11 February 2014

Sea level rise walk - 'Port Phillip Rising' - November 2009

Port Phillip Rising was a walk along the eastern side of Port Phillip Bay, marking the one metre line above the current sea level to highlight the impacts of sea level rise on people, communities and landscapes along the way. We finished the walk in Port Melbourne on November 27. Check here for reports and images from the walk. We are now seeking financial support to continue the walk westwards in early 2010.

Sorrento - Port Melbourne, November 21 - 27

We have now finished the walk. It has been an inspiring journey, with some wonderful land and seascapes, and so many great local people and groups doing significant work. Thankyou to everyone who met us, walked with us, organised events, and came to the forums.

We have produced a report on the walk, which is available here.

You can also follow the progress of the tripÂ here on our Port Phillip Rising site - this has a series of daily updates and a video from most days.

There is a photo album here.

Please consider signing our petition on the need for the state government to review its planning on sea level rise. You can find it here.

If you think you may be interested in financially supporting us to do the second stage of the walk - from Williamstown to Queenscliff, please contact Cam: [email protected]

And below you will also find a daily summary and some images from the November trip.

[Nov 26]

Mordialloc - St Kilda

A long day, from Mordialloc to St Kilda. A few pics below.

[above: Elwood hill]

We departed from Mordialloc between rain periods, joined by Carmen from Austria and, of course, Rose.Â We set out at a brisk pace - some might even have called it a forced march - as Michelle, Willa and Emma were waiting for us in Sandringham.Â Emma is the person who had done all the logistics work for our walk. And what a great job she did!

While walking we managed to catch brief glimpses of the red cliffs, mussel farms, the crescent of Half Moon Bay and Table Rock.

Today was the longest day of walking. The weather was muggy and the going hard compared to the previous daysÂ and I - for one - was glad when we got to Brighton where we had a break for lunch.

After lunch the skies opened big-time, and we were able to use the downpour as an excuse for more time to rest.

Michael and Mara joined us after lunch for the last few kilometres to St Kilda.

Those attending the event in the evening at the St Kilda Bowls Club heard about understanding sea-level Rise from our Damien, and from Neil Blake - Port Phillip Bay Keeper - about channel deepening and radiation poisoning.Â Sarah and Tim from the Sea Shepherds told us about the ocean's capacity to store carbon and the 90% world eradication of the vulnerable shark population and what this means for the oceans, given that 70 % if the world population depends onÂ the oceans for survival.

Tomorrow we will complete the trip with the last couple of hours walking to Port Phillip.

Monique

[Nov 25]

[above: leaving Frankston]

[above: with folks from Chelsea Heights Earth Carers]

[above: Damien at Mordialloc]

Frankston - Mordialloc

Fiona, a documentary maker, was waiting for us at Frankston Pier, film camera in hand, and we were again, joined by Rose who has become a member of the core group of walkers. Not long after starting our walk along the beach we found that Alison, a local resident who referred to herself as a "an environmental watchdog", had come down to the beach to fill us in about local environmental and climate change related issues. She talked about the problems local people experienced during surges and floods and she accompanied us to Kananook reserve where she told us about the regular floods of the Kananook creek and threats to local homes during storm surges.

Next Robin, Fiona and Monica from Chelsea Heights Earthcarers told us about their growing project and their fears for the future. Robyn said that she is terrified of the effects of climate change, especially for her two young sons. She and Rosemary West, a councillor from Kingston council, joined us for the next few kilometres of the walk and Rosemary and told us that Kingston has more homes at risk than any other municipality in the area, she said that thousands of homes in this area could be flooded. She mentioned the climate change policies her local council has developed. We were subsequently also joined by her co-councillor Steve Staikos who said that he sees a great need to address the climate change issues before it is too late. .

Along the next stretch of beach we saw a long double row of large sandbags that the Kingston Council had put along the front of the line of houses along the beach to protect them.

At the end of today, we finally had our long awaited dip in the sea.

