Sandringham Foreshore Association Newsletter Spring 2014

SANDRINGHAM FORESHORE ASSOCIATION (SFA)

Founded January 2007
ABN 42947116512

A CHARITABLE NOT FOR PROFIT VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION

SFA
PO Box 52
Sandringham 3191
E-mail: sandyforeshore@optusnet.com.au

From the president of SFA, Dr Vicki Karalis

Welcome to the spring edition of the SFA newsletter!

Moving forward for Sandringham beach - thank you to Department of
Environment and Planning Industry (DEPI) and Bayside City Council (BCC)
We are extremely grateful to Travis Dowling, our local Council, Mayor Laurie
Evans, Councillors, Simon Finlay of BCC and Sally Patterson of DEPI, for their
ongoing interest and support in our efforts to help protect the beaches of
Sandringham from erosion especially at times of storms, particularly in
summer-autumn and in spring.

We are honoured to be moving forward with modelling and costing studies to

do what is best for our beach. We want to get it truly right, using a scientific
approach. We have invited Sally Patterson, Program Manager of Coastal
Projects DEPI, to describe for us the proposed plans. We sincerely thank Sally
for all her efforts! Below is a delightful photo of Sally taking a selfie on a
beautiful pristine coastline and she provides for us an outline of the proposed
coastal studies for the Sandringham beaches.

Sally Patterson | Program Manager Coastal Projects | Port Phillip Region

Regional Services | Department of Environment and Primary Industries

Sally describes the coastal studies proposed for Sandringhams Beaches:

The Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) is currently in the
process of short-listing a suitable coastal engineer to undertake a scoping study of
sand management options for Sandringham beach. The aim of the study is to
review in detail the 3 management options identified by key stakeholders
(including the Sandringham Foreshore Association), in February 2014. The study is
expected to take approximately 8-10 weeks and will review in detail the
effectiveness of each option taking into consideration, these being (relative to the
study proposals below); Beach renourishment at Edward St, modification of the
Southey Street groyne, and the construction of a groyne at Picnic Point.
1. Technical soundness (how much sand will move in accordance with the wind and
wave movements, beach profile).
2. Key risks (impact of failure, public safety risks, consistency of protection,
community adverse impacts, cliff stability, scouring effect).
3. Value for money (consider a balance between capital cost, ongoing costs, and
maintenance costs).
4. Estimated costs and timing (to design, construct and maintain).

5. Environmental Impacts (Impact on environmental quality, social amenity and

ecology).
6. Constructability and methodology (Details of how the structure or
renourishment will be built in the existing conditions in consideration for
contractor safety and well being).
7. Estimated design life of each option:
Sandringham beach is an important asset for both DEPI and the wider community
and it is important the most effective sand management options are identified.
DEPI, in partnership with Bayside City Council, is looking forward to working with
its key stakeholders and using their local knowledge to ensure an accurate and
insightful report.
DEPI will provide an update once the contractor has been nominated and the
project underway

SFA's main focus has been protecting and sustaining our local environment;
the cliffs, dunes and beaches, including re-vegetation, to create a natural fauna
& flora habitat a wildlife corridor for future generations to enjoy.
We have also emphasised and highlighted the importance of protecting the
following:
Fossils: there are many fossils embedded in the rocks along our coastline
from Brighton to Beaumaris that are over 5 and even up to 12 million
years old. The Beaumaris Fossil Heritage site is a precious site that needs
absolute protection. SFA oppose any proposals to expand the Beaumaris
Yacht squadron.
Indigenous sites: there are multiple Indigenous Aboriginal sites along
our coastline from Brighton to Beaumaris (e.g. coastal middens). They
need high quality interpretation of early Aboriginal use of the sites, and
flora and fauna, in consultation with relevant Aboriginal groups.
Cliffs: rock geology and landscape sites unique to the Bayside area from
Brighton to Beaumaris; to minimize erosion of cliffs and beaches by
protecting the base of cliffs from wave action and diverting surface runoff and drainage, and monitoring the entire Bayside coastline to protect
identified erosion when and where needed.
Landscape: conservation and protection of cliff structure and macroenvironment, and protecting landscape value.

