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P.1 WERRIBEE RIVERKEEPER® Newsletter No.33 Feb 2017 WRivA - Working for the since 1981 www.werribeeriver.org.au @werribeerivkeep Riverkeeper® is a registered trademark and service mark of Waterkeeper Alliance, Inc. and is licensed for use herein

We need desalination water for the good health of our farming Turn On Desalinated Water industry, our waterways and our people. In our newsletter No.21 February 2015, we called for the use Population Growth Urban Areas Werribee River of desalinated water as a new source of less saline water for http://forecast.id.com.au & municipality websites irrigation farming, to allow more natural river flows, and to *From Werribee Riverkeeper Newsletter No. 33 Feb 2015 protect river water quality. Our Werribee catchment water quality is declining, rainfall remains lower than the long-term Municipality Year 2015* Year 2017 Year 2036 average, river flows are below normal and human population Moorabool 30,000 33,171 48,891 growth continues. Two years on from our last report, further Melton 130,000 139,331 315,022 supporting evidence and observations note that our catchment water quality is under pressure once again. Wyndham 190,000 225,077 424,476 The Yarra and Bay Report card says of the Werribee Combined 350,000 397,579 788,389 catchment:

“2014–15 saw the onset of dry conditions, the drying out of the Photo below: An exposed area of the at McKenzie's Werribee catchment and a subsequent decline in water quality. Flat Thur 2 Feb 2017 where dry conditions may be Dry conditions continued throughout 2015–16, which resulted in impacting on river red gums which require moderate flooding every further declines in water quality. Several waterways were reduced few years in order to survive. Dying vegetation is often associated to isolated pools, while others dried up completely resulting in their with of soils and hence sediments being flushed into waters exclusion from the assessment. It is expected the return of water in times of heavy rain, or blown into waterways by wind. to these will result in an improved catchment WQI score.” http://yarraandbay.vic.gov.au/report-card/report-card- 2016/werribee#top_of_report

Inset above: The Water Quality Index graph taken from the report card, shows a rise in water quality from the “Very Poor’ base in the 2000s Millennium drought, and the downturn from ‘Fair’ to ‘Poor’ in the last two years. Overall in , the forecast outlook for drying conditions Photo below: A reed-filled section of the Lerderderg River at Holt’s continues: Lane Bacchus Marsh which may have come about by inadequate “In addition to the shorter-term natural drivers, Australian climate flows – see our article on ‘Changing Flows and Vegetation’ p.1 patterns are being influenced by the long-term increasing trend in Newsletter 26 Dec 2015. global air and ocean temperatures.” BOM 7 Feb 2017 http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/outlooks/#/overview/influences World-wide, we see record global temperatures: “The finding that a record had been set for the third year in a row was released on Wednesday by three government agencies, two of them American and one British that track measurements made by ships, buoys and land-based weather stations. The national meteorological agency of Japan confirmed the findings in a preliminary analysis.” Justin Gillis New York Times Wed Jan 18 2017

As the catchment dries out, and the human population continues to grow, the river, its corridors and surrounds are becoming increasingly vital for larger numbers of people for health and recreation purposes. These numbers are growing year by year. 2015 population figures will double by 2036, 19 years from now. The catchment may not be in a position to service that number of people without assistance. Where is Wyndham’s Promised Park? P.2 ‘Bee River Proud Program By our guest political reporter, a resident of Wyndham. On Sat 21 Jan 2017, WRivA launched its ‘Bee River Proud’ The comments expressed herein are not necessarily the views of program at the Pacific Werribee Shopping Centre. Using the the Werribee River Association, but we support the call for the Werribee Regional Township Park. name of the River, we adopted the title because it is an easy to say and identifiable phrase which fits the local area. Photo below: Members interact with passersby at the stand.

The aim of the program is to bring awareness of the river into new resident’s lives, and is being funded by a Western Water Sammy’s Water Grant. Photo below: Family fun using our food game and Connie’s collectable cards.

