minutes may 02 2019 lake claremont advisory committee · 2019. 9. 17. · spraying of planting area...

DISCLAIMER

Persons present at this meeting are cautioned against taking any action as a result of any Committee recommendations until such time as those recommendations have been considered by Council and the minutes of that Council meeting confirmed.

LAKE CLAREMONT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES 2 MAY, 2019

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ITEM SUBJECT PAGE NO

1 DECLARATION OF OPENING/ANNOUNCEMENT OF VISITORS ............. 1

2 RECORD OF ATTENDANCE/APOLOGIES ................................................ 1

3 DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS ................................................................... 1

4 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS ..................... 1

5 BUSINESS NOT DEALT WITH FROM A PREVIOUS MEETING ................ 1

6 REPORTS OF THE CEO ............................................................................. 2

6.1 LAKE CLAREMONT OPERATIONAL PLAN 2018-19 PROGRESS REPORT & DRAFT LAKE CLAREMONT OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019-20 ........................................................................................................ 2

6.2 AERATION OF LAKE AND IMPROVEMENT OF WATER QUALITY ......... 8

6.3 STREET TREE MASTER PLAN ................................................................ 13

6.4 PLANTING OF BOUNDARIES OF OFFLEAD DOG EXERCISE AREA, LAKE CLAREMONT ...................................................................... 16

7 FRIENDS OF LAKE CLAREMONT ........................................................... 21

8 LAKE CLAREMONT BIRD CENSUS ........................................................ 22

9 COMMITTEE MEMBERS’ MOTIONS OF WHICH PREVIOUS NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN ...................................................................... 22

10 FUTURE MEETINGS OF COMMITTEE ..................................................... 22

11 DECLARATION OF CLOSURE OF MEETING .......................................... 22


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LAKE CLAREMONT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

1 DECLARATION OF OPENING/ANNOUNCEMENT OF VISITORS

Cr Haynes (Chairperson) welcomed everyone and declared the meeting open at 8:03AM. The Chair formally welcomed Ms Claire Brittain as Observer.

2 RECORD OF ATTENDANCE/APOLOGIES

Cr Bruce Haynes East Ward (Chairperson) Cr Kerry Smyth City of Nedlands Delegate Mr Nick Cook Friends of Lake Claremont Delegate Mr David Free Community Representative Ms Karen Wood Community Representative Mr David Kyle Scotch College Delegate Mr Andrew Smith Director Infrastructure Mr Jared Bray Supervisor Parks and Environment Mrs Isabelle Cadman Administration Officer Infrastructure Ms Claire Brittain Observer, Friends of Lake Claremont

APOLOGY

Cr Peter Browne, JP West Ward (Deputy Mayor)

3 DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS

NIL

4 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Moved Mr Free, seconded Mrs Wood

The Minutes of the Lake Claremont Advisory Committee meeting, held on 07 February 2019 be confirmed.

CARRIED(11/19) (NO DISSENT)

5 BUSINESS NOT DEALT WITH FROM A PREVIOUS MEETING

The progress of the Lake Claremont Action Items list from previous meetings was tabled.


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6 REPORTS OF THE CEO

6.1 LAKE CLAREMONT OPERATIONAL PLAN 2018-19 PROGRESS REPORT & DRAFT LAKE CLAREMONT OPERATIONAL PLAN 2019-20

File No: PRK/00136-03

Attachments: Lake Claremont Operational Plan 2018-19 (Attachment 1)

Draft - Lake Claremont Operational Plan 2019-20 (Attachment 2)

Adopt a spot map (updated Oct 2018) (Attachment 3)

Lake Claremont Water Quality and Macroinvertebrate Assessment 2018-19 (Attachment 4)

Responsible Officer: Andrew Smith Director Infrastructure

Author: Jared Bray Supervisor Parks and Environment

Proposed Meeting Date: 02 May 2019

Purpose

The following items are to update the Lake Claremont Advisory Committee (LCAC) on activities occurring at Lake Claremont during the period February 2019 to May 2019.

