Some of our members are already involved with other local groups, including Henley &
Grange Dunecare and Tennyson Dunecare.
FoPC has been invited to participate in a project involving revegetation of the Apex Park Wetlands, and we support the proposal to establish the LeFevre Peninsula Biodiversity Park.
With the establishment of the Breakout Creek Demonstration Wetland, a new 'Our Patch' group is likely to be formed to look after it.
The 'Our Patch' concept involves people taking an interest in, and responsibility for, their local area. Some groups have greater experience or expertise. Since the resources of voluntary groups are limited, it makes sense to share these resources wherever possible.
In this spirit, FoPC is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a Bushcare Workshop on the 10th of July.
Work on a Website for both Patawalonga Creek and 'Paper Bark' is well advanced and it is likely to go on-line within a few weeks. This will enable us to provide a service to other groups, by
publicising meeting dates and other information, to help us all to work together more effectively.
the Editor
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Catchment Board visit to Patawalonga Creek site
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With the imminent departure of Peter Francis from the position of Environment Officer at the Airport, there was a suggestion to hold a meeting to discuss the issues surrounding the Patawalonga Creek site, to enable Peter to pass on some of his wide experience.
Alan Ockenden (the General Manager of the Torrens and Patawalonga Catchment Boards) suggested that the meeting be held on-site, to gain a better appreciation of the area and to inspect issues on the walk-around.
So the morning of Friday, the 21st May saw the gathering of a large group, including Peter Francis (AAL); Jon Emmett, Alan Ockenden, Geoff Fisher (Patawalonga Catchment Board); Borvin Kracman (Project Manager, Urban Projects Authority); Ben Moulton (Greening Australia); Mark Pierson and Andrew Winkler (FoPC).
Soon after setting out, we came across a long-necked tortoise - the first sighting to our knowledge, since the construction and filling of the dredge spoil ponds.
The dry summer and autumn had obliterated the traces of the seepage (along the sections of creek bank closest to Cell 1), which had been very noticeable late last year.
We were able to point out the scalded area to the west of the site, which had previously been identified as containing acid sulphate soils
(see story in last issue).
It was the first time that the Board officers had seen the site, so it was a valuable opportunity to demonstrate and discuss both the limitations and the opportunities that the site offers for native vegetation/habitat conservation and the proposed stormwater detention ponds.
* * *
As predicted, the seepage, with its characteristic reddish-brown ferric oxy-hydroxide precipitates, has re-occurred after the onset of the heavier winter rains. It has been found in the same locations as last year, but not in the channels dug through the embankment walls last summer. This supports the idea that the source of the acid seepage lies in the soils beneath the spoil ponds, rather than in the sediments within the spoil ponds.
AKW
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Breakout Creek Demonstration Wetland
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Several FoPC members attended a field day on the 2nd May, at the Breakout Creek
Demonstration Wetland, north of Henley Beach Road. The field day was organised by the Torrens Catchment Board, and representatives from 'Our Patch', DEHAA, KESAB and the University of Adelaide were present to answer queries or concerns of local residents. The talk by Mark Siebentritt on ecological processes was very hands-on and the environment reconstruction talk by Jason Carter was very informative.
We understand that an 'Our Patch' group may be formed and look forward to further involvement with the site to observe its recolonisation by native flora and fauna.
Mark Pierson
The Banrock Station Winery is well-known for recreating wetlands on their land and for supporting wetland projects in the Murray area. These projects are funded from part-proceeds of their wine sales.
They are offering to commit funds to the repair of an urban wetland, although their definition fits more with the Apex Park style of wetland, than with the Patawalonga Creek site. Kaylee deWet-Jones, the KESAB Clean Waters Regional Co-ordinator, has put together a proposal to apply for this funding. This proposal involves a plan to revegetate the wetland and to restock it with native fish.
Even if this application is unsuccessful, there is sufficient interest from the Torrens Catchment Board and West Torrens Council for at least some funding to allow work to go ahead.
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LeFevre Peninsula Biodiversity Park
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Nick Davies (Ph: 8341 5727) is forming a group with the aim of turning 46 ha of DEHAA-
owned land, adjacent to the proposed Pelican Point power station, into a biodiversity park.
Although degraded, the site still retains a substantial coastal native vegetation community. He has the support of Darryl Kraehenbuehl and is working with Jon Emett, Ben Moulton, Greg Sarre and the Port Adelaide Residents Environment Protection Group. He has been lobbying Port Adelaide-Enfield Council and other bodies, with some success.
Nick grew up in Glenelg North, and remembers exploring Patawalonga Creek many years ago. He has a particular interest in reptiles, and looks after another smaller Bushcare site on the Peninsula.
The next issue of 'Paper Bark' will be released in an on-line version as well as hardcopy. The site will also have back issues. To save on our postage costs, anyone who would prefer to be notified by email of the publication of a new issue should email the
Editor.
Saturday, 10 July 1999, 10:00 am. - 3:00 pm
at The Reedbeds Community Centre, cnr. Fitch & Halsey Roads, Fulham (carpark entry off Phelps Court; but using only the western entrance of the building).
This free workshop will be given by Peter Tucker and Ben Moulton of Greening Australia. It will cover site planning, weed management and revegetation issues.
The theory session will be followed by an on-site demonstration after lunch (BYO), at the Patawalonga Creek site.
There will be a limit of 20 places for the workshop, which will also be advertised in the Messenger Press on Wednesday, 7th July. To secure a place, it would be advisable to make an early booking (phone 8234 1420, or by email to:
The Editor).
Henley & Grange Dunecare will be holding a planting session the day following the workshop
(Sunday 11 July), so anyone interested should turn up at the nursery in Atkin Street, Henley Beach, at 10 am.
CREATED BY:
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LINKED TO:
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 Ground Truth:
towards an
environmental history
of South Australia
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<URL=http://www.chariot.net.au/~littoral/pat-ck/pb/pb1-4.htm>
Web version created 6th July 1999; last updated 11th April 2002.
This page maintained by Andrew Winkler for the Friends of Patawalonga Creek.
Please mail any comments or material for future issues to: The Editor
© Littoral Productions 1999-2000
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