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Is It Time for Maroubra to Get Rid of Shark Nets?

Photo Credit: Photographs by Gnangarra...commons.wikimedia.org, CC BY 2.5 AU /Wikimedia Commons

Maroubra is among the 51 beach locations where the Shark Meshing Program is being implemented. Do you think it’s time to get rid of the shark nets?

Some NSW coastal areas could soon be ditching shark nets altogether if plans of letting each council area decide for itself pushes through.

Agriculture Minister Dugald recently confirmed that the state government is in talks with councils about the future of the current shark bite mitigation program. Among those who have shown strong support for the removal of the shark nets is Central Coast MP Adam Crouch, and if he could have his way, he would like his electorate to be the first region to do so.

Wollongong’s Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery also expressed his support for the proposal stating that there are better approaches to protecting both human life and the marine environment.

Randwick Council is also calling for a change in the current shark net program and expressed their full support for the additional shark mitigation measures including SMART drum lines and listening stations by voting to take part in the trial.

*Grey nurse shark*
*Photo Credit: The original uploader was Jlencion at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 2.5 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5>/Wikimedia Commons*

Since 1937, shark nets have been deployed on Sydney’s beaches as a measure to reduce the risk of shark attacks. The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) manages the deployment of these nets at 51 NSW beaches, including Maroubra, from September to April each year.

A 2021-21 Annual Performance Report, however, showed that out of the 376 marine animals that were caught in the shark nets during the period from 1 September 2021 to 30 April 2022, an overwhelming 85 per cent or 325 were non-target animals.

Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Photo Credit: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>/Wikimedia Commons

Threatened or protected species that were caught includes 28 white sharks, 14 green turtles, 16 leatherback turtles, 14 grey nurse sharks and 4 loggerhead turtles.

Moreover, during the period, there was one reported human-shark interaction at a meshed beach involving a surfer who was bumped by an unidentified shark at Maroubra Beach in early March 2022.

Also, there were seven verified interactions at unmeshed beaches, three of which happened in the shark meshing region including a spearfisher who was uninjured after fending off a white shark at Magic Point, Maroubra (just one kilometre south of the closest meshed beach) in March 2022.

Early this year, the NSW Government announced that it will invest an additional $85 million in shark mitigation technology including SMART drum lines and SMART listening stations.

Coral Sea Park Inclusive Playspace Now Open

Children of varying ages and abilities can now play at Coral Sea Park Inclusive Playspace, the newest playspace in Maroubra that opened as part of the state-supported Everybody Can Play program.

Read: Residents Divided Over Toilet Block Plans for Malabar Rock Pool

Designed to include everyone in the community, the new space is equipped with slides and swings for bigger kids, sensory play for toddlers, toddler swing, wheelchair accessible carousel, and more outdoor furniture including a drinking fountain.

Children of all abilities can play together, including those with physical disabilities, mobility impairments or spectrum disorders such as autism.

The project was made possible through the NSW Government’s Everybody Can Play program, which provided a total of $200,000 in funding to upgrade the existing playground at Coral Sea Park.

As part of the initiative, Molly’s Memorial was also re-established in honour of Melissa Anne “Molly” Dunn, who died at the park in 2012.

Kids from around the neighbourhood came in to see the official opening of the park on 3 August 2022.

Children and adults had fun spending the sunny afternoon and the free ice cream, coffee and bubbles as well as live music whilst playing on the new equipment.

Randwick City Mayor Dylan Parker graced the event alongside Minister for Planning and Homes Anthony Roberts, Member for Maroubra Michael Daley, and Member for Coogee Marjorie O’Neill.

“An inclusive playspace means it is easy for people to get to the playground and to access the equipment, there are a variety of items they can interact with and there is shading and seating that allows families or carers to stay for as long as they want,” said Mayor Dylan Parker.

“It’s important to us that there is equal access to our open spaces for all people, whatever their ability and I’m looking forward to seeing the enjoyment this will bring to so many families,” he said.

Seal Population Recovering From Near Extinction

Photo Credit: Johnathon Keller / Pexels

In 2015, one lucky baby seal that was badly injured after a shark attack and found in a rock pool at Malabar made a full recovery after being treated at Taronga Wildlife Hospital. But did you know that from the early 1800s to the early 20th century, Australian fur seals and sea lions were almost hunted to extinction?

In the early 1800s, fur seals and sea lions were commercially hunted for their hides and were even culled because they were thought to be competing with local fishermen. Almost a million skins were known to have been traded from Australia and New Zealand during that time. And by the early 20th century, their population dwindled to just about 20,000.

