Present:

Chairperson D Wolfe; Deputy Chairperson Andrew Marshall; Phillip Marshall, Diane Evers, Yvette Worsfold, Tony Erith, Ruth Watson (Torbay Hill Residents Association), Monty Walker, Lesley Walker, Terry Allen, Chris Westcott, Terri Harwood, Philip Mellon, Phil Fruet, Maurice McCormick, Steve Pontin, John Sutherland, Pat Walker, Julie Pech (WRC), Naomi Arrowsmith (WRC), Graham Wright (Water Corp), Jane Davies (City of Albany), Chris Gunby (WRC), Peter Collins (CALM), Peter George (APEC), Michael Pemberton (Chamber of Commerce).

Apologies:

Melissa Vernon, Graeme Heighton, Ron Master (AGWest) David Elphick, Howard Shapland, Joni Pannell, Hugh Smith, Kevin Priddle, Clarke McGarva.

Welcome:

A welcome to Peter George of APEC (Wood chip mill) and Naomi Arrowsmith (WRC) extended by the Chairperson.

Minutes of previous meeting:

The minutes were taken as read and confirmed on the motion of Diane Evers, seconded Maurice McCormick. Carried.

Correspondence:

OUTWARDS:

City of Albany (26/5/01) requesting assistance with chemicals for the spraying of Watsonia later in the year.

Water Corporation (26/5/01) passing on Philip Mellon's proposal for drain flushing and a query about the temporary bund proposed for the north creek drain system.

INWARDS:

City of Albany (8/6/2001), Colin Meeking, Executive Director, Works and Services advising they could supply our Group with the chemical Delapon to continue spraying watsonia. The group to advise Jane Davies of the required amount and distribution of Delapon. Council advised they would organise public insurance cover but required that all people involved fill out forms to be sent to Jane Davies. Colin finished by thanking us for controlling watsonia in our local patch!

Water Corporation (11/6/2001) Paul Bendotti advising that to increase the water level in Lake Manarup to flush the system would require water from Torbay Inlet. The option was not used because of concerns that the water quality in Toray Inlet was significantly worse than the water quality in Lake Manarup. Mr Bendotti advised that the Corporation was still considering the installation of a check structure in the North Creek drainage system. Graham Wright invited Mr Mellon and any others to come into his office at any time to discuss the matters.

Coast and clean seas site updates:

Julie Pech gave an update on three demonstration sites in the Torbay Catchment area:

• Grasmere Drain: Great Southern TAFE Land Management students are carrying out monthly aquatic macroinvertebrate (water bug) monitoring and will be planting seedlings to revegetate the banks.
• Artificial wetland at Phillip Marshall's: Construction of the wetland was completed in April, followed by three inches of rain, which filled and overflowed the wetland. The banks will be planted in July. Sedges to be planted in November.
• Stream restoration at G Martin's: pool and riffle installed to oxygenate the water; the site fenced, sprayed, ripped and mounded, to be planted later this month.

Waterways projects and grants:

G Heighton's application for $420 towards fencing of Marbelup Brook on his property was approved on the motion of A Marshall and M Walker. Carried.

National Rivers Consortium - Whole of catchment river restoration project for Torbay:

Naomi Arrowsmith (Water and Rivers Commission) advised that the application for this project had been submitted and the contract signed last week. She explained that the aim was to plan, implement, record and evaluate the whole-of-catchment waterways restoration for the Torbay Catchment area. Naomi stated that it was a partnership between Land and Water Australia, the Water and Rivers Commission, Agriculture Department, Water Corporation and the Torbay Catchment Group. $1.4 million had been allocated over four years for the whole project.

A community steering group was needed consisting of a chairperson, representative from the Elleker townsite, the potato growers, fishermen, farmers (2), City of Albany, Water and Rivers Commission, AgWest, Water Corporation and that the commitment was for 2-4 years. Naomi asked that nominations be forwarded to her in the next two weeks.

Spring 2001 Watsonia program:

Volunteers are needed for the September Watsonia spraying program.

Jane Davies, City of Albany Bushcare Officer, spoke about the need for groups such as Torbay to endorse the City of Albany's weed management strategy. Lack of interest could result in the program being dropped or funds cut. Long term volunteers are an extremely important part of the Torbay Catchment Group's weed management program, and this work can be assisted through adoption of the City's weed management strategy which will provide funds and paid staff for continued weed management in the area. Continuation of the weed management program will enhance the standing of the City throughout the State.

Incorporation - Torbay Catchment Group:

The proposed constitution was again gone through and the Group was happy with the model presented. Some minor alterations were suggested and when these alterations were made, it would be forwarded to the Ministry of Fair Trading to check it through.

Other business:

HAY-SHEEPWASH CATCHMENT TOUR - NARRIKUP

The Hay Sheepwash Catchment is hosting a bus tour of the catchment on 16th August. Everyone is encouraged to attend, lunch will be provided at Narrikup Hall. On show will be their whole-of-catchment approach to landcare and waterways management.

STATE LANDCARE CONFERENCE - MANDURAH 11-14 September

Group members are urged to attend the State Landcare Conference, information and registration forms are available from Julie Pech on 9841 0125.

FLORA MONITORING

Peter Collins advised that long term monitoring sites to assess ecological change were being finalised. This is part of the Macro Corridors Project. The sites will represent the major vegetation types that occur across the region. It is likely that West Cape Howe National Park will be included in the montoring sites (A development since then is that a site will not be established at West Cape Howe).

Guest speaker: Peter George, General Manager, Wood Chip Mill:

Peter spoke to the Group about the containment of any water runoff at the Mill and enlarged on how it was to be contained. Fuel stores, machinery sheds, etc. were all in bunded areas to prevent any water entering local waterways. Peter has been working with chip mills for 4.5 years and this was the third mill he had set up. No chemicals were used in the treatment at the mill so contamination from chemicals was impossible. There would be continual containment of water and monitoring of the groundwater to make sure the quality did not change.

The next meeting is to held at the Elleker Hall on Wednesday 15 August 2001.

The meeting closed at 9.45 pm.