Inset: The Regional Park is shown as the shaded and hatched area along the Werribee River. https://vpa.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/GCP-Chapter-4- West-Corridor-Plan.pdf

Is this a case of an empty promise for Wyndham by a Victorian State Labor government? The State Labor Government in 2002 committed to a long term improvement in public open space and in Wyndham’s case proposed the establishment of a Werribee Township Regional Park, as stated in the 2002 ‘ 2030’ document, and still on the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) books as shown above. The park, proposed on the river bank opposite where now there will be urban development crowding out the remaining small but Members handed out over 500 brochures on the river, and popular open space near the diversion weir at Riverbend Park in talked directly about our group and the river with 75+ people Heaths Road Werribee, is yet another example of politicians including family groups. It was estimated that over 1200 ignoring Wyndham’s needs. The population of Wyndham in 2002 was 92,604 with a 6.2% annual growth rate. people passed by glancing or directly looking at the display. http://www.dtpli.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/223082/Popula Of the children who stopped and used their game, members tion_Bulletin_2003_Pages_5_to_8.pdf Robyn & Jasmine said, Fifteen years later Wyndham’s population has more than “Children easily understood the activity and quickly started sorting doubled to 225,077 and we’ve had Governments come out the items to find things the platypus would eat.” and go, and still no Werribee Township Regional Park. When asked what part of the display worked well, one In April 2013, the Park was mentioned in a newsletter of the member said, Growth Area Authority in the following way: “Connie’s cards - everyone loved them! Adults and kids particularly “…, the provision of a significant metropolitan park east of the platypus cards. Can we get more? McGraths Road will be the final addition to the area providing a Another member said, destination that celebrates the local landscape and provides “An hour shift would be better – we need more volunteers ready to major recreation and conservation opportunities.” rock up.” According to Wyndham’s Open Space Strategy 2045 p.104, there will still be a shortage of active and passive space even with the Commenting on our Western Water funded membership park. This is another case of inadequate infrastructure in the west leaflet, our promotions manager John Marks said, while the population is booming. “An excellent item; simple in its size and format. Not too What support will the people have in the area? What is the VPA complicated, suitable for the task, not too technical.” allowing? Short term marketing and promises by developers, as The program will be conducted at various events in the next they continue to build dark-rooved, no-eaved, narrow streeted & few weeks, including the Wyndham Rotary Fun Run on the crowded suburbs, until they depart and leave the people to be Werribee River Sun Mar 5 2017. languishing again for open space, with poor social outcomes? Why is there no action in getting this park in place? P.3 Alex Smart, Order of Australia Medal Oil Spill Bacchus Marsh Alex Smart has received a Oil Spill: Photo by Ric Hulbert, Moorabool News Jan 6 2017 Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division for service to conservation and the environment. Photo: Alex Smart Courtesy Indra Kurzeme www.rbgfriendscranbourne.org.au

