The FBA produces several newsletters per year. Please download issues by clicking on the buttons below.
Goode News — December 2021
Goode News — July 2021
Goode News — March 2021
Goode News — December 2020
Goode News — July 2020
Goode News — February 2020
Goode News — October 2019
Goode News — May 2019
Goode News — January 2019
Goode News — December 2018
GOODE NEWS
September 2018
Message from the President
Busy times
A lot has happened in the six months since our last newsletter. Much of the activity has centred on dealing with the development proposals that are overwhelming our small community but there have also been quite a few positive community events to make all the work worthwhile. Prime among these have been the several weeding busy bees that are described later in this newsletter, plus a very successful history ‘Goode Evening’, also presented below.
Heritage Trail
On 30 April, Robin Budden, Richard Vogwill and I had a meeting with the City of Albany’s Community Engagement and Reserves managers about moving the Heritage Trail proposal forward. You might recall that the Council decided in October 2017 that the proposal had to be sent out for further community consultation because it had received a couple of letters opposing it. At this stage, the City is planning to hold information sessions for people to comment on the proposal sometime in November. We will let you know the dates.
Caravan Park
The development proposal for the former caravan park site (Lots 1 & 2) was approved by the Southern Joint Development Assessment Panel on 11 June. The FBA spoke in favour of the proposal on the grounds that it had been substantially modified in response to community concerns and as long as the environmental safeguard conditions were strictly adhered to. This includes saving as many trees as possible, both for screening and for wildlife habitat and recommending landscape redesign and upgrading of facilities at Whalers Beach as part of the redevelopment of the whole area. The proponents were granted four years to implement their proposal, so it may quite a while before anything substantial happens on the site. We will wait and see.
Lot 660
A large number of Goode Beach residents and other members of the Albany community spoke against the Lot 660 resort proposal at the City of Albany Development & Infrastructure Services Committee meeting on 11 July and at the Ordinary Council Meeting on 25 July. Although three Councillors (Moir, Shanhun and Sleeman) spoke and voted against it, the Council approved the proposal. You should have received an information flyer about our objections to the proposal in your letter box.
The proposal is going before the WA Planning Commission (WAPC) in the next couple of months and the FBA is preparing an updated and comprehensive submission opposing it. We will also be seeking to present our case before the Commission in person. Several FBA members are working very hard on this submission and on liaising with people who can advise and support us. We are hoping that the WAPC will reject the proposal on the basis that it is far too large for the site and requires the bending of so many rules that it should not be allowed. If it is approved, we may need to once again engage in more broad-based campaigning activities. We will keep you informed.
There is a lot more going on, such as working on bushfire readiness procedures and opportunities to comment on dog laws and community consultation, as explained later. We hope that this edition of Goode News helps keep you up to date.
Catherine Macdonald–Mob.: 0434 14 84 63.
A Goode Evening: Dale’s Panorama
by Chris Hopper
A sketch done from Mt Clarence by a young Ensign Robert Dale, published in 1834, was of great interest to just over forty guests of the FBA at the inaugural A Goode Evening on 17th August.
Dale’s Panorama or Panoramic View of King George’s Sound. Source: http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-139546509/view
Hosts Eve and Tony Kinlay generously opened the doors of their home for our community to gather and enjoy fine food, wine and a presentation about Dale’s Panorama by Malcolm Traill (Museum of the Great Southern) and Steve Hopper (UWA), pictured below.
Photo: Catherine Vasiliu
From all accounts, the reliable combination of friends, food, wine and good discussion worked, as many guests were asking for more. Watch this space for Another Goode Evening!
Herman Beckeringh has organised a digital version of the Panoramic View of King George’s Sound ready to be printed (which took quite a bit of fiddling!). The picture size is 20cm by 18cm. People interested will have to bring a USB disc to copy the file. They will then have to print it themselves or have it printed. Contact Herman at 9 Fynd Street or winkbul45@bigpond.com.
There is no charge, but a bottle of wine would be gracefully accepted.😊
Charlie Pierce MBE
Earlier this year, FBA member Charlie Pierce was awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his service in education in Vanuatu. Charlie and his wife Barbara lived in Vanuatu for 42 years before moving to Goode Beach in 2013.
On returning home from the UK after the investiture, Charlie commented that ‘It was an amazing experience. I felt honoured and very humbled to be among a group of like-minded persons who were all receiving medals from the Queen. She only attends four of the 30-odd investitures during the year, so I was very fortunate.’
