Dave Bateman and Melina Bath are pleased with the progress of mangroves planted in January 2025. Photo: Chelsea Delbridge. By Neil Daly
FOR those who have followed my mangrove adventures along the Queensferry foreshore, what happened on June 2 must be one of the most memorable.
On a mild winter’s morning, Melina Bath, Shadow Minister for Public Land Management and Aboriginal Affairs, John Carney (property owner), Dave Bateman (executive general manager, Bass Coast Landcare Network), Jason Noonan (mangrove citizen scientist) and I gathered on Queensferry’s foreshore.
Garbed in gumboots and winter jackets, we strolled along the foreshore from the naturally growing mangrove stand at the eastern end where Landcare had planted mangrove seeds protected by the brush structures, towards the western end where the established mangroves and the mangrove projects being undertaken by Deakin University, Landcare and Jason can be found.
FOR those who have followed my mangrove adventures along the Queensferry foreshore, what happened on June 2 must be one of the most memorable.
On a mild winter’s morning, Melina Bath, Shadow Minister for Public Land Management and Aboriginal Affairs, John Carney (property owner), Dave Bateman (executive general manager, Bass Coast Landcare Network), Jason Noonan (mangrove citizen scientist) and I gathered on Queensferry’s foreshore.
Garbed in gumboots and winter jackets, we strolled along the foreshore from the naturally growing mangrove stand at the eastern end where Landcare had planted mangrove seeds protected by the brush structures, towards the western end where the established mangroves and the mangrove projects being undertaken by Deakin University, Landcare and Jason can be found.
Along the way, we stopped to inspect the state of the various project sites and the foreshore erosion, and chat about the need to undertake an audit of the mangrove projects as mentioned in my article Measure of success.
Over the last six years or so, Jason and I have witnessed and been part of the mangrove planting efforts at Queensferry. Thanks to Melina’s assessment of the situation, we found ourselves discussing the difficulties of trying to grow mangroves along this fragile shoreline, and the need to understand the delicate balance between preserving the natural ecosystem and ensuring practical land management outcomes.
As we sheltered behind the mangrove stand at the western end of Queensferry, for it was starting to get a bit nippy, there was agreement with Melina’s observations that these mangroves were providing a vital habitat for marine and terrestrial species and stabilising the foreshore and protecting the natural saltmarsh.
Heading back along the beach to the Kubota that would take us on another bumpy ride through the boggy saltmarsh on John’s property, Melina indicated that when developing policy such as a strategic management plan for Western Port and its region, it’s important to understand the dynamic nature of the shoreline and its adjoining land. She added, “To protect our coastal environment, we must first listen to the land – and to the people who live and work on it.”
Now back on ‘dry land’, we discussed the work John and Landcare are undertaking to rejuvenate the saltmarsh environment and the adjoining paddocks.
Over the last six years or so, Jason and I have witnessed and been part of the mangrove planting efforts at Queensferry. Thanks to Melina’s assessment of the situation, we found ourselves discussing the difficulties of trying to grow mangroves along this fragile shoreline, and the need to understand the delicate balance between preserving the natural ecosystem and ensuring practical land management outcomes.
As we sheltered behind the mangrove stand at the western end of Queensferry, for it was starting to get a bit nippy, there was agreement with Melina’s observations that these mangroves were providing a vital habitat for marine and terrestrial species and stabilising the foreshore and protecting the natural saltmarsh.
Heading back along the beach to the Kubota that would take us on another bumpy ride through the boggy saltmarsh on John’s property, Melina indicated that when developing policy such as a strategic management plan for Western Port and its region, it’s important to understand the dynamic nature of the shoreline and its adjoining land. She added, “To protect our coastal environment, we must first listen to the land – and to the people who live and work on it.”
Now back on ‘dry land’, we discussed the work John and Landcare are undertaking to rejuvenate the saltmarsh environment and the adjoining paddocks.
Saltmarsh track leading to the Queensferry foreshore. Photo: Neil Daly
Since taking on the property some five years ago, John has progressively improved its pastures and the farm’s biodiversity. His overall plan is to implement a restorative farming approach by:
- re-establishing the saltmarsh to become a birdlife sanctuary, absorb sea water inundation during storm surges, boost its carbon sequestration capacity and provide a buffer between the sea and the farming land;
- restoring the depleted soils and grasses by sowing multi-species mixture of field peas, diploid Italian ryegrass, banister oats, morava vetch, commander chicory, falcon leafy turnip, tillage radish and USA red clover; and
- complementing this approach with rotational stock grazing and spreading natural fertiliser on the paddocks.
Multi-species pasture planted in April 2025. Photo: John Carney
Back at the rather large shed housing farm machinery and miscellaneous bits and pieces, John asked if we’d like some of his “home brew” – we opted for coffee!
The freshly brewed fertiliser ready for spraying. Photo: Neil Daly It turned out that the “brew” was harmless. Called “Bioferts” (a natural fertiliser), it’s a mixture of, for example, cow manure, molasses, seaweed, air and clean water, brewed at a temperature of 25-30C in a 1000L sealable container with an airlock.
According to John “You know when the brew is right … it smells good”. With a grin on his face, Dave stepped forward to take in the aroma – it was a great way to end our informative in situ meeting.
In this low-lying foreshore environment, the work John and Landcare are undertaking to integrate and regenerate plant life in the marine and terrestrial landscapes is commendable.
This holistic approach is, I suggest, the forerunner of what others will have to do as a way of adapting their land use to meet the ecosystem changes occurring along the eastern arm of Western Port.
In May 2023, I invited the then state government environment minister to walk the sands of Queensferry. It’s a pity the invitation was not taken up for until MPs “touch the real world” they will never understand the ecological interdependence of Western Port’s land and sea and what needs to be done to adapt to its changing environment.
“What I saw at Queensferry reminds us that land and water management must be rooted in regional knowledge and real-world evidence – not driven by city-based assumptions or one-size-fits-all policy prescriptions,” Melina said.
Will others follow her lead?
Hopefully yes. It’s time to get out of Spring Street and spend some time “on the farm”.
According to John “You know when the brew is right … it smells good”. With a grin on his face, Dave stepped forward to take in the aroma – it was a great way to end our informative in situ meeting.
In this low-lying foreshore environment, the work John and Landcare are undertaking to integrate and regenerate plant life in the marine and terrestrial landscapes is commendable.
This holistic approach is, I suggest, the forerunner of what others will have to do as a way of adapting their land use to meet the ecosystem changes occurring along the eastern arm of Western Port.
In May 2023, I invited the then state government environment minister to walk the sands of Queensferry. It’s a pity the invitation was not taken up for until MPs “touch the real world” they will never understand the ecological interdependence of Western Port’s land and sea and what needs to be done to adapt to its changing environment.
“What I saw at Queensferry reminds us that land and water management must be rooted in regional knowledge and real-world evidence – not driven by city-based assumptions or one-size-fits-all policy prescriptions,” Melina said.
Will others follow her lead?
Hopefully yes. It’s time to get out of Spring Street and spend some time “on the farm”.
Some interested onlookers thought they’d like to join in. Photo: Neil Daly