Hi everyone, I haven't been able to get on the site for ages so I'd better make use of it while I can. As I've mentioned before, I live on the Mornington Peninsula at the moment and I've just been made aware today that this wetland is under threat due to development (what else?!).
I am asking and hoping that some people here would consider signing this petition to help save this wetland or at the very least show that there is some concern about this issue.
There is also a facebook page for the Friends of Tootgarook Wetlands for some more information - you do not have to be a member of facebook to read it.
Thanks in advance for reading this.
Hi gyn55, absolutely!! Done ;0) I have also posted FB asking friends ;0)
Thanks Jackie, that's wonderful.
Alison
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"the earth is not only for humans, but for all animals and living things."
So sad this is happening. Why do they feel they have to do that. Off to sign the petition!
Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria
Thanks for your support, Kathiemt.
Alison
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"the earth is not only for humans, but for all animals and living things."
Thanks Alison for pointing this out to me, I have signed and so has a friend of mine. Hope it can be stopped.
M-L
Thanks, Mari-Louise, the more people who see this the greater chance of having an impact.
Alison
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"the earth is not only for humans, but for all animals and living things."
My husband and I will go there tomorrow to see what it's like?
M-L
Here we go again !
this area has been under threat fo a while the developers have been drooling over it because of its location,but its a swamp and has always posed too many problems for them,but greed has no boundries,and dont kid your self if they get going they wont stop at what has been proposed they will keep at it untill its all gone!
the same thing happened just down the road at the Carrum wetlands (now Paterson lakes)and the same developer has his eye on parts of the seaford wetlands,I hope it rains for month and turns the whole area into a lake that would slow them down.
With all the open space in Australia why do they always want to drain wetlands ?I supose to some people anything not covered in concrete is wasteland.
I am wondering if developers are now the biggest threat to our planet. Have signed, and pray that the destruction of our precious wildlife and their habitats can be saved.
Karen
Brisbane southside.
Thanks Karen for signing this and for your comments Sparrow. I know there is only a small chance this will have a successful outcome but if we don't try then its a foregone conclusion and another "gone" wetland. It's a beautful day here at the moment so I hope Marie-Louise and her husband have a good trip down here.
Thanks again.
Alison
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"the earth is not only for humans, but for all animals and living things."
I have been involved in a few stands against developers over the years, some succsessful, some not ,I have been called a fruitcake (and worse) abused and even threatened, my moto is" persistance kills resistance" I have talked a few people into signing the petition and will keep nagging untill everyone I know has done so !
Thanks Sparrow, very much appreciated.
Alison
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"the earth is not only for humans, but for all animals and living things."
I'm another signer, qyn.
Sparrow, Ms Woko has this idea, completely valid in my view, that if a developer sees an open space he/she has to fill it. It's a compulsive disease. In Adelaide there's the ridiculous proposal to set up technology under a bridge over the River Torrens that will produce electronic music in time to walkers', cyclists' & rowers' movements. So developers now want to fill all of our silences or natural sounds with electronic blah.
Thanks, Woko. I add to Mrs Woko's idea in that the developers see open space as money to be made at any expense to other considerations - very sad!
Alison
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"the earth is not only for humans, but for all animals and living things."
I've signed too - good luck with it
Thanks Holly - much appreciated.
There is a working bee there this weekend with people asked to take their cameras so we will see what eventuates.
Alison
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"the earth is not only for humans, but for all animals and living things."
Done deal, signed and shared to my wall........Greedy developers, they are stain on a society, it will be to late when once these places dissappear.
Done deal, signed and shared to my wall........Greedy developers, they are stain on a society, it will be to late once these places dissappear.
Thanks Tassie much appreciated!
Alison
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"the earth is not only for humans, but for all animals and living things."
Just thought you might like to know that thanks to the support of you and people like you when a group of us attended a council meeting tonight, which originally only had what is now shown as point 1 below as the only recommendation, we instead saw this report passed unanimously with the following amended recommendations:
1. That the report titled ‘Tootgarook Wetlands Discussion Paper’ is received and noted by Council.
2. That Council invites the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Department of Planning and Community Development, Department of Primary Industry, Environment Protection Authority, Melbourne Water, Southern Rural Water, South East Water and VicRoads to a joint working party tasked with the preparation of a Strategy for the Tootgarook Wetlands. The purpose of the Strategy is to develop a comprehensive plan and actions which will ensure the vitality and sustainability of the wetlands is protected from inappropriate development and use.
