SFA Newsletter December 2019

Email: sandyforeshore@optusnet.com.au
Website: http://sandringhamforeshore.tumblr.com/

Patrons of SFA:
Professor Tim Flannery
former resident of Sandringham and Australian of the Year 2007
Professor John Long
Professor of Palaeontology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Flinders University

SFA is free to join. Donations are appreciated for Bayside Fossil research
directly to Museums Victoria The Lost World of Bayside Fossils
using this link:
Museums Victoria Bayside Fossil Fundraiser
(100% tax deductible donation).

"We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the waters and lands on which we live and
work, and pay our respects to the Elders, past, present and future”
From the president of SFA, Dr Vicki Karalis AM

Dearest Friends and Members of the SFA

Have you noticed lots of blue blubber jelly fish washed up on
our beaches lately? Are they dangerous?
This time of the year during hot weather and depending on
wind patterns, we see more of the blue blubber jelly fish
congregate on our beaches. They are usually not dangerous
but can cause an irritating sting to swimmers and minor skin
irritation. Some people can have an allergic reaction to the
sting and require medical treatment.
What to do for jellyfish stings:

 wash with saltwater and treat with ice for 20

minutes. Do not use fresh water.
 Tentacles can be removed by hand.

Knowing when and where jellyfish are likely to occur can be

challenging even for the experts. A Jellyfish App
https://thejellyfishapp.com/ is designed to help you quickly
assess what species are likely to be around, what to do to
keep from being stung, what to do in the event of a sting,
and how to report alerts so that others will be safe too.

We hope you enjoy reading the newsletter which includes:

 Details of the free Sandringham Beach Walk and

Talk as part of the Summer by the Sea program
organised by DELWP and Bayside City Council
 proposed for Sunday 19th January 2020 10-12pm.
Guest speakers include Helen Gibson a local
geologist expert and Sean Kelly an Indigenous
Cultural and Heritage Officer. We would love to see
you all there - more details including confirmation of
the date will be emailed soon.
 Ike Solomon committee member of SFA presented a
speech summarising SFA's activities and concerns at
the Bayside's Environmental groups meeting with
Brad Rowswell Sandringham MP and David Morris
MP, Shadow Minister for the Environment, Climate
Change and Bay Protection. The various Bayside
Environmental Groups also presented and are
making an incredible contribution helping to protect
and care for the local environment.
 Have your say for the DELWP Coastcare Victoria
Strategy 2020-2025
 How Seaweed farms can provide a solution to global
warming by absorbing carbon and of course, provide
habitat and food for marine life
 A funny discovery on a recent beach walk at Half
Moon Bay!
 Images of two presentations held for Brighton
Grammar School and Lauriston Girls School Year 4
students at the BMYS of the significant and varied
fossils discovered in Bayside. This talk was led by Ben
Francischelli palaeontologist from Museums
Victoria. These two sessions were kindly organised
 by SFA member Andy Evans and sponsored by
Future Fish Foundation. The children loved the talks
and had a lot of fun finding their own fossils at the
local beach under close parental and teacher
supervision. Ben was there to help the children
assess their fossil finds, and the many other
discoveries - skeletons of marine creatures and
various rock types. The days were an absolute
success. It is something we would like to hold
regularly for all schools so if you know any schools
who might be interested to learn more about
Bayside fossils please contact us. We are truly
grateful to the BMYS for providing the venue and for
the generous donation by Future Fish Foundation
directly to Museums Victoria as they are helping to
support the important works of Dr Erich Fitzgerald
senior curator and his team at Museums Victoria
explore and scientifically assess the fossils
discovered specifically in the Bayside area.
 Details of a free talk on 'What makes Beaumaris Bay
special" by Dr Vicki Karalis to be held Tuesday
evening on 10th December at 7pm
 An update on the Cerberus, another Historical
photo provided by Shirley Joy.....and lots of other
exciting news including SFA's revised Objectives and
Aims and current committee members!

Have a great summer holiday, be safe, be well and enjoy

 Bayside's wonderful and exciting beachside environment!