Marine life: the protection of our reefs and marine life identified within
the Brighton-Beaumaris area, especially at Ricketts Point Marine
Sanctuary.
Dune restoration and protection: as required along the entirety of the
Bayside coastline.
Beach re-nourishment: we emphasise the importance of programs and
monitoring of beach erosion within the entire Bayside coastline, for
protection of our cliffs and community enjoyment.
Weed control and re-vegetation: as required for entire cliffs to help
reduce erosion; low lying native vegetation and grasses in areas of beach
views along Beach Rd as relevant.
Beach cleaning: improve beach cleaning, especially after storm surges,
which accelerate and increase rubbish accumulated from identified
sources, such as the Yarra River and local storm drainage outlets, highactivity beach use (busy summer days) and local garden refuse.
Beach cleaning
Have you noticed our beaches are cleaner? Many thanks to Victoria Perkins
and the community efforts of 3191 Beach Patrol; our beaches are looking
exceptionally cleaner. Please see details below for the next event. We would
love your assistance in joining Victoria.
Beaumaris Fossil Heritage site
Environmental Effects Statement (EES) for proposed expansion of the Safe
Harbour and Marina Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron (BMYS)
Through our SFA membership, we have learned that a growing number of our
local and international community of residents, researchers, paleontologists
and scientists are feeling unease over the proposed expansion of the BMYS,
situated directly on an internationally significant fossil site. Expansion and
development of the BMYS will affect ongoing research of fossils in this area.
Fossils including 4-10 million year old shark-teeth (amongst other flora and
fauna) are unique to this site, which occur in the sea bed, on the beach and in a
layer of rock near to the waters edge, and is precariously situated within 25
kilometers of the Melbourne CBD.

We appreciate that the current BMYS is providing a service to the local

fishermen and access for community emergency services. We value their
efforts in putting an EES together. However, we feel that the needs of these
user-groups are far outweighed when compared to the significance of the
fossil heritage site; in view of the large and growing number in the community
including the international scientific community who now oppose any
further expansion of the club, on the basis that the fossil site may be damaged
and lost.
Additionally, we are concerned about the loss of landscape value and
aesthetics. A well known painting by Tom Roberts titled Slumbering Sea is
currently displayed at the National Gallery of Victoria. It highlights the beauty
of the Beaumaris cliffs and coastline before the BMYC was built. Expansion of
the BMYS will effectively destroy the landscape as depicted in our visual art
heritage.
According to a report by Celeste Ward, a RMIT honours student under the
supervision of Professor John Buckeridge, the proposed marina may result in
degradation of Mentone Beach, by loss of sand.
It may also result in degradation of the adjacent Ricketts Point Marine
Sanctuary, affecting water quality in the Bay, and consequently, flora and
fauna.
The Beaumaris Bay Fossil Site, together with the adjacent Ricketts Point
Marine Sanctuary, has the potential through volunteer and business ventures
for ecotourism, which could be linked to Melbourne Conventions and
overseas visitors. The site is within easy reach of the city, and is of interest to
the whole of the community and scientists - nationally and internationally.
The following stakeholders met with DEPI to express our concerns and
objections to the expansion as we care and want to protect the fossil site to
the utmost degree. In the photo (over page), from left to right, we have:
1. Travis Dowling of DEPI
2. Bob Whiteway, Black Rock Sandringham Conservation Association (BRASCA)
3. Professor John Buckeridge, RMIT
4. Walter Grahame, Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League
5. Ron Morris, President of Beaumaris Conservation Society
6. Nicola Prior of DEPI
7. Dr Peter Prager local resident of Beaumaris
8. Dr Vicki Karalis of SFA

Photo by Laurie Evans, Mayor of Bayside City Council. Absent were Dr Shirley Prager, and Yolanta of the
Marine Care Ricketts Point Sanctuary.

Interesting web links about the Beaumaris Fossil site:

Australian Government, Department of the Environment
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahdb/search.pl?mode=place_detail;place_id=18053
Beaumaris Cliffs 2 (Yacht Squadron) - Fossil Site
http://www.nre.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/portregn.nsf/pages/port_lf_sig_sites_beaumaris2
VEAC (Victorian Environmental Assessment Council) Metropolitan Melbourne Study 2008/9
Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance on Public Land.
Final Report May 2009
http://www.veac.vic.gov.au/reports/VEAC_MetroMelb_GeolGeom_Final_Report09.pdf
http://www.veac.vic.gov.au/reports/VEAC_MetroMelb_GeolGeom_Final_Report09.pdf
When the fossil of a Pelagornis bone was found at Beaumaris Bay Fossil Site, it was established for
the first time that the Pelagornis, a gigantic seabird flew over Australia 65 million years ago:
http://scienceillustrated.com.au/blog/science/news/gigantic-seabirds-once-glided-over-the-australiancoast/
http://blog.everythingdinosaur.co.uk/blog/_archives/2012/06/27/giant-toothed-birds-once-soared-overaustralia.html
Ter, P.C. & Buckeridge, J.St.J.S. 2012. Ophiomorpha beaumarisensis isp. nov., a trace fossil from the
late Neogene Beaumaris Sandstone is the burrow of a thalassinidean lobster. Proceedings of the
Royal Society of Victoria 124(3): 223-231. ISSN 0035-9211.
http://www.beaumarisconservation.net/ter_buckeridge_beaumaris_sandstone.pdf

The Sydney Morning Herald. Beaumaris fossil sheds light on ancient seals. (December 28, 2013, by
Bridie Smith).
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/beaumaris-fossil-sheds-light-on-ancient-seals-201312272zzqr.html
Erich M. G. Fitzgerald, Travis Park & Trevor H. Worthy. First giant bony-toothed bird (Pelagornithidae)
from Australia. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Volume 32, Issue 4, 2012 pages 971-974
DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2012.664596
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02724634.2012.664596#tabModule
http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/23251287?uid=3737536&uid=2460338175&uid=2460337935&u
id=2&uid=4&uid=83&uid=63&sid=21104506339313
Louchart A, Sire J-Y, Mourer-Chauvire C, Geraads D, Viriot L, et al. (2013) Structure and Growth
Pattern of Pseudoteeth in Pelagornis mauretanicus (Aves, Odontopterygiformes, Pelagornithidae).
PLoS ONE 8(11): e80372. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0080372
http://www.plosone.org/article/fetchObject.action?uri=info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.00803
72&representation=PDF
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0080372
Australian Geographic. Giant bony-toothed bird fossil found. By Tiffany Hoy, June 29, 2012A bizarre
bony-toothed, giant bird fossil, with a 5m wingspan, has been discovered in Victoria.
http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2012/06/giant-bony-toothed-bird-fossil-found/

Fossil images at Sandringham beach and Beaumaris Bay

Congratulations Professor John Buckeridge on being appointed International
Council for Science earlier this month!!

Professor John Buckeridge is Professor of Natural Resources Engineering at RMIT University,

Melbourne. He is Past President of the International Union of Biological Sciences, President
Emeritus of the International Society of Zoological Sciences, Honorary professor of
Engineering Ethics at Wismar University of Business, Technology and Design (Germany) and
an Honorary Member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Publications exceed 300 in
professional ethics, environmental impact assessment, geotechnology, and the
palaeobiology, evolution and distribution of marine invertebrates.

The SFA were privileged to walk with Professor Buckeridge along the
Sandringham cliffs last year to help identify some of the fossils and at the
Beaumaris Bay earlier this year to view the numerous fossils, particularly
diverse and abundant at Beaumaris Bay.
Fossils at Sandringham beach
We discovered a fossilised tree and many fossils of the ichnofossil, a series of
burrows at Sandringham beaches. These fossils can also be found in the
Beaumaris sandstone situated at Brighton and Black Rock beaches.
Ophiomorpha beaumarisensis - note burrows imprinted within iron rich local Beaumaris
sandstone formerly known as Black Rock sandstone.
Ophiomorpha beaumarisensis (Karalis, Sandringham cliffs)

Note burrows in stone:

(Karalis Sandringham cliffs)

Petrified tree trunk embedded in stone

(Karalis Sandringham cliffs)

(Karalis Sandringham cliffs)

Fossils at Beaumaris Bay

Professor Buckeridge says there needs to be recognition of the geological
importance of the site - both for Australia and internationally. It is the place
where important vertebrates (e.g. marsupials, birds, seals) are first recorded.
Much of the remains are found on the seabed. These fossils are derived from
both cliff erosion and seafloor erosion. There are also invertebrates there that
are known from nowhere else in the world (e.g. barnacles) and other
invertebrates that have their most diverse preservation at this site (e.g. heart
urchins and "mud crab" burrows). There are also whales, fish and molluscs
within the Beaumaris Sandstone.

