ANNUAL REPORT Darebin Creek Management Committee Inc.

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1 DCMC is funded by Banyule, Darebin, Whittlesea and Yarra Councils and La Trobe University. Darebin Creek Management Committee Inc. ANNUAL REPORT

2 President s Report This year has been very much business as usual for Darebin Creek Management Committee, with our two divisions performing consistently and our structure and finances in good condition. The Parklands has continued a successful year of revegetation and weed control in the remnant Snake Grass area, an independent review of the leachate system, installation of a new toilet block to replace the original bluestone building, and some late season revegetation works near the railway bridge. Heading north along the Darebin Creek over the past months will have you sighting more nest boxes in trees with some exciting inhabitants including Sugar Gliders and Ringtail Possums. These sightings along with a lower percentage of Common Mynas is satisfying. We continue to receive planning applications adjacent to the creek with some being opposed on the grounds of visual amenity, bulk and proximity. Our education program continues to be in strong demand in schools and at festivals catchment wide. Following on from last year s change to membership, we have begun a phase of reviewing our governance, operations and effectiveness. This is to ensure that we show clarity and responsibility when making decisions that have an effect on the community, and can be appropriately measured through financial auditing from our member bodies. We have now successfully amended our Constitution and with this new document, applied for Deductable Gift Recipient status from the Australian Tax Office. Thanks to our staff and member representatives for pursuing this and we eagerly await an approval. I would like to thank the funding bodies for their continued support and the hard work of staff and volunteers that make a difference to the Darebin Creek. President Cr Craig Langdon Mayor, Banyule City Council Coordinator s Report This year the Coordination Division has consistently applied itself to the planning issues along the Darebin Creek, but with a surprising drop in planning referrals compared to previous years we have had less need to lodge objections. Having said that, the core issues continue to focus on vegetation and amenity issues, overdevelopment and the interface between development and adjacent open space. During the past 12 months, we have worked on a number of issues to protect and enhance the Darebin Creek Catchment and raise awareness of the Darebin Creek Management Committee and its activities. We have provided technical advice and information to Councils and other bodies regarding various aspects of the Darebin Creek and have undertaken independently funded projects. Our website was created ten years ago and has been quite successful in maintaining its validity and usefulness during this time. However, with newer content management systems becoming prevalent, we are undertaking a renewal of the information and design of the site. The website is an important link to our Education Program which continues to grow year by year. The fourteenth shopping trolley muster conducted by DCMC with assistance from Councils and Melbourne Water rounded up one of its lowest figures yet with only 17 trolleys being removed from the creek. This is testament to the long term success of this project and the influence DCMC has had on the management of shopping trolleys in the catchment. The revised Darebin Creek Management Plan is also underway and will provide good guidance to the Coordination Division and other stakeholders involved in the management of the Creek corridor. The lower Darebin Creek Shared Trail is now constructed south to Napier Waller Reserve, and there continues to be Local and State Government support for the completion of the entire trail to the main Yarra Trail. I would like to thank the Committee, member Councils and the staff for a productive year. Adrian Infanti Co-ordinator ii Darebin Creek Management Committee Inc. Annual Report

3 Ranger s Report The past year for the Parklands Division at Darebin Parklands has been one of project planning and project management. The old bluestone public toilets built in 1980 were demolished and a new modern unisex facility constructed to provide access for all abilities and ages. Another major project undertaken was the restoration of the Darebin Enterprise Centre (DEC) slope which had become a public risk due to a landslip potential. As a result the parklands acquired a small parcel of land which was once in the DEC. The Indian Myna control programme is still ongoing as is the penthouse for Parrot Project with 144 nest boxes now in the park. The DCMC is working with Australian Nature Museum and Newcastle University by supplying data collected about these pest bird species. Darebin Parklands Association (DPA) volunteer Michael Mann has dedicated over 500 hours to the program and for that I am very fortunate and appreciative. The Darebin Parklands now has 14 bee hives managed by Practical Beekeeping in an effort to protect threatened European honey bees. Free workshops on bee keeping are held at DCMC periodically. The Spiritual Healing Trail attracted over 5000 participants at three Spiritual Healing Festival days being held during the year in conjunction with Darebin Council. Leachate management remains a core responsibility of the Parklands Division with 15,666 KL of leachate being generated which is the lowest reading to date. Upgrade plans are been developed with funding granted from Darebin Council for the coming year. Katy Marriott undertook a comprehensive weed control and planting program within the Parklands with over 15,000 indigenous tubestock planted as well as supervising the ever faithful Darebin Parklands Association volunteers known as the Thursday Crew. The education program was exclusively targeted at tertiary students with both TAFE colleges and Universities participating throughout the year. The Parklands also conducted environmental education sessions with secondary and Grammar schools. Primary schools visiting the Parklands are mainly handled by the Coordination division s Education Program. The Parklands Division hosted six Parkcare days with the DPA and five Information evenings as well as hosting a large variety of organisations, conducting workshops and seminars. In addition the Parklands is hosting its second Artist in Residence located in the Gleeson Centre. Thanks to the Committee and Banyule and Darebin Council for their ongoing support and to my colleagues at DCMC and in particular to Katy Marriott for her hard work. Peter Wiltshire Ranger Darebin Creek Management Committee Inc. Annual Report

