ornithorynkids awesome again

I was delighted to attend the fifth Awesome Ornithorynkids (platypus) Day, a celebration of the Monbulk Creek platypus population and environment at Belgrave Lake Park.  A key event of the Southern Dandenongs Landcare Group, organisers planned a range of activities for all to participate in. 

This year I MC’d the night time creature sounds competition and I was amazed at how many creatures were readily identified by participants.

The day included a planting on the banks of the Monbulk Creek, a known habitat area for our local platypus population. Awesome Ornithorynkids provided a great opportunity to harness some community energy into replanting, with 300 plants put in on the day as part of the revegetation program.

Park Victoria were there with a wildlife display as well
as this fox, a widespread pest animal in
The Dandenongs.

An enormous amount of work has been completed removing weed nasties like Wandering Trad (ranked number 10 as worst weed in Yarra Ranges) under the Urban Fringe Weed Management Initative (UFWMI), a jointly funded project which has seen $1million of state government investment  over four years matched by council to start to tackle weeds across land tenures in the Dandenongs.

I can only hope that we see tripartisan support for this initiative into the future and a recommitment to fund the program as we head into an election year in Victoria. The UFWMI has had some great outcomes in terms of biodiversity improvements as well as continuing the great relationship between council and community environment groups in the protection of natural values and the threat of weeds.

There’s been an enormous amount done in the Dandenongs and Awesome Ornithorynkids is a great way to showcase this work, educate locals on our local icon, the platypus and harness some of that community passion into planting or other volunteer opportunities. Well done SDLG.

happening around and about local lyster bushland

There's a lot going on in the bushland areas in the Lyster Ward, here's a snapshot of some of the current range of activities. I acknowledge and thank our environmental volunteers whose efforts are the key to the success of many of these projects and they contribute many volunteer hours to improving our local environment.

Belgrave to Lysterfield Bike Trail

Yarra Ranges is working with Melbourne Water and Parks Victoria on constructing the linking trail from Belgrave through Birdsland, Melbourne Water’s retarding basin (the lakes at Birdsland) and Parks Victoria’s existing trail network to Lysterfield Lake Park.

This project includes the newly constructed Monbulk Creek footbridge at the entrance to Birdsland on Mt Morton Rd, the linking trail to the Wellington Road/Lysterfield Road traffic lights and the upgrade of Melbourne Water’s Blackwood Forest Trail.

It's a great example of a range of land managers working together to maximise project outcomes.

Belgrave Lake Park Revegetation/Weed Control Project

There's a lot of weed control works going on at Belgrave Lake Park, funded through the Urban Fringe Weed Management initiative and Melbourne Water’s Corridors of Green Program. This project is in its third year starting with extensive woody weed removal and trad removal along the Monbulk Creek. It's been terrific to see more than 3,000 plants be part of a revegetation program, planted by both contractors and volunteers (some on Awesome Ornithorynkids day).

Birdsland Reserve Pest Animal Control and Nest Box Program

There's been some fox control activities taking place in conjunction with Parks Victoria, in its third year and exploring new techniques like soft jaw trapping.

Thirty nest boxes have been installed in two sections of the reserve, the Monbulk Creek corridor and old growth tree section of the ridge paddock. Ongoing monitoring of all locations has revealed up to 80% of boxes are in use. This project has been jointly funded through the Southern Dandenongs Landcare Group Caring for Country grant and Council’s budget.

Here I am with Yarra Ranges Environmental
Achiever of the Year, Vicki Boyle, a powerhouse
in the environmental volunteering stakes.
Nest boxes provide our local arboreal
mammals with housing options.
Many habitat trees have been removed
over time leaving nowhere for these
creatures to call home.

Bushland Management Plans for Hazelvale Valley Reserve, Bellbird Street Park and Birdsland

The Bushland Management Plans set priorities for bushland management for all these important reserves situated along the Monbulk Creek, they span between 2 to 5 years and are a collaboration between Shire contractors and our dedicated environmental volunteers.

awesome again

Stax the Didgeman, read out the observations
of the first Europeans to see the platypus, which
proved to be very curious.

It was terrific to, once again, be part of the Southern Dandenongs Landcare Group's Awesome Ornithorhynkids day at Belgrave Lake Park (aka as Playtpus Day).

Funded through a Yarra Ranges Council community festivals grant, it is a great celebration of community, children and our famous local resident, the platypus. With plenty of activites for children including screen printing, face painting, story telling, arts & crafts and an interactive & live wildlife display, it is a wonderful way for children to spend the afternoon and learn more about our local environment.