Free event
Walk and talk along the Sandringham beach
Our Evolving Coastline
pencil into calendar Sunday 19 January 2020, 10-12pm
- confirmation details at a later date

DELWP and Bayside City Council annual Summer by the Sea series
Our Evolving Coastline is a fascinating guided ‘Walk & Talk’ led by Dr Vicki Karalis of the
Sandringham Foreshore Association (SFA) along the Sandringham coastline in conjunction
with Helen Gibson a local Geologist and Sean Kelly an Indigenous cultural and heritage
officer. Participants will learn about Indigenous life along the Bayside coastline, how
beaches form over millennia, the trends and impacts of sand movement, the history of local
rock geology, issues of coastal erosion, Bayside’s living museums of local fossils and much
more. Participants will be encouraged to deepen their knowledge and feel inspired to help
care for and protect our coastline.
 Bayside's Environmental groups meeting with David Morris MP, Shadow Minister for the
Environment, Climate Change and Bay Protection.

Ike Solomon represented Sandringham Foreshore Association at the recent community

round table discussion with David Morris the Shadow Minister for the Environment
organised by our local MP Brad Rowswell. The aim of the meeting was to hear the
community's ideas and solutions about local conservation issues which can contribute
towards the Liberal Party's environmental policy development process. We are
grateful to Ike who presented David Morris and Brad Rowswell with the following
paper summarising SFA concerns and discuss our organisation’s ideas and solutions
that will contribute to the Coalition’s policy development process

SFA is primarily concerned with the conservation & preservation of our unique natural environment for
enjoyment by current and future generations
The focus being the health of our natural assets:

 Cliffs
 Beaches

 Shoreline

 Bay

Included in the above are various factors interacting with these assets such as:

1. Residents and visitors

2. Flora and fauna

3. Pollution

4. Wind & wave erosion

SFA propose that the following issues impacting our natural environment be considered as a high priority:

1. Re-vegetation of depleted green zones.

2. Improvement of cliff stability. Erosion & collapses are a safety risk to the public.

3. Regular sand replenishment for our beaches when required (Sandringham beach loses approximately
3
2000 m of sand per annum).

4. Avoidance of building of hard structures along the sea front such as revetment walls to minimise
accelerated sand scouring and erosion.

5. Installation of a permanent pumped sand transfer system to shift sand trapped north of the Sandringham
Yacht Club to the main Sandringham beach on the south side. Currently, the Yacht Club harbour area
stops the natural seasonal movement of sand trapping large volumes of sand/seaweed in an area that is
stagnant resulting in generation of noxious smell due to accumulated rotting vegetation. This area known
as the 'black sludge' was recently dredged due to local community efforts. The beach is used by many as a
dog beach, by the Sailboard School, yacht club etc and needs regular dredging. The Sandringham Yacht
Club is an iconic club on the Bay hosting international yachting competitions.

6. Create artificial reefs and encourage seaweed farming to reduce wave impact on our beaches, and
promote the health of the Bay

7. Reduction of plastic finding its way into the Bay. The recent storms washed up a significant amount of sea
grass onto the beach at Sandringham. Intermingled with the grass is a large amount of plastic such as lolly
wrappers, food wrap, straws, etc. The public needs to be better educated and have constant reminders of
the dangers of allowing plastic to enter into the marine food chain.
 8. Introduce environmental program into schools. Year 12 students can be seen using our beaches currently
but are they sufficiently environmentally aware? Frequently younger visitors to the beach bring takeaway
food & beer to the beaches and waste items are discarded near the benches. Education awareness and
protection activities may include:

 Have ‘environmental days’ at schools where children are encouraged to pick up plastic and other waste in
green zones and along the beach
 Install signs

 Police the beach areas and apply fines for littering

 Encourage the public to use re-usable cups instead of disposable cups for takeaway coffee. Give discounts
to those using re-usable cups