4 Catchment Map 2 Darebin Creek Management Committee Inc. Annual Report

5 Catchment Snapshot Artist in Residence Anna Farago began her Artist in Residence program in April Working in textile design, Anna has been using the Parklands to test out ideas for an exhibition titled A Crafted History: People and Place at ArtSpace, Realm Maroondah City Council. For the project Anna worked on a large scale quilt titled Stitching Time, which has been a collaboration with members of Maroondah Handicrafts Inc. Anna volunteered at a number of Thursday morning weeding sessions with Ranger Katy and the Thursday Crew. Weeds collected in the Parklands have been used to dye fabrics for an art work titled Light. The work was attached to trees in Anna s childhood home in Gippsland. An installation of recent works in the Parklands is intended for Festivals The Darebin Creek Management Committee is represented at many festivals and community events each year. This is a good chance to interact with the broader community and educate on local waterway health. A number of displays and activities are undertaken with community members of all ages. Most popular are the Frogs of the Darebin Creek and Water Bug interactive activities. Friends Groups The Friends groups are intregal to the work of the Committee. Many volunteer hours are devoted to restoring the Darebin Creek and Parklands. From planting trees and weeding to nestbox making and education, volunteers contributions are valued and supported by the Committee. The Friends of Darebin Creek work catchment wide while the Darebin Parklands Association work in and around the Darebin Parklands. Congratulations to Friends of Darebin Creek who celebrated their 20th Anniversary in April To get involved contact Darebin Parklands Association, and Friends of Darebin Creek friendsofdarebincreek.org.au Napier Waller Bridges opened along the Shared Trail have allowed access to Napier Waller south of Heidelberg Road. Napier Waller was a noted muralist, mosaicist and painter. His residence and the area surrounding it is known as Napier Waller. Opening up this area will allow for better management of the area. With the involvement of the Friends of Darebin Creek, Napier Waller will undergo revegetation and restoration. Thursday Crew The Thursday Crew is a long-running group of volunteers who dedicate their Thursday mornings to improving the Darebin Parklands. Throughout the year they planted 2500 indigenous plants, collected countless bags of litter and have removed piles of weeds from significant vegetation areas around the parklands. The volunteers dedicate most of their time to the riparian zone, stabilising creek banks with Tussock Grasses and Bidgee Widgees as well as revegetating with shrubs such as Sweet Bursaria for attracting smaller birds back to the creek. Their work is invaluable in improving the natural habitat of the Darebin Parklands. Darebin Creek Education Program The Darebin Creek Education Program (DCEP) is offered free to schools located in the Darebin Creek Catchment area. The aims of the program are to encourage students to value local creeks and rivers, to educate about creek health issues in the Darebin Creek Catchment and to show students how they can help. In 2014/15 DCMC delivered 136 hours of education sessions to around 2,000 students from schools located in the Darebin Creek Catchment. Popular activities included: Fascinating Frogs, The Catchment Story role play, Water Testing and What Is That Waterbug? Where possible, staff meet students at a suitable location along the creek near their school. Incursions are offered when a school is too far to walk to the creek or in inclement weather. Excursions are also offered at the Darebin Parklands. A new education session trialled this year at Darebin Parklands introduced students to the nestbox program, highlighting the importance of old growth trees as habitat. Darebin Creek Management Committee Inc. Annual Report