Rudy the One Man Band
kept everyone entertained
with an array of specially
written platypus songs.

The day is also supported by the Selby CFA who provided the sausage sizzle and we were all entertained by Rudy the One Man Band and Stax who'd written some songs especially for the platypus, one of the highlights being the Ornithorhynchus Pokey (a hiliarious version of the Hokey Pokey).

Cr Samantha Dunn spots a couple of platypus!

The day included a platypus walk, led by James, who is one of the coordinators of this year's community platypus count. It's great to learn more about this fascinating animal and we all felt priviliged to know that we have them in our own local waterway, the Monbulk Creek.

Two platypus were spotted at the most recent count, with this information being fed back to the Australian Platypus Conservancy, who are the key body involved with conserving the species.

Belgrave Lake Park is a great venue for
Awesome Ornithorhynkids.

James talked about the importance of habitat and healthy waterways to encourage platypus and the platypus walk included an inspection of the most recent weed works and plantings undertaken by the Shire of Yarra Ranges and the local Friends of Monbulk Creek, Belgrave Lake. It's looking great.

Well done to organisers, a great day out for all ages.

bridging to belgrave

Cr Samantha Dunn inspects the new bridge over
Monbulk Creek.

Earlier this month work was completed to see a new bridge installed across Monbulk Creek near Park Drive and Belgrave Lake Park.

The original bridge was extensively damaged in the 2011 floods but was temporarily reinstated so pedestrians could still access the track which leads from Selby to Belgrave.

It's terrific to see the new bridge, it provides an important pedestrian link via the Park Drive neighbourhood up to Belgrave and it's good to have a permanent replacement installed.

belgrave lake finds some friends

It was terrific to attend the 're-launch' of the Friends of Belgrave lake Park this weekend.

The park contains some very significant vegetation as well as the Monbulk Creek and provides an important wildlife corridor link from the Dandenongs to Lysterfield.

Here I am pictured with Vicki Boyle, Vice President of the Southern Dandenongs Landcare Group and Garrique Pergl, President of the Southern Dandenongs Community Nursery, both of them environmental powerhouses of enthusiasm and knowledge about our local environment.


Part of the day's activities included some revegetation along the banks of the Monbulk Creek. It will be terrific to watch this replanting take hold and create a healthier habitat for our wildlife as well as provide important bank stabilisation.

Belgrave Lake Park provides some vital habitat for water birds in the area, significant willow eradication by Melbourne Water has seen a great improvement in the health of the creek and lake.


The Shire of Yarra Ranges has been undertaking major weed removal works on the land between Monbulk Creek and private land holdings (on the high side). It's terrific to see indigenous plants return as the weeds that were strangling them are removed.










Belgrave Lake Park has some important large old hollow bearing trees, they provide important habitat for animals that need hollows to make a home.

The Shire of Yarra Ranges supports over 85 Landcare and Friends of Groups. They do great work to enhance our natural environment. If you'd like to know more about your local Landcare or Friends of Group click here.

awesome ornithorhyn-kids - awesome again

It was terrific to be part of the third annual Awesome Ornithorhyn-kids Day, at the Belgrave Lake Park. Organised by the Southern Dandenongs Landcare Group (SDLG) and supported through a community grant from the Shire of Yarra Ranges, families had a great day learning about not only about our local platypus but the importance of habitat to all of our wildlife.

Today I was launching a new 'housing policy' for some of the local wildlife. Here I am with SDLG secretary, Vicki Boyle and some new homes for Sugar Gliders, Kookaburras and Rosellas.

SDLG and Monbulk Landcare Group have working away constructing an assortment of nesting boxes for our wildlife. The nesting boxes will be installed in Shire reserves at Belgrave Lake Park, Birdsland, Butterfield Reserve and Moores Road Reserve.

Part of the day's activities included banner painting led by local artist pictured here, Emma Johnson.

Kids very enthusiastically painted all manner and colour platypus on the banners, which will be used to the promote the event into the future.

SDLG were able to provide a myriad of activities for children including a wildlife display by Animals of Oz. Other activities included platypus art, storytime, singalongs and Rudy the One Man Band.

Many small hands were keen to pat the croc, not to mention the snake, frill-necked lizard and the bat too.