 Ban plastic straws & cutlery

 Have takeaway outlets use degradable containers rather than plastic

 Have more bins located along the beaches

Other issues on a broader front affecting other areas:

o Air Pollution – This is a major contributor to ill health of our population. High-risk areas are where traffic
accumulates with excessive idling (shopping centres/traffic lights/school drop off areas). Refer to Dr Vicki
Kotsirilos article in the AMA magazine, November 2019 for background information and
recommendations: https://ama.com.au/ausmed/health-experts-right-calling-stronger-air-pollution-
standards
o Improve traffic flow particularly during rush hour periods – for example, during morning periods along
Beach Rd there are large groups of cyclists fully occupying the inside lane heading into the city and
sometimes venturing into the outer lane to overtake slower cyclists. Pairs of cyclists sometimes ride side
by side widely spaced. This results in most drivers staying solely in the outer lane or some dodging from
lane to lane when in a hurry or through frustration risking an accident. Options need exploring as to how
to improve traffic flow and reduce safety concerns.
 DELWP - Coastcare Victoria Strategy
2020-2025
Have your say on the DELWP draft Coastcare Victoria Strategy

Coastcare Victoria is a community-based movement. The program supports community

stewardship of Victoria’s marine and coastal environments. Coastcare's new draft strategy
will guide the program for 2020-2025. It focuses on three strategic pillars:

1. Marine and Coastal Stewardship

2. Thriving Volunteer Groups and Networks

3. Victorians Valuing the Coast

The draft was developed based on engagement with Coastcare’s stakeholders. You are
invited to review the draft strategy before it is finalised.

To take part, please read the draft strategy and you can complete a survey, both situated on
the webpage via the link below.
https://engage.vic.gov.au/coastcare-victoria-strategy-2020-2025
The Coastcare team will review all input and use it to refine the final strategy. Please focus
on the content of the strategy, not the design, which will be finalised at a later point.

Seaweed solution making waves in the quest to reverse

global warming

Thank you to Shirley Prager for forwarding on the following article to SFA about the kelp
project off the East Coast of Tasmania. $350,000 has been raised to allow the project
to ahead. Giant kelp is extremely fast growing and absorbs carbon better than trees.

Nearly all the kelp growing along the east coast of Tasmania has been wiped out due to the
rising temperatures of the world’s oceans. But scientists have discovered a way to
regenerate the seaweed, and reverse global warming in the process.

The team behind the 2040 documentary have teamed up with The Climate Foundation, The
Intrepid Foundation and the University of Tasmania to build Australia’s first seaweed
platform, off Tasmania’s eastern coast.

The seaweed platform will be home to floating kelp forests, which will provide food, fuel and
fertiliser, while drawing down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere – seaweed is more
efficient at absorbing CO2 than the Amazon rainforest.

The platforms will also protect large areas of coral from bleaching, provide habitat and cool
surface ocean waters.

The solution is explored in the documentary 2040, which looks at what the future could look
like if existing technologies were adapted.

In the film, actor and director Damon Gameau joins Dr Brian von Herzen, founder of the
Climate Foundation, on a boat trip and a kelp forest dive, to learn about the foundation’s
plan to restore marine ecosystems through marine permaculture.

Von Herzen explains that seaweed – the fastest growing plant in the world – could sequester
thousands of tonnes of carbon per square kilometre per year.

The Intrepid Foundation, which supported the film with a $100,000 donation, is now aiming
to raise $350,000 – with every donation made matched dollar for dollar – to support the
marine permaculture initiative.

Intrepid’s chief purpose officer, Leigh Barnes, told Pro Bono News the foundation was
attracted by the project’s “triple whammy effect”.

“It draws down carbon. It grows faster than any other plant, so it brings back biodiversity.
We’re seeing wildlife come back into that area, which is really important. And then there’s
benefits from job creation,” Barnes said.

“So there were multiple positive benefits that we thought was super cool.”

The sustainable travel group is also taking steps to become climate positive next year, by
offsetting more than neutral, setting climate science based goals focused on renewables,
issuing a plan for plastics and investing in projects focused on women empowerment.

Barnes said it was only after seeing the film that he became aware of the potential impacts
seaweed could have, and how this could fit in with their vision.

