EXPOSING DEVELOPERS WHO FAIL TO APPRECIATE AND RESPECT COMMUNITY, ENVIRONMENT AND SPIRIT OF THE LAND
King Parrot Creek (Melways 408 P10).
14-3-02
Update
A well known Melbourne developer ( he wants to build the tallest structure in the world) has removed the stream side vegetation on King Parrot Ck. The next flood will probably remove his paddock. It would be funny if it wasn't so tragic.
About 100 indigenous trees, including Blackwoods were removed from this site. The creeks riparian zone is supposed to be protected 20 metres on each side of the creek, but that didn't stop these 'cowboys' from running amuck. Many of the trees would have to have been chainsawed from within the creek itself. The local Catchment Management Authority has failed to do anything about this act of wanton destruction.
King Parrot Creek is a highly recommended fishing creek for brown trout. The creek downstream also has a population of the very rare and Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act protected Macquarie Perch. Such wanton riparian destruction can increase sedimentation loads inside the creek which is devastating to fish populations - silt can also smother fish habitat including snags. Removing trees also plays havoc with water temperatures (taking away protection of the creek from excessive summer temperatures) and destroys fish food, mainly being macroinvertebrate species. Anectodal evidence is already suggesting that this stretch of river is already depleted of its trout population.
Downstream from the riparian destruction (above), the next landholder had recently dumped building rubbish on the banks of King Parrot Creek. This person was ex-head honcho of a large media conglomerate. His cattle are also playing havoc with the creek banks. Perhaps after a heavy rain all of this waste will end up in the creek destroying valuable fish habitat.