'Answering the Call'

Port Melbourne is a hugely significant site for the history of the navy in Australia.
Some milestone dates

• 1859: Naval Reserve training commenced with the formation of the Sandridge company of the Victorian Naval Brigade
• 1912: following the formation of the Royal Australian Navy in 1911, the Drill Hall was built on the corner Rouse/Bay (currently the home of Circus Oz)
• 1942: Australian Navy Reserve Drill Hall was built on the former lagoon and named HMAS Lonsdale

Nothing of this history remains - save the name hm@s.

The Naval Heritage Foundation of Australia is seeking to install this memorial on the foreshore opposite Dow St.

The Council has provided 'in principle' support. Coastal consent will now be sought from the Minister for Environment and Climate Change.

Changes to dog on and off leash areas proposed

People - dog owners and non dog owners - gave a lot of feedback during the dog off leash consultations.

In response to the issues raised, the following solutions are suggested and your comments invited.

• to allow degraded grassy areas to recover: allow for temporary fencing in off leash areas


• to reduce conflict with cyclists: require dogs to be on leash next to shared bike/pedestrian paths


• to ensure dogs are under effective control: amending the definiton to 'a person with more than four (4) dogs) at the one time is not effective control'


• to provide more rational arrangements that are easier to enforce: for the whole area between Lagoon Pier and the Port Melbourne Yacht Club to be off leash (rather than relying on an imaginary line extending south from Dow St)

Parks affected by the changes are Sandridge foreshore, Port Melbourne beach (between Lagoon Pier and the PM Yacht Club, and Garden City Reserve.

Comments to helpdesk-animalmgt@portphillip.vic.gov.au between 17 August and 20 September

To see the proposed changes in detail go to www.portphillip.vic.gov.au or visit the library/Assist on Bay St

Howe Parade now

The future of Howe Parade in Garden City Reserve as parkland is finally completely secure following the gazettal of planning amendment C68 to the Port Phillip planning scheme on 9 August.

Howe Parade then

The image as scanned is disappointingly small - but you get the idea.

Black cockatoos at Lagoon Reserve

Heard a commotion when riding through Lagoon Reserve this afternoon. On closer investigation, there were five black cockatoos in the trees.
Because it was so dull, it was hard to get a decent photograph.
If you see any unusual wildlife in Port Melbourne, let Port Phillip nature watch know at http://home.vicnet.au/~earthcar/naturewatch

The Ombudsman's Report into Port Phillip Council has been released. All the Ombudsman's recommendations are accepted.
www.portphillip.vic.gov.au and www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au

The pleasure a street tree can give

Beautiful banksia spinulosa in full flower at the Bend this morning.