Background

The Town’s officers have been involved in a number of activities which are identified in the Lake Claremont Operational Plan. The below items have been completed or are in planning for the Lake Claremont precinct:

Path pruning Spraying of planting area around FOLC shed Fence surrounding proposed FOLC Shed Weed control Turf mowing Wetlands areas weed control Dryland areas weed control Sumps weed control Weed control program general Hand weeding (walking weeders) Adopt a spot Busy bees Weed mapping


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Mulching Litter management Park furniture and assets Water sampling Sediment sampling Macroinvertebrates spraying and sampling Drain outflow inspections Erosion control Trial for Glyphosate alternative

Discussion

Path Pruning Contractors have completed pruning works in the sections along the red path from the corner opposite the FOLC shed, up to Strickland St cul-de-sac. Council officers have also completed pruning along various sections of the limestone paths and the path leading to the island. Spraying of planting area around FOLC Shed Contractors sprayed the grassed areas within the proposed planting area in late March. The Tamarix will be removed during May prior to planting. Mulching of planting area surrounding FOLC Shed The Town has mulched the planting area in readiness for 5,000 tube stock of mixed species to be planted. Fence surrounding dog exercise area Quotes have been obtained for the fencing surrounding the dog exercise area, with awarding of the contract to be approved in the coming weeks. In the interim period a petition has been received by the Council in respect to this proposed planting program, and the matter is scheduled to be reconsidered by the Council in April. Turf mowing Completed in accordance with the schedule of works with no issues to report. Weed control Wetlands areas weed control Contractors have completed spraying of weeds within the wetland areas in the March spraying round with no issues to report. No further follow-up action was required for Typha, as the initial removal was successful. Dryland Areas Weed Control Contractors have completed spraying of all dryland areas in the March spray round with no issues to report. Sumps Weed Control Contractors have completed spraying of all sumps in the March spray round with no issues to report.


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Weed Control Program General Due to low levels of rainfall, there are low weed levels in general to report. Hand Weeding (walking weeders) A core membership of four weeders continue to hand weed any areas where weeds grow in and among native plants on a Friday morning, with a focus being on the lake bed over the summer/ autumn months, targeting bushy starwort. Adopt- a- Spot Adopt- a- Spot areas confirmed by FOLC within the following areas- SE section of the Eastern buffer, SW corner of McKenzie Park and middle section of Wetland buffer South East (see attached map). Weed Mapping Mapping of more aggressive weeds such as Caltrop, Nutgrass, Typha, Asparagus fern and Two-leaf Cape tulip have been undertaken, with any new occurrences added to the database by the Bushcare and Field Officers. Areas are localised with no further spreading being identified. Mulching Contractors have completed mulching in the northern section of the lake, adjoining Alfred Rd/ planting areas, at the end of Lakeway St and surrounds, underneath the park benches situated at the NE section of the lake, underneath the gym equipment at Stirling Rd and Stirling Rd carpark and surrounds. Litter management Field and Bushcare Officers continue to remove rubbish from bush and parkland areas, with a sizable amount removed between Cresswell Park and ‘The Island’ over summer, once water levels had receded. Park furniture and assets Two noticeboards have been installed at Lapsley Rd playground area and Cresswell Park. Signage showing current location, a park overview and park facilities has also been installed at Lakeway Street, Alfred Road, Stirling Road and Lapsley Road. Deck oiling of the Stirling Road Jetty and the Bird Viewing Deck was also completed by the contractor during March and April. The Butler’s Swamp Plaque located near the Jetty has also been cleaned and re-attached. Water sampling (see attached Water Quality and Macroinvertebrate Assessment 2018-19) Key water quality issues identified at the Lake from the 2018-19 monitoring include: • High total nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in the main Lake body

sites, particularly in summer, and summer phytoplankton; • High total nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in the north-eastern Lake

corner, particularly in summer;


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• High total (and filterable reactive) phosphorus concentrations at stormwater drain sites;

• High concentrations of arsenic in Lake sites; • High concentrations of metals (aluminium, copper, lead and zinc) in drain

