Meeting Date 4th July 2007
Meeting Opened at 7:00PM

No of Members Present 33 Names are recorded in the attendance book .
Apologies 11 Names recorded in the attendance book (J Gash, Const Ray Thomas, Const D MacKenzie, G Ward)

Neighbourhood Watch
Police Report Inspector Sue Charman-Horton made a surprise visit in place of our normal police officers and congratulated the forum on the active part the forum plays in the community.
Sue outlined 5 incidents over the month of June, including:
" Damaged sink in the toilet block at Zealand Oval
" White 4/4 broken into and items stolen
" Storage shed in Tall Timbers C/Park entered and items stolen (shed was not locked)
" Holiday house in River Road broken into and electrical items stolen, a full forensic was done on the premises to see if any evidence - eg DNA could be collected
" Damaged letterboxes and general vandalism following a party in Ingrestre Drive.
Sue reminded all, especially parents of young people to inform the police when they are having a party. Remember - Register parties with the police.
Sue also encouraged people to ring 000 when incidents are occurring - later is too late. Sue gave the phone number of the Nowra incident room and encouraged people to record it and use it in preference to ringing Berry when their call may not be answered - remember if a car is in the area the incident room can relay that information - immediately - 44219640.

Minutes of Previous Meeting of 6/ 6 /2007
Read and confirmed Moved. Peter Moate
Seconded. J Dogterom
Business Arising Nil

Guest Attendees/Speakers Ben Wallace of Coolangatta Estate address the meeting at the conclusion of business - see report at end of minutes.

Reports
Inward Correspondence
1. SCC - advising of DPP No 5 being reported to Council on 12 June.
2. SCC Council has extended the time for public submission on Draft River Estuary Management Plan to 30 July
3. SCC Advising that DCP 54 for Huskisson Town Centre on display from 13 June to 13 July. 4. SCC advising Sect 94 Amendment Plan 74 on display 13 June to 13 July.
5. SCC Advising draining problem in Davenport Road and Golden Hill Ave will be included in 2007/08 program.
6. CCB Guidelines on "Political Activity" will be reviewed.
7. SCC Draft of Compliance Policy detailing how Council will deal with non compliance reports of Council regulations
Moved: Peter Moate Seconded Ron Randall that incoming correspondence be accepted. Carried

Outward Correspondence
1. SCC - Subdivision off Discovery Place
2. SCC - Drainage Davenport Road

Treasurer's Report
The treasurer presented the report
Opening Balance - $2030.41
Incoming $43.00
Outgoing $25.00
Balance $2048.41 (Bank $1964.86 + Cash $83.55)
Moved: J Moate Seconded: Jo Weekes that the report be accepted. Carried

Report of the Shoalhaven Heads Chamber of Commerce and Tourism

- Ken Merrifield advised that the target figure for the Bendigo Bank was not met - but still have some pledges to come in. The Steering committee will meet next week.
Brochure printing for the Chamber is going ahead at a cost of $8700, with the majority of this being raised from advertising.
Ken noted that Holiday Haven and Coolangatta Estate had again featured in the Tourism Awards for the area.

Report of the Shoalhaven Heads Community and Progress Association.
Roger Tilley addressed the meeting and outlined a number of Council draft policies and DA's in the area. Roger mentioned that the map of Council owned land in the Coolangatta Mountain area had been received and that members could have a look at the map.
Roger also mentioned that a pontoon jetty was a possibility for the River Road Reserve area and would be further pursued. The Water tank rebate has been extended to 30/6/08

Report from Community Centre
Trevor Aspin said that a new oven has now been installed at the Community centre much to the relief of the oven users who have been requested this upgrade for some time.

General Business
1 Phillip advised that Jerrinja now have a property management plan according to the Administrator and they were now working on the sale of asset plan. A meeting is to be held at the end of July with Gov Bodies to discuss issues. The Department of Commerce and Investment services is assisting the Jerrinja to proceed with the sale of the land at Shoalhaven Heads.

Phillip mentioned the AGM of the Forum is set for 5th September officer bearers will be required.

Items to bring to the attention of Minister Matt Brown for his visit in September (contact from Ministers office with Secretary after the meeting - this will be October) include:
" Condition and standard of Train service
" Princes Highway between Nowra and Wollongong
" Need for a retirement village in the area
" Urgent need to have police presence over holiday period

Bush Care Group
2 Noel Schneider and Ruth Cave then gave an excellent presentation on the type of weeds, which the bush care groups are eradicating from our beach bushland.
These included:
" Asparagus fern
" Lantana
" Mother of millions
" Cape ivy
" Bitou
" Turkey Rhubarb
Noel said that the River Road group had experience a few wash outs with the recent rain. The Golf course group ha amassed over 250 hours. This is excellent work and the presentation should be presented again with a wider group encouraged.

3 Ben Wallace of Coolangatta Estate then invited the member to sample a small glass of the sparking wine being produced at the estate.
Ben then spoke on:
" The number of wineries around Shoalhaven - seventeen cellar doors.
" Wine export by the industry is now 735 million litres - this is an increase over 10 years of 400%.
" The industry now exports to UK, Europe, Canada, Asia, NZ and Russia to name a few.
" A number of winemakers are working in France; such is the level of expertise in Australia. " Ben mentioned that the overabundance would not continue and people should be ready for higher prices for Australian wines.
" Minimal rainfall meant sweeter fruit and a good vintage
" Have had 3 year back to back good seasons
" Marketing has raised the profile - eg Yellowtail.
" History of the estate - originally wines were planted in 1850's but the wines were pulled out when Alexander Berry died in 1873 and the land went to dairying. Vines were replanted in 1988 - original area was 2.5 acres now 25 acres - with 10 varieties of grape.
" The area is becoming a "south of Sydney" drive with packages being given out at Motels for visitors when they come to area, Coolangatta is the Shoalhaven Representative in the package. People come down through to Berry, Coolangatta, and Kangaroo Valley, up to the Southern Highlands and back to Sydney.
" Future - a plan to 2025 - improve the product, benchmark quality, involvement in Regional wine Show - Milton and Kiama Wine shows.
" Recently Coolangatta featured in the The Land newspaper when the The Land featured the Kiama Wine Show.
Ben then took general comments and suggestion and noted that forum members are keen to see the walk to the top of Coolangatta Mountain, or short walks part of the way, reopened.

4 Raffle was won by Noel Schneider
5 Meeting closed 9:15pm. Next meeting 01st August 2007

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