Alex Smart became a member of the Werribee River Association (WRivA) in the year 2002-03. He gave his time and passion, encouraging and leading the group with a focus on citizen science and representing the association very well in local and wider networks. He took over as President of WRivA in 2005, and held the post until Erin Millard Waterways & Land Officer 2010-11, when he moved away from Werribee to settle in Cranbourne. reported that an oil spill into the Werribee River took place on At Cranbourne he continued his work with the Australian Garden at Fri Jan 6 2017. It was first seen coming out of a major Royal Botanic Gardens , Cranbourne Gardens, where the stormwater drain next to the Grant St Bridge Bacchus Marsh, ‘Friends of’ group has benefited enormously from his work. only a kilometre from the town centre. While a member of WRivA, Alex conducted a number of initiatives: When first noted it hadn’t moved downriver and could also be • He sent specimens of a blue box gum tree to the National seen in a drain opening at the corner of Grant & Station Herbarium of Victoria in December 2002, and in 2011 it was described Streets, near the Melbourne-Ballarat railway crossing. as the Werribee River catchment’s own Blue Box, Eucalyptus Ben Courtice of the Moorabool Environment Group said, baueriana subsp. Thalassina (Werribee Blue Box). “It was coming from somewhere up the hill - probably in the • He led the 25th anniversary celebrations of WRivA in 2005. industrial estate. I heard it was about 1200L spilled.” • He instigated and led a field naturalist survey in 2006 which Messages were left with the EPA and Melbourne Water by identified many previously unrecorded species of plants, for which WRivA received the 2007 Environment Award. observers, and later in the day it was reported by the • He undertook several approaches to State Government Moorabool News that the EPA had identified the oil samples authorities upon the creation of Werribee Regional Park in 2006. as coming from a source in the Industrial area off WRivA became the official ‘Friends of Werribee River Park’ in 2012. Griffith Street. • He instigated and led a practical micro bat survey and workshop in Ben Courtice reported later: 2007 at in Werribee and gained publicity for common “A Melbourne Water crew put a couple of booms across the river micro-bat species which inhabit the Werribee area. to contain the spill as best they could, so most of it hadn't moved • He led a geological pothole inspection & investigation along the far from the drainpipe. The pipes down the hill are nearly all river in Werribee in 2011. The investigation led to greater cleaned out. There was still a sheen on the water and a smell like understanding of the basalt plains in Werribee, and the appreciation new asphalt as far down as the at Boyes Close.” of the formation of the river bed. River Boom: Photo by Ric Hulbert, Moorabool News Jan 6 2017 His leadership and work in the Werribee River Association was underpinned by a warm personality and encouraging ways. His love and passion for the natural world and his work to combat the threats it faces, were inspirational. WRivA greatly appreciated his membership and guidance. His recognised service includes:  Volunteer Guide, (now Garden Ambassador), Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, since 2004 and Volunteer, since 2001.  President, Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, 2004-2006 and Member, since 2001.  President, Association of Friends of Botanic Gardens, 2005- 2011 and Committee Member, 1994-2013.  Member, Wilson Park Branch, Australian Plant Society Victo ria, current and Founding Member, Wyndham District, since 2007 to 2011  President, Werribee River Association, 2005-2011 and Member, from 2002- 2011  Former member and Chair, Western Melbourne Catchments Network Inc. (NatureWest) Jodie Valpied on Facebook said,  Past Treasurer, Friends of and Member, “Ugh!!! Such a disgrace, and awful for the multitude of since 1989. water-dwelling animals who live in the area (as well as the  Member, Friends of , ‘for many years’ humans living nearby who have been exposed to the toxic Member, Pascoe Vale Naturalists, 1985-2000. fumes from the oil - it stinks  !!).  Awards and recognition include: Erin Millard noted, - Recipient, Centenary Medal, 2001. “The EPA were successful in this instance in tracing back the

- Honorary Fellow, Metrology Society Australia, since 2003. spill to the source - which is a great outcome.” Werribee River Association is proud to be a friend of Alex You can report to the EPA on 1300372842. Smart and congratulates him for this wonderful award. P.4 Rescue at Werribee Diversion Weir Photo below: Rescued fish and eels being released into the On New Year’s Day 2017, the Werribee Riverkeeper John water at the top of the weir. Forrester received a call from WRivA members who noticed some stranded fish and small eels at the diversion weir Werribee. Upon arrival on site, the members were seen to be busily clustered around small pools of water left at the base of the weir. In the water were small eels and fish. All the creatures were attempting to climb up the wet rocks where the weir wall met the river bank, and were struggling unsuccessfully with their task. Concentrating their efforts in the pools, the members were using buckets and ice-cream containers to dip into the water and catching the eels and fish. The diversion weir has no fish ladder or fishway, like the one The eels (elvers at that age) were Southern Short-finned eels, at Werribee River Park constructed by Melbourne Water, or Anguilla australis, of about one year old or so, about 100 - which featured on p.5 of our newsletter No. 21 Feb 2015. 150mm long and very active. Photo below: An elver on a flat concrete shelf at the weir. Our Facebook report on this story at the time brought about some interesting comments. One post was: “Well done…maybe one day a fish ladder may be installed.” Another said: “I played there as a child, observing water spiders, catch fish and all sorts of natural wonders. Have visited countless times over the years. Who put the fence up? Council or Southern Rural Water?” I still think a more welcoming and better utilized solution could be put in place.”

