Branching out: a Moorabool paddle - on the rocks

On Saturday I decided to investigate a section of the Moorabool River which I had not yet seen - by kayak. I knew there would be obstacles, rocky sections and probably fallen trees and that at this time of year, water levels would be low. Boy, was I right! But that was only the beginning.
The section in question was the 10km stretch of river between Batesford and Fyansford which in recent decades has had an interesting history which I wasn't fully aware of before we began our paddle.

Old Batesford Bridge beside the Midland Highway

Starting from the back of the Batesford Hotel in Batesford, the first part of our paddle took us past farms and beneath the Moorabool River Reserve off Dog Rocks Road which I have walked before. The river alternated between deeper pools or short stretches of water and shallows which required some manoeuvring to negotiate, not to mention the masses of azolla which is currently choking the river through this section.

Azolla carpeting the surface of the river near the Moorabool River Reserve

At one point we discovered this pretty (but environmentally inappropriate) little pool, formed partly by a man-made rock weir and surrounded by exotic plantings such as willow and ash:


Small weir below Batesford

As we passed beneath the Dog Rocks Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, owned by the Belcher family since the 1850s, we encountered our first rocky obstacle, which required us to exit the kayaks and clamber around. No problem. A couple of photos and we were on our way again...

The first of many...

...only to be confronted by another rock pile, and another, and another as we slowly worked our way downstream. None of them were insurmountable and the water was relatively shallow however, it did make for slow progress and I was soon convinced that there would be no returning the way we had come. Of course, added water flow at other times of the year may change the situation, but whether increased flow would make continuous passage easier or just create further difficulties when hauling over rocks, I don't know.
In addition to the rocks, previous flooding events have also ensured that there was also the occasional large bank of driftwood to be negotiated too:

Log and rock jam

So, we continued in this fashion, paddling short sections and then exiting the kayaks to pick our way through, around or over various obstacles. At some points, the river is little more than a rocky creek bed making paddling impossible, however we pressed on and eventually, the rocks came to an end.

Paddling really wasn't an option here

 And that is where I intend to finish this post. The next instalment of the journey is an interesting one which will require some historical background and a bit of research before I post it, but the next 3-4km stretch of our paddle took us through a section of the river which didn't exist more than a few decades ago.

What's news?

Over the last week or so for one reason or another the Barwon seems to have been in the news.
Recent articles reported first on the opening of the "new" Troop Loop running track at the beginning of July. At about the same time it was announced that the controversial "William Buckley" pedestrian bridge over the river at Barwon Heads had won an award at the Victorian Architecture Awards. A decision which still causes disagreement amongst the local community. And then there was a flurry of media interest in the proposed removal of elm and ash trees along the river at Fyans Park, which continues to the present with an article posted yesterday - 14th August,  2012 - describing the adverse effects of so called "woody weeds" on our river systems. Today the Geelong News featured a letter  titled "River is no place for ash trees" and the Geelong Times carried an article featuring Councillor Strech Kontelj and John Bampfield, a former parks officer involved with planting the trees in the late 1950s. Its headline  "Let the tees grow, says their grower" gives an indication of the article's leaning. Directly beneath it is a letter to the editor pleading the opposite viewpoint.
On 7th August a small article appeared in the Geelong Advertiser with the headline Trail tracks way to cycle safety. The article concerned the "opening" of a new section of track providing an off-road path for pedestrians and cyclists between Barrabool Road and the boat ramp opposite the rowing sheds. Prior to its construction this cyclists and pedestrians shared the roadway with motor vehicles, so it is definitely an improvement.

Partially completed track under the Moorabool St Bridge in April, 2012

I was however, a little surprised that this small section of track required an official "opening", especially considering it had been to all appearances completed and available for public use since some time in early May if my memory serves me correctly. The article also made the interesting claim that this new section of track takes pedestrians and cyclists off "the busy Moorabool Street Bridge". Given that the track and the roadway it removes traffic from run under the bridge in question, I fail to see how this provides an alternative to crossing the bridge itself. In fact, the new track also provides sealed access to the top of the bridge where pedestrians and cyclists can use the perfectly safe, purpose-designed path which was added to the bridge for exactly this purpose in time for the World Cycling Championships back in September 2010.

The finished product, looking upstream under the Moorabool St, James
Harrison and McIntyre Bridges

The next mention of the Barwon in the news was this Monday 13th August, 2012 when the Advertiser declared: Man rescued from Barwon when it appears that a man in his 60s slipped after crossing the weir at Buckley Falls - despite signage indicating that the weir should not be used for crossing the river - whilst attempting to retrieve a remote-controlled boat. The man was carried downstream and become stranded on a rock. All ended well however, with his rescue about two hours later by the SES.



