No. 17
Hello everyone,
It’s come to our attention, at very short notice, that the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) has a draft policy Planning for Localities along the Swan Canning development control area and 9 associated locality plans open for public comment until close of business on this coming Wednesday 22 June 2022. Late submissions will not be considered. Sincere apologies for the short time frame but we believe it is important for those of our FMBS supporter group who feel able to do so, to comment on the following 3 documents which you’ll find at the link https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/swan-canning-riverpark/draft-planning-policies-for-localities-along-swan-canning-development-control-area
The 2 locality plans which involve the proposed boundaries of the Melville Bird Sanctuary (MBS) are:
Draft Melville Water Dootanboro Locality Plan
Draft Blackwall Reach Jenalup Locality Plan
Both of these need to be read in conjunction with the:
Planning for Localities along the Swan Canning Development Control Area
DBCA has written that it appreciates our special efforts in protecting the part of the river and its foreshore included in our proposed MBS boundaries and that it welcomes comments from Friends of MBS on the draft documents, particularly with regard to the Melville Bird Sanctuary and issues impacting on it. We support the DBCA Development Control Area (DCA) plans to manage the Swan and Canning Rivers and believe in the need for urgency to mitigate the unavoidable impact of Climate Change. We are concerned that so much pressure is being put on our River and foreshores at the expense of habitat for current wildlife/birdlife populations and believe that future changes must be for ecological benefit.
Please read these 3 documents and make even a short submission either online or by email – all this information at the above link. Do you think that the above documents sufficiently reflect your concerns for our River and its foreshores? Are they balanced in favour or against? Will they be sufficient to save these natural areas for our future generations? We sincerely hope you’ll take this opportunity to express your views and be heard by DBCA.
Birdwatching Walk
Our next Birdwatching Walk will be on Thursday 14 July from 8.00am to approx 10.00am. If you have time constraints, you may leave any time you wish during the Walk. We’re very pleased to say that our special guest leader of the Walk will be Viv Read. Viv has a long term interest in birds, their place in the landscape and their conservation. His career was focussed on the interface between agriculture and conservation with birdwatching as a hobby. Post-career he took the lead role at Birdlife WA for 3 years, increasing the focus on bird conservation. He has remained on the Birdlife WA coordinating committee engaging in citizen science and being active in advocacy for bird conservation. Don’t miss this opportunity!
Please let us know by reply email or via our Facebook page, of your attendance at this Birdwatching Walk which will commence from the Troy Park carpark (opp 194 Burke Dr, Attadale). Please aim to arrive by 7.50am to complete registration details. Bring a pair of binoculars if possible as well as a hat, sunscreen and water. We should have some spare pairs of binoculars available.
Kind regards,
Tom Lubin and Jenny Christenson
Friends of Melville Bird Sanctuary