Meeting Date Wednesday 6 July 2011
Meeting Opened 7.09pm
Chairperson Trevor Aspin
Attendance 19
Apologies Ray Duhigg, Ann-Louise O'connor
President's Welcome Trevor welcomed those present and acknowledged that the extremely poor weather and dangerous winds may have kept many at home.
Neighbourhood Watch
Police Report No reports available
Guest Speaker Ken Merrifield attended on behalf of the Shoalhaven Heads Men's Shed and provided a comprehensive presentation about the Boardwalk Project.
" A Minuted Report is found at the end of the Minutes.
Previous Meeting Minutes from 4 May 2011 read and confirmed Previous Minutes were read and confirmed
Moved: Eric Bird
Seconded: John Dogterom
Business Arising 1. The opening of the river. Carolyne Turner spoke about the Council's Entrance Management Plan and the Floodplain Risk Management Plan that are available on Council's website. People are encouraged to read through these reports.
2. Council's website is now available.
3. There will be no Heads News available in August.
4. September meeting of the Forum will be the AGM.
5. The API McIntosh Street site issue is discussed in "Incoming correspondence".
" Recycling Excursion
Eric Bird again spoke regarding the Recycling plant tour on 8 August. The bus leaves the SHS&S Club at 8.30am. Participants need to wear closed in shoes and to bring a mug/cup. There will be lunch provided at the Showground. 24 people are needed and 22 names are down so ask neighbours /friends because a second bus can be arranged if numbers increase.
The tour will show the group the recycling of paper, glass, electronics, and ground fill.
" Club Meeting fees Carolyne Turner reported that she had met with the General Manager of the SHS&S Club Michael Bowen to discuss the cost of holding the Forum meetings. Carolyne explained to Mr Bowen that the Forum members have no personal interest gain but all the energy went in the interests of the community. Mr Bowen was very cooperative and explained that the Forum pays only for tea and coffee facilities. After an explanation that the Forum does not need these facilities it was agreed that the Forum does not have to pay to meet at the Club provided we do not want the tea/coffee facility.
A Motion was approved that the Forum meetings do not have tea and coffee facilities thus no payment for use of the room.
Moved: John Dogterom
Seconded: Cec Knight
Outward Correspondence 1. SCC asking Gareth Ward to arrange for a guest speaker from the Department of Fisheries.
2. SCC requesting an Increase in the CCB grant from $400.
3. SCC informing of the local street damage.
4. SCC asking about the API property Notice from SCC.
5. SCC asking whether Council had found the reports on the Shoalhaven Heads River.
6. SCC notifying Council that the no parking signage is missing from the curb near the Chemist block of shops.
Inward Correspondence Tabled 1. Invitation from the Shoalhaven Heads Sub Branch of the NSW RSL to attend Vietnam Veterans Day Ceremony
on Thursday 18 August 2011
RSVP by 11 August 2011.
2. Reply from the Shoalhaven City Council regarding our letter asking for an increase in the CCB subsidy from $400 to $800.
Explains that there are 2 avenues for subsidies: 1. The Delivery Program and Operational Plan and the Guidelines for the Conduct of CCB's. Both avenues list $400 as the amount they grant to CCBs.
Submissions for the DPOP closed for 2011 and our request has been passed to the grant under the Guidelines for the committee to consider. We should hear following Council's Ordinary Meeting on 26 July 2011.
3. Reply from the SCC regarding the damaged roads and missing No Parking signs. These have been inspected and the roads were considered to be satisfactory at this stage whereas the No parking signs will be replaced when the crews are next in this area.
4. Letter from SCC regarding the Forum's nomination of Peter Moate for the Shoalhaven Medal. This has been postponed to 2012.
5. Invitation to attend the SCC official launch of the Draft LEP 2009 on 18th July.
6. Letter from SCC regarding the amendment to the Huskisson Business zoning.
7. Ann-Louise O'Conner sent an email about a conversation she had had with Gareth Ward regarding the McIntosh Street API property. Gareth said that there was no asbestos issue.
Inward Correspondence Accepted Moved: Cec Knight
Seconded: Andy Turner
Treasurer's Report
Judy Moate presented the treasurer's report as follows:
Opening Balance
$1,298.21
Income - Raffle
$ 59.00
$0.07_
Balance:
$1,357.28
Expenditure
$ 84.00
Supper Voucher
$ 25.00
Cash at hand
$ 40.55
Closing Balance:
$1,248.28
Treasurer's Report Accepted Moved: Judy Moate
Seconded: Ron Randalls
Reports
" Chamber of Commerce No report available
" Progress Association John Dogterom reported on 3 DA applications and a request from the Shoalhaven Heads Golf Club to construct a new access value of $30,000.
