By Catherine Watson

THE council has rejected the latest attempt to subdivide a large swamp block at Harmers Haven, declaring the proposal would contribute to the decline and fragmentation of indigenous vegetation and degradation of the coastline.
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The 1.3 hectare block at 60-76 Viminaria Road adjoins the Kilcunda-Harmers Haven Coastal Reserve, which is part of the Yallock-Bullock Marine and Coastal Park.

CORINELLA residents and other users of the foreshore reserve have been invited to provide feedback on a draft Landscape Management Plan that will provide clarity around vegetation management within the reserve.  
 
The reserve, which comprises 30-hectares of coastal Crown land on the eastern side of Western Port Bay that encircles the township of Corinella, contains significant features, including geological formations at Settlement Point, a diversity of native vegetation, sites of cultural significance to the Bunurong people as well as areas of historic significance.  ​

By Michael Nugent
 
“Get rid of personal motor vehicles if you can – and if not keep hold of your existing vehicle for longer”
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This is one of six commitments that, according to researchers, if made by people in well-off countries, would account for a quarter of the emissions reductions needed to keep global warming to 1.5C.

By Ed Thexton

WHY bother building a nest box?  Nest boxes are constructed tree hollows.  Tree hollows take at least 50 years to form naturally.  Bass Coast has very few old hollow-bearing trees as only five per cent of the shire remains uncleared.  This affects the 50 local species of birds and mammals evolved to use hollows for breeding.  

Last Saturday the South Gippsland Conservation Society held a bird nest box workshop at the excellent Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club, the first in a series to develop a greater understanding of biodiversity management in the time of biodiversity crisis. ​

By Catherine Watson

Clearing vegetation for the extension of Inverloch’s shared pathway revealed this archaeological find: a sign erected by Bass Coast Shire Council warning against the clearing of vegetation, obviously in the wake of illegal clearing by residents who wanted a sea view.

“Foreshore vegetation plays an integral role in stabilising the dune system from wind and wave action,” the sign reads in part.

Exactly what the South Gippsland Conservation Society has been telling the council in regard to removing vegetation for the pathway.

​The sign has been dated to the early 2000s. Since then, the dune face has receded more than 70 metres. 

By Maddy Harford
 
Mary, Mary extraordinary
How does your garden grow?
With espaliered fruit trees, chooks and herbs 
And tomato plants all in a row!
 
Mary's garden in San Remo was one of 15 gardens open to visitors last weekend in the inaugural Bass Coast Edible Gardens Festival.

By Frank Coldebella
 
WHEN I saw the front page headlines in this week’s Sentinel Times, I felt like I’d stepped back three decades.
 
Over four detailed pages, our local paper did a complete hatchet job on the proposed new pathway between Inverloch and Wonthaggi.

According to the front page article, adjoining landowners fear the pathway will cause “disruption to agricultural production, risks to biosecurity and personal safety”.
 
It reminded me of the outrage that greeted proposals for what we now regard as some of our finest assets: the Wonthaggi-Kilcunda rail trail, the George Bass Coastal Walk, even the Bunurong Marine Park.

BASS Coast gardeners will show and tell all in the inaugural Edible Gardens Open Weekend.

Fifteen of Bass Coast’s finest edible gardens will open to visitors between 10am and 4pm on February 19 and 20.

They include five community gardens, six backyard gardens and four small acreage properties; all producing a range of foods and using a variety of approaches.