Monique

[Nov 24]

[day 4: leaving Mornington]

[above: heading towards Mt Eliza]

[above: Mornington Peninsula councillor Leigh Eustace]

[above: old Banksia, eroded by storm surge, being stabilised. Mt Eliza]

Mornington - Frankston

While Justin took himself off to Frankston to set up the FoE stall, Damien, Cam and I took off from Mornington to make our way to Frankston along the beach. Today we were again joined by Rose, and near Sunny Side beach we were surprised by Councillor Leigh Eustace from Mornington Council who was waiting for us. He walked the length of his ward with us and pointed out a variety ofÂ problems caused by sea level surges and erosion and told us about the measures taken to counter and/or rectify the problems caused by this.

While we stopped for a quick bite of lunch Leigh disappeared, to reappear accompanied by Peter Greer, a local environmentalist and president of the Mount Eliza Foreshore Advisory Group. They made a great team and we learned that while the sea surges batter and erode the bottom of the cliff, water that runs from the top of the cliff erodes away the vegetation from above and at times causes huge chunks of cliff to give away. We saw a home very close to the cliff edge where the owners were in the process of stabilizing the eroding cliff face with 7 -8 metre long nails, which had been driven in to the cliff, well over a hundred of them.

We were very pleased to see the group ofÂ Frankston High School students and their teacher waiting for us as well Richard Laverack from Friends of Frankston and Councillor Christine Richard from Frankston City Council as we got to the border with Frankston.Â Here we said goodbye to Peter and Leigh and continued with our "new" group to Frankston, collecting some of the litter on the rocks on the way.

We had a full day and despite the weather being great and the sea beckoning us, we did unfortunately not get the time for a dip in the sea. But we are really looking forward to a swim tomorrow.Â

FoE and the Friends of Frankston put on a public forum on sea level rise and it was great to see large turnout for speakers David Sprat and Richard Laverack and the film " the Age of Stupid".Â Â It was a pity to learn that some walkers from Friends of Frankston Reservoir had wanted to join us for the walk today but as they had come a few minutes late they had missed us.

Monique

[Nov 23]

[above: beach boxes being eroded, near Mt Martha]

[above: Damien, Gidja and Rose]

Safety Beach - Mornington

The perfect day for a day's walking. Not a cloud in the sky and an invigorating seabreaze pushing us along. Rose, Gidja and Phillip joined us at the pier and we set out for what turned out a pleasant and very educative day. The terrain was diverse, with parts of the walk being along the edge of the road, stretches of it on the beach or climbing over rocks. We imitated mountain goats as we ascended or descended considerable stairways on cliff faces.

Gidja and Phillip generously shared their vast environmental knowledge with us all through the walk and we learned a huge amount about the local flora, fauna, cultural sites, environmental projects and localÂ evidence of climate change impact.

Our walk gave us a good picture of the various ways cliff areas have been eroded by the sea. Large stretches of wall have been built to keep the sea out at high tide - some with rock reinforcements - where the sea had undermined the wall. We walked past a lot of beach boxes in an array of colours. Quite a few of the beach boxes had stairs leading up to their doors that started more than a metre above the sand, giving a good picture of the impact of erosion on the beaches. Unfortunately we did not come across any of the owners of the beach boxes, and we could thus not ask them how they feel about their boxes being first in line for inundation.

As we walked Justin had made his way from Melbourne by train and bus to set up a stall in Mornington. The friendly folk of Mornington showed that there is some interest in the issue of climate change and the rising of sea levels in Port Phillip, although there was little concern in regards to acting immediately. The odd climate sceptic was evident, showing that some are not as concerned by any extreme weather events in recent times.

Monique and Justin

[Nov 22, day 2]

[above: Rose and Lou]

[above: day 2, near Anthony's Nose]

[above: McCrae's beach]

Rosebud - Safety Beach

Drizzle turned into heavy rain overnight, good old fashioned drenching rain. A few hardy souls were waiting at the Rosebud jetty for us, bright and early on a sunday morning - Sam from Frankston, Judith from Lighter Footprints, Karri from Balnarring, Rose from Mt Martha, Mark and Lynette on their bikes, Craig from AWARE, and Tracee. We were blessed with a break in the rain as we walked northwards, stopping in the wonderful regenerated bushland of the McCrae reserve. Alan, Gary and Margaret directed us to the rotunda, in the middle of the bush, where they told us of their work - more than 12 years of ecological restoration and weeding, that had lead to this wonderful belt of banksia forest lining the coastline through to the headland at Anthony's Nose. As they were speaking about their work, the heavens opened with a deluge - perfect timing for us, as we were out of the rain. We were reminded yet again of the dedication of local community groups like the McCrae Homestead Coastal group in looking after their patch. We realised, yet again the value of having a deep belt of native vegetation along the beachline as a defence against storm surge.

