Friends of Newport Lakes | Community
Friends of Newport Lakes
Reviews
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24.01.2022 DO YOU WANT SOMETHING EFFECTIVE DONE ABOUT THESE ISSUES (or any others)? - dogs present lake side, where they should not be, depositing ‘waste’ and causing stress and disruption to indigenous species - the long term presence of piles of dark mulch whose origin and composition has yet to be communicated... - bikes being ridden, at speed, on and off track, causing damage to plants and undermining the safety and integrity of sloping areas in particular - littering and overfilled rubbish bins WHAT TO DO? Please use the SNAP SEND SOLVE app! Don’t worry if you cannot get the perfect photo illustrating what your concern is, do the best you can, and send details in the app, which will be automatically forwarded to Hobsons Bay City Council (HBCC). (For those not familiar with this app the FAQ on their webpage explains how it works and addresses data privacy concerns and so on.) Why? Because the HBCC is mandated to respond to these complaints WITHIN 2 WEEKS. Senior management are aware, and concerned, if these KPIs are not met. Conversely email, letters and phone calls, which may not get logged/recorded, have no specific time frame set for responses. Disappointingly, for whatever reasons, which we are not prejudging, FoNL have received no response whatsoever, not even an acknowledgement of receipt, to an email sent almost a month ago to the relevant area of HBCC (NOT the rangers) expressing concern about the above issues. FoNL feels strongly that it is time these issues are properly addressed as they have been greatly exacerbated by increased numbers visiting Newport Lakes due to COVID-19. We will be canvassing the position of councillor hopefuls standing for election later this year but, in the meantime, the Snap Send Solve app seems to be the most effective way to get a timely response to the concerns so many of us have.
23.01.2022 Yet another stunning view of the lakes, Phil.
21.01.2022 Pamela for your brilliant bird photos!
20.01.2022 CYGNETS For many years cygnets have not survived to adulthood at Newport Lakes, which clearly upsets many of you, as it is does us. This issue was discussed at our AGM last night with HBCC’s head ranger. As expected, foxes and cats are likely predating our cygnets. Cats can be trapped but foxes are too clever for this method to be effective. Baiting is not an option because other species may be impacted. As you know, Newport Lakes is not completely enclosed by fencing, so suc...cessfully removing particular cats and foxes will not prevent others moving into the area in future. It’s also not appropriate, or practical, to move the swan family elsewhere while the young are immature. Swans are territorial so it is usually the case that only one pair will breed at Newport Lakes each season. So what can we do? Stop throwing rocks at birds, which unfortunately does happen. Keep dogs out of prohibited areas as their presence stresses and disrupts all the species living near the water. Most importantly avoid feeding birds at the lakes. This encourages our swans to breed in the reeds at the edges of the lakes where they are more accessible to foxes and cats, rather than on the island where they are much more likely to survive. We never give up hope that the next breeding season will see swan pairs successfully raising their young to maturity. (Photo: Thanks to Pamela.)
16.01.2022 Hi Daniel, See here for our website maintained by one of our founding members, Mary. We all agree it needs a serious overhaul. I’m not sure that it is possible to provide anything like a comprehensive list as species are ‘trialled’ and varied over time based on conditions at the site. It is also the case that the site is evolving over time and that there is a constant tension between public amenity (i.e. retaining all the lakes) and conservation considerations. The HBCC range...rs would be the best ones to approach. The DELWP also regularly monitors plant species at the site. Thanks for the question. We will make enquires as this is something that we have contemplated ourselves over time. Assuming such a thing does not exist it would be a great project to create a database with input from interested parties. Does involvement in this appeal to you? http://friendsofnewportlakes.com.au/flora-and-fauna-list.php
12.01.2022 * IMPORTANT NOTICE * The FoNL committee is currently looking forward toward 2021 and beyond. We are seeking YOUR immediate input as to how you believe the upper area of our Newport Lakes might be improved as a recreational area and how the entire area might be better conserved and protected. For example, to spark some ideas ...... What infrastructure do you feel needs replacing, improving or adding? Is the signage clear and consistent? Do we need more seats? What kind of recreational space (such as a destination play area) might you like to see in the upper area of Newport Lakes and where might it be located? Do we need a second island to protect bird species from predators? How might we attract more indigenous insect life? Is the fencing adequate? Just what kinds of changes or additions do you think could be made across the reserve to better serve the species who call it home? We are interested to hear all your ideas. Please send your responses via comment below, direct message or email to [email protected] on or before Friday 20/11/20. Thanks, Gaida (On behalf of the FoNL committee.)
11.01.2022 Charlie and Pip! We met these two amazing people at Newport Lakes today. How did they decide to spend this warm, sunny Sunday (also Father’s Day)? PICKING UP RUBBISH from the lake areas. Thank you so much.
10.01.2022 A magical light tonight down at the Lakes
10.01.2022 Cassidy for sharing. Newport Lakes is not a dump, doing this is selfishly disrespecting the place and all the people who enjoy being there.
10.01.2022 Just in case you missed these ... stunning photos of Yellow-tail Black Cockatoos (from the comments section of an earlier post, Brett)!
07.01.2022 More baby coots!
06.01.2022 Less than two weeks left for Victorians to submit a short film about nature to our Wild by Nature Short Film Festival! Don't forget there are some amazing prize...s to be won, including $3000 for the adult age category! We cannot wait to see your stories from all over Victoria! Show us why you love nature! Head here now to find out more: wildbynaturefilms.org The Wild by Nature Short Film Festival is produced in partnership with the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority and the Living Links program.
06.01.2022 Hi there, It’s not a plant but an algae (I think) that I am looking for an ID of, it was located in Newport Lakes, Victoria.
06.01.2022 One of our turtles. so much for this Tania!
03.01.2022 Hi friends. Has anyone seen the baby swans in the past two days? I went down yesterday and could only spot one & then today couldn’t see any
03.01.2022 Also sighted at Newport Lakes as mentioned by Jeff in the post below.
