Foreshore Community Reference Committee

Transcription

1 Foreshore Community Reference Committee MINUTES - Meeting Two On-site inspection Elwood to St Kilda West Beach 26 th October pm. In Attendance: Councillor Janet Bolitho Nick Aagren - Port Melbourne resident Guy Boston - Middle Park resident Rose Capp - Elwood resident Luke Thomas - Albert Park resident Nicola Prior - Environmental Planner, Public Land Services, Department of Sustainability & Environment (DSE) Fiona Blair - Manager of Parks and Open Space, City of Port Phillip Laraine Elliott - Business Support Officer, City of Port Phillip David Hehir - Foreshore Coordinator, City of Port Phillip Apologies: Councillor Judith Klepner (Chair) Edina Critch - Ranger in Charge, North Port Phillip, Parks Victoria Paula Butler - General Manager, Life Saving Club development, Life Saving Victoria Sandra Wade - Manager of City Strategy, City of Port Phillip 1. Welcome Starting at the plaza area leading to Elwood Beach, David guided committee members through the on-site inspection from Elwood to St Kilda West Beach. The following minutes aim to summarise the major discussions that occurred at particular locations along the foreshore and document themes raised by committee members. 2. Elwood Foreshore redevelopment Council invested over $2.5 million in stages 1 & 2 on the Elwood foreshore redevelopment. The works consisted of: - Increased area of soft landscaping, and reduced paved area; - Improved facilities, bbq s and seating; - Renewal of carpark with Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) treatments to capture stormwater flows; - Bike path upgrade; - Energy efficient lighting; and - Net increase in public open space. The relocation of the bike path was undertaken with the support of Bicycle Victoria when wider community consultation was approached differently. Improved signage and rumble strip mitigation works are being incorporated into the Stage 3 designs. Members then walked north to be in front of the Elwood Sailing and Angling Clubs. 3. Elwood beach renourishment Elwood Beach has been eroding at an accelerated rate of 0.7 metres per year (6-7 metres since 2000) and was expected to be lost within several years depending on the frequency of storm events. The dominant wind and wave action is from the south and south-west which transports sand along the Elwood Beach in a northerly direction. The amount of sand Meeting_2_Foreshore Community Reference Committee_onsite_tour_minutes_ doc 1 of 7

2 supply arriving at the southern end of the beach is less than the volume mobilised north and as a result the beach is eroding. Elwood Beach is continuing to see an increase in patronage. It is highly valued for passive and active recreation with the public, members and visitors from the Life Saving, Sailing and Angling Clubs, Sea scouts and restaurants as well as major triathlon events. The joint project will see the States Department of Sustainability and Environment invest approx $2.75 million and Council contribute $250,000. The consultation process was seemingly different to other experiences for the community. The process was led by Council and involved: - surveys and meetings with clubs/stakeholders to first clarify the scope and client needs, rather than engineering solution; - four different designs for the stakeholder decision to weigh up the pro s and con s; - consensus gained from all the groups on one design; - public information meeting to review the finalised concept plans; and - development of detailed plans based on the agreed design. The works will ensure a minimum of 25 metres of beach sand at high tide for the next 20 years. Incorporating Council s Stage 3 works untreated stormwater flows from the centre of the beach will be diverted to the Head St stormwater drain, whilst preventing erosion of the newly renourished beach. The proposed beach works include: - reconstruction of the shared Sailing Club and pedestrian access ramp; - widening of the pedestrian ramp near the Life Saving Club; - replacement of Council s beach cleaning access ramp; - construction of a combined rock groyne and boat ramp; - importing 57,600 tonnes of quarried beach sand to rebuild the beach and add more sand to the coastal system. Works are currently expected to start next year after the completion of the Clubs summer activities. Members walked south to the Head Street drainage outlet. 4. Port Phillip boundary, Beach cleaning regime and Melbourne Water drainage outlet. The boundary between Port Phillip and Bayside Council s was confirmed to be in-line with the centre of Head Street, not the drainage outlet. The resolutions with Bayside to fix asphalt/seawall failures and invest in complimentary landscape works for future landscape upgrades were discussed. The current beach cleaning regime was discussed with the current winter/summer weekly mechanical cleaning and daily manual pick up during summer. Clarification was sought if the seaweed was recycled or too many contaminants. And the regime to remove stockpiled seaweed before weekends. The Head street outlet drains the untreated flows from the foreshore carpark and adjoining council areas beyond Port Phillip. The flows are too large to enable the installation of litter traps at the outlet, but would require works further upstream works within Port Phillip and the neighbouring council areas. The drainage outlet is owned by Melbourne Water and regularly used for wedding ceremonies with over 100 guests. Meeting_2_Foreshore Community Reference Committee_onsite_tour_minutes_ doc 2 of 7

