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Back to nature

25/3/2022

7 Comments

 
PictureResidents of Bass Coast’s coastal hamlets value their connection to nature. Photos: Emily Clarke
By Emily Clarke
 
WITH bushfires and now floods affecting our nation, it’s become clear that climate change is here. Sadly, we must acknowledge that Bass Coast Shire and the surrounding region is the most denuded in the state with many areas suffering complete removal of native flora and fauna and increasing coastal erosion over the past decade.
 
In recent years, federal, state and local governments have been changing policy in regards to our environmental values, broadly identifying the urgent need to protect, preserve and expand upon our various working ecologies. In 2018 the Victorian Government released amended Planning Practice Notes for the Planning and Environment Act 1987 setting out the maximum proportion of the site that can be developed on house blocks. This was done to address overdeveloped estates that visually change a town’s character and create localised thermal heat masses with no trees and minimal air flow between buildings.

Addressing the same issue, the NSW government has banned the use of charcoal grey/black roofs throughout the state to stop the thermal heat mass they create and improve the liveability of these homes and estates into the future.
 
As we're all aware, to stand up and recognise climate change is to question, challenge and change planning practices that are outmoded and to deliver site-appropriate solutions that preserve our unique environment into the future.
 
Again in Victoria, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning has finally released a draft statement of planning policy for comment under the Bass Coast Distinctive Area & Landscape (DAL) project.  The crucial point was to identify, preserve and maintain the intrinsic coastal qualities of each coastal hamlet by preventing urban-style developments. Bass Coast Shire Council will incorporate the final document within the Bass Coast Shire Planning Scheme.
 
So how do our council’s actions stack up in terms of recent planning outcomes and those currently up for consultation?
 
Not very well on the Keams Estate development in San Remo, where flooding occurred on adjacent properties after the council permitted mass removal of the vegetation on the site and an inadequate water catchment area and lower side drainage. Additionally, against the current Planning Practices, the council approved hard surface development beyond the allowable limits. This will add to the runoff into the bay and limit the opportunity for adequate revegetation.
 
Two current applications beg for serious attention. An application for Langard Road, Cowes seeks to fill in a natural spring-fed dam (connected to many underground aquifers throughout Cowes), to remove crucial foreshore flora (that protects the foreshore from erosion and inundation) to build a seven-storey set of apartments.
 
The northern beaches on Phillip Island already suffer heavy erosion and are faced with future inundation with only the tertiary dunes remaining. Any loss of the coastal flora and overdevelopment on this site presents an incalculable risk.
 
Similarly, the developers for 35 Cowes-Rhyll Road, Cowes seek to fill in yet another well-known local spring-fed dam of crucial ecological significance. AGAIN, connected to aquifers throughout the Cowes township, with a risk to local wildlife, underground water supply and potential inundation.
PictureWildlife and humans can co-exist.
Both applications contradict the environmental protection values within the Bass Coast Planning Scheme and the DAL program, which recognises the value and distinctive character of each coastal hamlet. The program describes Surf Beach and Sunderland Bay as Low Development Environs with the expectation that no urban-style development infrastructure be installed.
 
The council’s proposed road scheme for Surf Beach and Sunderland Bay contradicts this policy framework.  Publicity, plans and a letter to residents makes it clear the council seeks to urbanise our unique coastal estate with intent. Before asking for responses to the road scheme, they state that BCSC is about to embark on the most expensive road scheme in the history of the Bass Coast Shire in Surf Beach and Sunderland Bay.
 
The design framework options fail to recognise Surf Beach and Sunderland Bay Estates as valuable coastal hamlets abutting the Nature Park and coastline and the shearwater rookeries protected by the international RAMSAR treaty.

​More lights and urban style roads throughout the estate would only attract more drivers and faster road speeds. Low lighting is an asset and part of the intrinsic value of any coastal hamlet. It facilitates the connection to nature with reduced light pollution, great night skies and stars, supporting our abundant wildlife's ability to move around at night for food and water from the rookeries to the farmlands and “Chinaman's Estate” (Scenic Estate Conservation Reserve) over the road. As it is, long-time residents of these estates draw their curtains at night as the shearwaters are also attracted to the lights in the houses. 

 
Most residents just want to stop the dust, caused mostly by speeding drivers. The new speed signs are having a good effect. Asphalt roads with kerb and channelling would immediately urbanise the area, devaluing its value as a coastal hamlet.
 
