterious ship may yet become uncovered in time – or it may After searchers with steel rods and many other different become buried further beneath the dunes. techniques toiled in vain for generations, it wasn’t until the 1970s So, until it is discovered, the fabled Mahogany Ship will remain that advanced equipment and methodical techniques emerged. just that – a fable. The National Trust sponsored three expeditions, which rigorously researched the substantial body of writing about the buried vessel. This was followed by a geophysicist using a magnetometer for the search in 1970s, a team that ran seismic equipment over

Map of potential location of the Mahogany ship Sketch of the mysterious Mahogany Ship 10

Not Your Everyday Flotsam and Jetsam Sharon Blum-Caon Founding member, Friends of Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary, Aireys Inlet

A rare creature of finely tuned adaptation made an on a C

appearance on the shores of Fairhaven and Moggs -

Creek this January. Handed in to the Eco-Logic office um l B by Margaret MacDonald, the seldom seen buoy barnacle (Dosima fascicalaris) was identified after h

a little research. It’s a type of goose barnacle, all of : which are opportunists that latch onto bits of debris h floating through the oceans. They enjoy a nomadic P OTO S ARON existence, can make use of man-made flotsam and have even been known to hitch a ride on a whale. The buoy barnacle is particularly clever. Not liking to leave anything to chance, it generates its own floatation device, which it then happily shares with a few mates to make a ring around the central buoy. The barnacles hang downwards from the central float into the water, and filter feed on passing plankton. According to the Marine Life Information Network, buoy barnacles were first described in 1786, having been sighted between Wales and Ireland; they have Buoy barnacle (Dosima fascicalairs) even been described by Charles Darwin. A mass wash-up was reported in Cape Town, South Africa, last November, and now it appears to be our turn. Some biologists have waited decades to see this animal. Our beautiful beaches never fail to impress.

Southwest Sealing the Loop on Discarded Fishing Tackle Lisette Mill, Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group If you are lucky enough to visit the southwest between Peterborough, Mortlake and Yambuk, you are likely to encounter bright yellow ‘Seal the Loop’ bins at a number of key recreational fishing spots. So, what are these bins? Well, Melbourne Zoo, using recreational fishing licence revenue, has partnered with Moyne Shire Council and Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group to distribute a total of 10 Seal the Loop bins to capture discarded fishing tackle and prevent human and wildlife harm from this form of litter. Moyne Shire and Warrnambool City Councils quickly gained support from Coastcare, local anglers’ clubs and Fishcare South West for the future monitoring of the bins and the collection of deposits. Discarded nylon, hooks and sinkers, and other fishing equipment, will be transformed into sculptures to highlight the need for everyone to assist with reducing aquatic fishing debris. Watch this space for upcoming highlights. For information about how your Coastcare Group can join in, email Melbourne Zoo’s Ben Sanders at [email protected]. For information about the project in the southwest, contacts are Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group: email [email protected] Moyne Shire Council: email [email protected]

DSE Environmental Planner Kristyn Abbott checking a Seal the loop bin 11

Regional Updates Far Southwest Hooded plover monitoring groups on the Environment, ran a community boating day Kristyn Abbott, Environmental Planner Surf Coast have been kept busy with several for boaters, in which they used the Barwon It has been a very busy summer in the hooded plover pairs, protecting eggs and River to reinforce issues about marine pests, far southwest and a fantastic first few chicks against the waves of pressure summer boating safety and speed limits. Did you months for me working with Coastcare. brings, such as extra beach walkers, including know that a 5 knot speed limit applies to the My highlights so far have been meeting all dogs, foxes and other native and introduced entire lower estuary of the Barwon River and the local volunteer groups and of course predators, and the occasional high tide and Lake Connewarre? participating in some of the fantastic subsequent dune erosion. Despite them Ocean Grove Coastcare (OGCC), together Summer by the Sea events. facing an uphill battle, you can’t knock these with the Ocean Grove Surf Club, ran two little birds for not trying. A couple of pairs Summer by the Sea was again a success. I nipper education sessions, in which kids on the Surf Coast are already attempting to would like to thank our fantastic voluntary were treated to a food web game and an fledge their second round of chicks for the providers, Birds Australia and Parks Victoria, environmental obstacle course. The food web season. Two Dogs’ Breakfasts during Summer who have been so active in promoting game highlighted the diversity of marine life by the Sea attracted 60 dog walkers. While and running activities on behalf of the found in the Southern Ocean (85 per cent it might be preaching to the converted, program. I would also like to thank Glenelg, is endemic). Kids acted out their own food working with responsible dog owners is one Warrnambool and Moyne Shires, Local web as sharks, seals, seaweed and fish. The way of raising community awareness and Laws units, who have been so helpful and obstacle course included a rubbish pick-up, spreading the word about the plight of the informative during the festival, and Pet polygala weed removal, Moonah planting, hooded plover. Thanks to the Surf Coast Goods Plus, who sponsored our Dogs’ running around a hooded plover nest site Shire, Great Ocean Road Coast Committee Breakfast with some great giveaways. and picking up a doggie poo bag. As usual, and Tina’s Dog Training and Pet Services for OGCC volunteers did a stellar job and the Congratulations to the recipients of their support of this event. nippers had a ball. September’s Coastcare Victoria Community What next? Grants. All groups have hit the ground Friends of the Lobster Pot were busy taking In the first half of the New Year you can tours over summer and Friends of the Bluff running, with three great projects underway expect a major event in the southwest, in the far southwest. The Warrnambool geared up for Festival of the Sea in March an attempt to address the challenge of (visit the website at www.barwonheads. Mountain Bike Club is tackling woody weeds succession for coastal volunteer groups. around the Thunder Point Coastal Reserve, net/festival/festmain.htm for information). Contact your local Coastcare facilitator or In February, North Shore Residents Group the Heytsbury District Landcare Network is environmental planner at the Department of trialling new ways to eradicate arum lilies in ran their thirteenth annual 1 kilometre open Sustainability and Environment for further water swim at Moorpanyal Park complete Princetown’s dynamic swamp scrub area and details. Anglesea Coast Action is trialling Point Danger Committee of Management with trophies, spot prizes and a free BBQ. a new approach to this challenge in the Friends of Pt Richards continue their weekly will be tackling boneseed removal along the coming months. Look out for a feature article coastal cliffs at Portland. weeding to great effect, while Breamlea in the winter Coastline that will highlight this Coastcare and Friends of Buckley Park are Give me a call on (03) 5561 9955 to find out model and its successes and failures to date. carrying out large-scale Moonah revegetation more about getting involved in your local projects on private and public land. Drysdale Coastcare group. Geelong and Bellarine Clifton Springs Community Association Alex Sedger, Environmental Planner secured a federal grant for weed removal and Otways and Surf Coast Summer by the Sea 2012 kicked off the year revegetation of local species. Andrew Gray, Coastcare Facilitator with a bang. It got me geared up for a year There’s so much happening and everyone Summer by the Sea activities, including of action, innovation and fun. Summer by is doing a fantastic job. If you’d like to get rockpool rambles, ocean snorkels and fossil the Sea in the Bellarine, run by the Marine involved with groups on the Bellarine, I’m safaris, attracted so many new participants and Freshwater Discovery Centre (MFDC), only a phone call away (03) 5220 2008. (including dogs) that most activities on the was a huge hit with locals and holiday Thanks for a brilliant Summer by the Sea. Surf Coast and in the Otways were not makers. Participants took away messages only full but also had long waiting lists. about how to maintain marine environments Thanks to our local activity providers, and as the special places they are, not shells or Port Phillip to EstuaryWatch and WaterWatch, for other beach souvenirs. I worked closely with Phillip Wierzbowski, Coastcare Facilitator delivering fun, engaging, professional and MFDC, Eco-Logic and Surfcoast Facilitator The lead-up to the summer period was not consistent sessions. Thanks also to Alicia Andy Gray throughout the festival, which has only busy for the Coastcare Victoria team Ivory, Marine Ranger Intern at Parks Victoria. definitely started the year on a high. preparing for the delivery of the Summer Alicia, who is based at Harvey St, Anglesea, by the Sea 2012 program, but also for Bellarine land managers, Coastcare groups the volunteers and various land managers was present at several sessions at Pt Danger and Friends groups didn’t spend all their time Marine Sanctuary, Pt Addis Marine National we proudly support. In particular, I would lazing on the beach this summer – in fact, like to thank the following key people Park and Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary. A they’ve all been very busy. Barwon Coast, in strong presence from Parks Victoria was for being an integral part of the program conjunction with Water Police, Parks Victoria and contributing to its success in the greatly appreciated by Summer by the Sea and the Department of Sustainability and participants on the Surf Coast. Port Phillip area: Hakan Dellal (Marine Continued on page 12… 12

…continued from page 11 Care Ricketts Point Inc.), Neil Blake (Port completed, or are near completing, their denuded areas adjacent to the Cape Phillip Baykeeper), Barbara Jakob (Bayside Coastcare grant projects and reports. Liptrap lighthouse. Environmental Friends Network), Remy Following the recently completed strategic The education arm of the South Gippsland Baya (Fish Care), Roberto d’Andrea (The plan, the Phillip Island Nature Park is in the Conservation Society recently adopted a Connies), David Murnane and Andrew process of preparing a new environmental new name, Bass Coast Education (BCE). Webster (Hobsons Bay City Council), management plan to cover conservation of BCE is run by a small committee that has Emily Matheson (Parks Victoria), Jo Hurse important vegetation and wildlife habitats, recently revamped the meeting room at (Citywide) and Brigid Ennis (DSE). coastal management that considers the Inverloch’s Bunurong Environment Centre The Urban Fringe Weed Management future impact of sea level rise and the to make it more useful as an education Initiative is a collaborative project between ability of the coast to sustain public access, space. The meeting – education room various land managers along the Werribee and the quality of visitor experience. features a new colour scheme that depicts River in the Shire of Wyndham. Following Erosion in sea cliffs close to Tassells the land, sea and sky, a range of themed the extensive weed mapping exercise Creek, near Safety Beach, has prompted display banners, an interactive map of by Darcy Duggan, these data, which are the Safety Beach Foreshore Landscape South Gippsland and a marine aquarium. now available electronically, have been Committee to express its concerns to the Next time you are near Inverloch, drop in transferred to a geographic information Mornington Peninsula Shire. at the centre to check out the displays, system. videos, shell museum and shop. For those interested in marine life, try the Nick Esbert is a shorebird support officer Taxonomic Toolkit for Marine Life of Port The Port Welshpool Working Group has from BirdLife Australia and together Phillip Bay, which can be found at just staged another successful Sea Days with Coastcare Victoria we held a Dogs’ http://portphillipmarinelife.net.au Festival. Held annually in early January, the Breakfast at the Werribee South beach on festival celebrates the marine and coastal Feral animal control over the past few 28 January as part of the bird information environment of the Corner Inlet area. years has been so successful that reports sessions for dog (and cat) owners in coastal A major feature each year is a display of are coming in of a noticeable increase in locations on the western side of the bay. marine life in touch tanks that are provided birds in the Shoreham, Pt Leo, Merricks, This is the first of seven in the Altona, by Parks Victoria. Visitors to the festival Balnarring and Somers Coastal Reserves. Point Cook, Werribee and Geelong areas. have a unique opportunity to see close For further information contact BirdLife Gill Gordon, Sunshine Reserve Mt at hand some of the biodiversity that is Australia on (03) 9347 0757. Martha project officer, recently noticed normally out of sight but right under in her garden some painted button quail With funding from part of the Coastcare their feet when they step onto Port (pictured below) that had successfully Victoria grants, I am working with Welshpool’s jetties. raised two chicks. The chicks, who can one of the local Aboriginal groups, fly a little, have survived the major weed the Wurundjeri, on a Koorong project removal. Gill plans to swap her solid back East Gippsland that is the continuation of Wurundjeri Jeremy Neilson, Coastcare Facilitator fence for an open mesh wire so they can cultural practices. This project involves get back into the reserve again. Everyone Summer for East Gippsland has seen the construction of a bark canoe using is delighted and hopes that there are a the completion of what was a very traditional knowledge, methods and tools; few more around that will remain. Gill is successful Summer by the Sea festival, it is expected to be completed towards the sure this is a testament to the relentless with participation well up across all end of the year. feral animal control conducted in Sunshine activities. I was on leave during this Another Indigenous coastal project I am Reserve. period, but acting facilitator Rhonda Gatt currently involved with is Stage 2 of the reported that this year’s program was Port Phillip Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, fantastic. Big congratulations are in order or PPACH, project, due for completion South Gippsland Bruce Atkin, Coastcare Facilitator to the team that ran the program in my in July 2012. Refer to Coastline # 57 for absence: well done guys and gals for such background information on Stage 1. Several South Gippsland coastal community groups are working on a successful program. Coastcare-funded projects. Sandy Point With the end of summer comes much Mornington Peninsula and Foreshore Committee and the South sadness for this facilitator, as it brings to Western Port Gippsland Landcare Network have weed an end the Indigenous Interpretive Guide Denis Cox, Coastcare Facilitator control projects on the go, while at Cape program that has been happening in East Recent good rains have filled Bullock Paterson, members of the Residents and Gippsland over the last six months. This Swamp on French Island, which has led to Ratepayers Association are removing program, although it has had its challenges the Friends of French Island National Parks woody weeds, including some large pines, at times, has been truly rewarding, not making excellent bird counts on what is in preparation for another revegetation only for the trainees involved but also now an extensive sheet of water. effort after the autumn break. A new for me. I look forward to utilising the community group, Friends of Cape Liptrap wonderful resource that we have created A number of groups in the Mornington Peninsula, will soon be revegetating some Peninsula and Western Port region have in these individuals into the future. 13 Coastal Swapcards Phillip Wierzbowski A joint project between DSE and Parks Victoria has resulted in the release of a series of collectable swapcards that bring environmental, social, historic and cultural themes to the community. The series highlights coastal habitats and key species. The Connie’s, a community education company, assisted in the distribution of these cards during Summer by the Sea in the Port Phillip area by entertaining, educating and informing members of the public through these collectable swapcards. This year ‘The Connie’s’ appeared at two Summer by the Sea events in the Port Phillip area. To find out about an event near you, call Roberto on 04028 774 349

