Friends of Braeside Park Panel Submission Mordialloc Freeway

Friends of Braeside Park Panel Submission Mordialloc Freeway 12 March 2019 Judith Sise (President) and Margaret Hunter (Secretary)

Friends position on the Mordialloc Freeway • The Friends of Braeside Park wish to make it very clear that the Committee and Friends’ Group do not want this Freeway to be constructed. • The Mordialloc Freeway project, when announced, was presented as a done decision, being a 9. 7 Freeway from the Dingley By-Pass to the Frankston Freeway. Included on 1969 Melbourne Transport Plan. We believe that it is superfluous to the transport needs of Melbourne. The objection to the freeway dates back to 1976, when the Society for Growing Australian Plants have the heathland fenced off, with objections to proposed route of the F 6 Freeway, as currently gazette. • The Freeway reservation, is an important buffer zone on the western boundary of Braeside Park, between the industrial estate lights, road noise and odours, and gave 296 hectares of respite to indigenous flora, fauna and weary urban dwellers

Friends History as a Environment group • Braeside Park opened on 4 April 1989, as Braeside Metropolitan Park, with the friends being formed later that year (August) Website and facebook page 2019 Very informative on Friends activities • Activities include: - re-vegetation of former sewage treatment plant (with Parks Victoria rangers), horse racing including Phar Lap, vegetable and dairy farming (historical uses), collecting seed from heathland, nursery work, maintaining bio-diversity of park, parks walks (spring, night, seniors) We see ourselves as Park Stewards of the area of Braeside Park. A prized and valued area in South East Melbourne

Evidence of a “Living and unique, historical record of the past. ” at Braeside Park • River Red Gums 600 - 800 years old – a rare sight, fill visitors with awe; Aboriginal scar trees; the northern shore of the former Carrum Swamp, rivalled Kakadu in the past. • High number of visitors – nearing 10 million, calibrated visitors in 2018 480, 100 (Parks Victoria data), those that are counted, 105, 000 to the Governor Road end of the park • Visits of migratory birds and wetlands restoration (1984) and Bird Hide. Also frogs, native fish, eels galaxis water rats and long necked turtles, reptiles and moths, bats and other ‘residents. ’

Living Environments of Braeside Park • Re-planting of grassy open forests; we lost the bandicoots, antechinus but gained rabbits and foxes, humans, cats and some dogs. The possums are also a unique feature of the park, as our night walk participants will tell us. • Gain of preserving the 75 hectare heathland, fenced in 1987 – includes indigenous orchids, lilies, sundrews, birds, moths, insects bats and reptiles; restricted access for spring walks and scientific research • Current racecourse trail development – Racing with Phar Lap; unsuccessful Pick My Project submission by the Friends’ • Placid cows and calves currently grazed in Braeside Park

The Office/Depot end of Braeside Park • The heritage listed cypress drive leads to the red brick rangers office, opened in 1940 as the sewage farm pumping station with associated works. It is an important reminder of a bygone area, quiet and cool on a hot day and strewn with sleeping birds, lively possums tawny frogmouths, and echindas. • These are being replaced with Tree Art of birds, animals, Harry Telford and Phar Lap and can be seen on our website. Funded by the Friends. • It is important to retain this building for historical purposes, heritage listed H 104 This area is not often visited but a significant park area of importance to all park uses.

Further information on heritage of Braeside Park • Friends’ have attended this hearing and listened about the process of the heritage submissions in 2002 -3, and was involved in discussions as member of Heritage Steering Committee for the City of Kingston Heritage Study Stages 1 and 2 • There is a range of other heritage items in Braeside Park worthy of assessment, which include a number of sewage farm structures, above and below ground which need further assessment • Would like to see this happen and work with City of Kingston to ensure involvement in this process.

• Bio diversity Friends Principal Issues should the freeway be constructed • Migratory birds Australasian Bittern and Curlew Sandpiper/other • Threats of movement of birds to different wetlands when water levels alter, i. e. the impact of the freeway on these movements of birds to find water. • Night walk sightings possums, echindas, eels, turtles and frogs. bats. Need to protect the 235 recorded species in Braeside Park • We feel that the mitigation measures will not be enough to prevent loss of habitat, loss of species, noise/light (discussed later) Monitoring will be required in all areas given park impact

Traffic Noise from the Freeway • Noise increase in Office/Depot area will increase/a concern. Frequent visitors to this area. • We need to hear the calls of birds and insects, rustling trees and the sounds of nature at its best, with the drone of freeway traffic an issue to Braeside Park. • Mitigation measures need to include sound monitoring in adjacent area of the freeway including effectiveness of sound walls and mounds as proposed by the MRPV. • Replanting is essential, and also is possible widening of the freeway in the future. This is the largest green area in South East Melbourne • Tree planting needs to include Friends as stewards in conjunction with Parks Victoria ranger team

Pollution/Water Flows in Braeside Park • The map of Braeside Park, provided in the Parks Victoria submission, shows the Dingley drain crossed by water bodies of historical significance – Sherry and Bent Bridges (Racecourse) Racecourse Dam (Phar Lap’s Swimming Pool), Long Swamp, Duck Pond and man-made Wetlands, as well as other adjacent wetlands – Woodlands, and Waterways, and the Edithvale- Seaford Wetlands. • Many birds feed on the freeway, with evidence from a recent forum that there was found to be an increase in pollution in the Werribee River catchment when a new road was built (funded grant DELWP, Port Phillip Bay Forum, Werribee River Keeper). • Waterwatch records will show this impact (Friends 20 years activity with Melbourne Water. Will need to continued monitoring.