The fish were common river galaxias, or Galaxia species, about We replied that it was a Southern Rural Water initiative to 75mm long or smaller and also quite active. fence the area, to satisfy safety concerns. WRivA has long Photo below: Galaxias in shallow water on the concrete desired a more educational, aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sensitive weir which could become a real feature of the Werribee River. WRivA thanks the Noble family for their great effort in saving the eels and fish.

Great Place for a Fishway Aerial view: The Werribee Diversion Weir is located adjacent to the proposed Werribee Township Regional Park.

Eels can breathe out of water for short periods. The eels would Diversion Weir have been on their way upstream to live out their adult lives Old soil before returning to the sea. Then they’ll return to the sea, removal pits swimming up the east coast of Australia to the Coral Sea where they spawn and die. Their young will then return to rivers in S-E Australia. A fascinating journey. If the Regional Township Park became a reality, then it would The galaxias would also have been migrating upstream until replace open space which has been lost around the Riverbend they hit the wall. They spawn in river or creek estuaries, spend Historical Park because of housing to come. It might also give six months at sea, and then head up-river in shoals, which enough space to create a passing through existing old soil might explain why our members found so many in the pools. pits using the permanent small passing flows which pass through While galaxias can breathe through their skin as a last resort, the weir now, with a fishway to be built below the weir. enabling them to jump into pools to survive, many were dead The weir might become a walkway in normal flows, with a further and others in trouble, until our members came to the rescue. river crossing created upstream for purposes. The park would then make a desirable river-centric botanic ‘Bee River proud & join the fun! gardens or have some other major community focus. KEY: Join the Werribee River Association. See back page. Approximate boundary of proposed park Artists impression of artificial stream P.5 Joint Action FTLA + VLC = VLI Marine Debris and Litter at the Source

On Thur 16 Feb 2017, as a member of the Tangaroa Blue Foundation Farm Tree Landcare Association (FTLA), urge the local community WRivA attended a meeting of the Victorian to attend their upcoming Landcare Council (VLC) and the FTLA. The workshop to help target meeting was to set up Victorian Landcare the source of marine Inc. (VLI), an amalgamation whereby both organisations will debris and litter. join forces, with no loss of service and more outcomes to A Source Reduction Plan workshop will be held at Wyndham members and community. Civic Centre, Wednesday 22 February 2017, 9am-1pm followed by a networking lunch. It’s free to participate. Opened by Landcare stalwart Sandy McKenzie, the purpose of Founder and Managing Director of Tangaroa Blue Foundation the joint meeting was to formally amalgamate the two groups. Heidi Taylor said a lot of rubbish makes its way into local Sandy spoke about how after white settlement governments waterways and ends up as marine debris in Bay. of the day took 150 years to recognise the damage traditional Heidi said, farming was doing to the Australian landscape. In 1983 with “Rubbish is a major threat to the health of our waterways the arrival of huge dust storms in Melbourne, a further wakeup and oceans and can have a devastating impact on animals call was given. Landcare commenced in 1986, set up on more like seals, dolphins and birdlife. Cleaning up areas like sustainable principles which amongst others, include: beaches, waterways, streets and parks is essential to reduce  working together as a community the threat of marine debris and litter, but this is only a Band-  building partnerships, Aid approach to what has become a major environmental  setting priorities, and issue worldwide. The only way of making a real change is  utilizing facilitators looking at where rubbish comes from, and finding ways of Terry Hubbard of the VLC then spoke of the need to become stopping it ending up in our oceans and rivers in the first even stronger, the need to remove confusion and the desire place – a Source Reduction Plan.” by government to have just one voice speaking for the land. He said that there had been trust and respect all the way Tangaroa Blue Foundation are encouraging a range of people through the deliberations to get to the point of amalgamation. to participate in the workshop such as clean-up groups, He then introduced the transition committee of both parties, environmental organisations, community groups, different which will handle the period till the new board is set up. levels of government, youth, schools, students, businesses, associations, industry or interested individuals. Photo below: Transition committee – Moorabool Landcare’s Werribee River Association Beach patrol Manager Rob Bradley Anthony Dufty bottom right. said this workshop was important as it highlights the need to stop the flow of litter into our waterways and ocean. Rob remarked, “In December 2016 we joined forces with Holcim Werribee to clean up Prouse Place in Werribee. During the three hour clean-up, an estimated 1250kg of rubbish was removed taking two City of Wyndham truckloads to cart away. If you want to be part of innovative solutions to stop rubbish at the source, don’t miss out on this workshop.”