Clockwise from top right: Beaches and dunes, Mangroves and Saltmarshes, Open water, Seagrass and Mangroves, Bays and Estuaries, Kelp forests and Rocky Reefs. 14

New Book Marine Victoria for Volunteers (2011) R. Lewis, president, Marine Care, Ricketts Point Reviewed by Phillip Wierzbowski This heavily illustrated 260 page book is a great resource for new and existing Coastcare groups. Marine Victoria for Volunteers, which is a complementary guide to the Coastcare Victoria Volunteer Manual, focuses on marine-specific volunteer work. The book covers information about volunteering and marine education, as well as other useful information such as how to set up research programs. Illustrations include images from many emerging bayside marine photographers. For further information contact [email protected].

Coastcare Contacts Coastcare State Coordinator Coastcare Facilitator, Port Phillip Amanda Cornish Phillip Wierzbowski Tel: 03 9637 8957 Tel: 03 9296 4525 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Environmental Planner, Far South West Kristyn Abbott Coastcare Facilitator, Mornington Peninsula and Westernport Tel: 03 5561 9955 Denis Cox Email: [email protected] Tel: 03 9296 4532 Coastcare Facilitator, Otways and Email: [email protected] Surfcoast Andrew Gray Coastcare Facilitator, South Gippsland Tel: 03 5220 2008 Bruce Atkin Email: [email protected] Tel: 03 5183 9116 Email: [email protected] Environmental Planner, Geelong and Bellarine Coastcare Facilitator, East Gippsland Alex Sedger Jeremy Neilson Tel: 03 5220 2008 Tel: 03 5152 0431 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Visit our website www.dse.vic.gov.au/coastcare

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. To receive Coastline via Email go to www.dse.vic.gov.au/coastcare and go to the Quick Link ‘Coastline Newsletters’ or phone the Hotline on 03 9637 9742. www.dse.vic.gov.au/coastcare Coastline Winter 2012

Issue 60 • ISSN 1329-0835 • Winter 2012 State coordinator’s message Contents Welcome to edition 60 of Coastline. Celebrating coastal champions 2–3 Saltmarshes uncovered 4 The second round of Coastcare Victoria Community Grants for 2011–12 closed We’re all MAD for the Merri 5 on 30 April and was assessed in May. High quality applications were received Good news for estuary health 6 by Coastcare, which will fund 23 new projects through a joint funding initiative Fishcare round-up: Volunteers between the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Australian still busy caring 7 government’s Caring for our Country Natural Resource Management Investment How to make Sea Hares sexy 8 Plan. A list of successful recipients and their projects is on page 15. This Winter on the Bunurong Coast 9 round of applications included some new and innovative projects, such as the development of an iPhone app. Keep an eye out for its release and be sure to Cape Barren goose 9 sign up. Barwon Heads Festival of the Sea 10 I have been fortunate to attend some wonderful events along Victoria’s coast, BirdLife East Gippsland adopts including a Birdlife Forum at Coolart, a Coastal Ecology and Management the Gippsland Lakes IBA 10 Workshop at Cape Paterson and a Parks Victoria Marine Friends forum at Cameras capture rare Barwon Heads. It has been great to meet many of our passionate volunteers and animal on coast 11 to see the great work achieved by our facilitator network and coastal managers. Volunteers clean ramsar The Victorian Coastal Awards for Excellence were held on 26 April. shoreline – Kirks Point 12 Congratulations to all the finalists and award recipients (see page 3 for a list of Regional updates 13–15 recipients and photos). What’s on 16 Although winter is here volunteers are still carrying out important projects along Coastcare contacts 16 the coast. Thank you all for your contributions and Coastcare’s wonderful facilitators for their continued dedication and hard work. Dr Amanda Cornish Coastcare State Coordinator, DSE Celebrating coastal champions

A diverse and inspiring range and organisations for their valuable in land management and preservation. contributions to coastal management, Rosemary Birney won the Outstanding of projects was showcased planning and research in Victoria. Volunteer award for her work in at the Victorian Coastal protecting and restoring the Somers The Minister acknowledged the important foreshore over the past 12 years. Awards for Excellence 2012 role of volunteers in coastal management presentation ceremony that and confirmed the government’s Minister Smith thanked outgoing was held at the Melbourne commitment to broadening community Victorian Coastal Council Chairperson Cr participation and engagement in coastal Libby Mears for her leadership in the role Museum on 26 April. The issues. since 2007 and announced Jon Hickman as the newly-appointed chairperson. As Victorian Coastal Council, Minister Smith said that Victoria had chairperson until June 2013, Jon will an incredible network of dedicated peak body for strategic lead initiatives that will best respond to people who work hard to protect and planning and management of challenges impacting on Victoria’s coast, enhance our beautiful coastal and marine including the important task of preparing the Victorian coast, has been environments. “Award winners should all the next iteration of the Victorian Coastal be extremely proud of their endeavours”, running the awards event for Strategy, which is due next year. he said. 13 years. For more information about the Victorian An encouraging response to the call for Coastal Awards for Excellence 2012 Over 250 individuals from volunteer nominations resulted in 20 finalists across and to see a description of the winning groups, committees of management, five award categories, including building entries visit: www.vcc.vic.gov.au/page/ government and non-government and design, education, community action awards/victorian-coastal-awards-for- organisations attended the evening. and partnerships, natural environment, excellence. Wurundjeri Elder, Colin Hunter provided and planning and management. Bernie the welcome to country and Minister McCarrick won the Lifetime Achievement Elizabeth Patterson for Environment and Climate Change, award for his passionate work for Executive Officer the Hon. Ryan Smith MP, presented wetland birds, and for his achievements Victorian Coastal Council 10 awards to individuals, groups

Winners of the 2012 Victorian Coastal Awards for Excellence with the Hon. Ryan Smith MP. Photo: Jim Lee Photo

Coastline Winter 2012 2 Celebrating coastal champions continued

2012 Victorian Coastal Awards for Excellence

Category Nominee Name of nomination

Coastal Building and Design

Finalist Great Ocean Road Coast Committee Third Wave Kiosk

Finalist City of Port Phillip Middle Park Beach Landscape Upgrade

Winner Coastal Building and Design – Frankston City Council with partners Jackson Keast Park Community Pavilion Community Facility Clements Burrows Pty Ltd Architects and Site- Office Landscape Architecture

Winner Coastal Building and Design – Peter Elliott Architect in conjunction with Vic Barwon Heads Bridge and William Buckley Major Infrastructure Roads Bridge

Finalist Bayside City Council The Bayside Coastal Trail

Community Action and Partnerships

Finalist Central Coastal Board Western Port Welcomes Water Birds

Winner Community Action and Partnerships – Bellarine Catchment Network, Swan Bay Narrows Coastal Moonah Woodland Coastal Restoration Environment Association & Borough of Community Involvement Project Queenscliffe

Finalist Peek Whurrong Coastcare Basin Midden Protection Project

Finalist Western Port Ramsar Protection Steering Western Port Ramsar Protection Project Committee

Winner Community Action and Partnerships – Western Port Biosphere Foundation Watson Creek Integrated Coastal Management Integrated Catchment Management Project

Education

Finalist Parks Victoria EnviroActiv

Finalist Department of Sustainability and Environment Gippsland Indigenous Trainee Program

Finalist Birdlife Australia Beach Nesting Bird Education Program

Winner Victorian National Parks Association’s Reef Reef Watch Victoria Watch Program in partnership with Museum Victoria

Finalist Fisheries Victoria Water Safety Education Day

Finalist Bunurong Coast Education Bunurong Coast Education Program

Natural Environment

Winner Phillip Island Nature Parks Fox Free Phillip Island

Coastal Planning and Management

Finalist Bass Coast Shire Strategic Planning Using LiDAR

Finalist Department of Sustainability and Environment Statewide Marine Environmental Asset Map

