OUR GREAT GRASSLANDS SEPTEMBER 2020 NO 282 NATURE PROTECTION STALLS SAVE OUR SPIDER CRABS JOINT MANAGEMENT OPENING UP OYSTERWATCH QUIZ: SHARKS AND RAYS WILD FAMILIES LOVELY LEAVES Be part of nature PRESIDENT Bruce McGregor DIRECTOR Matt Ruchel CONTENTS Level 3, 60 Leicester St, Carlton, VIC 3053 ABN 34 217 717 593 3 From the President Telephone: (03) 9341 6500 Email: [email protected] Web: www.vnpa.org.au 4 VNPA COVID-19 Update OUR VISION 5 Permanent protection for nature stalls The Victorian National Parks Association vision is to ensure Victoria is a place with a diverse and healthy natural environment that is protected, respected and enjoyed by all. Everyone can help in the conservation of Victoria’s wild Our Great Grasslands and beautiful places. To find out how you can help, visit www.vnpa.org.au/support or call us on (03) 9341 6500. 6-8 Going, going, gone? EDITOR Meg Sobey 9-10 Renewed rush to 'clear' the way PUBLISHING POLICY All advertisements should be compatible with VNPA policies. Publication of an advertisement does not imply endorsement by the VNPA Inc. of the advertised product or service. The VNPA 11 Getting crabbier reserves the right to refuse any advertisement at any time. Park Watch may be quoted without permission provided that 12-13 Westernport – a wildlife wonderland at risk acknowledgement is made. The opinions of contributors are not necessarily those of the VNPA Inc. 14-16 Traditional Owner Joint Management GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTORS You’re always welcome to contact the editor to discuss ideas 17 Book review: Kosciuszko: for articles. Phone the VNPA or email [email protected] A Great National Park COPY DEADLINE for December 2020 Park Watch is Friday 23 October. 18-19 River Red Gum Parks – DESIGN South Star Design PRINTING Adams Print designated but dewatered COVERS 20 Quiz: Sharks and Rays Front cover: Blue Pincushion (Brunonia australis), Common Everlasting (Chrysocephalum apiculatum) and a single Chocolate Lily (Arthropodium strictum) bursting with 21-23 What lies beneath? colour in Evans Street Grassland. Photo: Chris Clarke. Back cover: Hoary Sunray (Leucopogon albicans subspecies 24-26 The world is our oyster tricolour) in remnant grassland. Photo: Debbie Reynolds. Victoria’s western grasslands are full of diversity and beauty 27 'Cane toads of the sea’ no more – but our government is failing these critically endangered ecosystems. Read our feature article on pages 6–10 and 28-29 Special Species: Sphagnum Moss find out how you can help call for their protection. Learn all about grassland flora in the book 30 Tributes Plants of Melbourne's Western Plains: A Gardener's Guide to the Original Flora, 2nd Edition, available at: www.apskeilorplains.org.au/book.html Park Watch 31 Quiz Answers Park Watch ISSN 1324-4361 is printed on FSC certified Authorised by Matt Ruchel, Executive Director, 32-33 In Parks: Afton Street Conservation Park paper. Victorian National Parks Association. Level 3, 60 Leicester St, Carlton, VIC 3053. 34-35 Wild Families: Lovely Leaves 2 PARK WATCH • SEPTEMBER 2020 NO 282 From the President Victoria has been experiencing an of very few antagonists going to block letting people sit around the boundary unprecedented lockdown and stay- the overwhelming desires and needs of line and along the isles? Does the MCG at-home restrictions in response to the rest of the community? have insufficient public amenities the COVID-19 pandemic. Many are and poorly maintained footpaths? At the last state election, the government experiencing anxiety and stress with No. Because allowing overcrowding promised the creation of five smaller limited contact with family, friends, and poor infrastructure is illegal. regional parks around the edges of Participation limits are placed on workmates, and little time in nature. the growth boundary of Melbourne. popular commercial events. So why Never before have the benefits of being Nearly two years on, there is minuscule does the Victorian Government neglect outdoors, experiencing nature, been so action on these proposals. There are proper natural resource management demonstrated to so many. Melbourne has constant changes in departmental staff by underfunding Parks Victoria, allowing seen unprecedented crowds flocking to responsible for planning these parks, overuse by tourists, and infrastructure use the bushland paths along waterways, and no one appears able to take the lead. to fall into disrepair? The Andrews created by community efforts over Furthermore, after ten years, the Western Ggovernment’s continual and almost the past 40 years. ‘Friends of’ groups Grassland Reserve, was supposed to be pathological inaction on adequate park in these areas of Melbourne are to be completed this year, yet barely 10 per management tells us much about who congratulated for their community-minded cent of the land has been acquired. Read they are. efforts – though they are frustrated at our feature on pages 