Action Sweetwater Creek

April Newsletter 2019

Sweetwater Creek in summer

Summer Survivors

We returned to work in the reserve mid-March after one of the hottest summers on record. We had little hope for our rather late plantings in December. These were a not-so-good gratis box of indigenous grasses from Melbourne Water. Nevertheless, we went about planting the grasses with gusto and a dollop of water-saving crystals in each hole. Much to our surprise the bulk of these survived even in the most exposed parts of the reserve and look set to spread happily. If you take a walk down past the Fleetwood Crescent playground towards the wetlands boardwalk you will see a sample, some Wallaby grass ( Rytidosperma geniculata)with their bleached blonde heads at the edge of the track.
Earlier we met with Kris Paule, Team Leader for Frankston Shire’s Bushland Reserves, and our Ranger Philip Yule to discuss the year ahead. We have had the pleasure of our own ranger for a year now after a long gap and were pleased to know he will continue with us as he has much enthusiasm regarding the reserve. Kris said there are plans for repairs of the reserve’s many tracks and the fences this year. Erosion from the year’s deluges of rain and many emerging tree roots make walking a hazard on the steeper tracks. The terracing below the Fleetwood Crescent playground steps is nearing completion and will be planted with indigenous plants in autumn. Phil has plans to rid us of vast areas of weed grasses, especially down Beattie track where he has slashed Kikuyu already, showing off to great advantage our trees and shrubs planted over the past ten years.
Our other survivors are our growing team of volunteers. We finished last year with fifteen for that arduous grass planting and were delighted to see every one of them return for more work this March. Our most recent efforts were along the wetlands boardwalk where Phil had us waging war on the Tradescantia threatening some lovely indigenous ferns. Rakes and boots were employed to mound it up into heaps where we are assured it will die off under its own blanket.

Other work in the reserve

As well as the works mentioned earlier you will have noticed that the suspension bridge repairs by council’s Infrastructure Department were completed in February, much to everyone’s relief after having negotiated different ways through the reserve for several months. By now the department will have commenced repairs of the Centenary bridge and boardwalk at the Liddesdale Avenue entrance. This limits access, hopefully not for long. Such repairs are essential for everyone’s safety and the beauty of the reserve.

Sally Harding Work Co-ordinator

Wallaby Grass

Phillip Yule the Ranger beside the native ferns he re-discovered along the boardwalk.

The plume is on show here

Reflections on the proposed Boat Refuge

Sweetwater Creek flows into the bay within the proposed breakwaters. This proposal to establish a boat refuge as well as a coastguard building, based on a study on the environmental and ecological impacts of such a boat refuge, concerns us.  We need to be sure that these large double breakwaters will not affect our beach, nor the delicate marine ecosystem of the area.

There are frequent large plumes after rain, from the flow of Sweetwater Creek into the bay. How long will these discharges be contained within this area? Will this mean the launching area will need to be closed for days or weeks after heavy rain? The catchment area for Sweetwater Creek is quite large with stormwater drains from houses and roads going directly into the creek; hence oils and dog excrement would be washed into this semi enclosed area. After recent rain there was still evidence of the plume twenty-four hours later. And at present there is nothing to impede its being swept away.

Is this the best site for such a refuge? Will the iconic views from Olivers Hill and the area be spoilt forever with these two large breakwaters five metres tall with a double storey building in the car parking area?

The cost is reported to be $24million, of which $8million will be paid by ratepayers. That is only if the State and Federal governments agree to contribute $8million each.  These costs do not include ongoing maintenance costs, such as the regular dredging which will be required.  Is this cost justified?

So we are concerned, on multiple fronts, about the proposal to build in this beautiful and delicately balanced beach.

Jenny Hattingh   Honorary Secretary.

L-R Granites, Beattie, Grange and Centenary Bridges

Bridges of Sweetwater Creek

GRANITES BRIDGE – the Suspension Bridge

The bridge is now open again after several months of renovation. This bridge is quite an impressive structure and has become one of the main features in the reserve.
In 2000, the Council decided to erect a bridge in place of the old ford crossing. The design chosen was a suspension bridge and Council employed contractors for the construction. Melbourne Water required that the bridge had to meet a 100 year flood level standard, hence a 40 meter boardwalk had to be constructed about 4 meters above ground level to access the northern side of the bridge.

BEATTIE BRIDGE

In 1986, ASC received a grant to build a wooden bridge on the site of an early log crossing constructed by Noel Beattie who lived nearby. In December 1988 a massive flood demolished the structure and the group received additional funds to reconstruct the bridge in 1990.

CENTENARY BRIDGE

In 1988, as part of the Frankston Centenary celebrations, the Council built a steel bridge over the creek at the rear of 12 Fenton Crescent, this gave Reserve users access along the lower section of the creek which had been virtually impassable prior to that time. This has facilitated a walking track all the way from Baden Powell Drive to Frankston Beach.
As a result of serious floods in December 1988, the foundations of the bridge on the east bank were almost completely washed away. Fortunately they were able to be repaired before the bridge collapsed.

GRANGE BRIDGE

In 1992, ASC applied for a grant from the Victorian Dept. of Planning and Housing to build a bridge over the creek at a well-used crossing spot at the end of Bembridge Gully near to the Grange Road entrance. It is useful as a quick route to the eastern and southern areas of the Reserve. Whale Rock waterfall can be seen from this spot.

David Lambie, a past President of Sweetwater Creek Inc., built the Grange Bridge himself, using this grant.

ROTARACT BRIDGE (No longer exists)

The first bridge built in the reserve was the Rotaract Bridge constructed in 1979 near the Melbourne Water sewerage pumping station off Baden Powell Drive near the roundabout at Brighton Street. Finance was provided by the Council and labour by Rotaract. In 2005, because the foundations of the old bridge were being undermined by the creek, Council had a completely new structure erected. Since then the bridge was washed away and Council decided not to rebuild it.

Jenny Hattingh Honorary Secretary.

The Saturday weeding group meets the first Saturday of the month from 9 to 11am at the Hoadley entrance to the Reserve.

The monthly Saturday weeding group worked to remove asparagus fern on the Creek Track on March 2. The weed was well entrenched in hard ground amongst roots and fallen tree trunks and removal was challenging. The area was well shaded and although the ground was very dry, it was pleasing to see small maiden hair fern and silky tea tree seedlings which appeared to be well established. With rain expected in autumn and winter, it is likely that the asparagus will return so we will maintain a focus on this area.

Please note that the Community planting morning will be held on June 1.

Maidenhair Fern uncovered by the Saturday group and still growing during summer.

Action Sweetwater Creek Inc.
ABN 4669 1080767
sweetwater.action@gmail.com
www.sweetwatercreek.org.au
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Action Sweetwater Creek April Newsletter 2019