Winner City of Port Phillip Port Phillip Foreshore Management Plan

Outstanding Individual Achievement

Winner – Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Bernie McCarrick

Winner – Outstanding Volunteer Achievement Rosemary Birney

Victorian Marine Science Consortium – Postgraduate Award

Winner Michael Sievers

Runner-up Will Mulvaney

Coastline Winter 2012 3 Saltmarshes uncovered

The Corner Inlet and Nooramunga Marine and Walking along the boardwalk, Paul and Susan identified plant species that live in saltmarsh ecosystems and discussed Coastal Parks are internationally recognised the importance of the Corner Inlet Ramsar sites and their as significant coastal wetlands that contain connection to a wide range of resident and migratory bird the most extensive areas of intertidal mudflats species. Parks Victoria Ranger Gerard Delaney spoke about the fragile coastal vegetation, erosion and beach access. in Victoria. Nooramunga covers a complex area of approximately 30,000 ha that includes “The Saltmarshes Uncovered experience gave us the opportunity to provide the local community with a clearer the coast between Port Welshpool and understanding of the amazing work that is being done to McLoughlins Beach, adjoining Ninety Mile protect the health of Corner Inlet and Nooramunga,” said Beach. Michelle Dickson from the WGCMA. Note: Dr Paul Boon and a team of scientists have recently Through the Corner Inlet Connections partnership, the West completed the first statewide assessment of wetlands that Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA) fringe the coast of Victoria. Their comprehensive study and Yarram Yarram Landcare Network have been working examines the diversity of wetland types and plant communities, closely with landowners to protect coastal saltmarsh in the and provides analysis of the ecological condition and major Nooramunga area. threats to Victorian coastal wetlands. The report recommends Almost 600 ha of coastal saltmarsh on freehold farm land has the “reservation or purchase of environmental land to been fenced and protected from stock in a three-year project support the inland retreat of mangroves and saltmarshes”. funded through the Australian government’s Caring for Our It also includes the first fine-scale mapping of all current Country program. mangroves and saltmarshes in Victoria. The entire report can be downloaded as a series of smaller PDFs (1–2 Mb) from the A Saltmarshes Uncovered field day was held at McLoughlins webpage of Victoria University at www.vu.edu.au/institute-for- Beach over summer to highlight the project and reinforce the sustainability-and-innovation-isi/publications. importance of protecting coastal saltmarshes and wetlands. Guest speakers included leading expert Dr Paul Boon from Samantha Monks Victoria University and Susan Taylor from the Department of Project Officer Sustainability and Environment. Yarram Yarram Landcare Network

Saltmarsh project site near McLoughlins Beach, showing original stock fence. Dr Paul Boon (Victoria University) at McLoughlins Beach “Saltmarshes Uncovered” field day.

Coastline Winter 2012 4 We’re all MAD for the Merri

The Merri Marine Sanctuary is a unique and stated that he’d “like to encourage people to snorkel there”. Dr Daniel Lerodiaconou of Deakin University screened his diverse area, with habitats that include rocky spectacular diving footage, which highlighted the amazing life platforms, intertidal zones, sands and kelp thriving under the waves. forests. The Merri River’s seaside sanctuary is Gerry emphasised that the upstream catchments would an area of state significance. eventually impact on the marine sanctuary. “The efforts of many landholders and Landcare and Coastcare groups have been One balmy night in March, Deakin University’s Professor Gerry positive,” he said. Quinn led a Making a Difference (MAD) for the Merri tour of the sanctuary. The tour aimed to enlighten the community about Many landholders have already done some great conservation the sanctuary’s unique features as a marine and estuarine works, planting trees and fencing buffers to reduce potential environment. Gerry said it was very unusual to have a river nutrient run-off. Hopefully, this will encourage everyone to think opening directly onto rocky reefs. a little more about how water quality affects the sanctuary habitat. The sanctuary is managed by Parks Victoria, with the MAD for the Merri Committee lending support to the entire catchment. MAD for the Merri attracted over 50 people to the session. In the past there was a Friends of the Merri Marine Sanctuary There are plans to hold a similar event in the near future. Group but in recent years this group has not been operating Ben Hammond from Parks Victoria encouraged anyone who due to lack of community support. was interested in joining a revitalised Friends group to contact The tour and information session were organised by the MAD him at Parks Victoria. for the Merri Committee to promote the sanctuary‘s natural Karen Wales beauty, not only above the water but also below the sea. Gerry MAD for the Merri Committee

Contacts MAD for the Merri – Karen Wales 5559 4435 Parks Victoria – Ben Hammond 5561 9971

Participants admire the Merri Marine Sanctuary

Coastline Winter 2012 5 Good news for estuary health

Victoria’s coastline is unique, diverse and Luckily, help is close at hand. The recent launch of Interpreting Estuary Health Data, Estuary Watch Victoria has been prepared beautiful – not unlike the wonderful volunteers to assist estuary watchers, estuary managers and the general who help look after it. One of its most distinctive public to understand and interpret the data collected through features is its 95 estuaries, where seawater the Estuary Watch program. mixes with freshwater flowing from the land. Interpreting Estuary Health Data, Estuary Watch Victoria opens up a whole new world from which estuary watchers and estuary The Estuary Watch Victoria program has operated for six years. managers can work towards a better understanding of our Its 90 active community-based volunteers involved in the estuaries and make informed management decisions. This is monitoring program collect scientific data on their local estuary good news for the health of Victoria’s estuaries. each month. These data are so useful. Numerous estuary managers, including local government, catchment management Interpreting Estuary Health Data, Estuary Watch Victoria is at authorities, water authorities and state government agencies, http://doiop.com/EstuaryWatch/interp use these well-regarded data to make important estuary For further information contact the Corangamite CMA management decisions. EstuaryWatch Team on 5232 9100. Estuary Watch data gathered on the Barwon River estuary Kate Wynn earlier this year were pivotal in helping managers identify and Estuary Watch Coordinator understand a blue-green algal bloom. Corangamite Catchment Management Authority Unfortunately, a problem faced by estuary watchers and estuary managers is the difficulty of converting raw scientific monitoring data into information about an estuary. This can be very tricky, unless, of course, you have a PhD in estuary science, and let’s face it, not many people do.

Laurence, Barwon River Estuary Watcher and Rose, Corangamite CMA Estuary Watch Coordinator, conducting an Estuary Watch monitoring event in response to the blue-green algae bloom on the Barwon River Estuary. Photo: Corangamite CMA

Coastline Winter 2012 6 Fishcare round-up: Volunteers still busy caring

Since December 2011, busy volunteers from species. The winner this year was an 11 year old, who was able five regional Fishcare groups have attended to haul in a 7.3 kg fish that was almost as big as he was. many educational and community events Closer to Melbourne, the Mornington Westernport group was busy at the March regional The Briar’s Schools Environment across Victoria. Week and a number of activities at Portsea Children’s Camp. Students had an opportunity to learn the basics of fishing and Fishcare’s objectives of promoting responsible fishing catch limits, as well as the consequences of litter and poor techniques and raising awareness of sustainable and healthy water quality on aquatic ecosystems. Dedicated volunteers fisheries means you will meet dedicated volunteers at schools, from the Melbourne group regularly provide disability groups environmental awareness-raising events, family fishing and with opportunities to fish at a number of locations around Port community health events, or when you get involved in habitat Phillip Bay. restoration programs. Fishcare is also an important partner in delivering the Summer by the Sea program on the Mornington As with many volunteer-based programs, the need for ongoing Peninsula and in East Gippsland. support for the program has been critical to enabling the organisation to meet its targets. In January a state coordinator, The Southwest group, based in Warrnambool, the Mornington assisted by DPI Fisheries Victoria, was appointed to provide Western Port and Melbourne groups have been involved additional administrative and governance support. in a trial program, conducted by Zoos Victoria, of installing fishing tackle waste bins to prevent this material from entering Fishcare has strong connections with regional land waterways. Seal the Loop bins have been placed around the management agencies and volunteer groups, tertiary Glenelg Hopkins River, as well as at locations around Port institutions and schools, the community health sector, local Phillip Bay. A number of Fishcare volunteers maintain the bins in government and angling clubs. These organisations create these areas. important links for program delivery and development, something that the coordinator, Sam Strong, is keen to build Members from the Central Highlands group recently attended on for Fishcare’s future. the Men’s Day Out festival at Geelong organised by Barwon Health. The event promoted healthy lifestyle choices and Volunteering is seen as an important mechanism for raising the health services. Fishcare was invited to provide a fishing profile of environmental programs. Fishcare volunteers share activity at Geelong’s scenic foreshore. This event was popular knowledge and provide opportunities for the public to actively with families, who tried their hand at casting and obtained contribute to their community, whether that be at the local recreational fishing information from the display trailer. beach or river, or reaching out to others who don’t normally experience such activities. In February, equally keen East Gippsland volunteers provided fishing clinics for Lake Tyers Year 7 students. Fishcare has been While Fishcare has ongoing commitments to deliver community providing these clinics at Camp Nagle for a number of years. education programs, there are many other ways volunteers can Another event, this one prepared by Facilitator Jenny Allitt, is contribute to the organisation, even if they aren’t anglers. the 10th Catch a Carp Day, which was held on Mitchell River Fishcare is currently planning new program opportunities and at Bairnsdale on 22 April. This family-friendly good-hearted ways to attract new volunteers. For all enquiries, please contact competition raises public awareness of the impacts of noxious Sam Strong 0409 625 770. species on the aquatic environment. There were 84 kilos of fish caught, which were collected for processing by a local business Samantha Strong that educates the public on the impacts of and uses for this Fishcare Victoria

Angus and Dad at Summer by the Sea Fishy Business event, 2012. Family fun ‘Summer by the Sea’ at Lakes Entrance 2012. Photo: Jenny Allitt

Coastline Winter 2012 7 How to make Sea Hares sexy

The Barwon Heads Bluff dominates the mouth of the Barwon River, where it affords a spectacular sweeping vista along the coast from the Port Phillip heads to Cape Otway far to the west. Bass Strait has thrashed the Bluff for eons, the Wathaurong lived there for 10,000 years, William Buckley hung around there for 30 years prior to Victoria existing as a state, and generations of campers have holidayed, fished and generally assailed the area. Today, the Bluff hosts a changing population of visitors who walk, photograph, cycle, jog and baby pusher orienteer. Everyone loves the view. Convincing people of how wonderful the view is has never been a problem. Since 1994, the challenge for Friends of the Bluff (FoB) has been how to convince people to understand and love the myriad intrinsically ugly and under-appreciated plants and animals that call the Bluff home. Sea Hares The Bluff, with its crumbling rock, pounding ocean, salt-laden winds, hot summers and shifting sands, is a tough place to are dull, stunted and thistly; sea hares are, well, a large marine live. To survive amid the basalt rubble or to grow in a sand-filled slug and while we don’t actually know what is under a limpet crevice half way up a cliff requires adaptation and specialisation. shell we are convinced it is ugly. Sadly, the evolutionary payback for surviving this harsh coastal environment is a compromise on beauty – coast dune thistles Against the pressures of a rapidly growing population with shifting attitudes, Friends of the Bluff have constantly adapted and specialised the methods by which they prove that sea hares are sexy, that dune thistles are beautiful and that static limpets are Tasselled anglerfish indeed fascinating. There still exists a photocopied A4 sheet from 1994 that constitutes the first FoB newsletter. It contains news of On the beach, during the South Gippsland Coastal upcoming events, an awkward attempt to espouse the virtues of Ecology workshop in April, local volunteer Rod Webster the vegetation, with bad graphics and smudged drawings. The came across a fish that had been freshly washed up. Parks digital age enabled FoB to create the Living on the Edge website Victoria’s Mark Rodrigue (program leader, marine and in 2004. This award-winning, cutting-edge program combined coastal programs), who happened to be present, was able seductive images, passionate interpretation, curriculum-based to identify it as a tasselled anglerfish. Mark explained that activities for schools, historical and cultural information, as well as while these fish are not uncommon, they just aren’t seen positive conservation and behaviour messages. FoB distributed very often because, being well camouflaged, the species more than 10,000 of the accompanying CD-ROM to schools, is very hard to see when it remains motionless among community groups and the public. sponges and algae. Since 2005, FoB has published three glossy field guides to the Protruding from its head is an appendage like a small plants, birds and marine life of the Bluff, again combining great fishing rod with what looks like a worm hanging from it, photographs, crisp graphics and precise, relevant messages. which attracts prey, just as an angler’s lure does. The fish Over 25,000 booklets and companion postcards have been sits on the bottom and waits for prey to be attracted. The distributed through schools, cafes, festivals and other events. fine, backwards-angled teeth ensure that once caught, the This year, FoB is producing an App for smartphones and prey cannot back out computer tablets. By embracing this new technology we can Bruce Atkin create innovative connections to the Bluff, develop exciting Coastcare Facilitator, Gippsland activities that support school programs, create virtual rockpool rambles and build upon our previous education resources. While future technologies can help inform, educate, empower and perhaps even inspire people to inspire others, they will never replace a passionate human voice. FoB will always seek ways to get people up close and personal with the extraordinary life of their coast, be it through walks, talks, slide shows, mudflat meanders, seminars, festivals or just a card table at the local market. Sea hares are sexy. We just need to keep reminding people, that’s all. Jon Duthie Friends of the Bluff

Coastline Winter 2012 8 Tasselled anglerfish Winter on the Bunurong Coast

The Bunurong Environment Centre at Inverloch is set to offer more of its popular holiday activities over the coming winter.