sites; • High concentrations of iron in north-eastern Lake; • Low dissolved oxygen at lake sites; • Abundant mosquito larvae near the inlet of Alfred Rd drain Macroinvertebrates sampling (see attached Water Quality and Macroinvertebrate Assessment 2018-19) A total of 19 macroinvertebrate taxa were recorded at the four Lake Claremont sites in October 2018 (Table 10-1). Macroinvertebrate richness varied between the sites, with the highest number of taxa recorded at Alfred Road Drain (16 taxa), followed by The Lookout (12), Henshaw Drain (lake) (11) and Stirling Road Central Drain (lake) (10). Total abundance was highest at the Lookout. Closer examination of the community composition of this site revealed that these high abundances were due to the presence of large numbers of three taxa: back swimmers, copepods and ostracods (> 1000 individuals recorded in the sweep). Overall, the Class Insecta was the most family rich group, followed by the Crustacea. Three taxa (dragonfly nymphs, soldier fly larvae and flat worms) were recorded in 2018 that were not recorded in 2017 (SERCUL 2017). Drain outflow inspections Completed by the Bushcare and Field Officers in March, prior to the upcoming rainfall in the winter months. Erosion control Base of the metal stairway within Lakeway Remnant Bushland continues to be monitored for signs of sand accumulating with no signs to be reported. Trial for glyphosate alternative The proposed trial has been postponed due to insufficient weed load to establish viability and generate reliable comparative information. In addition to the report on the progress of the works as contained in the 2018/19 Operational Plan, the attached Plan for 2018/19 also includes a proposed overview of works and frequencies for the 2019/20 Operational Plan. This is tabled for Committee consideration and comment (as appropriate) so that this Plan, or an amended version of this Plan can be adopted prior to the commencement of the 2019/20 financial year. Works identified in the draft 2019/20 plan have been developed to reflect contractor responsibilities and outcomes as well as staff resources and scheduling.


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Past Resolutions

Ordinary Council Meeting held on 3 July 2018, Resolution 115/18 (in part):

That Council adopts the Lake Claremont Operational Plan 2018-19

Financial and Staff Implications

Resource requirements are in accordance with existing budgetary allocation.

Policy and Statutory Implications

There are no policy and statutory implications.

The following documents are relevant to the Lake Claremont area.

Lake Claremont Management Plan 2016-21 Lake Claremont Operational Plan 2018-19

Communication / Consultation

Consultation to members of the community in respect to Lake Claremont has been undertaken via the Town of Claremont website www.claremont.wa.gov.au and the distribution and availability of Friends of Lake Claremont newsletters.

Strategic Community Plan

Liveability

We are an accessible community with well-maintained and managed assets. Our heritage is preserved for the enjoyment of the community.

Provide clean, usable, attractive and accessible streetscapes and public spaces.

Environmental Sustainability

We are a leader in responsibly managing the built and natural environment for the enjoyment of the community and continue to demonstrate diligent environmental practices.

Protect and conserve the natural flora and fauna of Lake Claremont and the Foreshore

Urgency

NIL

Voting Requirements

Simple majority decision required.


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OFFICER RECOMMENDATION

Moved Mr Cook, seconded Mr Free.

That the Committee

1. Notes progress of the Lake Claremont Operational Plan 2018-19 items;

2. Recommends to Council its adoption of the Draft 2019-20 Lake Claremont Operational Plan.



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6.2 AERATION OF LAKE AND IMPROVEMENT OF WATER QUALITY

File No: PRK/00123


Author: Andrew Smith Director Infrastructure


Purpose

To consider the use of aeration as a means of improvement of the water quality and oxygenation of Lake Claremont.

Background

In accordance with prior practice, Members of the Advisory Committee are regularly invited to identify matters that they would like to be included as reports to the next meeting of the Committee. At the last meeting of the Committee the Chairperson requested that an item in respect to aeration within the Lake as a means to improve both water quality and oxygenation be tabled for consideration at the next meeting of the committee. The issue of water quality at the Lake has been a recurrent issue for some time and central to much of the overall management plan developed by South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare (SERCUL) and its quarterly reports in respect to this plan. The most recent SERCUL report provided the following comment in respect to water quality testing completed in the most recent period;

Key water quality issues identified at the Lake from the 2018-19 monitoring include:

High total nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in the main Lake body sites, particularly in summer, and summer phytoplankton;

High total nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in the north-eastern Lake corner, particularly in summer;

High total (and filterable reactive) phosphorus concentrations at stormwater drain sites;

High concentrations of arsenic in Lake sites; High concentrations of metals (aluminium, copper, lead and zinc) in

drain sites; High concentrations of iron in north-eastern Lake; Low dissolved oxygen at lake sites; Abundant mosquito larvae near the inlet of Alfred Rd drain


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Overall, water quality results from Lake Claremont samples collected by SERCUL in 2018 were similar to those collected in the same seasons of previous years. However, higher ammonia/ammonium nitrogen concentrations were present in the main Lake body and north-eastern Lake corner in August 2018 than in winter/spring of previous years, possibly partially due to Lake sediments not drying in the preceding year as have done many years prior to this. This, in combination with the Lake being wet during summer 2019 when water levels are low, warm and concentrated with nutrients, is likely to have resulted in the phytoplankton observed (and resultant high turbidity recorded) in the main Lake body in January.