In speaking to onlookers I talked about the new 'housing program' and how important it was to continue to provide opportunities for our native animals to nest as pressure on our natural environment continued to increase. I also talked about the importance of retaining trees with hollows and how the incremental loss of trees with hollows, both legally and illegally, has had a large effect on wildlife over the broader landscape.

Here's Blair installing the first nesting box near Monbulk Creek at Belgrave Lake Park.

















.

Glenn Brooks-McMillan from the Cardina Catchment Landcare Group spoke about the importance of healthy waterways for our local platypus population.

Another treat for people on the day, the local Powerful Owl roosting nearby. This species is listed as threatened and vulnerable in Victoria.








.
Pictured here, Jackie Glenn, President of SDLG and myself.

The SDLG work tirelessly to improve our environment and raise awareness of environmental issues in the local community.

It was a terrific day out, very well attended, the SDLG intend to make Awesome Ornithorhynkids an annual event. Let's hope next year our nesting boxes have some residents.

awesome ornithorynkids on again

This Saturday sees the return of Awesome Ornithorynkids at Belgrave Lake Park.

A great opportunity to learn about the platypus who live in our very own Monbulk Creek.

In it's third year, it's a family friendly event, free and fun for everyone. The Southern Dandenongs Landcare Group are event organisers and have a passion for spreading environmental education.

It will be a great day out, I look forward to seeing you down there.

Details:
When: Saturday 3rd September 12pm to 3pm
Where: Belgrave Lake Park
Cost: FREE

a fence or two

It's terrific to see work starting on the replacement fencing in Belgrave. The push for a new fence was made some time ago by traders and community, after consultation it's great to see work starting on a new fence for the Belgrave Township.

Work on the fence is starting at the "Earthly Pleasures" end of town and will take around 14 weeks to complete.

.

The fence is the same style as the fence at the Belgrave Town Park and will be far more attractive than the current pool fencing that's been part of the town for many years. The current fence is past its use by date with some sections requiring constant repair.

The new look will enhance the look of Belgrave and be a great addition to the streetscape.

Children can play safer at Belgrave Lake Park now with a fence around the playground.

A fence has also gone up around the playground at Belgrave Lake Park. The fence has been installed in response to complaints from concerned parents about dogs roaming off leash through the playground. Belgrave Lake Park does have a dog's off leash area but also includes a playground, fitness park and basketball practice area.

On some occasions dogs have wandered into the playground area and parents were concerned about their children's safety. A fence around the playground ensures children can play safely without fear of dogs.

samantha in the press - wildlife

Finish it off, Monbulk Creek Fishers
Leader Newspapers
by Kimberley Seedy
9 Mar 2011

family fun at awesome ornithorhynkids

Join me and members of the Southern Dandenongs Landcare Group for a day of family fun at the Awesome Ornithorhynkids Day at Belgrave Lake Park on Sunday 12^th September.

Learn how to say 'Ornithorhynchus anatinus' and find out what it means.

Come and listen to a platypus expert and find out about our local population.
Where do they live?
What do they eat?
Who to contact if you see a platypus.
And why willows need to be removed.

Learn how you can help and meet the big friendly platypus, Tilly.

There will be something for everyone - Games, Craft Activities, Face Painting, Story Telling, Free Show bags, Native Soft Toy Play Area for the littlies as well as a guided walk around Belgrave Lake.

The day will also include the offical unveiling of a mosaic project completed by the Rowville Scouts and local kids.

Details:
Where: Belgrave Lake Park
When: 12pm to 3pm on Sunday 12th September

Pictured here is the turn out at last year's Awesome Ornithorhynkids, the event was well supported by the community keen to learn more about one of our favourite locals, the platypus.

You can bring along a picnic lunch or support the Selby CFA who will be there with their trusty BBQ.

I look forward to seeing you there.

fitness for belgrave lake

Belgrave Lake Park visitors now have an additional facility to take advantage of when they next visit the park. A new fitness park has been installed providing users with various apparatus to undertake all manner of fitness training. I was keen to see a fitness park installed in the Lyster Ward to enable the local community to enjoy the benefits of these installations.

I noticed the fitness park was being well used by community members in a recent family visit to Belgrave Lake Park. Family members, young and old were enjoying the balance beams, sit up benches and chin up bars. One keen teenager was using the fitness park for a bit of extreme basketball training, utilising the beams and bars as obstacles whilst dribbling his basketball.

The fitness park also provides training apparatus for those in wheelchairs.

It’s great to see new facilities embraced by the community in one of Belgrave’s most scenic parklands.