We headed north as the rain trailed off again, and saw the beach at McCrae where Craig highlighted the erosion impacts of the massive surge that flooded the foreshore last winter, narrowly missing cutting the coastal road itself.

As we inched past the bulk of Wonga - Arthurs Seat, and started the long beach walk up towards Mount Martha, there was a wonderful calmness as the wind dropped and the drizzle lifted. All the streams and stormwater outlets were cascading grey black stormwater. Because of the weather we hadn't seen many people to engage with, and we talked about plans for the coming days. As the sun got low the clouds broke to reveal fresh breezes and warm sunshine. Bring on tomorrow!

Cam

After a long walk yesterday I was tired and wanted to sleep in this morning. At 7.30 I turned on the radio and heard a report about heat waves and record rain in Melbourne, and simultaneous floods in Britain. It was a call to action, no point lying around in bed on Sunday morning when the planet is dying. I looked out my window and saw the rain spilling all over the bay in profusive sheets of white mist. But those walkers must be crazy, I thought, trudging around in that. I was going to be late anyway, so maybe I could just not go at all todayâ€¦. Wait for a sunny perfect weather day to do our climate walk, why not?? But then I thought of those walkers and their commitment to a cause and I realized I had a choice to engage or go back to sleep.

When I got to Rosebud pier the climate contingent were already down the beach and out of my sight. But I ran and ran and I puffed and thought about how climate change happens so quickly and we are moving so quickly into the mystery of an unknown invisible future. And how we have to keep going, striding forwardÂ as we hold onto hope for the future in our collective visions and dreaming. As I ran blindly on the beach, about to give up and thinking the group had disappeared into the ether, a friendly voice called out and dragged me into the bushes and we found the group gathered under a rotunda on the Macrae foreshore. We learnt about coastal erosion and local concerns from the Macrae Friendsâ€™ group.Â And it started to feel really special to gather there under the roof as the rain poured down and carriedd our voices awayâ€¦the weather wanted to be noticed.

After a warming diversion to a hot chocolate cafÃ©, the rain eased and we recommenced our walk. The sky was bleak soft grey and my mood felt the same as I contemplated the climate change predictions revealed at last nightâ€™s talks. I was wet and getting miserable and if I was on my own I know I would have stopped. But there was a fire here in the group that kept me moving onward: marvelling at native grasses and watching the Dromana Bay sands open up to receive our busy feet. By now most of us had removed our shoes as we plunged through creek crossings, and surrendered ourselves to the sloshy sands.

As I walked with the group on â€œmy home beachâ€ (Safety Beach) I felt a beauty and joy of seeing this place with fresh eyes. And I felt gratitude for what we have now and a sense of timelessness. Just like a strong vegetation system can assist the integrity of our coastlines against tidal rise, I felt that our appreciation for this placeÂ can somehow hold this place (and ourselves) strong amidst the uncertainties of the future.

Rose, resident of Mt Martha

[our first day, Nov 21]:

[above: day 1, Rosebud. Rosebud and McCraes Foreshore groups join the walk]

[Nov 21]

Sorrento to Rosebud.

Despite the drizzly start to the day we had a great start to our walking trip. We set out to a misty Sorrento pier before eight am and met with Karri and Rose who would join us as walkers, the former carrying a large pelican.Â Local councillor Tim Rodgers came out to meet us and help start the project off, as did Chani Blue the journalist from The Epoch Times.Â Mara left us at this point to set up the FoE stall in Rosebud.

It was a bit muggy and it looked like the drizzle had set in for the rest of the day, but it made for pleasant walking along the beach. The skies eventually dried up and we were able to open our coats and show-off our blue Port Phillip Rising t-shirts. We came across some stretches of rocky cliffs which were not that easy to traverse and Damien was the first to get his shoes wet when he slipped into the water.

