We understand Melbourne Water's contractor will start this week opposite Pickworth Court, not at the northern end of the Park as planned.

The Western bank of Salt Creek opposite Pickworth Court is eroding and the nearby sewer manhole is in danger - so temporary works to protect the manhole will be undertaken.

The temporary works will be incorporated into permanent works to be done later this year.

Right-click and save the drawing below (it is about 0.5MB and will take a minute to download), open it from your hard disk and zoom in for details.

The proposed wetlands area can also be seen on the drawing.

The Contractor, State Plant Hire, has a gallery of photos of past projects on their website ...

www.stateplanthire.com

Melbourne Water also distributed the "Community Information Bulletin" shown below.

This committee was formed in late 2006 at the suggestion of Cr. Melican (the local Ward Councillor) who continues to take an active interest in the Committee and in maintaining the park as a natural public open space for passive recreation.

In the March 2007 meeting, the possible future upgrade of playground equipment was discussed, but no funding is available as yet. The committee was keen that any new equipment should be in keeping with the natural character of the park and should provide a safe, environmentally friendly exprience for children.

RoPPa representatives expressed a preference to retain the big slide. It is somewhat different to other playgrounds and has been used and loved by several generations of children. The eroded soil round the adjacent rocks needs attention.

The yellow fence near the slide remains a concern for members, because of its visual incongruity within the landscape. The Manager, Parks and Gardens has promised to look into the rationale for its erection and the possibility of painting it a less obtrusive colour.

The low survival rate of new planting along the western boundary (near the railway line) was discussed and the fact that, despite the drought, self-sown saplings are re-vegetating some areas where mowing has been discontinued. This new vegetation should be protected from mowing/slashing, especially where it comprises indigenous native species.

The prevalence of weeds such as ivy, blackberry and tradescantia in and around the park is another concern as these weeds spread rapidly.

• surveying has been completed and construction plans are being prepared
• details of the nature of the work and expected timelines will be available soon
• flora, fauna and heritage issues have been considered
• the community should have an opportunity to see the plans and express views soon.

The second meeting of the committee was held on 14 November 2006. Matters discussed included:

Banyule Council recently burnt areas of native grass in Rosanna Parklands. This potentially controversial approach to the management of a park in a suburban area should be applauded.

Small remnants of native grass survive in Rosanna Parklands. Two of the indigenous species present (Flax-lily and Short Wallaby-grass) are considered highly significant, as Victoria's native grassland is the most endangered ecosystem in Australia (only 0.1% remains).

Banyule Council voted earlier this year to support 'Indigenous Flora Rescue' and acknowledged that the most effective option for ensuring the future of rare or threatened species is the protection of remnant vegetation. Regular burning is now accepted as a key management tool.

The Rosanna Parklands Protection Association supports the protection of native grasses through regular burning.

The first meeting of this new committee was held with Cr. Melican, Banyule's Parks and Gardens Manager and six members of the community.

RoPPA had 2 representatives and were pleased with the positive tone and commitment to consultation.

A number of specific issues were discussed including...

1. Council raised the possibility of making an 'Expression of Interest' application, jointly with a community group, for Government funds for a special project. RoPPA suggested mapping the vegetation in the Park (using GPS) and preparing a digital map (a GIS) that would be a precursor to improved landscape design and on-going management. This project would require resources external to Council and the community group members could assist in collecting the data.


2. After some discussions on specific issues, RoPPA suggested the need for clear goals to set the strategic direction (i.e. how can we decide on improvements to the Park if we don't know the desired outcome?). It seems clear that delineation of tidy/mown areas from the native/bushy areas would be appropriate.


3. The drought and the possibility that the Park will be a 'dust bowl' in a few months time was discussed. We suggested that mowing be minimised and that vehicle access be reduced by, for example, relocating bins a little closer to surrounding streets so they can be emptied without garbage trucks entering the Park. The bin in the central playground could be moved downhill close to the new bridge and be emptied without driving through the Park. It is the vehicle traffic in the Park that creates bare, dusty tracks and compacts the soil preventing regrowth.


4. Cr. Melican raised the issue of a "Jean Baker Memorial" comprising a landscaped area with seats near the Rosanna end of the Park adjacent to the embankment near Lower Plenty Road. A North-Easterly aspect would receive the morning sun in winter and provide a place for shopping centre and Council staff to lunch in the Park.


5. Council's Parks and Gardens Manager raised the issue of the logs in the Park and whether they provide habitat or represent a hazard. Other Banyule parks have considerably more dry bush than Rosanna Parklands and Melbourne Water officers have expressed verbal interest in using logs as part of the proposed restoration along Salt Creek. Hopefully some more aesthetic landscaping can be arranged (i.e. more aesthetic than the existing log placement).


