The Newsletter of

FRIENDS OF BACK CREEK INC. - FOBC

ABN 43 819 801 067

The photocopying of this newsletter is courtesy of Bob Stensholt local MLA for Burwood. Funds supporting the printing and distribution of newsletters provided by Melbourne Water & Bendigo Bank

Greetings friends and other residents interested in Back Creek

This is the 28th edition of BACKCREEK BRIEFINGS. Progress made is as follows:

Membership subscription: Membership subscriptions help keep FOBC operating. If you would like to become a member and or make a donation, contact our treasurer Bob Strickland on 9830 0749 or print off a membership form from our website and send us your subscription.

Tree removal: Melbourne Water has scheduled for removal in late north of Cornell Street entrance to the creek. Willow’s earmarked for removal are located approximately 100 metres along the creek bed. A diagram identifying the willows for removal is attached. Melbourne Water will also re-establish an access way to the creek from the Cornell street end of the pathway.

These willows currently impede water flow creating snags for debri and litter. With the trend towards intermittent but short heavy rain, these snags increase the risk of heavy flooding, with resultant erosion and subsidence of nearby embankments on which local households are built.

The leaf canopy of willows blocks sunlight hindering the growth of native plants and encouraging the spread of noxious weed species. Leaf litter from the willows suffocates waterborne life by deoxygenating the water. The contrast in habitats can be seen when comparing the mid section of the creek where willows are dominant to the creek section nearer to Riversdale Road.

In February 2003 Melbourne Water met with local residents and FOBC committee members to discuss and establish agreed parameters for work to be conducted along the creek. The outcome of that meeting was acceptance by all of the following principles:

Melbourne Water is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the creek bed.
Boroondara Council is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the surrounding embankment and neighbouring parkland.
Local residents and FOBC are responsible for fostering a community that cares for and supports the creek and neighbouring environment.
Melbourne Water and Boroondara Council will remove trees including willows that

Block the creek bed
Fall over
Pose an immediate risk to safety within the community

Working bee update:

On Sunday 18 November, 2007 we planted 100 seedlings along the Riversdale Road of the creek above and below the boardwalk. This planting is part of a revegitation project funded by Melbourne Water. Over the next few months FOBC will concentrate its efforts on weed removal and the setting down of jute mat. This will occur at both the Quinton Road and Riversdale Road locations with the view to further planting in 2008. Our last working bee for 2007 will be at Quinton Road on Sunday December 16 where we will lay some more jute mat on the east embankment.

If you want to help out, come down from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm. Bring a good pair of gloves and shoes. Drinks and refreshments will be provided.

Raffle: The raffle of Eleanor Stephenson’s marvelous pastel painting of native birds was drawn at the October working bee by local councilor Heinz Kreutz. The winner was John Cott. The raffle raised $300 which is much needed for funding administering our group such as incorporation fees and public liability insurance. Thanks to all who participated.

FOBC WEBSITE:

We have updated our website including some photos take from the Schools tree day, so check us out.

www.friendsofbackcreek.org

Friends of Back Creek South: FOBC South has their inaugural working bee on Sunday November 11. More than a dozen local residents set about restoring 100 metres of pathway covered in weeds from years of neglect. Situated at Denman Avenue in Glen Iris the pathway travels north towards Toorak Road. After 2 hours of toil in strong sunlight the pathway was cleared. Their next objective will be to remove weeds along the surrounding embankment.

Residents interested in participating can contact Albert Toet by email on toeta@ozemail.com.au

Tadpoles and frogs

You may have heard lately the croaking of frogs near in the pond near the Riversdale Road end of the creek. Two species of frogs exist, the Southern Brown tree frog and the Pobblebonk. Both are native to south eastern Australia and Melbourne. The Pobblebonk was introduced by FOBC. Based on the noise created, both species appear to be flourishing.

FOBC Committee:

President - Robert Brierley – 9836 3779

Secretary – Chris Walta - 9888 4461

(29A Cornell Street, Camberwell, 3124)

Treasurer – Bob Strickland – 9830 0749

Committee members – Barrie Gallacher, Eleanor Stephenson, John Cott, Jim Breen, Rosemary Buchanan.