After a very busy summer of rockpooling, dinosaur digging, night spotlights and wetland activities, the July school holidays will offer involvement for visitors of all ages. Visits to the dinosaur dig will again be running, as will rockpool exploration activities along the Bunurong coast. Whale sightings are starting to occur at that time as well, so bring your binoculars. Booking details at www.sgcs.org.au/ edu_materials/July%20Holiday%20 program%202012.pdf, or phone 56743738 for further information. Mike Cleeland Bunurong Environment Centre Pumping out The Hole – the Inverloch Dinosaur Dig in operation.

Cape Barren goose (Cereopsis novaehollandiae)

The Smiths Beachcomber Association reports frequent sightings of Cape Barren geese on Phillip Island over summer. The geese inhabit coastal areas and offshore islands of northeast Tasmania and other parts of southeast Australia; a small subspecies can be found on the south coast of Western Australia. Early European explorers named a group of these locations the Goose Islands because of the large numbers of these birds found there. But due to over-hunting the Cape Barren goose came very near to extinction. Careful protection in more recent years has resulted in the recovery of a stable population of one of the world’s rarest geese species. Cape Barren geese are terrestrial and are found in open grassland or areas dominated by tussocks and low shrubs, where they feed on different grasses and other plant material. Nesting is usually on the ground or among bushes; egg incubation takes about 35 days. Parents fiercely defend the nest and their goslings, which can fly about 70 days after hatching. It is uncertain whether Cape Barren geese seen in New Zealand are natural visitors or feral. While they are usually seen in small groups, groups of up to several hundred have also been observed. It is not certain whether the Cape Barren goose belongs to the true geese or the shelduck subfamily. Bones of a now extinct flightless bird, very similar to those of the Cape Barren goose, were discovered in New Zealand; it was – initially, but incorrectly – named the New Zealand Cape Barren goose. Denis Cox Coastcare Facilitator – Mornington Peninsula and Cape Barren goose and chick. Westernport

Coastline Winter 2012 9 Barwon Heads Festival of the Sea

Each year the arts group for This year the title was “Marine Debris – hideous thing the sculptor found on the Clean It Up”. Well, that just seemed like beach. the Barwon Heads Festival of a pile of rubbish, but it was wonderful to The exhibition was colourful and the Sea gives mini canvases see how the artists dealt with the subject. fascinating to all who came along. People One beautiful little seascape made the to those artists who want to who attended but were not artists were foam of the waves out of plastic. paint. They also erect poles for able to be involved by voting in the those sculptors who take part Because the sculptors used every kind People’s Choice for their favourite pole. of marine debris imaginable, they did a Children were involved this year too. to hang their work from. marvellous job of cleaning up the beach. Those from Years 5 and 6 at the Barwon They were given an old television antenna Heads Primary School were given mini Artists are encouraged to paint a sea to start their work, and from that we canvases, from which they formed two theme and, if they like, the theme of Sea ended up with jellyfish, a sea dragon, panels made up of 90 paintings. Week. The 3D artists – the sculptors – are a Pacific gull, a kelp model dressed expected to follow the Sea Week theme. in debris, a weaving made of washed We are wondering what the Sea Week Over the years this event has been great up ropes, a fish with poetry and more, theme will be next year. fun for the artists and sculptors. including one conglomeration of every Julie Shaw

Barwon Heads Festival of the Sea 2012 Photos: Patsy Bush, Festival of the Sea Arts Committee BirdLife East Gippsland adopts the Gippsland Lakes IBA

Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are sites that are recognised as being globally important for bird conservation and known to support key bird species.

In Australia, to date, 314 sites have been identified as among the most important for birds on this planet. The Gippsland Lakes IBA (GLIBA) has the same boundaries as the Gippsland Lakes Ramsar site and is the largest system of barrier lakes in Australia. It encompasses a range of wetland habitats, from freshwater swamps to saline lakes and hypersaline marshes. The lakes are recognised as an IBA because they regularly support globally significant populations of black swans, chestnut Birdlife East Gippsland members survey and record teal, musk duck and fairy tern (all trigger species for recognition key species at Lake Victoria, Gippsland Lakes IBA. Photo: Ian Wright by the IBA), as well as significant populations of many other Gippsland Lakes IBA program coordinator Chris Healey said, wetland species. “This will be a long-term monitoring program of the diversity and abundance of key waterbird species. Survey methods and In November 2011, volunteer birding group BirdLife East observation sites have been chosen to ensure that records Gippsland began regular monitoring of the key waterbird species will be comparable over time, even when different observers of black swans, chestnut teal and musk duck; the diversity and participate. As well as charting the fortunes of wetland bird abundance of other wetland-dependent species is also being communities, our surveys should add another dimension recorded. (The Department of Sustainability and Environment to measures of the ecological health of these internationally will continue with its established fairy tern monitoring program.) significant wetlands.” GLIBA surveys will be conducted simultaneously (to avoid double counting of birds) at several sites across the Lakes at Merryl Wright least twice a year, with teams of two to three observers at each Publicity Officer, BirdLife East Gippsland location.

Coastline Winter 2012 10 Cameras capture rare animal on coast

The sighting of a southern brown bandicoot on Victoria’s Surf often [otherwise] unobtainable,” James said. “That information Coast has raised hopes that conservation efforts in the region becomes crucial for how we manage the area to preserve the are protecting this threatened species. habitat and protect the native animals.” The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) The initiative is part of the Corangamite CMA’s federally funded identified this rare bandicoot using remote sensor cameras CoastalTender program, which funds land managers to placed on private properties between Anglesea and Aireys Inlet. undertake conservation activities to protect coastal biodiversity through its Caring for Our Country program. In the most The organisation works with land managers along the recent round of the program, the Corangamite CMA received Corangamite coast to protect critical habitats. The cameras are expressions of interest from 43 coastal land managers, of which also helping guide management of the area. 18 were successful through the tender. This equated to $1.81 Corangamite CMA coastal projects coordinator James Hattam million offered in five-year agreements, totalling nearly 600 said that knowing what animals are occupying coastal habitats hectares of native habitat protection across 37 sites. across the region helped land managers understand the Project sites are scattered throughout Corangamite’s coast, region’s biodiversity and assist management into the future. from Hovells Creek north of Geelong, along the Bellarine He also said that the bandicoot sighting was encouraging Peninsula, the Surf Coast, and from the Otway Coast to and hoped further sightings would give an indication of their Peterborough in the catchment’s west. prevalence along the coast. James said that successful sites had a diverse range of “Locals thought the southern brown bandicoot did live here; coastal vegetation types. “There was a particular emphasis the camera has now confirmed that, so it’s quite exciting and on high conservation value communities, including coastal encouraging to photograph one on private property,” he said. moonah woodlands, coastal dune and headland communities A short film about the Corangamite CMA’s use of sensor and coastal saltmarsh. Management activities will focus on cameras is featured on the organisation’s YouTube site at the control of high threat weed species, pest animals and www.youtube.com/user/corangamitecma. Cameras are placed supplementary planting with indigenous species to enhance the on trees at designated sites along the coast. When an animal ecological value of these sites over a five-year period.” moves in front of the device a sensor triggers a photograph. Rachel Rodger So far, cameras have been set up at CoastalTender sites at Corangamite Catchment Management Authority Anglesea, Torquay and Barwon Heads. Images captured include wallabies, quails, bush rats, kangaroos, feral cats and foxes. Cameras have also been used to assist the Barwon Coast Fox photographed Committee of Management with its fox-baiting program in with Corangamite CMA’s remote sensor dunes at Barwon Heads. cameras “We can put the cameras out for an extended period to gain The Surf Coast a greater understanding of what’s there, information that is (below).

(photos: James Hattam) Southern Brown Bandicoot

Coastline Winter 2012 11 Volunteers clean RAMSAR shoreline – Kirks Point, March 2012

Parks Victoria together with the Australia Migrant Education Services (AMES) has recently undertaken community events to clean up the Ramsar shoreline at Kirks Point.

Kirks Point is located on the western side of Port Phillip and forms part of the Port Phillip Bay Western Shoreline and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar Site. Access is via Beach Road, Avalon which is mostly sealed road leading directly to a council maintained boat launching facility. However, isolation can sometimes be detrimental with rubbish disposal an ongoing problem at Kirks Point. The object of the events is to engage the community and highlight the importance of Ramsar values through awareness and interpretation. The site is used regularly by boaters and anglers, but not the Shoreline cleanup at Kirks Point. most ideal place for recreational beach activities, due to the shoreline being a combination of basalt rock with small patches The shoreline cleanup work performed by AMES and Parks of sandy beach. It provides excellent roosting and feeding Victoria provides a huge boost to the task of caring for the opportunities for both endemic and international migratory Ramsar site and the marine environment. It makes such a shorebirds and also a great location for bird watching. The difference to have dedicated people helping preserve and vegetation consists of coastal saltmarsh species; Sarcocornia, maintain the Ramsar sites natural beauty. Saueda, Frankenia, Juncus and Distichlis with coastal saltbush Parks Victoria really appreciates the contribution the volunteers Atriplex being dominant along the shoreline fringe. make, and their generous donations of time and effort helps us The partnership with AMES enables new residents to Australia make the Ramsar Western Shoreline a clean environment for to appreciate some of the natural values and participate in native and migratory fauna and a great place to visit. As a result activities that benefit these values. With some of the participants of the cleanup approximately 10 cubic metres of rubbish was being new arrivals to Australia, they could relate to the way in removed. which birds migrate from one country to another. The successful delivery of programs such as this has enabled The community days began with a tour of Point Cook Coastal Caring for Our Country funding to be secured until 2013. This Park and Cheetham Wetlands Ramsar site before getting their will enable further engagement with local communities to help hands dirty at Kirks Point. A bob cat and truck were on hand protect flora and fauna in this internationally significant wetland. to assist participants with the removal of heavy materials. The For more information, contact the Parks Victoria Information truck filled quickly with rubbish, identifying the benefit of people Centre on 13 1963 or visit www.parks.vic.gov.au numbers when doing this type of activity. One of the challenges in organising such events is weather. Unfortunately, day one Stephen W Tuohy wasn’t that favourable, but despite the conditions we still Ramsar Project Officer – Geelong managed to remove a significant amount of litter.

Australian Migrant Education Services (AMES) volunteers at Kirks Point.

