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 How luck we are to be able to meet an
Echidna on the path as we take our morning constitutional. And how
luck we are to be able to see the grey woolly bottom of a Koala
disappearing over Sue Byrnes’ paling fence.
How many other people in other places can still walk the beach
and see the sun go down as they watch the Ibis and white faced
herons fishing in the rock pools?
How many of today’s children who never come to Somers have swum
with Dolphins, watched crabs in the rock pools, raced their bikes
along winding bush tracks, seen the Shearwaters setting off for
Siberia as they played safely in the bush?
As some areas of the Foreshore are protected for all time from
development and exploitation by being Crown Land Reserve our
privileges are guaranteed. This is a blessing and a responsibility
for us all.
The Somers Foreshore Committee of Management has been appointed,
by the Minister for Planning, to protect, restore, maintain and
sustain the coast for all future generations and all present
Victorians.
The lucky people who currently carry this burden are Carl
Carthy, Ian Law, Christine Howard, Brent Hall, Peter Hohaus, James
Sutton, Del Skinner, Roger Richards and Rosemary Birney – there is
no reason for the order of the list- every committee member is as
important as the next.
Everyone in Somers must be aware of the multi ability track
built from Haven Street to the store car park, along the Eastern
cliffs that is part of the Somers Foreshore Reserve. Most people
would now be aware that the path has been extended east with good
access to the lower path and the Williams Point Track. This path
extension was made possible by Esso/BHP, Brett Votols and Hans
Fortuyn and we owe them all an enormous thank you!!!
The eastern cliffs are the current and major area being
addressed by the C of M. The achievements so far have really made
an enourmous difference.
The south side of the Eastern Cliff top path has been planted
with low growing grassy heath that connects the significant She Oak
stands with a biodiverse habitat corridor.
These plantings take up ground water that would otherwise flow
across the area and over the cliffs - threaten the cliffs and the
sand dunes below. These cliff top plantings are ‘a work in
progress’ and will need a lot of work before they are self
sustaining. Being indigenous plants they will eventually out
compete the weeds as their density increases - as long as we all
give them a hand.
The next step that needs to be taken on the Eastern Cliff tops
is to increase the biodiversity and density of the plantings, only
then will the soil begin to improve, as the needed fungus and
microbes populate the soil. Then we will find Heath and other
wildflowers growing in the grasses!
And now everyone can help
The neighbours can help by planting some habitat areas in their
gardens. These will not only take up ground water but will also
provide shelter and food for the Local fauna.
The walkers can help by keeping their eyes open and noting any
changes, for the better or the worse, and letting the committee
know what is going on.
Everyone can volunteer a little time even if it is only to pull
one weed or pick up one piece of rubbish or to come and say how
much you like what is being done.
Or if you can spare some money perhaps you’d consider making a
donation, as some very generous residents of Somers have done
already.
Or perhaps you’d offer your expertise to the Committee.
You can all help in so many different ways and the Committee of
Management would love you to get involved.
The Committee of Management and the Volunteers are a pretty
terrific mob and we’d like to say ‘thank you’ to all the wonderful
workers - and we’d be so pleased to welcome you too, into our
group!
Contact Somers Committee of Management.
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