“I always thought it was that annoying crap at the beach, I didn’t realise it had such a
positive impact,” he said.

He said the latest project was something new, that had not been done before at scale, and
was focused on regeneration – the theme of the documentary.

The current aim is to get proof of concept and get the project happening, as well as show to
other organisations that you can invest in good things for the planet and have a positive
return.

Barnes said he expects the project will launch next year.

“But if we’re able to get funding, and get up and running faster, we can make it happen
faster,” he said.

See here for more information about the Seaweed: The next (re)generation project.

https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2019/06/seaweed-solution-making-waves-in-the-
quest-to-reverse-global-warming/

Sunday 17th November - A funny find on a beach walk at Half Moon Bay
- a car bogged in the sand!
Walk and talk - Ben Francischelli and Vicki give two talks at Beaumaris Motor Yacht
Squadron with students from Brighton Grammar and Lauriston Girls High School.
 Free lecture
Marine Care Ricketts Point - Speaker Event

Vicki Karalis AM presents

“What Makes Beaumaris Bay Special”
Tuesday 10 December 2019 7pm for 7.30pm start.
Beaumaris Seniors Centre, 96 Reserve Road, Beaumaris.

Beaumaris Bay is significant for its palaeontological, geological, artistic and indigenous
values. Dr Vicki Karalis AM, medical practitioner and President of the Sandringham
Foreshore Association, will discuss the significance of Beaumaris Bay and what makes it
special in relation to other Bayside beaches.

Vicki's goals and passions are to help our society maintain a healthy community and
population, and to preserve and protect our natural environment for future generations to
enjoy. To honor her voluntary efforts, Vicki is a recipient of the Queen's Birthday Honors
Award and awarded an Australia Day Environment Award by Bayside City Council for the
Environment.

Free. All welcome. Please feel free to bring along friends and a plate/snack to share.
A sobering reminder of why plastic is bad for the environment.

UPDATE ON THE CERBERUS WRECK SITE

 Photo courtesy of the Herald Sun Newspaper

The Hon Lily D'Ambrosio MP, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, has
replied to a letter from Brad Rowswell asking for copies of reports on the potential ecological
impact of any proposed works to stabilise the Cerberus Wreck Site at Half Moon Bay.
Heritage Victoria have issued a permit for Bayside City Council to install a permanent internal
supporting core of monolithic concrete.
Bayside City Council commissioned an assessment into other materials including cement
stabilised sand, epoxy grout and polyurethane foam as alternatives to concrete. The
assessment rejected polyurethane foam due to uncertain environmental risks.
The minister received advice that the in situ installation of clean marine grade concrete is
common practice in coastal areas and is best practice to minimise environmental impact
during installation and is recommended as an enduring structure. Risks of leaching are
minimised by using clean marine grade concrete.
Before work may be started the Council must submit an application to DELWP as part of the
new Marine and Coastal Act 2018 policy detailing placement methodology, material
characteristics, waste disposal and environmental assurances.
More information may be obtained from the Council.
 MARINE CARE RICKETTS POINT (MCRP)
SUMMER SNORKELLING SEASON –
16 NOVEMBER 2019 – 28 MARCH 2020, SATURDAYS 9am

It’s time to dust off your masks, fins and wetsuits, and get ready for the great snorkelling
season!
This is a reminder that the MCRP Summer Snorkelling Season will, as usual, run every
Saturday morning at 9am from a different point in the Sanctuary, from mid November 2019
to the end of March, 2020.
Each snorkel is subject to weather conditions, and the place chosen also depends on
weather conditions.
Members are notified each week by email, usually on the Wednesday night or Thursday
morning, of the location and expected weather.
Please note that in order to participate, you must:

 be a financial member of MCRP;

 have your own snorkel, mask, fins, and we recommend a 5mm wetsuit (and hood,
gloves, and booties if you feel the cold.);
 and have signed and read the appropriate forms.

For further details, please check out our extensive information on our
website http://marinecare.org.au/snorkelling/
 Historical photo of the bathing boxes at Sandringham - courtesy of Shirley Joy

Marine Pest Cards - How to identify marine pests.