Photo: supplied by Charles Pierce
Congratulations Charlie from the Frenchman Bay Association!
Plenty of cars have seen action in the theatre of war over the years
by Herman Beckeringh
It is not widely known that the French car, the Citröen 2CV, was once the pride and joy of Her Majesty’s Navy. It was actually ‘adopted’ as an honorary member of the Royal Navy Commandos in 1959 aboard the HMS Bulwark. The Navy was experimenting with the best way to quickly transfer troops from its aircraft carriers to the ground, aiming to shift commandos 95 miles or so inland as quickly as possible in Malaysia, to fight the insurgents during the Malayan emergency in the late 1950s.
Source: Aviafora, a Royal Navy Whirlwind lifting a modified Citröen 2CV aboard HMS Albion c. late 1959
According to top brass, such an operation required a vehicle that was light, strong and easy to control. As a result, sixteen 2CVs were selected as the weapons of choice for the force. Lifted by helicopter with troops aboard and then dumped into enemy territory, the Navy was reportedly impressed with the dinky ‘Frenchmobile’s’ hardiness.
Before and after shots
Photos: Herman Beckeringh
The car Herman has is a replica, as all the original utes were thrown overboard after the mission. Passing the test for military service and officially joining the ranks of some of the most elite corps of the British Navy, as odd as it was, the little 2CV became a ‘four-wheeled soldier’!
Winter feeding by Carnaby’s Cockatoo at Goode Beach
by Stephen Hopper
The presence for more than a decade of a flock of white-tailed black cockatoos at Goode Beach is a well-known sight to residents. The size of the flock reduced dramatically from 60–100 birds following the November 2015 wildfire at Stony Hill. There, prior to the fire, I had observed that Carnaby’s Cockatoos fed on substantial seeds produced each year by mature thickets of granite Hakea (Hakea elliptica). This plant was killed by the fire, with mass germination following after the burn. Only now are some seedlings beginning to reach reproductive maturity. It will take several years more for the abundance of fruits and seeds to approach numbers that existed before the wildfire. Presumably, in 2016–2017, the cockatoos found alternative food sources elsewhere to make up for the temporary loss of Hakea seed.
What I hadn’t realised until this winter was that Carnaby’s Cockatoos feed on a rarely reported food source at Goode Beach—the grubs or larvae of longicorn wood-boring beetles that burrow through the wood of branches of the common peppermint tree (Agonis flexuosa). I and others regularly see cockatoos perched in the top of peppermints on the northern edge of Goode Beach around Lake Vancouver and beyond. I noticed one day that the numbers atop the canopy in view declined without birds flying away. This suggested that the cockatoos were dropping downwards, doing something below the canopy for considerable periods.
Then I came across freshly shredded bark and outer wood on branches of stunted peppermints near the coast of King George Sound, just north of Goode Beach houses. This shredding damage (see picture), when fresh, is dark red-brown in colour, easily seen against the grey of old bark. Moreover, in most cases, burrows through the wood of the peppermint are evident where the cockatoos have been stripping away outer layers of the bark and wood. These are burrows left by the beetle larvae. The grubs also leave circular holes on the outer bark where sawdust is ejected from their burrows as they eat the wood.
Photos: S.D. Hopper
I looked up on the internet to see if others had observed this food source and found only one record, from the original Great Cockie Count a decade ago on the Swan Coastal Plain. Then, in July, Chris and I were walking home from the beach one day and we first heard and then saw 20 or more Carnaby’s Cockatoos munching through the outer wood of peppermints on the road verge of La Perouse Court. We approached slowly, to within about 10 metres of the birds. The sound of their crunching was memorable: like bolt cutters in action, wrenching and turning.
I have since observed cockatoos feeding in this way on several occasions around La Perouse Court and to the north, even in peppermints in our backyard and that of our neighbour. Much more could be learnt about this winter food resource for these iconic and endangered birds. I hope to get students at UWA involved in further studies, and encourage residents to start recording and let me know where, when and on what they have seen the cockatoos feeding.
Records of locations of the evident marks on peppermint branches cockatoos leave in searching for beetle grubs are of similar value and interest, as are observations where no such feeding damage is evident on peppermints. Slowly, as more observations are made, we will learn how widespread in Goode Beach and beyond this feeding behaviour occurs.
The whale rescue
by Herman Beckeringh
It happened early one morning in June. I noticed something floating in Frenchman Bay, close to Goode Beach. After watching it for a while I saw that it stayed at the same spot. I thought it was a turned over dinghy.
