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The
Mermaid Pool Project - 2002-2005
In
January 2002, committee member Malcolm Fisher proposed the committee adopt the
Mermaid Pool, on Manly Creek about 400m downstream of the Manly Dam wall, as a
project for bush regeneration, general cleanup, water testing, etc.
This area once reigned as a popular swimming spot renowned for its pristine beauty. Today, however, this "hidden gem", just off King Street, Manly Vale, has lost its lustre to noxious weeds, broken sewerage pipes and contaminated water. Mal is spearheading a campaign to have the pool restored to its former glory.
On 16th April a group of environmentalists including Clean-up Australia chairman Ian Kiernan and local MP David Barr visited the Mermaid pool to discuss the project. In addition police divers searched the pool bed for rubbish and safety hazards. On 7th May Warringah Council unanimously approved an expenditure of $8,000 towards the production of a Master Plan for the area from Mermaids Pool upstream to the Manly Dam wall.
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For Further information contact Malcolm Fisher
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Ian
Kiernan at Mermaid Pool May, 2002: ©Ken
Higgs, 2002
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Chappell
family at Mermaid Pool c1957.
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Tree
planting near the site
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Some
of the rubbish removed
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Look
what we found!
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Background
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The project was discussed with Warringah Council and others, and a meeting was arranged to discuss it in detail. SMDCC members and the following were notified.
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uCraig Tucker, Team Leader, Catchment Management, Warringah Council.
uSteve Atkins, Bushland Management Officer, Warringah Council.
uChris Buckley, Head Ranger, Manly Warringah War Memorial Park.
uDavid Van Senden, Area Manager, Manly Hydraulics Laboratory.
uRon Cox, Associate Professor, University of NSW, Water Research Laboratory.
uHelen Wilson, Principal, Manly Vale Public School.
uDavid Barr. State MP, Manly
uTony Abbott, Federal MP, Warringah.
uJudy Reizes, Manly Environment Centre
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The meeting, held on 30th January 2002 was well attended. It was disappointing that Warringah Council wrote to say they could not support the project at present.
The project received front page coverage in the Manly Daily on 25th January 2002 and a follow up article in the Manly Daily on 7th February. The lady who contributed the circa 1934 photograph for this second article remembers when the water was "crystal clear". She also has an expert knowledge of local native plants and has forwarded a list of nearly 100 species that used to grow in the immediate vicinity of the pool. Mal has also been sent a photograph of the Chappell family at the pool in 1957 (see photo) and is seeking other early photographs of the pool to be used as a guide in its restoration.
The site was registered for 'Clean Up Australia Day' on Sunday March 3rd from 9am til 3:00pm and this proved a hugh success. 71 volunteers filled 56 bags with rubbish and collected about 3 tonnes of large items. Bush regeneration was also done and large amounts of weeds removed. The existance of the noxious weed Ludwigia Peruviana was reported to the relevant land owners (Warringah Council and the Department of Land and Water Conservation) with a request that it be removed. The Mermaid Pool is currently listed as Australia's only World Earthday Project.
Warringah
Council arranged for John Laxton to do water sampling and testing at the Pool
and preliminary results indicate higher than expected faecal coliform levels.
In the past there was a sewer overflow (No W061) near the pool adjacent to 102
King Street, but this was sealed in February 1996. Craig Tucker from Warringah
Council prepared a drainage and property boundary map of the area for discussion
and planning purposes. In 2003 Total Earth Care Pty Ltd prepared a Manly Creek
/ Mermaid's Pool Restoration Plan for Warringah Council.
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Media
Reports Publishers
MD(Manly
Daily), NBW (Northern Beaches Weekender), SMH
(Sydney Morning Herald)
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Date
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Publisher
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Page
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Article
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25/01/02
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M
D
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P1-2
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Drive
to restore tainted pool [Mermaid Pool]
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07/02/02
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M
D
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P5
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Fond
recollections of childhood oasis [Mermaid
Pool]
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05/03/02
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M
D
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P1
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Cleaning
up area's act is dirty work
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07/03/02
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NBW
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P1
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Community
supports clean-up
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17/04/02
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M
D
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P4
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Editorial.
Mermaid rescued by a team effort
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17/04/02
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M
D
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P5
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Pool
renewal push widens [Ian Kiernan]
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18/04/02
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NBW
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P3
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Rehabilitation
for waterhole [Ian Kiernan]
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09/05/02
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M
D
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P3
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Weed
plan for Mermaids
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05/12/02
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M
D
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P3
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Heritage
grant to bring Mermaid Pool back to
original beauty
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SMH |
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The
nymphs are long gone, but inmates help
return pool to glory |
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M
D |
P36 |
How
to revive a Mermaid |
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