• A current and ongoing concern for the Friends and users of Braeside Park. Barriers important Lighting Impacts on Braeside Park • We would like to see the barriers protect and nurture the natural and nocturnal light of Braeside Park as much as possible, if constructed. • Birds/animals like humans have natural sleep/rest and active times, and have been living in the park environment for many years. When we run night walks we like to reduce the light impact of the walkers, so that we can observe the ‘real’ home residents of Braeside Park with the aid of a special infra-red light. There is nothing like, beyond words experiencing this unique environment – over 200 walkers each season.

• The barriers on the freeway need to be monitored for their effectiveness for impact on birdlife of Braeside Park/other animals. Also during construction and operation of the freeway Impact of lighting (continued) • The Friends work with Birdlife Australia to undertake regular monitoring that is reported and monitored with members of the survey group experienced in surveys and noting differences in observation. We value their expertise and experience. • This will also need to be carried out at Woodlands wetlands and Waterways and Edithvale/Seaford (current). The friends have an interest in these outcomes and information, as we value bio diversity very highly and the environmental values of Braeside Park

Flora and Fauna Causeway Parkway/Wetlands • The Friends support the implementation/installation of the flora and fauna culverts and pathways from adjacent areas to Braeside Park. • Also the continued monitoring of the impact of the freeway and its impact with feedback as required, at all stages. • Important avenues for animals to access normal areas outside the freeway reservation and surrounding areas of Braeside. • Parkways an important human link to Braeside for factory workers/workers and accessed from Woodlands Drive. Raised by Friends’ in previous consultations. • One of the main reasons for preserving the park in 1989 (see later quote from master plan)

Braeside Park Historical Perspective • We note the comment in the 1987 Master Plan: • “There is no doubt that Braeside Metropolitan Park will become a key recreational and educational asset for Melbourne’s residents, particularly those living in the south eastern suburbs. Indeed the park’s values for conservation of flora and fauna is already recognized……We think the Master Plan will satisfy community needs for recreational and educational activities and at the same time be compatible with protecting and enhancing the Park’s natural assets. ” • Ray Marginson Chairman MMBW Fred Finn Advisory Member Chairman and former Mordialloc Councillor

• MMBW Braeside Metropolitan Park Master Plan 1987 • Society for Growing Australian Plants newsletter 1986 Context Report Braeside 2002 Resources used in this submission • Vital Connections Melbourne and its Board of Works 1891 -1991; MMBW publications • Tony Dingle, and Caroline Rasmussen (out of print) • Park notes from 1989 to 2019 • Parks Victoria Welcome Walks Brochure 2018 • Expertise and knowledge of the members, past and present of the Friends of Braeside Park; officers of the City of Kingston (Strategic Planning, other departments)

Concluding comments • The Friends’ are very passionate about all aspects of Braeside Park. We see ourselves as the stewards and custodians of Braeside Park which is a unique oasis in a busy suburban area. Access all areas of the Park, at all seasons and times. It is very precious to us. • We would like the Mordialloc Freeway not to be built, but will work with any government agency to prevent/monitor the impact on the biodiversity/environment of Braeside Park, to maintain the park as a welcoming community destination and community venue for humans and animals of all sorts – Our Park Residents (see photographs attached) • The Friends (30 years old in 2019) would like to celebrate another 30 years of passionate involvement in the Braeside Park environment.

2019 Friends Survey outcomes • Comments from recent survey. Friends members • “ 310 hectares secure from urban sprawl, still supporting surprising bio-diversity where humans can relax, enjoy, and be filled with the awe and wonder than only natural environments can give. ” • Wetlands watered by urban runoff free of litter and nasties and home to migratory birds; River red gum woodlands alive with birdsong; Heathlands sprinkled with indigenous lilies and orchids and small wrens squabbling; Grasslands wreathed in early morning mists and mid morning buzzing with visiting families • A group of rangers talking to visitors about the joys of the park such as pond dipping, bird watching, insect hunts etc.

The Historic Cypress Drive

Bird Life/Residents of Braeside Park

Blue Tongued Lizard

Braeside Park • Trees in the historic Cypress Drive from the Braeside Treatment Park days have been restored as birds, animals, and also as in this case the mighty Phar Lap and his well known strapper and later trainer of Reckless, Tommy Woodcock adjacent to the Telford Picnic Area

Braeside Park

Birds Tawny Frog Mouth very hard to spot

Braeside’s Echindas - not often forgotten

Different residents - Tree Art in the Cypress Drive – can be seen from space