We encountered quite a few people walking pooches of various breeds and sizes but also had some human-free stretches. The beaches had surprisingly little litter. We kept out eyes open for the promised dolphins, but none offered themselves to us for viewing, instead we saw an array of sea birds including cormorants, pelicans, black swans, ibises, seagulls, pied oystercatchers and pacific gulls.

We walked at an easy pace, Damien stopping regularly to take some video footage of coastline or people and providing commentary. We stopped and talked with people, asking for their thoughts on climate change and got a variety of answers, largely well considered, and support for our walk.

Ellen and Roger waited for us near Blairgowrie and our number grew by four when Phillip from Bayside Greens and Linda, Celia and Alan caught up with us. At three pm we arrived in Rosebud where we were met by a welcoming committee of people carrying placards. They were locals from the Ratepayers Association, Friends of Rosebud Foreshore and McCrae Foreshore Committee. They showed us the high point of April's storm surge (well inland, in a swale between the dunes) and the 1 metre highpoint beyond that - exactly where there are plans to build a major pool development in future.

We held a public forum, in the memorial hall at Rosebud. The top step of the hall is one metre above the April storm surge high point - well within the danger zone for future sea level rise.

Thanks to Anton from Clean Ocean Foundation, Craig Thompson, from AWARE and Karri Giles from Westernport Protection Council for their talks. Damien unveiled the presentation on sea level rise that he and David Spratt had been working on.

For the first time ever, FoE had a stall on the peninsula - two, in fact.Â While Mara was running errands, she ended up at Boneo Market, where Peter McConchie, an amazing photographer and activist who works with FoE had a stall, and he helped out by letting market-goers know about the walk the forum today in Rosebud.Â Mara then went back to Sorrento and set up an info stall, and after a while, Roger came to help too.Â They were amazed at the community support, locals seemed really grateful that city folk care about the coast.Â Many people passing by were tourists, some of whom were happy to stop for a chat and to learn about the Port Phillip Rising walk and FoE in general.Â As ever, kids loved our stickers!Â As is to be expected, a few climate skeptics happened by, but most were happy to have a good discussion and exchange of ideas.Â There will be more stalls on the peninsula as part of the walk, and over the summer too.

Ellen, Mara, Monique, Rog, Cam, and Damien

[above: day 1, leaving Sorrento]

----

Our most current press release is here.

Please scroll down for details on:

* getting involved
* how much sea level rise should we be preparing for? - new: updated sea level rise estimates
* the itinerary for the walk - now with public transport timetables
* now updated with details on public forums
* related eventsand links - new: Rod Quantock shows on the Peninsula & Islands Rising benefit this thursday (19 Nov) in St Kilda

the walk

The sea is already rising at an increasing rate because of climate change.

Scientists are predicting seas will rise globally by more than a
metre by the end of this century, and perhaps much more. For example,
melting of the Greenland ice sheet is accelerating, it contains the
equivalent of about seven metres of sea-level rise. Around the world
many thousands of communities will be lost, millions of people will be
displaced, and the map of the continents will be changed forever.

In early summer, we are planning to walk the eastern side of Port
Phillip Bay, to highlight the impacts of sea level rise on people,
communities and landscapes along the way. We will leave Sorrento on the
Mornington Peninsula, and head north along the coast, marking the one
metre level where we can with a simple marker (a stick with piece of
blue ribbon).Â

[above: Point Nepean, image: Peter McConchie: http://www.petermcconchie.com.au/]

We aim to walk between 15 and 20 kilometres a day, and we welcome
local people and organisations to join us for sections of the walk. We
will hold a number of public forums on the way (possibly one in the
southern Peninsula, one in Frankston, one in St Kilda). We aim to
finish the walk at Port Melbourne, where we will hold a press
conference.

Early next year the walk will continue along the western side of the Bay.

During the walk, we will collect still images and video grabs of
people, asking them to explain their reaction to climate change and
what they want to see the state and federal governments do to respond ,
including Kevin Rudd at Copenhagen. We will also ask people to talk
about where they live and what sea level rise would mean for them. We
will do daily video and written updates on our website so people can
follow the walk. We also expect that a range of local environmental
issues will emerge and be featured on the website. The site will also
contain substantial background materials on sea level rise and Port
Phillip Bay.

