Viewing platform at Bellbird Park

Dog walkers and others who use the perimeter track around the oval at Bellbird Park, may have noticed some construction proceeding at the northern end of the lake.

The Friends of Drouin’s Trees have lobbied for some time for a masterplan to upgrade the neglected area west of the lake. This location is an environmental ‘hotspot’ for Drouin. The FoDT have been conducting bird surveys in the area for some years now. The bird survey team regularly score 30-40 species in their 2-hour surveys at Bellbird Park.

The shire has developed a plan to improve access to the area. Phase one of the plan is to construct a boardwalk on the west side of the lake, upgrade the path through the tree fern section at the southern end, and to construct a viewing platform at the northern end.

Image credit BBSC

A small number of trees have had to be removed for access and safety reasons. An ecologist on site during this operation determined that the stumps remain so as not to disturb nearby Burrowing Crayfish habitat. The trees removed were placed in the lake for aquatic habitat. Some mulch was removed from the site and will be returned later when a planting program will be instigated.

Construction of the viewing platform has begun with the foundations in place. The deck, some seating and safety balustrading will be added shortly.

The shire’s construction supervisor for the project is working closely with the FoDT and is updating our group as progress is made.

More later as things develop.

 

 

Why garden for wildlife?

Our native fauna – birds, mammals, and invertebrates – are in decline. The independent, university-based Biodiversity Council describes the situation as a biodiversity crisis. Much of our fauna is endemic and we have the distinction of being one of the worst countries for the extinction of our plants and animals.

The inertia of all three levels of government to reverse this trend is appalling. We have the evidence right under our noses.

Left: Waterford Rise Warragul                          Right: Buln Buln Rd Drouin

The Australian government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act currently has over 600 animal species on its threatened list. 145 of them are classed as critically endangered, described as ‘species at an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.’

There is a growing grass-roots (pun intended) movement of habitat gardeners determinedly working to reverse the trend – see links at the end of this post.

Habitat gardening involves creating a garden that provides food, water, and shelter for our indigenous wildlife. Even a tiny native habitat garden – a pot on a balcony with a correa in it – will often go some way to attracting some native birds, bees, or butterflies. A tiny habitat garden will often provide a stepping stone, a connection for wildlife to access perhaps a nearby park or reserve. These connections help ensure genetic diversity.

Native Blue-banded Bees and Superb Fairy-wrens often inhabit a native garden

There is a certain level of pleasure watching native fauna inhabit a wildlife garden – to watch a Blue-banded Bee using its rather special buzz-pollination technique to extract pollen from a flower – is a mood-elevating experience. Who doesn’t enjoy seeing a tiny flash of blue as a Superb Fairy-wren dashes between shrubs?

Habitat gardening is not just good for the animals; it is good for the gardener too.

A few online references for some inspiration:

Gardens For Wildlife Victoria - a network of community members and council/shire officers across Victoria.

Backyard Buddies – an initiative of the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife.

WIRES – Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service

The Nature Conservancy Australia – a global non-profit body working to conserve nature

Sustainable Gardening Australia – aims to inspire individuals, communities, and organisations to garden sustainably.

Native Plant Project - The best of Australia’s gardens to inspire your own native plant project large or small.

Australian Native Plant Society – Garden designing with Australian plants.

Try searching various Shire Council websites using the term ‘wildlife garden’ – except BBSC!

More posts on this topic to follow.

 

The value of urban parkland

By scanning the real estate pages for homes in Drouin, it doesn’t take much to realize that nearby parkland is a significant selling point:

“…just a short stroll from Drouin's vibrant town centre and beautiful Civic Park.”

“…close to schools, parks, and town amenities.”

“…only moments from Bellbird Park.”

 The Property Council of Australia found that a 2013 study “showed a 5-7 per cent increase in home value for properties immediately adjacent to parks in Melbourne.” Research by Infrastructure Victoria found that “Parks are more likely to have a positive effect on house prices in regional Victoria than in Melbourne.”

Alex Goudie Park Drouin

Of course, elevated house prices are not the only, or even the principal benefit of urban parkland. Urban green spaces are not just viewed as an ‘amenity’ these days. Parks, reserves, roadside corridors, etc. are now seen as essential components for healthy, happy, and habitable urban living.

Urban parklands and green spaces help to mitigate the urban heat island effect providing relief for our increasingly hot summers.

Brooker Park Warragul

An inviting park provides space for recreational and social activities. Shared leisure places help to promote social cohesion, a sense of place, and inclusion, leading to the building of a stronger, healthier community.

The value of urban biodiversity provided by parks, wetlands and reserves has become critical for the survival of much of our native flora and fauna.

Green infrastructure in urban situations can provide better air quality by filtering atmospheric pollutants. Trees and other vegetation help to absorb stormwater runoff. Some urban parks will often have cultural or historical significance as well.

Golden Whistler Reserve Drouin

Joseph Paxton, an English gardener, architect, and engineer is credited as having designed and built the first public park, Birkenhead Park in Liverpool, opened in April, 1847. This began the public parks movement which spread around the world. Today we appreciate the benefits of public parks, reserves, and open spaces, and, as our cities and towns grow, our need for urban parkland is becoming increasingly important for the promotion of happier and healthier communities.

Let’s get it right!