1 coastlineEdition 43. ISSN 1329-0835 autumn update 2008 State Coordinator’s Message In this issue Matthew Fox Statewide Program Coordinator State Coordinator’s Message 1 I’d like to welcome you to Coastline Autumn Update; the first for me in the role of State Coordinator, Approach to diversity and the first in this new newsletter format. The new-look newsletter has been developed to better rewarded 1 inform those with an interest in Victoria’s coast. There will be an issue in autumn, winter and spring Keeping up with change 2 Victorian Coastal Awards and in summer, the usual Coastline magazine will be printed and distributed. In the interests of for Excellence 2008 2 reducing our environmental footprint, we have decided to distribute this newsletter electronically. Twitchers wanted 3 By doing so, we have already saved more than half a tonne of paper, as well as avoiding the few Coastal heroes 3 hundred kilograms of carbon emissions involved in the statewide transport process. We hope that you Rangers vegetation management workshop 3 find theCoastline Update both informative and useful, and we welcome your contributions. If you Coastal Fun 4 Kids 4 would like to contribute to the Update, please drop us a line or contact your local facilitator. Apollo Bay Music Festival cooler than ever 4 Evolution of estuary monitoring 4 Approach to diversity rewarded Venus Bay fox control project 5 The efforts of the Coast Action/Coastcare Easter by the Estuary 5 (CA/CC) team to build inclusiveness into its Grants available for volunteers 6 programs and projects, has been recognised Reporting on catchment health 6 with a DisAbility award from the Department of Coming Events 6 Coast Action/ Sustainability and Environment. Coastcare Contacts 6 The CA/CC team actively encourages as many people as possible to enjoy and care for our coasts. The particular focus recently has been getting people from non-English speaking backgrounds, young people and people with A Coast Action/Coastcare bird identification day with disabilities involved. clients from Vision Australia at Serendip Sanctuary, Lara in September 2007. Published by the Victorian Government’s The CA/CC team has forged new partnerships Department of Sustainability and Environment, April 2008 with disability, youth and cultural agencies and © The State of Victoria Department of service providers, and has been generous in Sustainability and Environment 2008 This publication is copyright. No part may sharing learnings with other teams within DSE. be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the The judges commended the CA/CC team for Copyright Act 1968. Disclaimer — This publication may be of demonstrating a high level of understanding assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee about inclusiveness by: that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for • incorporating it into everyday activities and your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or planning, and other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this • developing tailored programs where necessary. publication. Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Authorised by the Victorian Government, CA/CC has gained a greater understanding Gavin Jennings (at left) and Minister for Water, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne. For more information contact DSE of client needs by running each activity and Tim Holding (at right) present some of the members of Customer Service Centre 13 61 86. subsequent discussion and evaluation with the Coast Action/Coastcare team with the award (from partners. This means that future activities will be left) Matthew Fox, Phillip Wierzbowski, John Amor and even better! Congratulations to the Coast Action/ Bruce Atkin. Coastcare team – Matthew Fox, Dianne Moore, Phillip Wierzbowski, John Amor, Bruce Atkin, Denis Cox, Jeremy Neilson, Tracey Pennington and Frances Northeast. 2 Keeping up with change By Matthew Fox Coast Action/Coastcare Statewide Program Coordinator On the coast, nothing stays the into ensuring that decision-making in with Coastal Manna Gums and native same for long. Coastal dwellers are coastal management is well-informed, grasses. Eastern Yellow Robins have particularly aware of the dynamics as well as coordinated across all returned, and koala numbers are on of nature; the shifting dunes, the stakeholders. the increase. The transformation of relentless undermining of cliffs, The now-mainstream Integrated this small coastal strip from grassy the opening and closing of estuary Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) weed-bed to healthy coastal woodland mouths. The coastal environment is in approach takes a holistic view of has been dramatic, yet had it not a constant state of change. In addition coastal management, and closely been pointed out to me, it would to these natural cycles, coastal areas considers the roles and linkages have gone unnoticed. The hard work often have complex social dynamics, within a broad range of players. of a handful of knowledgeable and such as the influx of visitors over Coastal communities are recognised dedicated volunteers was behind this holiday periods, or new development as key partners, and volunteer effort positive change. Many similar stories pressures brought about by the ‘sea- is now considered a key pillar in exist all along the 2000 km length of change’ phenomenon. the management framework. The our coast. It is this quiet dedication Coastal management is therefore very stewardship role that concerned of coastal volunteers that has always much concerned with managing this communities play is essential, while been at the core of the Coast Action/ constant change. A key example of the on-ground achievements of Coastcare program. Since the program this is the management of climate volunteer groups are impressive. Coast began in 1994, this much has stayed change impacts, which are likely to be Action/Coastcare exists to support the same. strongly felt by coastal communities. these motivated communities to both * For further information about the The Future Coasts* program bring about positive change in our Future Coasts program, contact (coordinated by the Department coastal environments into the long [email protected] of Sustainability and Environment’s term. Converting good intentions into Climate Change Adaptation Branch) is action, and in turn, into environmental assessing the vulnerability of Victoria’s improvement is a key challenge. coast to climate change impacts, and I recently visited coastal revegetation Victorian Coastal will develop tools and resources to works on Crown land on the Awards for assist management and adaptation. Mornington Peninsula. What was a There were many comments received tangle of environmental weeds five Excellence 2008 on the draft Victorian Coastal Strategy. years ago is now a fully-functioning, Since 1998 the Victorian Coastal The revised Strategy is currently being resilient coastal ecosystem complete developed. A great deal of effort goes Council and Coast Action/Coastcare have presented the Victorian Coastal Awards for Excellence to recognise the achievements of those who tirelessly dedicate their time and effort to the protection and enhancement of Victoria’s coast. Awards are presented in categories including lifetime achievement, innovation, education, planning and species protection. The awards will be presented by the Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Mr Gavin Jennings MLC at the 2008 Ceremony on April 29th. More information is available at www.vcc.vic.gov.au/excellence 3 ehmke glen : : hotos Twitchers wanted P By Dianne Moore Port Phillip West Coast Action/Coastcare Facilitator There is increasing evidence that migratory shorebird populations throughout the world are declining. Shorebirds using the East- Asian Australasian Flyway are under threat from widespread habitat destruction. This is particularly prevalent at staging areas (stop over points) in East Asia. Birds Australia has a new program called ‘Shorebirds 2020’. The program is designed to reinvigorate and coordinate national shorebird monitoring in Australia. In particular, the primary objective of the program is to collect data on numbers of shorebirds that can be utilised in their conservation and management. The program will use the information to further understand the relationship between habitat quality and threats on the distribution and abundance of shorebirds. Birds Australia would like to hear from anyone with an interest in shorebirds and shorebird conservation, in particular, those willing to assist with biannual national population monitoring counts. Volunteers will be supported with a shorebird identification toolkit, workshops and regional mentors. While the first count has taken place for 2008, Birds Australia is still looking for more volunteers, particularly for remote sites. To register your interest, contact Jo Oldland or Rob Clemens at Birds Australia on phone (03) 9347 0757 and visit their website at www.birdsaustralia.com.au A Hooded Plover chick seeks protection to find out more about Shorebirds 2020 and explore the shorebird toolkit. under a shelter. Rangers vegetation management workshop Coastal heroes By Denis Cox Port Phillip East Coast Action/Coastcare Facilitator By Denis Cox Port Phillip East Coast Action/Coastcare Facilitator The Mornington Peninsula has six volunteer coastal Committees of Management that employ a full time Manager and/or Ranger.