The walk will finish shortly before the international climate change
negotiations in Copenhagen. While walking, we will encourage people to
sign our 'demand climate justice' postcards, which call on the
Australian government to show leadership at Copenhagen. We are urging
the government to unconditionally commit Australia to a minimum of 40%
cuts in emissions by 2020 and a global target of well below 350 ppm of
carbon dioxide-equivalent.

The walk has been initiated by Friends of the Earth Melbourne in partnership with the Victorian Climate Action Centre.

We hope you can join us

Cam Walker, Damien Lawson, Ellen Roberts, Emma Loftus and Monique Decortis.

There will be extra information available here .

getting involved

We would be interested to hear your feedback on this proposal, specifically:

* if you would like to be involved in some way, such as joining some or all of the walk
* helping organise the walk
* hosting or organising a public meeting along the way
* helping with fund riaisng to cover costs
* preparing materials for distribution along the way

Please feel free to contact Cam Walker with your ideas: [email protected]

[above: kids on the beach, St Kilda]

[cover image on front page: Point Nepean, Peter McConchie]

How much sea level rise should we be preparing for?

[update: November 2009]:
The urgency of sea level rise is already getting more attention with two Federal government reports discussing the impacts. Both the Climate science update and the assessment of Climate Change risks to Australia's coasts, say 2 metres of sea level rise or more by the end of the century is possible.

Check here for the reports Coastal report: http://www.climatechange.gov.au/publications/coastline/climate-change-ri...

Projections for coastal inundation
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report
2007 (IPCC) projects sea-level rise by up to 0.8 metres by the end of
the century factoring in the melting of polar ice sheets. This has been
recognised by the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change and has
been adopted as a strategic policy basis by a number of states
including Victoria, in its Victorian Coastal Strategy 2008.

Subsequent research by Professor Will Steffen for the Federal
Department of Climate Change indicates that sea level rise could rise
at the upper end of the IPCC projections (Steffen 2009:1).

A report released by the 2030 Research Center (2007) draws on the
paleohistorical literature to draw a similar conclusion stating:
â€˜during the last interglacial period which occurred some 125,000 years
ago, when the earth was 2o to 3o Celsius warmer, sea level was four to
six meters higher than todayâ€™ (2030 2007:1).

Other leading scientists (Church et al 2008) have suggested an estimate of between 1 to 2 metres by 2100.
Significant uncertainty exists regarding future extent of sea level
rise beyond IPCC projections which depend on a range of factors such as
greenhouse gas emissions scenarios and rates/extent of land ice melt.

The above suggests that the IPCC forecasts are conservative
and should be treated as a minimum and a more pessimistic estimate of
sea-level rise and storm surge may be required for planning purposes. The
recently released Victorian Coastal Strategy 2008 has recognised this
by stating: â€˜As scientific data becomes available the policy of
planning for sea-level rise of not less than 0.8 metres by 2100 will be
reviewedâ€™â€™ (VCC 2008:38).

excert from Planning for coastal climate change: An insight into international and national approaches
June 2009
Prepared by
Barbara Norman â€“ Senior Researcher
Global Cities Institute
RMIT University
for the Victorian Department of Planning and Community Development

(we have added italics to the text)

[image above: Peter McConchie]

The walk - logistics and schedule

We will start each day at 8.30am and you would be very welcome to join us for a few hours. We have posted details on how to get to each start point by public transport (where it exists). Please see the very end of this section to find train and bus timetables.

See next section below for details on the public forums.

If you can't find us - or want to join us later in the day, please call Cam to find out exactly where we: 0419 338 047.

Day 1: Saturday 21st NovemberÂ
Sorrento â€“ Rosebud
Distance: 15.9km
Approx journey time: 4-5 hours
Start time: 0830h
NB: we will have a very short press conference before heading off.

Start Place: Sorrento Pier
Melways Ref: 157 B7
FoE Stall in Sorrento:Â Sorrento Pier Ref: 157 B7
FoE Stall in Rosebud:Â Point Nepean Rd / Ninth Avenue (street mall). (Ref: 158 D12)
Public Forum Venue in Rosebud: Rosebud Memorial Hall (Ref: 158 D12) 994 Point Nepean road. Start at 5pm.