Concentrations of both total nitrogen and total phosphorus were both lower at the downstream Henshaw drain site than the upstream site when sampled in August, largely due to a reduction in organic nitrogen and particulate phosphorus between the upstream and downstream sites.

Turbidity values and metal concentrations were similar between the two sites. Although more data is required to conclusively prove the efficacy of the recently installed dry wells in improving water quality entering the Lake from Henshaw drain, these results are encouraging.

The SERCUL report also makes recommendations in respect to strategies that can be considered to improve water quality as follows;

Incorporate a form of water treatment into the Stirling Rd central drain; Prevent planting of overly dense vegetation stands in the Lake body in the

future to ensure water flow is not restricted; Remove couch grass, Persecaria and other weeds from near the outlet of

Alfred Rd drain to reduce the amount of organic debris in the water in this area;

Continue to remove any other aquatic weeds (e.g. Bacopa) from the Lake where present;

Continue with the planned planting of native trees around the Lake’s edge; If deciduous trees are to be retained around the Lake’s edge, leaf litter

falling from these trees should be removed regularly from the water body and Lake banks. Deciduous trees could also be uplifted;

The viability of installing aerators or “bubblers” to improve oxygenation of the Lake could be investigated; however the Lake may to be too shallow during the summer months to support this.

In future water quality assessments, consider: o Undertaking a “first flush” sampling event in the stormwater drainage

sites; o Collecting and analysing sediment samples for metals, nutrients and

particle size to determine whether sediments are likely to be a source of nutrients and metals to the Lake; and

o Analysing samples for dissolved organic nitrogen;


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Educate the public in the Lake Claremont catchment regarding household best practices to prevent nutrient pollution of stormwater;

Continue to coordinate road sweeping in the Lake’s catchment with maintenance activities (i.e. road or construction works) and specific events (i.e. storm events or public major events) as recommended in the Department of Environment Stormwater Management Manual for Western Australia (2004);

Continue to ensure that any accumulated pollutants (e.g. sediment and gross pollutants) are regularly removed from nodes in the stormwater network.

Discussion

Given that the use of Aerators had been identified in the most recent SERCUL report, but not in prior reports, a discussion was held with SERCUL’s Water Quality Officer, Caitlin Conway in respect to this recommendation. Caitlin advised that “whilst I mentioned aerators in the report as a possible consideration at Lake Claremont, I did think it would be likely that the Lake would be too shallow for their use to be viable (as I have stated in the report). My thought was that perhaps it might warrant further investigation given that new technologies often become available, and also I don’t know exactly how deep the lake is in the middle. I have had a look and can’t find a lot of guidance related to this topic, so I have requested information from contacts at both DBCA and DWER. Hopefully one of these departments will be able to provide some useful info. To find out definitively whether it would be viable your best bet would be to obtain advice from a consultancy such as Syrinx, but of course there would be costs involved with that. Whilst a search of the Town’s records does not indicate any content in respect to the investigation of aerators or their use at the Lake (or any other location in the Town), in early 2019 there were discussions held at officer level (generated by Councillor enquiries) in respect to the possible use of the aerators at the Lake, in an effort to try and impact upon water quality. A combination of officer advice and other published material was sourced to try and determine if aerators were able to provide solutions to the Lake water quality and what strategies there were for the management and control of botulism outbreaks as had occurred previously at the Lake. Officer advice, from the Manager of Parks and Environment provided;

Prior advice was that due to the shallow nature of the wetland and the nutrient rich sediment there is a high risk of reactivating nutrient from the mud which will lower the water quality and create the perfect conditions for botulism to occur.


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The best way to remove nutrients from the water column is to plant vegetation and then remove it once it reaches maturity. This will also improve oxygen levels.

Oxygenation works in deeper and permanent waterbodies such as rivers and lakes not shallow ephemeral wetlands.

This conclusion is supported by SERCUL who state in their most recent report;

The viability of installing aerators or “bubblers” to improve oxygenation of the Lake could be investigated; however the Lake may to be too shallow during the summer months (when algal blooms are more likely to occur) to support this.