I rang the Sea Rescue number and got in touch with an official in Canberra. He referred me to the Fremantle office and they referred me to Albany Police! I had to explain and they would send the cops.
The cops came and I had to give them my binos so they could see the ‘floaty’. The cops agreed with my assessment and they contacted the volunteer Sea Rescue squad from Emu Point, who took an hour to get here. And it was then that I saw that it was actually a whale tangled in a fishing net. Fortunately it was pulled free and swam off.
I contacted the police, who had heard about it already and the people there were thrilled to bits, they told me. I also contacted the rescue service, for details and perhaps photos but they never replied. Probably they wanted to claim the rescue for themselves.
Weeding Busy Bees
Photo: Linda Matthews
You may have seen a bit of activity in the bush near the beach and up in the forest over the last couple of months. If you haven’t been able to join in the fun don’t despair, we aim to be around for a while yet.
Photo: Linda Matthews
The idea came out of a series of workshops organised late last year by Chris Hopper. We kicked off with a grant from South Coast NRM which helped us make up some Goode Beach Weed ID kits and to buy some tools and have held three well-attended, productive and fun events. Not to mention the mid-morning teas.
Photo: Robin Budden
The next busy bee is Saturday 8th September, so keep an eye out for the signs or check us out on the FBA’s Facebook page.
Photo: Robin Budden
Bushfire readiness
The FBA committee had a meeting on 22 August with Brendan Gordon of the City’s Emergency Management department, and Charlotte Powis of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions and Goode Beach’s Bushfire Ready facilitator, Sandy Wells to discuss what our community can do to minimise bushfire risk. One of the main things the FBA was interested in was establishing a community telephone network or ‘tree’ so that people could be contacted in case of emergency. The City has agreed that it will write to residents about this option.
One thing we learned was that there have been quite a few changes made in this year’s fire management notice from the City. Conservation, special residential and rural residential zoned properties have different fire mitigation measures, so it’s too complex to cover all the residents in Goode Beach in this newsletter. In residential areas there should be a clearance around dwellings for 20 metres and the whole property should be kept to below 2 tonnes per hectare of fuel load.
The City is hoping to run a community session for residents on the Torndirrup peninsula to explain the changes, although the date is not yet set. There will be a mail out to all residents in Goode Beach.
The CoA has some good FAQ on the website:http://www.albany.wa.gov.au/residents/emergency-management/fire/ or you can call the City on 6820 3000 and talk with someone from the planning department.
COMING EVENTS
Bushweeding Busy BeeSaturday 8 September 10.00–12.30 Cnr Narvik St and Caledonia Cres. Come along and help keep our bush beautiful and weed-free. Dress for the occasion – long sleeved shirt, long pants, sturdy shoes and gloves. It should be fun! Keep an eye out for signs and stay up to date with the FBA Facebook page. For further information call Robin on 0417 986 574 or Linda on 0401 348 845. |
Make your comment
There are opportunities for commenting on:
- City dog laws—by 28 September
Information available at:
http://www.albany.wa.gov.au/council/council/public-notices/
Comments to Carl Beck at: carlb@albany.wa.gov.au
Consultation methods—online survey to be completed by 23 September
The survey is available at www.painteddogresearch.com/AlbanySurvey
Contact Kristy at Painted Dog Research on 9227 6464 or kristy@painteddogresearch.com for further information.
CALLING FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
Got a story or want to advertise or place a community message on the Goode News or FBA website Noticeboard?
If you have news of interest to the Goode Beach community for inclusion in the Goode News or on the FBA website please contact FBA Secretary Chris Hopper (cghopper@gmail.com).
FBA Website address: https://frenchmanbayassociation.com/
FBA Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Frenchman-Bay-Association-FBA-137923590237725/
To download a PDF version of the latest Goode News, click on the following link:
GOODE NEWS
March 2018
Message from the President
New committee
Not only does the FBA have a new committee, elected at the Annual General Meeting on 28 February 2018, but a new President – me – Catherine Macdonald! For the first time, we have an all-woman Executive Committee, with Chris Hopper continuing ably as Secretary, and Elly Beckeringh rejoining as Treasurer. Continuing committee members are our immediate past President, Tony Kinlay, Clare Mitchell and John Myers. We are joined on the committee by first-timers Jenni Leonard, Ian Herford and Robin Budden. We have had our first committee meeting and are looking forward to a busy and enjoyable year of community-based activities.
