Notice Board
Lectures for 2009
PPG and the City of Mandurah recently hosted a talk/lecture by Wally Smith of the Tangaroa Blue Ocean Care Society, explaining his work regarding “Marine Debris – the Depth of the Problem”
The oceans account for ninety nine percent of the planets living space. The wellbeing of all land based life is dependent on the health of the ocean and its physical, chemical and biological systems. Marine debris and chemical pollutants are major threats to the health of the ocean. Most debris is plastic and this breaks down and finds its way into the ocean food web taking with it an array of toxic chemicals.
We saw how this happens, what chemicals are involved and how it all affects the life in the sea will be the subject of a presentation given by Wally Smith from Tangaroa Blue Ocean Care Society. Statistics from recent cleanups of Mandurah beaches were presented using a new system for analysing marine debris data.
A DVD from Algalita Marine Research Foundation – The Synthetic Sea Story – was screened at the conclusion of the presentation.
The Preservation Times
Kangaroos Need Help and see also the Ongoing Issues page.
This website shares many of its news items and articles with the PPG magazine, The Preservation Times. Contributions from interested people are always welcome. They may be in the form of emails, letters addressed to our office.
If you have any suggestions, comments or questions please let us know. NB the source of emails is not published on this site unless requested.
Notes from recent PPG meeting
PPG is pleased to have obtained a grant from the City of Mandurah (Community Assistance Grant) to build an "environmentally friendly" pedal powered float for the Christmas Parade in Mandurah. The building work will be a challenging project for students at the Coodanup Community College, with assistance from Members, tutors and tradespeople.
THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ARE HARD AT WORK! Watch this space for news of progress.
Submissions
Members are concerned about the proposed extent of clearing for Mandurah Entrance Road and a submission has been sent to Main Roads Dept. The block of land on Lymon Road which has been suggested as mitigation (compensation) is worth conserving, but does not sufficiently compensate for the number of mature Tuart Trees that will be sacrificed.
Lake Clifton is being considered for "Threatened Ecological Community' status (see http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc) and click on "Lake Clifton". PPG also wrote a submission in agreement of this classification, which will give the area greater protection.
Dawesville to Binningup Coastline - The EPA is undertaking a review to clarify the environmental values of the region and the state of current knowledge and scientific data about these values. This information is necessary to identify additional areas of conservation significance, and areas that may have potential for development and land use that are compatible with the environmental values. PPG has written a submission on this subject.
Work is continuing on a Grant Application to have a bird hide built at Lake McLarty. We hope to obtain funding for a ground level bird hide with wheelchair access and a raised viewing platform. This option was chosen so that the hide would be built on the sand ridge near the water tank rather than nearer to the lake where Acid Suplhate Soil may be present.
Lotterywest
Lotterywest has approved funds to update the PPG book "The Birds of Goegrup and Black Lakes". Dick Rule and his team have commenced counting sessions which will continue through the year. We plan to include a flora survey in this edition.WWF-Australia expands Southwest Australia Wetland Program into the Peel
WWF-Australia is looking for private landholders in the Peel region, who are interested in long-term conservation of the natural environment on their properties, for involvement in the newly funded Wetland Watch – Peel Harvey project.
The project will work collaboratively with property owners to protect the unique and spectacular biodiversity of this nationally listed coastal hotspot. Private landowners who become involved with the project will gain access to a series of training workshops, free site assessments, property surveys and management plans and assistance to apply for funding for on-ground works such as weed control, revegetation and habitat protection.
The Peel Harvey program will build on the successful Wetland Watch project that WWF has delivered in the Perth NRM region over the past 4 years. This new project will target private landowners of high conservation value bushland around the Peel Inlet and Harvey Estuary areas as well as landholders surrounding Lake Clifton. “During our four years in the Swan region we worked closely with over 50 landholders on bushland property management issues including weed control, dieback, revegetation and fire management,” said Project Coordinator Brett Brenchley. “We look forward to continuing this type of work in the Peel Harvey region and have received an encouraging amount of interest from the community already.”
WWF-Australia will partner with local organisations including the City of Mandurah, Shire of Murray, Peel Harvey Catchment Council and the Peel Preservation Group. If you have a property with remnant bushland on it, particularly with wetland areas, and would like some assistance in regards to its management then contact:
Brett Brenchley, Wetland Watch Project Coordinator WWF-Australia,
ph: 9387 6444 mob: 0406 383 080 email: bbrenchley@wwf.org.au