Despite what appears to be common agreements as to the effectiveness of aerators in shallow water bodies, and therefore their practical use in Lake Claremont, there is limited information widely available to categorically prove or disprove this theory, or to illustrate the minimum amount of water required to effectively operate an aerator. As Caitlin Conway has also advised, changes to technology may provide the means by which the use of aerators which had been previously unable to be considered, may be suitable for consideration in more shallow water. It is hoped that additional information in respect to current technology and the use of aerators will be available for distribution at the Advisory Committee meeting.


Whilst there may be financial implications associated with the installation and maintenance of an aerator, the type, size, function and practical application of this type of equipment is as yet unknown.


Lake Claremont Management Plan


None proposed at this stage of this proposal.


Liveability

We are an accessible community with well maintained and managed assets. Our heritage is preserved for the enjoyment of the community.

Provide clean, usable, attractive and accessible streetscapes and public places.

Urgency

No immediate urgency identified in respect to this matter


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Voting Requirements



Moved Cr Haynes, seconded Mr Free.

1. That the information be received.

AMENDMENT


That a new item No 2 be added:

2. The Council review the effectiveness of the Cedus Oil Traps in regards to its suitability for purpose and detrimental impact on the Lake and investigate alternate options as required.

Reason: There is some suggestion that the effectiveness of the Cedus Oil Traps may be compromised and this may be resulting in contaminants entering the Lake.


THE AMENDED MOTION WAS PUT


That;

1. The information be received, and

2. The Council review the effectiveness of the Cedus Oil Traps in regards to its suitability for purpose and detrimental impact on the Lake, and investigate alternate options as required.


David Kyle left the meeting at 9:11AM.


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6.3 STREET TREE MASTER PLAN

File No: PRK/00135


Author: Andrew Smith Director Infrastructure


Purpose

To advise Committee Members in respect to the proposed review of the Town of Claremont Street Tree Master Plan, as approved at the most recent Ordinary Meeting of Council.

Background

Council at its Ordinary Meeting held on 19 March 2019 resolved (in part) that Council;

Approve the review of the Street Tree Masterplan and its presentation in draft format for further Council consideration.

This resolution came about following the proposed detailed design for the redevelopment of Davies Road being approved, and the installation of several new street trees being within newly proposed median islands. The Street Tree Master Plan whilst a useful document that provides specified trees for each tree in the Claremont district and developed through extensive community engagement and consultation, provides limited scope for variation in street tree species. As such, whilst street trees for Davies Road are prescribed within the Street Tree Master Plan, neither of the proposed species (Broad Leaf Paperbark on the west side and Narrow Leaf Peppermint Gum on the eastern side of the road) were considered to be suitable for median island planting as the growth habit of neither the Broad Leaf Paperbark nor the Narrow Leaf Peppermint Gum is considered to be suitable for the median strip location as it is more likely to impact on both vehicles and both species are more likely to adversely the road pavement as the root ball expands. In addition to issues with the street tree species approved for street planting, the report also considered issues relating to the incidence of die back within the Town and the adverse impact that this having upon street tree stock, and the replanting of many areas. In recent years there has been sufficient evidence collated to begin to suggest that the survival rates of Agonis trees in some specific locations and through


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repeat plantings over a number of years, is being adversely impacted upon by the possible presence of Dieback. This issue was first identified in 2014 when the deaths of a small number of younger Agonis trees within the Lakeway subdivision occurred. Concerned, officers commissioned soil tests were undertaken and the PH of the soil was found to be over 8.5 in some locations. This was believed to be a result of building works and builders lime impacting the soil chemistry. PH levels were subsequently monitored and adjustments were made to the soil to try and alleviate this localised problem. In 2015 and 2016 this problem arose again as further trees were lost, and initially this was thought to be due to watering regimes (as PH seemed to be stabilising to a more neutral level) and so action was undertaken to ensure adequate water was being applied and that the frequency of application was adequate. This was implemented in conjunction with soil replacement in locations where new replacement trees were planted as soils lower down the profile were also noted to have higher PH. However in some locations the trees continued to fail during 2017 and into 2018. Tissue and soil tests were carried out by a specialist in Phytophthora (dieback) resulting in positive tests being returned for the Swanbourne area including Claremont Crescent and Swanway Crescent. As a result the Town has also commenced preventative phosphate treatments of all young Agonis trees, continued soil replacement, reviewed hygiene practices such as tool sterilisation and careful selection of tree stock from reputed suppliers to eliminate new sources. Whilst this proactive response to the potential risk to these trees is appropriate, in reality it is very difficult to safeguard against the pathogen or control its spread in an open and public environment. One obvious solution to this issue is of course to alter approved or agreed plant species which are more resistant to the effects of the pathogen. Again, whilst the Masterplan seeks to guide the use of species within the district of Claremont, it does not recognise the potential issue of dieback, or the evidence that suggests this pathogen is causing considerable loss of Agonis trees around the Town.