Resort development proposals in Goode Beach
To my amazement, there are currently two proposals for ‘five-star resorts’ in play for our small suburb of Goode Beach! The City of Albany has advised that the Lot 660 ‘Vancouver Beach Resort’ matter will not come before Council in April 2018, as the proponents are revising certain aspects of their proposals. The City will advise the FBA and we will advise members when the proposal becomes active again.
In the meantime, the proposal for the ‘Frenchman Bay Retreat’ on Lots 1 & 2 (the old caravan park) has revived, to be decided upon by the Joint Development Assessment Panel. The City will accept comments until April 3rd, immediately after Easter. The FBA will put in a submission to the effect that we are pleased to see how much the project has been modified to take into account the concerns expressed in community comments in 2015, in that it no longer includes an unrestricted stay component, scheme water will be supplied and a high-technology effluent treatment plant is proposed. We will be encouraging the City to ask the proponents to save as many trees as possible, both for screening and for wildlife habitat and suggest that they work with the FBA on weed control processes. We will also recommend that the City engage in and insist upon landscape redesign and upgrading of facilities at Whalers Beach as part of the redevelopment of the whole area. This should ensure that the general community benefits from the development rather than just suffering from the crowding that the additional people from the resort will cause.
Make your comment
Anyone wanting to view the Lots 1 & 2 proposal documents may do so at: http://www.albany.wa.gov.au/council/comments-complaints/public-comment/
The City provides the following advice for those wishing to comment by April 3rd.
Please address comments to City of Albany, PO Box 484, Albany WA 6330, quoting reference number P2170633. If possible, please provide an email address to allow us to contact you regarding your comment on this proposal. Alternatively, comments may be emailed to planning@albany.wa.gov.au. Should you have any queries or wish to discuss this application please call (08) 6820 3040.
We hope you enjoy this edition of Goode News. On behalf of the committee, I wish everyone a happy Easter.
Catherine Macdonald – Mob.: 0434 14 84 63.
World Wetlands Day – 2 February
Warren Flynn writes ‘thank you to all of those who supported our World Wetlands Day Events and continue to support our Save the Lake campaign.
Photo: Warren Flynn
Petition
1,344 signatures were collected during a one month period commencing on 13th January 2018. This petition was offered to people in public places (Farmers’ Market, Wetlands events, etc.), as well as through more personal contacts. 911 electors of Albany signed the white sheet (for locals), together with 433 citizens of other areas. ‘Non-locals’ included people from close locations, such as Denmark and Mt Barker, together with a large number of other West Australians.
International tourists and visitors from Canada, France, Singapore, Germany, UK, etc. also featured. When shown the location of the proposed development less than 50m from the beach and so close to a unique and historically significant lake, most people were dismayed. Once aware of the facts; including the threats to flora and fauna, and the risk of serious beach erosion through dune destruction, people were eager to sign. It was also heartening to see several non FBA citizens collecting petition signatures to help protect this special part of Vancouver Peninsula.
The petition has now been submitted to the City of Albany and the Department of Planning. We await official responses.
Photo: Warren Flynn
A special HUGE THANK YOU to Sarah McNamara [pictured above] who painted the banner, designed and printed the postcards (for the online petition), and with her daughter, Mahina set up the FBA Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/Frenchman-Bay-Association-FBA-137923590237725/
Also MASSIVE THANK YOU to Linda Matthews for coordinating the Wetlands Day events, and to Linda and Robin Budden [pictured below]for their tireless work on every petition gathering day!
Photo: Warren Flynn
We still have some postcards and bumper stickers left. Please contact Warren Flynn (9844 4346) if you need some more.’
Private access roads in Goode Beach by Rob Harley
Within the Goode Beach subdivision, there is a number of sealed or partly-sealed access roads that provide vehicle access to one or more privately-owned blocks; most of which are battle- axe blocks. These include three access roads off La Perouse Road (to Lots 662/664; Lots 153/154/155/156/157/235 and Lot 609); two access roads off La Perouse Court (to Lots 654/655/656/657 and Lot 660); one access road at the corner of Klem Road/Fynd St (to Lots 149/150/234/235) and one access road at the western end of Karrakatta Road (to Lots 601/602). At the end of La Perouse Road, the access road to Lot 609 also provides right-of-way to Lots 604 and 605. In all cases, adjoining lots have reciprocal rights-of-carriageway over one another. As a requirement of the West Australian Planning Commission, these rights-of-carriageway were established on the Diagram of Survey at the time of subdivision of the respective lots. Houses have been constructed (or are under construction) on a number of these blocks while other blocks are vacant land. These access roads are highlighted in pink on the map below (please note that La Perouse Court extends as a public road to just past the walking path to the beach that is adjacent to Lot 652).