Thanks to conservation efforts, their population somewhat recovered from near extinction. According to a study published in 2015 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, the total population of long-nosed fur seals across Australia and New Zealand was estimated to be around 200,000.

The Australian sea lion population, however, is still far from making a full recovery; in fact, they are declining. Research published last year in Endangered Species Research estimated that based on data from 80 breeding sites, the Australian sea lion population has declined by 64 per cent over the last four decades.

12 weeks into Sydney lockdown, Benny the Seal has returned to Bennelong Point.

Nature is healing. pic.twitter.com/tjyYTRV0hO
— Sydney Opera House (@SydOperaHouse) September 13, 2021

In Sydney, there have been several pinniped sightings in the past years, including the one found at Malabar. But unlike the baby seal at Malabar, a seal spotted in 2018 was not as lucky. Nicknamed “Sealvester”, the animal died just a few weeks after the City of Sydney put up a fence below the stairway to prevent him from entering Rushcutters Bay Park. He had wounds on his eye and flippers and was found to be underweight.

But perhaps the most talked about sighting of them all was that of a long-nosed fur seal who found his way onto the Sydney Opera House in 2014. “Benny” has been a frequent visitor and has been delighting Sydneysiders since then.

Australian fur seals are mostly found throughout the islands of Bass Strait, and parts of Tasmania, South Australia, Southern Victoria and southern NSW. Whilst Australian sea lions have restricted distribution in South Australia and Western Australia.

Australian fur seals and sea lions are protected by law.

Why Join a Tour of the Randwick Recycle Centre in Matraville?

Did you know that a guided tour of the Randwick Recycle Centre in Matraville is happening soon to give residents an opportunity to find out where their waste materials, recyclables, and organics go?

It will be a most informative day for those in attendance, who will acquire new knowledge that will inspire them to recycle more and spread the word to their neighbours, family and friends.

The guided tour of the Randwick Recycle Centre in Matraville will take place on Saturday, 6 Aug 2022, with eight schedules spread out from 9:00 a.m. to 1:35 p.m. Each tour will last between 50 minutes to an hour, with opportunities for the guests to ask questions.

Whilst the event is free, the slots are limited. So, guests will have to secure a ticket to one of the schedules. Participants are enjoined to bring their own water bottle and wear a hat and sunscreen for their protection.

Per Council’s instruction, “tour participants to make their own way to 72 Perry Street Matraville and assemble outside the centre at least 15 minutes before the start of the tour to check-in. Participants to sign the attendance sheet before the tour starts.”

Those in attendance are expected to strictly follow the marked paths and resist touching anything.

After the tour, they will be asked to complete a feedback form and then enjoy the BBQ.

SECURE TICKETs

Meanwhile, the Randwick Recycle Centre is also conducting free information sessions on modern cloth nappies and their economic and environmental benefits. This is for parents, carers, and grandparents.

Check with Council for future schedules.

New NSW Law Bans Matraville Incinerator

Photo Credit: No More Incinerators Eastern Suburbs / Facebook

A huge win for the Matraville community. The controversial plan to establish an incinerator in this southeastern Sydney suburb will no longer be able to move forward following the passing of the NSW EPA Protection of the Environment Operations (General) Amendment (Thermal Energy from Waste) Regulation law.

“These new laws mean Veolia’s (formerly SUEZ) unpopular proposal to transport truckloads of rubbish to burn at the Opal paper mill in Matraville is officially dead – it cannot happen.” – Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker

On 28 July 2022, the amendments were passed into law and now form part of the Protection of the Environment Operations (General) Regulation 2021. That meant new energy-from-waste operations (subject to limited exceptions) are now banned except in four designated precincts namely: West Lithgow Precinct, Parkes Special Activation Precinct, Richmond Valley Regional Jobs Precinct and Southern Goulburn Mulwaree Precinct.

“Outside these areas, energy from waste will only be permitted if the facilities use waste, or waste-derived feedstock to replace less environmentally sound fuels to generate energy at the site, and where that energy is used to power industrial and manufacturing processes on-site.” – NSW Environment Protection Authority

“The NSW Government has gazetted new regulations amending the Protection of the Environment Operations Act to ban waste to energy facilities in the Sydney basin,” Randwick City Mayor Dylan Parker said, adding that he was very pleased with the news. He also called on Veolia, formerly SUEZ, to withdraw its proposal from the planning system which he said was a “bad idea”.

“This is huge news for our community who have been living with this dark cloud hanging over them for three years.

“Our community has fought this ill-conceived idea tooth and nail from the very beginning.