6. There was no news on Yarra Valley Water's proposal for a new sewer through the Park.


7. Programmed works for 2006/07 include..
   • watering and weeding
   • maintenance of recent plantings
   • support of "Metro Access" weeding
   • Blackberry spraying
   • Spot spraying and weeding native grass areas
   • Noxious weed control

'Canopy Lifting' (in other words, cutting off all the low branches and removing the understorey habitat that might otherwise be occupied by small birds etc.) has been undertaken near the Davies Street Crossing to provide access for weeding.

It was bush-like before ...	the branches were cut ...	now it's tidy but less natural.

1. Forward Look The Committee remain convinced it is the natural character of Rosanna Parklands that is most valued now, and most likely to be valued 100 years hence. Simplistically, I hope there are still kookaburras in the Park in 100 years time.

2. Justification I hope the natural 'flavour' of the Park will not be eroded by piecemeal construction works or 'odd' artifacts such as bollards, signs, bins, fences, drains etc. The new 'Yellow Peril' demonstrates there is a need for an organisation like RoPPA to challenge Council's decisions.

3. Landscape Design Planning for the Park is inadequate. Landscape design drawings should delineate different areas within the Park such as native grass, mown grass 'fairways', children's playgrounds, bush and wetlands. I remain concerned that the Master Plan included a bbq, a picnic shelter the size of 4 double carports, a basketball half-court, picnic tables, drinking taps, bench seats, path-usage signs and interpretive signs. A recent arborist's report recommends six fences across the western 'goat track' to restrict pedestrian access.

4. Works We understand Council may have funds in this year's budget for new playground equipment. Melbourne Water works along Salt Creek and Yarra Valley Water's new sewer through the Parklands, are likely to be constructed over the next 12 months or so.

5. Consultation We are communicating with Council officers and have been able to influence some minor changes. An unnecessary sign has been removed, a seat and a dog-poo bin will (hopefully) be moved to more appropriate and discrete locations.

In July, the Committee met with Cr. Melican and Banyule's Parks and Gardens Manager to discuss a Rosanna Parklands 'Reference' committee (the first meeting is to be held soon). A possible memorial to Jean Baker was raised by Cr. Melican (possibly comprising a small landscaped area near Lwr. Plenty Rd).

6. Website We are continuing to place news items, photographs and factual information on our website.

7. Vegetation Following discussions with Council's 'Bush Crew', we are hopeful the native grass areas will be enlarged to include some existing short wallaby grass (Austrodanthonia carphoides). A 'burn' might occur in the native grass area of Rosanna Parklands soon. We are learning about the care of remnant native grass areas. RoPPA members have had some interesting site visits to native vegetation areas with a noted local botanist.

When you go for a walk in the Park, at this time of year you can pull the heads off exotic weeds to reduce the number of seeds that mature. Also take a drink bottle and water a bush or new tree.

8. Heritage RoPPA made a submission to Heritage Victoria which was unsuccessful, but the submission was subsequently quoted as an authoritative document by Melbourne Water's heritage consultant.

9. Recreation Strategy We would like to arrange input to Council's recently announced Recreation Strategy. Pedestrians are not an organised group but should not be over-looked.

10. Committee Thanks for your efforts, and special thanks to those retiring.

The natural landscape in Rosanna Parklands has been adorned with a new fence. Planning restrictions do not permit these colours or materials.

Visitors to the park in August and September have had the chance to enjoy the sight of wattles in bloom. About ten different species of acacia can be seen in one circuit of the park, including:

• Acacia dealbeata – silver wattle
• Acacia longifolia – sallow wattle
• Acacia pycnantha – golden wattle
• Acacia pravissima – Ovens wattle
• Acacia melanoxylon – blackwood
• Acacia verticillata – prickly moses
• Acacia acinaea – gold dust wattle
• Acacia paradoxa – hedge wattle

Silver wattle, black wattle, blackwood, golden wattle and hedge wattle are indigenous species occurring in Banyule.

Acacia is a diverse and enormous genus with almost 1000 species currently recognised for Australia. Acacia species have hard-coated and relatively large seeds and are usually easy to germinate and grow. They have the ability to improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation and are adapted to a wide range of soil types and climates, including drought- and frost-prone areas.

Aboriginal people utilised acacias for food, medicine, tools, fuel and weapons. Early settlers found acacias useful in the construction of wattle-and-daub huts and later harvested enormous numbers to extract tannin for the tanning industry.

Overseas, several species are grown in large plantations to meet the demand for industrial wood and tannin-rich bark, while others provide a source of fast-growing firewood in developing countries. In Australia, acacias are mainly grown in amenity and land rehabilitation plantings, although new plantations are being established to provide edible seed and attractive timbers.

More information can be found at www.worldwidewattle.com

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