These access roads are private property; not public roads and form part of the one or more lots which are serviced by the access road. A number of the access roads have signs erected near the entrance indicating that the road is a private road.
Some of these access roads have been or are being used used by pedestrian traffic, that is to access the beach access path off La Perouse Court or the bird hide. Technically, this pedestrian traffic is trespassing on private property. The fact that all of the access roads are sealed or partly sealed has possibly led to the misunderstanding by some that the access roads are public roads. In some instances, landowners have tolerated or are tolerating the use of the access roads and informal tracks over their land for pedestrian use; especially where the block is vacant land. Some landowners of vacant land are possibly unaware that pedestrian traffic is occurring on their property. Recent house constructions have resulted in pedestrians walking over private property in close proximity to occupied houses.
It is requested that pedestrians respect the privacy of householders/landowners and, unless a landowner has given permission for pedestrian traffic over/through their property, pedestrians should use the public roads. A potential further issue for landowners could be a public liability event if someone was injured while on private property. While many householders would have public liability cover, it is unlikely that the owners of vacant land would have public liability insurance cover in place.
Sea Lizards on Goode Beach by Phil Roberts
A number of very weird-looking marine creatures were recently washed up onto Goode Beach [see photo below]. These marine molluscs are called Glaucus atlanticus or Glaucus marginata, and are also known as ‘Sea Lizards’.
Photo: Phil Roberts
Sea Lizards are pelagic nudibranchs that feed mainly on Blue Bottle jellyfish. Floating upside down with the aid of a gas-filled sac in the stomach and surface tension, Sea Lizards drift vast distances carried by the wind and the currents. They were first noted during Captain Cook’s second voyage to the Pacific, in HMS Resolution and recorded by scientist Johann Forster and his son in a 1777 publication.
Their upper surface is blue, or blue and white which helps to camouflage Sea Lizards from predation by sea birds above and is also thought to offer protection against harmful UV sun light, while their under surface is silvery grey to effectively camouflage them from fish looking up from below. This is a textbook example of colour counter-shading.
However, blending with the environment is just the first line of defence for this beautiful creature. It appears that once they have preyed upon a Blue Bottle jellyfish [ see photo below], they have the ability to ingest the Blue Bottle’s venomous stinging cells (nematocysts) and store them for their own use.
Photo: Stambergova, S., 2004 (Feb 13) Physalia from Western Australia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/12173
When Sea Lizards are out of water, they have a tendency to roll into a little ball, but will open up again the moment they are placed back into water.
On the internet there are a number of ‘enthusiasts’ wanting to obtain a Sea Lizard to keep as a pet. However, due to its unique diet of fresh Blue Bottle jellyfish, keeping one of these creatures in captivity would pose considerable logistical difficulties. They are also capable of inflicting a painful sting when handled.
Goode Beach beachcombers by Roz Boccardo
I heard through the grapevine recently that there will soon be more FBA involvement with protecting marine life and species. So I thought I would share a photo of a Baler shell with slug that Bill Watson found on Whalers Beach with Max and myself while out and about walking the dogs. We found it partially buried in the sand on the shore line just near the spring. Blessings from Eco-Warrior Rozita!
Photo: Roz Boccardo
Snorkelling video by Ginny Probert
We all enjoy the beach but if you’d like to experience the world below the surface here’s a link to a video my partner and I filmed snorkelling around Frenchman Bay and Goode Beach. It was a home video originally intended for my family so some of it’s just footage of me trying to dive and hold my breath but after friends gave me some positive feed back, I’d like to share it with you, my neighbours.
Photo: Ginny Probert
Only a few metres off shore and my mask became the best television screen I’d ever looked at! All the colours of the rainbow are down there. The octopus, molluscs, coral, even the ripples of light on the seabed are all amazing but my favourite is when fish swim close or just float in rhythm with the kelp. It’s a secret parallel world where nothing is not of nature! Please enjoy my short film ‘High Tide or Low Tide’ at https://vimeo.com/248431879
Invitation to join a book club in Goode Beach
We are a core group of six regulars and 4–5 others come and go. No men in our group…yet! This is our third year of meeting. We all live in the neighbourhood and meet on the first Tuesday evening of each month at 7:30pm, in each other’s homes, taking it in turns. We are a diverse and inclusive group, gender-neutral, who enjoy lively respectful discussion. Some of us are more literary than others but we all enjoy reading books.