3 Members made their own way to the front of the Sails on the Bay restaurant to discuss accessibility and the pedestrian and bike path conflicts. Committee members then headed to the southern end of the foreshore carpark in front of the litter transfer station. 5. Elwood stage 3 foreshore redevelopment and southern carpark Observations were made on the existing use of the carpark for the storage of seaweed and street leaf litter. Stage 3 of the Elwood foreshore redevelopment is expected to see approximately $765,000 worth of works. The project is currently expected to include: - relocation and native vegetation screening of the existing litter transfer station; - removal of the cricket nets to free the current overlap onto the oval and relocation near the sports club without facing the westerly sun; - treating a portion of carpark asphalt and stormwater flows from the transfer station to link with the newly completed works to the north; and - bike path treatment in front of the Sails on the Bay restaurant. The Elwood section of the Bay Trail bicycle path had been identified as one of several locations within the bike path safety audit and treatment plan. Five options had been presented to Council with a decision subject to further councillor briefings. Construction of the Stage 3 foreshore redevelopment works are currently expected to start in 2012 upon the completion of detailed designs and public tendering. The surface treatment for the remaining section of the southern carpark will also need to be considered in future years. 6. Elsternwick stormwater harvesting project Port Phillip Council will be investing $767,000 with the total project cost expected to equal $2.8 million over 2 years, including federal government funding. The project is a partnership with Bayside Council and expected to involve: - a portion of Elster Creek channel used for a wetland in Elsternwick Park in Bayside; - harvesting 100ML/yr from the pond for sport ground irrigation; and - piping water from Elsternwick Park to Elwood Park for sport ground irrigation and Elwood foreshore. The Port Phillip Council targets expected to be met by the project include: - 20% reduction in potable water use 20ML/year at Elwood Park; - additional water supply for tree watering up to 10ML/year; - delivery on 37.5% of Council 2020 target for alternative water sources; - 13% reduction in total council portable water use; and - 575kg/yr less nitrogen into the Bay and 73,000 kg/year of suspended solids. 7. Sports Club redevelopment This Council project has seen a $2 million investment which includes: - 4 change rooms; - club storage areas; - public toilet; - first aid room; - new kitchen; - social area - indoor and outdoor viewing areas; - solar hot water; and - rainwater tanks. Meeting_2_Foreshore Community Reference Committee_onsite_tour_minutes_ doc 3 of 7