Discussion

As a result of these issues being identified, the Council has now approved the review of the Street Tree Master Plan in the 2019/20 financial year. In the interim, the restrictions caused by the current form of the Master Plan will continue to provide limitations and officers are currently proposing further variations to ‘approved’ tree species in area of the Town to avoid the continue


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planting of Agonis Trees in areas where there have been continued unsuccessful planting.


Provision for the review of the current Street Tree Master Plan will be provided for within the 2019/20 budget.


Local Government Act 1995. Tree Promotion Policy EN304. Street Tree Policy EN305. Tree Preservation Policy EN307


The previous Masterplan was adopted following extensive community consultation and engagement. It is proposed that Council consider a similar scope of consultation dependent upon the final form of the draft Masterplan once re-presented to Council for consideration.


Liveability

We are an accessible community with well-maintained and managed assets. Our heritage is preserved for the enjoyment of the community.

Provide clean, usable, attractive and accessible streetscapes and public spaces.

Maintain and upgrade the Town's assets for seamless day to day usage.

Urgency

No urgency identified in respect to this matter

Voting Requirements



Moved Mr Free, seconded Mrs Wood.

That the information be received.



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6.4 PLANTING OF BOUNDARIES OF OFFLEAD DOG EXERCISE AREA, LAKE CLAREMONT

File No: LAW/00104

Responsible Officer: Andrew Smith Director of Infrastructure

Author: Andrew Smith Director of Infrastructure

Proposed Meeting Date: 16 April 2019

Purpose

To consider and recommend appropriate plant and tree species to be installed at Lake Claremont as part of the planting of a delineation line to indicate the boundaries of the newly established dog off lead exercise area.

Background

At the Ordinary Council meeting of 16th of April, the Council considered a petition signed by 142 residents, to change the previous proposal of Council to plant a delineation line at the newly established off lead dog exercise area in Lake Claremont. This petition provided the following position;

We the undersigned respectfully request that the new off lead dog exercise area remains unsegregated for the enjoyment of all.

The letter accompanying the petition provided further clarity as to what was suggested by the use of the term segregated in which it is stated “concern has arisen over the proposed planting of bush to separate the exercise area from the non-exercise area” Council had previously at its Ordinary Meeting held on 18 December 2018 resolved (in part) to;

Approve unbudgeted expenditure of $20,000 to install the vegetation barriers relating to expended Lake Claremont Dog Exercise Area.

In accordance with this resolution Council officers had begun preparations to install these vegetation barriers on the boundaries of the off lead dog exercise area, to coincide with the beginning of the planting season. Signs were also erected on site to advise of the proposal to plant trees and groundcovers to define the dog exercise area.


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Discussion

Whilst arrangements had been made to spray the boundary line prior to planting, the petition was tabled at the Ordinary meeting of Council on the 2nd of April, one week prior to the scheduled spraying. As a result the scheduled spraying was cancelled and orders for trees and plants proposed to be planted were not issued. The type and height of vegetation proposed to be planted in this area at that time was consistent with that already existing to the north of the Reserve which had functioned as the effective demarcation of the northern boundary of the of lead dog exercise area, until the recent decision of Council to install fencing. Whilst the Council considered the petition as received on this issue, and received several submissions on the night of the Council meeting in respect to the proposal, it was resolved that the use of vegetation to ‘create’ a boundary line for the new off lead dog exercise area would proceed (with some amendments). The resolution of Council in respect to this matter was (in part) as follows;

To delineate the dog off-lead area as decided by Council on 18 December and to accommodate the request of the petitioners tabled in the meeting of 2 April 2019 , the southern and western boundary edges be marked by a line of newly planted trees. The Eastern boundary across the bottom of John and Jean Mulder Park be planted with mid-level shrubs that will act as a vegetation deterrent for off lead dogs who may be interested in going into the BBQ area and children’s playground.