There are limited places available at the workshop so please register your interest to participate via Eventbrite - http://srpworkshops.eventbrite.com.au/. Alternatively, contact [email protected] for more information.

Tangaroa Blue Foundation is also running other workshops around Port Phillip Bay during February and March 2017 in the following council regions: Bayside, Melbourne, , David Clark of the FTLA spoke next, and told the story about Kingston, Greater Geelong and Port Phillip. how, when amalgamation discussions were first begun, he and others were in a room with lawyers who, expecting to need The project is part of a larger initiative to prevent and reduce their mediation skills, asked, litter and illegal dumping in the and Port Phillip Bay "So you have two different groups of people who want to catchments. It is funded by the Victorian Government’s Litter get together?” We answered, ‘No, we have two groups but Innovation Fund, delivered by Victoria in the same lot of people. We just want the groups to join.’” partnership with local government. From that time on, negotiation proceeded smoothly, leading to the joint meeting where resolutions passed unanimously to For more information on this give authority to amalgamate as from the 3rd April 2017. There release please contact: will be one point of contact, with no effect on membership. All Carolyn Luder, Tangaroa Blue administration remains the same, but there will be some logo, Foundation web and branding changes to come. 0402 115 125 An excellent outcome from some very visionary organisations. [email protected] Beach Patrol 3030 P.6 Beach Patrol is a twenty strong alliance of community groups Coming Up! Suburbs to Sea around Port Phillip Bay, cleaning up the litter which plagues A major session of ‘Suburbs to Sea’ will take place at our beaches & waterways. 6.30 pm on Friday night 17 Mar 2017, in the Civic Our very successful Beach Patrol 3030 program began its 2017 year Centre Werribee. well on Sunday 12 Feb at Our suburban litter trail ends in Port Phillip Bay. What are we Campbell’s Cove. risking by our daily actions with our rubbish, and what can we do to lessen the impact it is having? Come and see the A total of 41 volunteers helped out in “Melbourne Down Under” video and find out how precious the cleaning up Campbell’s Cove beach, bay at our back door is. Chat to the film maker and marine Werribee South. It was simply great to enthusiast, Sheree Marris. have members of AIFI (Australia India Foundation Incorporated) join us at the clean along with other new Beach Patrol members.

Photo below: AIFI logo on volunteer’s polo shirt.

Our volunteers collected in excess of 300kg of rubbish including 439 bottles & cans, 500+ cigarette butts, 6 car tyres & other general rubbish.

Photo below: Evidence from Campbell’s Cove that we need a Cash for Containers Scheme.

We collect hundreds of containers which can’t be picked up in a kerb side recycling Watch other short films about our local Werribee River and its scheme, and which can be found in their thousands habitat. Browse through a series of displays from local groups everywhere Beach Patrol groups work! concerned with the environment, including Friends of Skeleton Creek, Werribee River Association, Point Cook Open Spaces, Melbourne Water and Department of Environment Land and Water. Talk to the members, and discover how you too can help. Become involved in the solution. Light supper & refreshments provided. https://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/whats-on/suburbs-sea-our-bay- our-jewel-green-living-series

Our next clean is Sunday 5 Mar as we are joining with Wyndham Council for Clean Up Australia Day activities @ Werribee South Beach (Near the Werribee River Mouth).