4 8. Carpark In addition to the foreshore businesses, the Elwood carpark is currently used by 10 member based organisations with tennis, cricket, croquet, football, rugby, soccer, angling, sailing, Life Saving Clubs and sea scouts. In the past year the clubs events at Elwood involved over 2,500 participants. The carpark and surrounding area is also used by participants and spectators in major triathlons along with the general public. It was commented in Council s quarterly community satisfaction surveys parking management is consistently rated in having the greatest influence over respondents level of satisfaction in Council s overall performance. Members walked north through the Elwood carpark and foreshore path towards the Point Ormond carpark. 9. Coastal Vegetation Unlike Councils other parks and reserves there is no masterplan for the coastal vegetation with the exception of Perc White nature reserve at Sandridge. It was commented the coastal vegetation at Elwood and other foreshore vegetation and dunal areas is currently in decline. This is partly due to the combined effects of drought, climate change and aging vegetation. The lack of shade along the foreshore including Elwood had been identified as a major theme from the community. At Elwood, Council has recently removed several truck loads of weeds which were smothering the native vegetation, along with dead timber. There has also been a general decline in the diversity and quality of the vegetation for native fauna. A revegetation program is underway but shade and wind protection is reducing. It was noted the area lacks clear direction to implement future upgrades. A masterplan for the coastal vegetation at Elwood and other areas would identify the long term vision for the area and guide future investment to improve shade and biodiversity. 10. Bike path and lighting maintenance works Members inspected the $110,000 worth of bike path works to replace the previously aged and damaged path. The condition of the foreshore lights, like other assets along the foreshore, is reducing at a faster rate and significant cost to council compared to other areas of the municipality. It was noted several lights along a section of the Elwood path have rusted out and been removed. The new replacement light poles will be on raised foundations in an attempt to reduce damage from salt action and the sand drift. The foreshore lights operation is now inspected on a weekly basis during summer. 11. Vegetation fencing near Point Ormond It was noted the previous condition of fencing required its removal, but currently no replacement program for the areas that still need protection as part of an overall masterplan. The raised garden beds and recent removal of broken wooden fence panels along the bike path north of the Point Ormond marker has created knock on effects. As a result, debris is now getting onto the path requiring increased regular sweeping and an increasing level of native vegetation damaged as pedestrians create goat tracks cutting through the vegetation. Meeting_2_Foreshore Community Reference Committee_onsite_tour_minutes_ doc 4 of 7

5 12. Campers Campervans were noted to be observed at the Elwood and Point Ormond carparks during summer. Other areas of note are Pier Road St Kilda and Port Melbourne where travellers wait for the departure of the boat to Tasmania. It was also noted tents and homeless have been observed on occasions in the coastal reserves. This summer Council has installed large new no camping signage at all the foreshore carparks and advertising campaign at the various backpacker hostels. The bus picked up committee members from the Point Ormond to the Marina Reserve carpark. 13. Toilets Along the way it was raised community feedback had been received relating to the need for toilets near the Pt Ormond Road reserve playground and Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) guidelines in the evaluation of existing and new public toilets. 14. Marina reserve Discussions from the northern end of marina reserve covered the development of the skate park through Council and community consultation to date. The proposals requirement for consent under the State s Coastal Management Act was also raised in relation to the need to demonstrate coastal dependency and alignment to the 2008 Victorian Coastal strategy. Sand drift of the coastal vegetation and Council assets was again noted. 15. Boating and swimming only zones and foreshore gates Tom Turkey Beach south of Brookes Jetty was noted to be an area of numerous community complaints regarding jetski conflicts with other boats and swimmers as well as anti-social behaviour. The existing boating zones at the entrance to the marina and beach combined with the boating traffic limited enforcement by the Water Police. The new boating zones currently being implemented by Parks Victoria will see the exclusion of all boats from the beach. This will direct boating traffic out to the Bay and enable more effective enforcement. Council has installed permanent gates at the entrance to the beach to control illegal access and encourage the use of the public boat ramp and trailer parking in the St Kilda Marina. 16. Separated bike and pedestrian paths leading to St Kilda promenade It was noted the need for a masterplan to upgrade the area between the Marina Reserve and new promenade. Issues along the old section of separated paths included: - aging asphalt requiring replacement within the next few years; - sand drift smothering coastal vegetation; - support to expand the popular promenade boardwalk feature; - expectations to improve safety with path markings and separate cyclists path which better connects to the Jacka boulevard on road cyclist lane; and - expectations to improve shade for picnickers on the grasses areas. 17. St Kilda Promenade The 2006 St Kilda promenade and boardwalk was a major investment to upgrade the St Kilda foreshore and remove the previous conflicts with intersecting path networks. The project has lead to a significant increase in visitors to the foreshore and beach and growth of a 24 culture during summer. Meeting_2_Foreshore Community Reference Committee_onsite_tour_minutes_ doc 5 of 7