Day 2: Sunday 22nd November
Rosebud â€“ Safety Beach
Distance: 8.8km
Approx journey time: 2-3 hours
Start time: 0830h
Start place: Rosebud Pier
Melways Ref: 158 E11
FoE Stall in Safety Beach:Â In Dromana â€“ 218 Point Nepean Rd â€“ Opp Dromana Pier (Ref: 159 H6)

NB: there is an event at Rosebud: 7pm Rod Quantock's new show, at Rosebud Memorial Hall

Day 3: Monday 23rd November
Safety Beach â€“ Mornington
Distance: 13.6km
Approx journey time: 3-4 hours
Start time: 0830h
Start place:Safety Beach jetty (Melways map 150 Ref: D12)

NB: we were previously going to meet at McCrae Lighthouse reserve â€“ Corner of Balmoral and Marine Drive
Melways Ref: 160 B3
FoE Stall venue in Mornington: Main Street, Mornington (Ref: 104 E11)

Day 4: Tuesday 24th November
Mornington - Frankston
Distance: (approx) 13km
Approx journey time: 3-4 hours
Start time: 0830h
Start place: Observation Point over Mills Beach
Melways Ref: 104 F9
FoE Stall venue in Frankston:Â Shannon Mall (Ref: 100A D6)

Public Forum Venue in Frankston:Â Frankston yacht club function room. (Ref: 100A A8)

Day 5: Wednesday 25th November
Frankston â€“ Mordialloc
Distance: 16.2km
Approx journey time: 4-5 hours
Start time: 0830h
Start place: Frankston Pier

Melways Ref: 102 B3
FoE Stall Venue in Mordialloc: Centre Way / Nepean Hwy Service Lane (Ref: 92 E1)

Day 6: Thursday 26th November
Mordialloc â€“ St. Kilda
Distance: 22.3km
Approx journey time: 5-6 hours
Start time: 0830h
Start place: Mordialloc Pier
Melways Ref:Â 92 E2
FoE Stall Venue in St. Kilda: Acland Street (Ref 57 J10)
Public Forum Venue in St. Kilda: 66 Fitzroy Street.Â (Ref: 2P B4)

Day 7 (Final): Friday 27th November
St. Kilda â€“ Station Pier, Port Melbourne
Distance: 5.2km
Approx journey time: 1-2 hours
Start time: 0830h
Start place: St. Kilda Pier
Melways Ref: 57 J10
Finish: Station Pier, Port Melbourne (Ref: 57 A4)

[please see below for full details on the public forums]

[In April 2009, 110km/hour winds trashed Frankston Pier. This
occured under 'normal' tide conditions - that is, nowhere near a king
tide. Image: Richard Laverack]

Port Phillip Rising - public forums

Sea level rise, climate change and our community

We will be holding a series of public forums during the walk, which will discuss:

Â Â Â climate change impacts on Port Phillip Bay â€“ what does it mean for local communities? What does it mean for local ecosystems?
Â Â Â What must we do to prevent catastrophic climate change and sea level rise?

PUBLIC FORUMS:

SaturdayÂ November 21

ROSEBUD
Venue: Rosebud Memorial Hall, 994 Point Nepean Road, Rosebud. Melway Ref: 158 D12
Time: 5pm
Speakers:

Â Â Â Damien Lawson (Friends of the Earth): on the Port Phillip walk, and climate change impacts on Victoria
Â Â Â Craig Thomson (AWARE): Craig will talk about the threats of sea level rise and climate change to our local fauna, such as the orange bellied parrot, Australian fur seal and hooded plover. Aware was formed in 2005 to assist sick and injured wildlife in the sandbelt region of metropolitan Melbourne
Â Â Â Karri Giles (Western Port Peninsula Protection Council) on climate change in the Westernport catchment, the Bitumen facility at Crib pt, the Frankston Freeway extension and the Port of Hastings proposal.
Â Â Â Anton Vigenser (Clean Ocean Foundation). Sea rise and the impacts on outfalls and sewerage infrastructure

Local supporters: Southern Peninsula Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association (SPIFFA),Â Western Port Peninsula Protection Council (WPPC).

