The Story
Establishing a sanctuary
Welcome Swallows, Gareth Evans
Friends of Melville Bird Sanctuary
In March 2020, Tom Lubin and Jenny Christenson co-founded the Friends of Melville Bird Sanctuary (FoMBS) group to advocate for the preservation of local and migratory birdlife. The need for such a group became evident following the proposal of a wave park to be built at Tompkins Park, potentially irreparably altering the natural landscape and impacting its inhabitants.
Though the wave park itself was eventually scrapped, it had inadvertently highlighted the very real threat posed to natural environments by further potential urban development. Unless organised efforts were made by the community to protect these areas, similar developments to the wave park could eventuate in future. As a result of this wakeup call, FoMBS was formed.
(L) Osprey showing off for Minister Reece Whitby on 5/12/22; (R) Meeting of MBS minds, L-R Mick McCarthy,
City of Melville Director Environment & Infrastructure, Tom Lubin, Rochelle Stevens, Claire Greenwell,
Opening of the Viewing Platform on December 5th, 2022.
L-R Lisa O’Malley MLA, Member for Bicton, Tom Lubin and Jenny Christenson (FoMBS), Minister Reece Whitby, Minister for Energy, Environment, Climate Action
The Story
2016: Advanced plans for a wave park to be built at Tompkins Park posed a very real threat to the natural environments of Alfred Cove, the Swan Estuary Marine Park and public open space.
2017: The vision of a Melville Bird Sanctuary was developed by the Alfred Cove Action Group (ACAG) Committee (of which Tom and Jenny were members), with assistance from SERAG, as they engaged with the local and wider community to inform and resist the building of a wave park at Tompkins Park. In such close proximity to the Alfred Cove A-Class Nature Reserve and the Swan Estuary Marine Park, this was no place for a wave park.
Late 2018: ACAG put a counter proposal of a Melville Bird Sanctuary instead of a wave park to an AGM of several 100s of City of Melville Electors at the Mt Pleasant Baptist Hall. Tom Lubin presented the MBS proposal accompanied by photos of local birdlife taken at Alfred Cove by renowned wildlife photographer Melissa Zapelli, which captured the attention and overwhelming approval of electors present at the meeting.
ACAG weekly Information Stall on 24/11/18 with Tom & Lindsay (Above)
Early 2019: A Conservation Council of WA/ACAG petition to the State Government for a Melville Bird Sanctuary instead of a wave park received 2542 signatures. The petition remained unpresented as it was overtaken by the following State Government decision:
March 2019: The State Government’s decision to not allow the Crown Land at the western edge of Tompkins Park to be used for the wave park development, resulted in the scrapping of the wave park at Tompkins Park.
March 2020: Tom and Jenny co-founded the Friends of Melville Bird Sanctuary. With a new Mayor George Gear and several new Councillors in Melville Council, they again took up the cause of establishing the Melville Bird Sanctuary.
October 2020: Melville Council approved inclusion of the Melville Bird Sanctuary in the Attadale Alfred Cove Foreshore Master Plan.
FoMBS co-founder Tom Lubin and SERAG’s Julie Ginbey showing current Mayor Katy Mair (then councillor) around the MBS on 6/8/21
In June 2023, the establishment of the Melville Bird Sanctuary was supported by the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions and Melville Council within defined boundaries.
Celebrating Melville Council’s unanimous support for MBS on 20 June 2023. Tom & Jenny with supporters outside Council Chambers (left image)
Pictured above with FoMBS’ Tom Lubin on 12/8/21, our previous Mayor George Gear was also a strong supporter of the MBS. (right image)
Cross – organisational group at Action Plan workshop for MBS on 26/11/22
Special thanks to DBCA’s Mark Cugley and City of Melville’s Mick McCarthy for enabling the MBS and to Melville Mayor George Gear and the Councillors who unanimously supported FoMBS’ vision.
FoMBS received and continues to receive the invaluable help and guidance of:
Local Member for Bicton, Lisa O’Malley
Swan Estuary “Reserves Action Group (SERAG)
Bicton Environmental Action Group (BEAG)
Birdlife WA
MBS community
Birdwatching Walk w leader Viv Read, Past Chair of Birdlife WA (far right)
The moral of this story, brilliantly captured by Michael Leunig.