Work has commenced to alleviate leachate seepage from landfill on Malabar Headland and to direct stormwater drainage away from the children’s rock pools at South Maroubra beach.

The civil works, which are funded by the Commonwealth Government, formally commenced Friday 9 February and the current stage should be completed by June 30 2013.

Friends of Malabar Headland member Claire Bettington has prepared a series of diagrams that illustrate, as the Friends understand it, the complex drainage patterns and the interaction of leachate from the landfill beneath the rifle range, stormwater from Malabar Headland and Randwick City Council stormwater from South Maroubra.

The diagrams show the various flows to South Maroubra beach at present, which impact the children’s rock pools in particular. They illustrate how the Commonwealth’s program of works will address the contamination and hygiene problems these uncontrolled flows have caused up to the present.

To view Claire’s diagrams open or download this PDF file (1.4 MB).

FoMH members attended the Community Consultation Meeting conducted by the Headland owner, the Commonwealth Department of Finance and Deregulation (DoFD), on 16 January 2013 at Maroubra Surf Club. At the meeting, further information was provided about the Commonwealth’s current program of activity by Headland Program Director, Adrian Kirk.

The DoFD budget for headland works is approx. $2m for 2012/13 and $6m for 2013/14, and Adrian Kirk outlined the major projects that are planned.

Lot 301, the Rifle Range area

A Remediation Action Plan for the whole of Lot 301 is being written, and should be complete by the end of June 2013.

The project to collect leachate from the rifle range (now Lot 301) is about to commence.

By June 2013, the northward flow of leachate from the rifle range, which merges with the Randwick City Council South Maroubra stormwater drain and flows into the sea at South Maroubra (and on occasions into the childrens rock pool), should cease.

This will result from the DoFD project to build a wall, trench and interception drain at bedrock level that will collect the leachate as it drains from the base of the landfill to the north of Lot 301. The leachate will be pumped into an expanded wetland where it will be partially treated.

The aim is to totally separate the leachate emanating from the landfill from the stormwater in council’s drain and to retain the leachate on the rifle range site for treatment.

A contract is about to be let for this project. The works will commence in the last week of January and are scheduled for completion by 30 June 2013

An adjunct project will reshape and reline the Randwick City Council South Maroubra stormwater drain, so that it consistently drains to the south and east of the children’s rock pool. This project is also scheduled for completion by 30 June 2013.

The proposed works will not treat the stormwater from the Council’s drain and pollutants in the drain including gross pollutants such as plastic bottles will continue to enter the ocean after storm events. South Maroubra Precinct is trying to get Randwick City Council to remedy this by placing a gross pollutant trap on the stormwater pipe in Byrne Reserve.

Once these works are in progress, Adrian Kirk will attempt to arrange an inspection for those who are interested.

A similar project is planned for the southward flow of leachate that impacts on the Sydney Water STP and the waters of Long Bay (Malabar Beach). Completion date for this project is 30 June 2014.

Once partially treated in situ at the north and south ends of Lot 301, leachate will be pumped back to the centre of the lot where a large settling and treatment pond will be created, in the vicinity of the riding school (now demolished).

When these projects are completed, Lot 301 will be capped. Surface rainwater (stormwater) will then not be able to penetrate deeply and only stormwater, which should largely be free of contaminants, will leave Lot 301.

DoFD has not decided how to manage the large gully on Lot 301 which contains a Sydney Water sewer main.

Methane gas has been detected at various locations on Lot 301. The levels of gas emissions are insufficient to consider capture, and are not at sufficiently dangerous levels to prevent shooting activity.

If large amounts of asbestos are found they will be dug up and removed. Small amounts will not be disturbed as the whole landfill will eventually be capped. There is to be as little digging and disturbance as possible on Lot 301.

Following a request from Margaret Vazey, DoFD will consider preserving the long bore rifle range target mechanisms which are of heritage and social significance.

Despite various representations to DoFD, the Minister and the local member, the 1920s Caretaker’s Cottage was demolished as DoFD did not consider it to be of heritage and social significance.

A great deal of bitou slashing has been done by contractors on the rifle range, but roots have been left in situ to stabilise unconsolidated fill slopes, until replacement planting with native vegetation can be done.

Western Bushland

A large deposit of waste which includes some asbestos has been identified at the south (stop butt) end of the pistol range. The pistol range and its buildings are now fully demolished and it and the rubbish will be remediated in 2013/14.

The pistol range land will then be incorporated in the Western Bushland as part of the National Park, with the eastern boundary of the park following for most of its length the Lot 301 western boundary gravel road and fence.

Other developments

Vehicle access is to be provided to the Byrne Crescent fire break so that fire trucks can enter it.

DoFD are reluctant to erect and repair site fences, as people continually cut holes in them. They are now attempting to block off all roads and access points with large rocks, which will stop vehicles. There is no plan to erect a fence between the Eastern Bushland and the rifle range.