3. That a Local Catchment Reference group for the Tootgarook Wetlands be established by way of Expression of Interest that invites statutory and local community representatives to apply to contribute further input towards the Tootgarook Wetlands Strategy
PART B:
The Council send a letter to The Hon. Tony Burke MP, Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities seeking his consideration and assessment for the nomination of the Tootgarook Wetlands, as detailed in this discussion paper, for a RAMSAR listing in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC Act).
PART C:
The Council send a letter to the Hon. Bob Carr, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, seeking his assistance to correspond with the countries we are known to have Migratory bird agreements with to raise awareness of the Migratory bird species known to migrate to the Tootgarook Wetlands. Species under the relevant agreements known to frequent the Tootgarook Wetlands are:
1. Eastern Great Egret (Ardea modesta) under the CAMBA, JAMBA agreements
2. Sharp Tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminate) under the CAMBA, JAMBA, ROKAMBA and Bonn Convention
3. Latham’s Snipe ( Gailinago hardwickil) under the CAMBA, JAMBA, ROKAMBA and Bonn Convention
4. White-throated Needletail (Hirundapas caudacutus) under the CAMBA, JAMBA and ROKAMBA
5. Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) under the CAMBA, Bonn Convention
6. Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) under the CAMBA, JAMBA, ROKAMBA and Bonn Convention
7. Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis) under the CAMBA, JAMBRA, ROKAMBA AND Bonn Convention
8. Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis) under the CAMBA, JAMBA
PART D:
The Council send a letter to the Convention of the Conservation of Migratory Species, UNEP/CMS Secretariat, United National Premises in Germany introducing the Tootgarook Wetlands to them and asking that they note the Migratory Bird species known to migrate to the Tootgarook Wetlands as per the listing in Part C."
*********** Thank you so very much **********
Alison
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"the earth is not only for humans, but for all animals and living things."
How good is that !!!! Thanks very much for the feedback, I have been wondering how it was going.
So pleased for the follow-up. Thank you. Lets hope it works out now for the best for the sake of the wild life that has to be preserved.
Karen
Brisbane southside.
Thanks again - it is great to have some kind of result to share.
Alison
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"the earth is not only for humans, but for all animals and living things."
Great news, qyn. You & your colleagues are to be congratulated. And so is Council which seems to be firmly in the pro-wetlands camp. The community response seems to be overwhelmingly in favour of protecting the wetlands.
The idea of a RAMSAR listing for the wetlands is wonderful. It's apparent that someone on or connected with Council is familiar with international conventions on bird & other wildlife conservation. Such a listing would really put an onus on governments at all levels to protect the wetlands. However, even RAMSAR sites aren't immune from damage by development. E.g., the RAMSAR listed Lower Lakes & Coorong in SA have already been severely damaged by people upstream who take far too much water from the Murray-Darling system. So I'd suggest a high degree of alertness to those who would undermine Council's approach for their own purposes.
It'll be important for any Local Catchment Reference Group to have solid representation from wetland conservationists to at least balance representation from wetland wreckers. Another reason to be alert as well as alarmed if the wreckers should gain control.
I'm concerned about "inappropriate development and use" of the wetlands. While it's nigh on impossible to cover all actions which might be taken in relation to the wetlands, such a term can readily be defined by wetland wreckers to meet their own wants. Yet another reason for eternal vigilance.
I note from the report that development has occurred virtually to the edge of the wetlands. With Council's pro-wetland stance clearly on display there will, no doubt, be intense & frantic discussions about mangament of any cats attached to the many households in that location.
Let's hope that the community's attitude to the wetlands is a reflection of conservation attitudes in the broader Australian community. Well done, qyn!
You are right to be concerned Woko, this by no means indicates that the wetland is saved or secure and to get this far has been due mainly to the instigators of "Friends of Tootgarook Wetlands" Cameron Brown and Jess Durant, "SPIFFA" and others who have been pushing for Ramsar or similar type listing and for more appropriate rezoning of the area for at least 15 years (as I have recently been made aware) and none have got this far. Cameron and Jess have put a lot of their own money into this campaign (they are only in their early 20's too). But this is definitely a move in the right direction and the intention is to remain very vigilant. Draining works on property adjacent to the area started only days before this meeting however has been halted - there was a question in reference to this asked during the council meeting and an answer in writing was promised and made part of the council minutes so this will be part of the ongoing vigilance. Thanks for your advice and well wishes.
Alison
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"the earth is not only for humans, but for all animals and living things."