Next meetings are on April 3 discussing Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden and then on May 1 I Heard the Owl Call My Name by Margaret Craven. New members are welcome. Contact Jan at seaformiles25@hotmail.com or 98444129 or 0437151384.
Rabbit meets snake by Max Angus
Bill Watson and I were returning from an early morning dog walk when he spotted a rabbit having an affair with a python on the verge of La Perouse Road. He took some shots with his phone. I walked home to get my camera and by the time I had returned the two had got stuck into it.
Photo: Max Angus
Here’s what I saw. The rabbit (deceased) was moving down the snake’s gullet at about a centimetre every 30 seconds or so as the snake contracted its muscles. A family member observed that it looked like childbirth in reverse.
An hour later I returned and photographed the snake but the rabbit had disappeared (sort of). Can you spot the rabbit (I’m joking.)? On next visit, a further hour later, the snake had disappeared.
Photo: Max Angus
Southern carpet pythons
Pythons are common in the Albany region. Some residents at Goode Beach have regular visits. When mature they average about 2.5 metres in length and have that greenish-brown pattern on their skin.Remember, they are quite harmless to humans so please avoid driving over one if you see it on a road. We’ve had a few casualties in recent years.
Well what did happen to the rabbit? According to my internet searches when a python grabs a prey its metabolism goes into overdrive and its organs secrete ‘juices’ that quickly dissolve the material in its stomach, even the bones of a mammal. Most likely in five or so days, the rabbit would have been turned into mush. The python would find a place to curl up and rest. It would take up to a month before it felt peckish again.
COMING EVENTS
Bush weeding Busy BeeSaturday 14 April 10.00–12.30 Goode Beach carpark Come along and help keep our bush beautiful and weed-free. Dress for the occasion – long sleeved shirt, long pants, sturdy shoes and gloves. It should be fun! Keep an eye out for signs and stay up to date with the FBA Facebook page. For further information call Robin on 0417 986 574 or Linda on 0401 348 845. |
CALLING FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
Got a story or want to advertise or place a community message on the Goode News or FBA website Noticeboard?
If you have news of interest to the Goode Beach community for inclusion in the Goode News or on the FBA website please contact FBA Secretary Chris Hopper (cghopper@gmail.com).
FBA Website address: https://frenchmanbayassociation.com/
FBA Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Frenchman-Bay-Association-FBA-137923590237725/
To download a PDF version of the latest Goode News, click on the following link:
GOODE NEWS
December 2017
Message from the President
Sundowner
Our annual Sundowner will be held at Discovery Bay on Saturday 27 January 2018, the day after Australia Day. I am hoping that there will be a great turnout, as in the past two years. Hope to see you there.
Annual General Meeting
The AGM will be held in February 2018. We will be electing a new President and a new committee for 2018 at this meeting. More details will be announced nearer the time, but please attend and have your say. If you would like to contribute to the running of the FBA, please also consider making yourself available for election to the committee.
The Proposed Resort Development on Lot 660
The proposed resort has been a much discussed topic amongst a good many members (and non-members) over the past couple of months. If it goes ahead, it would double the population of our tranquil suburb.
At my suggestion and encouragement, ten of the 13 Councillors and three of the City’s planners visited the site on Monday 20 November to gain an understanding of the FBA’s concerns regarding environmental issues due to its proximity to Lake Vancouver and the beach. Dr John Myers gave a well-received presentation of his relief model before the visitors took a walk around the site. Let’s hope this may have made them more sympathetic to the issues presented.
The City of Albany has advised that the matter will not come before Council until February next year, as the developers sought an extension of time to respond to FESA’s concerns regarding the emergency fire exit route. It seems as though the matter may not go before the WA Planning Commission until mid-2018. The next President will no doubt keep you posted!
On behalf of the committee, I wish everyone a happy Christmas 2017.
Tony Kinlay – Mob.: 0488 117 747.
COMMUNITY SUNDOWNER ********************************* Discovery BayWhaleworld BBQ AreaSaturday, January 27, 2018 – 5 pm – 8 pm |
Update — Lot 660 Development Proposal
On the day that the previous edition of Goode News was published, the news broke that a ‘five-star eco resort’ was proposed for Lot 660 at Goode Beach. A special meeting of the FBA was held on 28th September, and there was resounding support for the FBA committee to oppose the proposed development and foreshadowed scheme amendment advertised in the Structure Plan.