Mayor Parker also congratulated and thanked the members of the community including the Nor Matraville Incinerator community group, the Randwick and Bayside Councillors, State Member Michael Daley, Federal Member Matt Thistlethwaite, the Matraville Precinct, and Matraville locals Mike Whitney and Russel Fairfax who have tirelessly campaigned against the proposed waste-to-energy facility.

“This is a win for people, it’s a win for common sense, and it sends a message that industry cannot trample over the environment and the community for their own benefit.”

Veolia proposed the $250 million 60m high Matraville incinerator back in 2019 to generate power for the Opal Paper Mill. The plant is proposed to run 24/7 and will burn an estimated 165,000 tonnes of construction and other non-organic waste material each year.

The proposal did not sit well with the locals and businesses since it would mean that the incinerator, which is proposed to be built less than 100 metres from a residential area, will produce toxic pollutants that will potentially have a negative impact on the residents in eastern and southeastern Sydney suburbs.

The “No More Incinerators” group said that the proposed incinerator would benefit Opal in “terms of energy costs, and increase the profit to the shareholders” whilst the community gains nothing from the project but instead “the health of more than 500,000 residents of Sydney Eastern Suburbs, including indigenous population, will be affected by the proposed incinerator.”

Residents Divided Over Toilet Block Plans for Malabar Rock Pool

Despite a public consultation two years ago, residents are still divided over the plans to construct a toilet block near Malabar Rock Pool. Some locals who oppose the construction have petitioned to drop the project.

Elizabeth Lloyd, who started the petition, believes that there must be other priorities for improving the pool facilities, such as fixing the pool pump that repeatedly breaks down, than a toilet block.

Ms Lloyd is a regular swimmer at the ocean pool for two decades. She said that if there is a toilet block closer to the pool then more people will be encouraged to stay longer.

The locals are concerned that this will create more pollution and garbage, affecting the fragile ecosystem around the pool area. There has been some precedent to this concern because they had to clean up after people who illegally camped out in the area overnight last summer.

Regular pool users also do not want the new toilet block to “compromise the sparse parking space at the lower carpark.”

The nearest toilet facilities are either at Cromwell Park, some 700 metres away, or at the Randwick Golf Club. Still, some residents said they need the toilet block near the Malabar Rock Pool.

“The pool is for all to use not just locals. The nearest public toilets are at least 300 metres away at the beach. Parents can’t walk children there and back in the summer heat,” one resident said.

Randwick City Council has allocated $360,000 to build the toilet block, which gained favor from over 70 per cent of the respondents during the public consultation in July 2020. Council is currently undertaking the design work to develop a concept plan for such amenities. A public exhibition of the toilet block’s design is expected to be released in late 2022.

A spokesperson from the Council also said that other issues requiring remediation and repair work are actively in place. There are no requirements to prioritise one project over the other.

Unexpected $100-K Cash Boost for Maroubra Man Will Bring Him to Queensland

A Maroubra man is off to plan his holiday in Queensland after getting an unexpected $100,000 cash boost. He was excited about the unexpected windfall but he didn’t expect to hit the jackpot!

The Eastern Sydney local received a notification about his win on his cellphone but he ignored the call from the officials of The Lott because he thought they were calling to sell him a new energy package.

So, he walked to the office to verify the notification and was floored to learn he was going to get the $100,000 prize from the Super Jackpot draw.

“I thought, ‘oh, that’s cool – a little win on that one,” he told himself after getting the notification.

“Then I realised it said $100,000! all I could think was, ‘that’s not right, I don’t know about this!'”

This was his second purchase of the Super Jackpot ticket from the official site.

“I usually only purchase tickets when there’s a big jackpot! I plan to help someone who deserves it and celebrate with a holiday in Queensland.”

Per The Lott: “The Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot prize is now $11.57 million for draw 1579, while the Lucky Lotteries Super Jackpot prize is now $17.18 million for draw 10603.

In 2021, 127 1st Prize and Jackpot winning entries across Australia won more than $32.95 million. During this time, the biggest prize was won by a Coolangatta man who a Mega Jackpot prize of $9.41 million in May.

Last financial year, Australia’s official lotteries contributed more than $1.5 billion via state lottery taxes and donations to help community initiatives, such as hospitals, health research, disaster relief and education.”

Matraville Local Maria Reilly Celebrates 104th Birthday With a Prominent Guest

Matraville resident Maria Reilly had only one wish for her 104th birthday. She wanted to celebrate with someone she admires, except no one knew if he could be there because he’s quite a busy man.

But to her and her family’s surprise, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet dropped by, with yellow roses on hand. Ms Reilly said it was one of the best birthdays in her long life. Family members, some of whom have flown in to celebrate the milestone, said that they have not seen their 104-year-old grandmother smile that much in a long time.