Ashes to ashes or a nightmare on Elm Street?

Well, neither just yet.Further to my post last week "Time for a tree change?", I think it is time for an update on the elm/ash trees along the Barwon in Newtown. Today - 1st August - the local papers are trumpeting the news: the trees have been granted a temporary reprieve from getting the chop.

Elm and ash trees along the Barwon live to see another day

The Advertiser ran with the headline: Barwon River trees win reprieve. The Geelong News declared on page three that the "Trees are still standing" and the Geelong Times put on a double-paged pictorial spread with the headline: "CoGG* v CCMA in battle of the elms" which was quick to point out not only the current issue, but to highlight the value of all trees to humans and animals alike. The Independent however, could only muster a two paragraph note on the issue, tucked away at the edge of page three.
So why all the fanfare? Well, the community rally held on-site at the week-end saw a petition signed by some 640 people, making it clear to the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) that there was significant community interest in the issue. White bands were tied around the trunks of the trees to indicate "hope". Earlier during the week at a council meeting, a motion was tabled by Councillor Stretch Kontelj moving for a halt to the trees' removal until their historic and cultural significance can be determined.

The trees with their white bands

Whilst there is no heritage overlay on the trees, it is questioned whether they may have historical connections to the former City of Newtown which may have been instrumental in their planting. It was noted that the CCMA's Barwon and Moorabool River Reserve Masterplan and Management Plan for the Barwon and Moorabool Rivers (published 2006) included the retention of similar non-native species a short distance upriver at Queen's Park. And the Barwon (Through Geelong) Management Plan indicates that the trees should be maintained with an underplanting of native trees which would eventually replace the ashes as they die. The key points of the report including a graphic map can also be viewed here.

Stand of non-native trees near Queen's Park Golf Course

Councillor Kontelj has proposed that the trees be moved to a heritage register to ensure their protection for the future. He is also campaigning for the support of local politicians. The motion was unanimously supported by council and as a result of these initiatives, the CCMA have agreed to postpone any action until a resolution has been reached.

* For those not in the know, CoGG stands for City of Greater Geelong.

Time for a tree change?

Trouble is afoot and controversy is brewing on the banks of the Barwon.
Over the last week or so, a furor has erupted over the by the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) to remove 15 elm and ash trees which line the river bank in Newtown near the bottom of West Fyans Street.

Elm/ash trees by the Barwon listed for removal

The removal, which constitutes part of a larger plan by the CCMA to improve the health of the Barwon River through Geelong, has been on the cards for some time and is planned for some time in August. The CCMA have already removed a number of trees along other sections of the river from Princes Bridge to Landy Field but as far as I could see none formed part of an avenue of trees and their removal seems to have gone unremarked in the local media at least.
As with any disagreement, there are arguments for and against both view points. Those who argue in favour of keeping the trees point to their aesthetic appeal, provision of recreational shade, historical association with the Geelong community and that their removal will leave a significant gap in the treescape for quite some time. They also indicate a lack of community consultation on the issue.

Leaflet produced by Save Barwon River Trees group

The other side of the debate argues that introduced species of trees contribute to the degradation of waterways, potentially causing riverbank erosion leading to loss of habitat for native fauna; an increase in the nutrient levels of the water contributing to more frequent blue green algae outbreaks; and are able to propagate further by the movement of seeds downriver. Conversely, replacement with native trees will eliminate these problems and provide additional habitat for native fauna. To that end, new native plantings have been installed - one gum tree for each of the elms which is to be removed.

Existing ash/elms with newly-planted eucalypts

I have not investigated the issue in any great detail, however I have yet to see any indication of exactly how much of a problem these particular trees are.
Following is a list of articles and webpages which I have located at this point:

• Those who are against the proposed removal have set up a page on Facebook (where the debate appears to be raging) at the following address: Save Barwon River Trees
• There is also a link to a petition calling for a halt to the proposed felling: Petition
• This morning on the 26th July, the Geelong Advertiser ran the following article: City Hall goes into battle to save elms
• The Geelong News of Wednesday, 25th July covered the issue on its front page, The Independent which arrived in my mailbox today, dated 27th July carries a small article on the topic on page 5 and I believe that the Geelong Times also printed an article on the 12th July.
• The CCMA has the following article: Improving the health of the Barwon River
• Whilst this report on management of the Barwon through Geelong by the CCMA may also be of interest: Barwon (through Geelong) Management Plan

Happier times: the trees in April, 2011

And on another note for those interested, I gather that the Save Barwon River Trees group will be holding rallies and community days on-site this week-end between 10am and 3pm.
Note: my subsequent post on the topic can be read here.