The sting in the tail of rapid urbanization

Population growth can provide employment and a boost to the local economy (at least temporarily). Regrettably, population growth can also put huge pressures on infrastructure.

But what of the natural environment? The benefits to the community of a healthy natural environment are well documented. Of what value is a healthy economy if we have an unhealthy  population?

Pakenham (Barry Plant Real Estate)

In 1999, our federal government estimated Australia’s population to reach 23 million by 2050. Here we are more than 30 years away from the middle of the century and our population is already 25 million! Current estimates by demographers suggest that by 2050 our population should be more like 40 million. LINK

All current environmental indicators are recording deterioration of Australia’s natural environment. LINK

Most leading ecologists suggest that factors associated with population growth – urbanization, land clearing, atmospheric pollution, degraded waterways, etc – is one of the leading causes of the loss of biodiversity.

Weebar Rd Drouin

Melbourne is Australia’s fastest growing city and on current trends is set to have a greater population than Sydney within 8 years. Concerns are being expressed about its ability to feed itself with continued loss of arable land due to urban sprawl. LINK  

Weebar Rd Drouin

Melbourne’s population is set to be greater than Sydney’s within 8 years. Only about 6% of Australia’s total land mass is considered suitable for food production. 

Urban sprawl is economically, ecologically and socially damaging.  Somehow, we need to strike a balance and to explore ways and means of maintaining a more sustainable expansion of our population centres.

Some links for further reading...

New developments to contain a proportion of multi-unit structures?  (58% of new developments in NSW are for townhouses or apartments. In Victoria, this figure is just 39%) LINK

More readily attainable solar power and hot water? LINK

More readily accessible, convenient and integrated pedestrian and bicycle paths? LINK

Greater encouragement to construct passive solar developments? LINK

Integrated wetland designs? LINK

Less concrete, more greenery? LINK

Community gardens? LINK

Worth Saving

There are several areas of natural or remnant vegetation within the town boundary of Drouin.

With the very obvious pressure of development requiring more and more land on which to construct more and more dwellings, the struggle to hold on to these precious little blocks of verdant habitat and air-cleaning vegetation is mounting.

One such example is in Roberts Crt.

Roberts Crt bush location - Drouin

The Roberts Crt block of remnant bushland provides a barrier between the industrial zones to the north and west and the residential areas to the south and east. Not just a screening barrier protecting residents from the visually-uninviting industrial activities but also helping by absorbing noise and air pollution. 

Ghania sp and tree fern - Roberts Crt Drouin

This particular block of bush also plays a role in absorbing storm water run-off. Located in the depression of Stony Creek, the vegetation helps by mitigating the effects of flooding and the absorption of stream pollutants.

Lycoperdon Pyriforme fungus - Roberts Crt Drouin

The benefits of urban vegetation are well documented worldwide – human health and well-being, identity, visual attractiveness, biodiversity, mitigating the urban heat island effect, improving air and water quality, sequestering carbon, providing habitat, etc.

 

Eastern Yellow Robin - Roberts Crt Drouin

The Friends of Drouin’s Trees believes that even small patches of urban bush are valuable enough for their preservation and conservation to be reflected in the planning policies of Baw Baw Shire.

Further reading:

The Benefits of Urban Vegetation, a study of the scientific research and method of analysis – Plante and Cité, 2014.

The future of the “other Australia” within our smart cities, Dr Peter Fisher explores the relationship between the environment and urban technology and how nature imprints on our major cities – Independent Australia, August 2018.

Vale Doug Hatfield

The Friends of Drouin’s Trees was saddened to learn of the recent death of Doug Hatfield.

One of Doug’s many passions was for the town of Drouin. Both Doug and Barbara were Buln Buln Shire Councilors ca1990. During his time as Shire president in 1988/9, Doug with others, was a passionate supporter and driver for maintaining the ‘leafy nature’ of the town, a legacy that remains today in the streets and parks of Drouin.

Our condolences go to Barbara and family.