6 It was noted Councils changes to better budget for the ongoing boardwalk maintenance costs and more generally lights along the foreshore. Committee members also considered the capacity of the main public toilets adjoining Donovan s restaurant in comparison to the summer demand. The tree condition and shade value on the paved area was also considered. It is expected replacement Norfolk Pines to be planted after summer which have been successful further along the foreshore. Locations for new bins stands to lock in wheelie bins will also be marked out. This will prevent anti-social behaviour with bins thrown into the water or being set alight on the wooden Brookes Jetty. Members noted the new boat access ramp for the St Kilda Life Saving Club and the need to re landscape the Clubs surrounding grass area on with the completion of the Stokehouse renovations. Permanent gates will also be installed to prevent illegal access onto the promenade and dumping of rubbish. Members continued along to the promenade to the St Kilda Pier. 18. Crown Land management An overview was provided by Nicola Prior- DSE on the use and management of Crown Land along the foreshore. Council is typically the Committee of Management for all the crown land along the foreshore including the beaches and buildings. The exception is the Seabaths in which DSE is the lessor of the building and oversees its management. Whilst Council responsible for the surrounding land and carpark. 19. St Kilda Pier and harbour Masterplan Discussions focused on the Parks Victoria sign illustrating the concept plans to upgrade the St Kilda pier with an ocean water pool and disability access. It was highlighted works have been approved for the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron to increase the number of boat berths with the expansion of the rock breakwater and new boardwalk for to observe the penguins. The upgrade of the Pier is still subject to State government funding. The proposed works highlighted the need for council to upgrade the connecting space at the entrance to the Pier and the length of Pier Road. It was also illustrated the ongoing litter from stormwater drainage flowing into the Bay and blown back onto the beaches, along with the impacts on water quality as well as swimmers and marine life. Committee members walked along Pier Road towards West Beach to observe the aging condition of the footpath, campers, impacts from hoon activity and cyclist conflicts. 20. West Beach upgrade At the final location committee members inspected the West beach works. The $250,000 worth of upgrades included: metres of recycled plastic boardwalk- for all abilities; - 4 bench seats; - 2 community planting days and 4500 new plants; and - Compacted granitic sand paths. Surveys indicated community satisfaction with the project was very high. It was noted further opportunities for additional works including fencing, planting, seawall connection and disability access near the existing gate. Meeting_2_Foreshore Community Reference Committee_onsite_tour_minutes_ doc 6 of 7

7 It was noted the visual impact and impression to passersby along the heritage balustrade of the project not being completed. This was due to the poor survival rates of the new dune plantings and growth of weeds with recent rains. It was later confirmed the Council Parks contractors were scheduled to undertake manual hand weeding of the site that Thursday with Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA). It was commented all works were completed to the $250,000 capped budget of the day, but for anyone walking past, only the visual impact of a less intensive weed and planting program is considered rather than budgetary limits. Parks staff later advised the site is one of the most difficult sites in the entire city to establish vegetation. Whilst in other areas they ensure an 80% survival plant survival rates, this site is much lower due to the sand being very nutrient poor and harsh conditions with the winds and salinity require ongoing maintenance. Next year it will be one of the community sites for National Tree Day. Overall this on-site example is probably part of a broader consideration for council in how budgets can be more effectively planned and costed to immediately fulfil everyone's expectations. It was also highlighted West beach being recognised as one of the world s best kite boarding locations with good winds and calm waters from the harbour. The recent recreational activity permits provide four kite board operators with a capped number of instructors. Although, independent kite boarders or boats numbers are not limited in the water and required to adhere to boating regulations. The bus collected committee members to return to Elwood carpark 21. On-site inspection concluded 5pm Meeting_2_Foreshore Community Reference Committee_onsite_tour_minutes_ doc 7 of 7