Coastline Winter 2012 12 Regional Updates

East Gippsland locations. The trailer will be equipped with lots of storage space, display boards, a television and DVD facilities. The mild autumn in East Gippsland has provided us with the opportunity to hold this year’s Care Groups Day in what can only Bruce Atkin be described as spectacular weather. The event, which is held Coastcare Facilitator, South Gippsland annually, is open to all volunteers associated with Coastcare, Landcare, Fishcare and Waterwatch. Mornington Peninsula and Western Port This year’s event was held in two parts, the first part being a field Mornington Environment Association reports that its recent trip along the Mitchell River. During the field trip participants were Coastcare grant project, which links Mills Beach to Tanti Creek treated to a variety of presentations, all centred around the health with weed removal and restoration, is well underway and that and management of the Mitchell River. Topics included carp the area looks vastly improved after only a few days work. biology and management options, re-snagging on reaches of the river by East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority to Balcombe Estuary Rehabilitation Group will train a small group provide habitat for native fish, and presentations of projects that of ambassadors to speak to community groups and other have been and are currently being undertaken by Landcare and community organisations to assist in creating a larger and more school groups along stretches of the river. diverse membership to draw on, and to help increase its public profile and activities in the Balcombe Estuary Reserves (more The second part of the day was a wonderful dinner held at the information is at www.berg.org.au/resources/publications ). Bairnsdale RSL and a presentation made by the very charismatic Useful Inc. CEO Tim Kenworthy. Useful Inc. is a Perth-based Coastcare joined Parks Victoria, the Royal Botanic Gardens not for profit organisation that is focused on youth involvement and community groups, including Fishcare and Friends of in volunteering. Tim provided a unique perspective on effective the Hooded Plover, at the Schools Environment Week at the ways to engage youth in volunteer organisations and events. Briars, Mornington. Information was provided to hundreds of Guests were also given the opportunity to discuss specifics with school children, and contacts of Mornington Peninsula coastal Tim, who was more than happy to offer advice. community groups were provided to teachers and parents wanting to organise excursions and join working bees with All who attended this year’s Care Groups Day gained great value these groups. from the event, whether in the form of new skills that they can put into practice or by being inspired and reinvigorated. The Friends of Chinamans Creek has been working on the Capel Sound foreshore with Naranga Special School students All those interested in finding out more about Useful Inc. can visit to weed and clean up the foreshore. www.useful.org.au. Somers foreshore recently benefitted from the assistance Jeremy Neilson, of Berwick VCAL students and Clean Oceans-sponsored Coastcare Facilitator, East Gippsland trainees who have been helping the volunteer committee with step repairs near their carpark, extensive weed removal, and indigenous tree and shrub plantings. South Gippsland Crib Point committee has organised the conservation volunteers The fourth annual Coastal Ecology and Management Workshop to assist with the further indigenous species plantings on the was held on 28 and 29 April at the Cape Paterson Surf foreshore reserve. Lifesaving Clubhouse. These workshops aim to enhance On Phillip Island, the volunteer-run Barb Martin Bush Bank has a volunteers’ knowledge and, importantly, to reward them for good supply of local indigenous plants available for community their great contribution to coastal management. Forty-five coastal planting. While autumn is the best time for planting participants were treated to a variety of guest presenters on the coast, early winter still leaves enough time before the indoors. Later, the presentations were complemented by field hot, drying summer weather arrives. Frosts are rare here, so activities on the spectacular rock platforms. seedlings can become firmly established. Guests were presented with a packed program that gave Smiths Beach Association (Phillip Island) has been active them an overview of southern Australia’s unique marine life planting grasses, shrubs and trees to improve shearwater and insights into all things coastal – geology, fauna, weeds, (mutton bird) colonies and help control erosion. It also ran a revegetation and education. Meet the Neighbours membership drive over Easter, at which Coastal community groups are gearing up for upcoming members handed out information, plants and chocolate eggs. revegetation projects. The Friends of Venus Bay and Three As a result, SBA (PI) gained 10 new members. Creeks Landcare groups at Kilcunda will hold planting days on It is 10 years since the commemoration at Corinella of the 29 July, which is National Tree Day. French ship Le Naturaliste landing at Western Port on the Coming soon to South Gippsland will be a Landcare/Coastcare southern coast of New Holland, and 210 years since Île de education trailer, which will be used by both organisations Françoise, or French Island, was named. to deliver education and interpretive programs at outdoor

Coastline Winter 2012 13 Regional updates continued

Coastcare recently organised a forum at Parks Victoria Committee (GORCC) to produce a short film about the Coolart Homestead, Somers. It was attended by over 40 keen sanctuary and the friends group, which will include underwater members of coastal volunteer groups. The forum focused on footage. The film will soon be available on the GORCC website how best to manage land for bird life. Attendees benefitted from and there will be a QR bar code on interpretive signage above informative presentations made by wildlife ecologist Malcolm the marine sanctuary. Passersby can take a photo of the bar Legg and Bird Life Australia’s Neil Shelley. Parks Victoria Ranger code with their smart phone and instantly view the footage. Brian Thomas, from whose extensive local knowledge the group Several groups banded together to have a strong presence also benefited, took the group to look at birds in the area. It was at the Ripcurl Bells Pro 2012. Thanks to Jeremy (Coastcare a great time for community members to catch up and share Facilitator, far east) for the use of their Coastcare trailer, which their stories. provided a bright, attractive and engaging setting for our Surf Denis Cox Coast volunteer groups, including Jan Juc Coast Action, Coastcare Facilitator – Mornington Peninsula and Torquay Coast Action, Friends of Point Addis Marine National Westernport Park, SANE, Boardrider Foundation, Plastic Bag Free Torquay and Parks Victoria. Thanks also to the organisers of the event for hosting us and providing volunteer access to the event. Port Phillip Well done to all those groups who managed to make a This year the Kananook Creek Association Inc. (KCA) Community submission to the most recent Coastcare Community Grants Celebration Day festivities coincided with the Ironman event round. Your ongoing volunteer commitment to delivering results in Frankston. From all accounts both events were resounding within the confines of the grant criteria is unwavering and successes, each featuring canoeing, wetlands walk, duck inspirational. The diversity of applications makes for exciting race, music and good will. Congratulations to KCA and all the work for a Coastcare facilitator. volunteers for a fantastic effort of protection and enjoyment of the Last update I mentioned an event on the Surf Coast that would Port Phillip coastal environment for the general public. attempt to address the challenge of succession and volunteer For 60 years, Adult Multicultural Education Services (AMES) recruitment for coastal volunteer groups. This event was held has helped new and recently arrived refugees and immigrants in mid June and a report will be issued in the Spring edition of to settle in Victoria. AMES offers much more than just teaching Coastline. English – they not only work with new arrivals but also with the Unfortunately, this is the last update I will be providing Coastline community, business and government to develop sustainable for the Surf Coast and Otways. It’s been a pleasure working and effective settlement solutions for the whole Victorian with all of the coastal volunteers of the Surf Coast and Otways. community. Coastcare is again happy to support a student Your passion for preserving or reinstating the integrity of our from AMES with a work experience opportunity in public land natural landscapes, your commitment and community spirit management at the Port Phillip office at Box Hill. are the reasons I live and work in the Otways. Many friendships Phillip Wierzbowski have been made and I’m sure they will continue. Thank you for inviting me into your community groups and working with Coastcare Facilitator – Port Phillip me in the role of Coastcare facilitator. Thank you also to our statewide facilitators and state coordinators for your support and friendship. Bye for now. Surf Coast and Otways Andrew Gray You may have noticed plenty of smoke around the state over Coastcare Facilitator – Surf Coast and Otways the last couple of months. It comes from DSE’s continued planned burning program. Thank you to coastal volunteer groups for your patience during this period. Far Southwest Coastal volunteer groups have been getting on with working Winter is here and for the southwest that means whales. It bees in areas such as Bells Beach Surfing Recreation Reserve, also means all systems go for local community groups. There Jan Juc foreshore, Anglesea foreshore, Stony Creek and are so many great projects happening at the moment: among Queens Park, Lorne, Point Addis, Aireys Reserve, Wye River, others, Heytesbury District Landcare Network is working on the and so forth. Surfers Appreciating the Natural Environment eradication of arum lilies and the Warrnambool Mountain Bike (SANE) is kicking along with a Coastcare Trust-funded project Club continues their weed battle at the Thunder Point Reserve. that involves interpretive art of Bells Beach displayed at the Surf World Museum, Torquay. The project also includes the Congratulations to Peek Whurrong Coastcare, finalists in this production of an educative DVD for use by tour buses and year’s Victoria Coastal Awards. The work that this group has school groups, potentially minimising the need for interpretive done to protect culturally significant middens at The Basin, signage at the Bells Reserve. Killarney, has been amazing; it’s great that their work has been acknowledged. Special thanks must go to Ailsa Morris of Parks Friends of Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary have been working Victoria, who helped drive this program. with Parks Victoria and the Great Ocean Road Coast

Coastline Winter 2012 14 Regional updates continued

Nelson Coastcare Group has just wrapped up a hectic year Geelong and Bellarine of works, including large-scale weed removal on coastal roadsides, monitoring terns and other birds on Lake Livingston, Coastal volunteers – you are awesome water monitoring in Long Swamp, design and installation What drives people to be coastal volunteers? Is it a passion of signs, reveg works, pest control and hosting a Ramsar for the coast? A yearning to see a special patch protected? Is information workshop, all while squeezing in first aid courses, it a desire to interact with others who share their passion? A OH&S training and other workshops. And, they are geared up way to gain experience and add a bit of jazz to the resumé? to do it all again. Congratulations to Nelson on all that they have Or is it simply an opportunity to get outside and give a bit achieved during their short existence as a group and in such a back to Mother Nature? small community. Whatever it is that motivates our volunteers to give to the coast, To date, the Seal the Loop project has produced approximately my time as a Coastcare facilitator has led me to appreciate how a basketball-sized amount of nylon from the far southwest. valuable they are. I have been continuously awe-struck by the It’s great to think that the program has saved all this line from altruism and dedication demonstrated by individuals as they entering our waterways and coastal environments where it conduct an array of activities across the Bellarine. Whether it’s causes harm to marine life. This is a great project, so hopefully, regular working bees, participation at Festival of the Sea (a huge all those who fish will get behind it. success again this year), coordinating and running the Barwon Don’t forget National Tree Day. To be held on Sunday, 29 July, Heads Lobster Pot, organising nipper education sessions, it’s sneaking up on us. Make sure you pick out your sites and film education nights, telling local stories, sharing knowledge register them on the National Tree Day website at at community seminars, nominating co-volunteers for well- www.treeday.planetark.org. At the website, you can also see deserved awards – all of these contributions have been noted, where an event near you is being held. and they are all awesome. Another great event, coming up in August, is the Ralph Illidge Around our coast, so much work goes on behind the scenes Sanctuary Weeds Workshop, at which there will be a variety and it can’t be measured in terms of hours, hectares or even of speakers to discuss issues such as roadside weeds, who is money. It is measured in the joy people derive from being responsible for them, garden escapees and treatment options. coastal volunteers – no matter how much time is dedicated You will also get to partake in a tour of the beautiful sanctuary. or their reasons for contributing – and it is something that What could be better? Contact Kevin Sparrow from Ralph Illidge should never be taken for granted. To everyone I’ve crossed Sanctuary on 5562 6217 for further information and to RSVP. paths with since October, and the many other volunteers who I haven’t had the fortune to meet: thank you. This role has Finally, my thanks to all the community groups in the far been like going for a dive beneath the ocean’s surface – I’ve southwest who are doing so much amazing work on public land discovered many amazing, beautiful things and met some along the coast. Your passion and enthusiasm are infectious. truly special creatures. You all deserve the biggest gold star. Keep up the great work. With all this in mind, take some time to consider what others Kristyn Abbott do for the coast. If you don’t already volunteer, think about Environmental Planner what you can do, whether big or small, and the goodness Far Southwest you’ll get out of it. I can guarantee there’s an oceanload of goodness going around. Alex Sedger Environmental Planner, Geelong and Bellarine