Ms Reilly, who has claimed she’s always voted Liberal, has admired the Premier because he is not just a good Catholic man but he’s also “very good looking, even more handsome in real life.”

Premier makes Maria’s 104th a forget-me-not – https://t.co/W7it8W28ww pic.twitter.com/a1oUiOXpT1
— The Catholic Weekly (@catholic_weekly) June 3, 2022

Mr Perrottet indulged her with all of her questions about his job and his private life. She nudged him to have baby number eight because it’s a lucky number in her culture. The Premier has six daughters and a son.

The 104-year-old mom, who was from Malaysia, was visiting Australia in the 1970s to attend her daughter’s wedding. She decided to apply for residency and worked at the Water Board for 40 years.

Years later, Maria Reilly retired and met Jim Rielly whilst volunteering at Vinnies. They married at the age of 80 years old.

She is a devoted parishioner of St Agnes Matraville, where she goes to mass every Saturday evening. The 104-year-old mom is also a member of The Castlereagh (Catholic Club Limited).

Work on $16-Million Upgrader Package for Malabar Biomethane Project Begins

Work has started for the $16-million Malabar Biomethane project that will deliver Australia’s first biomethane-to-gas network.

Jemena signed a partnership with Sydney Water to construct the Malabar Biomethane project upgrader that will then be exported into Jemena’s NSW gas distribution network. The upgraders work to remove the water, carbon dioxide, and other gas contaminants from the wastewater so that renewable biomethane.

The initiative is expected to reduce 5,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, which may be comparable to taking 4,500 cars off the road. The biomethane project has the potential for increased 11,0000 tonnes of carbon emissions thus becoming a significant contributor to the NSW Government’s Net Zero Plan, which aims to cut emissions by 35 per cent by 2030.

“Fabricating the upgrader package in Australia is a great step towards helping to build a new design and manufacturing industry which will support our renewable energy transition,” Gabrielle Sycamore, Jemena’s General Manager of Renewable Gas, said.

“We’re excited about the potential for bioenergy and biofuels to help decarbonise sectors of our economy, like manufacturing, which rely on gas as a feedstock, as well as provide renewable gas for customers to use at home.

“Biomethane production is a great example of creating a circular economy – it keeps products and materials in use, reducing the production of new waste and pollution, and regenerating natural systems.

“Projections indicate that by the start of the next decade, with the right policy support, the bioenergy sector could create about 26,200 jobs.”

Per Sydney Water, “The Malabar Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), located near the Malabar Headland National Park, is one of Sydney Water’s multiple Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plants. The bulk of the current AD Biogas output is used for electrical power generation and water heating. The balance of biogas that cannot be used via site processes is combusted through waste gas burners.”

The Malabar Biomethane project is expected to finish by the end of the year. For more information, refer to Jemena’s official site.

Matraville Soldiers’ Settlement Public School Joins NSW’s New School Hours Trial By Term 3

Eight schools in New South Wales, including Matraville Soldiers’ Settlement Public School, may shift to new school hours as part of a trial that will scrap the traditional 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. school day.

The shifted school hours, which will begin by Term 3 (18 July 2022), are expected to run for 20 weeks in partnership with local businesses, sporting clubs, and community organisations that will be offering high-quality after-school activities for the children.

The initiative will also allow busy parents to manage their time, especially with congested pick-ups and drop-offs that eat up their hours for work and other important obligations mid-morning or mid-afternoon.

Matraville dad David Chalmers welcomed the change. He has two kids attending Matraville Soldiers’ Settlement Public who are eager to try out new activities after their classes as they wait for their parents to be done with work.

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A post shared by Soldiers’ Settlement PS (@soldierssettlementps)

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said that schools joining the pilot are not expected to change their teaching hours but they now have the option to tap other sectors to expand and implement activities that will support the needs of the kids “whilst their parents manage commitments.”

“The reality is that the traditional school day, like the 9 to 5 workday, is a 20th-century concept which may not be the best model for 21st-century families, schools and the community,” Ms Mitchell said.

“This research pilot will give us a better understanding of what schools are already doing, and how we can expand on or implement effective practices at similar schools.”

“We want to offer greater support and comfort to parents, knowing that their kids are safe and happy taking part in a homework club in the school library, a dance class in the school hall or soccer practice on the school oval,” Premier Dominic Perrottet said.

The schools participating in this pilot research are:

Cawdor Public School
Hanwood Public School
Hastings Secondary College
Kentlyn Public School
Matraville Soldier’s Settlement Public School
Orange High School
Spring Hill Public School
Tacking Point Public School