Attendances:

Andrew Marshall, Deputy Chairperson; Yvette Worsfold, Tony Erith, Jim Allen, Gerald Dijkstra, Clark McGarva, Hugh Smith, David Elphick, Howard Shapland, Ron Master, AGWEST; Natalie Reeves, WRC; Julie Pech, WRC.

Apologies:

Pat Walker, Secretary; Jan Allen, Phillip Marshall, Maurice McCormick

Minutes of meeting 9th August:

Confirmed as correct on the motion of H. Shapland.

Business arising out of minutes:

WATSONIA ROADSIDE SIGN Eye-rite Signs will be doing painting the signs. These will be completed by the next meeting.

Correspondence:

INWARDS

Gary Martin has submitted an application for fencing funds from the Torbay Catchment group. Alan Carter of Green Skills has submitted an application to have a Green Corp team carry out the fencing and revegetation work on Gary's property (corner Corio Road / South Coast Highway). If the application is successful work could commence in February 2000.

General business:

WATSONIA SPRAYING

Watsonia spraying should be carried out in the next month. Waiting on the supply of chemical (Dalapon) from City of Albany. Tony Erith, Terry Allen, Clark McGarva and Gerald Dijkstra have volunteered to help with watsonia spraying. More volunteers needed - please phone Andrew Marshall on 9845 1081 if you can help.

Spraying will take place under favourable weather conditions - it is therefore difficult to nominate an exact time and date when spraying will take place. Neighbours need to be notified of intended spray day(s). Notify the City of Albany (Jane Davies), of intended spray days for insurance purposes.

Members of the catchment group have expressed concern that cleaning out roadside drains in the catchment by the City of Albany is spreading the watsonia further. Care needs to be taken to prevent spillage from trucks when transporting soil containing watsonia corms and bulbs. Appropriate sites need to be selected for disposal.

Guest speaker:

RON MASTER, AGRICULTURE WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Ron introduced himself and explained his role as the Catchment Support Officer replacing Kym Witney-Soanes on the catchment support team. The Torbay Catchment Group's focus catchment status prioritises access to AGWEST's team of catchment hydrologists, soil scientists, agronomists and economists.

Ruhi Ferdowsian, Hydrologist, was suggested as guest speaker for the next meeting. Ron to follow this up.

Discussion took place on the main landuses in the catchment i.e. cattle and horticulture. Concern was expressed by catchment group members that the total area of valuable agricultural land in the catchment is being eroded by subdivisions and changing landuses and inappropriate planning decisions. Natalie Reeves, WRC Acting Albany Hinterland District Leader advised of the City of Albany current review of the land planning strategy. The catchment group can take part in protecting the agricultural resource by submitting these concerns to the City of Albany review.

Next meeting: Wednesday 1ST November 2000.

The meeting closed at 8.20 pm.