We need your help to keep watch for marine pests.

Know your area. Keep a look out. Learn what to look for. Some pests look very much like the native
species. If unsure take a photo and ask Parks Victoria to identify it for you before removing it.
If you see something unusual, report it.
National register of marine pests is available from the following websites
https://www.marinepests.gov.au
https://www.marinepests.gov.au/pests/identify

Marine Care Ricketts Point also have a series of cards available on their website identifying the
Pests that have invaded Port Phillip Bay and showing you examples of the Native species. Please
click on the link below to download a copy to help you to identify the difference between native
and non native marine life.
http://marinecare.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Marine-pest-id-cards.pdf
Bayside Beach Patrol - helping to keep our beaches clean.

Beach Patrol Volunteers meet every month to pick up rubbish that either has been washed in or
dropped in the Marine Sanctuary.
BP 3193 is one of many groups that clean Melbourne's beaches. Visit their website
https://www.beachpatrol.com.au to find a group near you or if there isn't one why not gather a
group of friends or neighbours and form your own. The new free App mentioned below will show
you how to register your group and keep a tally of the type and amount of rubbish you collect.

The next beach clean is on

When: Saturday, 7 December from 11am to midday
Where: Beaumaris Yacht Club

Beach Patrol's new app - "Litter Stopper"

Ross and Ramona Headifen have funded the development of a new app called Litter Stopper for
recording litter collection data. It allows you to enter a clean as your own group and submit that
data. You have the option of submitting under a BeachPatrol group, a Love Our Street Group or an
‘Other’ group or person. What we want to do is get a lot more attention to the government on the
actual situation of litter/rubbish in the bay and on the streets.
Free to download from your App Store (its the white tile with the turtle), instructions for use
provided.
Inviting new Committee Members of the SFA

Hello Readers.
Sandringham Foreshore is looking for new committee members. If you are interested in
joining our enthusiastic and motivated team to share ideas and help with our
objectives, please contact Dr Vicki Karalis by email:
sandyforeshore@optusnet.com.au and include a CV and short paragraph telling us why you
are interested in joining us.

Committee members of SFA

Dr Vicki Karalis – President; Medical practitioner, Expert health advisor to the Federal Government on
Health and expert in environmental medicine
Alison Horton – Vice President & Public officer/secretary; Perfusionist
Adrienne Smith - Committee member; IT consultant
Ike Solomon - Committee member; Corrosion engineer
Salva Crusca - Committee member; Counsellor
Helen Gibson – Committee member; Geologist and Renewable Energy advisor

SFA Objectives and Aims

1. Sustain the natural elements of our Sandringham foreshore and neighbouring beaches
2. Preserve its natural landscape beauty and aesthetic value
3. Monitor cliff erosion and beaches for sand loss as sea levels rise
4. Facilitate remediation of cliffs and beaches where possible for preservation purposes
5. Maintain healthy and clean beaches, cliffs and water quality
 6. Conserve natural wildlife and its habitat e.g. marine life, native flora and fauna
7. Ensure a “sense of place” respectful of traditional owners
8. Ensure archaeological, palaeontological and cultural sites are protected
9. Conserve cultural and historical values for all ages and future generations to enjoy

Free SFA Membership

The Sandringham Foreshore Association is a charitable not-for-profit association. Membership is free. Our self-
acclaimed role is to foster and promote good natural conservation principles to Bayside foreshore management.
Our current focus is to assist public education by aligning ourselves with scientific experts in fields of conservation
and natural environment, and to facilitate effective communication between community – council and state
governments – and established environmental science publications and position statements.
The role of SFA is to care for and help protect our local beaches and cliffs, but also to educate, raise awareness and
preserve our local archaeological, geological, cultural, indigenous and heritage sites such as the Beaumaris Bay
fossil site.
If you are interested in joining our free membership, to receive notices and our Quarterly Newsletters – Please
respond via our website
http://sandringhamforeshore.tumblr.com/MembershipForm

Copyright: Sandringham Foreshore Association All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is: sandyforeshore@optusnet.com.au

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