Because it is Clean up Australia Day the cleanup will run from 10:00 to 12:30 & you are welcome to come for the entire clean or just at our usual 11:30 time. There will also be family activities & the launch of Wyndham Council's "Seal the Loop Program" to target litter. Werribee rotary will also join us & provide a BBQ/Sausage Sizzle. https://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/whats-on/clean-australia- day-hook-line-litter-launch-green-living-series Want more information? Then contact us at [email protected]

P.7 Rogue Ginger Melbourne Water Canoes Werribee River On Sun 8 Jan 2017, we joined some Melbourne Water staff on Rogue Ginger, or Erin a canoe trip down Werribee River estuary to the river mouth. Rhoads to her friends, The still warm conditions made paddling easy until a strong sea spoke about her attempts to live a plastic free and zero waste breeze blew up, which forced our two-seater canoe crew to life on Thursday 2nd Feb 2017 at the Wyndham Civic Centre, tow one slowing individual through choppy waters into port! part of the City’s excellent Green Living Series of events. Photo below: We paddled upstream beyond the blue pedestrian https://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/greenlivingseries bridge before heading downstream to the mouth. Rogue Ginger shared her plastic free alternatives to shopping, cooking, makeup, fashion, cleaning and travel while trying to create no rubbish. She has a great reputation for lively events and imparting lots of useful knowledge to participants. Rogue Ginger is not against plastic but does work against the misuse of plastic. Photo opposite: Erin showed the amount of rubbish she has created in the last two years in a jar. This incredible feat was accomplished by reducing, recycling, and reusing many objects which came into her life. Her passion started off after she viewed 'The Clean Bin' Project Documentary, a trailer for which can be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFilb- VhAGE Rogue Ginger was inspired by Plastic Free July 2013! Photo below: Paddling towards the impressive K Road cliffs. She had to learn how to shop differently from bulk food stores in her home suburbs in Melbourne. Commenting on buying local products she said, "It's nice to know I'm supporting people who grow my food.” She went on to say, “I became much healthier and saved money.” One example she showed was beeswax wrap instead of cling wrap which wraps into shape and stays that way in the fridge. She simplified cleaning items down to just 4 items – vinegar, bicarbonate, eucalyptus oil and salt. Photo opposite: Erin making her own toothpaste. Photo below: After a strong sea breeze blew up about halfway down the estuary, we were pleased to see the river mouth in sight. Displaying some of her wares WRivA member Lisa Fields for the audience Erin said, attended and said, "It was great “You can look nice with to hear Erin speak. I was really your own self-made make up, impressed that there were so many enthusiastic locals in the and it’s easy.” audience, who also practice Rogue Ginger appreciates the reducing, reusing, repairing, support of her husband and repurposing, rotting and family, but spoke about rethinking their consumption. There was probably about 50 friends, neighbours and the people who came along, and whole community working afterwards there was a real buzz together. She promoted the in the room as everyone stayed concept of sharing items as a on to chat amongst each other." great thing, and having "Wyndham has such a precious consumers drive the market coastline and river eco-system, to effect change in the way and it is quite littered with we are presented with goods plastics. I wish Wyndham would introduce a voluntary ban on in supermarkets. single use plastic bags and Her well known zero waste plastic water bottles. Both are Thanks to Julie Linguey of Parks Victoria for permission to blog, ‘The Rogue Ginger,’ can dangerous to our environment launch at a convenient point at Werribee River Park. be seen at: and health." Thanks to Suelin Haynes of Melbourne Water & WRivA for organising the trip, and her colleagues for the pleasure of http://www.therogueginger.com/ inviting us along to add our experience en route. P.8 Black-tailed Godwits Wed 1 Feb Great Sightings 2017

Bronzewing Pigeon Mt Rothwell Sun 15 Jan 2017

Grey Shrike-thrush Imm. McKenzie’s Flat Lerderderg River Thur 2 Feb 2017

Sacred Kingfisher, Werribee River, Werribee Fri 10 Feb 2017

Melbourne Water’s Inflatable Regatta Yarra River Hawthorn Sat 11 Feb 2017

Broad-shelled Turtle Werribee River, Tue 7 Feb 2017

Eastern Longneck Turtle Werribee River, Werribee Open Range Zoo Tue 7 Feb 2017 Published by the Werribee River Association Inc. No. A0017169K ABN No. 45 866 719 214 Contact: President WRivA PO Box 74 Werribee Vic. 3030 Mob: 0401 854 560 Email: [email protected] Come and join us in the WERRIBEE RIVER ASSOCIATION Active? Inactive? Or just proud of the river? Doesn’t matter. The river appreciates your help. $20 ind. $30 family $50 organisation [email protected]