Congratulations to all groups who have recently been awarded grants. Full lists available at: http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/conservation-and-environment/biodiversity/communities-for-nature-grant-program and http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/coasts-and-marine/coasts/coastcare/grants

Coastline Winter 2012 15 Coastcare Contacts

Coastcare State Coordinator Amanda Cornish Tel: 03 9637 8957 What’s on Email: [email protected]

Coastcare South West Victoria Email: [email protected] Bunurong Coast Education –

Coastcare Facilitator, Port Phillip July School Holiday Program (Inverloch) Phillip Wierzbowski Rock Pool Rambles Tel: 03 9296 4525 Email: [email protected] Sunday, 1 July, 2.00pm Thursday, 12 July, 11.30am Saturday, 14 July, 12.30am Coastcare Facilitator, Mornington Peninsula and Westernport Walking in the Steps of the Dinosaurs: Denis Cox Tel: 03 9296 4532 Sunday, 1 July, 1.00pm Email: [email protected] Thursday, 12 July, 11.00am Saturday, 14 July, 1.00pm Coastcare Facilitator, Gippsland For registrations phone 5674 3738. Bruce Atkin Tel: 03 5183 9116 Email: [email protected] National Tree Day Sunday, 29 July Visit our website For registrations visit www.treeday.planetark.org www.dse.vic.gov.au/coastcare or phone 1300 88 5000.

18th Australasian Weeds Conference – Developing Solutions to Evolving Weed Problems 8–11 October, 2012 For more information visit: www.18awc.com

Coastcare has a new Facebook page! “Like” our page to stay in touch and spread the word about Coastcare Victoria. Learn about projects, community events, opportunities and news from coastal Victoria at www.facebook.com/CoastcareVictoria.

To subscribe to Coastline via Email go to www.dse.vic.gov.au/coastcare and go to the Quick Link ‘Coastline Newsletters’.

Disclaimer

Published by the Victorian Government This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its Department of Sustainability and Environment Melbourne employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind June 2012 or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you © The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2012 relying on any information in this publication. This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process Accessibility except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. If you would like to receive this publication in an accessible format, Authorised by the Victorian Government, 8 Nicholson Street, East such as large print or audio, please telephone 136 186, Melbourne. or email [email protected] ISSN 1329-0835 (online) Deaf, hearing impaired or speech impaired? Call us via the National For more information contact the DSE Customer Service Centre Relay Service on 133 677 or visit www.relayservice.com.au 136 186

This document is also available in PDF format on the internet at www.dse.vic.gov.au Coastline Spring 2012

Issue 61 • ISSN 1329-0835 • Spring 2012

State coordinator’s message Contents Coastal Volunteer Celebration 2 Welcome to edition 61 of Coastline Become a Friend of the Surf Coast Walk 3 As we approach the warmer weather even more opportunities to get involved The Great Victoria Fish with coastal management works along Victoria’s coastline become available. Count 2012 4 Many groups who have received funding through the most recent round of Transforming a rat’s image 5 Coastcare Victoria Community Grants are now underway with their important Marine Protection and exciting projects. These grants are a joint funding initiative of the Company Citizen Days 6 Department of Sustainability and Environment and the federal government’s Natural Habitats and Cultural Caring for our Country Natural Resource Management Investment Plan. Landscapes of the Mornington Currently, there is a further round of funding available; applications are Peninsula 6 open until 14 September. Visit our website for further information, including Mapping Your Future, Part 1 7 guidelines and applications, at www.dse.vic.gov.au/coastcare Wonthaggi revegetation project 8 We are also gearing up for another bumper Summer by the Sea activities Protecting Our Fragile Wetlands 9 program in January 2013. This year we are delivering the program in What is Happening Upstream partnership with Parks Victoria, which provides a fabulous opportunity to of the Merri Marine Sanctuary? 10 involve a large number of participants in learning about our unique and Soils on the Mornington dynamic marine and coastal environments. To keep up to date with activities Peninsula Information Day 11 look out for our summer edition of Coastline and like our Summer by the Sea Wildlife Forum at Coolart page on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/summerbythesea Homestead 11 Coastcare Puts Tools in Volunteers’ Hands 12 Dr Amanda Cornish Watchout for Wildlife 12 Coastcare State Coordinator Regional Updates 13–14 Department of Sustainability and Environment Coastcare Contacts 15 Coastal Volunteer Celebration

Coastcare Facilitator Andy Gray and I speakers to make snappy presentations and the Environment (SANE), Friends of hosted a Coastal Volunteer Celebration that encourage maximum audience Point Addis, Friends of the Bluff, Ocean in June, which was a night of inspiration, engagement. Our PechaKucha victors, Grove Coastcare, Friends of Mud Island, music, food and fun. Sixty coastal Jon Duthie and Rhonda Coffey from Friends of Edwards Point, Friends of volunteers from groups on the Bellarine Friends of the Bluff, stole the show with a Pt Richards Flora and Fauna Reserve, and Surf Coast who attended The hilarious discourse on limpets that made Anglesea Coast Action, LorneCare, Surf Rider celebration at Torquay were these creatures sexy for conservation. Friends of Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary thanked for their amazing achievements and ANGAIR. The aim of the evening was for across the coast. volunteers to leave feeling inspired and Alex Sedger Guest speaker Arron Wood (2007 empowered, and, above all, to know that Department of Sustainability and Environmentalist of the Year) shared their efforts in protecting our coast are Environment incredible insights on his vast truly appreciated. environmental experiences. He gave The evening was a huge success, volunteers some fresh ideas for how to thanks to the diverse range of volunteers rejuvenate their groups and overcome from groups across the Bellarine and challenges. Surf Coast who attended. Groups Six groups battled it out in a PechaKucha included Jan Juc Coastcare, Torquay presentation to explain who they are Coast Action, Torquay Landcare Group, and what they do. PechaKucha – Surf Coast and Inland Plains Network Japanese for chatterbox – requires (SCIPN), Surfers Appreciating Nature

Arron Wood, Alex Sedger and Andrew Gray at the Coastal Volunteer celebration

Coastline Spring 2012 2 Become a Friend of the Surf Coast Walk

Plans are afoot to develop a continuous 44 visitor enjoyment of the walk. The redeveloped Surf Coast Walk kilometre coastal walk from Point Impossible to will offer a two- or three-day hike or a series of short walks. Fairhaven as part of a joint project between the While the redevelopment project has only just begun, there will be opportunities as it progresses for community involvement Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC), in the details of the design, track construction and vegetation Surf Coast Shire and other partners. rehabilitation. It is also hoped that, in the long term, volunteers will help to look after the track. Stage 1 works involve redevelopment and expansion of the current track between Jan Juc and Moggs Creek over the next A working group, comprising local residents and representatives two years. of government agencies, businesses and environmental and recreational groups, will continue to help GORCC manage the The final track will combine existing sections with newly project. constructed sections. Some sections will be open only to walkers, others to walkers and cyclists. If you would like more information about the project or would like to register your interest in volunteering, contact Project The existing track provides some inspiring walking and riding Manager Mike Bodsworth at GORCC on 5220 5028 or by email experiences, including wonderful coastal scenery and seasonal at [email protected]. treats such as whale watching in winter and wildflowers in spring. Additional directional signs, other information and Great Ocean Road Coast Committee improvements to some sections of the track will increase overall

Map of Surf Coast Walk

Coastline Spring 2012 3 The Great Victoria Fish Count 2012: Get those masks and fins ready

We are starting our fish count earlier this year. It the fish counters again this year. It doesn’t matter where you go, if you want to see a beautiful blue-throated wrasse you are will run from 24 November to 9 December. Each unlikely to strike any trouble. This fish seems to be everywhere year there are many great events in Victoria’s there are fish counters. Makes you wonder who is counting calendar, but only one of them involves a mask, whom. some fins and a fish ID slate. If you haven’t If you are worried about whether you will be able to identify the participated in the Great Victorian Fish Count fish we count, help is only a click away. Have a look at the video at www.fishcount.vnpa.org.au for some pointers. before, then why not have a go this year? This will be our eighth annual statewide census of Victoria’s The annual fish count is organised by the Victorian National Parks reef fish populations. What we hope, as we hope every year, is Association’s Reef Watch program, which is run in partnership to see healthy reefs full of abundant and different kinds of fish. with Museum Victoria. You can join hundreds of like-minded Let’s hope this will be the case in 2012. divers and snorkelers, and get to meet some of Victoria’s most To register for this year’s event and find out more information interesting, fun and iconic fish up close and personal. visit www.fishcount.vnpa.org.au If you’re at Popes Eye you might encounter the territorial Happy fish counting. scalyfin. Don’t try to pinch its seaweed or it will push you away. Blue gropers have been sighted at Barwon Bluff Marine Wendy Roberts Sanctuary for the past three years. As it is a fish that likes to Reef Watch Coordinator stay around home it should be there again to meet and greet

Blue-throated wrasse. Photo: Mark Norman Blue-throated wrasse. Photo: Julian Finn

Victorian scaly fin. Photo: Julian Finn Juvenile blue groper at the Bluff Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Mark Rodrigue

Coastline Spring 2012 4 Transforming a rat’s image

Utter the words ‘water rat’ and Unfortunately, the water rat is a very Earthcare, the St Kilda-based community low profile native animal; few people group, is fortunate to have a resident most people instantly groan know that it exists, let alone appreciate population of rakali that live along the with disgust as they conjure the role it plays in the environment. breakwater. St Kilda breakwater also up images of disease-ridden The first step in raising the water rat’s happens to be home to a colony of little profile and transforming its image was penguins that attract numerous local and sewer rodents. to use an alternative name, which, with international visitors each evening. This there being over 50 indigenous words provides us with an excellent opportunity Yet this description couldn’t be further for these animals, was not difficult to to educate the public about rakali, which from the truth when talking about the source. Rakali, the name selected by the are often considered the warm-up act for native water rat, Hydromys chrysogaster. Australian Nature Conservation Agency the penguins. Covered in a lustrous smooth coat, as the alternative to water rat, has been with webbed hind feet, small ears and The playful antics of these charismatic adopted nationwide. a white-tipped tail, the water rat is more rakali win over visitors in droves. Many akin to an otter or a ring-tailed possum The next step to informing the people leave the breakwater commenting than it is to a sewer rat. In fact, the fur community about these wonderful that the rakali were more interesting of the water rat is so beautifully thick animals is to show people the rakali in than the penguins. Now people go to and soft that, in the early 1900s, these its environment. Spotting rakali in the the breakwater just to see the rakali, a animals were hunted – almost to the wild is not always easy. What gives them successful image transformation, indeed. point of extinction – to supply the fur coat away is their white-tipped tail and the Tiana Preston trade. Luckily, fur went out of fashion distinctive V-shaped wave that trails Earthcare St Kilda Inc. and it became illegal to hunt water rats, behind them as they swim. Often, rakali so today we can still find them inhabiting are spotted on a feeding platform, where marine and freshwater environments they meticulously pull apart their prey around much of Australia. and leave behind middens.

