Please have your say about the future of 20 Wangara Rd, Sandringham, the former golf driving range. Council has embarked on making the 6 hectare site available for the community for “interactive passive open space with an environmental focus”, and FoNW supports that goal. Go to https://yoursay.bayside.vic.gov.au/future-use-wangara-road-site to add your comments and ideas - the community consultation period ends on Wednesday 28 February.
Friends of Native Wildlife Inc. will be making a submission, and there's a summary below. We encourage all members to have a say - you don't have to agree with what we're suggesting, but please lend your voice to try and ensure an outcome we will all be happy with.
Many members will know the area. We have had “Help Our Bronzewings” planting days there to enhance habitat for the bronzewings and other wildlife. It is a former landfill site and there are requirements from the Environmental Protection Authority for capping the landfill. Much of the park cannot be built on, nor can deep-rooted trees be planted.
FoNW Ideas
Some of our ideas:
- A conservation area for the locally rare Bronzewing Pigeon.
- General habitat enhancement to encourage birds, bats, insects, reptiles, amphibians and mammals, through increased plant diversity and structure, nesting boxes, logs and provision of water for wildlife.
- A range of planting designs and environments from very natural to more decorative, using indigenous plants to demonstrate their variety, beauty, habitat roles and usefulness for home gardens.
- A pathway network providing for various abilities to immerse people in the environment. Adequate seating throughout.
- Informal resting, relaxing and socialising areas.
- Interpretive signage.
- Plantings and seating for pollinator observation.
- A Friends/volunteering program to establish and maintain the site.
- An educational program.
- Supporting amenities such as shelters and toilets.