In response to the mandate given, the FBA committee and other members have worked tirelessly to inform decision makers and the proponents that there are important environmental and amenity reasons why the development should not go ahead.
Here is a summary of what has been happening:
- City of Albany called for a ‘Conversation’ meeting with proponents, CoA staff and Goode Beach residents. FBA President compiled and asked questions of proponents on members’ behalf.
- FBA and numerous individual members responded to opportunity to make submissions to CoA by the closing date of 9 October.
- FBA submission was also sent to the WA Planning Commission who will ultimately make the decision to approve or reject the resort development.
- FBA President and other members have been interviewed by journalists from ABC Great Southern radio and newspapers.
- Councillors and CoA staff accepted an invitation from FBA President to visit the site as described in the President’s letter above.
- Each CoA Councillor has separately been sent copies of the FBA Submission and Dr Myers’ submission.
- A one-page summary (compiled by an FBA member) of the history of previous development applications, and the reports which declared the site to be incapable of sustaining any development, was sent separately to each Councillor and the CoA planning staff.
- Representatives of the FBA have spoken in opposition to the proposed development at two CoA Ordinary Council meetings and two Development and Infrastructure Services meetings.
- Face to face meetings have been held by various FBA members with Albany MLA Peter Watson, Councillor John Shanhun and Greens MLC Diane Evers.
The proposed resort will be an agenda item at the Development and Infrastructure Services meeting in early February 2018, and at the CoA Ordinary Council Meeting later in the month.
Just as the proponents will be presenting their case to Councillors at a special meeting, an FBA delegation will also be given a final opportunity to present its case to Councillors, prior to the February round of Council meetings.
YouTube Videos of the Wetland to Be Affected by the Proposed New Resort
FBA committee member Clare Mitchell took off her shoes, took up her camera, and made a couple of short videos of the track that is intended to be the driveway of the proposed resort. Follow her squelching progress by following the link below!
This second video shows how close the internal entry/exit road for the proposed resort would be to the edge of Lake Vancouver.
FBA ‘Eco-Warriors’
The call for FBA members interested in caring for the Goode Beach environment resulted in a gathering of 33 enthusiasts in November (see photos). The following seven presenters, all experts in their fields, raised the enthusiasm of the group.
- Max Angus FBA, Introduction
- Maggie Shanklin Friends of Porongurup Range, Best Practice in Organising a Community Environmental Group
- Loxley Fedec Friends of Porongurup Range, Technology and Citizen Science
- David Tunbridge UWA, Techniques for Surveying Fauna
- Dr Harriet Paterson UWA, How to Contribute to Plastic Science at Goode Beach
- Peter Stewart Reserves CoA, Rosie Smith Green Skills, Weed Control
- Ian Herford FBA, The Next Step: Let’s Make a Plan.
Participants in rapt attention
Photo: Sue Roberts
A plan was made for all participants to list, in priority order, their five environmental wishes for Goode Beach. The lists submitted by the participants have been collected and collated by Ian Herford and Chris Hopper and we are ready to workshop the ideas and kickstart the FBA environmental focus group.
Participants in discussion
Photo: Sue Roberts
The Stage 1 Priority Setting Workshop will be held on Saturday Morning 20th January 2018 at 23 La Perouse Court, Goode Beach. Please come along and share your ideas. All members and non-members are welcome.
Ever Wondered How Many People Live at Goode Beach?
The following statistics have been selected from the 2016 Census results. Further data are available at the Australian Bureau of Statistics website: http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/
| 2016 CENSUS SUMMARY | GOODE BEACH | ALBANY |
| Population Usually Resident | 217 | 33,145 |
| Median Age (Years) | 60 | 43 |
| Average People Per Household | 2.1 | 2.4 |
| Number of Occupied Dwellings | 92 | 12,275 |
| Number of Unoccupied Dwellings | 55 | 2,220 |
| Median Weekly Household Income | $1,375 | $1,198 |
| Median Monthly Mortgage Repayment | $2,100 | $1,600 |
Selected data for the Albany urban area have been included to enable comparison (source: http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2016/quickstat/5001?opendocument accessed 15 December 2017).
William H. Angove’s Survey of Goode Beach, Summer of 1887-88
By Steve Hopper, 23 La Perouse Court.
