CCS AGM Presidents report 2024

Council interactions
In March there was a sustainability fair, Derek from Council was attending. We along with many other members of friends groups, will be sad to see Derek retire, later in 2025. We asked Derek about the removal of 12 trees on Clarke Avenue he said they were at the end of life and would be replaced with Queensland Brush-box

We wrote to Scott McKendry from EAGA at Maroondah Council to discuss council fines for removing trees and suggested that we attempt to bring this to the attention with the new environment Minister Steve Demopolis. Liz met with Scott in person and also expressed hope that new Councillors would be aware of the value of trees waterways and biodiversity.

MEAC Maroondah Environment Advisory Committee

At a MEAC meeting Liz provided researched State data information on tree cover, that was subsequently sent to Andrew Fuaux since he had asked where the data was from. The data showed that it did not agree with Maroondah Council saying they had 30% tree cover. We are in fact closer to 21% which is not great for our community and must improve if we are not to become an urban heatsink.

MEAC was presented with a concept design for Staley Gardens opposite Eastland and next to Costco. It was noted that the pocket park does not fulfil many of the accessibility requirements including toilets. In May we responded to Maroondah‘s transport strategy.

After Scott McKendry from EAGA spoke about planning and environment act climate change and Victorian planning authority act. Easter Alliance for Greenhouse Action. Time was allotted at a MEAC meeting for us to show the 10 monthly emails that CCS has sent to all Seven climate change alliances covering the whole of Victoria focussing on tree retention.

The last MEAC meeting for the year Liz read a response to CCS from The Minister for planning Sonia Kilkenny, regarding tree removal. The current system only works if Councils take legal action and this clogs up the Magistrates Court, where trees are generally of little consequence. This is very bad for our leafy green Maroondah. MEAC attendees were also handed out Jacinta Humphreys Birds in the burbs brochure. The relevance here is habitat in trees!

We heard from an aboriginal elder who spoke about the culture in this area. There is a memorial Plaque in Hughes Park on a stone plinth to Barack. Liz also tabled a photo of the building in Melbourne on the old Carlton United site that has Barak’s image built into the balconies, and is best viewed from the shrine. This should add to the discussion of Maroondah Nation Reconciliation plan which was the agenda item. The aim to embed first people’s images into Council places. Liz suggested a large print of this building in black-and-white be acquired, then prominently displayed at Realm with a detailed description of the role he played in working with colonial authorities to making a stand for his people.

CCS History and Archiving

Regarding archiving we approached Ringwood Historical Society who have kindly offered to support us in the mammoth task of archiving a 60 years of CCS history, a job where we will need someone with expertise.
We are looking to find Volunteers to do the archiving. We now have an exceptional volunteer in Rhonda who is keen to start archiving and has a wealth of knowledge in this area, we are so very lucky to have been contacted by her. She is working steadily through 60 years of notes.

Pam attended the Maroondah 2050 day where Council reiterated how important the communities’ opinions are. We farewelled Jonathan Upson who has moved out of the area and is now a specialist adviser with the Federal Department of climate change energy environment and water.

CCS Strategic Statement

Liz raised the concept or re- visiting our charter to give us a mission statement. We need to be clear in what CCS does that is different from other groups like Friends groups.

We decided on a strategic statement “To do all things lawful to preserve the natural environment especially the native flora and fauna of Maroondah and surrounding districts” The new revamped Constitution was then lodged with the Victorian consumer affairs commission.

Planning both Municipal and State

In February we had completed a very detailed response to the Croydon activity centre plan and this was sent also to all counsellors, some responded. Plans are out for the Croydon new community hub which include demolishing the library, we have concerns about the relocation of the sundial which is in memory of Florence Crane a CCS founding member.

We noted that structural changes implemented by the State Government now means that Melbourne water has been put under Development Victoria making them less independent.

Hughes Park retarding basin, was re-done; with everything in sight being bulldozed and a new wetland basin provided. The large equipment used destroyed the habitat for all creatures that inhabited the grassy wetland. Hopefully it will naturally be re-inhabited as it grows again.