Tuesday November 24
FRANKSTON

venue: Frankston Yacht Club Function Room, Long Island Drive, Frankston (Melways map 100A)
time:Â 6pm

speakers:

Â Â Â Ellen Roberts (Friends of the Earth): on the Port Phillip walk, and climate change impacts on Victoria
Â Â Â David Spratt â€“ one of the authors of Climate Code Red, on what we must do to avoid dangerous climate change
Â Â Â Richard Laverack (Friends of Frankston): Richard will talk about plans to expand the Port of Hastings.
Â Â Â Craig Thomson (AWARE): Craig will talk about the threats of sea level rise and climate change to our local fauna, such as the orange bellied parrot, Australian fur seal and hooded plover. Aware was formed in 2005 to assist sick and injured wildlife in the sandbelt region of metropolitan Melbourne.

The forum will be followed by a showing of the film The Age of Stupid, starting at 8 pm.

Local community supporters: Frankston Greens,Â Friends of Frankston
Supported by Frankston City CouncilÂ

Thurs November 26
ST KILDA
venue:
St Kilda Bowling Club
66 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
Time: 6.30pm
http://www.stkildabowlingclub.com.au/

speakers:

Â Â Â Ellen Roberts: on the Port Phillip walk, and climate change impacts on Victoria
Â Â Â Neil Blake: Neil will talk about the issue of radionuclides in Yarra sediments being dumped in the Bay. He believes a total review of the disposal of Yarra dredge spoil in the Bay is needed. www.bay-keeper.comÂ Â Â

Supported by St Kilda Bowling Club

All forums are free â€“ donations are welcome.

If your local group would like to hold a stall, please contact Cam Walker: [email protected]

[above: The Pines Reserve, Frankston]

Parallel and related events

We will add more soon

ISLANDS RISING BENEFIT GIG

THURS 19TH NOVEMBER AT THE ESPY 8PM

Come join us for a great night down at the Espy in St Kilda with
Tuvaluan born Lia Avene and many more acts from Pacific communities
here in Melbourne, as we show to our Islander neighbours that when it
counts, they can count on us!

Everyone knows about climate change and that sea levels are rising
by the day; this is our way of showing that we understand that there
are real people being affected by this and that we are ready to do
everything we can to help.

The Carteret Islands community are among the world's first climate
refugees. They are currently starting to re-locate from their small
atolls 80 km north of Bougainville, PNG, due to rising sea levels. We
have decided to lend a hand and pool our resources to let them know
that WE CARE.

Full details here.

Bugger the Polar Bears, This is Serious

Rod Quantock and the Frankston and Peninsula Australian Greens

Present to Frankston

Arguably the most important show in human history

"Rod says everything you want to say, everything you want to scream. He's right, but Bugger The Polar Bears - This Is Serious. It's more than just catharsis for greenies. Much more" - AustralianStage.com.au

"Changing the world is never so much fun as when you do it in the company of Rod Quantock." - Susan Provan, Director, Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Proudly sponsored by the Frankston and Peninsula Branches of the Australian Greens

Two Shows on the Peninsula!

Dates

7:00pm 22nd November - Rosebud Memorial Hall 994 Point Nepean Road, Rosebud Mel Ref: 158 D12

7:00pm 29th November - Seaford Community Centre cnr Station and Broughton Sts Seaford Mel Ref: 99 D3

Tickets at door

Full $25.00
Concession $20.00
Passionate about climate change $35

Note: tickets are limited, pre [email protected]
(tickets must be collected at door 30 minutes prior to performance)

More info
Contact Alan â€“ 0408 334 032

"A WALK IN THE PINES" - Frankston
NOVEMBER 29th

The route through which the government plans to build the Frankston bypass is a critically important habitat corridor.

The 20 odd kilometre swathe cut into the landscape from Carrum Downs will destroy an extraordinarily rare patch of Herb Rich Grassy Wetland. The Department of Sustainability and Environment says it canâ€™t be replaced. The road will plough through 60% of the Belvedere Reserve in Seaford, the Pobblebonk/Willow Reserve and the Wittenberg Reserves in Langwarrin, destroy a pristine remnant at the heritage listed Westerfield property and bisect precious farmland the length of the Moorooduc Plain.

Visit the "Save the Pines" website;Â http://www.savethepines.net/index.php/news/