Recently, while trawling through digitised surveyors’ field books on the AEON (Archives Explored Online) database and image base of the State Records Office of Western Australia, I happened across William H. Angove’s 1887 surveyed sketches of the two blocks that became the foundation for Goode Beach as we know the settlement today. These drawings are in Angove’s field book Number 1C, available at https://archive.sro.wa.gov.au/index.php/field-book-no-1c-w-h-angove-plantagenet-ang-01c.
Angove’s field sketches were converted to a finished plan (Plantagenet 92) covering the southern shore of Princess Royal Harbour east to Goode Beach, prepared presumably in the early 1890s. Interesting inclusions in the fieldbook sketch for what became the northern Loc. 2104 are Lake Vancouver (‘lagoon’) and the wreck of the Runnymede (below the words ‘Frenchmans Bay’).
Angove’s 1887 survey of Goode Beach Locations 2104 (above) & 2471 (below) from his Fieldbook 1C
The central karri forest is marked (as ‘karri timber’) in the southern Loc 2471, as is a swamp on the SW corner and a ‘large granite rock’ on the NW corner. The finished survey plan below indicates a creek running SW from Lake Vancouver approximately following the alignment of today’s La Perouse Road, and exiting eastwards into King George Sound near the NE corner of Loc. 2471. Future examination of air photography taken before subdivision of beach blocks and associated bulldozing of dunes may show the precise location of this exit point for the creek.
Survey of Goode Beach from Plan Plantagenet 92 State records Office, WA.
Google Earth image of Goode Beach with the approximate boundary of the southern Lot 2471 marked in yellow and green (Austin Road).
Follow the Trail
The FIGS (Felters in the Great Southern) exhibition for the Southern Art and Craft Trail went well. There are a few changes happening to FIGS in 2018. FIGS are making Bornholm Hall their base, meeting the third Sunday of the month to share the craft of felting. The beautiful venue at Torbay where FIGS exhibited during the Southern Art and Craft Trail, is on the market, so FIGS will be moving to a new venue – Eclipse Building, Museum of the Great Southern. An exciting prospect so watch this space!
FIGS are running a workshop for beginners on 24 February. Anyone interested in felting can contact Maggie Myers myersm@iinet.net.au
Environmental Weeds
Environmental weeds are unwanted plants growing in bushland. They may originate from other regions of WA, interstate or overseas and they usually result in the decline of the bushland communities they invade.
Follow the link below for a news article about one such weed, the Arum lily.
Check out the Weed of the Month calendar on the FBA Community Notice Board at the bus stop. If you know your weeds, you are in a much better position to control the spread of weeds into our bushland.
Australian Argonaut Shell on Goode Beach
In late spring, this highly prized shell of an Australian argonaut (paper nautilus) was found and photographed on Goode Beach by regular beachcomber and resident, Ruth Keszia Whiteside.
Argonauts are a unique group of pelagic (floating) octopuses found in the tropical and temperate waters of the world. The female of the species has the beautiful brittle white shell. Less well known is the shell-less male. Australian waters are home to the greatest diversity of these animals of any other country in the world.
Australian argonaut (paper nautilus) shell
Photo: Ruth Keszia Whiteside
Photo: Ruth Keszia Whiteside
NOTICEBOARD
Whaler’s Galley summer breakfast & evening opening datesWhaler’s Galley café open for dinner on Friday 15 and Friday 29 December and every Friday in January 2018 from 6pm. BYOG. Open for breakfast from 8.30 to 10.30 every morning from Boxing Day until the end of January. Reservations can be made by calling 98444711 or emailing: whalersgalleycafe@hotmail.com |
Gabe’s GardensSick of seeing invasive species and pest plants around the neighbourhood? Annoyed with overgrown brush, thick bushland or an out of control garden? Or want some soft/hardscaping done to improve the quality of your property? I’m here to help. Goode Beach-born and bred, lived here 21 years and I love it. My name’s Gabriel Mettam and I’ve just started my business – Gabe’s Gardens. Please feel free to contact Gabe’s Gardens for building a better community and better backyards! Licensed, Registered, Insured, Transparent and Honest. Phone 0439303369 for free no-obligation quotes. |
CALLING FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
Got a story or want to advertise or place a community message on the Goode News or FBA website Noticeboard?
If you have news of interest to the Goode Beach community for inclusion in the Goode News or on the FBA website please contact FBA Secretary Chris Hopper (cghopper@gmail.com).
To download a PDF version of the latest Goode News, click on the following link: GOODE NEWS December 2017
Frenchman Bay Association (FBA) 