6–10. being prevented by present restrictions As mentioned in the June Park Watch, from doing their ongoing work. VNPA The protection of the Ramsar-listed various economic stimulus packages has responded to the community’s need Westernport Bay is also of critical are being developed by governments for nature connection by producing a importance. This magnificent area right now. VNPA staff are advocating Nature-At-Home webinar series that has provides critical habitat and breeding for more ‘green infrastructure’, been very well received by our existing grounds for a host of rare marine life improved planning, and more funding supporters and new audiences. and is a wonderful recreation area for for Parks Victoria. Staff have also millions of Victorians – even overseas Given this community enthusiasm for provided a detailed submission to the tourists come from afar just to see the Parliamentary Inquiry into Ecosystem nature, it is therefore astonishing that Fairy Penguins. Our government should the Victorian Government continues to Decline in Victoria. Your support not be considering endangering such an in communicating these needs to sit on their hands when it comes to the important environment by allowing AGL decision-makers is vital. Proposals for creation of more national parks. While to build a gas import terminal. See more more roads, gas pipelines and other various governments have been planning on pages 12–13. ‘make work’ proposals of dubious for big population growth in Victoria with economic merit must be challenged – new subdivisions and roads, the provision I have recently re-read the National and I encourage you to contact your MP. of suitable natural protected areas is left Geographic book celebrating the languishing to wishy-washy ‘market forces’ 2016 Centennial of the USA National Pandemic restrictions and working – contrasting sharply with the rhetoric and Parks Service. The book cites Thomas at home rules have been stressful for promises made at the last state election. Jefferson: “Do you want to know who you VNPA staff. The VNPA Council really are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate appreciate the ongoing commitment As covered previously in Park Watch and define you.” Our state government’s of staff to our campaigns, programs, and again in this edition on page 5, the inaction on park creation is telling us the VNPA community and nature Victorian Environmental Assessment much about who they are. What actions in Victoria over this enormously Council (VEAC) report into the forests are the government and its ministers challenging period. of the Central West recommended the taking on parks and recreation? creation of many new parks. After four I hope all our staff and supporters are years of expert consideration by VEAC, The book also poses the question, when safe and well. I thank everyone who was the report was delivered more than a does access become excess? And able to support our fundraising efforts year ago, and the state government was further, who are the national parks for, at the end of the financial year. At this meant to respond by February. There has and in what numbers? These questions critical time, the funding provided by our been more than adequate time to agree are highly relevant to Victoria. Just Members, supporters and philanthropic to create these parks. Victorians in these what natural experience is gained by partners is enabling us to continue to areas are being denied access to new overcrowding and over-using parks? Do advocate strongly for nature. • PW parks and protected areas. Are the voices we allow the MCG to be over-filled by Bruce McGregor, VNPA President PARK WATCH • SEPTEMBER 2020 NO 282 3 UPDATES VNPA COVID-19 Update PHOTO: ANDY EASTERLIN, FLICKR CC FLICKR EASTERLIN, ANDY PHOTO: Brushtail Possum curled up in its home in Carlton Gardens. Along with the rest of the community, we have been negotiating our way through the COVID-19 pandemic on a week by week basis. This has been a truly challenging time for all of us, and we are thinking of you and your families and communities. To remain up to date with the VNPA’s COVID-19 response, visit www.vnpa.org.au/COVID-19 Bushwalking and activities If you missed the webinars visit our within our community are experiencing and citizen science website to watch the recordings and financial hardship right now. But if you keep an eye on your email and VNPA are in the fortunate position of having At this stage, we are still unfortunately social media for future webinars and the capacity to give, we ask that you unable to run bushwalking and other workshops (including an upcoming continue to support VNPA’s work community activities. Our usual focus on marine and grassland through your Membership or by making Bushwalking and Activities Program is, environments) at www.vnpa.org.au/ a donation – nature still needs you. therefore, again not included with this nature-webinars/ edition of Park Watch.