Pryor Park News #1
Hi everyone, here is a brief update of what has been going on regarding Pryor Park.This is No 1 Pryor Park Newsletter by email and on the BE Network.
Date for your diary,Sunday March 4th Clean up Australia day has been organised by Diane Chester at the park, meet at the notice board from 10.30 till 12.30 pm, bring gloves and a smile! or a snarl if you feel like it.Thinking we might use this opportunity to pull up some black plastic while we have the skip.
Meeting Minutes – Feb 6th at Town Hall Ballarat
Present: Darren Sadler property officer, Mark Cartledge fire officer, Stephen Jones for Mt Xavier Golf Club, Maggie Dannatt, John Kerr and Diane Chester residents.
The need for a schedule of mowing works was discussed to be done by Council or Mt Xavier.
We talked about the lease between council and Mt xavier for the mowing to be done.
Mt xavier say they have no knowledge of the lease and Council have not reminded them of its existence.
Darren is to make a time to meet with Mt Xavier golf club to discuss.
Maggie mentioned Margaret Phillips concern that the Blairs lane access has become overgrown.
Status of Blairs lane as the official entrance road for residents on the eastern section of Elford was discussed, Darren to look into this.
John suggested possibility of burning and smoothing triangular section of land beside the gas pipeline that is managed by Mt xavier, Darren to take this to their meeting.
Possibility to burn wildflower area discussed with Mark, he is happy to add to CFA burns, time to be arranged.
This was a very positive meeting Darren looks like he is going to try to sort out the lack of mowing on the park, fingers crossed and we will be reminding him soon.
Meeting Minutes – Thurs 16th Feb on Pryor Park to look at status of mature pines on the park.
Present; From Council, David Grant and Richard Nicholls Residents Maggie Dannatt, Blake and Tim Gordon.
David said there were no plans to remove the pines at present.
He considered much of the wood to be of good quality and of value to a contractor.
Methods of removal were discussed, in particular the use of a harvester that can cut and clean the wood as it goes.
The possibility of gradual thinning was also mentioned by David.
It was noted that the previous thinning done in 1991 had opened up the area allowing native trees and plants to regenerate.
The residents stated they wanted minimal damage to the surface and individual plants such as the many Xantheria major to be protected.
David said he would contact DSE to find out their concerns re disturbance of native plants due to harvesting.
He will also look into the koala overlay status for Pryor Park.
David will also contact contractors to see if they are interested and have suitable machinery.
The residents mentioned the contributions from developers in the area that might be available for the park.
David said he would look into that possibility.
Richard will provide the residents with a good map of the park and they will mark all the plants that they hope to protect.
This was a very positive meeting and we are excited about the possibility of protecting the fabulous native understory by gradual thinning, lets hope we can get the money for this from somewhere.
Landcare community grants guide has arrived, currently looking into it to see if we are eligibly to apply for any.
Council have acknowledged our 2012/2013 budget submission, we should hear from them in May.
Cheers Maggie