Dear Friends and other
residents interested in Back Creek,
This is the 2nd
edition of eBACKCREEK BRIEFINGSf.
Vegetation Survey – Barrie Gallacher has received from the Council, a
copy of the VEGETATION SURVEY that was conducted. If you would like to have a
look at that please get in touch with Barrie.
Grant Applications
Start Up Grant – this
grant application for $500.00 has been put in and to date we have not had any
feedback about that. We understand that this will be granted.
Janyce McMurtry from Boroondara
Council has also put in an application for revegetation funding with Greening
Australia for $7000.00. This application is also not yet finalised.
Incorporation – the process is awaiting some more details that
were missing from the application before the matter can be completed.
Website –check out the updated Friends of Back Creek website. We have
incorporated a slide show of the birds that have been sighted along the creek
and also copies of the newsletters. Eventually we will include a plan or diagram
of the creek and locate where the activity is happening. Let us know if you
have sighted birds or other things of interest that should be included.
Clean Up Australia day – we had a very successful event for the Clean Up
Australia activity on Sunday the 4th of March 2001 form 10.00am –
2.00pm. We met at the Cornell St end and welcomed approximately 30 people for
the clean up. We collected more than half a tonne of rubbish. This was made up
of about 30 bags of rubbish and fallen branches from snags in the creek. Some notable items collected were – a
shopping trolley, part of a car head, a bucket seat and a cane lounge. Our
local primary school, Wattle Park Primary School also participated in the
effort on the 2nd of March and they worked at the Quinton Rd end.
Robert Brierley was the site supervisor on both occasions. Boroondara collected
the rubbish the following week. There is however a remaining item that still is
on the footpath in Cornell St that has yet to be moved because it is
particularly heavy – a hose real embedded in concrete.
Clearing the snags has
allowed the recent rainwater to flow better down the creek and meant that less
debris is caught in the snags. There will always be some clean up work required
to deal with debris that is washed down stream with the rain.
Working Bees – we would love to have as many people involved
in an ongoing work program in the creek. We are taking on the emany hands make
light workf approach. The day allocated is each
2nd Sunday in the month. The time for the working bee is between
10.00 am and 1.00pm. That will include time to have a drink and a biscuit at
the end. Please bring gumboots, garden gloves (there are still some rubber
gloves left over from the last clean up), garden tools and a wheelbarrow or 2 would
be useful.
THE VERY 1ST WORKING BEE HOWEVER
WILL BE THE 3RD SUNDAY THIS MONTH BECAUSE OF MOTHERfS DAY ON THE 2ND
SUNDAY. THE DATE FOR THE WORKING BEE IN MAY IS SUNDAY 20TH OF MAY.
We will be working at the
Quinton Rd end of the creek.
The tasks we intend to do
on that day are:
·
Pick
up rubbish washed down in the recent rain
·
Snag
removal for the really fit workers
·
Have
a human chain to remove the wood disentangled and put along the road to be
collected by Council
·
Clearing
of weed growth in an area where mulching can occur in the June Working Bee
If any one has a chain saw
to cut up the larger fallen branches that would be great. Please let Robert
know on 9836 379.
Anyone who would like to
use this firewood can come and collect it.
Even though the weather is
colder please be vigilant for wasps when working in the creek. Robert has
killed several wasp nests that were in the weed growth at ground level. It is
important to have sufficient protective clothing on for the working bee.
Friends of South Surrey park and Friends of Damper Creek – we hope to send a
couple of representatives from the FOBC to the working bees fro these groups
each of these groups have regular working bees on the last Sunday of the month.
FOBC Committee meetings - occur on the 1st Thursday of the
month at 7.30pm. Anyone who is interested in coming along please feel welcome.
Give Chris a ring to find out where the next one is – 9888 4461. At the June
committee meeting we will be discussing the Draft Plan of Work. The plan of
work is to focus our efforts and allow us to work in conjunction with
Boroondara Council and Melbourne Water and respond to opportunities as they
arise.
Committee members – below are the names of the people on the
committee with contact details for president, secretary and treasurer. These
positions will be ratified at the general meeting on the 28/2/2001
President - Robert
Brierley – 9836 3779
Secretary – Chris Walta –
9888 4461
Treasurer – Bob Strickland
– 9830 0749
Committee members – Peg Dooley, Barrie
Gallacher, Simon Gardiner, Dot Neal, June Strickland, John Tetley
Statement of Purpose –
THE PURPOSES of THE FRIENDS OF BACK CREEK
INCORPORATED are:
1.
To
preserve and enhance the attractiveness of Back Creek and surrounding parkland
in the area south of Riversdale Road and north of Cornell Street
2.
To
improve the ecological condition of the creek.
3.
To
develop a flora and fauna inventory for the area
4.
To
establish a short and long-term management plan for the area
5.
Work
in partnership with the local council, Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria and
other organisations that provide support and advice for community initiatives
and friends groups
6.
To
use indigenous and other suitable plants to provide a habitat for native
birdlife and fauna.
7.
To
develop community awareness and participation in care and management of the
Back Creek.
8.
Understand
and promote the historical development and significance of the area
FOBC WEBSITE:
FOBC CONTACTS:
President
- Robert Brierley – 9836.3779
Secretary
– Chris Walta – 9888.4461
Treasurer
– Bob Strickland - 9830.0749
ABN 43 819 801 067
BACKCREEK
BRIEFINGS
January 2001