6 Treasurer s Report DAREBIN CREEK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE INC SUMMARY TREASURERS REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 30/6/2015 Summary Surplus: $5,388 ($79,723 in 2014) Overall the financial position of DCMC remains satisfactory despite a drop in revenue and a much lower surplus than in recent years. Normal staff levels of Parklands Division are now in place and meeting the needs of all park users and continuing building good relationships has been a result. To this end the purchase of a new four wheel drive park utility, refurbishment of smaller vehicles, provision of a storage container for bush kinders and the replacement of the toilet block improving the park amenity.the placement of electronic monitoring equipment in several bird boxes was money well spent. Some park equipment routine and non routine repairs have been required. Councils are assisting with funding on several projects. Our cash at bank position dropped $38,735 in Despite this bank balances remain satisfactory to meet all commitments as they fall due. Our cash reserves at 30/6/2015 would cover expected outgoings in 2015/16 before recurring funding is received. Income Statement 1. As tabled in this report (i) Recurring Funding $ 486,867 (2.4% increase) (ii) Non Recurring Funding $7,962 down from $27, /2014 included some one off receipts. (iii) Grant Income : $6,575 down from $19,430 in 2013/14 (iv) Interest Income $13, % increase more funds on deposit B) Expenditure (I) (II) (III) Wages: Overall wage costs were impacted by the scheduled wage increase from the EBA for BCC award and the appointment of the Assistant Park Ranger Administration Most were consistent with normal activities with the exception of legal costs $2,700 associated with DGR status initial payments to Moores Legal (IV) Maintenance (V) Contractor Costs $2,579 $1329 to level the educations building, Also a number of park equipment items needed repairs during in 2014/15 $2,130. (VI) General Works Parklands: expenditure on the nest box development was a significant item involving M. Mann. (VII) Leachate Maintenance costs were similar to last year. Balance Sheet C) Bank Balances $517,826 A healthy position D) Fixed assets status. Net Balance $129,067 Expenditure 2015: as mentioned in summary. E) Liabilities. We expect to largely complete current grant projects in 2015/16. GST & PayG liabilities are met within the normal deadlines. F) The Long Service Leave entitlements (current -10year plus) and <10years (non current) have been provided for as per the regulations and the current EBA. Treasurer Phillip Davies 4 Darebin Creek Management Committee Inc. Annual Report

7 Balance Sheet AS AT 30TH JUNE Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents 517, ,561 Receivables 7,165 2,469 Prepayments 17,786 15,704 Total current assets 542, ,734 Non-Current Assets Property, plant and equipment 129, ,872 Total non-current assets 129, ,872 Total Assets 671, ,606 Current Liabilities Payables 24,458 45,667 Unexpended Grants 77,553 98,941 Provisions 106, ,275 Total current liabilities 208, ,883 Non-Current Liabilities Provisions 21,474 17,672 Total non-current liabilities 21,474 17,672 Total liabilities 230, ,555 Net Assets $441,439 $436,051 Equity Retained surplus 441, ,051 Total Equity $441,439 $436,051 Income Statement FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE Revenue from operating activities 514, ,725 Expenditure from operating activities Employee benefits expense 356, ,673 Depreciation 31,005 31,473 Other expenses 121, , , ,002 Net surplus for the year 5,388 79,723 Accumulated surplus at the beginning of the financial year 436, ,328 Accumulated surplus at the end of the financial year $441, ,051 Darebin Creek Management Committee Inc. Annual Report

8 Our Mission The Committee has been established to ensure the preservation, restoration, environmental protection and ecologically sensitive development and maintenance of the Darebin Creek Linear Park. Membership City of Banyule Cr. Craig Langdon (President) Jeff Parkes (Secretary) City of Darebin Cr. Vincent Fontana Alison Breach City of Whittlesea Cr. Christine Stowe Kristen Jackson La Trobe University Anthony Theunissen Treasurer and Public Officer Phillip Davies Friends of Darebin Creek Helen Walker-Cook Darebin Parklands Association James Garriock Committee Employees Peter Wiltshire (Ranger In Charge) Katy Marriott (Ranger) Adrian Infanti (Coordinator) Peter Grenfell (Project Officer) Therese Grinter (Project Officer) Volunteers Michael Mann Thursday Crew Darebin Creek Management Committee Inc. PO Box 5093 Alphington