Lovenia woodsii (Buckeridge Beaumaris Bay)

Ophiomorpha beaumarinsensis (Buckeridge Beaumaris Bay)

Tree cast

(Buckeridge Beaumaris Bay)

Shark teeth found at Beaumaris Bay

(Karalis Beaumaris Bay)

Can you spot the fossil?

Hardground horizon in Beaumaris sandstone

(Buckeridge Beaumaris Bay)

Professor John Buckeridge points to a layer of fossils embedded deep and at

the base of the 15 metre high Beaumaris cliffs
(Karalis Beaumaris Bay)

A closer look at the shells

(Karalis Beaumaris Bay)

Fyansford fossils below Beaumaris sandstone

(Buckeridge Beaumaris Bay)

Bivalve in Fyansford fossil

(Buckeridge Beaumaris Bay)

Flabellum fossil

(Buckeridge Beaumaris Bay)

Austromegabalanus victoriensis

(Buckeridge Beaumaris Bay)

Bergaueria Beaumaris sandstone

(Buckeridge Beaumaris Bay)

These are interpreted as a series of fossil sea anemones. As they have no
skeletal material, their preservation is very special.
To our knowledge these are the only known examples from the Cainozoic of
Australia. They are known (although they are very rare), from the Ediacara
Formation in South Australia which is about 600 Million years old.

These photos (thanks to Vicki and Professor Buckeridge) are useful examples of what you
can find when you learn to identify and start to recognise what youre looking for make
your next beach-walk a fossil-hunt! Ed.......
Although we would love you to donate your unique fossils for research and education! vk

The winter edition of the SFA newsletter created a huge response amongst
members. Here is one response:
Response from Ross Chandler M.Env.Sc. , Managing Director Biosol
A resident of Beaumaris since 1972, Ross is an environmental scientist, working on
microbial control in wastewater systems (sewer odour & corrosion control). Biosol is
the first in the world to commercialise technology that can change the state of
bacteria from a feeding form (floc / biofilm) to a non feeding (single cell planktonic
form) and back again. The technology is commercialised under Biosol.

"Factors increasing storm intensity and beach loss:

Climate change increases storm intensity; wind speed and direction has caused the
sea level to rise. Both these factors increase erosion.
Water flow at the heads, blasting the heads and deepening the channel has
increased water flow into and out of the bay. This was modelled in the 1960's by the
State Rivers and Water Supply with a full scale model of the bay at Werribee. The
beach erosion evident from the model, was the reason Sir Henry Bolte didn't proceed
with blasting the heads but established the Port of Hastings."

3191 BEACH PATROL

working together to clean

Sandringham Beach and Bay!

Next 3191 Beach Patrol - Sunday 28 September.

Meeting Point: Jetty Road car park, above the yacht club. We will
focus on the northern end of Sandringham Beach.
Start Time: 9am

____________________________________________________________
Release of the Victorian Coastal Council Strategy
We are pleased to announce the release of the Victorian Coastal Strategy 2014
(VCS) by the State Government this week. The VCS is the Government's policy
commitment for coastal, estuarine and marine environments in Victoria.
The VCS 2014 builds on the achievements of previous three iterations of the
Strategy and addresses five key issues: Managing population growth
2. Adapting to a changing climate
3. Managing coastal land and infrastructure
4. Valuing the natural environment, and
5. Integrating marine planning.
The full document is now live on our website so please visit
http://www.vcc.vic.gov.au/page/victorian-coastal-strategy-2014 to download
or call the Victorian Coastal Council on phone 9637 8893 for a copy.

Educating our future generations

Did you know that Vicki Karalis often gives talks for a number of Victorian
school children? She does this on a voluntary basis and asks the school to
donate to a local non-profit environmental organisation. On this occasion she
taught St Leonard's College students at Sandringham beach; they were fun,
engaging and interested. The College kindly donated $200 to the Marine
Sanctuary at Rickett's Point.
St Leonard's College Year 9 students learning about cliffs, coastal erosion, coastal
processes and fossils 24th July 2014

The Winning of the Ricketts Point

Sanctuary
Bob Whiteway OAM profile:
Pioneer; how he helped protect Rickett's Point marine sanctuary