" Bush Care No report available
" Golf Club No report available
" Arboretum No report available
" Pool No report available
" Community Centre Trevor reported that the old heavy tables that are breaking up are to be replaced by lightweight tables. Also there are new lights at the entrance.
" Electricity Project Eric Bird reported on the new electricity project. Information and a Form will be in the Heads news this month. People are encouraged to fill in the form and place it in the boxes provided in 3 different locations in the Heads. If people have any interest in the project please fill in the form. There are 100 people minimum needed to get the project off the ground. If people already have existing contracts then this does not exclude anyone because there may be means to negotiate with the supplier. If people are interested at all please fill in the form.
All Reports Accepted
Moved: John Dogterom
Seconded: Peter Moate
General Business 1. Peter Moate said he had received a letter about the building proposal at the winery on Coolangatta road. There will be live music and a dance floor.
Discussion revealed that the building is already built and live music is a good thing for the area.
2. There was some discussion about Shoalhaven Bus people being invited to speak on the routes, timetables and costs and also the Shoalhaven Community Bus Service. Outward Correspondence 1. Write to the SH S&S Club thanking the Club.
2. Write to SCC about the 2 trees opposite the Mountain View Caravan Park that have died and ask Council to replace them/
3. Write to SCC asking for someone from Department of Fisheries to be our Guest Speaker.
4. Write to those groups that provide Reports to the Forum and ask that they send in a Report via email if a representative is unable to attend.
Raffle Not held
Next Meeting 3 August 2011 at 7.00pm
Meeting Closed 8.20pm
MINUTES OF THE REPORT ON THE BOARDWALK GIVEN BY KEN MERRIFIELD FROM THE MEN'S SHED SHOALHAVEN HEADS:
The aim of the boardwalk is to link up 4 sections of boardwalk around the village. The linked walkway would attract tourists and would provide wheelchair access to areas around the village.
The boardwalk objective is to provide 80 plus interested, local youngsters with an opportunity for employment and training in a pre apprenticeship scheme certificate that would prepare them for an apprenticeship proper.
The Men's Shed aims to provide training in the use and maintenance of construction, building and carpentry tools and equipment and then local tradespeople will provide supervision on the job.
The 4 sections and estimated costing for each section:
Section1: From the surf club to a sand dune lookout point that would offer an observation deck area going southwards toward the beach end of the caravan park. This section does not need a DA. The only issue is with an extreme high tide or huge seas it could be washed away.
Estimated Cost $89,000
Section 2: From the wharf to pave a concrete walkway with a timber handrail that follows the edge of the tree line all the way from the wharf to the hotel where there would be an observation deck area.
Estimated Cost $156,000
Section 3: From the end of Section 1 through the park area along to the boat ramp and onto the edge of River Road.
Estimated Cost $101,000
Section 4: Is at the back of several houses on River Road. This section joins up Section 2 and Section 3. It is quite a complicated section of construction that will require foundations. If this section is not able to be completed at all then the walkway can still be effective by using River Road to join up the other two sections.
Estimated Cost $177,600
History of the Project:
In 2008/09 the Federal Government released money for employment opportunities. Although this project didn't fully meet the requirements the Men's Shed put together the Project and began applied for funding. After a couple of rejections and rehashing of the Project to fit government requirements It was seen to be a great project with SCC but has not been able to secure funding.
To receive funding a project must be NEEDED in the community.
To receive funding the community must be willing to back itself by COMMITTING FINANCIALLY to the project before it asks government to put in the public's money.
The Project has been able to guarantee about $50,000 of in kind financial support. The funding bodies require about $250,000 of commitment.
Discussion following the Boardwalk Report:
Question: What about the prisoners doing the work?
Answer: They cannot be paid for their work and therefore we cannot get funding.
Question: On the Central Coast there is a long boardwalk that provides fitness areas - is this possible?
Answer: it can be included.
Ken said that he was meeting with Regional Development Australia on 28 July when Simon Crean will be looking for projects.
Noel Schneider said Council has $10-15,000 committed to Bush care.
Ken said that It is possible to canvass the village to get pledges for money for the project but a Committee would have to be formed and willing to do this and then Council may be willing to match.
Discussion was then had about the possibility of completing one section at a time by raising smaller amounts e.g $89,000 for Section 1.
At our last Forum meeting Gareth advised that there is a bike lane proposed to be paid for by Council between Shoalhaven Heads and Gerroa that will benefit only people fit enough and interested to ride bikes a long distance.
Gareth has also made a commitment to converting the old disused toilets near the Men's Shed into a disabled toilet and the Arboretum to put in a covered area at a cost of $35,ooo but once elected has no money. Much will depend on O'Farrell's September budget and whether there is money committed for Department of Community Partnerships. Discuss with Gareth Ward NSW Member for Kiama when he next attends the Forum meeting.