No date has yet been set for transfer of areas of bush adjacent to the Eastern Bushland, at the northern and southern sides of the rifle range, which still require remediation.

The community group with an interest in the headland is to be invited to contribute to the process of designing a Concept Plan for the future development of Lot 301.

Adrian Kirk refused to comment on the Commonwealth’s relationship with the NSWRA and the South East Equestrian Club.

In answer to a question, Adrian Kirk stated that he had no reason to believe that the present plans for remediation and transfer to NSW of the Headland would not be followed through by a Coalition Government.

Further information about the Commonwealth’s activities on and plans for the headland can be found at the Department of Finance and Deregulation website.

Overall, 2012 has been a year of great progress for Friends of Malabar Headland (FoMH) and the many people in the community who share our vision for the future of Malabar Headland.

On 2 March 2012, the Western Bushland section of Malabar Headland was transferred from the Commonwealth Government to the New South Wales Government for use as a National Park.

The formal process of creating the new National Park in the Western Bushland was completed on 21 November 2012 when the Governor of New South Wales, Professor Marie Bashir, reserved the agreed Western Bushland lands under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974 and assigned them the name Malabar Headland National Park – at last, the Western Bushland is preserved in perpetuity as a National Park.

The Western Bushland offiicially becomes Malabar Headland National Park

On the other hand there has been frustration: on 9 May 2012, Peter Garrett, MHR for Kingsford Smith, introduced into the House of Representatives the Malabar Headland Protection Bill 2012 which, if passed, is intended to ensure the protection in perpetuity of Malabar Headland as National Park and public open space. The bill has not completed its passage through the Commonwealth Parliament and its future is uncertain due to the ongoing dispute concerning the New South Wales Rifle Association’s continuing occupancy of the long bore rifle range on Malabar Headland.

With the Commonwealth deciding to abandon its appeal against the NSW Supreme Court decision in favour of the NSWRA earlier this year, FoMH hopes that the Commonwealth and the NSWRA can find another way to resolve their differences.

We believe it would be in the interests of all parties if a satisfactory new home could be found for the NSWRA. Were this to happen, the rifle range site could be remediated and handed over to the people of NSW as a community park and the Eastern Bushland could be transferred to New South Wales as the second stage of Malabar Headland National Park.

Throughout the year, FoMH’s two bushcare groups continued their regeneration activities. Both groups work for four hours each week, pulling out weeds and bagging and removing seed heads, and collecting litter. Each year our goups contribute over 1500 person hours of effort to ensure that the magnificent native flora of the Western and Eastern Bushland is not overrun by invasive weeds.

Bitou Bush and Lantana removed from the Western Bushland in December 2012. The Sunday bushcare group have been active in a section of the new National Park where Bitou Bush and Lantana were growing vigorously.

FoMH wishes its many friends all the best for the festive season and the new year. We also say thank you to our local members in the Commonwealth and State parliaments, Randwick councillors and the many Commonwealth, State and Randwick Council officers who have worked hard to create a Malabar Headland National Park and plan for further protection and remediation of other parts of the Headland in the years ahead.

Peter Fagan
Chairperson, Friends of Malabar Headland

Friends of Malabar Headland has for some years sponsored a special prize in the South Maroubra Art Show. The Art Show is an annual event held in early November, organised by the South Maroubra Art Show committee headed by Marilyn Jeffries, and held over three days in a marquee opposite South Maroubra shopping centre.

The FoMH segment asks entrants to portray some aspect of the natural beauty of Malabar Headland, to show what a special place the Headland is, and why it must be preserved and protected. FoMH has a stall at the Art Show, and visitors can make their views known via letters to the state and federal government ministers who are responsible for the headland and its future.

The winners have certainly portrayed the natural beauty of the Headland! The segment is judged by the Art Show committee judging panel. The first prize of $75 went to David Niwa for this painting:

Second prize of $25 went to Christine Vasilis for this entry:

Congratulations to David and Christine, and to everyone who entered, and to the South Maroubra Art Show committee on organising this event.

We look forward to the next South Maroubra Art Show!

FoMH members attended the Community Consultation Meeting conducted by the Headland owner, the Commonwealth Department of Finance and Deregulation, on 17 October 2012 at Maroubra Surf Club. At the meeting, further information was provided about the Commonwealth’s current program of activity.

All buildings on the Rifle Range (Lot 301), except those in use by the NSW Rifle Association, are to be demolished because they contain asbestos, lead-based paint and termites. This work is to start around 24 October. Among the buildings to be demolished are the Caretaker’s Cottage. FoMH opposes the demolition of this cottage as it has heritage values.

The first stage of demolition should take four to six weeks. Any concrete slabs will be left in position and clean fill will be laid over the sites of the buildings.

Bitou bush is being removed from the rifle range target batter, for safety reasons and to allow access to the sources of methane emissions from the landfill that lies beneath the rifle range.

