Action Group Report

Mordialloc Creek Boating Community (MBC)

 

Tuesday June 1 - Update.

Situation

There have been a range of long-standing chronic problems in Mordialloc Creek, as follows:

  1. Silting of the Creek
  2. Broken mooring poles
  3. Collapse of concrete retaining walls on Lamberts Island
  4. Broken baffles and subsequent heightened wave action at creek entrance
  5. Dredging of bar at entrance not timely, planned or predictable
  6. Moorings not fit for purpose (7 currently derelict)

Results of the chronic problems

  1. Boats not able to enter/exit creek except at height of tide; restricted boat use issue
  2. Boats running aground when crossing bar at Creek entrance; potential risk to life and property
  3. Boats lying on mud/rocks at low tide and subsequent hull damage
  4. Potential safety issues for users of hire boats and fishermen/boat users who launch from boat ramp
  5. Damage to boats/keels due to heavy silting; boat use and damage issue
  6. Broken cleats, gunwales due to strong wave action; boat damage issue

Proposed action

  1. Form the Mordialloc Creek Boating Community (MBC) of key Creek stakeholders (key Creek commercial and recreational users) to represent the community.
  2. Propose formation of Mordialloc Creek Action Group (MCAG) with Government (State/Local) being invited to join and send reps.
  3. MBC coalition members to date:
  • Allnutt Boat Hire
  • Blueys Boathouse
  • Mordialloc Motor Yacht Club
  • Yachting Victoria
  • Allnutt Marine
  • Mordialloc Boating and Angling Club
  • Mordialloc Sailing Club
  • Mordialloc Sea Scouts
  • Pompei Boat Repairs (tbc)
  • Bridge Hotel (tbc)

Feedback on the Mordialloc Creek Master Plan

Plan needs the following improvements (most were presented verbally to the Tue night meeting):

  1. Needs to include Creek and Creek health in scope of Plan, including clear responsibilities and budget for action on this, including not only testing but also timely remediation by accountable authorities
  2. Needs to include parking on both sides of creek
  3. Needs a caveat that states that creek health to be upgraded before area beautification is commenced
  4. Need to include security of boats, people, property to combat regular tampering and damage to boats, theft from boats and vandalism
  5. Needs to include safe crossing of Nepean Highway in vicinity of hotel
  6. Needs to cover improved navigation lighting at creek mouth as well as regular removal of bar, triggers for doing this and nominees for remediation responsibilities
  7. Needs to include maintenance of boating facilities including baffle replacement
  8. Budget to cover the above

 

  1. More importantly, the Plan should cross reference the already-approved Kingston Council 2004 Mordialloc Pride of the Bay Structure Plan (on the Kingston website) which identified almost all of the above; sadly little of the action recommended for the Creek has occurred since then!  Instead we get more analysis.     There is a term called:  Paralysis by Analysis!

 

MBC will be providing a detailed formal response to the presented Plan by 3 June 2010, based on feedback and contribution from MBC members.

Of interest was the small number of forms provided for public feedback on the night, the very limited time allowed for community feedback and the claim of wide public consultation before Plan preparation, which is challenged.

 

Progress to date

  1. Formed MBC, with a rep from each coalition member organisation; so MBC is truly representative
  2. Formed 2 sub committees – one on the Plan; other on Communications aspects of the Plan
  3. Sub-committees yet to meet

Future plans

  1. Propose weekly meetings on Tue night for next 4 weeks at 7.30 pm at MMYC
  2. Propose 20 June – Community rally at the Creek on northern bank; precise site tba later date
  3. Aim of Rally – to ensure the general public are aware of and support the MBC actions regarding Creek maintenance
  4. Secondary aims of Rally – to invite politicians from Federal, State and Local Government  and to ask them to express their views on the MBC Creek maintenance proposals; and to launch a petition document on the topic for presentation to State Parliament by end August 2010

What can you do to help

  1. Complete the Kingston Council Master Plan Feedback Form tonight for MMYC to submit in bulk
  2. Attend the rally
  3. Write to local media on the topic
  4. Discuss with family and friends so problem and our position becomes known
  5. Help get friends and family to Rally; it’s a numbers game, especially in an election year
  6. Sign the petition and get your friends/family to sign also
  7. Give the MBC sub-committees your ideas/support
  8. Keep informed on progress via the MMYC website and Club notice board
  9. Join a Sub-Committee and help MBC to succeed