A rakali on the St Kilda breakwater showing golden colouring on its belly. Photo: Andrew McCutcheon

Coastline Spring 2012 5 Marine Protection Company Citizen Days

To achieve the highest quality of coastal Surfrider Foundation, a national non-profit organisation, is committed to ensuring that the wider public is engaged in its experience requires the best management and goal of protecting waves and beaches. Surfrider engages with the widest community involvement. companies and their executives, helping them to learn to lead by serving as day volunteers on local foreshore projects. The Coastcare group volunteers and local committees provide Surfrider Foundation and cosmetics company L’Oréal Australia enormous input to this task and the results are clear. have successfully partnered in a Citizen Day, conducted to assist eight coastal volunteer projects that will be run on the Mornington Peninsula in the coming months. The foreshore committees of management at Flinders, Somers, Balnarring and Shoreham will all benefit from the work of over 100 extra pairs of hands in their weeding, planting and cleaning up activities along the land they manage. It is hoped that this event will motivate other companies to follow this lead to take on this important coastal volunteer work. For more information contact [email protected] Rex Campbell Surfrider Foundation

Natural Habitats and Cultural Landscapes of the Mornington Peninsula On Saturday, 23 June, the New species were excitedly added to which have now been recorded. This our plant list (Baumea juncea, Juncus information, which also gave us clues Natural Habitats and Cultural caespiticius and Juncus kraussii). Others, about the subsistence activities and Landscapes of the Mornington including Atriplex, Crassula spp and lifestyle of early humans, was augmented Peninsula event was held Spergularia spp, were also noted. The by Adam’s demonstrative discussions re-establishment of recipient dunes and and personal skills as a toolmaker. at the Williams Road Beach the protection of midden sites by fencing Thanks to Adam and Gidja for lifting scout hall, Mt Eliza. was also discussed. our foreshore out of its 21st century Participants included Friends, scout Cultural Heritage Officer Adam Magennis urban setting and placing it in a wide parents, a bush regenerator, two gave a presentation on the history of environmental context. Thanks also to ecologists and Denis Cox, Coastcare human occupation across the world the Southern Peninsula Indigenous Flora Facilitator for Mornington Peninsula and and compared this to the more recent and Fauna Association and the Fouress Westernport. occupation of the Mornington Peninsula. Foundation for sponsoring the event. During the morning 15 participants A wide range of material was covered. Of Ann Scholes enjoyed a guided walk with coastal extreme interest were the size, content Friends of Williams Beach ecologist Gidja Walker. Gidja interpreted and frequency of midden remains, and vibrantly wove a holistic picture of the coastal headland scrub between Williams and Jacksons Roads, and the primary dunes within close proximity of the area. A myriad of subjects were discussed: the correlation between elements of the environment – land, air and water, including the continual exchange of carbon, plant species and their preferences for particular soil types and location, weed species and indigenous plants that fill the same niche, and traditional use of indigenous plants. Glen Firth added to the morning’s success by providing a personal observation of the prevalence of fairy wrens amid Ozothamnus turbinatus. Aboriginal tools on display at the event

Coastline Winter 2012 6 Mapping Your Future, Part 1

Are you in the process of completing a grant of management with a range of projects, from monitoring the flora and fauna, to developing local work plans and providing application but need more information to back base information for grant submissions. up your submission? Would you like to know Up-to-date maps and databases are resources that save us more about that interesting-looking species that time, ensure that we have correct information, enable us to has set up home on the land you are currently plan effectively and give us a big picture view of the area we managing? Do you need some assistance are working in. They can be invaluable tools in the crucial work carried out daily by Coastcare volunteers, including weed in determining property boundaries before control, erosion control and threatened species protection. And, beginning a new project? best of all, they are free! DSE plays host to a rich selection of maps and databases, Well, help has arrived in the form of the ‘Welcome to the including paper maps and map books. Digital and interactive Mapping Your Future’ series. Over the next four editions of maps can be viewed online, as can several databases, planning Coastline this series will explore the possibilities of the maps maps and public access maps. and databases that are currently available online: where to find them, how to use them and how to make the most of them. Now you know that they exist. So, where do you find them and how do you use them? For this information look out for the Victoria’s coastal zone stretches over more than 2000 next instalment in the ‘Mapping Your Future’ series, which will kilometres, an area that includes many precious and protected appear in Coastline’s bumper summer edition newsletter, where terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Maps and databases play it will focus solely on maps. a key role in enabling us to track, monitor and record what is happening over this large and diverse area. For further information contact your local Coastcare Facilitator. Maps and databases are our ultimate information sharing tool. Sally Bateman and Phillip Wierzbowski They can assist volunteers, community groups and committees Department of Sustainability and Environment

Map showing major ecological vegetation classes, Port Phillip and Westernport

Mapping is an integral part of planning for projects of any scale

Coastline Spring 2012 7 Wonthaggi revegetation project

Volunteer groups around The volunteers approached the Capital The volunteer component of this project Project Group of the Department of is enormous and ongoing. It is supported Wonthaggi don’t do things Sustainability and Environment (DSE) for by the South Gippsland Conservation by halves. The most recent funding. Together with Parks Victoria and Society, Friends of the State Coal Mine, major project to be taken on Bass Coast Shire Council, agreement Bass Coast Friends of Hooded Plovers, was reached to revegetate the site, Wonthaggi Urban Landcare and Cape by local environment groups is maintain weed control for five years, Paterson Residents & Ratepayers revegetating 15.8 hectares of and then transfer management to Parks Association. Victoria. formerly grazed coastal Crown The collective wisdom, knowledge and land near the desalination plant. While DSE, Aquasure and Thiess motivation of coastal volunteers in this Degremont (builders of the desalination part of South Gippsland is truly amazing, By June 2010, it was apparent that the plant) are each contributing one-quarter and makes a major contribution to the block needed to be revegetated to avoid of the implementation costs, local long-term environmental health and it becoming a reservoir of weed seeds community groups, Friends of Wonthaggi sustainability of the area. that could spread to the adjoining coastal Heathland & Coastal Reserve, Wonthaggi Bruce Atkin reserve and compromise the extensive Seed Bank and Cape Paterson Coastal Department of Sustainability and revegetation areas on that site. Plains Landcare, are collectively Environment contributing the fourth share, which will An enormous amount of negotiation cover five years of ongoing maintenance. and planning, which involved a cast of thousands, has gone into the project, culminating in a big direct seeding day that was held in late June. Greening Australia’s Jim Robinson, one of Victoria’s pioneers of direct seeding, brought a Burford seeder to the site and sowed over 50 kilometres of seed trail in lines about 2.5 metres apart. The aim is to re-establish Coast Banksia Woodland listed as vulnerable on the South Gippsland Plains. Hand casting of fluffy seeds unsuitable for use in the machine was subsequently done by volunteers along specially scalped lines. Oversowing can occur later if required; any species that don’t germinate can be propagated and hand planted. The direct seeding site at Wonthaggi. Photo: Gary Martyn A number of local volunteers have, over many years, accumulated a wealth of knowledge about revegetation techniques. This experience enables them to make informed decisions about what techniques will best suit particular sites. It was crucial to get this sowing done while the nutrient-poor coastal sand, with its inherent inability to retain water, was still moist. Even in the weak winter sunshine, the moisture loss was clearly evident shortly after scalping. After the direct seeding day, I was taken to see the results of people’s labours at the nearby rifle range, which had only 12 hectares of direct seed seven years ago. It is hard to believe, when looking at the diverse native vegetation now well established there, that you are not looking at a much older forest. Volunteers Dave Sutton, Bronwyn Teasdale, Beth Banks and Alison Oates use a GPS to mark the location of hazards, including wombat holes. Photo: Bruce Atkin

Coastline Spring 2012 8 Protecting Our Fragile Wetlands: A Latham’s Snipe’s journey from Japan to Port Fairy

Port Fairy, a small coastal town tucked away on Why the Latham’s Snipe have chosen the wetlands as their preferred destination remains a mystery, but one thing is certain: Victoria’s rugged southwest coast, is a place every summer the journey from Hokkaido in north Japan to of breathtaking natural beauty and important Victoria to feed has become more treacherous. Flight paths are historical significance, with a profound under threat. connection to the nation’s First Peoples. No According to a BirdLife Australia E-News report (August 2012), wonder this small fishing village of around 2000 migratory shorebirds and ecological systems are in dire danger of extinction, which makes the conservation of our own fragile locals has become a magnet for people who wetlands imperative. The main threats to migratory birds’ want to get away from it all. territory, particularly in Australia, have been the dramatic loss of habitat caused by the drainage and modification of wetlands. Port Fairy and other parts of the west coast are also important The South Beach wetlands have been crucial and the Port Fairy destinations for dozens of migratory species, as well as for Landcare Group are strong advocates for this traveller from campers, holidaymakers and field naturalists. One particular northern climes. The group continues to work hard with the bird has been a seasonal visitor to Port Fairy for generations. local community and state and federal government agencies The Latham’s Snipe, or Gallinago hardwickii, is a timid bird, to ensure that the Powling Street wetlands remains a pristine shy and wary. Cryptically patterned with black, brown, buff and environment. white plumage, this summer non-breeding visitor, notoriously As are most coastal communities, Port Fairy, including the difficult to spot and study, has many fans. Nestled in Port Fairy’s Powling Street wetlands, remains under pressure from South Beach is the Powling Street wetlands where a dedicated development. Competing agendas for land use is nothing new. group nurtures and monitors these birds. The demands of the natural world, which needs a place to be, This fragile wetland sits amid quiet streets and local houses. It is are often overlooked and sometimes blatantly ignored. this patch of nature that provides sanctuary for one of the most Balance and common sense are needed to protect our fragile significant numbers of Latham’s Snipe in the world: as many as wetlands and natural reserves to ensure the quality of their lives, 400 have been spotted on the wetlands and the surrounding as well as our own. grassland. Recognised under the Japan–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA) and the Chinese–Australia Migratory Chris Morris Bird Agreement (CAMBA), the Powling Street wetland is of Port Fairy–South Beach Wetlands and Landcare Group international significance.

Powling Street wetlands in the suburbs. Photo: J. Schiltz

Powling Street Wetland Photo: C Morris

Coastline Spring 2012 9 What is Happening Upstream of the Merri Marine Sanctuary?