Biography
High School teacher, Bob Whiteway, taught his students about the local marine life by
taking them down under, but that was undermined. The shellfish poachers were just too
many and the ecosystem started to unravel. So between 1984 and 1994 Bob took the
following action:
* Wrote a booklet on marine life of the coastal fringe
* Produced a documentary on coastal marine life
* Conducted an 8-year local newspaper campaign to stop the poaching
* Gained support of the local Council and police
* Attracted the help of MP Murray Thompson
* Made the Ricketts Pt Submission for a sanctuary, to the State Government
Then followed a complex, roller-coaster political campaign lasting a further 8 years. Ricketts
Point finally won the battle and was declared a Sanctuary in 2002. Many individuals and
groups joined the campaign along the way, including the Greens, the mainstream political
parties, the VNPA, CoastAction/Coast Care, the Bayside Council, BRASCA and many others.

Some pointers for fighting conservation battles

1. Detect the problem
2. Establish clear goals
3. Identify arguments for the cause for example, soothing passive
recreation, part of art trail, unique coastal scenery, scientific values.
4. Getting the public on-side public meetings, letter drops, attracting
media coverage, posters, signs, protest rallies and marches, publications
(leaflets, pamphlets, booklets, etc.) videos and DVDs.
5. Lobbying politicians letters, personal visits, phone and email contact,
making submissions, petitions, attending parliament and Council
meetings, etc.
6. Dialogue with Govt. Agencies eg, DEPI and staff.
7. Technical research including legal, engineering, academic and other
expertise that might support the cause.
8. Joining forces with like minded organizations, perhaps gaining their
support in letter campaigns, etc . I think VNPA has around 1500
members, for example.
9. Opposition Discover its activities, aims and arguments, etc.
10.Keep dialogue channels open. Determine arguments of the opposition.
Look for weaknesses and back any criticism with expert opinion &/or
strong arguments
A few match box philosophies
In a democracy, beware the power of the populous:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Make the venture fun

Think imaginatively
Persevere until you win
Stay positive
Fundraise - it can attract supporters as well as money.
Keep the overall objective before you. (I think our overall objective
might turn out to be to show that our proposed resource-use serves
more of the community and at a deeper level than that offered by the

BMYS. (Really I think they might be just boys with toys much of the
time).
7. Hold every assertion up for scrutiny theirs and ours.
8. Pure gold = an on-side Councillor and an on-side State MP.
9. Remember to thank everyone
And dont forget that politicians dont like sticking their neck out.
Truly understanding match box philosophy no. 1 (above) is, beyond all the
other philosophies the way to win conservation battles

Historical photos of Beaumaris Bay before construction of the BMYS

-note vertical cliffs of the Beaumaris sandstone (filled with fossils) and the
rocky beaches which makes this area unique

Historical paintings of Beaumaris bay

Tom Roberts, Slumbering Sea

BEACH RD, BEAUMARIS 1905

BEACH RD, BEAUMARIS 1905

ID: 19880
Copyright: library does not own image (image on public access)
Org ID: 1unsroad2
Description: Coloured photograph, 11.5 x 18cm. Beach Road near present day Surf Avenue
looking south towards Haydens Road. The two children on the right are standing between
the rails of the horse tram track.
Subject: unsealed roads.

http://www.picturevictoria.vic.gov.au/site/bayside/Beaumaris/19880.html

A couple of visitors at our beaches

https://www.facebook.com/Dailybay?hc_location=timeline

Daily Bay, Sandringham Beach 30 June 2014

Daily Bay, Half Moon Bay 3rd July 2014

Have your say or read comments about the Beaumaris Fossil Heritage site on
Change.org and Facebook:
http://www.change.org/p/parliament-of-victoria-bayside-and-kingston-local-councilsreject-the-proposal-by-beaumaris-motor-yacht-squadron-for-a-marina-in-beaumarisbay?utm_source=guides&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=petition_created

https://www.facebook.com/pages/NO-marina-for-Beaumaris-Bay/609246705862722

We hope you have enjoyed reading the spring edition of the SFA newsletter.
Yours with kindness,
Dr Vicki Karalis, SFA President
SFA committee members:
Alison Horton, Vice-President
Adrienne Smith, Secretary
Craig Francis, Treasurer
Ike Solomon, Engineer
Helen Gibson, Geologist
Paul Hede, Architect
Laurie Evans, Architect and Mayor of Bayside City Council
Editors: Cristian Silver & Helen Gibson
Vicki Karalis sincerely thanks Cristian for a superb job of editing and
designing this wonderful newsletter!