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For the benefit of Members, the following plan broadly indicates the boundary of the off lead dog exercise area as previously prescribed by Council resolution;

The hatched yellow line shows the boundary line to be planted (in accordance with the recent Council resolution) whilst the red line shows the prior dog off lead exercise area. Committee Members are also reminded that Council has also recently approved the installation of landscape fencing around the northern and eastern boundary of the previous off lead dog exercise area, indicated with the red boundary. Neither the Council report of 8 December 2018 or the consequent report of 16 April 2019 considered in detail the plant species that might be suitable (or recommended) for this location, only the merit in using a vegetated line to indicate the boundary of the new off lead dog exercise area. As a result Council officers had proceeded (following the earlier resolution) on the basis that the use of species that were already prevalent in the immediate area were most likely to be most suitable.


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Consequently the proposal had progressed on the assumption of planting;

Hakea, a 2-3m small tree, and Grevillea as the low growing shrub, generally growing to heights of 1m

max With the recent review of this subject and the confirmation that the Council wishes this boundary line to be subject to planting, this also provides an opportunity to review the plant and tree species selected for this location. Whilst there have been two species already suggested for consideration, the Advisory Committee may have alternate recommendations of species types that should also be considered as part of this project. It is proposed that once a final list of suggested species has been formed, this will be distributed to Councillors for final feedback and comment prior to orders being placed. In the interim, spraying of the boundary line in preparation for planting will be undertaken.

Past Resolutions of Committee

That the Committee;

1. Notes the advertising of changes to the Dogs in Public Places Policy LV133

2. Recommends Council extend the dog exercise area at Lake Claremont with additional planting of vegetation to delineate the area.

3. Supports a request for budget allocation of $20,000 to plant and establish the necessary vegetation.

Financial and Staff Implication

Prior Council resolution provided $20,000 to install the vegetation barriers as unbudgeted expenditure to this project. This matter was included in the mid-year budget review and consequently became part of the revised 2018/19 approved budget of the Council.


Dog Act 1976 Section 31 Dogs in Public Places Policy LV133


Considerable community consultation has occurred with respect to this proposal including;

Consultation in respect to the proposed changes to the Dogs in Public Places Policy, and

Through the installation of signage indicating the proposal to install a vegetated boundary to the approved dog exercise area, as approved by prior Council resolution.


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Through this process the Council has received a considerable number of submissions, including receipt of this most recent petition.

Urgency

Due to delays in commencement of works, particularly in relation to the spraying of the area in preparation and the placement of orders of the required plant stock, there is an immediate need to resolve agreed species and place the orders.

Voting Requirements

Simple majority required.


Moved Cr Haynes, seconded Mrs Wood.

That the Committee acknowledges and supports the use of Hakea and Grevillea and selected other endemic trees as the selected species for the planting of the boundary of the newly established dog off lead exercise area at Lake Claremont.


Moved Cr Haynes, seconded Mrs Wood.

That the Committee recommends the installation of a temporary fence on the boundary of Mulder Park to protect the newly planted vegetation until such time as it becomes an effective barrier.

Reason: To protect the planted vegetation until such time as it creates an effective boundary between the off lead dog exercise area and the adjacent non off lead area.

For: Cr Haynes, N Cook, D Free, K Wood Against: Cr Smyth

CARRIED(17/19)


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7 FRIENDS OF LAKE CLAREMONT

Attachments: Friends of Lake Claremont Report (Attachment 1)

Responsible Member: Nick Cook

Friends of Lake Claremont

Meeting Date: 02 May 2019


Moved Mr Cook, seconded Mrs Wood.

That the Committee receives the Friends of Lake Claremont update for March 2019.



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8 LAKE CLAREMONT BIRD CENSUS

The Lake Claremont Bird Census for autumn 2019 was tabled.

9 COMMITTEE MEMBERS’ MOTIONS OF WHICH PREVIOUS NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN

NIL

10 FUTURE MEETINGS OF COMMITTEE

Thursday, 1 August 2019, 8am Thursday, 7 November 2019, 8am

11 DECLARATION OF CLOSURE OF MEETING

There being no further business, Cr Haynes declared the meeting closed at 10:10AM.

Confirmed this day of 2019.

PRESIDING MEMBER

minutes may 02 2019 lake claremont advisory committee · 2019. 9. 17. · spraying of planting area...

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