Considering climate change again, asphalt roads also increase thermal heat mass in summer and water flow to the drains. Kerb and channelling is urbanisation and inappropriate in ecologically sensitive areas. Our wildlife rely on roadside water for their survival in these estates as are our trees and water tables.  Interlocking road pavers, as used in Silverleaves and Cape Woolamai esplanades, are cheaper to make, install and repair, are heavy load bearing, have colours more suitable for a coastal look and heating climate whilst allowing water to soak into the ground.
 
We live in uncertain times. Many Bass Coast people are struggling financially and feeling concerned about the future. But as this is happening people are also reconnecting with their community and our unique environment. The DAL Program is a crucial and timely document seeking to protect these values into the future. The council should defer any decision on the road plan until it is finalised.
 
Emily Clarke lives at Surf Beach
​

7 Comments
Anne Heath Mennell
26/3/2022 12:58:03 pm

Thank you, Emily, for drawing our attention to these development issues. They shouldn't be happening even under existing planning regs. However, the DAL process won't come into effect until 2024,
probably, so isn't likely to be much help.
When the roads in Tenby Point were sealed some years ago we fought to prevent curbs and channels which would destroy the rural
ambience and instead have an 'environmentally sensitive urban design' solution to assist with long-standing drainage issues.
I wish you luck in your efforts to protect our precious natural environment.

Reply
Linda Nicholls
26/3/2022 04:27:36 pm

Emily- I hear your frustration. Thankyou for writing your article.
We- at Coronet Bay and Corinella - have a connecting thin line of native vegetation between the towns. The coastal track here is highly valued and used by many.
We also have many birds, an array of native animals and a small freshwater lake with surrounding native vegetation.
We now have been issued a DRAFT from DELWP that is the Corinella Foreshore Reserve Landscape Management Plan.
Not everyone in our towns are aware of it yet as they have not been notified.
The proposal is to cut mature trees, reduce middle level shrubbery and “ messy” dead branches along the track.
This is driven by a select few ( with loud voices) who want sea views along the path and from their houses.
Never mind about erosion, climate change, bird and animal habitat diminished, increased wind, reduced shade.
Need I go on.
To preserve and maintain and enhance this valuable walkway and vegetation we must provide feedback.
It can all be found on the engage Victoria website.



Reply
Alison Normanton
28/3/2022 04:20:55 pm

thank you for your plea Linda. I am a resident of Corinella and whole-heartedly agree. If we wish to protect this unique and critical foreshore, it is important to respond to the draft plan with an emphatic NO. This sets about to turn this wonderful native bushland into a parkland reserve, for the benefit of a selfish handful of residents, and at the expense of our native flora and fauna.

Reply
Julie Thomas
26/3/2022 06:00:50 pm

This is a huge issue, Emily - and thank you for highlighting it in your article!

Along with these distressing inconsistencies, we watch with dismay as, all between here and the city, planning permits allow housing estates to cover the land with level terrain and good soil. But this is our most productive farmland. There's scant regard for the contribution of this land to the food we eat, as planners are wooed by greedy developers and the desire for more rates. Population growth and the need for housing is understandable, but so many of these houses are second 'holiday' homes or under foreign ownership, and are empty most of the time.

I don't agree with mantra that 'we must have growth'. That does not take into account the many retirees who have moved here, and others who seek a simple, peaceful, lifestyle. If people can't live without city-style amenities, why not live where these amenities exist .

Somewhere there has to be the option to live in a peaceful community where houses have character and where where the natural environment is valued. But here, the shire talks about cat curfews, while encouraging these near-identical 'suburbs' to destroy all the small grassland fauna over hectares and hectares of land; so that the curfews, while of admirable intent, are like putting a bandaid on a broken leg.

Reply
Jan Fleming
27/3/2022 02:15:28 pm

Thanks very much Emily, fantastic article. Regards, Jan.

Reply
Stephen Jansen
28/3/2022 08:17:58 am

I couldn't agree more with the sentiments already expressed. I live in the Strezleckis overlooking Wonthaggi and surrounds. Trees are disappearing around towns at an alarming rate. Why do some residents wish to live in asphalt jungles when they left the suburbs for that very reason? Councils need to remove their heads from the sand and see the bigger picture..the need to embrace the environment not destroy it for gain!

Reply
Margaret Lee
1/4/2022 05:16:59 pm

Thank you Emily for you care about our precious environment.
We are also fighting to the remaining corridor of only 5% of natural bushland from sand mining expansion. We must save Save Westernport Woodlands

Reply



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