Rakali Research in

Bayside

Bayside City Council Municipal Map

Bayside

Melbourne

Port Phillip Bay

Bayside Characteristics

17 kilometres of coastline comprised mainly of cliffs & bluffs

with sandy beaches interspersed between rocky headlands.

Rakali Research in Bayside - 1996Broad general fauna survey conducted in Bayside in 1996recommended that further survey work be carried out along the coast to assess distribution and numbers of Rakali within Bayside.

Survey Methods • 17 kilometres of foreshore divided into 4 study areas (Brighton, Hampton, Black Rock & Beaumaris);

• 50 cage traps - baited with pilchards;• One study area trapped each week;• Traps checked twice a day (dawn &

dusk);• No trapping conducted over

weekends due to high foreshore usage.

Rakali Habitat in Bayside• Rakali do not tend to be found where there are wide

sandy beaches;• Often seen near inter-tidal reefs & stormwater drains;• Forage along the strand-line.

Rakali Habitat in BaysideSandringham Yacht Club and Royal Brighton Yacht Club

have associated rocky breakwaters which provide vital

habitat for Rakali in Bayside.

Rakali Habitat in Bayside• Generally Rakali are found in the northern end of Bayside;• Rocky protection walling & groynes seem to provide ideal habitat

for Rakali, especially when adjacent to areas vegetated with Coast Salt-bush (Atriplex cinera).

Rakali Research in Bayside - 1998• First trapping survey of Rakali in 1998;• 17 Rakali trapped & released over two

4-week trapping periods;• 16 Rakali trapped in Brighton;• 1 Rakali trapped in Sandringham;• Rakali report with management

recommendations produced & endorsed by Council in 1999.

Trapped!

Rakali Research in Bayside - 2000• Second trapping survey of Rakali;• Trap & release permit includes

micro-chipping individuals for future identification;

• 7 Rakali trapped, micro-chipped & released over one 4-week period;

• First juvenile Rakali record & first Rakali trapped in Beaumaris.

Survey Methods• Repeat of methods used in 1998;• Additional permit obtained to micro-chip Rakali;• Permit required Ethics Committee Approval, provided by

Monash University (Clayton Campus) Biological Sciences Department;

• Micro-chipping provided free-of-charge by Dr Alan Sherlock from Central Veterinary Hospital, Sandringham.

Survey Results - Example of Data SheetLOCATION (incl. GPS reading) DATE WATER RATS TRAPPED MICROCHIP

NUMBERWATER RATSOBSERVED

Opp. Chatsworth St, BrightonGPS locationS 37'53.851' E144'59.157'

3.10.00 Female H. chrysogaster650 grams

ID no: 000213D274

Opp. Dawson Ave, BrightonGPS locationS 37'53.851' E144'59.157'

4.10.00 Female H.chrysogaster 490grams

ID no: 0005FD595D

Green Point, HamptonGPS location TBA

6.10.00 Male H.chrysogaster 680 grams ID no: 0005FE5365

Opp. Chatsworth St, BrightonGPS locationS 37'53.851' E144'59.157'

10.10.00 Male H. chrysogaster (poss.juvenile), 620 grams

ID no: 000213BFB2

Sandringham breakwaterGPS location TBA

10.10.00 Female H.chrysogaster 700grams

ID no: 000215203B

Hampton Beach 10.10.00pm

On groyne opp.Small Street

Sandringham breakwaterGPS location TBA

12.10.00 Male H. chrysogaster865 grams

ID no: 00021407B6

Half Moon Bay 19.10.004.30am

Swimmingunderneath jetty

Seawall south of Beaumaris SeaScouts buildingGPS location TBA

24.10.00 Juvenile H.chrysogaster (sex ?),150 grams

ID no: 000601DF1E

Footprints

Feeding platforms

Rakali Research in Bayside - 2003• 13 Rakali trapped &

released over one 3-week period;

• 10 Rakali micro-chipped, one tagged individual re-captured;

• Rakali Management Report endorsed by Council in 2004.

Survey Methods• Repeat of methods used in 1998 & 2000;• Additional permit obtained to micro-chip Rakali;• Permit required Ethics Committee Approval, provided by

Department of Sustainability & Environment;• Micro-chipping provided free-of-charge by Dr Alan Sherlock

from Central Veterinary Hospital, Sandringham.

Some Bayside locals...

Rakali Management Recommendations in Bayside• Bayside City Council should take appropriate actions to

conserve & attempt to increase the Rakali population within Bayside;

• Survey Elster Creek (Elsternwick Golf Course) for Rakali;• Limit vermin control on the foreshore to live capture traps -

preferably no rodentcides to be used within 10 metres of the high water mark;

• Protection from predators - foxes & cats;• Protection of habitat.

Proposed Rakali Research in Bayside - 2005• Radio tracking to determine exact habitat being utilised for

burrows - nesting and breeding - to allow for more effective management & protection of Rakali;

• Joint survey work with Kingston City Council & Earthcare St Kilda;

• Potential to use data collected to contribute towards developing local planning policies to protect local biodiversity.

Rakali Publicity, Community Involvement & ‘Rikki Rakali’!• Installation of interpretative signage at known Rakali areas -

Brighton and Sandringham;• The word ‘Rakali’ used instead of ‘Water Rat’;• Fact sheets handed out to all foreshore groups & clubs;• ‘Rikki Rakali’ visits local schools & community events -

Mayor’s annual children’s picnic, Bayside Christmas Carols, Bright ’n’ Sandy Festival, Benalla & District Environment Group Rakali Project Launch and Earthcare Rakali Symposium.

‘Rikki Rakali’ - out & about...

Rikki Rakali & ‘Catchment Care’

The Future...

• Bayside City Council building relationships with various organisations & groups to share information & knowledge on Rakali habitat, behaviour & ecology.