On our behalf Liz attended the meeting with the supporters of the Blue Billed Ducks and Melbourne water personnel. In support of the group, CCS had donated $400 to assist the case at VCAT. The result was very disappointing due to Melbourne Water not having been initially consulted, because the lake is not gazetted waterway. Development Victoria is now the decision maker over the entire area including Knox Lake. We are not hopeful for the habitat for the Blue Billed Ducks.

In Dunlop Avenue Bayswater, a parcel of land adjacent to the Tarralla Creek waterway which was covered by an SLO was submitted for re-development into 3 units. It was refused by VCAT after Council used its planning scheme of it being in an SLO area. The Planning scheme still works!

A significantly large oak tree in Currong Court was the subject of a request for removal we have checked it based on the canopy size and the fact that the tree was there when the residents bought the property. It also features on our CCS Significant trees of Maroondah Google map, to be viewed on facebook with extra features, if you are a paid member of CCS.

Residents around Murray Road and Columbia Avenue became aware of an application to subdivide the land previously held by Sisters of Mercy, which is to be subdivided into 17 blocks. A 400-year-old tree on the site is protected by Maroondah Council heritage tree listing, thankfully.
Dr Graeme Lorimer had done a survey in 1994 indicating the site had biological significance. Many of the wattles have now been removed, but not all of them.

We objected based on amenity, to a three-story car park at 36 Grey Street near Maroondah hospital which would cause overshadowing of the resident alongside. Subsequently recommendations were the setback increased to two meters instead of one, and an acoustic fence to two meters in height from the deck level of the resident next door.

Later in the year, it was brought to our attention that in Waters Grove Heathmont a large parcel of land has been purchased to create a childcare centre. CCS objected based on the number of other childcare centres and more particularly in the quantity of vegetation removal from the block given it’s adjacent to Dandenong Creek linear park which has an incredible variety of species. Any development should add to that important linear park rather than subtract

Janis Floyd contacted us regarding the Healsville freeway reserve, with a view to creating a linear native habitat trail along the full length. We supported her concept and wished her well, she was looking for willing participant to assist in lobbying, we gave her the details for Councils Environmental team.

Tree removal of the Monterey cypress trees around and Mingara they are reaching the end of their life and in spite of them being heritage listed, they will be removed and re-planted with a slightly smaller growing species that doesn’t impact the backyards of adjoining neighbours.

Application for Council funding

In our application to Council for funding 2024, we stated an action plan has been added to our new Strategic Statement. This will strengthen our engagement with the community through social media. We focus on support for mature canopy trees and objecting to vegetation removal prior to new building. This then tends to require a review of the application, with modifications made to accommodate existing trees.

We also cover important topics such as fruit-fly and the education required to help prevent total annihilation of homegrown fruit and vegetables. We lobby for retention of all the plantings in the community that have grown from seed locally harvested particularly in Plantings done by CCS, like the Crane Memorial Planting in Wicklow Avenue.

Other Activities / Observations
In March Liz attended an online “ACF nature laws” snap briefing, concerns at continuing bulldozing of native forests, and habitat loss. Major concerns for Koalas, since hundreds died in the last fires.
We sent a community response to the setting of fines for legal mature tree removal to DWELP regarding the need to revisit the environmental law because the tree removal fine set at $2000 per tree is not a deterrent to developers.

Many of us attended Councils Environment Day with interesting guest speakers and moderators, including Hannah from Gardening Australia. CCS did a Vox Pop, with great results and participation. Results from the vox pop 47% said trees were most important 15% said biodiversity are 31% said birds. A great result then shared with Councils Environment team.

Local species noted, flying foxes were observed in significant numbers in a large eucalypt on Pleasant Rise, also John Cull noticed five Rough Banded Rails along Taralla Creek and an Eastern grey Egret as well. We are not seeing small birds like the superb fairy wren or pardalotes much lately.

