Increased utility and other operating costs have caused the Committee to increase ANGAIR subscriptions to $25.00 for single/family membership, and $15.00 for a pensioner.

 

The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) has released the draft Anglesea River Estuary Management Plan for comment. The Draft can be found at www.ccma.vic.gov.au.  Further information, requests and queries should be directed to Rhys Collins on 5232 9100. CCMA has invited those interested to comment on the plan, which can be by phone 5232 9100, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by post to PO Box 159 Colac 3250. Comments should be submitted before 30 November.

 

The Surf Coast Shire has been given a grant to examine possible conflicts between the Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission recommendations and Shire Environmental Policies. The report is now open for comment until 15 October.

A Surf Coast representative informed us that the report effectively recommends “that we prioritise the protection of human life over other policy considerations in planning”, and that, “Any biodiversity and environmental objectives specified in the planning schemes are to be compatible with planned bushfire protection measures”. This means that environmental objectives are ranked second.

The most obvious, longstanding confusion is between the amount of replanting required when plants are removed from properties during building, and the recommendation of retaining 10 metres of defendable area around houses. The clearing of blocks is likely to cause severe degradation of habitat for birds and animals, particularly the Bristle bird. The 10 metres of defendable area applies to new or renovated houses, and it is interesting that few owners of older houses have taken up the clearing options.

This has lots of implications for character of our townships, and for ANGAIR Members. If you wish to examine the report, and comment, please contact the Surf Coast Shire, by mail, PO Box 350, Torquay, 3228, by phone, 5261 0600, or by email, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Committee has been notified of two talks that may be of interest to members:

 

• “Winged  Sentinels. Birds and Climate Change” by Janice Wormworth.   Find out what climate change means for birds, and the political consequences of ignoring these warning signs.  Friday, 5 October  at 7.30 p.m. Surf City Plaza, Recreation Hall, Beach Road, Torquay.
• “The Biodiversity of the Brisbane Ranges” by Cathy Powers. Cathy has a passionate interest in the Brisbane Ranges, and orchids in particular. Tuesday, 9 October, 7.00 p.m. for 7.30 p.m. Geelong Botanic Gardens Meeting Room. The entrance is at the intersection of Holt Road and Eastern Park Circuit.

 

November Walk

Janet Stephens and Patrick Flanagan have generously invited us to Pomonal  again, near the Grampians National Park, for camping and walking over a weekend. The dates are Saturday and Sunday, 24 & 25 November. We are aware that there is a MSO Concert in Geelong on the Friday night, so we have delayed the start of the long walk until 11.00 a.m. Saturday.  Detailed information will be in the next newsletter.

Helen Tutt

Wildflower Weekend and Art Show Chris Morrissey

The Wildflower Weekend and Art Show is over for another year, as everyone heaves a big sigh of satisfaction and relief. Visitors seemed to enjoy themselves, and there were lots of young children with their parents, enjoying the many activities designed for them. We give a huge “thank you” to everyone who helped, before, during and after the event.

Special thanks to Robyn Lucas, for the eye-catching flyer and poster, and to Rebecca Hosking and her helpers, who put on a picture show about the local environment. This was a new event, which was greatly appreciated by those who attended. The visit from the Roaming Reptiles was both popular and informative, and we thank the Anglesea and District Community Bank Branch, Bendigo Bank for their generous sponsorship.

Show Book Stall Mandy Mitchell-Taverner & Barbara Leavesley

Huge thanks also, to all who contributed books, or volunteered time to help with the second-hand bookstall at the Show. Another excellent result – more than $850 – made the effort very worthwhile. All proceeds go directly to ANGAIR, there are no expenses, and your lovely books have found new homes where they are again wanted and valued! Thank you all so much.

After such a result, we guess we'll have to do it again next year! So start looking critically at your bookshelves once more, and talk to friends and family during the year ahead, about their surplus books!!