URBAN CONSERVATION

I stand on a platform of ensuring that our developing townships are not polluting and protecting the surrounding environment, especially our rivers creeks and water-courses.

To this end, for existing urban roads with kerb and channel, it is essential that they are swept regularly by means of a mechanical suction street sweeper, or equivalent. Without this regular street cleaning, the material that is deposited on the side of the road will be inevitably be washed into our water-courses creeks and rivers. If elected I will move a motion for this to happen.

For any proposed works, be it urban or rural, if elected, I will move the following motion;

  • Where the construction of footpaths and/or bicycle tracks are planned, they shall to be constructed using a local well compacted permeable sandy gravel or equivalent.
  • Where the overland Stormwater flow, or an urban outfall drainage discharge into a water course, creek or river, the developer must provide to the Shire of Moorabool, in all circumstances, an approved Environmental plan prior to the commencement of any works.
  • Documented works inspections shall be carried out in a timely manner to ensure that all relevant environmental plans are being adhered to.

I also recommend that the Moorabool Shire adopt Australian Standard best practice for the design and construction of a retention dam and associated works in all discharge circumstances, together with a relevant ongoing water quality monitoring procedure.

To determine the water quality of a river or creek the following tests are required;

  • Total solids, suspended solids, volatile solids.
  • Dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand,
  • Nitrogen-total, ammonia, albuminoid. Nitrates etc.,
  • Acidity or Ph,
  • Chlorides, sulphides etc.,
  • Bacteria and virus,
  • All forms of plastics including polystyrene,
  • Surfactants.
  • Pesticides/Insecticides.
  • Paints and Hydrocarbons.

These water quality tests are to be reported to Council on a regular basis.

I also note that there appears to be a common practice of using leaf blowers to blow grass cuttings, fallen tree leaves and general street detritus into roadside drainage pits and kerb and channel, which inevitably are washed into our rivers, creeks and water-courses. If elected I will move a motion that this practice ceases immediately and all road side detritus, especially grass and leaves deposited in autumn, be disposed of in the correct ecological manner.

On a related matter, it should be noted that platypuses living in a healthy river adjacent to the cycle/walking track and so close to the Railway Station, could become a tourist attraction, which would be of economic benefit to the Shire.

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