Concerned for local Heathmont redisents since the development of a new freight centre DUTT on Canterbury Road which will increase the frequency of B double trucks rumbling through Heathmont shopping precinct, on way to the freeway.
Victorian National Parks Association VNPA Warburton group took the State Government to court in breach of federal nature laws, after removing a significant tree for car parking.
CROWAG had a forum at Blackburn lake visitors centre, called Managing Urban Forests, Liz and Pam attended. Combined Residents of Whitehorse Action Group.

ACF sent us an email regarding the role of the EPA. CCS wrote reporting that we would like greater power for the EPA and to stop the environment minister from interfering and calling projects and overriding the decisions.
Boomerang alliance who we have supported for over 20 years and are pushing for wine bottle recycling as well as the current aluminium cans and plastic drink bottles. Thanks to this lobby group for the refundable container scheme.

At Cheong park, a very successful planting of 1100 plants, with a very active co-ordinator in Sue Bailey working with council, had them pre-dig holes in the area and provided mulch, to speed up the process.

Council elections were held in November and we would have liked to support Councillor’s who care about the environment and the people of Maroondah, but details were limited.

Liz and Pam went to a meeting with Steve McIntosh, from MMC, to review the Croydon Hub plans. We also learned of a new tool purchased by Council calleda Tomograph which is like an ultrasound through the trunk of the tree to show the internal goings on and determine the health of the tree.

Other Interactions with Council

Sally Haebich from Council works depot/street trees, informed us that the Crape Myrtles were not successful on Springfield Road and will be replaced with Brachitryton Jerilderie. Magnolias will be planted along Mount Dandenong Road and Indian Bean trees Catalpa along Hewish Road from Main St to 5 ways at Mooroolbark. The reason for not using indigenous plants is to allow for climate change.

Tiny Trees? The concept started in Japan, the idea being to put plants into schools to provide engagement for people who are not academically minded and to reduce anxiety of students who think the world is going to hell and nobody is doing anything to help. Liz met with Sarah Cullen, who sent out our offer to schools to take up the tiny forest project. Two schools have expressed interest. Mullum Mullum and Ainslie Park primary schools, we hope to work with both in 2025

CCS supported ACF and was successful in stopping Jabiluka mine from continuing when the lease is up. We also supported through Greenpeaces’ petition of 500,000 names to fight Woodside gas from getting commission to blast underwater for offshore gas. We also sent an email to the environment minister regarding fracking in the Kimberley.

Neroli reported on the Somerset Crescent bush area and reserve and Croydon community school, where work is progressing slowly after Council took out many tall existing trees before replanting.

Maroondah Council has updated the Interactive community directory CCS can be found under the topic of environment with a tree photo and our strategic statement and a brief description of what we’re all about.

The great Southern bio Blitz from Friday the 20th to September 23rd was put on Facebook and the Aussie bird count is to be from October 14 till the 20^th.
We publicised on our Facebook page for someone who might join us and become a representative on the Dandenong Tarralla and Bungalook creeks biolink action plan. Shea Vaughan has offered to take on this commitment. Shae subsequently attended her first meeting and is now very much involved in an action plan for the 3 creeks biolink, an important project in Maroondah.

WEBSITE renewal

Our website which was designed about 20 years ago now, and automatically sends emails to members. Over the last few years hits have halved. We believe that website is not phone friendly and this is leaving us behind in terms of social media. Facebook, is working for us but not all members of the page are financial members we have 494 followers.

We approached an American company that facilitates quotes for webpage designs. We received 5 contacts from website designers. Given the distance and variability of the exchange rate we felt it best to ask our existing website host, Digital Innovations, for a quote. We have accepted their quote of $750 and work has started. We will be asking Council for a community grant to help us financially to improve our ability to connect with our residents across the municipality.

A huge thanks to Committee members Jim, Annette, Duncan, Ken, Neroli, Pam, Gwenda and Shae for an incredible year of support for all the work achieved.

As we move into 2025, we will be missing Jim, Annette and Duncan but we have gained Shae and hopefully we will welcome a couple more new faces onto the committee in 2025.

In reviewing what we have achieved in the last 12 months, it never ceases to amaze me what a small group of committed individuals can achieve to conserve, protect and enhance the liveability of Maroondah.