Drainage and leachate at the northern end of Lot 301 are a high priority for remediation. Approval has been obtained for work to begin on this project.

Randwick Council’s stormwater drain at South Maroubra was found to contain significant levels of heavy metals. This drain will be lined by the Commonwealth and Council to prevent further contamination of it by leachate from the rifle range. However the drain will continue to flow into the sea near the childrens’ pools.

Soil samples taken near the southern end of Maroubra beach were found to contain little or no contamination. Work will begin on an interceptor drain and enlarged reed ponds to capture and treat leachate from Lot 301. It is hoped that this work will be completed by Christmas.

Extensive testing is being carried out to determine the extent of the former landfill, and methane emissions from it. The Commonwealth hopes to have the Remediation Action Plan for the Rifle Range completed by Christmas.

Several sweeps have been made to collect asbestos, car bodies and other rubbish from the Eastern Bushland (Lot 202). To date, 235 tonnes of rubbish have been taken away. A further sweep of rubbish will be made before Lot 202 is handed over to the NSW Government.

A survey to detect unexploded ordnance proved negative. The military buildings that were locked down may require further work to make them more secure.

Damage caused by mountain bike riders along the track from Fishermans Road car park to Boora Point will be addressed by signage, blocking off holes in the fence and patrols by security guards. As a last resort, offenders could be prosecuted.

FOMH has urged the Commonwealth to make every effort to deter the mountain bike riders from riding on this walking track and above all, from damaging the vegetation and altering the track in a careless and destructive manner in order to make it more bike friendly.

Landscape Architect Noel Corkery has prepared a concept plan for a community parkland on Lot 101 of Malabar Headland (currently the Rifle Range).

Noel prepared the plan as an entry in Architecture for Humanity’s 2011 Open Architecture Challenge – [un]restricted access – an international design competition that invited landscape architects, planners, designers, construction engineers and architects to re-envision the future of decommissioned military space.

The objective was “to identify retired military installations in the entrants’ own backyards, to collaborate with local stakeholders, and to reclaim these spaces for social, economic, and environmental good.”

For the competition web site, click here.

Noel became aware of the headland while his company Corkery Consulting was designing the redevelopment of the Loop at La Perouse for Randwick City Council.

Noel was given an introductory tour of the headland by Friends of Malabar Headland Chairperson Peter Fagan some months ago, and in September, delivered to FoMH members a presentation of his concept plan as entered in the competition.

Friends of Malabar Headland does not endorse all aspects of Noel’s plan. However we think it an inspiring vision of many of the opportunities and benefits the Headland has the potential to deliver to the local community and indeed to all of Sydney.

To view Noel’s plan, open or download this PDF file (note this is a large file – 8 MB).

This website is based on the popular and efficient WordPress blogging platform and has some great features and a fresh new look. Our Co-Chairperson, Peter Fagan has put this initial content together, and he has done a fantastic job! Thanks Peter!

The previous FoMH website served us well for over 8 years, so thanks go to Megan Vazey and many others for its design and content. The old website content, such as documents and images, will be progressively added to this site. We welcome your ideas.

One feature of this website is the ability to leave a comment. Comments are moderated, and may take time to appear.  So make a comment!

Another feature allows you to “follow” the new web site, which means that when we publish a news item or story (blog entry) on the home page, you receive a copy of it by email.

To follow us look for “Follow FoMH blog via Email”, on the home page and enter your email address and click Follow. Try it – if it doesn’t suit you you can always “unfollow”!

As Friends of Malabar Headland we welcome your comments, suggestions on the website, the Headland and any related issues.

Please visit again soon – the site is regularly updated!

Cheers,
Tom & Lorraine
Co-WebMaestro

On 9 May 2012, Peter Garrett, MHR for Kingsford Smith, introduced into the House of Representatives the Malabar Headland Protection Bill 2012. When passed, this legislation will ensure the protection in perpetuity of Malabar Headland as National Park and public open space.

The bill is explained in detail and background information is provided in the Malabar Headland Protection Bill 2012 Explanatory Memorandum.

Peter Garrett’s Second Reading speech to the House of Representatives – Hansard extract and video (YouTube).

Peter issued a media release and the speech was reported in the Southern Courier.

Friends of Malabar Headland welcomes the introduction of this legislation which honours a commitment Peter Garrett made earlier this year, and will in his words:

” …  guarantee that the site is preserved and maintained for the benefit of future generations of Australians. It will prevent the site, or parts of the site, from being resold in the future to a third party for development rather than for use as a national park and public space.”

In his speech, Peter Garrett paid tribute to the efforts of the local community and the Friends of Malabar Headland:

“For decades the local community has campaigned to protect Malabar Headland. I want to place on record this government’s appreciation of their efforts — in particular, the Friends of Malabar Headland, including Peter Ryan, Alan Hall and many others who have worked tirelessly to rehabilitate the bushland. Their vision of a national park on Malabar Headland is now being realised.”