The Merri Marine Sanctuary, at the mouth of example was the transfer of 80 hectares of floodplain farmland into public ownership, which presents a real opportunity to the Merri River flows through the coastal city of improve water quality and biodiversity. Warrnambool. Other points of interest during the excursion was a presentation A local community group, Making a Difference (MAD) for by Gary Wills, Southern Rural Water Officer at Jubilee Park, the Merri, held an excursion to discover what is happening Woodford, who explained how the water flow gauge at this upstream of the sanctuary in the Merri River catchment. site works, what information is collected and how it is used to manage irrigation, environmental flows, and so forth. Several of the sites visited are currently undergoing development or will soon be developed into residential or industrial zones. Robert Lowe Snr, an elder of the Peek Whurrong tribe, pointed Good and poor examples of how land can be developed were out sites in the catchment that are of indigenous significance, seen. As well, a discussion was held on what role developers, such as meeting places, campsites and middens. Warrnambool City Council and other groups can play to improve The Merri River, its tributaries and floodplains are experiencing water quality. a lot of changes, some of which are good, some bad. The A discussion of the effects of stormwater on the Merri River, MAD for the Merri excursion demonstrated the connection of its tributary Russells Creek and both their floodplains included catchment to coast and how these changes are going to flow demonstrations of examples of roof water harvesting (collecting downstream to the Merri Marine Sanctuary. rain water from roofs for use in town water supply), filtering Justin Harzmeyer stormwater through wetlands and the use of swale drains as Environment Labourer, Warrnambool City Council ways to minimise any potential stormwater impacts. Another

Aboriginal middens at Warrnambool. Photo: Karen Wales

Jubilee Park, Woodford, and middens at Thunder Point. Photo: Karen Wales

Coastline Spring 2012 10 Soils on the Mornington Peninsula Information Day

A soils forum for land mangers avoiding the often unnecessary high feedback that provided an important costs – monetary and environmental – of insight into the popularity of this forum was run on the Mornington artificial fertilisers. Dr Cole pointed out and indicates the need to continue public Peninsula on Sunday, 24 June, the damage that can be done by over- education that will help improve and at Main Ridge. fertilising, which can result in damage widen the understanding of how the land to root mycorrhiza, the fine fungi that can be best managed. The forum was jointly organised by coat the surface of roots and facilitates It is intended to continue this Matt Khoury from the Port Phillip and plants’ nutrient absorption. Compost collaboration so as to provide relevant Westernport Catchment Management recycles nutrients and improves soil and informative forums that will improve Authority as part of the Peninsula Pastures water absorption and aeration, all knowledge and overall land management and Produce program and Denis Cox necessary for healthy root growth. This methods that will benefit all public from the DSE Coastcare program. Both presentation was of great value to the and private land managers across the presented information on the geology and community. One landowner commented, Peninsula region. local land management of the region. ‘Our property has very degraded soil. This event was very helpful to guide how Denis Cox The key speaker was Dr Mary Cole, an to improve the soil.’ Department of Sustainability and expert on soils and a strong advocate Environment for the use of compost to improve soil The group of over 50 included private quality and, in turn, plant growth while and public land managers. Matt gathered

Wildlife Forum at Coolart Homestead

Coastcare and Landcare joined Response to the forum was no matter what part of the Peninsula overwhelmingly positive, and there people live in, everyone’s awareness and forces recently to jointly run a were a number of requests for further action are required to support wildlife by wildlife forum that emphasised such forums and information days. The restoring habitat and providing adequate birdlife, in particular in the networking and personal exchange living areas for all species. between the coastal groups and local Denis Cox Wetlands Observatory at Parks landholders enabled a flow of information Department of Sustainability and Victoria-managed Coolart to occur and new contacts to be made. Environment Homestead in Somers. The importance was emphasised that,

The attendance was made up of an eclectic group of over 50 people representing Coastcare, Friends and other community groups, Landcare members, agricultural organisations, local landholders, industry representatives and the general public. The main speakers were Malcolm Legg, a wildlife ecologist, Sarah McLaglan from BirdLife Australia and local farmer Grant Murray, who has been very effective in restoring part of his property into high value wildlife habitat. Following lunch, Coolart ranger Brian Thomas, who has worked in the park for many years and who has an intimate knowledge of the area, led a very informative walk around the nearby bush and wetlands, during which he answered questions about the birdlife. His responses included some wonderful anecdotes. Ranger Brian Thomas at Parks Victoria Coolart Homestead, explains where the birdlife is found and the habitats they require.

Coastline Spring 2012 11 Coastcare Puts Tools in Volunteers’ Hands

Across the state’s coastline To enable groups to carry out much of equipment. The replacement of worn this work it is important that they have out tools and expansion of tool kits was Coastcare Victoria supports access to adequate and suitable tools enthusiastically welcomed by all the hundreds of volunteers who and equipment. To this end, Coastcare groups who received them. Victoria recently provided an opportunity put in many hours and a lot Denis Cox for groups around Port Phillip and Department of Sustainability and of energy to help restore and Westernport to upgrade or replace their maintain the environmental Environment integrity of the coast.

Volunteers are involved in hours of planning for onground projects and applying for appropriate grant funding to assist with the implementation of these projects and for completing onground works. Groups are involved in regular working bees and clean-up days that, while they require physical labour, also, and importantly, provide friendly social interaction with like-minded people, an essential ingredient for all successful group activities. Occasional and regular outside assistance from other local community groups who are interested in beach and coastline health is an important way of involving the broader community. This work has provided many people of all ages the opportunity to get involved and to learn, with some guidance, some important environmental skills. Paula Whalebone, Cranbourne CFA volunteer Bronson Robertson and Mick Tonkin, members of the Capel Sound Foreshore Reserve Committee, show off their new Coastcare Victoria-provided tools. Watchout for Wildlife

If you are driving around Phillip Island at this time of the year, watch out for Cape Barren geese whose broods of goslings follow them around and graze on the sides of roads.

Cape Barren geese and goslings Photo: Denis Cox

Coastline Spring 2012 12 Regional Updates

Gippsland National Tree Day was celebrated across the region with tree planting activities at Kilcunda, Phillip Island, Capel Sound, Bruce Atkin Mount Martha and Mount Eliza. As are groups everywhere, coastal community groups are Mark Dunball, ranger with Balnarring Foreshore Committee, busy with their winter–spring plantings. Working bees are is working with other area committees to see if they can popping up all around the place. Groups I have spoken to that standardise reserve signs. He has just returned from a seven have revegetation programs on the go include Three Creeks day climb up Mt Kilimanjaro, Kenya, which he thinks has Landcare at Kilcunda, Friends of Venus Bay, Eagle Point toughened him up for the coming camping season. Landcare/Coastcare, Tarwin Lower/Venus Bay Association, Friends of Cape Liptrap Coastal Park, Clydebank Landcare, Albert River Landcare, and a consortium of environment groups Port Phillip at Wonthaggi (see page 8). Phillip Wierzbowski Recently, I did a road trip to far East Gippsland to check out my extended area. Along the way I caught up with several This year’s Sustainable Cities and Clean Beaches awards were community group representatives, who took me to look at their recently held at the Olympic stand within the Melbourne Cricket projects past and present. They were inspiring, as always. I Ground. Congratulations to all the finalists and to the winners. look forward to future work with my new coastal volunteers and The Dame Phyllis Frost Award is presented annually to spending some time in territory unfamiliar (to me). individuals who embody Dame Phyllis’ values, which include community participation and environmental protection. Dame Mornington Peninsula and Westernport Phyllis was an active philanthropist, who championed the cause of women prisoners and raised millions of dollars for a number Denis Cox of charities. Coastcare linked with CMA Landcare to run a soils forum at With a passion for the environment, Dame Phyllis formed the Main Ridge, Mornington Peninsula, to assist public and private first Keep Australia Beautiful Council here in Victoria in the land managers to understand best management practices for 1960s at the request of the then premier after her success with soils in their area. Dr Mary Cole gave some fascinating insights an anti-litter campaign. into the nature and function of soil fungi and their interaction with and importance to healthy plants through the use of This year, the honour of the Dame Phyllis Frost award was compost. bestowed upon two people I have the pleasure of working with in Port Phillip, Neil Blake from the Port Phillip EcoCentre and Coastcare provided a presentation on poisonous plants at the Debbie Coffee from the City of Frankston. Westernport Catchment Committee meeting at Cranbourne. The presentation highlighted common garden and bushland Also noteworthy were the finalists in the Community plants that are potentially dangerous, particularly to young Government Partnerships award for the Werribee River Urban children, and explained the need to be aware of such plants. Fringe Weed Management Initiative project. Frankston City Council took out the coveted Clean Beach of the Year award for At the same meeting, Roz Jessup, Environmental Manager the second year running. at the Phillip Island Nature Park, provided a comprehensive overview of the park’s operations and its environmental successes in the large and environmentally important areas it manages. As part of the Friends of Williams Beach (Mt Eliza) group’s ongoing program, local indigenous seed and plant material, including rounded noonflower and ruby saltbush, will be collected and grown to stabilise middens. Peninsula school students have assisted in this work. Under the auspices of the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s Cultural Heritage Officer Adam Magennis, the Friends will have indigenous participants when members plant 400 groundcover species on the top of the exposed midden in the reserve and above the tidal surge line. On the first weekend in August, the group also prepared for spring with a weed war held on the first (l–r: Alanna Wright (Melbourne Water), Phillip Wierzbowski (Coastcare weekend of August. Victoria), Myf Warhurst (Host), Liz Drury (Wyndham City Council) and Simon Denby (Department Sustainability and Environment). Photo: Coastcare Victoria

Coastline Spring 2012 13 Regional updates continued

Geelong and Bellarine Tarerer Gunditj Project Association, Killarney Coastcare, Nelson Coastcare Group and partner agencies on their successful Alex Sedger planting days. Thanks to at least 400 volunteers, more than Our Coastcare team recently bid adieu to our fantastic 4000 plants are now in the ground. A great effort by all. facilitators, Andy Gray and Kristyn Abbott, and welcomed As a result of success in the latest round of Coastcare funding, Emma Hill. Emma and I will be working together to support Nelson Coastcare is getting stuck into a new project to deal Coastcare volunteers in the southwest, from Geelong to with weeds of national significance, and in Port Campbell the the South Australian border. We’ve rolled out a new delivery community group is having a closer look at the southern brown model and created a new, centralised email address. For bandicoots that inhabit the headland. We will soon hear the any southwest-related Coastcare enquiry, drop us a line at results of the August 2012 funding applications. We expect that [email protected] there will be some new, exciting activities on the cards. Far Southwest A new and revitalised group, Friends of the Merri Marine Sanctuary, is making its mark. Three Deakin University students, Emma Hill Hannah, Hannah and Claire, are being guided in their studies by It has been a very active winter for our Coastcare groups, who, previous leader Dellas Bos. These three young marine biologists in June, farewelled our incredible facilitator Kristyn Abbott. While are full of energy and enthusiasm, so we are sure that this group Kristyn was only with us for a short time I know our groups will be doing great things. valued her support, ideas and enthusiasm. We wish Kristyn the While the group will operate as a subgroup of Warrnambool very best in her future endeavours. Coastcare, their focus will be on the sanctuary and there will Our volunteers shone this National Tree Day. Congratulations to be plenty of fun activities. If you are keen to hear more or get MAD for the Merri, Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group, involved in a group, contact us at [email protected]

Warrnambool’s National Tree Day site leaders. Photo: Kristie King, Warrnambool Coastcare/Landcare Group

Coastline Spring 2012 14 Coastcare Contacts

Coastcare State Coordinator Amanda Cornish Tel: 03 9637 8957 Email: [email protected]

Coastcare South West Victoria Email: [email protected]

Coastcare Facilitator, Port Phillip Phillip Wierzbowski Tel: 03 9296 4525 Email: [email protected]

Coastcare Facilitator, Mornington Peninsula and Westernport Denis Cox Tel: 03 9296 4532 Email: [email protected]

Coastcare Facilitator, Gippsland Bruce Atkin Tel: 03 5183 9116 Email: [email protected]

Visit our website www.dse.vic.gov.au/coastcare

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Disclaimer

Published by the Victorian Government This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its Department of Sustainability and Environment Melbourne employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind September 2012 or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you © The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2012 relying on any information in this publication. This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process Accessibility except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. If you would like to receive this publication in an accessible format, Authorised by the Victorian Government, 8 Nicholson Street, East such as large print or audio, please telephone 136 186, Melbourne. or email [email protected] ISSN 1329-0835 (online) Deaf, hearing impaired or speech impaired? Call us via the National For more information contact the DSE Customer Service Centre Relay Service on 133 677 or visit www.relayservice.com.au 136 186

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